SFBayStyle

Discarded to Divine - May 7, 2009

It's the Green event of the year and not to be missed! The 4th Annual Discarded to Divine Auction and Fashion Show is happening May 7th, 6:PM, at 888 Brannan St., SF.

This is your chance to see what fashion designers and local fashion design students have created from clothing and fabric donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.Among this year's guest designers are Barbara Beccio, Cari Borji, Michael Boris, and Sweet P from Project Runway (her design is pictured above, photo credit: Ben Hoffman).

Blue Bottle @ Charles Chocolates

Oh how wonderful it is when some of my favorite things collide! Charles Chocolates in Emeryville is now serving Blue Bottle coffee at their Chocolate Bar. Blue Bottle is roasted in Emeryville, yet Charles is the only place that you can get a cup in the area. In addition to the coffee, homemade pastries and hot cocoa are served. 

Charles Chocolates is located at 6529 Hollis St. In Emeryville (510) 652-4412

Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation - San Francisco

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry.  Each spring, the nation's hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at more than 45 events across the United States and Canada, with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million.

Taste of the Nation - San Francisco

DATE: This Thursday, April 23, 2009
TIME: 6:00 PM - VIP Reception Entry at 5:30 PM
LOCATION: The Field Club Lounge at AT&T Park (Tasting Reception) and Traci Des Jardin's Acme Chophouse (VIP Dinner & Auction)
TICKETS: VIP Dinner + Tasting Reception- $250, Tasting Reception - $75
Tickets available clicking here.

Panel in SF this Thursday: A New National Food Policy - But What About the Hungry?

Check out this great event, presented by the SF Food Bank and the Commonwealth Club. The panel will include the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture and other food policy leaders.

A New National Food Policy - But What About the Hungry?

Thursday, April 23, 2009

A.G. Kawamura, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Paul Ash, Executive Director, San Francisco Food Bank

Paula Jones, Director of Food Systems, San Francisco Department of Public Health

Michael Dimock, President, Roots of Change

Amy Sherman, Food Blogger & Author - Moderator

Michael Pollan, Alice Waters and other food activists have advocated for radical changes in U.S. food policy. But those changes could have a surprising impact on people living in poverty. This panel examines the future of food in our country and state – and the impact reforms may have on the 150,000 people in San Francisco (including one in every four children) who are unsure where their next meal is coming from. How can we create a food system that is good, clean and fair for all?

Happy Birthday Miss B

 

On a recent trip to New York City, I discovered Bloomingdale's is celebrating Barbie's big 5-0 in a very big way. On the third floor posing inside square display cases, Barbie can be found reliving her (and our) youthful memories, from retro swimsuit Barbie to modern trendy Barbie all decked out in Juicy Couture. Happy Birthday, you doll!

SF Gate's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants

For all of you Foodie's out there, Michael Bauer of the Chronicle and SFGate.com has come out with his Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants. 

For the Dogs - Rocket Dog Rescue Fundraiser - April 24

It's tough times for all of us, with people getting laid off and people losing their homes. The troubles trickle down, all the way down to our pets. Their masters no longer able to afford food and health care, once loved and pampered pets now find themselves in cold, lonely shelter cages.

But hey, there's something we can do to help! Come to the Rocket Dog Rescue special fundraiser on April 24, 6-8:30pm, at Lovejoy's Tea Room in San Francisco. Since 2001, Rocket Dog Rescue has been saving lives and finding new homes for homeless and abandoned dogs. In these challenging times, they need our help now more than ever. Come on out and enjoy a unique evening of entertainment including palm readings and a silent auction, as well as a high tea inspired dinner - vegan and vegetarian. All this plus helping the dogs? There's nothing more fabulous!

Rocket Dog Rescue Fundraiser, April 24, 6-8:30 pm, Lovejoys Tea Room, San Francisco. For tickets and more information: rocketdogrescue.org

Eater S.F.

