Sunday, July 31, 2011

Grilled Halibut With Caper Lemon Butter Sauce and Wild Rice

When I lived in San Diego, I worked for one of California's best chefs Carl Schroeder of Market. He used to serve caper berries with a few of the dishes on the bar menu and I absolutely loved them. They had a beautiful tang and some were the size of a quarter. So when we found these amazingly huge capers at the market, we had to find a way to integrate them into a dish immediately. 

When the weather is hot, fish is the perfect dish that is quick to make, delicious and nutritious to eat. You can make this dish in under 20 minutes which is perfect for any week night dish or Sunday Supper. I also love rice as a side dish in the summer but don't want to eat white rice so we found a perfect alternative that combines brown and wild rice in one.

I understand that wild rice isn't for everyone, but this one is a "fusion" of brown and wild rice from Goose Valley. It has CalMati brown rice, Wild Rice, Heirloom Red Rice, and Calmochi Sweet Brown Rice. I must admit that this brand was one of the better brands that I have had in a long time. Capers and fusion rice, check. So we b-lined to the case and the butcher sliced a beautiful piece of halibut for us and we were off.

What You Need:
6-8 oz. piece of Halibut (serves 2)
Paprika
Salt & Pepper
Capers
1 Garlic clove minced
1/2 c. white wine
Olive Oil
1 T. butter
Lemon
Wild Rice
Bok Choy

What You Do:
Begin by making your rice first. Follow the instructions on the package for whatever brand you choose. Bring a pot of water to a boil to blanch your bok choy in. Meanwhile, season your fish fillet on both sides with salt, pepper and paprika. Allow to rest on the counter while your grill top is heating. Prepare an ice bath for the bok choy and set aside.

Begin making your jus by melting 1 T. of butter in a small sauce pan. Add the capers and a squeeze of lemon juice. Pour in the wine and allow to simmer over low heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

Blanch the bok choy for about 30 seconds in the boiling water then drain the boiling water in the sink then transfer to the ice bath. In a medium sauce pan, saute the bok choy with 1 T. olive oil over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally and if you feel like it, toss in some minced garlic or some Sambal if you want some heat. Your choice.

Your grill should be nice and hot. With five minutes left on the rice, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the grill and place fillet on the flat top. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side. Slice the fillet into two pieces and serve over the rice with the bok choy. Pour the jus over the fish ensuring that everyone gets some capers. An Albarino would be the perfect wine pairing for this beautiful summer dish. Eat outside if you can, summer only comes once a year.

Related Links

Basic Food and Wine Pairings

Sunday Supper: Cajun Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Sunday Supper: Spicy Cioppino With Fresh Sour Dough Bread

Sunday Supper: Seared Swordfish With Edamame Succotash

Friday, July 29, 2011

Cyn in The City: Modern Day Pocahontas- Dressing Up the LBD With Feathers


Everyone wears black to the club so what are you going to do to break up the monochromatic scheme and make your outfit visually interesting? Add color and accessories of course! Pair that with some sexy heels and you are guaranteed an entrance.

We drove across the Bay Bridge in anticipation of another spectacular evening. The lights of AT&T park penetrated the night sky and the reflection of the Ferry Building sparkled against the bay. We watched tourists and locals flood the streets of the Embarcadero celebrating another Saturday night in this fabulous city. PartySF has has done it again by hosting an event at The Parlor on Leavenworth.  We reserved a table, a couple of bottles and the night began with the pop of a cork. The energy was electric and everyone in the club was on the dance floor. Lights flashing, people dancing and the bubbles keep flowing.

We had planned the outing weeks in advance but shopped hours before we left. Courtney and I both found Little black dresses for under $25 at Forever 21. The price point was great and if someone spilled their drink on me, I wouldn't cry the way I would if it were a designer silk. The key to making your LBD the life of the party is the accessories that you choose to pair with it.  We both added a belt to create shape and visual interest and I chose to add color with two pairs of feather earrings. One in my ears and one on my belt. I wish I had a better photo of the dress straight on but alas, I put down my camera for the evening and had some fun. Obviously these are some party pics...



The Vision
At first I wanted to go with high waist short but couldn't find any that I loved so I switched gears and decided to create a modern day Pocahontas with a belted waist and colorful accessories. Not the O.G. Pocahontas but a Disney revision with more of a PG rating.

