San Fran Designer to Know: Katie Raffetto

I have always known that my friend, Katie Raffetto, has been an uber talented designer and her recent spotlight on CasaSugar only confirms it more. Katie has a fresh California aesthetic, mixing traditional with modern so well. You can see her professional portfolio here, but seeing into her own San Fransico home is so much more fun. The full article and these images can be found over on CasaSugar. 

First off, how adorable is she with her bump and toddler, Annie? 

The entry to the apartment is organized and chic. 

Annie's nursery is fun, yet functional. I mean, this rocker? Dying. 

Katie's bedroom is the stuff dreams are made of. That headboard is unreal and mixed with the blue bedding is perfection. 

 The dining room has such a great mix of what you can only think are some of Katie's favorite finds. From antique markets to travels. 

Worship the lantern light fixture and farm house table. 

You can tell that Katie knows how to make a space livable for adults and kids. Chic storage, plenty of space to play on that table (actually 4 ikea tables put together), a comfy space for Mom to hang out with friends too. 

I mean, the cuteness. 

All of Katie's touches work so well together. And I love the appearance of a room full of things that the owner loves. 

xo

Erin 

Wedding Weekend Wardrobe

Big, big weekend ahead. My one and only brother is getting married to the most amazing girl in Northern California. It will be a weekend filled with CA sunshine, lots of family time, plenty of laughs over wine, and more love than is imaginable for a brilliant couple. Packing is an art, and I have only semi-mastered it. I have plan to bring just enough to get me through...

1. Pleasure Doing Business $176 (similar style)

2. Splendid $52

3. Jimmy Choo $395

1. Juicy Couture $215

2. Alexis Bittar $255

3. BaubleBar $24

4. Brian Atwood $660

Dress by J. Crew and shoes by Jimmy Choo

And I will add in a few items like these to wear during down time....

1. Parker $198

2. Madewell $138

3. Goldsign $195

4. Equipment $210

May your weekend be filled with just as much love. 

xo

Erin 

NEAT New House

Moving is a real bitch. 

And though the results are always great after the boxes have been put away and the glasses tucked into a cabinet, the moments before that are a nightmare. Even for the most organized of people (sometimes me). 

Our move has gone off without too many hitches and I am happy to say that I am actually enjoying the space instead of obsessing over it. There is plenty of time to decorate, rearrange the vases, and shop online for rugs. 

But you at least want the spaces that you use everyday to be in working order. I was lucky enough to live close by to our new house and move a ton of items myself. Not having to box every kitchen utensil was a godsend. I was even able to set up the kitchen before the movers even showed up. The nursery was next since even though I could sleep on a couch, the baby needs an actual bed.  

Then there was our room/closet/bathroom. The clothes were shoved into the closet directly from wardrobes and toiletries dropped into drawers. And I kept telling myself....

"I will get around to that."

"I will totally organize all this to fit the new space."

"I will absolutely have the time and patience to organize it all."

Lies. All Lies. 

Because though I am a decent organizer, I am one of those eighty percent organizers. I do a great job up until about twenty percent is left and then hurriedly finish the job. The results are a solid B. 

I really wanted to start off on the right foot for this house and calling in the girls from NEAT Method was the best idea I have had since the move. 

They completely transformed the closet to a place that actually holds all of our clothes and makes sense. Every bottle and brush in our bathroom has a place. It is glorious. 

They transferred all of our clothes onto slim, no-slip hangers and categorized. Shoes are all in a perfect row. Clutches have their very own shelf. 

Jewelry is easily seen and browsed in clear, stackable boxes. Bracelets hang from an easy to see display. 

 I can actually see what is in those normally messy drawers. 

Products have a place that looks great and is functional. 

I highly recommend NEAT for any organizing you need done in your home. They assess what you need, tackle the leg work, and bring all the supplies. 

Plus, they are a ton of fun. Check out their blog, too. 

xo

Erin 

Destination: Ferry Building Market, San Francisco

Last weekend in San Francisco was amazing. The weather was chilly, but that did not deter us from making the most of a very short trip. There was lots of celebrating with family for my brother's engagement at Bin 38, meals at some old school haunts of my parents (Ceaser's, Henry's Hunan), a very long (steep) walk around the city and a delicious morning trip to the Ferry Building Market. 


The marketplace there is amazing. Indoor vendors vary from creameries to burger joints and the outdoor vendors have every tasty food coming out of Northern California that you can think of. Not to mention the gorgeous flowers for purchase. It was so much fun to walk around, taste a little of everything and see what it would be like to shop here on the weekends if I lived in SF. So jealous of the year round bounty available to those in the Golden State. 


Easily this is my favorite spot to visit in the city. So go hungry and give yourself time to explore all of the tasty treats. 


xo
Erin 

Early Weekend Wish: I Heart SF

My weekend is starting a bit early as I am headed to San Francisco for a quick trip to see family. I have not spent a ton of time in SF, but I absolutely love it there. The architecture, the people, the culture, the city has just about everything I love about Chicago, but in such a different way. 

