SFBayStyle

Oliebollen

What happens when a shopaholic is on vacation and can't shop? They go online!

That's exactly what I have been doing. I would really like to be wandering the streets of Hayes Valley, enjoying my cup of Blue Bottle coffee, maybe stopping for lunch at Bar Jules... but, no, I am on vacation. Stuck out by the beach. I can buy an array of lighthouse motif items, or perhaps some Lily Pulitzer. However, that is just not my style. I have never been able to pull of that pink and green "WASP" look. So what does this Bay Area shopper do, other than dream about home, I take advantage of internet shopping. (My husband is just thrilled about this rainy day activity.) It is never to early to think about back to school shopping for my kids. This is also the time of year that many online boutiques are having sales.

One of my favorite online boutiques is Oliebollen. Though not based in the Bay Area, the company carries many Bay Area designers, and is similar to shops that I frequent. The owner, Margaret Schankler, a former stay at home mom in Michigan, has assembled a wonderful selection of clothing, toys and gifts for children. You can find Bay Area favorites like, Dagmar Daley, and Tea Collection.. In addition to have a unique selection, Oliebollen does something that we value in the Bay Area. They have Olie Aid, and give a percentage of net profits to charities every year. This corporate campaign supports a variety of worthy children's causes. I always love to shop for a cause, Oliebollen makes that possible.

I have had my fill of nautical themed clothing, and am looking forward to returning to the Bay Area. Not only for the style, but I could use some sunshine. Vacation is great, but there is truly no place like home, especially when home is the S.F. Bay Area.

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!

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.

Glug Sample Sale

Calling all hip parents: One of my favorite S.F. designed kids' lines is having a sample sale this Wednesday. Glug, the brain child of a husband and wife team is a fresh, modern line. The designs  appeal to both kids and parents. My "fashionista" eight year-old daughter will wear the shirts as well my six year-old son. I am waiting for Glug to design tees in my size.

So mark your calendars for this Wednesday May 28th. All designs at wholesale prices. The sample sale will be at 608 Elizabeth Street in S.F. from 4-8. Call 415-550-8545 for more information.

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.

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.

Hip & Zen Online from Mill Valley

Hip & Zen is an online retailer for eco friendly fashion. They sell women's clothing, jewelry, baby & toddler items, accessories and home goods. They select products that are organic, hand made, fairly traded, recycled or natural. Based in Mill Valley, they cater to the green and comfy crowd. Everything on their site is beautifully crafted, and they even have a blog, run by one of the BlogHer founders, Elisa Camahort Page, referencing topics related to eco fashion and style. I like the artistic element of the items found at Hip and Zen, such as the vases to the left. I wish I could just put those in my home and make it zen, but that's a step in the right direction.

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.

Ses Petites Mains

I am on an ongoing quest to find unique children's clothing. My daughter would be happy to wear Abercrombie if I let her, but as long as I am paying for her wardrobe, that will not happen. Basics from Gap and J. Crew are staples of my kids' wardrobes, and I like to sprinkle some different designs into their closets. While researching kids shops in Paris, I came upon a beautiful design house, based here in San Francisco.

Ses Petites Mains is the brainchild of San Franciscan, Beth Miles. Her line celebrates childhood with timeless classics. "I love the idea of all fabrics being able to be worn together, as children love to throw anything on." The dresses can be worn with pants, slips, and mixed with tunics and bermudas. The designs are delicate, and whimsical at the same time. Ses Petites Mains can be found in fine boutiques throughout the Bay Area.

H&M Spring Organic Line

A few weeks ago, my husband had a day to himself in San Francisco and he ended up, as we often do, at H&M shopping for our daughter. It's my fault - I sent him there in search of an inexpensive sparkly headband for her, since she had fallen in love with one her friend had. In addition to the headband, he came home with two darling dresses - one of which was organic cotton.

It turns out that not only does H&M now have an organic cotton children's line, but they have expanded their organic cotton spring line to using 1500 tons of organic cotton - more than the total amount of organic cotton they used during all of last year.

East Bay Baby Fair Sunday - Including Maternity Exchange Clearance Sale

For parents in the East Bay, you can enjoy refreshments and free goodies while talking to experts, watching demonstrations, and shopping for maternity clothes, children's items and more. And you'll have the opportunity to meet representatives from many pregnancy, birth, parenting, and baby related resources in the Bay Area at the East Bay Baby Fair this Sunday, April 20, from 11am until 3pm. Vendors include midwives, doulas, massage therapists, fitness instructors, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, photographers, community parenting support groups, and innovative products to make life as a parent easier. There will also be an opportunity to score great deals on items and services such as prenatal massage or a hand-knit baby hat in a silent auction.

For the pregnant ladies, the Maternity Exchange is having their first ever clearance sale at the Baby Fair. Maternity Exchange offers new and nearly new clothing for up to 75% off the original price, and specializes in stylish clothing from brand names to local designers, especially for fashionistas who don't want to sacrifice personal style during pregnancy. They will have $5 and $10 bins as well as racks that are an additional 20 to 50% off, and a good amount of their clearance is spring and summer wear-perfect. The Maternity Exchange will also be showcasing a selection of their new nursing wear.

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.

