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Wednesday
Jul152009

Sutro's at Cliff House

With George Morrone at the helm, Sutro's at the Cliff House is now a worthy destination for both natives and tourists. With grand sweeping views of the ocean, you can dine in style with Morrone's well-executed menu. Of course, having a background from Aqua and Fifth Floor certainly helped boost expectations. duo_cornsoup_sutros.jpg Duo of Corn Soup We started with the Duo of Corn Soup, which was a natural hit. The piquillo pepper corn relish added a nice zippy kick to the satisfying and refreshingly sweet starter, setting the stage for more culinary excitement. Another fun app to order, if you haven't yet had it elsewhere, is the Ahi Tuna Tartare. It's Morrone's original famous recipe, and it's prepared tableside as you look on with anticipation. Unlike others, this version lets the fish shine, and it's not overwhelmed by the sesame oil. sutros.jpg For the main course, you have to get the Seared Day Boat Scallops. Paired with a “classic scampi sauce” and poached laughing bird shrimp, we were totally blown away by how perfect the scallops were. It's perfectly done, tender and succulent. We also liked the moist Garlic and Ginger Pork Tenderloin, but the scallops stole the show. asparagus_salad_sutros.jpg Jumbo Asparagus Salad The portions are fairly sizeable, so we only had room to split a dessert. The Frozen Lemon Souffle with balsamic and blueberries is a nice touch for an otherwise perfect meal. I heard the Butterscotch Pot de Creme is supposed to be great, so I need to go back and try it! sutros_ceiling.jpg www.cliffhouse.com

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Tuesday
Jul142009

Frye Boots - New Styles on Sale

Wow, I'm totally in love with my pair of Frye Rory Scrunchy Boots. Not only are these darn comfy, but they're also casually sexy and the leather is so buttery-soft. I'm a new fan of this brand! You can wear this new style year-round, with skirts or dresses. The heel isn't too high, so you won't be wobbling around. The circumference of the shaft isn't too skinny either, so for those who don't have toothpick legs, this one's for you. frye_rory_scrunch.jpg Rory Scrunchy boots I love how this company's been around since 1863. They really know what they're doing in terms of quality and comfort. These Bethany Strappy Softie boots are also real cute. The ruching at the toe is a great touch. Must add to my wish list. frye_bethany.jpg Frye Bethany Strappy Softie style Get these styles and more at www.thefryecompany.com.

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Monday
Jul132009

Shu Uemura Painting Liners

I thought my shu umeura liquid eyeliner was my reliable standby, but their new Painting Liners are rivaling their star product. The gel formula is very pigmented, so there's no need to slap a lot on at once. You can layer and mix with the other colors, so there's plenty of room to play around. shuuemura_paintingliners.jpg This waterproof liner stays in place for quite a long time. The line comes in nine colors - I tried the purple and silver shades. At first glance I thought the purple could be a tad bit too dramatic, but you can definitely carry it off nicely. The silver one is a superb accent, as you can dab it at the inner corners of the eye line, or paint a thin line as an shimmery accent. PL%20MEpurple.jpg These give an incredibly smooth glide across the lid, and they're totally smudge-proof and cake-proof. Another fun thing is you can use these as a cream eye shadow. They recommend using their new Portable Eye Liner Brush to make your application easier, so I'm looking forward to checking that out. Available online at www.shuuemura-usa.com and at the SF boutique (1271 Fillmore Street, 415-395-0953).

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Friday
Jul102009

Paper Magic with Petit Collage, Dots & Jots, and Paper Patisserie

I'm having lots of fun with paper products these days. I'm a big fan of sending notecards (email is so impersonal sometimes), and to my delight I found some eco-friendly notecards from Petit Collage. They're printed with soy-based inks, and are made with 100% recycled paper. The set comes with four designs (by artist Lorena Siminovich) and the cute keepsake box stores twenty assorted cards in total. Plenty of writing opportunities to refine your penmanship. petitcollage_eco_cards.jpg For gift-giving, I always believe in presentation. The Dots & Jots Mix & Match Gift Bags are a convenient way to store your trinkets. Fabric designer Denyse Schmidt created this adorable collection of lovely bags for all sorts of uses. They're great for crafting or scrapbooks too. It comes with twelve assorted bags, in three different sizes and six designs. And, it has cute stickers to boot! dotsjots_bags.jpg If you like to entertain like I do, these Paper Patisserie Place Mats will turn you into the next Martha Stewart. The next time you have some friends over for tea and cakes, just whip out these paper place mats and your table will be transformed into a feminine and cozy spread. How very civilized! paper_patisserie_placemats.jpg