The Breakdown
Note the picture on the right of the dress. The top was draped creating a beautiful neckline that would not require a large necklace so I chose a small Diamonds By The Yard single stone pendant in gold. The gold in the necklace brought out the zipper pockets and the buckle on the belt.

I wanted my hair to be a focal point so I chose my favorite summer accessory, the long Aya Papaya feather earrings. I wore my hair half up and half down with Bridget Bardot height in the back (thanks Christina). The orange and teal colors in the feathers were a great compliment to my darker hair.

The belt, which you can see in the photo above, was a dark brown with black tones throughout coordinating with the earth tones of the earrings. I hooked a second pair of feather earrings into a loop on the belt in bright orange for a pop of color. I wanted to show you in the photo on the right however, the belt was too heavy and fell off so use your imagination.

I choose a basic black strappy shoe with wicked heel height to top off the look. I found some fabulous eyelashes that had serious curl on the ends making the look semi-70's.

Needless to say, I love fashion Friday and am getting ready to do it all over again. Enjoy your day!

xoxo Cyn

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Ice It Ice It Baby: Stop Blemishes In Thier Tracks! A Tip From Jane Norman

How many of us can relate to waking up to a HUGE pimple on the morning of a very important day? Great, right? Well expert Jane Norman of Skin Care by Jane Norman has taught me a trick or two to keep blemishes under control. If you had read my previous pieces on acne, you know that blemishes are more common than I would like to admit to.

The worst thing that we can do is touch it and spread it to the rest of our face. We all know better and yet we still do it (myself included) until Jane taught me the ice trick. Anytime that you feel one coming in or wake up to a stellar surprise, ice it.

The ice slows the growth of the bacteria below the skin and reduces puffiness around it. Continue to ice the affected area until the blemish goes away. Rinse with cool water not warm to also help slow the process. Do not scrub or use a washcloth when washing your face during a breakout. It will only make it worse and spread the bacteria.

Sugar Tip*** Rinse ice first before applying directly to the skin.

Have a question for Jane? Contact her by clicking here.

Enjoyed today's post? Here are other articles that you may like:
Getting Rid of Acne: 20 Day Skin Care Boot Camp With Jane Norman
Before and After Photos: 20 Day Skin Care Boot Camp
Banish Dull Dry Skin
Beauty Products That Keep You Beautiful In Flight
Adult Acne: Other Things To Consider
12 Week Trial to Reducing Age Spots: Clinique Clinical Even Better Skin Tone Corrector

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sunday Supper: A Taste of the South - Cajun Spiced Shrimp and Black Eyed Peas

You don't need big beads or hurricanes to make this dish but you do need a love for the spice of the south. There is an underlying heat that brings out the best in the shrimp by complimenting the natural sweetness of each prawn. The smokey bacon flavor is absolutely delicious and pairs well with the green peppers. You can choose to soak your beans overnight or buy them in a can; I had great luck with Eden Organics.


What You Need
1 lb. of large wild shrimp (deveined and peeled)
olive oil
salt & pepper
4 strips of Applewood Bacon
2 celery stalks diced
1 yellow onion diced
2 carrots diced
1 large green pepper diced
4 large garlic cloves finely minced into two portions: 1 clove and 3 cloves
1 fresh bay leaf or two dried
A good shake of red pepper flakes
2 cans of Black Eyed Peas (rinsed and drained)
2 cups of chicken stock

What To Do
Begin by making your black eyed peas. In a large pot or dutch oven, cook the bacon strips until crisp over medium heat. Remove bacon and transfer to a plate. Do not discard the oil in the pan. Add the diced carrots, onion, green pepper, celery, 1 garlic clove, bay leaf, red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to the pot and allow to cook stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Meanwhile rinse and drain your peas and prepare your shrimp Sprinkle them with salt and pepper and allow to rest until ready to sear.

After your vegetables are translucent and fragrant, add the black eyed peas to the mix. Stir and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes before adding 2 cups of chicken stock. Stir in the stock and allow to simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a glass bowl being careful not to splash. The mixture will be soupy. Discard the bay leaves.

