Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Crissy Fields. A new neighbor friend just told us about Crissy Fields. We have passed them in the hall on their way to this beach with their dog a few times, so we finally tagged along. Our dogs have decided to be best friends (the best way to meet people!), so obviously now we are friends. They showed us a non-crowded, non-touristy part of the Crissy Fields beach and our dogs had a wonderful time. It was also a great, clear day to see the Golden Gate Bridge and watch all the sailboats coming in and out. Gosh, I love the beach!

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it along with a little story and a link to your website or blog (if you have one):  E-mail Me!

 That is Alcatraz to the right of Andy.

Ellie-Style, Rooftop Drinks in San Francisco

Andy's cousin came to town on a business trip a few weeks ago, so we arranged to meet him one night. He was staying at a swanky hotel on top of Nob Hill in San Francisco, so that's where met him. When we got there, he told us he had heard mention of a rooftop bar with views of the city, so we jumped on the idea. We took the elevator as far UP as it would go. At the top, we were greeted by a live pianist playing on a baby grand. He was surrounded by numerous little tables with candles, and then magnificent floor to ceiling windows. We chose a table next to a window and admired the city views while we waited for our martinis to arrive. It was truly like something out of the movies. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like lugging my camera along (big mistake), so I don't have any photos of the night. The memory will have to suffice.

New hairstyle! I don't know if I like it, but it was fun to try.

Vintage jacket (from here), New York & Company top, CAbi skirt, TJ Max purse, Target tights, Korean boots

Strong Arms Saturday!

This Strong-Arms-Saturday is brought to you by Fort Funstion. Fort Funstion is a sandy bluff high above the ocean where people take long strolls and dogs are allowed to run freely. Is is one of a few places in the San Francisco area that dogs can be off-leash. We discovered it last Saturday, and will probably make a habit of going there. The views of the ocean and beautiful, the breeze is calm, and there are all sorts of little trails you can follow. ...Along with the fact that it is a doggy wonderland! Our pup, Mr. Buckles, had the time of his life romping around with other dogs. (Which is why he isn't in any of our pictures. What a little socialite he is!)

What exciting things do you have planned for Saturday? Feel like snapping a picture of your own Strong-Arms-Saturday, send me a picture and I'll post it:  E-mail Me!

All Worlds Fair

A few weekends ago Andy and I went to the All Worlds Fair in San Francisco. You may be wondering, what IS an 'All Worlds Fair', yes my reaction exactly.

Find my fun vintage blazer Here.

A friend of ours said she was involved, and that it would be an unforgettable night. So obviously we had to go! I looked it up online and noticed that the tickets were selling like wildfire! There were still two weeks before the event, but it was just about sold out. Not having any information on the event I signed up for some of the last tickets. I snatched them right up! Then I figured I should do a little reading on the event, so we'd know what we were in for. Funny thing though, there wasn't much information...

Everything I could find on the 'All Worlds Fair' was about galaxies not our own and species from other planets. There was talk of a strict black and white dress code, and passports involved. As the event grew closer, we had to fill out online information for our inter-world passport and agree to the dress code. I began to get more emails about risks involved with traveling to this out-of-world experience, along with news of the fair and its vendors...with no specifics of course.

Both Andy and I grew more and more curious. What was this event?? What on earth (literally) had we signed up for? The night of the event Andy and I got ready together. We went through our closet to see what we had to wear in terms of black and white. We found simple outfits and headed into the city. The event was held at the old Mint building where there was a line down the sidewalk when we arrived. We jumped in line and were quickly questioned about our passports. Yes, we answered, we had filled out all the passport information.

After waiting a little longer, and observing all the black and white outfits around us, we were ushered through the passport booth and into the building. Unfortunately, there were no electronic devices allowed, so my pictures from outside are quite bad, and I have no pictures from the inside, so you'll have to use your imagination.

Once we were in, it was a free for all, a fair. Each room held a different vendor showing us something from another world. We dug for silicone (from the silicone valley, ha!), tried healing elixirs, were entertained by kings, told jokes while sharing tea, viewed out of this world images...and on it goes. At one point we were ushered upstairs, where the fair took a different turn. The rooms were more like works of art, installations, but they were alive. One room was filled with live statues donning the most wild and interesting looks, clothing, and makeup. A fog machine blew into the room along with dramatic lighting and music. It was incredible! We also saw a 4-legged stilted lady dance in one room, and played an out-of-body game in another room.

Towards the end, we were once again ushered into another part of the Mint building. It was a large open room with paper installations hung from the ceiling to the floor in all four corners. Everyone sat, as we listened to a musician in one corner playing buckets, chimes, and cymbals. He even did some tuvan throat singing at one point. Out of nowhere a group of dancers tied together and wrapped in white cloths came out. They moved as one, like a breath, and weaved in and out of us. It was strange, but awesome at the same time.

When the music and dancing stopped, the event was over. We left the Mint building through the front steps. Most people were speechless at the incredible event we had just left, others couldn't stop babbling about what they had experienced. Andy and I walked quietly in awe to dinner, then we re-hashed the whole experience over sushi. Wow, what an event! San Francisco never ceases to entertain and mystify.

San Francisco Piers & Fishermans Wharf

This last weekend Andy and I braved the crowds to explore the San Francisco piers and Fishermans Wharf. It was a cool dreary day, but we had a wonderful time! Plus, what else do you expect from San Francisco weather?!

