Holiday Dos When Traveling in San Francisco!

Where could you stay when traveling overseas...such as San Francisco?

A place like home, sweet home where you can cook, sleep, eat at the same place and even do your laundry as well as large enough to accommodate for a whole crew of friends and families.... plus, not a place that would cost you arms and legs.

The answer: Vacation Home!!

(NOTE: I am not affiliated w/ this website nor benefit from doing advertising for the house.)  

It happens when, today, I visit my friend, Renee, in San Francisco to give her 11' Cruise CHANEL brooch I bought in Milan then she already had a whole day schedule planned ahead. One of the plan is to be a food judge for a cooking contest. 

Interesting, right!?? 

The employees/friends of this Broderick Victorian vacation home company are having a cooking contest which they are requested to cook in every dish w/ papaya... green or yellow/orange. So, off we go in the afternoon after we stopped by Hermes!! ^^ (NOTE: I didn't buy anything there, I am only go w/ Renee.)

The pretty hall way!

Girls are cooking against boys today~~ ^O^



Upstairs, boys are cooking w/ the receipt shown on the computer.....funny!!

A bonus room for kids/adults to hang out!



One of the nicely arranged bedroom. 


Thanks for arranging all this, Boss!! lol. 


Spicy Mussels w/ papaya



sweet papaya salad



Green papaya stir fry




One of their host...Mida (golden retriever), who loves chewing/eating/biting tissues, papers all sorts! ^^


Judges are all giving good critiques for the food!! 



 hum.... I think they are thinking of the taste of food "lingering" in their mouths!!! ^^

 (NOTE: We didn't get to eat when the cooking contest is on-going w/ at least 10 kinds of dishes and it lasts about 2 hours or so.... I am drinking red wine the whole time while I shot around in the house.... finally, starving,...and my stomach hurts......... lol.)

 The whole day was fun and now since you know how cozy/friendly the house itself as well as the hosts, I am sure you will love staying here next time when you visit San Francisco!!

MY ODJ

You are having a déjà vu here??? Well,...yes, I worn this whole ensemble couple days before!!
However, I had it accessorized differently....gloves and Manolo blahnik water snakeskin tan/green d'orsay pump!! 

Yu gifted me this cozy/chic gloves w/ studs for Christmas. 

 


We had one of the best India food on Polk st.... so spicy and in-mouth-melting-away chicken....just the way I love about India food!!

Are you traveling soon?

Have a happy Sunday!

xoxo Rachel 

What a Day!

Hope it won't be long before Niel figures how to get on the bike w/ balance and completely rides alone. We went to Fort Mason, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. The weather is so nice and warm that we forgot it is almost October.

My ODJ


1. Top:
Zara pink layered ruffle tee (past season)
HM drape front short sleeves jacket


2. Bottom:
Max Co. cropped pants w/ pleats


3. Accessory:
some earrings (gift from Irene)
J Crew sequins belt
Chanel 10A Rouge/Orange 226 caviar reissue 


4. Shoes:
Manolo Blahnik d'orsay pump

Son, I hate the sun and my hand is sore....but I want you to know that "Riding w/ 2-wheel bike is so fast and fun!!!!" ^^


At Crown Crumpet English Tea Room. 

Doll: "Don't dare to smother me because you know I am prettier than you!!!" lol


Treasure Island
Dragon Boat Festival



Paddlers Only booths!






No. 4 is still ahead...



See how fast No. 2 is catching up~



The rest.... (Go, Go, Go!)



No 2. is way ahead of every other boat at the end. 



The dragon boat festival is held till tomorrow (Sunday). Go have some fun!!
xoxo Rachel 

The Trend ~ Kitten Heels!

Hence ~

Pick something you like, not the one advertised by media. ^^

That's it for today~
xoxo Rachel 

Spices For Life!

I don't know if you feel the same way...but it is always fun to do an experiment and to gain new experience. ^^


The SA said that I can add Truffle salt into Bloody Mary or my french fries...there, I bought Truffle salt immediately....just so I can jazz up my cocktail for the party. 



All you can taste -- "Salt". 



Ilona enjoys a sunny afternoon w/ walkie-ducky!!



A taste of Italy and French before our trip.  (French classic: A Story Book w/ CD "Madeline's Christmas" )






The cropped and drop-crotch pants is so trendy and this one is super "stylish" and "comfortable". 
You really should give it a try!!






We had our first VINCE flagship store in Stanford shopping center. 



I love the quilted stitches on this Max Co. cropped slouchy pants. Do you notice the interesting iridescent gray/natural color which made this pants looks like suede and silk blends!?


This pants comes w/ navy color as well. ($215)





My ODJ


Mango zipped sweat shirt
Max Co. gray/natural/green iridescent drop crotch pants.
Proenza Shouler PS1 yellow clutch
Manolo Blahnik Tonodo pump


Have a great weekend!!


xoxo Rachel 

Making a Statement !

Thursday is no longer my busiest day in a week, kids' extra-curriculum activities are spread out from Monday throu. Friday. Still, I have to drive back and forth between kids' classes and home all afternoon.  Therefore, recently I found myself totally neglecting the hanging sign " REMOVE THY SHOES" above our entrance and rushing in and out of the house w/ shoes on.

Now I certainly have to mop/vacuum our floor more frequently than usual.

Yeah, it is just too much trouble to buckle and unbuckle my shoes everytime I enter the house. 




My ODJ.


1. CNC costume national black dress w/ ruffle and deep V in the back
2. Theory mauve/ green suede blazer (Second hand find last year)


3. Accessory:
Sonia Rykiel Swarovski crystal Owl brooch as necklace
Some brand crystal tassel necklace
URBN Croc embossed belt w/ bow
Proenza Shouler PS1 clutch in mustard yellow


4. Shoes:
Pierre Hardy platform Sandal in olive/gray/black

I feel that Pierre Hardy Sandal is almost too chunky for this dress (although, thank to its ruffle at side and back for more voluminous details) so I stack necklaces and thick suede blazer to balance the whole look!





My NEW acquisition. 

I am really fond of this mixed colors in green/tan/purple/lightly yellow and that touch of buckle vignette. 


MANOLO BLAHNIK WATER SNAKE SKIN in tan/green D'ORSAY Tonodo LOW pump. 
(mixed colors in tan and purple can be ordered From NM catalogue while Barney has different shades in natural and navy)


Super LOW and Super HIGH heels for this A/W 2010 --- CHECK ^O^!!

Now I have to run again..... kids' Chinese and Piano lesson taken over the entire afternoon and I get to do window shopping at Downtown Los Gatos. 


Have a fun evening. 
xoxo Rachel