Masks Masks Masks!

It’s the season for dress up and we have had a lot of women coming into the store attending masquerade events.  The gown is hardly the difficult part, once you find that, you need a mask to go with it!  So where do you find them?  You could always purchase online, but like clothing, I really like to try them on.  I’ve been to a couple of masquerade events this year so I’ve done my research.  Here are some local options for you.

Fantastico (by the SF flower mart): 559 6th St, (between Bryant St & Brannan St), San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 982-0680.

They have a whole little section of masks.  Great selection.  My mom and I had a fabulous time finding the perfect mask for her big birthday masquerade.  Prices are pretty good…approximately $10-$35 depending on how big you want to go.  Here’s a link to some of their masks: http://www.fantasticosf.com/venetianmasks.aspx

Party Warehouse (near Jack London Square) 151 2nd St. (between Jackson St & Madison St), Oakland, CA 94607, (510) 893-1951. 

 

If you don’t want to drive in to San Francisco, these guys have a smaller selection but some of the same masks you will find at Fantastico. 

 

Gondola Servizio (Gondola Service at Lake Merritt): ·  1520 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, Ca 94612, (510) 663-6603.

This place has some beautiful, authentic Venetian masks but they will run you between ~$45-$200.  Consider this more of an investment in something to keep forever.  Here’s a link to some of the masks: http://shop.gondolaservizio.com/category.sc?categoryId=6

Happy Mask Hunting!

DressEd: Eyeliner Styles

Quote of the Week…

DFU: Hopscotch

Hopscotch, located at San Pablo and 19^th in Oakland’s Uptown area, is an upscale American diner with Japanese influences.  This small restaurant has a retro diner style décor and while the feeling is casual, the presentation and staff are very professional.

One of the things I love about this place is the unique selection of fancy cocktails, my favorite!  I tried the Oakland 75, a refreshing turn from the original with orange and grapefruit juices instead of lemon.  Well done.

Their lunch offerings are certainly more reminiscent of a ‘diner’ type of selection.  The Uptown burger was cooked to perfection and served with some Kennebec chips and a tasty sesame aioli.  I recommend sharing this.  It’s a rather large burger and I was incredibly full.  The fish and chips were salty but delicious and the Chicken patty melt was tender and delectable.

I have only been to dinner once and one of my favorite parts was the little amuse boosh they brought us right after we ordered.  It was a cooked zucchini topped with a thick miso sauce.  Yum.  The meal was no slouch either, a White Sea Bass with Miso sauce and cod stuffed squash blossoms and the Little Green Salad with a Green Goddess dressing.  The salad was delicious, fresh and simple.  The fish was quite tasty with a little twist of the miso sauce but I was most impressed by the squash blossoms. It was like a little flavor explosion.

Next time I plan to go back for their signature:  The First Base Burger: a beef chuck patty topped with beef tongue…I know it sounds a little weird, but the two gentlemen next to me said it was the best burger they have ever had (and also to share it because it’s so big!).

Even though there are a lot of places popping up with fancy cocktails and over priced food, this is not one of them.  You are getting a good meal and good cocktails without the fuss and pretentious attitude.  This place isn’t hopping yet, but I think it’s only a matter of time…

Hopscotch Oakland

Open for Dinner Tuesday – Sunday

Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday 5:30pm-10pm

Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-11pm

Lunch Tuesday – Friday Starting at 11:30

http://hopscotchoakland.com/

Fashion Tip: Pant Lengths

 

Hem Your Pants to a Specific Heel Height

“The biggest mistake women make is wearing pants that aren’t the right length or their shoes,” say stylist Kate Young.  To fix this, hem to either heels or flats – no going back.  Generally, hems should just graze the tops of shoes and be from ½ inch to ¾ inch off the floor.

– In Style Magazine