Me to Isabella: “What’s up?”
Isabella to me: “Nothin’ but love.”

Good stuff to eat and drink!

This past Sunday I had my monthly breakfast with my Mom’s Group at La Note (2377 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510.843.1535) in Berkeley. I’d started the read-through of my novel – the final leg of finishing my novel – this past weekend, and I was trying to minimize my “breaks.” I had already RSVP’d for a holiday fashion show at Anthropologie, one of my favorite shops, in San Francisco after being invited by Amy, who works in corporate and was my regional contact person for the consumer group that I was a part of back in 2011. By late afternoon Sunday I did not accomplished what I’d hoped to, and I was wondering whether I should ditch the show after all.

Cute dog alert! The pup happily got to an attendee’s cupcake!

However, I had RSVP’d for me and my daughter, Isabella, and we haven’t had an excursion in the City since my last haircut with my old hairstylist at the end of last year. We were going to have dinner at SF Centre (865 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, 415.495.5656), walk around the shops, and then have some treats and refreshments while at the fashion show. With life being so crazy and stressed these last three months, how could I pass up an opportunity to spend time with my daughter, who is going to be turning 11 next month?

Modeling with a flourish!

The best part of the fashion show? Isabella enjoying her hot chocolate!

So off we went on BART. Satiated with a chocolate chip cookie, she happily window-shopped with me. We split a pasta entrée and then headed over to Anthropologie. We were treated to mini cupcakes, macaroons, and cranberry-embellished champagne (for me) and hot chocolate with marshmallows (for her). We enjoyed the show. I saw and chatted with a couple of women who were part of the consumer group. And we enjoyed the beautiful and creative decorations in the store. Anthropologie designers are always so innovative when it comes to window dressing and store decorations. (Last year, the stores were decorated as a winter wonderland with woodland creatures, which Isabella fell in love with.) Isabella bounced around the store, checking out the stuffed animals (of course), the holiday tree ornaments, the fragrant candles, and the beautiful glassware.

It’s the holidays, but I’m thinking Thanksgiving with burnt oranges and chocolate browns.

She fell asleep on BART coming home. And though it was too late to return to the novel when we got home, I realized it was a much-needed break. I relaxed in an environment that was festive and bright, and I got to spend quality time with a girl who is growing up much too fast. No regrets.

A burnt-orange velveteen jacket is the perfect backdrop for a vintage cameo pin.

A vintage cameo pin with Carmela Rose earrings, Sundance rings, and Lava 9 chunky ring (Berkeley, CA).

Last holiday, Isabella fell in love with a bushy paper rabbit at Anthropologie.