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

I.  These adorable confetti balloons inspired me to throw a party just so that I have a reason to order them.  Ideal for almost every occasion you can imagine from birthday parties to baby showers, the creative balloons will dazzle and delight your guests!

II.  As we make our way from Summer to Fall, it’s time to decide what to invest in for the new season.  Almost every Fall collection featured fabulous coats on the runway.  I’m currently coveting this one from Zara.

III.  When tasked with bringing an appetizer for a girlfriend’s dinner party this week, I instantly knew what to make: Barefoot Contessa's ricotta bruchette.  The combination of homemade ricotta, garlic-rubbed toast rounds, and fresh herbs will set the perfect tone for the evening.

IV.  The first time I came across Mercer’s wine ice cream, I thought that it must be a joke.  Can cabernet and chocolate successfully blend to create a delicious alcoholic ice cream?  After sampling the inventive flavor, the answer is absolutely!  Containing 5% alcohol, you will be happily buzzed after treating yourself to a big bowl.  Order it via overnight shipping for your next dinner party!

V.  If you are a fan of bacon and beer (if you aren’t, I’m fairly certain you can’t call yourself an American) head over to the Fairmont on Sunday for the first annual San Francisco Bacon and Beer Festival.  The restaurant and brewery line-up looks phenomenal - including local favorites Tacolicious, the girl & the fig, Memphis Minnie’s, 21st Amendment, and Sierra Nevada.

Have a wonderful week!!  xx tt