Birthday Wishes

After months of trying to get a reservation, I finally had the chance to eat at Wayfare Tavern, Tyler Florence's new restaurant, in downtown San Francisco. The reservation was made a month in advance, and I have known for the past three weeks what I would be ordering.

Yes, making a reservation a month in advance may seem a little overboard, but for those who live in San Francisco this is a relatively normal protocol, especially when you want to go somewhere new and hot and eat earlier than 9:30 p.m. So after staring at the menu online for a month, I finally got to eat this much anticipated meal, and let me tell you it was DEFINITELY worth the wait!

Not only is the food amazing, but the decor and service is absolutely charming. I couldn't have imagined a better way to spend my birthday, than tucked away in a tavern, by an open fire, eating delicious food with Marc. Thanks Tyler Florence (and Marc of course) for making my birthday wishes come true.

Top &Necklace: Aqua, Pleated Skirt: Vena Cava for Aqua, Tights: Spanx, Shoes: Dolce Vita, Bracelets: J. Crew, Vintage, David Yurman, Rings: David Yurman

I had been eying the mac and cheese for some time

Even the bottle was pretty

Parmesan Popover YUM

ROASTED LOCAL BEETS AND HOUSEMADE RICOTTA
walnut pavlova, 19 year old Napa balsamico, ruby grapefruit

BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Jack cheese, garlic breadcrumbs, chive & smoked olive oil

A little pre-dinner champagne

Marc had: GRILLED HAWAIIAN TUNA - roasted cauliflower, Mission figs, crushed 2010 McEvoy olives, smoked chili oil, arugula 

I had: BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS - potato purée, black pepper crème fraîche, Bosc pear, truffle, celery

A candle for me??

I had been dreaming about this...FRIED APPLE PIE orange caramel, sage ice cream

Birthday: STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING roasted pears, black pepper ice cream

Time to roll me home...

Bisous,

-MSB

Leggings vs. Tights

Now that the weather has turned and it is nice and chilly here in San Francisco, I have been thinking of ways to get some extra use out of my spring and summer wardrobe. I can't bare to tuck away my skirts and shorts for an everlasting winter here in SF. So instead I resort to layering my normally leg baring frocks with leggings or tights.

To add a little pizazz to my outfits I usually opt for patterned leggings or tights, but recently I have had trouble deciding which I prefer. Tights are usually best with fitted skirts or shorts, while leggings seem to look best with over-sized shirts and dresses. No matter which I like best there is a plethora of options out there these days. Below are a few of my top picks for the season. Seen any tights or leggings you are dying for? What colors or patterns are you looking to try this season? Cant wait to hear!

1. Leather Panel Leggings, Bloomingdales

2. Kirily Johnston Leggings, Shopbop

3. Tie Dye Velvet Leggings, Shopbop

4. Jumping Vines Leggings, Anthropologie

5. Flower Tights, Anthropologie

6. Leopard Tights, ASOS

7. Heart Tights, Topshop

8. Gipsy Spot Tights, ASOS

9. Emerald Tights, Topshop

Bisous,

-MSB

Hello Cupcake

Nothing is better than a good cupcake. There is something about the perfect balance between delicate moist cake and delicious frosting that makes my heart skip a beat. To the untrained indulger, all cupcakes are good cupcakes, come on, what could NOT be good about cute individual cakes?


Well let me tell you, A LOT, dry dense cake is usually high on the list of cupcake offenses. It is difficult to bake a cupcake and achieve the right texture and moistness. Then there is the frosting, some are WAY too sweet, and others seem as if someone forgot to mix any sugar into the so called "butter cream," and all I am eating is softened butter spread on top of my once delicious cake. Don't get me wrong I love butter -- I could do Paula Deen proud with the amount of butter I throw into some of my baked goods -- but not as frosting on my cupcake.


The best cupcakes I have come across in my travels are usually homemade, but if I must venture to purchase these delicious treats I go for Sprinkles every time. Seeing that I live in San Francisco, and the closest Sprinkles is in Palo Alto, I rarely get to enjoy these amazing treasures. Luckily for me, I fly to LA regularly and the cupcakes always seem better when I get them from their Beverly Hills home. There must be something special about these little cakes if I am willing to spend 30 minutes waiting in line to get my hands on a few.


Try giving yourself a real sugar rush by pairing these pretty little treats with some Belgium hot chocolate, I usually go for the overly-rich cup they serve a Le Pain Quotidien, right across the street from Sprinkles in B. Hills. Where do you get your favorite cupcakes?

Perfect for Halloween

In case you want to make these delicious cupcakes at home...

Thank you for your lovely latte art Omega, it made my hot chocolate WAY better

 Bisous,
-MSB

Seeing Spots

While in LA this weekend, I thought it would be the puuurrrrfect time to whip out my leopard print leggings. Since, it is usually hot in Los Angeles, I planned for a warm weekend in the sun, boy was I in for a surprise. It was like I never left San Francisco, gray skies and all. So I wouldn't freeze to death, I paired my leopard print leggings with a colorful leopard print scarf, an oversized button down and some fringed sandals. 

Scarf & Leggings: DVF, Blouse: Aqua, Shoes: Velvet Angels, Bracelets & Rings: David Yurman

Leopard print may be my new OBSESSION! Check out these lovely leopard print finds in all their glory. How would you do this fabulous meow mix? 

