August 5, 2008 Steven Fiore is a great young artist to watch for. His song "Waiting Up For You" from the Makeshift EP is so pretty. At the risk of sounding sappy, it just tugged at the heart strings. I can't wait for his new full-length album Etiquette to release later this year.
www.myspace.com/stevenfiore
-Tami
August 3, 2008 For all you NorCal wedding belles that haven't found the perfect venue (and the oh-so-important vendors), check out Fanfare's “Summer Wedding Soirée" at the gorgeous Kohl Mansion. Sip some bubbly as you peruse the talents of wedding pros... nibble on some tasty savories and desserts while you enjoy the heavenly sounds of harpist Anna Mendieta. Everything you need for a fairytale wedding will be at your fingertips.
The fun part of the evening will be learning choreographer Cynthia Glinka’s “tips and tricks” on the dance floor. Bridesmaid gowns from Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Amsale, Jim Hjelm, etc will be showcased, and MAC Cosmetics will offer makeup tips for the bridal party. Guests are also eligible to win a Romantic Two-Island Hawaiian Vacation (prize value of $3,266).
Thursday, August 14, 2008
6:30 pm
Kohl Mansion
2750 Adeline Drive
Burlingame, CA
Admission: $20 per person
RSVP by August 11
650.873.8488
www.fanfareweddings.com
-Tami
July 30, 2008 We're ushering in a new era of ultimate mascaras! Lancome is having a sneak preview of their new Oscillation vibrating (that's right, vibrating) mascara for ONE day only (Thursday, July 31). The battery-operated brush provides 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, wrapping lashes up to 360 degrees. Whoa.
It will not be available again until the fall, so first come, first serve. The limited first-edition supply will be available on Lancome-usa.com and Sephora.com, as well as select Macy's, Lancome boutiques and other stores.
-Tami
Beauty, Shopping, Special Events July 30, 2008 It's National Watermelon Day this coming Sunday, so here's a refreshing Peppermelon cocktail for you to celebrate! The balance of sweet and spice makes this super addictive. If you're in the Bay Area and too lazy to make this yummy drink yourself, hop on down to SF bar Elixir - they will be serving this cocktail all day.
Peppermelon
Recipe by H. Joseph Ehrmann
1.5oz Bluecoat Gin
.75oz black pepper honey syrup
1oz watermelon juice
.5oz lemon juice
(Use organic ingredients wherever possible.)
Combine all ingredients in a boston shaker full of ice and shake well for 10 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish on the rim with a small watermelon cube that has a coating of black pepper on one side.
www.elixirsf.com
-Tami
July 29, 2008 To capture the spirit of summer, Biotherm released a new body fragrance called Eau Pure. The light spray has notes of lime, kiwi, grapefruit, green tea, lotus, moss, musk, lime and kiwi. Ideal for a tropical vacation, you can use it to cool off and refresh yourself after a long day at the beach.
www.biotherm-usa.com
-Tami
July 28, 2008 Based on Evelyn Waugh's famous novel, "Brideshead Revisited" is a gorgeous film. Set in post WWI, the epic drama chronicles the lives of an aspiring young artist and a wealthy family. Featuring great performances, the film describes the complicated relationship between Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) and Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw). The close friendship is further complicated when Sebastian's sister Julia (Hayley Atwell) enters the picture, and the entire family is thrown into moral and theological chaos.
Matthew Goode, Hayley Atwell, and Ben Whishaw. Photo credit: Nicola Dove/Courtesy of Miramax Films
As the controlling and cold Lady Marchmain, Emma Thompson played a fantastic Catholic zealot, and the adorable Whishaw is just scarily fragile as he hurtles at breakneck speed towards self-destruction. While beautifully set in England and Venice, the plot drags towards the end, becoming a heavy discussion on religion and family duty.
Ben Whishaw and Matthew Goode. Photo credit: Nicola Dove/Courtesy of Miramax Films
PG-13. 135 minutes; www.miramax.com
-Tami
July 27, 2008 Givenchy has a pretty cool twist in the world of mascara. The new Phenomen’Eyes mascara wand is in the revolutionary form of a sphere. The ergonomic round tip is designed to reach every single lash from root to tip, including those hard to reach baby ones, making it easy to sweep and cover in any angle. Those pretty peepers of yours will now be fringed in perfect feathery lashes!
Available at: Sephora.com
-Tami
July 25, 2008 These new pocket-sized Recchiuti chocolate bars are fun to snack on. Not only did they shrink the classic Dark Milk and Bittersweet bars (portion control!), but they've also included their new Semisweet bar made from Michael's custom Valrhona blend. Talk about a triple threat!
www.recchiuti.com
-Tami
July 23, 2008 There's something deeply romantic about Colleen Quen's wedding designs. Not just any bridal designer, she incorporates her architectural sensibility into her creations, making each gown into a gorgeous structural masterpiece.
I can't imagine how a bride-to-be can choose amongst these gowns, I'm sure one would just want to wear them all! They're all simply divine. The Saketini is my favorite (image below).
The Dandelion gown is stunning. I'd feel like a royal princess in that one...
www.colleenquencouture.com
-Tami
Fashion, Lifestyle, Luxury, San Francisco, Shopping July 17, 2008 The celebrated Tuscan chocolatier Amedei has a cult following, and for very good reason. The company produces bewitching chocolate bars, many of which has garnered numerous awards. It also helps that they source the best beans in the world, beating out many other venerable chocolate artisans.
The Toscano Black Extra 70% is popular fave, fruity and smooth. Its heart is dark and robust, yet it's not overwhelming. It's an assertive bar with a mature sophistication. However, the Toscano Black Extra 66% bar is my favorite of the trio. It has a lingering and softer finish, and the florals dance across your tongue. This doesn't have the same intense factor as the 70%, but it holds its own oomph. The 63% is very earthy with subtle coffee hints. This is the least aggressive of the bunch, so if you like it mild, this is the one for you.
I also love the Toscano Brown 32% milk bar. It's one of the richest milks I've tasted. The honeyed creaminess is to. die. for. Butter and caramel bathe your senses until you stop thinking. It's so decadent that one square is enough to satisfy the average sweet tooth, but that doesn't stop me from going for another one. Truly, one of the best milk chocolates ever.
www.amedei.com
-Tami