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Greetings from Mexico!

Kidding. Sort of. While the idea of floating in the perfect, crystalline waters off Isla Mujeres on a private chartered boat, sipping ice cold Mexican beer under a blistering hot sun, getting ready to leap overboard for some choice snorkeling sounds quite divine, these photos were unearthed from our trip there last year, for my 30th birthday. We’d never even been snorkeling before, but it was beckoning to us and we quickly realized we really, really, really loved snorkeling. So much so that we went back out a day or two later! It’s really cool.

Look, they totally let me drive unsupervised! I LOVE MEXICO!

Currently we’re home, it’s still raining, and the fireplace is ablaze with almond firewood (our favorite). We’re test-driving sparkling spiced pear cocktails – St. George’s Aqua Perfecta Poire Liqueur, co-starring a little brut and allspice dram, and bits of actual pear – for next week, since we’re off to my mother’s for Thanksgiving and (as usual) we’re in charge of cocktails and dessert. It was a perfectly lazy day. We were in bed until nearly 1pm, had brunch around 2pm, and set out for errands after M treated me to a pampering pedicure.

Obviously, it wasn’t the most glamorous boat we were on, but we had it all to ourselves and they let us do whatever we pleased. We shared our beer with them and they showed us around to all the best snorkeling spots, far away from the splashing herds of tourist snorkelers.

Sometimes I’d get so mesmerized by the fish and plant life that I’d hardly notice the waves and currents pushing me yards and yards from the boat – M & I lost each other a handful of times, and once I quieted the brief flash of panic, falling into the feeling of being totally alone and surrounded by an otherworldly underwater beauty was spectacular.

Look at this big guy! I’ll tell you what, though, we were out there for hours and it hardly felt like it. We could have stayed until the sun came down and they yanked us out of the water by our hair, but eventually snorkeling makes you absolutely ravenous, and we needed fresh fish tacos ASAP! We ended up eating at a place over the water, not too far from the above. Oh, just thinking about it makes me want to go back n o w. Sob!

Maybe next year we’ll be those New England types who jet off to the Caribbean during the holidays! What are your plans for Thanksgiving and (if you can stomach discussing it so early) and Christmas?

Did you know that Saturday’s incredible heatwave broke a San Francisco record? The hottest recorded temperature was 84 degrees in 1947, and we saw a whopping 85 degrees on June 12th, 2010. In all that glorious sunshine, M & I walked just over three incredibly sweaty hilly miles to take Conor to Holly Park. We found some supplies at a wonderful little deli called Avedano’s Holly Park Market in Bernal Heights – they were very accommodating in slicing us some fresh prosciutto, they had fabulous bags of sea salt crostini and small but super high quality assortments of cheeses, chocolates and other confections. The result? A romantic Saturday picnic in the park with our pup.

Did you know that Friday, June 11th was Fit For A Femme’s 2nd birthday? I can’t believe we missed it. I had it marked on my calendar and everything! I’ll have to dream up some other way to celebrate, even if slightly belated. Let us discuss this ensemble for now. The necklace was a Christmas gift from my mother – it’s vintage and belonged to my dear grandmother – she thought I’d cherish it and put it to good use.

Shorts, Martin + Osa
Tank, Elie Tahari
Hat, Capelli
Shoes, Madden Girl
Necklace + Watch, Vintage
Sunglasses, Kenneth Cole

Can you see Twin Peaks there in the distance? It was a beautifully clear day, and I hope everyone had a delightful weekend.

Have you missed me? The tomboy and I snuck off to Guerneville for a romantic Mother’s Day minibreak in a riverside cabin. We’ve loved Dawn Ranch Lodge since it was Fife’s and little has changed with the ownership – the grounds are still lovely, the meadow is still lush, the spot where M & I skinny-dipped at 1AM back in 2005 is as it ever was. Even the bonfire ring has endured!

We made the best of the storms we weren’t expecting by cozying up under the covers with a variety of movies to play on the laptop and procuring super indulgent, artisan cheese plates to-go from our new favorite place to eat in town, Boon Eat + Drink, all enjoyed while the rain played on the cabin’s tiny roof overhead. We also traded in our beach plans for a Mother’s Day rose garden tour and champagne tasting at Korbel (they have an organic brut and a reserve blanc de noir that I liked, plus their guest house is HAUNTED which is so exciting), and picked up desserts to nibble on in bed at night. It was a much-needed distraction from the fact that the petite is far, far away on a school trip and we had to spend Mother’s Day without her. I hope y’all were good to your mamas!

These photos, however, are from before the little trip. The weather wasn’t quite warm, but not quite cold, otherwise known as quintessential San Francisco. The solution? Leggings. Little jacket. Layers. I am still obviously in love with these nude pumps and nothing screams, “Actual temps be damned, it’s SPRING for heaven’s sake” like a perky, bright yellow floral.

