SFBayStyle

Cool Cafe

I love art, and I love good food. That is why I can be found spending many lunch hours at The Cool Cafe.
Peninsula Chef, Jesse Cool's dishes, combined with view of Rodin sculpture garden at the Cantor Museum is pretty hard to beat.

Cool's menu consists of organic, sustainable and local food. I am a big fan of the natural turkey breast sandwich, with carmelized onions, sundried tomatoes, spinach on an organic baguette. (For those of you not allergic to cheese, there is a selection of fine, local cheeses to choose from too.) My son enjoys the grilled grass fed burger with carmelized onion, chipotle aioli on a baguette. I am not a food critic, but I know when something tastes good! Cool's dishes are tasty, and good for you and the environment. If the weather is nice, grab a table over looking the Rodin sculpture garden, and order from the the local wine list.

Then take a peek into the museum...it is free! The Cool Cafe is open from Weds- Sun. 11-5, and for dinner on Thursday nights from 5-8.

Glug Sample Sale in Palo Alto

If you missed the Glug sample sale in Marin and San Francisco, you have one last chance to score some Glug designs at wholesale prices. My kids love the shirts!  Glug is available at select boutiques throughout the Bay Area, and designed here in the Bay Area. Here are the details :
   Glug Sale, Friday June 27, 10- 1
   2005 Park Blvd.,Palo Alto
Happy Shopping!

Thread Lounge Is Back In Town

I was on my way for my daily dose of Fraiche yogurt, when my kids noticed the sign. "That sale is back!" They are right - the Thread Lounge designer sample sale is back in Palo Alto. (There is a permanent sale in S.F. as well.) As I combed through the racks, I saw some pretty impressive labels. There is a collection of Copenhagen designer, Ivan Grundahl's pieces, as well as some cute Catherine Malandrino dresses. The collections change almost daily, and styles are limited. They are expecting a delivery of ten racks of kids clothing in the near future.

The Thread Lounge is located at 203 Forest  at Emerson in downtown Palo Alto. Hours are 11-7.

Yogoda: Living with More Energy

Since Elephant Pharm drugstore moved to Los Altos, I find myself stopping by for one thing or another.  I love going there because they are much more than a prescription and herbal pharmacy, but a one stop wellness center.  I especially love the fact that they offer free daily classes.  One of these free classes was  "Yogoda: Living with more Energy", where I met the instructor Luca Moschini, ABT (Asian Bodywork Therapist), and founder of Need Relaxation. He taught us the art of Yogada, a unique healing technique designed to strengthen, recharge, and harmonize the body. 

SFBayStyle: So what is 'Yogoda'? 

Luca: Yogoda means harmony.  It is a healing modality designed to harmonize the energy of the body and calm the mind.  Yogoda was developed by Paramhansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi, who came to the United States to teach meditation and yoga. 

Department Stores Unloading Fab Designer Handbags

Pre-fall is here (yeah, already) and everybody's having sales. Add that to the state of the economy, and department stores in particular are rushing to get rid of inventory in time for fall. Usually, the bargain tables leave a lot to be desired, but this week, we (Pamela, Stefania and I) all individually discovered some incredible deals on bags from 2007-2008 including Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, Valentino, and Jimmy Choo. Where? Neiman Marcus at Stanford had some good ones (going fast) and Saks in Union Square did as well.

What's really unusual this sale is that it's not just a couple of tables full of scraps that are on sale - it's bags on the shelves as well. So if you're in the market for a new handbag, run, don't walk...

Sunset Celebration Weekend

See "the pages of Sunset magazine come to life" this weekend at the Sunset Celebration Weekend. View the latest in garden and home design at the Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park. In addition to the many design and cooking exhibits, there is a new feature this year: the Eco Lounge. Hear Local and national experts, join in for a yoga stretch. The Eco Lounge will also feature a fashion show by Eco Citizen on both Saturday and Sunday at 12:30.

Sunset Headquarters are located at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park. Tickets are twelve dollars, and free for children twelve and under. (Kids love it too!) The celebration runs June 7-8, from 10am to 5pm.

Reclaim - Green Home Store in Menlo Park

Menlo Park has a new green home store, Reclaim, that I checked out for ecofabulous as well as SFBayStyle. It's one of those stores that when you go in, you want to buy everything. The eco fan and design lover in me was oogling pillows, tote bags, furniture and even flooring. It's all green and refreshing.

Tea Supports Global Fund For Children

With a mission to serve the "little citizens of the world," San Francisco based Tea Collection, will be donating twenty percent of sales between May 19- 21st to The Global Fund For Children.  (This extra effort is to support those affected by recent events in China and Myanmar.) The Spring and summer collections celebrate  the beauty of West Africa.  Tea is also donating fifty percent of their "little citizens" tee to Global Fund For Children on a continuing basis. Tea is available online, as well as locally at Neiman Marcus, Pippen Hill in Alameda, and The Kids Company in San Carlos.

