Scent of the Month

This month's scent is Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black, 

described as 'an addictive blend of alluring violet, sensual sandalwood, 

and rich vanilla that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine.'

Clockwise from top left: dress, purse, necklace, coat, scent, heels, bracelet

Song of the Week

Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year

Fashion Inspiration: Silver Fox

Clockwise from top left: ring, earrings, jacket, clutch, heels, dress, watch

Crazy About: New Year's Eve Decor

Clockwise from top left: tiered stand, party in a box, peacock mirror, bar cart,

holiday tiaras, ice bucket, plate, glass, disco ball, armchair, champagne opener

Fashion Inspiration: Golden Night Out

Clockwise from top left: ring, necklace, purse, heels, skirt, bomber

Recipe: Eggnog & Port

Ingredients:

2 oz. tawny port
6 oz. eggnog
Whole nutmeg

Shake the port and eggnog over ice, and serve up in martini glasses.  Grate the nutmeg as garnish.

Serves two.

Crazy about: Winter Sports

clockwise from top left: socks, base layer undershirt, heavy knit onesie, hat,

ski jacket, snowboard, boots, hair protector, sunscreen, snow pants, scarf

, ski boots, skis, ski goggles, thermal henley, gloves, stained glass sweater

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas to all! Cheers, and thank you for reading!

Holiday Windows in San Francisco / Union Square

One of our favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit is to wander around Union Square looking at the Christmas shop windows. Every store tends to put their brand's spin on the holiday. Here were some of the ones we liked best this year:

Brooks Brothers had the coziest family windows

 Paul Smith kept it simple with touches of red in the outfits and green mistletoe 

 Alexander McQueen let the clothes be the focus with this amazing beaded number

 Prada featured a winterized version of Hawaiian print

 This little kiosk museum brings a little culture to the street corner

 Hermes was simple with lodge scenes

 This men's H&M was one of our favorites. Love the riff on the country manor.

 Gucci was simple, but elegant

Gump's went with the tagline Holly Days and had an enchanted garden feel

Christmas Playlist

We are so excited for Christmas tomorrow - the presents are wrapped, a fire is burning, and we are curled up with a glass of eggnog listening to our Christmas playlist.

Song of the Week

Marcella Detroit - California Xmas

Recipe: Press Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
red and green food coloring

With an electric mixer mix the butter, egg, and almond extract.
Add the sugar, flour and salt and mix until combined.
Divide the dough in half and mix red food coloring in one batch, green in the other.
Wrap the dough in saran wrap and chill overnight.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
With a cookie press space evenly on a cookie sheet, decorating with sprinkles and red hot candies.
Bake 4 minutes and then rotate the trays and bake an additional 4 minutes.

Crazy About: Sparkling Earrings

clockwise from top left: jewel drops, agate burst drops,  beaujewels blue & green, moroccan stone earrings, 

chandeliers, gold plated crystal and bead, faceted cluster, golden ice marquis teardrops, chain and tassel drops,

pearl & diamond, velocity clusters, pearl princess drops

Vista Vision

Our Complete Gift Guide

It's not too late to find the perfect Christmas present - many of the items in our guide can be shipped two-day or purchased in store...  Or there are always these last minute gift ideas:

*Plane Tickets
*A Foodie Cheese Class

*Artisanal Chocolate or Coffee & Mugs

*Favorite Magazine Subscription
*A meaningful book with a personal inscription
*A Personalized Playlist (+iTunes gift card for more music)

*A Potted Plant from your local nursery - we like paperwhites for Christmas, or you can make a tabletop succulent garden if you have a green thumb

Style Icon: Anna Wintour

2013 marks 25 years that Anna Wintour has been at the helm of Vogue Magazine. Although there are varied opinions about the editor in chief, her influence on fashion is undisputed. Here are some of her best looks.

 all images via Google

Brad Pitt is 50

We can't believe that one of our all time favorite actors, Brad Pitt, is fifty years old today.  We have been following his career since Thelma & Louise, and to celebrate this latest milestone, we are looking back at some of our favorite Brad Pitt movie roles.

Thelma & Louise, 1991

A River Runs Through It, 1992

The Favor, 1994

Interview with the Vampire, 1994

Legends of the Fall, 1994

Meet Joe Black, 1998

Fight Club, 1999

Spy Game, 2001

Ocean's 11, 2001

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, 2007

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 2008

Inglorious Basterds, 2009

The Tree of Life, 2011

Moneyball, 2011

12 Years A Slave, 2013

All images from Google