Savvy Shopping: Serena & Lily Outlet in Berkeley

For all of my Bay Area friends, Serena & Lily, has opened up a pop-up outlet for the holidays that is open now until December 8th.  It's perfect timing if you are looking for any fabulous home items that you need to pick up for all of your design lovers in your life or for yourself for the holidays.

They are offering samples and items that might have dents or dings.  All hard goods, bedding and decorative accessories are at least 40% off their original price.  Upholstery items are at least 30% off. There are plenty of one-of-a-kind pieces at great prices.  Make sure that you really love it though because all sales are final!

The location is in Berkeley:

1360 Tenth Street (off Gilman) (1330 if you ask Google Maps)
Berkeley, CA

Hours:

OPEN: Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm
CLOSED: Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday

Happy bargain shopping!

Cheers,

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Serena & Lily.  All opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting sponsored posts on Savvy in San Francisco.

**All images via Serena & Lily.

Galileo Road Trip - Route 66

You might remember that I mentioned before summer started that Landon & Tatum were heading to Camp Galileo over summer break.  Landon went last year and had so much fun, we definitely wanted to send him again.  This year, Tatum was old enough to attend as well as a Nebula (their PreK to K program).  This year Landon went as a Star, which is their 1st to 2nd grade program. 

Their were four new themes this year and as a returning camper like Landon, it's nice to have a new set of themes to choose from the year prior.  They attended the week the theme was Galileo Road Trip, which incorporated art and engineering along Route 66 (Chicago to Santa Monica). Everyday included an art activity, science activity and an outdoor activity.  I loved that Camp Galileo balances all three together in one day.  They exercised their creativity, minds and their bodies. 

Not only does Camp Galileo teach them new things in art and science, but they instill really great values as well.  As you can see from my pictures above, you would find posters in all of the classrooms and on the lockers outside that had positive messages being shared with the children - Innovate, Create, Collaborate, etc. 

Every morning the staffers would be waiting in front of the school to welcome the kids into camp with extreme enthusiasm to get them excited for the day ahead.  You could either walk the kids in or you could drop them off with the staff where you knew they were being well taken care of and would be guided to the proper room after they were checked in.  Everyday at pick up, you would get a chance to chat with the staff member that had worked with your child everyday about their day.  Camp Galileo also provides a summary sheet of the activities that your child did that day and what to expect for the next day (dress-up themes, activities, etc).  

At the end of the week, the kids show off their inventions, share songs and special moments from the past week for their parents.  Then Landon & Tatum took me to their different rooms (Art and Science) to show you everything that they created with their friends that week.  As you can see in the picture above, there are A LOT of fun creations and art that came home from their week at camp.

But the best part about Camp Galileo to me is the smile on my kids faces as they share with me everything that they got to do, build, create and learn that day from camp.  They have already asked me if they can go again next summer!

What was your child's favorite summer camp or activity this summer? 

*This post is sponsored by Galileo, but my opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are my own. 

Cheers,

BloomThat - Flower Delivery Service

Last week, BloomThat, offered to deliver flowers to me in 90 minutes or less to test out their flower delivery service.  I was so impressed with how easy their website/app was to use.  

BloomThat offer a handful of beautifully arranged fresh and in-season flowers.  They wrap their bouquets in burlap from around the world, that is donated to them by an organic, fair trade coffee roasters.

Just in time for Mother's Day, BloomThat is offering Savvy in San Francisco readers $5 off with the code BLOOMSAVVY until 5/31.

Happy shopping!

Cheers, 

*images via BloomThat & my iPhone

Savvy Eats: Molina in Mill Valley

Goat Cheese Croquette w/Roasted Beets & Fennel / Alaskan Halibut w/English Pea Sugo, Lardons & Mint Salsa Verde

Pork & Lamb Meatballs w/Tomatoes, Almonds & Mint / Homemade Strawberry Pop Tart

We are spoiled in the Bay Area by the number of amazing restaurants.  In San Francisco, you can't walk a couple of blocks without stumbling into a tasty restaurant, cozy wine bar or a scrumptious bakery.  But in Marin, things are a little more spread out and it is harder to find those food gems as much as you do in San Francisco. 

When I found out that Molina was opening up in Mill Valley by Chef & Proprietor Todd Shoberg (Town Hall & The Liberty Cafe), I was thrilled to have another Marin option to add to the rotation.   Molina's daily menu highlights local flavors and ingredients from the California Coast.  The interesting factor is that everything is wood-fired cuisine prepared in an Alan Scott oven.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Molina press preview and then went back a couple of weeks later with Carlos since I enjoyed it so much.  Everything we had was delicious (definitely get the meatballs, any of their fish dishes and the homemade pop tart).  

Wine Curator, Jason Ruppert, has curated along with Chef Todd a nice selection of family-owned wines that are operated using sustainable viticultural methods.  They have a nice wine list and their $8/a glass house wine (a Vermentino) was the perfect accompaniment to my dinner.  

The space is a small (55 seats), but gives it a nice neighborhood restaurant feel.  Chef Todd wants you to feel that you have been invited into his home and you are able to watch him as he has a hand in every dish. 

Molina is located at 17 Madrona Street, Mill Valley, CA.

Cheers,

*images by Gamma Nine Photography & my iPhone

Savvy Events: Jouer & Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show

One of my favorite cosmetics brands, Jouer Cosmetics, is coming to the Bay Area this Saturday.  They will be at Nordstrom in the Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek from 10:30am to 5:00pm on Saturday, April 12th.

They will be taking appointments for complimentary makeovers by Jouer stylists, having some fun with a photo booth and giving out free gifts.

