Earlier this week I had one of those moments where I thought, "why didn't I think of that?"
First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to declare my love for San Francisco. We could, without a doubt, live in this city. There are great neighborhoods, fantastic restaurants and bars and fabulous shopping. This city, which is on the water, has it all! I think SF may now top my list of American cities. I like NYC and Boston, but SF seems to have it all, and still seems to have a relaxed feel to it. The traffic in and around the city is terrible though...but given that I don't have my license, I guess I would spend most of my time on the BART anyway!
Ok, back to the eureka moment...so, what girl does not love to get her hair cut? But is it really the cut we like? Or, is it the relaxing hair wash with fantastic smelling products? It is the blow dry, that no matter how many times you try it at home just doesn't look the same - yes, yes it is!
This afternoon we decided to grab lunch and walk along Filmore before heading to the airport. We had lunch, and Rob decided that he would grab a latte in Starbucks and catch up on a few emails. I planned on checking out the local shops when I came upon Drybar. The concept of Drybar is that they wash and style your hair for a flat fee - it doesn't matter if you have a bob, or long locks - everyone pays the same amount. I tried my luck and they had an appointment available. I almost didn't hear as my stylist Taylor called my name, as I was so enamoured by the space - it is elegant, fun and fresh. The base colours and white and yellow and it works well.
Before washing my hair Taylor and I took a look through the nicely put together book which includes photos of the various styles they offer. In typical North American fashion, if you have something else in mind, they are happy to accommodate. I really liked Taylor's hair style and asked if she could replicate it - copying is the strongest type of flattery, right? We then got started - an excellent hair wash (in a remarkably comfortable seat I might add!) including a scalp massage. Then, the artwork began. She dried my hair, which given its thickness and length is an arm workout for the best of them! After drying, she started the styling - I only wish I had kept my glasses on so that I could have learned how to replicate it! In less than 35 minutes I was paying and out the door! I walked out of Drybar with a hair high - smiling and almost walking on air, the sensation that I think most of us women feel when walking out of a hair salon when we love our hair!
Drybar first opened last year and they have been a grand success and have opened up shops across the US. The concept is a simple one - and sometimes simplicity is best!
I am absolutely convinced that this idea would be a hit in cities like London, Paris, etc. and I can only hope that they decide to make the journey across the pond soon!
www.thedrybar.com (there website is as creative and beautiful as their shops!)
Showing posts with label San Francisco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Francisco. Show all posts
Dottie's
Dottie's True Blue Cafe
When travelling to a new city I tend to research three things - best restaurants, best stores, and best hotels, and yes, I generally research about the shopping first! I did a little bit of research before we arrived in San Francisco and came across a review for Dottie's True Blue Cafe. It looked as though we weren't going to make it there on this trip - I wasn't worried, as the city has floored me and we plan on coming back again!
We met our friend Hillary in the lobby of our hotel and set on a mission to find a breakfast joint. Hillary said that there was this fantastic place a few blocks from our hotel, but warned the wait would be about 30 mins. Hillary was the one who introduced us to Firefly, a fabulous tapas place in LV, so we decided to follow her lead. I was pleasantly surprised when I realised that we were going to be having breakfast at Dottie's.
Admitedly my grumbling stomach and jacketless Rob were not thrilled by the long line, but we couldn't say no to a culinary staple in SF. The line gave us time to drool over the baked goods on display and to catch up with Hill. Within 30 minutes we found ourselves at a wooden table in a warm corner of the restaurant next to the cooks. Absolutely everything on the menu sounded fantastic. Rob ordered an omelette, Hillary feasted on a frittata and I had scrambled eggs. From the minute our food arrived our conversation focused solely on the food in front of us and the fantastic flavors. There was also lots of "yums"...a true sign of a great meal. Each of the dishes came with sides including thick, homemade toast, homefries and fruit. I ordered the biggest smoothie anyone has ever seen and barely made it through a third of it.
The staff are fun and friendly - encouraging you to order quickly to ensure those hungry patrons outside don't have to wait long, but also want you to enjoy every bite! Rosie's is your quintessential diner - a little bit of a hole in the wall, but full of character, much like the neighbourhood in which it is located. There was a sign posted on the window saying that they will be moving by the end of the year to a bigger space, in what may perhaps be a bit of a "better" neighbourhood.
As we left Dottie's, now around 11am, the line, full of people serious about breakfast or brunch, was all the way down the street...we seem to have timed it just right!
When travelling to a new city I tend to research three things - best restaurants, best stores, and best hotels, and yes, I generally research about the shopping first! I did a little bit of research before we arrived in San Francisco and came across a review for Dottie's True Blue Cafe. It looked as though we weren't going to make it there on this trip - I wasn't worried, as the city has floored me and we plan on coming back again!
We met our friend Hillary in the lobby of our hotel and set on a mission to find a breakfast joint. Hillary said that there was this fantastic place a few blocks from our hotel, but warned the wait would be about 30 mins. Hillary was the one who introduced us to Firefly, a fabulous tapas place in LV, so we decided to follow her lead. I was pleasantly surprised when I realised that we were going to be having breakfast at Dottie's.
Admitedly my grumbling stomach and jacketless Rob were not thrilled by the long line, but we couldn't say no to a culinary staple in SF. The line gave us time to drool over the baked goods on display and to catch up with Hill. Within 30 minutes we found ourselves at a wooden table in a warm corner of the restaurant next to the cooks. Absolutely everything on the menu sounded fantastic. Rob ordered an omelette, Hillary feasted on a frittata and I had scrambled eggs. From the minute our food arrived our conversation focused solely on the food in front of us and the fantastic flavors. There was also lots of "yums"...a true sign of a great meal. Each of the dishes came with sides including thick, homemade toast, homefries and fruit. I ordered the biggest smoothie anyone has ever seen and barely made it through a third of it.
The staff are fun and friendly - encouraging you to order quickly to ensure those hungry patrons outside don't have to wait long, but also want you to enjoy every bite! Rosie's is your quintessential diner - a little bit of a hole in the wall, but full of character, much like the neighbourhood in which it is located. There was a sign posted on the window saying that they will be moving by the end of the year to a bigger space, in what may perhaps be a bit of a "better" neighbourhood.
As we left Dottie's, now around 11am, the line, full of people serious about breakfast or brunch, was all the way down the street...we seem to have timed it just right!
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