Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Mondays with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  San Francisco has been completely consumed by the Super Bowl. Pre-parties, concerts, “Super Bowl City” and the traffic these activities induce are all anyone can talk about. While I won’t be among those who managed to snag tickets to the actual game, I will be attending a few house parties this Sunday. And I’ll be bringing my favorite mini Gin Fizz Cupcakes with me. The combination of gin and fresh lemon create a refreshingly delicious flavor and pair perfectly with the cocktail. The best part is that they are easy to make because the recipe is based on a store-bought mix.

II.  Last weekend, I put on a birthday dinner for a girlfriend at a new venue called The Clementina. At 1,600 square feet, the event space is ideal for intimate private parties. The aesthetic is very minimalist - white walls and concrete floors, so you can transform it into anything your heart desires. For the dinner, my friend brought in dozens of branches that climbed up the walls with fairy lights. It was absolutely stunning, and got me thinking about how to uniquely decorate the space for future events. It’s easy to focus solely on lighting and the tablescape, but the idea of decorating walls isn’t something I’d thought of before. When I found this photograph on Instagram of foliage affixed to brick walls with heavy duty mounting tape I knew it would be especially chic in the new space. Now I just need a reason to throw a party…

III.  This summer, my little brother is getting married in Lake Tahoe. To say that I’m excited for the occasion is an understatement. Recently, my brother surprised me by asking if I would stand by his side while he marries the love of his life, which means it’s time to start writing my speech. The fact that I’m both the groom’s sister and in the wedding party adds to the pressure to make the speech flawless. I’ve been toying with some general ideas, but haven’t actually written anything down. Knowing my anxiety over the situation, a friend sent me a New York Times article The Art of the Wedding Toast and I absolutely love the ten do’s and don’ts for giving a memorable speech. If you’re in a similar situation, stop everything you’re doing and read the piece immediately.

IV.  On the topic of weddings, I always think it’s fun to send a small gift to friends when they get engaged. I’m obsessed with these handmade gold-rimmed monogrammed trinket dishes, and I think they are a darling gesture for a new bride-to-be with her future initials. Technically, monogram etiquette dictates that you aren’t supposed to utilize your new monogram until after the wedding, but given how adorable these dishes are, I think it’s okay to let it slide just this once…

V.  I adore a good pop up - store, restaurant, and now spa. The Spa Pop is a brand new concept sprouting in San Francisco, that curates the best beauty treatments in one place for one evening. Gather your girlfriends and head over to Parlor on Polk Street February 11th to primp for Valentine’s Day. Luxe treatments include sugar lip exfoliating facials, lash application by Lash Lab, and mini-manicures (plus champagne of course). Get your ticket soon because sales end this Friday. Hope to see all your gorgeous faces there!

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt