SFBayStyle

Mummies and Medicine: A Ghoulish Halloween Gala

It was a perfect night for a ghoul-li-cious event in San Francisco.  The fog was eerily rolling over the chilly streets and there was an ominous feeling in the air.  This year's most-buzzed-about Halloween event was held at the palatial Legion of Honor.  Upon entering the gates, we were greeted with ghostly music that echoed in the column-enclosed courtyard.  The creatures and characters of the night made our way up to the grand entrance, where The Thinker, a sculpture by Auguste Rodin, acted as  gatekeeper.  He seemed to ponder the hellish fate of those beneath him.  I wondered if it was an honor or a curse that he had let me pass.

Santana Row's Fall Fashion in the Park

Santana Row hosted its fifth annual Fall Fashion in the Park event on Sept. 11-12.   The show, featuring such top labels as Anne Fontaine, Cole Haan, St Croix, Brooks Brothers, Lucy, Furla, among others, benefits four South Bay non-profits: Breathe California, Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, Junior League of San Jose and San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Patrons were treated to a night under the stars, with paper lanterns floating on the gentle breeze.  Fashion lovers mingled in the intimate courtyard, sipping wine and chatting with Santana Row retailers.   With warm summer days soon giving way to chilly winter, toasty coats and knits were the first order of business.  I visited a few of the boots to get the flavor of the season's hottest offerings.

Pinkberry Comes to Santana Row

The Pinkberry craze has finally arrived in Northern California.  Did it launch in San Francisco first before making its way south?  No!  The much anticipated frozen yogurt establishment has decided to show the South Bay love and set up shop at Santana Row.  This is good news for all of us fans who live and work nearby.

To show even more love, Pinkberry threw a launch party to introduce their unique frozen dessert to the Row-burbanites.  The special tented event took place just outside the new store location.  As I entered the exclusive VIP event, M.I.A.'s "Bucky Done Gun' was blasting.  Guest DJ, Benji Madden, of the band Good Charlotte, was 'swirling' music and igniting the decks.  Wine was flowing.  Pinkberry tasting staff handed out unlimited cups of the tart, chilly yogurt to the attendees.  Toppings were for the taking.  Pinkberry bags with gift t-shirts inside were being toted around like badges of honor.  Photographers were snapping pictures of John Feldmann and Jason Evigan.  Pinkberry had arrived, and in L.A. style.     

   

StoneWear Jewelry Designs by June Sablan

I always love a good story about a high-tech girl who has escaped the sticky web of Silicon Valley.  So when I met June Sablan at her Santana Row trunk show, not only did she impress me with her beautiful hand crafted jewelry pieces but her story made me smile also. 

San Francisco Bay Area artist June Sablan designs timeless handcrafted StoneWear Jewelry.  June creates her entire collection by using natural semi-precious stones, Swarovski Crystals, freshwater pearls, and precious metals. 

Lululemon Opens at Santana Row

Have you ever wished you could give your favorite designer feedback?  Well, now you can with your athletic wear.  Now that lululemon has opened its Santana Row store this past weekend, I am sure many women will be inspired to give their input.  Design Feedback forms are available in all of the stores.  Lululemon takes this feedback seriously.  Many of their products have been designed based on the feedback and suggestions of their clients. 

The morning I stopped by, Misha Patel of Club One was teaching a Cardio Dance class.  By the afternoon, the mood had changed.  A live DJ played tunes as patrons shopped and had refreshments.  Meena Shams, the Assistant manager graciously gave us a tour. Meena: Our founder, Chip Wilson, had a passion for technical athletic fabrics.  Many of our designs are made of a fabric called Luon.  This fabric wicks moisture away from the skin.  Our clothing is designed to last and retain their color.  Just make sure you do not wash with garments that have Velcro or zippers.  Personally, I let mine air dry.

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. 

Product Hosts Anastasia Beverly Hills at Santana Row

Santana Row's newest cosmetics retailer, PRODUCT, hosted an exclusive beauty event with Anastasia Beverly Hills.  Brow expert, Kelly Reed sat down with us to share secrets to shaping and maintaining our brows. 

SFBayStyle: So, what is the trend for brows this season?

Kelly Reed: On the runway and in fashion you are going to see a more skinny brow this season.  But for the everyday woman, less is not necessarily more.  Here at Anastasia we believe in a full youthful brow.  Our philosophy is not to mess with the integrity of the brow but enhance it's natural shape.  People generally like a high arch and a more glamorous look.

