The chicest wine shop in San Francisco is conveniently two blocks away from where I live. Ceri Smith is the woman behind Biondivino, a jewel box of a wine shop that specializes in Italian wine, most of which are from small producers. Upon entering the shop, you'll likely find Ceri effortlessly fluttering around in a fabulous ensemble, talking about her recent trip to Italy, or catching up with a Russian Hill neighbor (dog in tow) that habitually frequents her store. in 2014, Ceri was named one of Food & Wine‘s Sommeliers of the Year and also serves as the co-wine director at Tosca Cafe, two rather impressive decorations in a town like San Francisco. If there is anyone with passion and craft, it is Ceri Smith.
For even the slightest wine aficionado, the shop feels like a second home. It is a place you'll want to linger and sip wine and meet new acquaintances that feel like old friends. Be sure to subscribe to Biondivino's mailing list to stay informed about wine tastings and events at the shop. Ciao!
Boo!
Happy Halloween! Halloween used be one of my favorite holidays as a child but now I'd rather be at home with a good glass of wine passing out sweets. I tried to convince my co-workers that I was "in costume" yesterday, but they didn't seem to think my animal print shoes and clicquot colored pants counted...
Spooky Chic
Pacific Heights always leads with the best Halloween decorations. Here are a few chic highlights from my neighborhood walk last eve.
Happy Birthday, LJM!
Happy Birthday to my dearest of friends, Lauren J. Merrigan!! You bring me so much joy and laughter. I love you to the moon and back. xx
CC: Rae Feather (obsessed with your clutches & bags)
Autumn's Arrival
I've just returned from a week back east where Autumn is alive and well. The harbor has thinned out, the leaves have found rest on the ground and neighborhood chimneys are piping with evening fires. Soon it will be winter!
The Truffle Broker
Cool piece in the WSJ about Ian Purkayastha, a 23-year-old truffle broker in NYC that supplies more than 80 percent of the Michelin star restaurants in Manhattan. At age 15, he used his savings to buy a kilo of truffles from France, closing close to $300,000 in sales his senior year in high school. This year, he is projected to earn $3 million to $4 million in sales. Forbes has also dubbed him as the "Prince of Truffles". Now that's what they call a niche market. Read on, here.
Salty Girl Seafood
I went to high school with Norah Eddy, a friend whom I've always been smitten by. She was athletic and well liked in school, not to mention a fellow water baby who was constantly in the ocean surfing in that kind of badass-one-of-the-boys kind of way. We lost touch over the years, but recently, I saw a news clip on the company she co-founded, Salty Girl Seafood. I had to know more...
Salty Girl Seafood's mission is to drive change in the seafood industry by empowering fishermen to promote stewardship of oceans. They are on a quest to improve the access to sustainable, traceable seafood across the U.S.
In short, Salty Girl Seafood sells fish products that are sourced directly from the fisherman that actually caught them. Each packaged fish product lists the name of the captain who caught the fish in addition to where and the nature of its species. This eliminates the possibility of fraud, not to mention, lends to the peace of mind that you're enjoying fresh seafood that was harvested using supportable practices. Each product has a unique code on the packaging, allowing you to trace your fish. (Let's face it - the last thing you want is to eat a piece of salmon that encountered endless hands in the supply chain from overseas over a period of unknown time).
I love nothing more than seeing friends chase their dreams and take bold measures to change the world. Norah's company, Salty Girl Seafood, is exemplary of exactly just that. With mentions from the likes of Forbes and the shear transparency of their core values, Salty Girl Seafood is on its way! Best of luck, Norah and team! xx
Delphiniums
Delphiniums at Dior. Perfection, at minimum. One of my favorite flowers. As depicted by C Magazine.
Temperley London Summer 16
Loved the Summer 2016 looks at Temperley London's show during London Fashion Week. Dreamy, playful & boho - makes me want to holiday!
Knots
I was mad about this print and several others that hung on the walls of Zinc Details on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. They are vintage from the 70's and now I neglect to remember the artist and wish I bought them...