Return the pan to the stove top and increase heat to medium-high. Add 3 T. of olive oil then toss in your shrimp and garlic stirring occasionally allowing the shrimp to cook until it is just opaque. It will be approximately three minutes. Then add 1/2 c. of chicken stock to the pan and bring to a boil (approx. 2 minutes) Add the bacon to the pan then pour in your black eyed pea mixture. Stir and simmer until it is heated through. Serve over white rice cooked with onion and garlic in a big bowl!


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Organizational Problems and Solutions For Your Home

Week three of Project Re-Org is underway. I am always inspired by people who live in small apartments in Brooklyn or San Francisco and still manage to have clean lines and beautifully decorated spaces. When I say small, I mean 400-700 square feet. That to me, is really small.
We live in approximately 650 sq. feet. I know, it isn't that small but stuff sometimes gets in the way and we are left feeling "stuffed". So I went on mission to find some fabulous tools that will help me feel more organized and ultimately clear my mind of the clutter. Here are five tools that I have found to help me stay organized. Keep in mind that these pictures do not do it justice but you get the idea.

Problem: My Pantry has shelving units that are odd heights. Although adjustable, they still needed extra help.
Solution: I found these hanging baskets that slide onto the shelf above making great use of the "wasted" space. It also makes grabbing cling wrap or foil a cinch. Just slide it out and slide it in. Easy!

Problem: We have many small boxes, jars and bottles that would fall out of the pantry or get in the way when trying to find something.
Solution: Small baskets made it easy for me to place all smaller goods into one area that was easily removed at anytime and contained them at the same time.

Problem: I was tired of having the white flour, wheat flour, sugar, powdered sugar, brown sugar etc. in bags lopped in a pile at the bottom of the pantry.
Solution: I bought these plastic containers with air tight lids and began stacking. It looks so much cleaner and is easy to see when I am getting low.

Problem: We have place mats that will not fit in a smaller drawer and were always falling forward when lined in the back of the pantry wall.
Solution: I placed a rack on the bottom of the pantry and neatly stacked the folded place mats underneath.

Problem: Like the place mats, we did not have room for the oven mitts in our drawers.
Solution: 3M makes small clips that stick to surfaces without ruining the wall or door. I placed clips on both doors to hang the mitts from for easy access.

Problem: We had wide dishes and stacking them on top of each other was becoming a pain when plating dinner.
Solution: I bought plate racks to divide the plates and create space where normally space is wasted.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

ZAGAT Has Posted The 10 New Rules of Dining Etiquette: How Do You Fair?

I happened to catch this on the Today Show this morning and had to share. With all of the new technology and rules of interaction, how does one know that they are doing the right thing? Well ZAGAT is here to help.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with ZAGAT, I can briefly fill you in. Originally it began as a restaurant rating system in the late 70's covering New York City by compiling various reviews by diners and providing that information to the public. It has since become one of the most recognized resources world wide and can be found in numerous major metropolitan cities. ZAGAT has expanded to reviewing more than just restaurants and remains the resource that diners turn to time and time again. 

The 10 New Rules of Dining Etiquette was posted today by Mr. Tim Zagat himself. ZAGAT did a survey to find the answers to the article above and found that the ways of the world has changed when it comes to dining. They found that the women are inviting, ordering and paying the bill. Women are also no longer expected to order first. Times they are a changin'! But I say for the better. 

Here is the list of the new rules as stated by ZAGAT. You can find the full article by clicking here.

1. EQUALITY: Women and men should be treated as equals. Still, a plurality of diners says that men are treated better than women. The explanation given is that men are more likely to pay the bill and tip. How dated can you be? She probably earns more than you.
2. PAYING FOR IT: Whoever initiates a dinner date pays. Long ago, women were handed menus with no prices on them. Nowadays, whoever did the inviting should be expected to pay for the meal, unless you’ve worked out another arrangement in advance.

