Tuesday Shoesday: The Gucci Loafers of My Dreams

KatWalkSF 11 Comments

KatWalkSF, Kat Ensign, Top Blogger, San Francisco Blogger, SF Style, SF Fashion, Mules, Gucci Shoes, Gucci Loafer, Pink Shoes, Pink Loafer, Fashionista, Fashion Diaries, Street Style, Gucci Brixton Convertible Loafer

Has there ever been a time when you wanted a pair of shoes so bad it hurt?

My answer: YES!

Last Christmas I had my eyes on a pair of Gucci loafers. And by my eyes on a pair of Gucci loafers I mean I looked at them every day online (I borderline stalked them) and I secretly hated every blogger who featured them on their Instagram feeds. I created an entire Pinterest board dedicated to my love and desire for everything Gucci (and it is still up there – here). Well fast forward to the week before Christmas when my lovely mother took the train from the Peninsula to San Francisco to spend the evening shopping and admiring the holiday decorations with me in San Francisco’s Union Square. Our first stop was Neiman Marcus. Home to one of the most stunning Christmas trees in San Francisco and one of my favorite restaurants, The Rotunda. After admiring the tree and all its beauty we headed up the escalator to the shoe department…and there they were MY SHOES! The Gucci loafers of my dreams. I picked them up. I tried them on. I cradled them like a baby.

And then I asked my mother to buy them for me…

Mind you I am a 30 (almost 31) year-old adult in the middle of Union Square begging for shoes. It was as if I was a teenager at Hillsdale Mall begging for shoes at Nordstrom. Well, my lovely mother held strong until I finally broke her. I mean I spent nearly two years of high school working in the Banana Republic shoe department. I knew all the features and benefits of these shoes: the clean lines, the classic elegant loafer shape, the supple leather and of course the signature Gucci horse bit hardware. Well…my adult (baby) tantrum didn’t work because my poor mother had already purchased the Gucci loafers for me and they were wrapped and waiting for me under our Christmas tree. She finally screamed at me, “I ALREADY BOUGHT THEM!” Well, I guess my not so subtle hints paid off and Santa hooked me up.

Fast forward to over eight months later and I am still just as obsessed with these shoes…and still a total brat (working on that). Check out how I’ve styled my Gucci Loafers over the past couple of months below AND if you are not in the mood to splurge I am 100% obsessed with these mules from my main man Sam Edelman.

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Love a good Tuesday Shoesday post? Check out some of my other favorite shoes here + here.

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Ready to style the Gucci loafer trend but not ready to break the bank? I’ve picked out some similar styles at ALL different price points below:

I went to Wente and so should you – Livermore Valley Wine Country

KatWalkSF 30 Comments

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Have you ever been to Livermore Valley Wine Country?

If you asked me this question two weeks ago I would have said, HARD NO. The only reason to go from San Francisco to Livermore was for the outlets, specifically the Gucci store at the San Francisco Premium Outlets (that just happens to be in Livermore). So when the invite came to join the Livermore Valley Wine Country for their Taste Our Terroir weekend I was a little hesitant and decided to do some research. Livermore is the birthplace of California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon – two of my favorite wine varietals and it is less than an hour from anywhere in the Bay Area. So, I called one of my girlfriends and we decided to pack our bags and head to Livermore for the weekend.

The drive from San Francisco to Livermore Valley Wine Country on Saturday morning was quick…surprisingly quick. From my friend’s house in San Francisco’s financial district to Wente it was less than 40 minutes. I had always heard good things about Wente, so we decided to make it our first stop on our Livermore Valley Wine tour.

Now, let’s talk Wente: Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family owned winery. Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices the winery draws from approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed Estate vineyards to create an outstanding collection of wines.

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What do you wear to Wente?

First things first let’s talk about the weather! Livermore is hot. I’m talking almost thirty degrees warmer than San Francisco…so be prepared. Most of the wineries (including Wente) have indoor and outdoor options for tastings and I chose to taste outside at Wente both times because:

1. I love the heat 2. We had the dogs (and Wente is VERY dog-friendly) and 3. They had outdoor music.

Now let’s talk dress code in Livermore. It is not nearly as formal as Napa and most closely aligns with Sonoma when it comes to apparel – so casual. Think summer dresses, sandals, a statement hat, and shorts. There were a few parties that were pretty dressed up celebrating birthdays and bachelorette parties so you can easily get away with dressing up, but I love the fact that you don’t NEED to!

