Sunday, January 31, 2016

The Argonaut Explores..

It's been how many months now that I've lived here? Nearly four. And all this while, I've been living inside the comfortable bubble that is FIDM, Ted Baker, Safeway, and my hovel.

Well. I was reading, as I've recently begun a detox from social media and tv, and the book dates back to early 1850's gold rush here in San Francisco. Pairing that with the Walking San Francisco tour book that was so kindly given to me, I've come to realize that I live in a pretty wicked city, one that's rich and full of history.

More importantly- exploring.

San Francisco was founded by the explosion of gold discovery in 1848, shortly after the discovery of gold in Sutter Creek in Coloma, CA. From then on, San Francisco became a haven for gold thirsty Argonauts: Europeans, Americans, Russians, Mexicans, Chileans, Peruvians, Austrailians, and the Chinse. All hitched with gold fever, San Francisco boomed as a culturally diverse city.

It continues to be this day. Where I live, I'm on the cusp of North Beach (Italians), Chinatown (Chinese), and then the Financial District (Americans? Mix?) What I love about San Francisco is its metlting pot of diversity as well as the rich history that brings all of these cultures together from the start- gold.

Today, I had the day off, which is a rare one from me. And with Bilbo Baggins in my head, I thought to myself "Today, I'm going to go on an adventure!" Not wanting to go by myself at first, I reached out to my friends, but had no success. Oh well, the company of oneself is company enough!

And after a delightful breakfast out, away I went...

It's not a successful day without coffee, as I will preach always!


To begin, I walked up the steps of Peter Macchianrini..


Up the stairs and to the right, you'll arrive at this view..



For the long walk ahead, I plugged in my tunes (Passenger being a favorite for days of exploring) and began the journey..


First stop: Coit Tower. See it up there in the distance?



This may look familiar, for last month, I journeyed up here with some friends after The Nutcracker. Much different when there's daylight and no rain!






At the top of the monstrous hill (and some heavy breathing), I finally got to see what all this fuss was about: the view.



Coit Tower: "San Francisco's Legendary Little Hitchcock Colt died in 1929. Bequeathing one-third of her estate "for the purpose of adding beauty to the city I have always loved." On Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower was built during the Great Depression and dedicated in 1933.."


After riding an elevator some 210 feet up (on an 83 yr old OTIS), we were able to see the sights, a little better this time..








See that tall spiky one there? I live just a block from there...

 

Classic selfie. 



Nestled at the top of Telegraph Hill, I encourage all who visit San Francisco to take part in Coit Tower. And don't be the guy who drives there. Take the hike: it's much too beautiful to pass up; plus, it's rewarding to get to the top of the tower.



I do, I do, I do!


Just at the bottom of the staircase, you'll come to Levi's Plaza, where one can peruse through the historic Levi Vault and learn all about the history of the jean. Tying back into the gold story earlier, aren't I?




I should get these for Jack..


A short walk along the water and you'll soon come to Pier 39- Fisherman's Wharf.


I myself made a beeline straight for the historic Buena Vista, home of the original (and best) Irish Coffee. 



I then popped over to Ghirardelli Square for my complimentary square of chocolate.


I also found this delightful book on sale that was perfect for my adventure.


Returning right to the place where I first started...


I also made my new years deadline for San Francisco- see something new every month. Cheers to January!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Heel High.

It's about high time that I pulled out my pumps.

High time, get it? Considering they're about six inches, it puts me at roughly six feet eight inches!

For some reason, since coming to the city, my poor heels have been sitting lonesome in my wardrobe, collecting dust and longing for the day in which they are once more reunited with my feet and strutting down the streets that are my runway.

Part of it may be the impracticality (I walk everywhere), but in all honesty, I've been getting a real feel for the vibe of San Francisco and that aesthetic doesn't really include heels. I feel that as a whole, San Fran is fairly casual in dress (unless working in the Fi Di District) and with lots of dark colors. Not a lot of pizazz, if you will.

Now that's just my simple observation!

But as I was picking out an outfit this morning, and whilst looking through all of my various style books, I stumbled across a line in a Kate Spade book that struck home with me and reminded me of style's true identity and reason. For me, it was a reminder that life is too short to wear boring clothes, no matter where you go or where you live.

"... She was an elegant adventurer equally inclined to wear diamonds for breakfast and to show up at her own wedding in a helicopter..."

While I may not have worn diamonds for breakfast, or showed up to school in a helicopter (not today, at least), I did don my pumps and my accessories, dying for a chance to be worn and loved.

I hope you're not deterred in what makes you feel beautiful. For me, dressing up is natural, it makes me feel confident and beautiful, and it is an extension of myself, of who I am.

And if I'm the girl who wears pearls to the gym, or a ball gown to the grocery store... then so be it! Also, never let a man tell you that you should not wear heels. If he feels less like a man for his woman being taller than himself, then show him the door and find a man who will appreciate you, no matter what size you may be.

So my new friend Angelina works at Kate Spade and was thus dressed to the nines in Kate Spade attire... Coincidence?





Rule of thumb: a lady should never look down when walking, except when she's wearing extremely high heels and does not want to fall on her face by the cracks in the road..


So cute how alike and similar we are. She's short, I'm tall. She works at Kate, I work at Ted...




Both of us were experiencing a heel high today!





What I wore: vintage jacquard dress (thanks textile science class for that lesson), Ted Baker floria necklace (I love my job!), nude Kate Spade bow belt (consignment), and nude patent leather Steve Madden pumps (consignment).



What she wore: Kate Spade, all the way!



Thursday, January 21, 2016

Very AppreciaTED.

I'm pretty sure that I pay to work at Ted Baker. The amount of money I earn seems to always turn right back around again. And I tell myself it's "for work", but in all honesty, next to vintage, I would want nothing more than to always be dressed Ted to Toe.

It's a company that continues to grow on me and the more and more I work and more I learn about the company, the more infatuaTED I become!

I mean, when I was in Los Angeles this last weekend, I ended up purchasing items at two Ted Baker locations. Like I don't have enough! But it means a lot to me, and I truly care about the company.

It's easy for me to say that I am incredibly appreciative of Ted and all he's done in my life. I'm excited to see where my future lies with this quirky company...

Apologies, but my (imaginary) professional photographer was MIA this afternoon leaving me to use the dressing room as an excuse to photograph some outfit pics. Of course, I ended up trying on clothes, and finding some I loved...





'Ello love!


What I wore: rhinestone necklace (consignment), red bishop + young top (consignment), multi-color woodblock leaf Ted Baker pencil skirt (I love my job!), and blue Dolce Vita shoes (sale at Nordstrom).