3. ORDERING FOOD: Forget gender - people should order when ready. Sorry, Emily Post, but gone are the days when women were expected to go first. Since menus can be long and complex, regardless of your sex it’s a courtesy to order first and buy your tablemates a bit more time to decide.
4. HANDHELD VICES: Do not talk, text, tweet, email or surf the web at table. It’s rude, say 63% of diners. A whopping 73% advise turning off ringers. If you have urgent business to deal with, step away from the table briefly to handle matters.
5. KIDS, KIDS, KIDS: It’s fine to bring children to dinner in most restaurants. But don’t do it at places where they’d elevate the decibel level or that are meant to be romantic. Zagat surveyors split over the age at which children should be allowed: 38% say from birth while the same percent argues five years or older. Tellingly, 61% believe restaurants should be able to ban children.
6. DRESSING DOWN OR UP: Dress casually. This is known as the “Los Angelization of dining.” Hardly any restaurants require ties and jackets anymore. Even the tiny minority that do won’t object if you put your jacket over the back of the chair. About the only rule left is “don’t be a slob.” Alternatively, you may want to “dress up” to impress your companion.
7. SERIOUS RESERVATIONS: Honor your restaurant reservations or cancel them on time. People should treat dining reservations as the important commitments they are. Holding an empty table for a no-show does real damage to a restaurant. If you make reservations and fail to cancel in advance, you’ll deservedly become persona non grata at the restaurant.
8. OK, NOW GET OUT: Don’t overstay your welcome at a busy restaurant. To clarify: Take your time and enjoy your food, wine, conversation and after-dinner treats. Nobody should ever feel rushed. Interestingly, 60% of Zagat surveyors nationally support restaurants setting time limits on tables during peak hours. Remember, next time you may be the one waiting in line.
9. LONG LIVE CHIVALRY: Men go through doors first, and then hold them open for women. We know, we know. This is the one rule of chivalry that will never die, even if it’s been updated (men used to allow women to go first). Bottom line: two people can’t go through a door at the same time. So to the women out there who find this notion antiquated, please, humor these poor men. Let them get the door – they’ll let you get the bill or walk on the outside once out on the street.
10. REMEMBER YOU’RE THE CUSTOMER: And the customer is always right. Too often customers feel they are being judged by the wait staff. That’s exactly wrong. Short of berating the waiter, you should expect to receive hospitable, efficient service and good food at any restaurant. If that doesn’t happen, take your money elsewhere and tell the next ten people that you meet.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Budget Birkin? No, A Cute Summer Tote With Style!

First of all, I would like to speak to the fact that I love Bill Cunningham of the NY Times and his absolute RAD job of scouting out street style in NYC. On a bike. Love it.

Secondly, I'd like to shout out my fashionista that keeps me up on all of these beauties far before they hit the streets. Thanks Heather.

Thirdly, I have been sitting on this post for over fours weeks and finally got my act together to write about it.  Lame. But also a blessing in disguise BECAUSE Bill Cunningham shot photos of people all over NYC wearing the Budget Birkin and posted it this past Sunday in the Style Section of the NY Times. Thanks again, Heather! It pays to have an insider.

The Budget Birkin. What you may ask? Birkin and budget can not be in the same sentence, right? Wrong. A company called Thursday Friday makes a tote printed with a Birkin Bag on the side and the bottom. There have been rumors that the French luxe label has sued the company for damages but I can't confirm. Nor do I want to because I love the tote. HOWEVER, I will say this with the most sincerity. I KNOW the difference between actual and faux. Please note:

I DO NOT support counterfeit materials and fakes. Fakes are NEVER in fashion and it is not okay to purchase them and promote the counterfeit industry.

The fun thing about this little tote is that it is just that. A heavy weight tote with a picture on the side. The picture just happens to be one of the most iconic, most sought after, beautifully hand crafted bags in the world ranging from really expensive to really, really expensive. Over $10,000 each expensive.

Needless to say, it is out of my budget so I will get something cute that is just all round fun. Check out the photos of the bag Heather found at Flaunt in Danville.



Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sunday Supper: Raclette - A Social and Interactive Dinner for Parties or Anytime!

When was the last time you had your friends over for dinner and they could customize the menu and roast cheese on top? Yes, please. I was introduced to Raclette by some friends who have been enjoying this tradition for years. It was typically savored and celebrated when ringing in the New Year. Our friend grew up in Germany and she continues to travel there often intertwining the two cultures.

What is Raclette? 
Raclette is a cheese but also a social dining experience that will bring together the entire group. It requires few ingredients and is guaranteed to be a great time for everyone at every age. So how does it work? It's simple. You have a grill, a small dish with a handle that looks like a mini shovel and a spatula that is used to scrape your food off of the little dish and onto your plate. You choose your meat and vegetables of choice, top it with the cheese, roast it, scrape it off and dip it in your favorite sauce. It's delicious!

