staycation


View from Twin Peaks

wearing: green and white tripe top / earrings / spring nail polish / caramel top handle bag / jeans / black belt / black loafers /

It was a beautiful day in the city last weekend, so we started our morning at the deYoung Museum. After enjoying “Fashioning San Francisco,” exhibit, we went to Mel’s by USF for a 1950’s inspired lunch complete with milkshakes and a vanilla coke. I highly recommend the chicken soup and the hamburgers. They have been a favorite of mine from Mel’s since I was a teenager!

After lunch, we headed up to Twin Peaks to check out the views. Can you believe I have never been to the top of Twin Peaks before? I even lived up thee after graduating from college but never made the trek up to the top. It was definitely something I needed to do! The views were beautiful. You can see all the way around the bay depending on where you are standing. The photo below shows the view towards Marin, and the one above shows the view towards downtown San Francisco. It was really pretty!

If you are local, and like me, haven’t been to the top of Twin Peaks, I highly recommend playing tourist and going up there! The view is amazing, and it really is something we should all do; especially when we are local! haha

Finers crossed this beautiful spring weather becomes the norm, and the storms dissipate. Happy almost-spring!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy


Fashioning San Francisco at the deYoung Museum review

Christian Dior fall/winter 1948

Louise Boulanger winter 1927

Callot Soeurs 1908

I finally got a chance to visit the “Fashioning San Francisco” exhibit located at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco. I have to admit, I did not really read the description of this exhibit when I purchased my tickets. From the name, I thought the exhibit would be a history of fashion in the city including Levi’s and The Gap, but instead, it was a collection of couture and demi-couture from the earthquake era to modern times worn to events in San Francisco by collectors of couture.

When we first arrived, we went into the virtual try-on room first. It was fun to try-on couture dresses, even though my Gap shirt was peeking out from underneath the gowns. haha, you can see the result below.

pictured: virtual try-on of a Valentino gown / on me: shirt / nail polish / earrings /

There were a total of three gowns to try-on virtually, which to be frank, seemed thin. I would have loved to try on more couture gowns, but I assume it is a lot to put this virtual try-on exhibit together and three was not a small task. Although it went by way too fast, it was fun and I ended up with some hilarious photos from the experience.

My favorite portion of the exhibit was the first section when you enter; the earthquake era fashion. I loved seeing gowns from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The fabric, texture, and attention to detail was amazing.

Another section of the “Fashioning San Francisco” exhibit I enjoyed were the shoes! I actually spotted a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s a co-worker of mine used to wear in the office a little over twenty years ago. I have to admit, I felt a little old seeing a pair of shoes I knew from the wild inside a museum on display. Yikes! But I digress. . .

Sommer and Kaufman 1940

My favorite pair of shoes from the exhibit was this pair pictured above. The structural silhouette seems modern, yet they are from 1940. Love that!

Of course, if you scroll to the bottom of this post, you will see one of my favorite designers of all time; Chanel! I love how the deYoung was clever and featured both a Gabrielle Chanel gown, and Karl Lagerfeld gown together. It really shows how Karl Lagerfeld was so good at channeling Chanel’s original intent in modern designs. He really was genius.

The “Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style” exhibit will be on display at the deYoung Museum through August 11, 2024. If you are local, or plan to visit the city, I highly recommend seeing it. Your ticket to the special exhibit will also grant you access to the regular collections, which I recommend as well.

You can learn more at famsf.org.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Chanel: front by Gabrielle Chanel 1939, back by Karl Lagerfeld 2012 /


Wandering around Sonoma

wearing: sweater / statement earrings / black handbag / nail polish / straight leg jeans (old, also love this pair) / black belt /rose and white sneakers /

If you are heading up to wine country and are looking for a beautiful place to grab coffee and learn a little bit about California history, then Downtown Sonoma is the place to go!

There is a fabulous cafe where you can grab coffee and a small breakfast when you first arrive. Basque Boulangerie Cafe has delicious coffee and an overall good vibe. We enjoyed grabbing to-go coffee’s and wandering around downtown.

Sonoma has a mission built in 1823 which you can visit; but double check hours if you would like to go inside.

In addition to a mission, Sonoma State Park includes the Sonoma Barracks, Blue Wing Inn, La Casa Grande, and Toscano Hotel. These sites can be seen downtown, very close to each other by the square. This is the site where California declared its independence from Mexico and captured General Vallejo.

After soaking in California history, I highly recommend indulging in local chocolate! The Chocolate Cow offers locally made chocolate which is to-die-for! I enjoyed a S’Mores, and it was amazing!!

Of course, after eating chocolate you will want to burn it off! haha. You can take a nice walk over to the Hacienda of General Vallejo; one building on site is pictured below. There you will find hiking trails and a serene location to spend some time, or your day. If you aren’t up for walking, there is a parking lot.

We didn’t end up eating lunch downtown, but there are several places to eat; hopefully next time I can find a place and recommend it to you! In the meantime, eat chocolate. haha

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy