#GIRLINSANFRAN

On our last day in Hawaii aka paradise, we took the scenic Road to Hana on our way to the Airport. We stopped in an isolated (or so I hope) corn field and changed into our comfy plane clothes, stuffing our still wet swimsuits into a duffle bag. This is just so typically us...running for the plane last minute and bribing flight attendants with smiles to let us in. Yet we always make it. 

We flew into San Francisco early morning, greeted by the warm Californian sunrise and were ecstatic to finally get off United Airlines (sorry United, I didn't dig your $15 hummus that much). 

I loved San Francisco's architecture - neatly arranged houses tightly hugging each other, each so completely different from another in colour and design, atop never-ending rolling hills. But I truly believe Chicago needs to donate its nickname of the "Windy City" to San Francisco, because you don't know "windy" until you visit San Fran. So if you ever visit, please bring extra layers with you, because although San Francisco might be part of California, it's got its own bipolar microclimates. If you don't trust me, trust Earnie: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" - Earnest Hemingway. 

If you are a hopeless foodie like I am, there are two things you will fall in love with in San Fran - seafood and sour bread. You can have them both at the same time in the form of a clam chowder, one inside the other (how twisted is that?!). A great place to visit for a quick lunch or snack is Boudin Bakery. San Francisco is famous for its wild yeast starter (still don't know what this is) that apparently makes some angry sour dough bread.

In terms of architecture, the San Francisco City Hall is a must visit! It's a beautiful building with spotless interiors and elegant details. When we visited the place we stumbled upon a gay marriage ceremony and basked in the communal happiness (until the concierge told us to leave...). 

At the end of our second night in San Fransisco we decided to check out Frances for dinner. It's a small restaurant in an obscure location (for a tourist), with simple yet refined and comfortable decor. It took forever to get there and we were hungry, but upon our arrival the waiter informed us that they are booked for the next two months. We looked at him with our hungry puppy eyes and he told us to come back in a few, with the hopes that a couple at the bar would skip desert. We came back in exactly "a few", and the same waiter already laid out placemats for us. The service at this place was impeccable, and most importantly sincere, none of that "I smile and you better leave me 30%" stuff. 

Before I go on I should add that I brought a book called #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso with me on the trip, which was my beach companion in Hawaii. I was on chapter 6 "Hocus-pokus: The Power of Magical Thinking" upon arriving to San Francisco. It's a great read: funny, honest, with a daring voice and ambition. If you are a fashionista, an entrepreneur or just looking for an uplifting real life success story, you should pick up this book yesterday. 

Back to the story... So we got comfortable on our bar stools and delved into the menu. The place was packed and lively. Fifteen minutes into our appetizers the bar stools next to us became available where a couple was seated, almost shoulder to shoulder with us. At first I was too busy conversing and chewing my food at the same time (sorry mom), but a main course into it I realized that I was seating next to Sophia Amoruso. Holy! How was I supposed to focus on my conversation if all I could think of : "she stole a Michael Kors watch before becoming a millionaire...". I seriously wanted to talk to her, but I hate being one of those annoying fans wagging my tail at the thought of a selfie with a celebrity (which I would never ask for), and plus I had my own interesting conversation to focus on. Nevertheless, how cool of a coincidence is that!? I did end up chatting with her before we left the restaurant, mostly making small talk about the restaurant and her upcoming book in ~1.5 years.  For me, meeting a successful author was not as important as the whiff of inspiration I got from this cosmic coincidence. Moments like these are filled with meaning that transcend actual words exchanged or who we are in our daily lives. 

The next day we waved the Golden Gate Bridge goodbye and headed for Napa Valley. If you are into peaceful scenery, freshly cut grass and some incredible good food perfectly matched with a glass of Zinfandel, you MUST visit Napa Valley. This little village boasts more michelin starred restaurants per capita than any other place in North America. There is even a booze train you can take in the morning that escorts you to various wine tasting destinations and you can happily float from one winery to the other, with not a care in the world....

We enjoyed a wonderful sampler dinner at REDD with wine pairings, of course. This restaurant was one of the more affordable options, with a cozy atmosphere and a crackling fireplace outside. If you feel like splurging out in Napa Valley, check out French Laundry, it's got incredible reviews and 3 Michelin stars (2014). 

Last but not least, we visited the Bouchon Bakery for some more dessert. This is where I went to heaven. I love desserts (thank goodness for my mom's genes, or else I would be obese by now), but the eclair I had at Bouchon put all other desserts to shame. 

What I Wore

Having clam chowder: Shirt / Faconnable; Shorts / Alice and Olivia; Belt / Michael Kors; Bag / Brahmin;

Crashing a wedding at the SF City Hall: Top / Desigual; Jeans / Mark Jacobs; 

Gorging on eclairs in Napa Valley: Top / Winners; Silk Joggers / Juicy Couture; 

Next stop.... coming soon!

- Oliya