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Wednesday
Jul082009

Eminence Organics Summer Lovin' Collection

I'm always excited when Eminence Organics has a new collection, and their new Summer Lovin' line doesn't disappoint. While I adore their Sun Defense Minerals, those who prefer a cream base will love the new Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32. It has a great souffle texture that just melts onto the skin, so it's non-greasy. It almost feels like a water-based cream. Plus, it smells like like a spicy vanilla cake, which is always nice! Eminence_SummerLovin.jpg Now, if you're a sunscreen klutz like me and forget to reapply it after a couple hours, you might risk a sunburn. That's when the Aloe Mint Hydrating Cream Gel comes to your rescue. The cooling peppermint oil and aloe vera juice will heal and calm the irritated and damaged skin. It's gentle for sensitive skin and won't clog pores. I applied this after a day in the sun and my skin's pretty happy afterwards. And, if that's not enough, you can supplement the healing process with their soothing Hibiscus Calendula Recovery Masque. Once you use this to rejuvenate the moisture levels of your sun-kissed skin, you'll be ready for the beach again! eminenceorganics.com

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Tuesday
Jul072009

Chie Mihara Fall Winter Shoe Preview

International shoe designer Chie Mihara has some very cute and feminine styles for her upcoming Fall/Winter 2009-2010 collection. I am definitely putting the the strong and sexy Misha heels on my wish list. I love the tan cotton contrast piping around the red suede. Gorgeous! These could almost be tango shoes. Sometimes I feel that thin stiletto heels will break off at the most unfortunate situations, but these heels will last a long time. chiemihara_Misha.jpg Misha style With her eclectic background (born in Brazil, of Japanese descent), Chie went around the world studying fashion and eventually landed in Spain. She's been designing her own coveted heels ever since. These shoes are comfy and classy, with a touch of modern whimsy of course. Aren't these Pantoja shoes darling? It also comes in a silvery metallic fabric for those who want a little drama. Love the short heel. chiemihara_Pantoja.jpg Pantoja shoes Available at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and www.chiemihara.com.

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Thursday
Jul022009

IFB Links a la Mode July 2

The Whole Woman

Edited by Debutante Clothing

I love being a woman. I love that we can have the best of both worlds - being fun and feminine and a successful career women. This week, I've selected a round up of links that really represents the whole woman. From being natural and vulnerable enough to go without make-up as Style Symmetry does in her beautiful post, to The Demoiselles' post about breaking body image and fashion rules. And for those of us that are caught up in this difficult job-seeking market, there are even work fashion posts from Work Chic and Fasshonaburu. But we can't be so serious all the time right? So for women just needing a fun and frivolous escape, there are loads of fashion finds and even some giveaways to help us bask in our glorious womanhood. Enjoy!

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Links à la Mode : July 2nd

    Bobbins And Bombshells finds the perfect vintage items for a picnic! Bonne Vie: Jesica Milton - a few quick questions with a local designer (and advice for aspiring fashion designers) Breakfast at Saks interviews Dana-Maxx about Betsey Johnson, Marc Jacobs and her new F/W collection 'Sex, Love, and Heartbreak' Clutch 22: - Exclusive sneak peek at I Heart Norwegian Wood for Shrimpton Couture collection! Daisy Fairbanks: Farewell to Farrah, Style Icon Debutante Clothing: Sail Away with Vintage Sailboat finds Dramatis Personae shares the Alice & Isa Boutique, showcasing the best of independent San Francisco designers. Fabulous Finds and Co.: - Glam rock gals that have a serious talent in spotting the latest trends and creating them. Fashion Fight Club: - New Legal Troubles for Forever 21 and the Bill Status of the Design Piracy Prohibition Act Fashion Is the Best Medicine: - Revisiting trends Michael Jackson started, and no, they're not exclusively fashion trends. Fasshonaburu: Boost job security by building your work wardrobe! fête à fête: - Take care of your skin! Organic sun care from Juice Beauty Mademoiselle Robot: Summer holiday packing tips! Mystery Creature: Getting inspired & can work-wear look cool? Retro Chick: Oxfam launches DIY competition with celebrity stylist Mrs. Jones Style Symmetry: Going Make Up Less in support of all women's natural beauty! Super Kawaii Mama: The Fabulous World of the Himegyaru The Coveted: Win a pair of We Love Colors Tights! The Demoiselles: Calling all extremists! Jennifer Nicole tells us all why, in fashion, being normal is a bad thing. Think Thru Fashion: Farrah Fawcett's Fashion Lives On: Spring trends reflect the 70s style of the Charlie's Angels actress. Work Chic: How you can incorporate vintage dresses into your work attire with our new video series!

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Wednesday
Jul012009

Get Emotional Balance With Nectar Essences & Giveaway!

