You've picked up your holiday heels at the best shoe stores in San Francisco and learned about the best consignment stores in SF to shop for lightly used Winter fashions. Now it's time to focus our attention on the true spotlight of the season: the party dress! The best way to wow the fellow partygoers is with a fabulous frock, so this week's Pop 5 provides you with the best places to shop for seasonal sparkle and glam gowns.

1. High-end Pacific Heights boutique Elizabeth Charles (2056 Fillmore St., 415-440-2100) carries an unparalleled selection of coveted and hard-to-find international labels, including Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, Peter Som, Roseanna, and Todd Lynn, to name a few. From sequined, floor-length evening gowns to tailored and beautifully detailed pencil dresses, the store's extensive collection of party-worthy looks is a must shop if you've got money in the bank.
2. If short and body-conscious is your weapon of mass flirtation during the holiday season, then make a beeline for Herve Leger (865 Market St., 415-284-9168) in the Westfield Centre. Albeit a hefty investment, beginning at $1,100, the designer's iconic bandage dresses, available in a range of rich palettes and sexy shapes, may as well have been made for December.
3. For those of you who look to Audrey Hepburn and Betty Draper for sartorial inspiration, make a trip to fashion wonderland Torso Vintages (272 Sutter St., 415-391-3166). The Union Square destination sells fine vintage creations from all the golden eras; gorgeously beaded and detailed dresses — practically one of a kind — abound here.
4. With locations in the Cow Hollow, Noe Valley, and Haight-Ashbury, local fashion boutique Ambiance specializes in party dresses, chic separates, and denim, as well as shoes and accessories, generally priced between $5 and $500. The well-organized stores are literally packed with pieces in a range of styles and from a variety of cute, contemporary labels.
5. Looking for something more edgy than cute? Drop into Hayes Valley-favorite Acrimony (333 Hayes St., 415-861-1025), which has a number of hip and affordable dresses from independent or under-the-radar labels like Laugh Cry Repeat, The Addison Story, My Pet Square, and Ann-Sofie Back, which would be ideal paired with a statement necklace at a holiday cocktail party or dinner downtown.

Tacolicious's second location (741 Valencia St., 415-626-1344) was originally scheduled to open on Nov. 7 in the Mission but was delayed due to PG&E holdbacks. Finally, tonight, the restaurant, along with its adjoining tequila bar, Mosto, will officially open to the public! The doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner, and it will be open every day from 11:30 a.m. till midnight.

If you didn't read all the details about Tacolicious II that I shared last month, you should know that the menu will include eight staple tacos, including carnitas, guajillo-braised beef, shot-and-a-beer chicken, and Baja-style fried rock cod, wrapped in freshly made tortillas from SF tortilleria La Palma. There'll also be a few playful items, including chile con queso; the Chocolicious taco, a house-made riff on the Choco Taco, a corner-store ice cream treat; and a $10 booze-driven, prix fixe meal of a taco, a Tecate, and tequila shot. You'll also see brightly flavored salsa, fresh salads with jicama and pumpkin seeds, albondigas, and seafood dishes like classic shrimp cocktail and albacore tuna tostadas.

Read on to hear about the new tequila bar, Mosto, and to see a sneak peek photo!

World-renowned entertainment company Cirque du Soleil has stationed its iconic blue and yellow tents in Lot A of AT&T Park, bringing TOTEM, one of its newest visual and acrobatic feasts for the eyes, to San Francisco. Whether you've yet to attend one of these touring shows or have seen many in the past, I assure you, you've never seen anything quite like this. Inducing continuous bafflement, the fascinating acrobatic feats in this extravaganza will give you the greatest appreciation for the potential of the human form.

Want to see for yourself? Enter PopSugar San Francisco's Cirque du Soleil ticket giveaway, and you might just be so lucky to see this incredible show on Dec. 6. All you have to do is "Like" PopSugar San Francisco on Facebook and provide your email address and zip code below from now through Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. PST, and you'll be automatically entered. Painless, right? Read all the rules and start entering away for your chance to attend TOTEM. Good luck!

This giveaway has ended.

Now that the tryptophan haze has worn off, it's time to strap an evergreen to your car's rooftop and deck the halls. To kick off the decorating, cruise down to Palo Alto this Thursday for the ACME Party Box Co. (855 El Camino Real, Suite 102, Palo Alto; 650-618-4682) Woodland Holiday Open House this Thursday.

From 7 to 9 p.m., the party decor company will be celebrating with tons of specials, including 20 percent off all purchases during the event and raffle prizes like lavender sachets and garden lapel pins. Plus, they'll be lessons on making your own mini wool felt garlands and little cardinals. Wondering about the bevies? Cranberry prosecco cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and mini chocolate cupcakes will be passed all night.

Such a fun way to get in the spirit! And why not head down there a little early and get some holiday shopping done at local boutiques while you're at it?