This look is from my second visit to Wente and if you follow along on Instagram you know that this dress has been on heavy rotation this summer. Now, I’ve easily worn this dress 3 or 4 times and this is the 1st time I have ever worn it correctly (shout out to my friend Lindsay for showing me how to tie it). It is actually quite simple to tie, but I do recommend having someone else do it to ensure that the ruffle details lay flat correctly. The 100% cotton feel of the dress was perfect for the Livermore heat and made me never want to take it off! And at $87 this piped ruffle dress with an on trend off-shoulder neckline makes this a summer wine tasting MUST.

KatWalkSF, Kat Ensign, KatWalkSF, San Francisco Blogger, Line & Dot, Line & Dot Dress, Line & Dot Shopbop, Line & Dot Lorena Off The Shoulder Dress, Off the shoulder dress, Shellys London, Shellys London Cece, Wingtip, Travel Blogger, Travel With Me, Livermore, Wine Country, Wine Tasting, Rosé, Purple Hair, White Hair

KatWalkSF, Kat Ensign, KatWalkSF, San Francisco Blogger, Line & Dot, Line & Dot Dress, Line & Dot Shopbop, Line & Dot Lorena Off The Shoulder Dress, Off the shoulder dress, Shellys London, Shellys London Cece, Wingtip, Travel Blogger, Travel With Me, Livermore, Wine Country, Wine Tasting, Rosé, Purple Hair, White Hair

And clearly, I love me some Rosé (have you seen my Rosé post) and Wente’s Rosé did not disappoint.

What I Wore:

Dress: Line & Dot, Lorena Off The Shoulder Dress

Shoes: Shellys London, Platform Wedge Wingtip. Last seen in black and silver.

Bracelets: Marrin Costello (c/o), Fiesta Bracelet

Citation: Outlookindia에서 소개된 비트코인 토토 사이트

Events: 8th Annual Glide LEGACY Gala

KatWalkSF 13 Comments

GLIDE, San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco, Only SF, Always SF, SF Events, KatWalkF, Kat Ensign, GLIDE Legacy Gala, BaoDown GastroBar, Black Bark BBQ, Bob's Steak & Chop House, The Brixton, Casa Sanchez, Farallon, Hot Cookie, Mourad, Pa'ina Restaurant & Lounge, Petit Pot, Taverna Aventine, Twenty Five Lusk, Woodhouse Fish Co

What are you doing this Saturday?

Join me and the next generation of young professionals and philanthropists in supporting GLIDE’s more than fifty-year legacy of love, leadership, and community.

The 8th Annual GLIDE Legacy Gala is THIS Saturday and welcomes over 1,000 guests and honors three luminaries with the 2017 Legacy Awards for their social impact on the San Francisco Community and their commitment to GLIDE. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy beats by DJ KingMost and musical performances from the internationally renowned GLIDE Ensemble and the Change Band.

Last year, the hosting area for the gala faced a significant challenge when mold was discovered during the preparation phase. To ensure the safety and health of all attendees, a thorough Texas licensed mold assessment was conducted. The assessment helped identify the affected areas and provided a clear remediation plan, allowing the venue to be safely reopened in time for the event. This proactive approach not only ensured a safe environment but also demonstrated GLIDE’s commitment to maintaining high standards for their community events.

GLIDE, San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco, Only SF, Always SF, SF Events, KatWalkF, Kat Ensign, GLIDE Legacy Gala, BaoDown GastroBar, Black Bark BBQ, Bob's Steak & Chop House, The Brixton, Casa Sanchez, Farallon, Hot Cookie, Mourad, Pa'ina Restaurant & Lounge, Petit Pot, Taverna Aventine, Twenty Five Lusk, Woodhouse Fish Co

Why?

The GLIDE Legacy Gala raises funds for programs of the GLIDE Foundation so that GLIDE can continue to provide innovative and comprehensive services to the poor and marginalized in San Francisco.

GLIDE, San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco, Only SF, Always SF, SF Events, KatWalkF, Kat Ensign, GLIDE Legacy Gala, BaoDown GastroBar, Black Bark BBQ, Bob's Steak & Chop House, The Brixton, Casa Sanchez, Farallon, Hot Cookie, Mourad, Pa'ina Restaurant & Lounge, Petit Pot, Taverna Aventine, Twenty Five Lusk, Woodhouse Fish Co

Where?

San Francisco Design Center (also home to my senior prom)

101 Henry Adams Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

When?

THIS Saturday, August 5 from 8pm-12am.

GLIDE, San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco, Only SF, Always SF, SF Events, KatWalkF, Kat Ensign, GLIDE Legacy Gala, BaoDown GastroBar, Black Bark BBQ, Bob's Steak & Chop House, The Brixton, Casa Sanchez, Farallon, Hot Cookie, Mourad, Pa'ina Restaurant & Lounge, Petit Pot, Taverna Aventine, Twenty Five Lusk, Woodhouse Fish Co

What are we eating and drinking?