What does it look like? 
I have taken a series of photos for you to see the process below. You can choose any meat and vegetables of your choice to grill. You can find the Raclette cheese at Whole Foods and the grill can be found at Sur La Table  or at William Sonoma.











What You Need: 
2-3 types of meat cubed into small pieces and marinaded with your favorite homemade sauce or simple with salt & pepper. We used chicken and beef.

Large Yukon gold potatoes at least one per person
Vegetables of your choice. We used the following:
plum tomatoes
corn
button mushrooms
white or yellow onion
red pepper
Raclette cheese

Dips
Curry Sour Cream

Horseradish Sour Cream
Pineapple and Sweet Onion Sauce made with chicken stock


What To Do:
Call your friends and have them each bring a bottle of wine and good conversation.
Cube and marinade the meat first and as always, this can be done the day before.
Mix about a 1 1/2 c. sour cream with 1 T. curry powder

In a separate bowl, mix 1 1/2 sour cream with 1 T. horseradish
Allow both dips to set for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator prior to serving.
Dice and cut the vegetables of your choice into small 1/4-1/2 slices or bite sized pieces and place in separate bowls. Cover and place in refrigerator until right before you serve.
Leaving potatoes whole, boil until cooked and serve piping hot.
While the potatoes are cooking, slice the cheese into 1-2 inch squares and place on a plate.


Set the table and start the fun! Thank you to Nikki and Coltin for introducing us to Raclette! We had a wonderful time and look forward to the next one.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Fashion Friday with Alley Collection: Local Designer Bridging The Gap

A menswear line that finally bridges the gap for male fashion. If you are like most males, finding a nice collared shirt that actually fits is a challenge. The arms are often too tight and the shoulders could rip with one small move. Look no further guys. I have found a solution; Welcome to the Alley Collection.

Designed by a local fire fighter for the athletic male. I had the pleasure of meeting the Designers behind the Alley Collection brand four weeks ago at the 440 Brannan New Designer Party. John Robblee and his beautiful wife Laura, are the masterminds behind solving the problem by designing clothes for the athletic male.

His Story
John and his wife were getting dressed to meet some friends for wine and he couldn't find one shirt that fit him properly. Every shirt he owned was slightly off making him uncomfortable and quite frankly annoyed. We all have had that moment where we completely snap over something not fitting right and that was the moment for him. It was his wife who suggested that he design his own line and after a few wine room napkin sketches, the concept was born.


Named after their dog, Alley, they combine function with durability using only the best materials that are locally sourced and designed. Alley offers a line that includes beautifully tailored shirts, jackets and pants. The website shows a few of the designs but the experience is key. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is unparalleled. The construction is gorgeous and unlike anything that you would find in a local department store.

I had an exclusive tour of the 440 Brannan Design Studio here in San Francisco where artists collaborate to share space and talent. I invite you to visit the shop to see and experience the different that is closing the gap on menswear challenges.


Where to Find Alley
440 Brannan San Francisco, CA 94107
or online at www.alleycollection.com

Skin Care Boot Camp with Jane Norman: Before and After Photos and Exclusive Offer For Readers

It has been over seven weeks since I started with Jane Norman for the 20 days to clearer skin Boot Camp and my skin is still clear and feels amazing. How did she do it? With some guidelines and skin care tricks, she has cleared up my skin. Note the before and after shots are the breakouts that I was dealing with regularly reducing my self confidence dramatically. I am a big believer in a natural approach to skin care and Jane is too. She is conscious of ingredients and does not use any products with parabens, phathalates, or any other fillers. She is just my style!

What She Did
She sampled many different techniques and products so I could get a feel for what they were and how they worked. She educated me on proper skin care and tricks of the trade. She also taught me about the impact of diet and certain foods that can help or harm. Cheese and dairy are huge culprits. I have mentioned before that dairy is not all that it is cracked up to be and this confirmed it. She also taught me how to properly wash and care for my skin making me realize that I wasn't as good about my skincare as I thought. I have changed my routine and have seen the lasting benefits.

