Our second day in San Francisco was my kinda day- shopping!
Usually, sad though this is, I spend time researching the best local boutiques
before visiting a new city. However, this year all my research has focussed on
our upcoming NYC jaunt (just FYI, best books for top New York tips are The Fashion Insider's Guide to New York and The Stylists Guide to New York- both are
fabulous).
Sadly, San Francisco shopping was pushed to one side and we
ended up spending our day milling around generic designer shops, with
obligatory detours to Zara and H&M. I worry that we did miss a trick in San
Fran shopping, but there were still a few gems in and around Union Square.
We began our day with a lovely breakfast at the Grand Café.
I had creamy porridge topped off with sweet strawberries and a wonderfully
strong skinny capp. We then began our shopping trip, despite the chilling
breeze and grey skies.
The first SF gem we found was the charming San Francisco T-We Tea shop. I am a bit of a tea enthusiast and this colourful, uplifting
store was a must visit for me. I hope to do a bigger post on this store in the
coming weeks, but it really is quite a treat and a great stop for gifts. The T-We Tea store is in Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street.
My mother and I absolutely adored Neiman Marcus, which feels
just like Harvey Nichols, and spent a good few hours perusing the beauty and homeware
departments. I also found myself stroking Balenciaga leather bikers and Saint
Laurent claret shifts… One day, my pretties, one day.
We stopped for a lunch in Neiman Marcus' restaurant, The Rotunda, which was
divine. I opted for a light salad and
mocktail, my virtuous choices immediately spoilt by a scrumptious creamy coffee
and massive complimentary brioche roll with strawberry infused butter. Oh well,
as my father says, you’re a long time dead.
For this trip I wore a demure pleated midi-dress from
Topshop, paired with bejewelled ballet flats from Zara. In an attempt to beat
off the chill, I slung on my lightweight Zara khaki jacket (online they only appear to have a stone version left), but ended up having
to buy a decidedly inelegant H&M hoodie, just as the colour started to
drain from my extremities. I finished off the look with my new Zara tote and a
bohemian ring from H&M (like this but in cream).
Note to self: Raynauds Phenomenon is not so chic. Bring gloves.