Hip Kids Boutique

I am thrilled to announce that the famed "Hip Kids Boutique " will be held in Palo Alto this Friday, April 11th. The Hip Kids boutique has been known for bringing together the best of up and coming and most current designers under one roof. There really is no other event like this if you appreciate unique children's clothing. Local designers will be joined by a few folks jetting in from Los Angeles and NYC to show their wares. No need to travel to Los Angeles or SOHO, just come on over to The Glazier's beautiful home in Palo Alto. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Alliance For Climate Protection. So come do the earth a favor, and shop for a great cause. (Celebrate earth day a little early!)

Some of the featured designers include; Kit and Lili,Neige,Palo Alto designer Wati,SF based Dagmar Daley and Glug Baby, Ittikid, Lisoos, Giddy Giidy, Ismodern, Abe Jones and more.

Get there early, supplies may be limited! Here are the details you need: Friday April 11, from 9-3 @ 100 Island Drive , Palo Alto, 94301. Questions about the event can be directed here in our comments, where I can respond.

Junior League Fashion Show Dazzled in Color and Black & White

The Junior League of San Francisco (JLSF) pulled off yet another delightful fashion show on Saturday. In two events, a lunch show and a dinner show, the Fairmont was packed with supporters of the League and its programs - the Bring Me a Book Foundation, Compass Community Services, Homeless Prenatal Program, International Rescue Committee, La Casa de las Madres, and Sequoia Healthy Start.

Models, all League members and family, walked the runway coached by Charleston Pierce of Look Models and wearing clothes from Macy's (mostly American designers) including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Kenneth Cole, Elie Tahari, and a special section by local designer, Julie Chaiken (as worn by model, top left). This was the 20th year Macy's has sponsored the show and the 82nd year the show has been produced by the League. It was my fourth time attending since 2001, and so far every show has been different and fun.

Junior League of San Francisco 2008 Fashion Show Pictorial

The Junior League of San Francisco's 82nd annual fashion show fundraiser, saluting "American Beauty", was held Saturday, April 5th at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco with clothes by Macy's and Chaiken.

Here is our article about the event, and below is a pictorial of the luncheon reception, silent auction, and fashion show, beginning top left with Rick Paras in Ralph Lauren.

Tea Collection

San Francisco based children's clothing line, Tea Collection, has expanded to include larger sizes. Now I can order for my daughter, as they  carry up to size 8.

Tea designs are modern and practical. Beautiful fabric, and simple artistic designs. In fact, the fabric has been so popular, that they now offer note cards with the patterns.  Tea likes to give back, and makes it easier for you to make a difference too. T-shirts are available with half of all profits going to the Global Fund for Children.

Tea is available online, at select local boutiques everywhere from Campbell to Walnut Creek (see the store locator on their site), at Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus.

Kid By Phillip Lim

If I lived in New York City, I would be heading to the ninth floor of Barneys today. Phillip Lim, one of my favorite designers, is introducing a line for the cookies and juice set. My fashionista daughter could be adorned in Lim's latest designs. (I'll bet Angelina Jolie is heading there to get some dresses for hers.) The prices are a tad steep for children's clothes, but Barneys is offering free ground shipping on all orders over three hundred dollars, so all Bay Area tots can show off the latest runway styles too!

Ruby's Garden hosts Designers in the House

In the center of Temescal, an eclectic and vibrant neighborhood in North Oakland, lies Ruby's Garden, a hip and artful kidwear and flower shop known for its large and diverse assortment of clothing, accessories, and other goods made by Bay Area artists. The owners, Mae Chan Frey and Mary Prince, are also generous with advice on floral arrangements, a well-stocked play area for the kids, and a genuine openness and fondness for children and their parents. Certainly one of the best places to buy an uncommonly cool  gift for a kid in the East Bay.

Now, Ruby's Garden is diving into a seasonal variation on the artist-in residence concept. On April 19, the first in the series of Designers in the House will feature local artists Jolene Garcia and Janel Jones from local favorites   Abe Jones and Penny & Maude, who will be on hand to discuss their design inspirations and reveal their current lines in a fashion show. What is particularly lovely about the event is the difference between the two lines, with Penny & Maude's whimsical and colorful graphics on one hand, and Abe Jones' cool,vintage, indie vibe on the other. While designing for a similar audience, both artists manage to capture the essence of their unique personalities in such creative ways, each producing a line that is appealing, interesting, and refreshingly functional for kidwear.

Great Events Today in the Bay Area

We're lucky to have so many worthy organizations, fantastic arts and original entertainment here and since we can't list all of the great events every day, we have links to all of the other sites in the Bay Area that each have a few events listed for most days.

Today is just one example of what a Saturday in the Bay Area can offer and here are some of the great activities and events going on (note: we couldn't possibly include them all, especially all of the exhibits that are ending today) including chocolate tasting, a film festival, school auctions, a plethora of black tie bashes, a miniature dollhouse designer showcase, and fusion theatre.

Read on for the details...

Eco Friendly Sneakers

The Bay area has quite a green movement. Being green is the way to go around here - I am always thrilled when I find something that is fashionable, eco friendly and affordable. (The affordable part is often a challenge with eco fashions. )  My daughter, Darrow, is an Imelda Marcos in training. She has quite a collection of shoes that she never wears. Thanks to Garnet Hill, we found a pair of sneakers that she has actually worn two days in a row. Simple has designed an eco friendly kids sneaker. Made of organic cotton, and recycled tires, I predict that these little shoes will be adorning the feet of many little fashionistas. I'd better order another pair!