Skirt, French Atmosphere
Sporty Black Tank
Bib Necklace, Buffalo Exchange
Denim Jacket, True Beauty
Leggings, Dance Boutique
Shades, Le Tigre
Nude Pumps, Madden Girl

You’re DYING to know what I’m reading, right? I had a gift certificate from CHRISTMAS to burn through at Border’s (seriously, it said Feliz Navidad on it), so I picked up the first issue of The Gentlewoman (leaving only one on the shelves), since Geometric Sleep raved so fondly about it. It’s fabulous. I’m not even through with it yet. I also grabbed Elle and my Vogue and W had just arrived in the mail, so I’m up to my eyeballs in ladymags. I also succumbed to this lesbian novel written in the early 80s, set in Lake Tahoe and with much acclaim on its back cover. Lucky for me, I scarcely had any opportunity to read this weekend, so I’ll have more to say about Curious Wine soon, I’m sure!

TOMBOY CONFESSION: M has said that her confession would only wax poetic about ham or sweet potato pie or my deliciously festive sparkling Cosmopolitan cocktails from Christmas, so I guess I’ll say a few words in her stead. We are both VERY excited about the gun rack my brother and his girlfriend so thoughtfully gave us for Christmas. She keeps fussing with her hair, y’all, saying it’s already gotten too long, despite the fact that it’s only been three weeks since she had it cut. Tomboys!

A bit about this blazer: M found it without much ado at our favorite neighborhood thrift store, for five gay bucks and in pristine condition. Turns out it’s from a little place in San Francisco that’s been in business for over 35 years, The Hound Shop. The embroidered label on the inside says “Tailored for the Montgomery Street Man” and has a great hound in the center – it’s really fantastic. She did a dapper job pairing it with this vintage striped, flat-bottom tie I got her two Christmases ago, I think.

FEMME CONFESSION: I really, really, really love this dress! Another epic thrift store find – it must have been somewhere between $3-$5, tops. From the fluttery little sleeves to the deep pinks and reds to the cut and wearability – it’s almost perfect. I have to try it in some va-va-voom heels and decide whether or not the hem needs to come up a couple of inches. I tossed the beret on as an afterthought on our way out of the door and it really made the buttoned-up look (though the weather was so agreeable, I didn’t need the coat at all).

Long story short, it was a very brilliant Christmas – cozy and raucous and abundant in the best ways – with a very full house, wonderful surprises, lots of incredible food and loved ones. My mother had several silly games with awesome prizes for us to play, including a 2-page, multiple choice Christmas trivia quiz in red and green ink that had us all in stitches (M had the lowest score of everyone, even the foreigners – it was hilarious). Nearly everyone teared up when I opened my mom’s gift to me – several sets of my beloved Grandma’s gorgeous vintage jewelry – I was astonished! Amazed and so, so touched.

Some festive Christmas pics below:

CONFESSION: I had a very full, very festive weekend. The last before Christmas! On Friday night, the tomboy and I bundled up (a bit too much – it was wonderfully pleasant out!) and headed downtown with the petite to follow the longtime tradition of peeking in at the puppies and kittens up for adoption, adorably displayed in Macy’s whimsical holiday window displays. (M threatened to physically remove me if I didn’t stop tearing up! I can’t help it! One little creamsicle kitten was hugging herself to sleep!) It was so much fun! We came home and had Mexican hot chocolate and cookies fresh out of the oven, and watched Valentino: The Last Emperor (which really made me cry).

We celebrated my best friend’s birthday at a lovely French bistro on Saturday night (that’s where these fancy photos are from – this H&M top is so FUN with a built-in petticoat underneath the peplum, but I pinned the flower to the waist for a little extra something) – I had a wonderful pear cocktail and ordered the Coq au Vin, which was fantastic. The BFF was thrilled to bits with everything and we laughed heartily through the entire dinner. All were loathe to end the night so soon!

On Sunday, we celebrated my Grandmother’s 90th birthday. Festivities began promptly at a 10AM mass and didn’t stop until we tore ourselves away from her charming stories and copious amounts of her favorite brandy, in order to make it to a dinner on time at Will Blog For Food’s house. She roasted her very first chicken for us, paired with a gorgeous salad with persimmons and endives, a toasty loaf of bread and roasted vegetables (which became quite caramelized and which M could not get enough of). A happy and lovely evening to complete a very busy weekend!

After catching up with my beauty sleep this morning, I have to tidy up the flat, queue up the baking parade, wrap gifts and take care of those inevitable last-minute errands the holidays bring. I can’t wait until Christmas Eve and I hope y’all are ready for whatever wonderful plans await you! XOXO!

Some fancy photos of the tomboy and I, for fun:

When: Christmas Day 2008.

What: Wide-leg corduroy trousers by Tulle, vintage Levi’s tee, brocade coat by Tulle. Flats by old Navy and vintage rabbit collar.

Confession: I only wore this outfit for about an hour yesterday. To leave the house. And come right back. So there. Also, it is now a tradition for the tomboy and I to wear the matching pajamas that her grandmother got us last year for Christmas, for opening presents and whatnot on Christmas morning. They are still crispy. After a whole year. One day, they will be super incredibly soft and worn in. Like twenty years from now, but still. Here they are: