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Fall Transition Time

Well I guess fall is actually officially here both date and weather wise in the Windy City.  Time to stock up on fall and some great essential seamless tanks and leggings!

Our Napa Adventure for Geoff's 30th bday!

Vacation is too short and infrequent when you own your own business.  I always want to make sure I'm doing it right so here are my notes on Napa just in case there are other vacation deprived folks out there who are wondering how much is too much in Napa!  Wish I could go back this week...

Stayed:  Napa Westin, in Napa

What we liked about Napa:  it’s the biggest town in the valley so there are plenty of things to do at night.  We loved the Westin because if you didn’t want to do anything, it was quite and peaceful anyway and had a great pool, lounge, and hotel dining options.

July 28^th Day 1:  Fly into San Fran and hang out downtown

            Arrive at 2pm and upgrade rental car to a cheesy but awesome Mitsubishi convertible then struggle to stuff luggage into the backseat and non-existent trunk

            Walk around and grab a snack in San Fran

           

            Drinks at Zeitgeist-cool place but I think I got high off of second hand smoke at 5:30 on a Thursday afternoon – California J

            Dinner at Chilango - great Mexican place within a 10 min walk

            Drive to Napa around 8:30pm and pass out!

July 29^th Day 2 – Driving tour of Napa Valley

            8:30am – workout at hotel

            11:00 am Cake bread tasting and food pairing in Rutherford, CA (part of the napa valley

            Lunch at the pizza part of Tra Vigne and walk around St. Helena, Ca

            3:30pm – Olive oil tasting at Round Pound Rutherford CA

            5:30 – Somerston Wine Co tasting and cheese plate (groupon), Yountville, CA

            Dinner at Oxbow market

July 30^th Day 3 – Wine tasting on Bikes!

            Sleep in!

            Breakfast at Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, CA.  Amazing – must visit!

            10:00 – farmers market in Calistoga to pick up a picnic lunch

            10:15am – check in at Calistoga bike shop to get itinerary and bikes for the day and our self guided wine tour!

            10:45am – geoff rides around trying to get used to a non-competitive bike and we check out the real Calistoga

I'm already seeing double!  Geoff can never do anything slowly :)

            11:15am – Lava Vine – great small vineyard!

            Noon – Dutch Henry – skip it!

            12:45 – Frank Family – I had heard great things so we added this to the tour even though it wasn’t included in the price of the bike rental.  It was one of my top 3 vineyards for sure!  Amazing wine, amazing grounds.  We had our picnic here and it was great!  They let us share a tasting so it was $15/person for their fabulous reserve wines!

Our picnic lunch courtesy of the Calistoga Farmers Market!  Hummus, wheat pita, Smoked Salmon, strawberries, raspberries, and white raspberries.  Geoff is half bear!

Beautiful picnic grounds leading right up to the grapes at Frank Family!

Happy Geoff at Frank Family!

            2pm-decide to try to get up one of the biggest hills just for fun at the “castle”.  The winery was a tourist trap but we got up the hill!

I think the large hill wiped the smile off Geoff's face.

We had perfect weather the entire time we were there!  Can I go back now?

            3pm – Twomy.  I swear I had heard of their wines and was incredibly disappointed by our tasting, the atmosphere and the women pouring the wine.  They were not pleasant and quite bitter.  The wine wasn’t much better I thought

            3:45pm – biked by another vineyard and we discovered we were tipsy

            4:15pm – back to Calistoga bike shop to turn in the bikes and get some ice cream.

            4:45pm drove back on the parallel rd to 29 and flew home

            5:30-7pm – pool time!

            8:30 – drinks at Fish Story followed by dinner at Zuzu tapas – skip the tapas place-more fried food than needed!

July 31^st- spa day!

            11:00am – spa date in Calistoga at Golden Haven Hot springs

This is their explanation…

At Calistoga’s Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa, couples can enjoy the mud baths together. Each of our treatment rooms accommodate two persons so you can share this wonderful Napa Valley spa experience in privacy with your companion only a few inches away. And, if there are 3 of you, and you all wish to do your mud baths together, we can also accomodate groups of 3 in a private treatment room.
Calistoga mud baths have been a tradition, a way of life since the time of the Mayacamas Indians. The combination of clay, peat and hot springs mineral waters in the mud bath relaxes muscles and joints, detoxifies, and leaves the skin soft and renewed.

STEP 1: The treatment begins as you immerse yourself into your individual tub of warm mud. This is the premier Calistoga spa experience. STEP 2: Your mud bath includes a nourishing clay mask that cleanses and softens the skin. STEP 3: Relax as the mud treatment detoxifies, soothes aching muscles and leaves you feeling fresh and renewed. STEP 4: After your mud bath you enjoy a refreshing hot springs mineral water shower. STEP 5: Next is your private hot Jacuzzi using Calistoga hot springs mineral water. STEP 6: Your treatment ends in the blanket wrap room as you relax under the attentive care of our trained staff.

When your mud bath is over, you might be in the mood for a soothing massage or herbal facial. Or perhaps, a few laps in our pool. But no matter what you choose to do after your Calistoga mud bath, you will have known true relaxation by enjoying the premier natural and detoxifying Napa Valley spa treatment loved by thousands each year.

Might have been the grossest experience of my life and I still can’t believe we did it– skip it!

Tried to buy a picnic and have lunch at Via Sattui but it was swarming with people so I started to get cranky and geoff got the message.  We went up the road instead and bought a picnic at dean and duluca and walked over to halls and bought a bottle of wine and enjoyed our picnic.  Hall’s was very nice and had a cute little outdoor area although not the prettiest grounds we’d seen.

3pm-vincent arroyo- best wines!  We called 20 minutes before we got there without a reservation and they let us in.  82 acre vineyard and the wines are outta this world!

4:15pm  tried to stop by pima but they closed at 4 – sad- that was our friends favorite.  I guess next time!

5-7pm pool/book/family phone call time

9pm birthday dinner at Morimoto – the iron chefs place

August 1^st – fly home – sad!

The Amazing Portrait collar Evie Blouse

I don’t know if you’ve had a chance yet, but for fall, we have the most amazing button down, portrait collar blouse – the Evie.

Portrait collars are very flattering for every body type as it draws attention to the neck and face.  A portrait collar   typically allows for great jewelry which just adds to the interest in your neckline area.  Another great detail on our Evie blouse is the beautiful lace placket detail.  Lace is a big trend for Fall and I think by adding it in an interesting way that won’t over power the shirt, is a great way to follow a trend while still being appropriate and making a good investment in a garment that won’t go out of style when the trend leaves.

As always, our Evie blouse is made from the highest quality fabric and has beautiful French seams, shell buttons, and a three quarter sleeve that can be flipped up or left down. 

I hope you enjoy!

Kate

Tonight is Pretty in Pilsen! Can’t make it? Save online instead!

August Pretty in Pilsen Details:

What:  Shop your favorites including: Kate Boggiano, Objets d’Envy jewelry, ColeHaddon Showroom, and Anna Hovet. Be there for the unveiling of the fall collections from these amazing designer studios! 
Where:  2150 S. Canalport Ave., 3rd, 4th, and 5th Floors, in Pilsen, Chicago.
When: Thursday, August 11th 2010, 5:30pm-8pm

With the end of summer fast approaching, it’s time to fall forward with a first look at the new season trends! Think cozy knits, great jackets, beautiful dresses, and all the essentials to revamp your fall wardrobe. Enjoy a pleasantly peaceful shopping experience without the hustle and bustle of a big store. Meet the designers and receive their insider knowledge about the best looks this fall. 

Not ready to bid summer fashions a temporary farewell? Indulge your inner warm-weather goddess by shopping the end of summer markdowns! With prices this great, you won’t be able to resist (all spring and summer is 40% off for Pretty in Pilsen attendees!

As an added bonus, many of the designer studios have secret sample racks with really great finds. Stop by early for the best selection, with prices as low as $30.

Whether you’re ready to wrap yourself in autumnal hued outfits or still searching for that perfect summer dress, “Pretty in Pilsen—Fall Forward” has something to love for everyone. Carpool with your girlfriends for a fun Thursday night shopping in the lofty Pilsen building that houses so much of Chicago’s amazing design talent! 

Can’t make it to our studio?  That’s ok!  We just did our end of season markdowns online and things are flying out the door!  Make sure to claim your favorites before they are gone forever!

Jackie Dress
Was: $219
Now: $120.45

Rosa Ruffle Tank
Was: $129
Now:  $90.30

Sleeveless Diana
Was:  $165.00
Now:  $82.50 

Have a good one and I hope to see you!

Kate