It makes you Smarter

Whether or not you are trying to learn something new, it happens on the reg when you live in the “center of the universe.” The technology we rely on globally comes from Silicon Valley. The Apple iPhone you are glued to, the Facebook and Instagram newsfeeds you religiously scroll though, the search engine you ask the most asinine questions to, the cab hailing service that makes it possible to have a private driver, etc., are ALL based here. Some of the most acclaimed entrepreneurs (Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, and Marc Benioff to name a few) reside in San Francisco and as a result your peers – the people you converse with on a daily basis, work for them. So many new technologies are beta tested here and I love being one of the first to learn and/or test them.

Dog-Friendly Dogs Rule

In no way shape or form am I exaggerating when I say, “dogs rule.” Supposedly there are more dogs in San Francisco proper than there are children. Fur babies are everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE. Although I do not necessarily agree with it, it is not surprising that at least one four legged friend is walking around Trader Joe’s whenever I shop. If your restaurant doesn’t have a patio you are essentially putting yourself on an unofficial blacklist. People take the definition of “Man’s Best Friend” very seriously around here and it works to my advantage! I love that GG can accompany me to the hair salon, nail salon, blog clothes shopping, etc. Click here for dog-friendly recs.

Living in San Francisco is Picture Perfect

Now let’s be frank, the Bay Area is absolutely stunning. Aside from the most famous landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge, the views and sights are breathtaking citywide. Going for a “stroll” though Russian Hill with Alcatraz to your left, and the Bay Bridge in front of you is pretty incredible. Scooting or biking along Ocean Beach with the endless Pacific Ocean to your side is a close second. But it is also important to note the scenic destinations that are all driving distance from San Francisco. My friend once said that the drive to Big Sur reminded her of a coastal drive in Hawaii. I couldn’t have said it better myself. But it doesn’t stop there. Whether you go due North to Mendocino Country or Northwest to Lake Tahoe, there is no shortage of vista points.

There is an App for Everything

If you really wanted to, you could accomplish everything on your to-do list from the comfort of your couch. San Franciscans believe in efficiency and as a result there are an impressive number of tools available to boost your productivity. In terms of convenience, there are a bunch of apps for that too. Having cash on hand is RARE these days…but coins – yeah freaking right! I have become so accustomed to paying for parking via the PayByPhone app. Hopefully your city will follow suit. On the other end of the spectrum, there is also an app to satisfy every vice you may have. Cookie craving at 9:30 pm?! Doughbies will deliver you cookies on demand in 20 minutes or less. I’ve never had to wait more than 10. Don’t have time to wait in line for cruffins? Send a TaskRabbit instead. It even goes as far as pricing cosmetic surgery and other out of pocket healthcare costs.

The Food is Exceptional

Finally, San Francisco is heaven for foodies. Although talked about for the sourdough bread and Dungeness crab, in reality, the diversity in cuisine is unheard of. From Moroccan, Puerto Rican, Hawaiian, Burmese, Ethiopian, Scandinavian, to Italian, you name it, it’s here. My appreciation for food has grown significantly since I’ve been living in the city. While my favorite chicken shawarma is still in Louisiana, my favorite pasta, pizza, and tostones are all here! My stomach is growling just thinking about it! For food reviews of some of the top restaurants in San Francisco and the Bay Area, click here.

Do you too have a love affair with this city? What are some of the things you like the most about living in San Francisco? *All photos taken with my iPhone 6 and 7 Plus.

The post Five Reasons I love Living in San Francisco – the Best City in the World appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

Levi’s Stadium (the San Francisco 49ers stadium) is home to Superbowl 50. Over the next week, football themed events and concerts are taking place throughout the city. Guess who is going to the Metallica concert Saturday night?! This girl! While I do not leisurely head-bang to heavy metal music, my hubby often listens to Metallica in the OR – to each his own. Head-banger or not, it happens to be the perfect occasion to rock my Super Bowl outfit. The ladies at Jest Jewels hooked me up with this festive black and gold tee (there’s still time to get yours – choose rush shipping if you’re outside of SF). Sports memorabilia can be ladylike when paired with the right accent pieces, that is why I styled this tee with sequined shorts, and a peplum leather jacket. There is nothing more feminine than sparkles and a fit and flare silhouette! I accessorized with a bejeweled football-shaped cocktail ring, and a floppy hat – both available at Jest Jewels. Polishing off the look with a pink lip, ready or not, here I come!