Test Tube Junkie

Don’t you just hate it when you ask the girl or guy behind the counter to give you a sample and they act like you have just asked for half the store? Or when you get a sample, the contents barely cover your pinkie finger? No more. I have found the answer.

Last week, I signed up for New Beauty Magazine's unique product sampling program. Today, I received my first TestTube via FedEx. For $29.95 (plus $8.95 for shipping) subscribers will receive FedEx deliveries of four different tubes filled with deluxe samples of the latest beauty products. You also can provide feedback on the products at the site.

San Francisco's Epi Center MedSpa Goes Green

The Epi Center MedSpa opened its doors last week for tours and cocktails, not only to celebrate its 10th anniversary, but to launch the first eco-medspa. Director and founder Margaret Mitchell and partner Dr. Patrick Bitter, Sr., who developed the Photofacial procedure, have once again taken the lead by going green. Epi Center will now be combining state-of-the-art medical technology with medical grade organic treatments, all in an eco friendly environment. The spa was designed to "create a space that allows nature and commerce to co-exist in a way that supports the health of the planet." (Shown left: waiting lounge, with Mary Lee Bickford and Nancy Gamble, seated.)

Entering the new home of San Francisco’s Epi Center MedSpa was like a breath of fresh air, literally. I was told by one of the staff, that they just applied some touch up paint earlier; however, you could not detect even the faintest odor. The MedSpa uses eco-paint, which is free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Relaxing and therapeutic, the spa was constructed from ceiling to floor using eco materials. Laura, one of the estheticians, informed us that the ceilings boards were made from newspapers that could not be recycled any further. Marble countertops are throughout the spa. The floors were made from cork, and the carpet was processed from weeds.

LUILI a Zen inspired shopping experience

With so many showers, birthdays, and celebrations to attend this Spring, it is hard to find the perfect and unique gift.  Well not any more.  Recently, I discovered a delicate glass art form called Liuli, which literally means beautiful glass, at LIULI San Francisco.  They just opened in March, with this being their first U.S. retail gallery. 

The company was started in 1987 by former film star Lorretta Hui-Shan Yang and Chang Yi, a director, along with seven other associates. 

The process of Luili can be compared to the traditional French technique of "pate de verre", where the artist mixes crushed glass with enamels or paint.  The process of making Luili art is a long journey from sculpted clay to signature perfection.  One small mistake in any part of the process can ruin the entire piece. 

MNKYTHMP Salon and Spa Grand Opening

Instead of the usual red carpet, the MNKYTHMP grand opening had an orange carpet. In my studies, I learned that orange is a powerful color that stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. People who are fond of orange are usually thoughtful and sincere. After entering the fourth floor salon and spa, I found that Dave Bryant and Bruce Nelson, the founders, had indeed, thoughtfully created a space that embodied true enthusiasm and creativity.

When I walked into this ultra hip, modern new space with full length mirrors and treated concrete floors, I felt like I was back in New York again, not a stones throw from Union Square. This Redken elite salon was one-of-a-kind. Each stylist station had his/her own personal TV, piping in fashion shows. The signature cocktail of the night, the "Monkey Thump", (named for the MNKYTHMP Salon/Spa) provided by VeeV Vodka, was a delightfully light and delicious mix of ruby red grapefruit, vodka and nutrient-packed acai, which went well with the passed sushi and House music.

L'oreal Double Extend vs. Maybelline Intense XXL

Last week, I was performing a face treatment on a client, and noticed that her lashes were exceptionally long.  At first, I thought she was wearing lash extensions, but as I removed the mascara, it dawned on me that it was all mascara!  After I'd removed  the product, she was only left with average length lashes.  So, I asked her what mascara she used.  She told me it was Maybelline Intense XXL. 

Being a sucker for anything that promises longer lashes, I went out and purchased some.  I usually wear KISS or L’Oreal Double Extend.  I'm sure there are better mascaras, but I wear contacts, and many mascaras sting my eyes.  I tried Maybelline on one eye and L’Oreal on the other.  As usual, the L’Oreal lash was really clumpy and spidery.  The Maybelline brand seemed to go on smoother and clump less.  Also, it curled my lashes more.  After measuring, the Maybelline eyelash was a tad longer.  Finally, I tried the husband test.  He commented that my lashes looked longer, and gave me a peck on the cheek.  Case closed.  If your husband notices, it must be worth giving a try.

Winner: Maybelline Intense XXL.