On my Radar…A SF Hotel, Labor Day Ideas, Fall Fashion & More.

I have been wanting to share a some fun things so I thought I’d chuck a few things in a post for you to check out over the long weekend when you have time to peruse the web. Also some eye candy for you design lovers..

First this amazing hotel by my favorite designer and visionary Kelly Wearstler. How gorgeous is this Proper Hotel? It occupies a beautifully restored flatiron building in San Francisco’s Mid-Market area. The interiors are stunning and every detail is beautiful from the rooms to each restaurant space. I can’t wait to visit and have a cocktail on the rooftop bar! Below a peak of some of the beautiful…

The Proper has some fun happenings like wine maker dinners, afternoon high teas, brunches and this Sunday they have a Downton Abbey Tea 2-5. Link here for more info on events, including The Proper in Santa Monica, another gorgeous property. They are currently building sister hotels in Los Angeles, Austin, and have dream home for rent on Carbon Beach in Malibu.

One really nice thing is Proper Hotels are committed to giving back 1% of their money to uplift and support the surrounding community. Here is what they have already done.

It’s all in the details people!

Many different room types… I love the bunk room. Reminds me of a train berth and each bed has it’s own lamp, plugs and tv. Might be perfect if you are traveling with your kids- or just a friend. Better than sharing a bed!

La Bande is their coffee bar and aperitif spot. What a great spot to grab a piece of sourdough toast and an espresso or an aperitif at night with friends. This hotel is just steps from the Civic Center BART. I adore the art deco look in here.

The rooftop bar and craft drinks are at Charmaine’s. So lovely…

Hopefully I’ll get there in person soon and give you a full report!

In other cool news…

This is a fun little travelogue of Carmel and Big Sur by a swimwear designer who summers there in Vogue.

The designer, Lisa Moore’s collection of swimwear and coverups is called Cover for women, kids, babies and men too. Makes me want one of those cool bodysuits for the beach. Great idea when sunscreen is even questionable now and super stylish as well.

I don’t know if I wrote about these Everlane sandals in my last post with my poncho, but they are my go to sandal for transitioning into a California fall with their black leather. They are a great buy at $47 right now, made in Italy, gorgeous quality and kind of different from the usual flip-flop or flat. I’m obsessed with Everlane, which is doing things right. They are trying to create beautiful pieces, not trendy clothes that are made ethically at the finest factories in the world. They don’t believe in big mark-ups as usual retail does. So far their quality and company has exceeded expectations- AND they are a San Francisco Company! Love it.

Have you had time for books this summer? As usual I am reading more than one and dividing my time between them all. I found Chanel’s Riviera on my trip to London and it’s been diverting as it is educating. Check it out if you are into travel, history, fashion and France.

If you are a Francophile like myself, you might be interested in something my friend Erin just sent me a link to, The Oui Box. It’s one of those subscription box things and this is all French products. You can do it one time or bi-monthly, or annually. What a fun gift idea for a friend adores France too! I am tempted to try just one and see how much I like it.

The internet is crazy this week with this pic of Katie Holmes with a cardigan and her matching cashmere bra that was exposed. They say this is the modern version of a twinset! I do love her style and I love a cardigan worn as a sweater alone, not sure I could rock the bra. This looks like a very luxe knit which is from Khaite, a brand I did not know of, but has some beautiful and unique clothes. You can check out her luxury cardigan and more on their site. She looks like she’s living her best life and I’d say not missing Tom Cruise…I also love her simple look here of straight leg jeans and slides. So basic and classic, yet very modern and chic and a good inspiration to base your fall look on -sans exposed bra perhaps?

Speaking of brands I am just getting familiar with, Doen is another I am obsessed with. It’s a California company that creates lovely pieces with a nod to vintage California style and based in Santa Barbara. I am in LOVE with this Alda dress. I am going to write another post soon about the longer dress trend which was fully embraced by Londoners on my trip. It’s inspired me to look for one I can wear this fall with boots, like the beauty above.

On that spendy note, have you heard about Second Hand September? Ox-Fam is promoting this and it is to get people to pledge to buy upcycled and second hand items all through the month of September, a usually high shopping time. Do you know 11 million items end up in the landfill every WEEK! I think this is worth doing for 30 days. I am thinking of trying this with clothing, as I still am needing house things with the move.

I know how many cool finds are at Crossroads and other second-hand shops and it would give me pause before going fully into fall shopping and thinking more about what I really could use and what I may be able to find second hand. Worthwhile doing if you are one who gets caught up in buying for the new season. I will report back on how this goes..

Some things to think on.

Wishing you a great Labor Day. It’s so nice to have that extra day off isn’t it? I already feel relaxed! We will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary by doing dinner with some dear friends. We are also hoping to take the family on a day trip to Santa Cruz or Carmel and do a beach walk and lunch if we can rally the troops.

More things to do in the Bay Area for Labor Day Weekend, like the Rose Soiree, on my pal Suzanne Adam’s blog.

I shared that on my Northern Cal Style Facebook page, along with other happenings and fun links, and all my posts, so follow if you haven’t already!

Posts coming soon on the second leg of my London trip, a Seattle getaway, and yes the house remodel! That’s a pic of my new entrance and door from my Instagram. Can’t wait to show you all of it. It’s nearly all finished.

I’d love to hear what are your plans or traditions for this end of summer. Are you at home relaxing or getting away for a last weekend of summer?

Whatever you do, enjoy the weekend friends!

Kim

Photos of the Proper courtesy of the hotel site.