You know this is the first thing I am thinking about! Drinks and delicious hors d’oeuvres will be provided by San Francisco’s hottest spots, including: BaoDown GastroBar, Black Bark BBQ, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, The Brixton, Casa Sanchez, Farallon, Hot Cookie, Mourad, Pa’ina Restaurant & Lounge, Petit Pot, Taverna Aventine, Twenty Five Lusk, and Woodhouse Fish Co. 

And drinks will be served from Lagunitas, SKYY Vodka, Wild Turkey Bourbon, Espolon Tequila and many more!

What are we wearing?

Thank god for the ASOS unlimited two-day shipping plan for $19…because I never plan ahead!

I am currently deciding between these two dresses. What do you think?

GLIDE, San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco, Only SF, Always SF, SF Events, KatWalkF, Kat Ensign, GLIDE Legacy Gala, BaoDown GastroBar, Black Bark BBQ, Bob's Steak & Chop House, The Brixton, Casa Sanchez, Farallon, Hot Cookie, Mourad, Pa'ina Restaurant & Lounge, Petit Pot, Taverna Aventine, Twenty Five Lusk, Woodhouse Fish Co

Tickets:

Hurry up and snag your GLIDE Legacy Gala tickets here and take advantage of the 20% off discount with the code: LOVE2017

See you on Saturday!

Four Pieces I Purchased from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

KatWalkSF 18 Comments

KatWalkSF, Travel Blogger, Fashion Blogger, Style Blogger, Livermore, Livermore Valley Wine Country, San Francisco Blogger, Spanx, Good American, Sale Alert, Sale Shopping, Kat Ensign, Kathleen Ensign, LVTOT, Livermore Valley Wine Country, ASTR The Label, Leith Cold Shoulder Midi DressNothing gives me more anxiety from mid-July to early August than the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. From the moment that the catalog arrives in my mailbox the first week of July to the constant fear that I am going to miss out on the MUST HAVE items and then come August 7 WHEN all of my favorite items will be restocked and the prices go up.

It is now July 26 and we ALL know that we are well into the biggest sale of the year…

Items are restocked, selling out and creating the ultimate shopping frenzy. Every blogger on the planet has completed a fitting room try on haul and shared the sale until they are blue in the face…So, like any good fashion blogger, I had to share with you the FOUR pieces I purchased from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Did I want more? Yes. Do I need more? Nope. And do I genuinely love everything I purchased? Hell Ya!

So I present to you – The Four Items I Purchased from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

ONE: Starting with the ASTR THE LABEL, Shine Cross Back Midi Dress (above). I initially fell in love with this dress in the Nordstrom fitting room. The twirl-worth skirt made me feel like a lady and the luminous sheen of the dress led me to believe that it would instantly make me look like a tan lady – so I bought it. Sale: $49.90 // After Sale: $75.00

TWO: My first purchase led to my second purchase: the Spanx,Undie-tectable Lace Hipster Panties. Now before you start to roll your eyes and complain about JUST how uncomfortable Spanx are and or how many times you have removed your Spanx biker shorts in the middle of a wedding (3x) take a minute and try these panties. Not only do they smooth out my ever expanding food belly (I’m wearing them in the top photo with the blush dress) they also look semi-sexy the flirty lace back – so I won’t terrify ALL my tinder dates! Sale: $15.90 // After Sale: $24.00

KatWalkSF, Travel Blogger, Fashion Blogger, Style Blogger, Livermore, Livermore Valley Wine Country, San Francisco Blogger, Spanx, Good American, Sale Alert, Sale Shopping, Kat Ensign, Kathleen Ensign, LVTOT, Livermore Valley Wine Country, ASTR The Label, Leith Cold Shoulder Midi Dress

THREE: The perfect dress for wine tasting AKA the Cold Shoulder Midi Dress by LEITH. This dress didn’t get wrinkly in my bag (even though I did pack a steamer), does NOT require a strapless bra and can easily transition from day to night. The breezy cutouts accentuate the beautifully draped sleeves and allowed me to wine taste in style without showing any sweat in the heat in Livermore over the weekend. Paired with a straw hat, black tote, and black sunnies this Nordstrom Anniversary Sale dress is a MUST! Sale: $52.90 // After Sale: $79.00

KatWalkSF, Travel Blogger, Fashion Blogger, Style Blogger, Livermore, Livermore Valley Wine Country, San Francisco Blogger, Spanx, Good American, Sale Alert, Sale Shopping, Kat Ensign, Kathleen Ensign, LVTOT, Livermore Valley Wine Country, ASTR The Label, Leith Cold Shoulder Midi Dress