1. Leopard Print Hunter Sock, CUSP

2. Leopard Snood, DVF

3. Leopard Capri Trousers, Topshop

4. Leopard Diego Bag, Alexander Wang

5. Silk Leopard Harem Pants, Marlene Birger

6. Leopard Satchel, Miss Selfridge

7. Leopard Peter Pan Collar Dress, Topshop

8. Leopard Print Platform Bootie, CUSP

Bisous, 

-MSB

Fall Dreams...

San Francisco reached a sweltering 90 degrees yesterday, and while I should be enjoying this lovely hot weather, all I can think about is what I wish I was wearing. All the things I want to wear are WAY to heavy for this current climate. So instead of sweating in all my favorite fall clothes as I ride the overcrowded muni to work, I am dreaming about what I would be wearing if San Francisco experienced a typical fall... crisp cool air and leaves on the ground. What do you wish you were wearing?

1. Beaded Cuff, ASOS

2. Stone Stacked Ring, Topshop

3. Brown Eyed Girl Nail Polish, Deborah Lippmann

4. Starburst Embellished Tank, Miss Selfridge

5. Buttoned Wedge Shoe, Zara

6. Elizabeth and James Blazer, Net-A-Porter

7. See by CHLOÉ Wool-blend Skirt, Net-A-Porter

8. Proenza Schouler PS1 Satchel, Net-A-Porter

Bisous, 

-MSB

Indian Summer

Of course when I am dying to bust out my fall wardrobe, it is suddenly 80 degrees in San Francisco. All of my fall goodies must be tucked away until the cold weather strikes again. So, when this inevitable Indian summer decides to breeze in, I search the depths of my closet and pull out all my flirty summer duds which have been hidden all year.

This weekend was a lovely 79 degrees, with clear blue skies and a nice light breeze. We spent the weekend relaxing with friends and watching the Blue Angels in the park. After a late lunch, Marc and I took some pictures and played on the jungle gym. Five-year-olds beware, I am really good at the monkey bars. Hope your weekend was as relaxing as ours. 

In all this heat, I finally got to wear my favorite Topshop Romper. 

Romper & Shirt: Topshop, Shoes & Jacket (pictured below): H&M, Sunnies: Chloe, Bag: Balenciaga, Bracelets and Rings: David Yurman, Braided Bracelet: Presh

Time to go home..the perfect ending to a lovely weekend.

Bisous, 

-MSB

Nail Polish Creation: UNDER THE SEA

As I recently revealed, Nail Polish is my obsession and interesting nail art and color combinations are my "drug" of choice. Recently I purchased the Deborah Lippmann Across The Universe nail polish. This color has an AMAZING glitter factor, like confetti for your nails. Since Across the Universe has some beautiful teal and royal blue sparkles, I thought it may look good paired with a blue or green polish for a  base. I decided to layer the color with my current OPI obsession, Cuckoo for this Color, a deep shimmery forest green.

The color combination was even better than I imagined, the perfect balance between glitter and color. You may be asking yourself, "what is she thinking??" Well, let me tell you, I am thinking MERMAID. It is the only logical association for this fabulous creation.  If someone showed you a photo of this color combo what would be the first thing that came to mind? Mermaid, DUH.

That is why I have dubbed this color combo Under the Sea.

Featuring our fish, Chuck Norris Jr., AKA, Chuckie

What are your favorite color combinations? Any new trends you're dying to try? Leopard print is next on my list :)

Bisous, 

-MSB

Flea Market Finds

Last Sunday, Marc and I headed to the Alameda flea market to peruse the great vintage finds and discover some unique home decor. The flea market has a huge array of goods. From clothes and jewelry to furniture and old cameras -- you name it, they go it. We found some beautiful vintage jewelry and clothes, and spent the morning strolling in out of the rows and rows of vendors.

Check out the flea market and some of the great finds below. Don't worry if you missed out this month, the flea market will be back in full force the first Sunday of November.

Oooh fur...

Don't mind if I do.

Hope you all are having a nice week!

Bisous,

-MSB

Farmers Market Dinner Party

Every Saturday, the San Francisco Ferry Building is overrun by local farmers and merchants. The crowded building and streets are a bustle with local foodies shopping for the week. Marc and I decided to make our way over to the market and pick up a few things for our dinner party that night. We armed ourselves with blue bottle coffee and headed into the thick of it. After a breakfast of tuna lox on a tartine with yellow beets, walnuts and onions, we picked up some groceries. On the menu: tomato and basil quiche and mache salad with heirloom tomatoes. Our guests were bringing dessert.










Making a quiche is VERY easy. While living in Paris, my host mother taught me to make a traditional French quiche. The trick is using fromage blanc and LOTS of Emmental cheese. Below is a step by step look at how to make this easy French quiche.


1. Beat 6 eggs vigorously, add 8 oz. fromage blanc and 2 cups of shredded Emmental cheese.



2. Pour egg mixture into pie crust (you can always make your own pie crust, but if you are short on time I suggest using French Picnic pastry crust.



3. Cut tomatoes in 1/8 inch slices and arrange on top of egg mixture, tear fresh basil and sprinkle on top.



4. Place in oven and bake for 10 minutes at 400° F and then for an additional 20-30 minutes at 325°F… and voilà!

After our delicious meal we enjoyed a chocolate hazelnut cake, made by one of my best friends, Elizabeth.

Bisous,

-MSB