So my early weekend wish is for everyone to get enjoy the company of family like I am lucky enough to do this weekend. Even if it is just a cup of coffee in your living room, there is nothing like catching up with those that love you most. 

As for San Fran, I am excited to see you. My last trip was with some of my favorite people on earth and with a sunny weather forecast, I am excited to explore the city with my husband, who has never visited. 

top right photo: Crystal Garcia via Pinterest, bottom left photo: tumblr

What is your favorite spot in SF? Would love some ideas!


xo
Erin

Style Snapshot: Becky

This week we report from the West Coast. Where one fun-loving, gorgeous and chic Santa Barbara native shares with us her style and beauty secrets. Though this Southern Californian girl now lives in San Fran, she always has that beachy fresh look we love. 

'When it comes to my hair and skin, natural is what I always strive for. 


So let's start with my hair... When I first started highlighting my hair I would always tell the lady please make it look natural!  When it comes to highlights I like my hair to look as natural as possible.  One of my best friends, Sarah Hammel, happens to be a colorist for Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in West Hollywood.  Unfortunately, I live in SF and cannot get my hair done by her.  So when I made the move from LA to SF she referred me to Monica West at Zip Zap salon.  I have been going to Monica now for 6 years and will be the first to say if you want a natural, sunkissed beachy look, balayage is the way to go. 

Sarah Hammel Adding the Finishing Touch

When it comes to lightening up, one of the most natural-looking and modern coloring techniques available right now is balayage. Essentially, balayage involves painting sections of the hair freehand, rather than using foils. The end result is a sexy “grown out” look that takes literally minutes to achieve, and requires less maintenance than traditional highlights. I love the grown out look, so I only get my hair done two to three times a year.

When it comes to my skin, I pretty much stick to what feels great. As someone who loves being outdoors, sunscreen is the most important product I use. Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55 is the best and does the job it promises. 

I have used Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 forever.  I love it because it doesn’t apply like a thick foundation, smooths out your skin and has sunscreen in it.

Even though I love the Laura Mercier tinted sunscreen, I recently started using Skin Perfection Gel by Per-fekt Beauty and love it. It works as an antioxidant rich serum and improves the look of your skin. It is super lightweight, natural and water proof. I switch off between the two now.

For bronzer, which I always have on, I like Laura Mercier in Golden Bronze. It helps me get that bronzed look I love without having to sit in the sun. Nars Deep Throat is the perfect blush with it. It is a peach color with a hint of shimmer. Who doesn't love their blush!

As for eyes, I generally do not wear much makeup, but when I want to spice things up I love the smokey eye look. I have always used dark browns with a touch of brown shimmer.  Any brown really works for me but I like to stick to the MAC eye shadows.

As for eyeliner,  I use Lancôme in café.  When I apply eye liner I will put it under my top eye lid, then use the end of this eyeliner brush to smudge it and make for that smoky look.

 I love how a nude lip looks with a smokey eye. So if I am going for that look I use Nars Belle du Jour lipstick. It is a sheer nude-beige that works great with my skin tone and gives just enough color.

I have been using the same perfume since seventh grade. I love Acqua di Gio eau de toilette because it is a fresh, soft smell that is not too overpowering like most perfumes in my opinion. This has been my scent forever and I will never switch! 

When it comes to fashion, my jewelry is the finishing touch to every outfit. Over the past 5 years I have started collecting vintage jewelry.  I love the story behind each piece.  Everything is so unique and just gorgeous.

Current Favorite Find: Cuff & Earrings

A good family friend of mine, Holly Murphy, started Coast 2 Coast Vintage and sells her amazing pieces in Santa Barbara, CA.  When I go home to visit my family, I always visit her to shop her latest finds and never leave empty handed.

Blue Moon Dress 

I shop all over, but one of my favorites is Planet Blue. When I feel the need to online shop, this is where I turn to. I recently found my new favorite leopard maxi dress there by Blue Moon. I love dresses, but also cannot resist the perfect pair of jeans. J Brand is the greatest and the only brand that I will buy now. All the styles fit great and the selection is amazing.

Balenciaga Bag, Celine (top) & Ray Ban Sunglasses

Exercise has always been a huge part of my life.  I had been doing triathlons for the past 2 years until I unfortunately injured my hip last October.  Now that I am off crutches, I have started adding pilates, yoga and biking back into my weekly workouts.  San Francisco has a ton of pilates and yoga studios but my favorites are the The Pad and Aha Yoga on Union Street.  I train privately with Dina Ricken for pilates at the Pad and take group yoga classes at Aha Yoga. You are guaranteed to sweat no matter what.

If you are into biking, Breakaway Performance is fantastic. Joel Ramirez will whip you into biking shape in no time.  

All of my inspiration in everything I do comes from my family and friends! Without any of them I would not be who I am today.'

xo

Erin