FOUR: Good American, Good Legs High Waist Skinny Jeans (below) AKA the denim of my dreams. Check out my original post on Good American jeans here. While I was originally a major fan of the ‘Good Waist’ jeans I easily transitioned over to the Good Legs style…thanks to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. While I did go up a size from the Good Waist to the Good Legs (ugh) the frayed, raw-cut step hems sold me on the style change and the sculpting fabric technology flatters my your curves and almost has a spanx like effect on my belly! Sale: $123.90 // After Sale: $185

What I Ate: The Ritz-Carlton Global Cuisine Series

KatWalkSF 21 Comments

Ritz Carlton, Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, Travel Blogger, Travel With Me, Girls Who Travel, Fashionista, Fashion Blogger, San Francisco Blogger, Top Restaurants in Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay California, KatWalkSF, Kat Ensign, Kathleen Ensign, SF Blogger, SF Style, Landscape,

A couple of weeks ago I loaded up the Mini Cooper with my girl Katey of The Violet Fog and hit Highway 1 for the gorgeous thirty-five-mile drive from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay. After a quick stop at Sam’s Chowder House, we checked into our stunning room at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

Last time I stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay I had a pink cast and a bad attitude (insert sad pink cast blog post here). So needless to say this trip was very different and 100% better!

Now, this wasn’t just a girls weekend in Half Moon Bay, we were there for the “Global Cuisine Series” – an exclusive retreat featuring interactive culinary classes and special tasting menus from renowned chefs. The weekend began with a hands-on cooking class where (spoiler alert) we actually prepared a menu created by the visiting chef {Chef Telmo Faria of Uma Casa} followed by a lunch (featuring the fruits of our labor) along with wine pairings to complement the global destination featured.

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The Global Cusine Series Team

(from left to right)

Telmo Faria // Executive Chef and Founder of Uma Casa, Xavier Salomon // Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon and me (wannabe Chef for the day).

Salt Cod Friiters, San Francisco Chefs, Chef Series, Top Chef, KatWalkSF, Kat Ensign, Chef Xavier Salomon, Ritz Carlton Global Cuisine Series, Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay, Uma Casa, Chef Telmo, Chef Telmo Faria, Navio, Navio Half Moon Bay,

When Chef Telmo Faria isn’t holding it down in the kitchen at Uma Casa he also serves as my number one homie…so needless to say this experience was extra special for me. Now, this wasn’t my first time in the kitchen with Telmo – he has let me play ‘sous chef’ from time to time on vacation…aka me drinking and watching him cook in the kitchen, however this time I actually got my hands dirty and learned to make two of my favorite dishes from the Uma Casa menu.

Salt Cod Friiters, San Francisco Chefs, Chef Series, Top Chef, KatWalkSF, Kat Ensign, Chef Xavier Salomon, Ritz Carlton Global Cuisine Series, Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay, Uma Casa, Chef Telmo, Chef Telmo Faria, Navio, Navio Half Moon Bay,

What was on the menu for the day?

First Course: Pasteis de Bacalhau/Salt Cod and Potato Fritters with Lemon-Cilantro Aioli

Second Course: Carne de Porco Alentejana/Pork and Clam Stew Alentejo Style

Desert Course: Bolo de Laranja/Olive Oil-Citrus Cake with Fresh Berries and Cream

Katey can cook! 

Despite the fact that both Katey and I walked into the kitchen with ZERO cooking skills we managed to not blow up the kitchen at The Ritz and recreate Chef Telmo’s classic Portuguese dishes (more or less).

Check out Katey’s badass quenelle skills (I didn’t even try). She managed to create the perfect ‘football shape’ with two soup spoons before the salt cod fritters hit the fryer.

Chech out Katey’s posts on her experience here!

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Impressed with my experience? Check out the talented lineup below:

Charles Olalia
August 26-27, 2017
Of Rice Bar in Los Angeles creating innovative Filipino recipes

Evan and Sarah Rich
September 23-24, 2017
Of celebrated Rich Table featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s 3 Hours in San Francisco

Manish Tyagi
October 28-29, 2017
San Francisco’s hottest new Modern Indian restaurant August 1 Five

Gerald Hirigoyen
November 18-19, 2017
James Beard nominee and Maître Cuisinier de France of Piperade, a West Coast Basque restaurant

William Werner
December 16-17, 2017
James Beard finalist for “Outstanding Baker” of Craftsman and Wolves, a contemporary patisserie

Launching in May 2017 with only 14 seats available, the two-day package will be available one weekend per month and will feature a different chef each time. Interested in participating in the Global Cuisine Series? Contact the Ritz Travel Team at (650) 712-7686 or email to plan your special culinary weekend.

#TrustMe it is 100% worth it!

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And after all the ‘cooking’ the beds at The Ritz do not disappoint! Enjoy a little R+ R in style!