Sterling Cooper Draper Price begins...This is definitely the time of year when things begin to ramp up. The calendar fills and all sorts of things start to happen, and this past week was just the beginning!

Of course, who could have a bad week after that most satisfying of season finales, as provided by Mad Men. The pitch-perfect finish to a season that can be best described as fraught, that optimistic and entrepreneurial last episode keeps coming to my mind as a tonic against the current uncertainties. What a perfect way to set the tone for a productive autumn and winter...

The San Francisco Club Monaco store hosted a fantastic gathering this week to help launch Annette Tatum's new book The Well-Dressed Home. Club Monaco's classic chic with a touch of vintage served as the perfect backdrop for a book that's all about using one's personal style to create unique and stylish interiors. I loved meeting Ms. Tatum; refreshingly down-to-earth, kind, and funny, she is they kind of person who is a delight to talk to at any party. The fact that it was her party, makes her the kind of lady they just don't make any more. 

The book is a visual feast of interiors, styles, and ideas, making it both practically and visually interesting. As I dig deeper into the book, I'll be posting more about how my style is defined (if that's possible) and how I'll be changing-up my place accordingly. But at the party, while the fantastic Club Monaco jewelry glittered and the champagne flowed, everyone seemed to admire the platter of cupcakes that were created to match the book cover. (Special thanks to my friend Mara Greenaway for serving on the host committee, and for putting together such a fun event!)

Viv & Ingrid jewelry with real and lacquer cupcakesSpeaking of cupcakes, the organic ones from Miette Patisserie are my most favorite in San Francisco. How lucky then that the fabulous local jewelry brand Viv & Ingrid held their 10th Anniversary party at Miette Hayes Valley! The famous old-fashioned cupcakes (bittersweet cake with marshmallow frosting) were in full effect, setting the tone for the playful event. Viv & Ingrid use the old-fashioned as a touchstone for one of their products: a lacquer keepsake box shaped like the cupcake. Jewelry displays included both types of cupcakes - real and box - creating a fun trompe l'oeil effect.

Snacks included Miette's homemade Cracker Jack mix, lavender cotton candy, nuts, lollipops, and even little goudas on sticks to look like lollipops. Opulent and fun, the look of the party was polished by lush florals from Cherries Flowers on Polk Street. Kudos to the fabulous team at RubyPress for putting together such a memorable and playful event!

Flowers by RosenowSometimes I wind up at events and don't know what to do. You have a champagne, you enjoy yourself a bit, and then you end up standing around waiting for something to happen. Luckily, at the Viv & Ingrid party I ran into someone else who was standing around waiting for something to happen. Fellow blogger Caitlin Goebel writes for Divine Caroline while also working on her personal blog, Sacramento Street. Not only were we both happy to find each other, but we learned we're neighbors too! Be on the lookout for future collaborations...

Hedy Lamarr in Ziegfeld GirlAnd the delights continue! More posts soon to come on a few other events and obsessions...at least the current ones!

Just a few announcements though. We're planning on another Style Cinema event for January, since these months are already pretty full. I'll definitely post about it once the details are finalized. But, if anyone's seen Valentino: the Last Emperor, they may remember his love for the film Ziegfeld Girl.

"You know for me, a young guy of 13 to see this sort of beauty, I think from that moment I decide I want to create clothes for ladies..." - Valentino

TCM is playing Ziegfeld Girl tomorrow night (November 16th), and I for one plan to watch. It's fun-fest of opulent costumes and glamorous stars, all with an undercurrent of romance from the 1940s.

Also, if you haven't already, please sign up for the Poetic & Chic Facebook Fan Page! It's brand new and you should definitely join!

My initial post had incorrectly attributed the flowers at the Viv & Ingrid party to Rosenow Floral Design. The actual florist was Cherries - although Rosenow is definitely fabulous too.