Phabulous Phinds Phridays: My Secret to Restoring PH Balance

In the beginning…

I planned to blog about PHilanthropy, of course (my Twitter and Pinterest handle is @charityclairity, after all), but also about PHasion, PHood and PHun.  Well, I’ve fallen down on the job.  So, to spice things up and bring a little PH balance to this blog, I’m announcing a new ‘sharing my secrets’ Clairification feature:

  I’ll be bringing you cool phinds in the world of phairs, phestivals, pharmers’ markets, phine restaurants, phast food cafes, phancy boutiques, phenomenal artists, phantastic designers and the like.  They’ll be mostly local (except when I’m getting out of my homebody mode); but, heck, who doesn’t want a reason to come visit San Phrancisco?

Last week Giselle and I visited the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit  at the De Young Museum (this exhibit, by the way, is another true phind; the mannequins actually talk to you!).  It was amazing to see the exhibit from her eyes.  I kept saying things like: “I’d love to wear that one!” while Giselle kept marveling at the craftsmanship details, use of  fabrics and textures and particulars of the outfits from every perspective – front and back and even underneath! That’s Giselle. 

Giselle creates ‘daredevil couture’ art-to-wear in her San Francisco studio. Her work is executed to perfection in every detail. Nothing is left unfinished (unless on purpose). And the fabrics and embellishments she uses are to die for. She travels the world to find the very best. Sari silks. French lace. Exotic yarns. Hand-dyed textiles.  I’m a color-aholic, and she mixes textures and colors like nobody’s business. She used to do designing for Cirque du Soleil. Floaty silks, velvets and muslins with feathers and flowing threads of every hue. Gorgeous is an understatement.

Giselle is an innovator. Every collection is different. She’s also a genuinely good person.  She recycles every little scrap.  And… she used to be a championship weight lifter. I love that! How’s that for a truly strong woman?

Check out her websitewhere you can see her collections from different years. If you’re not quite
a daredevil, check out the scarves; they’re amazing and will totally makeyour ensemble!  Or perhaps an artsy sweater to keep you cozy? She generally sells only in boutiques (Kati Koos in San Francisco) and online, though she does an annual benefit in autumn for the fashion department at Cañada College (that’s where to find hugely discounted items).  Sign up for her email list to be notified of special studio sales.

NOTE: Giselle has no idea I’m writing about her. People always stop me on the street when I’m wearing something from her. So… just sharing my secret before you stop me.

Newly reopened for the summer, and in its second year of operation, this market is convenient for tourists who happen to be exploring Golden Gate Park and Haight Street (it’s pretty much where Haight meets the park; then go one block south to Waller Street) and locals who are not early risers and/or have other things they’d like to do with their week-ends than visit one of the many markets taking place on Saturdays and Sundays.  This one occurs every Wednesday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. through October 24^th.  It’s got all the good stuff . 

One of the cool things about it, besides the locally grown fruits and vegetables, is that they offer an incentive to folks who use CalFresh tokens (aka food stamps) to leverage these dollars to buy fresh, healthy food. I used to work at the San Francisco Food Bank, so I know first-hand how many folks find themselves in need right now. Food helps people survive; healthy food helps them thrive.