Recreate this look with the shoppable links below:
Top | Jacket – old – similar here and here | Shorts – old – love these and these | Ring | Hat

Thank you to Jest Jewels for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

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If you do not like waiting in line, Outerlands is not for you. We have become accustom to waiting as we often indulge outside on a patio with our dog. Our initial thought was, “could it be any longer than a regular weekend wait at Delarosa?” Turns out it can! It took us a while to mosey on over there finally arriving at noon, but we did not sit down at the table until 1:30. This definitely sounds worse than it is so allow me to explain! For whatever reason it is parklet galore over on Judah and 45th. Everyone was seated comfortably waiting for a table with a coffee in hand. So while we sat and sipped we enjoyed conversations with other patrons and GG even made a few friends.

Now let’s get to the nitty gritty and talk food! One of the reasons I liked this place right off the bat was because the menu was small. There is a difference between small and limited. Outerlands definitely has something for everyone without being overwhelming. How many times have you brunched and ordered way too much food just because you could not decide what dish to order?! Yeah, me too, not going to happen here. From fresh pastries, quiche, porridge, pancakes, to “eggs-in-jail,” it’s offered.

We started off with coffee cake, although our first choice was a glazed doughnut followed by a sticky bun. Lesson learned. If you show up late, your favorite pastries will be sold out. The coffee cake was fine, we really just needed something in our stomachs. My hubby ordered the refried black beans and eggs, with a side of breakfast potatoes – those were buttery and crisp at the same time. Mmmm…I ordered the eggs-in-jail, although the squash and feta open faced sandwich was very tempting. You are probably wondering what the heck kind of food that is, but it is actually a very clever name for such a concoction. Imagine a pillowy piece of toast that has been hollowed out. Now drop a runny egg in there and garnish it with cabbage, balsamic vinaigrette, aioli, and bacon and your eggs are officially in “jail.” I added avocado on mine, and GG swiped the bacon, but over all it was delicious. I often eat avocado toast with a sunny side up egg, so this was like a souped up version. I did not think I would like the cabbage but it added a nice crunch and sort of tasted like a fresh salad thanks to the vinaigrette. Enough about prisoner eggs, you cannot dine at Outerlands without indulging in the famous pancake. Imagine your favorite puffy pancake baked in a cast iron pan…yep, that’s how they do things around here. Whether you like your pancakes savory or sweet, there is an option for you. We topped ours with sweet apple and house made ricotta, with a side of syrup for dipping. It was very decadent and a traditional breakfast item in a form I have never seen before.

Will we return to this San Francisco brunch spot? OF COURSE. At 12:00 noon? HELL NO. I happily await my next visit and already plan to try the feta and egg dish, and hopefully get my hands on a doughnut. My apologies for the lack of photos but we were too hungry to take any more pics…and when I’m hungry I’m HANGRY. Forgive me! Until next time Outerlands…at 9:00 am sharp.

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Tucked away on Larkin Street, minutes from the ever popular Union Square, sits Mr. Holmes Bakehouse – your home to the croissant muffin aka “Cruffin.” Holmies line up daily by 8:30 am to get a taste of this decadent concoction. If you snooze you lose – there is a method to the madness, and I’ve got it down to a science. Arrive no later than 8:35, grab a coffee, then wait in line until the first batch of cruffins is out of the oven promptly at 9.

This savory breakfast item is flakey like a croissant, shaped like a muffin, and filled with a different pudding flavor each day. From peanut butter and jelly, pistachio, to salted caramel, you name it they’ve made it. My favorites to date are peach cobbler, and triple chocolate. If this description does not have your mouth watering, an even larger assortment of baked goods is available open to close. Artichoke danishes, sticky buns, brioche bombs, and heavenly donuts to name a few. The sugar covered donuts are my second favorite and flavors change daily, but if you’re lucky, it’ll be a passion fruit day.

So, the next time you’re in San Francisco, plan your day around a trip to Mr. Holmes Bakehouse and thank me later. If you like my style, and need recommendatioms for an epic day in San Francisco, check out my post, “24 Hours in San Francisco.”

If you are reading the email version of this post, visit KKandGG.com for the web version as well as other helpful style tips and advice.

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9:30 am: Head North on foot or Uber towards the bay to pick up a bike from “New Holiday Adventure Sale & Rentals.” It’s a dry cleaner with bike rentals at a rock bottom price. Nothing fancy here but you won’t find a better deal. Put a dent in your sugar high with a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge!

Morning Alternative:
Pick up a coffee and off to prison you go! Alcatraz aka “The Rock,” known for housing famed criminals such as Al Capone and the “Bird Man,” is one of the most traveled National Parks in America. Take the audio tour as you walk through jail cells and spooky courtyards. Buy your tickets early and you won’t regret it.

12:00 pm: Arrive in Sausalito totally rejuvenated. Leave your bike with valet – it’s worth the five bucks and hit the artisan shops. If you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a snack from the cafe, but save your appetite for later.