I am not one to sign up for newsletters. I have enough in my inbox that my spam filter misses. However, there is one e-mail newsletter that I actually look forward to receiving, The Eater S.F.   Eater is filled with all of kinds of information on the local restaurant scene. There are reviews and even gossip. (No this is not quite the Valley Wag of the food industry.)  I often scan the pages of Yelp, check the open table most requested, and of course read Michael Bauer's many reviews. Eater adds a whole new dimension - current information. Where else could I have learned about the fire at Mustards Grill before heading to the wine country? Or about Corey Lee's upcoming departure from French Laundry. Eater provides all the information wannabe foodies like me need!

 

A Vegan Visits Betelnut

 Betelnut, located in the Cow Hollow neighborhoodof San Francisco, purports to serve food one might find in the streets of Asia. While there might be some familiar dish names on the menu (samosas, satay, dumplings) Betelnut pulls them off with a kind of finesse and polish I somehow doubt the average street cart matches.

Betelnut has plenty of food for vegans, including Tofu Cakes, Happy Buddha (i.e.vegetarian) Dumplings, Empire Fire Noodles and several veggie side dishes. It was quite a meal. Not only were there plenty of choices, but the options were each flavorful and interesting. No Pasta Marinara or Steamed Vegetables for vegans here at Betelnut!

Spike and Annie

It was no foolin' on April 1st for San Francisco designer Lisa Alexander as she previewed fall fashions for her children's clothing line, Spike and Annie. Held at the Pacific Heights home of Lindsay Bolton, the preview event highlighted pieces such as a corduroy mini-shift dress with bow detail and a linen shirt with embroidery. 

Spike and Annie launched in summer 2008 and quickly became a big hit with celebrity parents like Sarah Jessica Parker and Halle Berry. Using all natural eco-friendly fabrics, Lisa Alexander is dedicated to ethically conscious methods to create her line.

The April 1st event was a who's who of local notables, including Dede Wilsley and Joy Bianchi. A percentage of the evening's sales went to Pets Unlimited.

(Pictured above: Claudia Ross, Lisa Alexander, Joy Bianchi. Photo credit: Drew Altizer)

Vintage Fashions

 

The recent Vintage Fashion Expo Fashion Show was all about the romance of spring.

 

Seeking Sassy Women Biz Owners for CRAVE Guide 2009!

Girl Power indeed. Seems small businesses and mostly female entrepreneurs are going to be the ones to get us out of the economic crisis, by everything I've been reading. And what better way to not only promote small business but celebrate the sassiest, boldest and most innovative women biz owners in the Bay Area than with The CRAVE Guide 2009: An Urban Girl's Manifesto. This 2nd edition has been completely redesigned and it looks gorgeous. This book highlights the women you need to know across the Bay Area and their businesses: shops, boutiques, salons, online marketplaces, interior designers, stylists, photographers, graphic designers, B2B businesses, etc.  It's an amazing (and cost effective) way to invest in press and marketing so that you are ripe to take advantage when the economy recovers. And the book will be seen in all the most fashionable shops and businesses around town, as well as Barnes and Noble and Borders!

Here's a peek at the Seattle one that just came out - how lovely is that?!: http://craveparty.com/book/seattlepeek.htm

Roast Coffee Co.

I've been cheating on Peets. I feel like I have betrayed a good friend. As a local native I have always been loyal to Peets Coffee. But every now and then, I am tempted by another. It happened with Blue Bottle, and I fear it's happening again with Roast.

I start every morning with a few cups of Peets. I even have a cup of Peets by my side right now. However, I have a new obsession, a daily soy cappuccino from the 

Mayfield Bakery made with Roast coffee. At least Roast is local. The beans are roasted in Oakland.

Ooooh, with so many locally roasted coffee choices ... what's a girl to do?  

Peek Aren't You Curious Sale

Now that my order has been securely placed, I feel that it is safe to let you know about the treasures that I just discovered on Peek Aren't You Curious.

The company is the brainchild of some local parents, that also happen to be veterans of The Gap and Lucky. Amy and Scott Williams, Saratoga residents, and Tina Canales, a Berkeley resident have created one of my favorite shopping experiences. I love the mix of classic and eclectic designs. Peek is one of the few clothing lines that my nine-year-old daughter and I can agree upon. (It is the only way I can get her to still wear liberty print skirts and dresses.) The line is designed for boys and girls up to size 10 and one of the few lines that caters to the pre-tween set as well.