Did it snow in Berkeley the other night?
No, but it did hail.
It was nothing like what I’d experienced in college (golf ball-sized muthaeffers that shattered car windshields), but it was enough to knock out the electricity.
It was all nice and romantic-like, candles everywhere and such, and when the husband came home he lit the fireplace.
We placed the kettle in the fireplace (right photo) and made tea!
I’d given the hubs a getaway at Meadowood Resort for Christmas and we finally were able to take it!
For the ultimate escape away from city life, this is the place to go.
The entire property (all 250 acres of it) is surrounded by hills. Well, A hill. As in a long ring around the entire resort. The cottages and lodges are spaced apart, tucked into the hill here and there behind rocks and trees for privacy.
The lodge was inviting, cozy, and warm. There were even windows on the ceiling that let in the wonderful natural light. I love the layout so much.
I need to start off this restaurant review with this: Trattoria Corso is a classy joint manned by classy staff.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…
Hubby and I had another date night, this time at the Trattoria Corso on Shattuck. It’s by the same people behind Rivoli – naturally, we were looking forward to dinner.
Here I am in my interpretation of Parisian-chic:
Shirt: Breton Shirt Company
Skirt: ASOS
Shoes: Payless
Bag: Christian Siriano for Payless
Yessssssssss!!
We finally had a date night!
I thought it would be a good time to test-drive my new Josie Maran Cosmetics cosmetics (no, I’m not being funny and redundant, that’s the name of Josie Maran’s line), my Christmas dress, and my new DKNY trenchcoat!
Dress: Anthropologie
Bangle: J.Crew
Shoes: Elizabeth and James
Earrings: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Necklace: gift (from college roomie #1)
Pantyhose: Post @ etsy
There were no last-minute reservations anywhere “good”, but Husband managed to get us an early table at Mayfield Bakery & Cafe in Palo Alto.
Let’s not kid anybody, m’kay? I shop the Sale section first.
Germany-based Stylebop has some seriously cute designer duds on their Sale page. For under $300, I could get one of these adorable dresses:
Speaking of sales, Benefit Cosmetics has a little buh-bye section, and there are a few things worth picking up:
And just like that, it’s dreary, cold, and wet again here in the Bay Area.
For the first time in years, I stayed up to greet the new year. We watched the fireworks go off from what may have been South San Francisco. Not long after that we hit the sack for a long winter’s nap.
A late lunch was had at Fat Apple’s, a charming little place down and one of our back-up restaurants (when we’re too lazy to cook) at MLK Way and Rose in Berkeley. I hope the huge cheeseburger with bacon will help put on the layers of meat my body so needs!
Oh, do you think I looked boss in my Christmas boots? I do. 
Sweater, vest, jeans, scarf: Victoria’s Secret
Boots: Joe’s Jeans
The outfit did not feel complete without my new wool bear hat, which was purchased on impulse from a little cart at the Westfield Shopping Mall in SF.
I’ve had a coupla compliments on it already.
What a great impulse buy!
Beech swears by Mario Badescu and the last time I used it was 2006 and it was only samples – back then I didn’t have the means to buy their skincare. Now that my face is all states of fug – the result of all kinds of recklessness in Singapore, as well as extreme change in diet and climate, insufficient sleep, and water – and I have the means, so I have no excuse to keep hemming and hawing over it.
Those five little products are gonna change my skin… and my life. Well, one hopes…
… because if the canvas is lousy, there’s little point in getting new paint.
Cute?
Fair and tanned Charmmy!
Eyeshadows and lipglosses galore!
I treated myself to these babies on the day of the sneak preview at Sephora.com. Not only am I a sucker for make-up palettes, I go weak at the knees for cute Hello Kitty packaging.
*hangs head in shame*
You hush up! There are forty-year-olds worse than me.
The weather in the Bay Area has been gorgeous of late. You’re inside a cozy heated home looking outside and it looks like the perfect summer day, but then you step outside and are hit by the brisk cool air and suddenly it’s late-Fall. I think it’s absolutely wonderful. A week ago I looked up from my computer long enough to witness this awesome sunset:
My friends know what I got for myself, but they haven’t seen it.
Now all o’ y’all have.
It’s a shimmery taupe Hervé Leger skirt!
Shirt: Cotton On
Cardigan: J.Crew
Skirt: Hervé Leger
Shoes: Isabel Toledo for Payless
Coat: Victoria’s Secret
Purse: well… you know
One more photo under the cut:
I love me this coat! It’s the right length, perfectly warm, and the cut is so lady-like.
Sweater: Victoria’s Secret
Skirt: BCBGMAXAZRIA
Tights: Victoria’s Secret
Oxfords: Matisse Footwear
Coat: Victoria’s Secret
Scarf: random boutique in Berkeley
Purse: Mulberry for Target
Okay, truth be told, I haven’t bought those Rupert Sanderson papaya shoes.
And I’m glad because
BUT I’ve already bought myself a Christmas present so I don’t know if I should splurge on these… These babies are $250 at Shopbop and I’m a size 6!
