PopSugar San Francisco

10 Brilliant Gift Ideas From Local Stylesetters

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:13:47 PST

Looking for a stylish gift for a girlfriend? I've tapped some of San Francisco's most fashionable residents - style bloggers! - for their holiday wish lists this year. When it comes to chic resources and hot trends, these ladies know all; so a glance at what they're wishing for, be it aspirational or affordable, is sure to inspire you!

From the best bubbly on the market to a timelessly chic leather skirt, come see what fashion-obsessed Amanda Holstein of Color Me Blue and design enthusiast Erin Hiemstra of Apartment 34 are yearning for this year.

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Gift Guide: Michael Natenshon of Marine Layer Shares His Holiday Picks For Guys

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:45:40 PST

What do men want? I sure as heck don't know. So this year, I'm going straight to the source for holiday gift ideas for guys. I've asked a handful of handsome local tastemakers for their own holiday picks, and I'm passing them along to you!

Josh Harris of The Bon Vivants and Michael Maher of Taylor Stitch have already shared their five fantastic gift ideas for the gentlemen in your life, and now we move on to another stylesetter in town: Michael Natenshon, owner of Cali-cool T-shirt company Marine Layer. From the best backpack for a grown man to the sexiest wheels around, here are Michael's picks.

Source: Suzannah Scully

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Gift Guide: Michael Maher of Taylor Stitch Shares His Holiday Picks For Guys

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:30:00 PST

Josh Harris of The Bon Vivants has already shared his five fantastic gift ideas for the gentlemen in your life, and now we move on to another style-setter in town: Michael Maher, of local tailored clothing company Taylor Stitch. From a real man's spa treatment to the best way to wake up in the morning, here are his picks.

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You're Invited: Join FabSugar and Gap For an Exclusive Event!

PopSugar SF — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:51:40 PST

We're teaming up with Gap to throw a holiday bash and bring a splash of color to your holiday season! Join FabSugar editors Danny Feekes and Brittney Stephens and Gap on Wednesday, Dec. 14, for a fun night of hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, live music, and shopping - with a special discount. Enjoy up to 50 percent off the best gifts and an exclusive 20 percent off a special collection of gifts from Pantone, Chronicle Books, and more! At the party, be sure to check out FabSugar's favorite holiday picks and enter to win one of five Gap GiftCards worth $200. Please RSVP here, and we hope to see you there!

Tonight's the Night: Take a Free Lesson on Holiday Hair and Makeup!

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:15:00 PST

Office holiday parties, Christmas or Hanukkah with the family, New Year's Eve . . . the occasions to dress up are countless this season! It's hard to be a socialite; if only we could all afford a personal stylist to follow us around. To make the primping a little easier, Beauty Company (2325 Polk St., 415-567-8740) is hosting an easy holiday hair party tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. The salon's staff of talented stylists will help you achieve effortless holiday glamour with hair and makeup tutorials for chic looks like braids and chignons, smoky eyes, or false eyelashes.

Head over to the Russian Hill salon tonight and nibble on sushi and champagne spritzers while you polish up on your beauty know-how. While admission is free, to reserve a spot, use the salon's online booking system by selecting either Holiday Hair or Makeup (or both) from the drop-down menu. Hair consultations are 30 minutes; makeup is 15 minutes. You'll also receive 15 percent off retail purchases while you're there. Happy holidays!

Source: WireImage

Pop 5: Where to Shop For Fabulous, Holiday-Fete-Worthy Dresses

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:00:00 PST

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Tonight's the Night: Tacolicious II and Adjoining Tequila Bar Mosto Open in the Mission!

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:45:00 PST

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!

Enter For a Chance to Win Tickets to Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM at AT&T Park

PopSugar SF — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:02:36 PST

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.

5 Fresh Fitness Classes to Burn Off That Pumpkin Pie

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:22:38 PST

The leftovers have been nibbled into extinction, so now it's time to burn those pumpkin-pie calories and shake off your Beaujolais blur! Sometimes the best way to kick-start a healthy habit is to switch up your usual exercise routine. Many of you probably have a membership to a neighborhood gym like Crunch, 24 Hour Fitness, or Equinox, but the treadmills, ellipticals, and packed classes can become stale and unmotivating after a while. So why not try something new and take a kick-ass fitness class or personal training session this holiday season? Here are five of our faves - including one free one!

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Dig Up Decorations at ACME Party Box's Woodland Holiday Open House

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:00 PST

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?