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I’m afraid this post is a misnomer, but let’s don’t talk about it. HOW ABOUT THIS LITTLE DRESS?! It’s so fun and witchy and easy to wear. I got it from a website called tobi awhile back and have worn it a few other times (it’s especially killer with my Sheeba belt), but hadn’t gotten around to posting it yet. Thankfully, we squeezed in a few shots before heading off to see Wild Flag at the Fillmore in San Francisco back in April.

That was an amazing show. It was the second show of theirs we’ve seen and it’s just killer every time. Carrie wore tiny black pants and a very sexy, sheer sleeveless blouse in strawberry red (I wish I knew where she got her blouses, they’re always so nice). She was maddeningly hot, as per usual – there was one new song that is a TOTAL panty-changer, I wish I could find it!

Mary had seriously stepped up her stage presence and was a million times more exciting than she was at their show in November. That was really awesome to see. Fillmore tradition meant there were gorgeous Wild Flag posters handed out at the end of the show, and I can’t wait to get one of ours framed! (Being super bummed about not getting a poster after a Fillmore show should be one of those You Know You’re A San Franciscan When… things.)

We should be talking about Rufus Wainwright’s show at the Fox in Oakland last night, though, because that’s where we were in our fancy 7th row seats. He was resplendent. Though this was the least favorite of the four times I’ve seen him, it was still an amazing performance. (To be fair, you can’t beat the Release the Stars tour outside at dusk with actual fireflies twinkling on a perfect summer’s night, or All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu in the tiny, intimate space of the Uptown in Napa.) Of course, that’s got more to do with Mark Ronson’s hand in things, and he I can easily give or take – I think it’s evident in about half the songs on the new album, and even more so when they’re played live. (M thought the band was “cheesy,” and preferred the older material, having not heard the new album yet. I’ve given it a dozen or listens since it was first available on NPR’s First Listen.)

Thankfully, the show was peppered with older tunes like Art Teacher, Poses, April Fools, The One You Love, and 14th Street. One Man Guy was sung with two guests – one of his opening acts, Teddy Thompson (he’s got a beautiful voice) and a very saucy backup songstress – and it was phenomenal. Really, really wonderful.

from the Lulu tour

He opened the show by candlelight with, of course, the song Candles, and it was exquisite. Rufus shows often have this quality at one point or another of having really sacred, holy moments, ones you wish you could live in and feel blessed to get to even if only for the time he’s on stage or that they grip you by the throat in your everyday life, and that was this show’s divine, untouchable moment. Montauk, too, which M refused to believe was off the new album. His mother’s songs were lovingly covered by his supporting acts, and those were a nice reprieve as well.

From the new album, in addition to the ones I mentioned above, I think these are the standouts:

Rashida
Song of You
Respectable Dive
Sometimes You Need
WWIII

In summary, it was a fantastic night (with just a touch too much debauchery), and we bought a beautiful handmade, autographed poster. I’ll show y’all soon!

Outfit stuff!

Dress: Tobi
Leather: Zara
Gold Pyramid Tights: Anna Sui
Grosgrain Ribbon Pumps: Christian Siriano for Payless
Vegan Studded Clutch: Matt & Nat
Necklaces: House of Harlow 1960 (triangle), Jewelmint (long mixed metal chain), Madewell (dainty gold chain)
Earrings: Asos

Wow, that’s a whole lot of…stuff.

Mother’s Day is tomorrow and I am a mother! It should be nice. We have a four-generation extravaganza planned – a morning champagne toast at my grandmother’s in Cole Valley, followed by a mimosa brunch picnic with my mother nearby, and finally, a relaxing evening at home – M and the petite are going to cook coq au vin for me! I can’t wait!

XOXO,

FFAF

Goodness grief, has it been a whole week? It has. What can I say, y’all, it’s the holidays. Last Friday we took advantage of the chance to unwind before all of the prep before a casual fight party soiree – the first gathering we’ve hosted at our new place. In a sentimental twist, that unwinding included our watching Toy Story 3 while a fire snapped and crackled in the background, which left me bawling inconsolably and in a baking frenzy all night long. (So much more than I can say for Room In Rome, which was bullocks. You have been warned!)

Fortunately, our guests thoroughly enjoyed the home-baked goodies the next day. Unfortunately, I might have traumatized the petite. As the movie ended and Bonnie stood waving on those front steps, I clung to my not-so-wee one and wailed, “Take me to college with you! You don’t have to go very far, do you!? YOU CAN LIVE WITH US!!!” while M shook her head in disbelief and handed me tissues.

I am STILL tearing up just thinking about it. It’s too much.

The party went swimmingly! We all had a blast, and it turned into a late night slumber party that rolled into a delicious brunch and Glee reruns the next morning. The week sped past – we wrapped a ton of presents on Monday night, I ran errands Tuesday night, last night M had to work late and tonight we took my brother and his girlfriend out for a belated birthday at Restaurant Ducroix, an unassuming little traditional French place downtown with great food. We all had the coq au vin save the renegade tomboy, who ordered the seared scallops with risotto.

Tomorrow night, we’re going on a romantic date. We’re exhausted!

This was my work-to-dinner outfit. A heavy corduroy miniskirt from Old Navy, a soft, warm sweater from H&M and thick tights and my two-tone Novela pumps. I added some glitz with my old Laundry by Shelli Segal ring and this big, chunky necklace from Banana Republic.

The real glamour lies in my new nail polish – Bring on the Bling from the new Burlesque line from OPI. I got it from a colleague in our Secret Santa gift exchange! I’ve had ultra glittery nail polishes before, but this must be the holy grail because it looked incredible under the soft lights at dinnertime and walking along the twinkling, damp streets of SF at night. I can’t stop staring at it. It seemed like the longer I had it on, the more mesmerizing it became. (This has nothing to do with the respective number of glasses of champagne consumed over time, I swan.)

So, uh, G E T C H U S O M E.

Love and miss,

FFAF

PS. Soon, soon you will have holiday party photos. I won’t let y’all down!

PPS. I know my pony throw pillow is too epic for words, and we’ll discuss it, but not yet.

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: