Top things to do in San Francisco for the holidays

After a long morning of shopping on Powell Street, rest those feet and feed that belly at The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus.  

If you're looking for an early afternoon decadent snack, head for afternoon tea at the beyond elegant dining room of The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel.  Be sure to phone in reservations.  

For an unforgettable, magical experience, bring the kids to the War Memorial Opera House for a showing of the Nutcracker.

Visit the enormous gingerbread house located at the hotel lobby of the Fairmont Hotel.  Adults can head to the newly renovated Tonga Room for cocktails.  

Cross the street to City Hall, climb the marble grand staircase and take family photos with the Christmas tree surrounded in gilded gold grandeur.  

Head to the San Francisco Symphony and listen to the orchestra accompany the music to the film Home Alone or Peter and the Wolf.  Adults can also watch Colors of Christmas with Peabo Bryson performing favorite pop hits.    

Stroll along the Embarcadero and admire the Christmas lights outlining the City's tallest buildings.

Go ice skating at the rink in middle of Union Square in the glow of Macy's majestic Christmas tree lit up at night.

Then head to Ghirardelli Square for some steaming hot cocoa

Pastel dessert plates

I love love love This is Glamorous and fell for these dessert plates featured on Roseline's website (plates by Suite One Studio).  As much as I love them, I seriously have no space for them in my cupboard and I've got enough plates to feed an army, but they would make for great decor on a vanity table for keeping jewelry.

My first Chanel

When I walked into the Chanel store on Maiden Lane for the 3rd time, and saw the quiet frenzy of caviar and lambskin leathers passed between sales associates to anxious hands of customers to coddle, I knew this was it.  There were only so many floor models to go around and I had my eye on the wallet on chain, which in my opinion looked more like small cross-body purses.  It was down to a red or black cross-body, both in caviar, silver hardware.  I would've purchased the black cross-body in caviar with gold hardware without a second thought, but unfortunately it was sold out and there was a 6 month wait list.

I asked to see the classic black flap in caviar with gold hardware and my mouth began salivating the second she brought it out.  As much as I wanted it, it was beyond my price point and it would have to wait until I earned it as a reward for the next career trajectory.  The sales associates were really patient and kind and gave us some Evian water bottles, which my husband opened and accidentally spilled water on the counter.  Luckily none of the purses had water on them and our sales associate only said, "now you have to buy her one."

It was back to the cross-body purses and I was leaning towards the red.  I love red.  It's bold.  The classic black flap will just have to wait.  So that's what I got and I have no regrets.

The Objects from The Line

I have a thing for simple jewelry that's also edgy.  I found this on The Line, they always gets it right.

Entryways in small spaces

 I have a long list of home improvements I'd love to do, and craving a Chanel bag is not going to help me get around to that!  But making our entryway a little more inviting is one small step in reaching our goals.  It can be a bit of challenge decorating small spaces which is typical of living in San Francisco or any city for that matter, but part of the fun has been finding creative ideas online and dragging my husband to Home Goods - I love this store!  Pretty much most of my home purchases have been from Home Goods or TJ Maxx.

J. Crew suede and satin pumps

I first spied these beauties on J. Crew's latest catalog, went directly online, and was somewhat disappointed that they were sold out in my size.  Somewhat disappointed in that at least my bank account would remain intact.  But lo and behold, the shoes and my size were in stock on Net-a-porter.com and every so often when I would go back and forth debating whether to splurge on the shoes as an early birthday gift to myself (yeah, yeah, I know France was already my "early" birthday gift).  As soon as I saw sizes sell out one by one, I decided I might as well go for the kill.

Virginie Courtin-Clarins wedding

I've often admired Virginie Courtin-Clarins' style and I just love the way she decorates her home.  I recently found these photos from Vogue Australia featuring her wedding to Ludovic Cesari.  What a beautiful bride.  I can't get enough of the lace sleeves and you gotta love that family selfie.

Kate Spade Feathers

Lately I've had a thing for feathers, particularly skirts.  They're so fun, elegant, and chic at the same time.

Feather Mimi purse/clutch

Marci top in marabou feathers

Clarissa skirt

San Francisco weddings

Photo from Craig Wolfrom Photography

Photo from My Reception Ideas - Flood Mansion 

Photo from Bay Area Wedding Venues - Legion of Honor 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

 Photo from Floral Sense - The Green Room

 Hotel Adagio

 Photos from IQ Photo - Legion of Honor

Fairmont Hotel

Style: Caroline de Maigret

I totally have a girl crush on Caroline de Maigret this very moment.  I love how these French women in their late 30's and 40's can get away with looking stylish and amazing sans make-up.

Photo from Sara Brajovic

Photo from Insidemyvault.blogspot

Luxury bed linens

Around this time I'm always coveting some amazing bed linen collections with the option to monogram.  I've been wanting Restoration Hardware's Egyptian cotton bed sheets for quite some time now.  They have a sale going on, but I think I'll wait a little longer hoping for those prices to drop.  Another possible option is Pottery Barn's Grand Embroidered bed collection at a more affordable cost.

 Bed sheets from Restoration Hardware

   Bed sheets from Pottery Barn

Winter weddings

I love weddings; I've been to a record of 3 this year with another upcoming event later this month. What I loved about all the weddings was how each one was as unique as the couples themselves. Winter weddings in my opinion are more fun to dress up for when you get to throw in long-sleeve, elegant dresses, fur, cashmere, and luxe velvets into the mix.

Jeweled shoes 

Crepe gown and mink bolero

Crystal-embellished shoes