The best part is that Christina Zilber, the Founder and Creative Director of Jouer, will be there.  She is quite an inspirational woman and it's great to be able to talk to the woman behind the brand.

On top of all the fun, Jouer is offering my readers an exclusive gift for anyone that mentions Savvy in San Francisco when you book your appointment!  Let me know if you are going to attend.

Hope you are all having a beautiful day!

images via Jouer Cosmetics

Cheers,

Holiday Card Giveaway with Minted

Gorgeous foil pressed holiday cards from Minted.

Fun shapes, engravings and doodles you can add to really make your card your own!

Minted's postcard holiday cards are adorable and make it a little easier when it's time to mail them out.

These ornament holiday might be one of my favorite things from Minted!

Coordinating envelopes with matching return address labels that wrap around your envelope.

You can design your own wrapping paper for that extra special touch on your holiday presents. 

I was excited to partner with Minted for a holiday cards giveaway this holiday season.  Not only is Minted a local Bay Area company, but they also source all of their design and art from a global community of independent designers.

Right now, Minted is offering 15% off holiday card orders $150+ and 10% off orders over $100. What is even better, if you don't have your photo ready, you can buy them now and upload your picture at another time!  Use the code HOLLY at checkout.

One of my favorite features on Minted is that you can upload a picture and they will place it in each of their cards for you to preview.  This definitely helps you pick your favorite card a lot faster than having to load it in to each card you like.

To sweeten up your holiday even more, Minted is giving away a $100 gift certificate to be used towards your holiday cards to one lucky Savvy in San Francisco reader! Enter the Rafflecopter below to be entered! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy holidays!  

Cheers,

*All images via Savvy in San Francisco 

Cheers to the Weekend

Moscow Mules at Cafe des Amis

Cheers to the weekend!  This has been a such a long week, jam packed with too many commitments. Let this be a lesson to me not to say yes to everything.  But it is really hard to turn down some really fun opportunities.  Unfortunately, they all collided on the same week and I couldn't say no!

The rain (which was a surprise) which I normally am not a fan of, came at a great time this morning.  It allowed us to stay put at home and take it easy (I potentially might still be in my pajamas as I type). 

This week, I had a very fun media garden lunch and hotel tour up at Bardessono in Yountville, hosted a lunch event at DSW in Union Square, attended a Music in Schools Today charity event and went to the Greek Theater to watch three emerging artists from the Restoration Hardware Music label.  I'm hoping to share more details about these events soon on the blog.

Next week is full of activities as well, but only three days of activities versus four - that shows I'm cutting back, right? 

What are you up to this weekend? 

*Photo taken with my iPhone (I'm kind of in shock with the clarity of the picture - makes me want to reach out and take a sip!)

Cheers,

Come Meet AnaMaria Pimentel at Neiman Marcus

Hey Bay Area fashionistas, come out to Neiman Marcus in Walnut Creek on Wednesday, May 15th from 1-3pm to meet Neiman Marcus' Fashion Director for Accessories, AnaMaria Pimentel, in person.  She will be there to answer all of your questions about what accessories are so right now for Spring/Summer, but also what she has seen at all of the fashion shows for Fall!

AnaMaria Pimentel began her career in fashion as an intern at Elle magazine under the mentorship of then-editor Nina Garcia, who Pimentel considers her role model to this day.  She worked her way up to Senior Accessories Editor, later crossing over to media relations for Van Cleef & Arpels.  She then traversed back to the editorial space, landing a job at Harper's Bazaar as Accessories Director, before joining Neiman Marcus in March 2012, where she hones trends into stylish, wearable looks for customers. 

Who will be there? 

images via Neiman Marcus

Cheers,

Savvy Summer Camp

Our first year of school is almost over for Landon!  He only has one month left of Kindergarten and then he will be a first grader.  I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.  With graduating from Kindergarten comes a bigger question - WHAT is he going to do all summer!  This is my first year of being introduced to all the summer camps that are out there for kids to keep them active and challenged during the summer months.  Not only does camp give them an opportunity to make new friends and have fun and great adventures, but it gives MOMMY (aka ME) a break.

image via Galileo

I've signed up Landon for four different summer camps that are spread out over the summer.  One of those camps is Camp Galileo!  I had heard great things about Camp Galileo from friends and when I checked out their website, I liked Galileo's mission - "To nurture and inspire a daring new generation of fearless innovators.  They combine art, science and outdoor activities with innovative themes that inspire collaboration and team building."

I also liked that every year, Galileo introduces new themes to inspire budding innovators. Each theme combines art, science and outdoor activities around a whimsical week-long narrative that’s crafted to keep kids giggling and engaged.  Landon is so excited for the theme for the week that he is attending: Space Odyssey: Cosmic Art and Rocket Science.  The themes are created together with Galileo’s fabulous curriculum partners at Klutz, The de Young Museum, The Tech Museum of Innovation and The Chabot Space & Science Center.

Discount code for Savvy in San Francisco readers: Right now until May 31st, Galileo is offering $25 off your camp registration fee with the code, 2013INNOVATE.  This is limited to one per camper at either Camp Galileo or Galileo Summer Quest.

Since I am a newbie at Summer Camps, share with me what camps are your favorites!  Do you have any tips for surviving the summer with little ones?

*Thank you to Galileo for sponsoring today's discussion!  I had already signed Landon up for Camp Galileo prior to being approached to partner with Galileo.  My opinions & thoughts expressed in this post are my own.

Cheers,

Baby J - Newborn Photoshoot {Bay Area Photographer}

I just realized that I have not posted a half dozen of my photoshoots and I needed to get back in the habit of sharing them with you!  This is a good friend's family that welcomed this sweet bundle of cuteness into their family back in August.  

Cheers,