Whitney Artist Tees @ The Gap

It seems like every other day Gap or Target is launching a new designer line or limited edition design. Today, when I walked into the Stanford Gap, I was thrilled to see the latest launch, t-shirts designed by thirteen artists that have been part of the Whitney collection. (I love the Whitney Museum.)  The shirts are available online, in select Gap stores, as well as locally at the SFMOMA. I picked up a Chuck Close shirt for my husband, and I plan to go back and treat myself to one as well.

Great prices and limited designs only mean one thing: get to your local Gap as soon as you can.

Cultural Kaleidoscope

The Palo Alto Art Center was filled with excited students (like my daughter, Darrow) and their families last night for the artists reception of the the fifth annual Cultural Kaleidoscope show. The show is a collaborative effort by teachers in the Palo Alto and East Palo Alto schools.

Teachers must apply and follow guidelines in order to participate. Student art is then selected to appear in the annual event. It is quite an honor for the kids to see their work in a real museum. The show is curated beautifully, and showcases the many talents of local kid-artists.  The show runs until June 1st.

The Palo Alto art center is located on 1313 Newell Street in Palo Alto. Not only can you view great art, there is a gift shop with unique creations- perfect end of year teacher gifts.

Hot Mama - Nursing Bras now at Victoria's Secret

I was shopping on Bay Street in Emeryville on Mother's Day when I popped into Victoria's Secret to check out their selection of wireless bras. The girls, after nursing two kids for over two years each and now another pregnancy, are needing a little more TLC these days. As I was wandering around, trying to picture how useful that little bra and panty combo ala "french maid" might be, I came across a new selection of nursing bras. Apparently the line has just been released and is still being tested on it's marketability, according to a store manager.

This seems to be a Victoria's Secret bid to bridge the maternal gap for their customers as well as make lactating moms feel a little sexier. Not a bad idea, considering that up until recently, the choices for women looking for function and beauty in a nursing bra have been rather limited. VS has a nice variety of plain, modern, lacy, and even animal print bras to please almost everyone, and they all seem to be a top latch (rather than a snap in the middle, which I have to tell you in the past resulted in my engorged breast popping out as I bent over on more than one occasion). My one caveat: I have not used them yet. When I tried them on I found the coverage to be good and they were comfortable to wear. When my next baby comes, I will still start off with my favorite postpartum bras, from the Bravado line, but maybe an animal print or a black lace nursing bra is in order for this mom as well.

Repetto

I spent the last two weeks traveling around Europe. Shopping is more challenging as the dollar is weak, but shopaholic that I am, I pounded the Paris streets in search of the perfect souvenir. I usually pick up a pair of driving shoes, but was disappointed that Gigi, on Rue Tronchet, no longer carries the Elisabeth Stuart driving shoe. (I was still able to find a cute pair of ballet flats.)

As I strolled up the Rue De L'Opera back to my favorite little hotel in Paris, I saw a commotion down the Rue De Paix. There were cars double parked, the side walk was roped off and there was a long line. I assumed that there was a sale, or a celebrity in town. Much to my surprise, the line was to enter the Repetto store. There was no sale. I inquired about the line, and was informed that Repetto is so popular, that fashionistas in Paris line up to get in.

Maria Shriver's New Book

Maria Shriver, First Lady of California, has written 6 books, the sixth of which is for everyone wanting to know Just Who Will You Be? Tuesday evening, she met with writers from the Silicon Valley Moms Blog exclusively for a private event at the Books Inc. in Palo Alto where she spoke about her book, signed books and took pictures. (That's her above, with me.) We laughed, learned and lounged while testing her new ice cream, Lovin' Scoopful, that benefits the Special Olympics. To read more about the event, see the full transcript here. She already had a signing in Corte Madera and Sacramento, and she will be in LA tomorrow night at 7:30pm at Barnes & Noble - The Grove.

Style 2008 @ The Palo Alto Art Center

The fourth annual style show is being held Saturday, the 26th from 10am-5pm at the Palo Alto Art Center. The works of over thirty textile and jewelry artists will be available. This is your chance to buy wearable art. This event is the main fundraiser for the Art Center. Gourmet lunches will be available, provided by Palo Alto's very own Coupa Cafe.

For more information, call 650-329-2366. The Art Center is located on 1313 Newell Road in Palo Alto.