I try not to be a stressball, but due to the nature of my job I usually end up with 10 million knots on my back at the end of the day. As a worrywart, sometimes I have trouble sleeping too. Luckily for me (and you!), Nectar Essences flower sprays are one of the ways I combat my anxiety. Founder Jenny Pao used her background in holistic healing and flower essence therapy to formulate her unique product line. Each spray is 100% natural natural including wildcrafted, organic and biodynamically farmed ingredients. They're safe for kids too. nectar_essences.jpg Not only are they incredibly powerful, these are also effective natural remedies that will heal your body, soul, and mind. I LOVE the De Stress formula. It has 15 flower essences (including Rescue Remedy) and is scented with ylang ylang, jasmine and palo santo oils. I had a personal trauma happen and using the spray calmed me down enough to carry on with my daily life. I also used it on a couple friends and they just ate it up. The Sleep and Awake sprays will assist with your sleeping and waking patterns. sleep_nectaressence.jpg To see the magical effects yourself, we're doing a special giveaway of the De Stress spray to one lucky reader! To Enter: Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Nectar Essences giveaway http://tinyurl.com/kwedq5 ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below this post on which formula you'd like to try (don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great'). Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. Be sure to enter 'Nectar Giveaway' in the subject line and your unlocked Twitter link in the body. DO NOT forget to email your name & address after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically! One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Thursday, July 9, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!

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Wednesday
Jul012009

Hair Love from John Masters Organics

I am addicted to the Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Shampoo from John Masters Organics. The ultra-moisturizing formula makes my shampooing into such a luxurious ritual. Packed with flax seed, jojoba, borage oils, and sunflower seed oils, this shampoo is aimed at repairing damaged hair. It doesn't contain any sodium lauryl sulfate, so it won't dry the scalp and hair shaft. The ylang ylang and bergamot oils will make you feel relaxed and more calm. honeyhibiscus_shampoo_johnmasters.jpg I also tried the Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner. It gets two thumbs up from me. On top of the wonderful lavender scent, you can practically feel the avocado oil working its magic on my hair. This is also great for color-treated hair. If you need something to keep your hair shiny and soft, the new Shine On is a leave-in treatment that uses organic kelp as a silicone replacement. Carrot seed oil, olive oil, chamomile, and calendula also help amp up the moisture factor. shine_on_johnmasters.jpg If you buy from their USDA collection, you get 20% off the entire month of July. www.johnmasters.com

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Tuesday
Jun302009

Quick & Easy Korean Cooking

Korean food is one of my fave Asian cuisines, and I'm real lucky to live near so many Korean restaurants. But for those who are curious about making bulgogi, pa jeon (green onion pancakes), or bibimbap (mixed rice bowl), you're in luck. Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee demystifies Korean cooking in her new book, Quick & Easy Korean Cooking. Quick%20and%20Easy%20Korean_cooking.jpg With over 70 recipes, you get to learn to make different kinds of kimchi, tofu hot pot, soups, noodles, kalbi (barbecued ribs), and much more. Best of all, these recipes can be prepared in 30 minutes. Even busy folks can cook Korean dishes! The following recipe is for one of my absolute favorite style of noodles. Try your hand at it and I know you'll love it. Sweet Potato Noodles (Japchae) Japchae is traditionally made for parties or celebrations, but I like to make it for a light lunch or part of a big dinner. Dried sweet potato noodles can be found in most Asian supermarkets. They are incredibly chewy but healthy and delicious. This recipe works as a side dish (banchan) or can even be served as an appetizer or light snack. 8 ounces sweet potato noodles 1/2 bunch spinach (about 4 ounces), rinsed and trimmed 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 6 ounces beef rib-eye, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick strips 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1/4 medium onion, sliced 3 to 4 pyongo or shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 carrot, shredded or cut into thin strips 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/4 cup sugar Toasted sesame seeds for garnish japchae_SweetPotato_Noodles.jpg Cook the sweet potato noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Be sure not to overcook the noodles, or they will lose their chewy texture. If you like, cut the noodles with scissors into 6- to 7-inch lengths for easier eating. Blanch the spinach in boiling water. Rinse immediately under cold water, squeeze the water from the leaves and form into a ball, and then cut the ball in half. Combine the spinach, half the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the sesame oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Set aside to let the flavors soak in. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, the remaining garlic, 1 teaspoon of the soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil. Stir-fry until the beef is cooked, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion, mushrooms, and carrot and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the green onions and stir-fry for another minute. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the noodles, beef mixture, spinach, remaining 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and the sugar. Serve warm, sprinkled with sesame seeds. Makes 4 or 5 servings. Recipe used with permission from Chronicle Books. Photo credits: Julie Toy

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