1:00 pm: Take the Blue & Gold ferry back to the Fisherman’s Wharf SF. Upon Arrival, head West towards Ghiradelli Square. If the Dungeness crab is one of the reasons you’re visiting SF, devour a crabby critter at Lou’s Fish Shack. Wash it down with a 60 oz Lou’s Blues pineapple vodka delight. That’s if you’re sharing, of course! Your fur baby is welcome on the outdoor patio.

3:30 pm: Follow the sidewalk towards the Aquatic Park Green and relax on a park bench along the waterfront. Yep, that’s Alcatraz in front of you and the Golden Gate Bridge to your left…this city is THAT picturesque. Enjoy a game of fetch with Fido in the lush grass.

4:00 pm: After a little R&R, ride the Hyde line cable car up the hills to Lombard Street aka the “Crooked Street.” Get your camera ready! Aside from the obligatory cable car selfie, you’ll want to capture a bird’s eye view shot of the cars winding down the road. Between the floral arrangements and the Bay Bridge in the background, there’s no better photo op.

Photo courtesy of baycityguide.com

4:30 pm: Grab your bike and make your way down Lombard Street to drop off your rental, and head South up Buchanan towards Union Street – a fashionista’s shopping haven. Here you’ll find gift shops, jewelry stores, among trendy boutiques (Current Clothing deserves a shoutout). Sit for a glass of wine at the neighborhood gem, Capannina, or indulge in the ravioli or chicken if you skipped the crustaceans.

Afternoon Alternative: Escape to Alamo Square to admire the Painted Ladies. Grab a cocktail along Divisadero at Horse Feather.

6:00 pm: Hail a cab Request an Uber for naptime and a smart causal outfit change.

8:00 pm: Mission bound to Lazy Bear – a stellar restaurant. Hopefully you’ve worked up an appetite because you’re about to participate in one of the most unique dining experiences in America. From the first to the twelfth course (no that’s not a typo), indulge in lip-smacking good concoctions made from the freshest local ingredients. I hope you took advantage of naptime, because you’ll be feasting until midnight. For more information, refer to my two-part blog series, Your Guide to Lazy Bear San Francisco: A Unique Dining Experience and Your Guide to Lazy Bear San Francisco: The Appropriate Attire.

Click here to read more food reviews including where to find the best pizza in SF!

The post 24 Hours in San Francisco the KK and GG Way appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

Conveniently located in the middle of fashionista haven, aka Union Street, this gem is perfect if you are looking for a high end full service salon. Kristin, owner and stylist, is always bubbly and ready to listen! If there is such thing as a hair psychic, I’ve found your girl. More often times than not, Kristin knows exactly what I’m looking for in my new do, before I even know what I am looking for in my new do! A year and a half of maintenance cuts and style sessions later, I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and experimented with color. Super stoked with how it turned out, I am excited to share with you a Red Chair Salon experience!

Kristin is a firm believer in consultations. She takes her time to learn what the client wants. Afterall, the happiest clients are those with reasonable expectations and sometimes what you think you want is not possible with your hair type. Kristin uses the balayage technique to color hair. This technique is suitable for various color styles (highlights, ombre, color melt, etc.), but she finds it particularly efficient when creating an ombre (or in my case a sombre) hairstyle. “It’s all about the saturation of the strands,” says Kristin, “with an ombre or sombre color job, you want the ends to pop. By using the balayage technique, I’m able to paint the front and back of the strands.” There you have it, balayage by Kristin!

Front view sombre color

Side view sombre color

Scary before (yikes!)

Lovely after

If you’re itching for a new look, but prefer something low maintenance, a sombre hairstyle is for you. Hop to it and book an appointment online here. Don’t forget to tell Lindsey, the friendly voice on the phone, that KK and GG sent you. If you are reading the email version of this post, visit KKandGG.com for the web version as well as many other beauty posts.

The post Sombre the Right Way appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

I am a huge fan of black and brown prints, so there was no way I was leaving the store without this hot number. Although this shirt could easily be dressed down with a pair of black skinny jeans and cognac boots, I decided to style this piece as a date night outfit.

To go along with the Bohemian trend, I added a beaded headband to this ensemble (it’s amazing what some beads or sequins can do!). Not wanting to compete with the busy pattern, I simply layered the draped top over a fitted black cami and threw on a pair of Bebe “wet leggings” (similar here). To complete this nighttime look, I paired it with black patent leather pumps and a timeless black Gucci bag

Next time you wear tie dye, turn it up a notch with these style tips and ideas.

This look is GG approved

Read my Yelp review of Liv Fashion Boutique here.

The post Tie Dye is no Longer for T-Shirts appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

May your day be filled with happiness, affection, and a smorgasbord of your favorite goodies.

Need a holiday dress for your pup? Style her in GG’s dress by Toni Mari!

xoxo,
KK and GG

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