What I Like
What I’m Wearing
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What’s Inspiring Me
Everything Dior Beauty
White Bamboo Nails by Victoria, Victoria Beckham x Nails Inc
Alexis Bittar Bracelets…all day, every day.
What I Ate Wednesday: Jack’s Oyster Bar & Fish House and Bocanova
The food scene in Oakland is awesome…from what I hear.
I can’t think of the last time I ventured out there….period.
A fully planned ‘foodie’ adventure across the bridge to Oakland was a welcome idea and probably the only way to get us out there. So, Garry and I ventured out to Oakland a couple of days ago with a group of food bloggers and hit Jack London Square’s, Jack’s Oyster Bar & Fish House and Bocanova.
Each dish we tried at both restaurants were killer and paired with the perfect cocktail.
Starting with
DRAKE’S BAY by the DOZEN at Jack’s
Not only were these oysters the perfect size and briny,
They are $1.50 ALL DAY on Wednesdays.
Both restaurants sit right on the water with tons of outdoor seating and sun.
Lobster roll bites on housemade pretzel buns at Jack’s (drenched in butter) and paired with the Alameda Brewing Company’s Hefeweizen.
(above)
This combo was by far my favorite. See me shoveling my second lobster roll into my mouth.
(below)
Once I cleaned all the butter off my face from the lobster roll’s at Jack’s (and charred octopus – not pictured but delicious), we walked a couple of feet over to Jack’s sister restaurant, Bocanova to finish off the night.
Swordfish Anticuchos (above), with aji amarillo, aji panca and garlic….aka the beautiful sauces smeared on the bottom of the plate.
I missed out on the warm chocolate bread pudding course due to my cinnamon allergy.
#NotBlessed
But I did snag the last drink pairing of a 10-year-old Madeira before hopping on the BART train back to San Francisco.
This was a welcome adventure and will not be the last time I jump on the BART and hit up all the Oakland eats!
Photos by Garry Alexander
Dior Beauty Launches at Valley Fair
The more photos I look at of me, the more beauty help I KNOW I need. Bronzer + BB Cream just don’t cut it and I am pretty sure I am no longer allowed to attempt to contour….after Garry told me JUST how uneven my face was.
Makeup has never come naturally to me (eh) so when the Dior Beauty team reached out to me to check out their new store I was immediately IN!
Last week Garry and I ventured out of San Francisco and all the way to Santa Clara’s Valley Fair mall for a sneak-peek of the new store. This was a major treat since this is one of the first Dior Beauty boutiques to open nationwide and the first in California. The store is AMAZING and the team is even better. We were lucky enough to hang out with the Dior Beauty team, tour the beautiful location and I got a VIP makeup tutorial (that I desperately needed).
Shake it, Spray it, Buff it, Love it! Waterproof, Sweatproof makeup In a flash!
–Dior, Airflash Spray Foundation-
Taking life/makeup/Real Housewife lessons from Kevin from Dior.
Not only was Kevin filled with a wealth of Dior beauty knowledge, he cured all my #whitegirlproblems and made me laugh.
Kevin, if you are reading this, Can we be friends in real life?
Ok…now back to the Dior.
This visit was not just about makeup. Garry and I learned about the history of Dior beauty. Take this bottle of J’adore perfume. Former Dior designer, John Galliano’s found inspiration from Maasai warrior neckwear when designing this bottle. I would have never guessed!
Back to the makeup, my #whitegirlproblems and Kevin pretty much summing up my life with Dior Beauty.
Instant Cleansing Water is “Lazy Girl” one step cleanser and toner
And the final look on Santana Row.
Are you in the Bay Area? If so, you HAVE to check out this shop and attend the Grand Opening of Dior Beauty at Valley Fair.
You’re invited for a complimentary makeup application while enjoying light food and beverages. You’ll also have a sneak-peak at their treatment room, exclusive to the Dior Beauty boutique at Valley Fair! Additionally, Dior product samples will be available with purchase.
Be there!
When: Thursday 4/28 – Saturday 4/30 // Time: 12:00-6:00pm // Please call 408.484.3089 to RSVP for your complimentary makeup application
Location: Dior Beauty at Valley Fair – 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd (Level 1) in Santa Clara.
What I Wore:
Dress: Balenciaga (VERY old). A MAJOR score from Nordstrom Rack 10+ years ago. Never ever selling. Check out similar styles here + here.
Belt: Gap (very old, talking 10+ years old. Shop similar here + here.
Shoes: Banana Republic, Ninah Pump (old). Love this new option from Jessica Simpson.
Bag: Banana Republic, Italian Vachetta Bucket Bag
Photos by Garry Alexander
IfOnly – A Luxury Experience at HALL Wines
An afternoon wine tasting in the Napa valley on a sunny afternoon Friday sounds pretty sweet. Throw in one of the most amazing contemporary art collections I have ever seen and you’ve got yourself the ultimate Friday afternoon.
Thanks to IfOnly, this was my Friday experience with my friend Blake a couple of weeks ago at HALL Wines.
Now, what exactly is IfOnly? IfOnly is a marketplace for incredible experiences (trust me). From unique everyday offerings with local experts to once-in-a-lifetime connections with your favorite celebrities. IfOnly provides access to a curated selection of extraordinary experiences that benefit worthy causes around the world.
Now, let’s talk about the once in a lifetime experience at HALL Wines.
With over 35 pieces of contemporary art, the 150-year-old site at HALL Wines has something for everyone. Wine, art, history, architecture, technology and an AMAZING lawn for relaxing + unwinding.
This sign accompanied John Baldessari’s sculpture Camel (Albino) Contemplating Needle (above) setting the tone for the experience and the personality of the team at HALL.
Francois-Xavier Lalanne’s, Mouton Transhumant, 1988.
I followed the rules on the signs…but we were still on our first tasting at that point.
A quick bathroom break in what is safe to say the reddest bathroom in the Napa Valley.
The outdoor areas are dog-friendly at HALL, ask Pepper my friend for the day (just don’t tell Benji).
The ‘Ultimate Cabernet Experience’ at HALL is an exclusive experience and included in the IfOnly experience. It is perfect for the serious wine collector and Cabernet Sauvignon lover. Set in the Founder’s Cellar, the tasting includes a generous flight of their most highly rated and allocated HALL Cabernets. This experience is $125 per person alone – making the IfOnly experience well worth it.
There is art everywhere at HALL, even on their wine labels.
Blake totally suffering sipping wine on the gorgeous HALL property.
And after all the wine it was time for the mandatory vineyard photo shoot…
Jealous of my experience?
In my opinion, experiences are more valuable than gifts. Look to IfOnly for extraordinary experiences: meet celebrities, exclusive access to events, artistry lessons, private tours, and more!
Use the exclusive $50 coupon KATWALKSF towards your first experience of a lifetime – every purchase benefits a charitable cause. #ExperiencesforGood
And if you have a service or a talented person that you know of who would be luminary, use the code KATWALKSF to enter the special approval queue.
San Francisco’s The Clift Hotel – #StreetStyle Inside and Out
An afternoon meeting at The Clift hotel turned into an afternoon photo shoot with Garry.
The hotel is gorgeous both inside and out, making it the perfecting setting for me to strike a pose and beg poor Garry to take ALL the pictures.
What I Wore:
Blazer: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Gray Satin Print Blazer (found on Gilt). Check out these printed blazer options here + here.
Tank: Gap, Linen Scoop
Bra: Thirdlove (c/o), 24/7™ Lace Balconette Bra
Jeans: Current/Elliott, The Cropped Straight Leg jean
Shoes: Kurt Geiger London, Bond Glitter Pumps (sold out). Shop similar here + here.
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Aviator
Chokers: Marrin Costello + Ettika (c/o), Still Surprise You Dyed Turquoise Beaded Choker Necklace
Bag: Alexander Wang, Rocco. Love this rose gold option that is on SALE at The Outnet.