Why 20 Days?
The 20 day countdown began after my first facial. 20 days was the time I had before my event so we had to try to get as much of it cleared up as possible. That is not that much time so she worked efficiently seeing me once a week for four weeks. If I could do it over, I would have started 6 weeks on advance for best results. Clearing takes time. The good news is, Jane has many clients who are on HDTV and can't have a bad skin day or the camera will pick it up. She can work magic in a small amount of time, but if you have the time, take advantage of it. 

What's Next?
There is so much more that I have to share with you about different treatments with options to keep your skin bright and beautiful. I will continue to see Jane every 6 weeks to maintain my skin's health and clarity. I will continue to cleanse my face properly and watch my diet to avoid dairy and cheese. Jane has offered our readers a special offer as well. She can customize your package to your personal skin care needs. She can analyze what you need combined with your goals and design you your own Skin Care Boot Camp Program.

Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips readers will receive special pricing on her products and services. 

She will provide you with a one-on-one personal consultation that will make you feel like a queen. If you have any issues, questions or concerns, she will address them with care. She is truly one of the sweetest professional that I have ever met.

Where Can You Find Jane? 
Jane is located downtown Walnut Creek, CA at Encore Med Spa located at 1501 Mt. Diablo Blvd. You can call her cell directly at (925) 699-2440 or the main line at (925) 932-1843. Tell her that you are a Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips reader to receive exclusive offers and discounts on your services.



BEFORE
You can see large blemishes near my jawline and in the chin area. You can also see small bumps on my cheeks. The opposite side has flatter blemishes near the chin.













DURING

Here I am with a peel on my skin. You can see on the first photo where the breakouts are and that my cheeks are beginning to turn pink. As the peel continues to work, the skin tingles slightly but is not uncomfortable. You can see it working in picture number two.















AFTER
You can see that she has cleared up my blemishes completely and my skin is clear and smooth.  It took about 6 weeks to really see the full results and I would highly recommend beginning your care treatment at least 4-6 weeks in advance. It will be quite a bit of time before my scarring will clear up.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

And The Winner is... Crystal K! Effie's Heart Jackie Dress Giveaway

 Congratulations Crystal K!! 

Winner of the Effie's Heart Jackie Dress in Blueberry Stripe!

Thank you to Effie's Heart for the beautiful dress now available online at www.effiesheart.com.

It retailed at $92 and is now on sale for $68!! Grab one before they are gone!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

I Have Been A Little Absent... But for Good Reason: Inspiration

I could tell you that I am busy. I could tell you that I am exhausted. I could tell you I am spread too thin. I could tell you any excuse in the book as to why I have been so absent. The truth is, I needed a little me time. Time to reflect, reorganize and regroup and figure out what it is I really want. I found that I was trying to please everyone and pleasing no one and worst of all disappointing myself.

I love what I do and I love the beautiful souls that I have met and even those whom I have never met but have touched their lives one way or another. This is my passion. This is what I love to do day in and day out. I decided to find new inspiration and break away from the routine and try something fresh. Revisit contacts that I haven't spoken to in awhile. It has been refreshing and fun needless to say.

Here are a few of my new faves and I invite you to check them out too. They have been worth the read, a browse or a shop. Photos are from respective websites.

Red Lips & Bardot Hair: I love her wicked sassy style and gorgeous smile. A Cal kid living in Brooklyn, NY (my other favorite place in the US), she shares her outfits as well as where she scored them. She emulates beauty, confidence and is an excellent role model for all fashionistas out there. Which leads me to her next venture....

Exit 248: Katie and friend Jenaveve came to the conclusion that they had too many clothes but wanted more clothes. So they came up with an online pop-up shop to sell their vintage wear. Brilliant!



Treasure Island Flea: As a strong supporter of local fashion, I stand behind this project wholeheartedly. It's a love story that resulted in a gathering place on Treasure Island that will "provide an affordable platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and products directly to the end customer." Merchants and buyers gather to indulge in culinary treats while encountering new designs and beautiful works of art. It's a must see! Click Here for the FAQ

Alexbackwards: See the world backwards...This is a Bay Area Beauty who has blossomed into a gorgeous gem. She is a jack of all trades and provides visual stimulation on her page through photos, images and perspective. She has some beautiful photos from Treasure Island Flea that you must check out. This is my favorite photo of her!

Headed out for some wine with friends. We will be drawing the winner of the Effie's Heart Jackie Dress tonight (sorry for the delay). I can't wait to announce the lucky winner!

xoxo Cyn