We started around Pier 17 and worked our way all the way down to Fishermans Wharf. The closer we got to Fishermans Wharf, the larger the crowds grew. Along the way we enjoyed the TCHO chocolate headquarters, lots of advertising for the Americas Cup sail boat race, and plenty of seagulls. We also enjoyed watching the boats come in and out, and imagined what it might be like to own our own sailboat one day.

Once we reached Pier 39 we really had to push through the crowds. It was a boardwalk of festivities, minus the rides. On the other side of the shops and restaurants we found the seals! You could hear them making their seal noises and watch as they battle one another for a good spot on the floating piers. It was such a sight...and smell.

A ways past Pier 39 we found ourselves at the end of an abandoned pier. We had it all to ourselves, so we sat there and contemplated Alcatraz, which was right in front of us. We also had a front row seat to sailboats and ferries passing us by. The sky was grey and the water a dark turquoise, a light wind blew. It was the perfect setting for a romantic cuddle.

We quickly grew cold and hungry so we headed to Fishermans Wharf for a snack. We snaked our way through the crowd and ordered a famous clam chowder bread bowl. Instead of waiting for a seat inside somewhere, we opted to stand right there and share our clam chowder on the little counter ledge. The bread was crispy on the outside, but soft and warm on the inside. We devoured the bread bowl and pronounced ourselves too full to do anything else.

Lucky for us, we were right next to an antique penny arcade. Most of the games had been refurbished into working condition. We exchanged some bills for a hand full of quarters and ran amok in the old arcade. What fun we had! We played games, had our fortunes read, and bobbed for gumballs.

It was a wonderful fun filled afternoon at the San Francisco Piers and Fishermans Wharf. The longer we are in the Bay Area, the more magical San Francisco becomes to us.

Ellie-Style, Restaurant Week SF

It has been quite a while since I've done an Ellie-Style post. Last weekend Andy and I headed into San Francisco for Restaurant Week, so I took the opportunity to snap some outfit pictures. Restaurant Week is a tradition of ours. It goes back to the years we lived in Washington DC. We had a wonderful, knowledgeable friend who always picked the restaurant for us. Twice a year when Restaurant Week was held we would all dress up and enjoy a wonderful 3-4 course meal together at a restaurant that we wouldn't normally go to. It was something I always looked forward to.

Now that we are living in the Bay Area we have decided to continue the tradition. Restaurant Week popped up on my radar so I started researching restaurants. Let me tell you, it was a chore! A fun chore, but a chore none the less. With so many restaurants to choose from in an area that I hard know, I had no direction. I decided to start with the neighborhood that we have visited a few times- The Mission. From there, Andy and I narrowed it down to the kind of food we wanted. We decided on California Fusion...whatever that is. When in California, eat the Californian food, right?

blazer (similar)-JCrew, dress-Target, tights-ModCloth, shoes-Target, belt-clothing swap, purse-Etsy Vintage

So we made reservations at Luna Park. The food was great, like melt in your mouth amazing! Unfortunately it was too dark in the restaurant to take pictures, so I didn't get to document the experience very well...next time. It was a fun first time doing restaurant week in San Francisco. I eagerly await the next time it happens.

 The only picture I have of dinner. We started with goat cheese fondue- amazing!

Marin Headlands & The Golden Gate Bridge

Last weekend Andy and I set out to explore the area near the Golden Gate Bridge. We first crossed the bridge in all its red beauty and grandeur. I walked across the bridge when I was younger, but hardly remembered it, so the drive was very cool. I was like a kid in a candy shop ohhh'ing and ahh'ing with my camera erect and my head hanging out the window. I applaud Andy for putting up with my silly needs to snap pictures of everything while barking orders at him to get us in the right position for the picture that I am looking for. What else are husbands for right? :)

After crossing the bridge we wound around all sorts of curvy roads, passing fancy houses, and wondering when we might catch another view of the bridge. Finally, we found our way to the Marin Headlands State Park. It took us up a long road that offered many perfect views of the bridge, the bay, and San Francisco in all of its glory. Really, what a place!

After stopping about 3-4 times to admire the view and you guessed it- take more pictures, we found a parking spot at the bottom of the hills. From there, we found some hiking paths and set out. Mr. Buckles was all too excited to finally get out of the car and explore the area. We headed up, up, up the hillside. Farther from the bridge, but higher with beautiful views of the bay and its many little islands.

We discovered a real gem in the Marin Headlands State Park. But of course, what isn't a gem in this area?? Next time I think we'll go back and hike out to some of the beaches. The other side of the Golden Gate Bridge has a lot to offer and we will definitely have fun exploring it!

Peninsula Beaches

Ahh the beaches of the San Francisco Peninsula! Last weekend was the first 'real' weekend that Andy and I have had in the Bay Area. Our first weekend we moved in, then it was New Years, so finally we had a nothing-to-do weekend. It was great! We started by driving to Half Moon Bay. It was a lovely drive through green hills and past little farms and flower stands. We also passed a few vineyards that we hope to go back and visit. From Half Moon Bay, we drove up highway 1 and stopped at a few more beaches. It was a wonderful leisurely day of overcast skies, playing on the beach, watching surfers, and sampling the local cuisine (crab). I love that this is home now!

What are you doing this weekend? I think we plan on heading to the slopes...Lake Tahoe!