Meli Meli Warehouse Sale in Palo Alto on Friday

Meli Meli, the Peninsula based European and vintage inspired children's line is holding a warehouse sale. Meli Meli offers some of the most elegant choices for girls sizes 2-12 that I have seen. (Get a dress for that Mother's Day brunch.) You can save up to seventy percent off on select pieces. The sale will be held at 809 San Antonio Road, #6, in Palo Alto. (Cross street is Fabian ) The hours are from 9-3 this Friday, the 25th.

Wednesday is Denim Day in California - Wear Jeans to Support Victims of Sexual Violence

Everyone wears jeans in the Bay Area, and some people wear them every day. April 23rd is a day to remember because it commemorates the date in 1998 when the Italian Supreme Court overturned an earlier rape conviction, ruling that the 17 year-old victim had "invited the attack" from her and "because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help [the rapist] remove them... and by removing the jeans... it was no longer rape but consensual..." Within a matter of hours, the Women in the Italian Parliament began protesting by wearing jeans to work. On Denim Day this Wednesday, women in California will joining together to raise awareness for this important issue. No need to buy a special pin or dress - just wear your jeans.

The YWCA of Silicon Valley is encouraging participation on Wednesday and calling it "Wear Denim to Work Day Silicon Valley." For anyone willing to go to Sacramento, California leaders and the state Commission on the Status of Women will be joining together on the South Steps of the Capitol at 10am in jeans as a pledge to end sexual violence. For more about the issue, see CALCASA, the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. For anyone in LA, here's what they're doing for Denim Day.

Note: This is not to be confused with National Denim Day on October 3rd for breast cancer awareness.

Morning Glory Sidewalk Sale Friday & Saturday

"Everybody loves a good sidewalk sale" reads the invitation, and Morning Glory is the store. One of my very favorite boutiques in the Bay Area, Morning Glory, at 1436 Burlingame Ave. in Burlingame, sells feminine, flattering and unique clothes, accessories and jewelry for women.

I've been a shopper there for a decade and I always find something I like - usually dresses, sometimes jackets or corsets, nearly always jewelry and definitely hats. I don't know if I can do them justice by trying to describe their style, but it has elements of Victorian, Edwardian, 20's, 40's, and a bit bohemian. (It's also a great place to buy new clothes that look vintage.) The designers they work with are from all over, and prices are in the BCBG/Cassis range, for those who shop at those stores. Here's their story.

Morning Glory has a sidewalk sale I believe twice a year and the next one is Friday and Saturday. Call 650-340-0301 for more information.

Happy prints from Orla Kiely

I've been a fan of British designer Orla Kiely for years. Her bold studies of pattern and color have been the basis for a range of feel-good accessories that are practical though hard to find. But the other day I spotted a few of her bags at Nordstrom and am excited to see her brand gaining more visibility in the U.S.

Like the cute laminated totes I'm fond of, her home items - wallpaper and coffee mugs - are also fun and retro-funky; I wish I knew where to find them locally. Her clothing collection looks decidedly Brit, something of a hip cousin to the U.K.-based Boden women's line.

Orla's bags can sometimes be found at Anthropologie stores and boutiques such as Behind the Post Office (SF) and Leaf and Petal (Palo Alto). Sadly shipping and exchange rates make it unfavorable to shop via her online store, but it's there if we need it.

Wati Fall/Winter Trunk Shows Wednesday & Thursday

You can be one of the first to see the much anticipated Fall/Winter 2008 collection of Wati Designs. Wati Grossman, a SF Bay Area designer will be at the trunk shows. Come meet Wati, and find out what inspires her enchanted and unique designs. I am waiting for Wati to design an adult line so I can look as hip as my daughter does.

Trunk Shows will be held exclusivley at the San Francisco and Palo Alto locations of Honeys and Heroes. Wati will be at the SF boutique on April 16th, from 12-5. The location is 3366 Sacramento St in SF. Or you can pre-order designs in the Palo Alto boutique on April 17th from 12-5 , in the Town and Country Shopping Center.

Good Karma Coming Your Way

I was walking in downtown Palo Alto the other morning when the window display in Casiss caught my eye. There was a simple canvas tote sitting in the middle of the designer clothes that spoke to me.

No, I was not hearing voices on my way to get a coffee, but this bag made me smile. " KARMA, what goes around comes around" is written  across the tote. This is just the message that I needed to hear that morning. A message that many of us should take to heart. I am not going to get all preachy here, but  you never know when shopping will be an uplifting experience. I will proudly use this re-usable shopping bag , spreading the message to all that I encounter. I love the way  the designer, Dogeared, describes the tote , "A touch of sass, a bit of class, and lots of plastic- bag ditching earth saving goodness ". Certainly something we here in the Bay Area could use, lets stamp out the use of plastic bags with style.