The Grand Hyatt San Francisco

I almost didn’t publish this post. I wrote this last week and was all set to share when the Paris tragedy struck. It’s hard to share fun times when so many are suffering. Paris is dear to me and so many others who have had the luck to enjoy it’s charms. Somehow, an attack on Paris feels like an attack on us all. I feel so useless to help, but after reading many others posts, I have concluded one thing, that we cannot let these people put terror in our hearts.

 I find Martin Luther King’s ‘Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,’ quote so comforting in times like this. Hate only begets more hate and it’s what these people want. I just hope that out of this sad tragedy an even stronger bond with France, Europe, and the sane people of this world will form. Our love for our fellow man shows so much during these situations and it gives hope. We can and will eventually overcome these terrorists. We have to believe that. There’s too many good people on this planet. We will win. It’s all we have. In the meantime, I’m keeping all those in Paris in my heart.

Last week, I made a quick 24 hour escape up to San Francisco with two dear pals. It was a chance to get together before the holidays and check out some favorite spots in the city. Hitting some of the shops and gazing at the windows is always a treat even if it’s a quick trip.

Right now Union Square is a total mess. They are currently extending the underground path of the Muni and it seems they will never finish…

 However we persevered and made it to Neimans for lunch, bought some shoes, and later ventured to the Last Call store on Market.

Do I have fun friends or what? Barb and Jeanne test driving some over-sized glasses!

Last Call is the Neiman’s outlet and it was worth the walk a bit away from the square. I bought some Joe’s jeans, a chambray shirt, a wonderful warm winter scarf that is super soft.. Love them. Funny all of them were a wine or grey tone and went together beautifully. I didn’t even plan it.

Also on our list was Gumps. I love this San Francisco institution especially at the holidays with their seasonal shop and fun gifts. The holiday windows weren’t up yet, but they were still pretty.

Nothing beats a trip to Gumps for lifting the spirits and inspiring your imagination. They have the most wonderful distinctive items.

How about a Chinoiserie pumpkin??

Love the San Francisco scenes in these original oils.

I found a few perfect gifts in their holiday area already wrapped and ready for giving. Love that. I also nosed around the apothecary area which has some fabulous lines I’ve never seen. You can buy Santa Maria Novella products from the famous Florence perfumery here too.

Check out these Christmas trees. This one was made entirely of Mickey Mouse watches and for $2,500 could be the perfect gift for a lucky Mickey fan. (Yes that’s the right price!)

The silver tree made of vintage jewelry was my favorite. All of these trees were on the thousand dollar range!! Wow. Of course I was wondering if I could make one myself…

Gumps had some of the best ornaments… 

Loved the Grandfather Clocks!

They do have some affordable gifts. I found plenty under $30 wrapped that I would be thrilled with. A few were a bit more. 

So many treasures here. Don’t miss Gumps if you visit San Francisco and especially at the holidays. I hope to get back up and share the holiday windows with you.

Our girls getaway was a treat. We stayed at The Grand Hyatt, which I hadn’t before and it was modern and pretty. The views in the city are always amazing at night at San Francisco’s high-rise hotels.

They brought a disco ball for me and some awesome disco music!

Jeanne and I in the lobby in front of one of the art installations currently on show.

Our hotel had a cute little board  in the lobby where you could post velcro backed wooden hearts with where you left your heart on this SF trip. Sweet idea I thought.

That night the girls surprised me with birthday dinner at a El Mansour, a Moroccan restaurant with belly-dancing.

It was gorgeous! I had no idea what to expect. You sat on low couches and had many courses of the most delicious food.

The belly-dancer was fun and yikes they made me dance! Let’s hope all evidence of this is destroyed. 😮 The evening ended with yummy deep fried bananas and fragrant mint tea. I loved the hand washing and the rose water they sprinkled on our hands at the end. The smell stayed with me the whole night and I was enchanted! I highly recommend El Mansour if you are looking for a special place to celebrate with friends. Great service too. I loved it and will never forget it.

The next morning we had breakfast at one of my favorite spots, Café de la Presse, a French bistro near Union Square with great atmosphere, super breakfasts and a newsstand with international magazines and papers.

Barb and I clearly look as though we are in different climates…She in Malibu, me ready for snow apparently. Lol. I so think fall is the perfect time to visit San Francisco!

It’s cold today in California. Yay! I’m wearing wool, boots and big scarf today finally.

I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year as I always do. I’m planning to go away for a few days, so I haven’t brainstormed any new table ideas. I just can’t host this year with my mom gone. I don’t have the heart. Maybe next year I’ll feel like doing it again. If you want a few ideas, here’s my last year’s menu and table, and my 2013 table. I will post more ideas later this week for those who are hosting. 

Kim