Ladies Luncheon: Our Favorite Brunch Places to Take Mom

For Mother's Day everyone has their own tradition, but in my family, food is likely at the heart of most celebrations. Growing up, Mother's Day meant making mom breakfast.  Today this tradition continues but has evolved into treating mom to a fun spot in San Francisco.

Here are some of Megan and my favorites:

Lovejoy's Tea Room - This spot is tucked away in Noe Valley and it the perfect backdrop to catching up and sending some quality time together.  The Tea Room has a comfortable lived-in feel, is good for all ages and an tea selection is excellent.

Craftsmen and Wolves - We love this modern take on pastry and there are too many wonderful things to share. Grab some coffee or tea and make an afternoon of it.

Presidio Social Club - Nestled in Presidio National Park, PSC feels very San Francisco. If the sun is out, sit with mom on the back porch and enjoy the afternoon.

City View Dim Sum - If your mom is an adventurous eater, this is the spot for her. It's fun to choose plates from the carts as they are wheeled around. Get there early, it gets crowded!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Fashion + Technology: A Night @ The MET

Here at Canvas, we dedicated last month to exploring the crossover between technology and fashion by playing with online delivery services and exploring how technology is affecting how people shop and the clothes we wear

We couldn't think of a better way to end our Tech & Fashion series than with this year's Met Gala, themed "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology." While a number of dresses missed the mark, there were a few standout dresses that truly merged technology with fashion in ways we haven't seen before.

One of our favorite's was Claire Dane's Zac Posen dress made from fiber optic woven organza that glowed in the dark. We also loved Karolina Kurkova's Marchesa x IBM dress that changed colors based on people's reaction to it on social media. And last but not least, Emma Watson wore a Calvin Klein x Eco Age dress that was made of 100% sustainable materials. 

You can read about (and see) all of these amazing dresses here. And stay tuned for our final post on our experiences during our Tech & Fashion series.

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Mixing and Matching Your Way to Spring

Spring may have sprung but not long enough to forget that SF marine layer. Lately we've been having fun incorporating lighter colors as we transition into spring. This in-between time has allowed us to play with mixing and matching weights, textures and layering pieces that can be added or removed without sacrificing style.

Megan:

My favorite spring piece is my flowy skirt from Zara. I'm not ready to pack away my coveted leather Theory jacket, so I combined the two for a hi-low look that has softness and a bit of edge. Underneath is a L.A.M.B. sweater that is lightweight and breathable. This piece will absolutely stay in my closet as a spring staple!

Kimberly:

I naturally run a little on the cool side, so layering is the core of my spring wardrobe. This season I'm playing more with textures and layering with unexpected pieces. I love the way a lace crop top can be paired with an oxford for a modern take on office wear. Color is another big shift in my seasonal wardrobe--most of my winter black pieces have been replaced with a softer navy. 

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Here are a few additional tips for transitioning your winter wardrobe to spring:

• Use jewelry and accessories to add in trend colors, such as a chunky necklace or bright bag.
• Master the art of layering. Focus on fiber content and what pairs well together and still stays breathable. Denim jacket + Cashmere Sweater= Softness with Structure
• Keep your leather jackets and transition in your cropped pants or skirts to wear with them.
• Swap out heavier knee-high boots for lighter-colored spring boots or booties in suede. They look great with long dresses and skirts.

Little luxuries for Mom that are big on love.

Megan and I are true believers that it is far better to give than receive. Perhaps that's why personal styling is a natural match for us. Regardless of the gift (big, small or simply heartfelt), surprising your mom or the mom figure in your life with the perfect little acknowledgment is wonderful.

So--for those who have difficulty gifting, we came up with our favorite little luxuries for moms that are big on love.

For the mom who has everything, send her a BloomsyBox subscription and she'll get fresh flowers delivered once a month (price varies).

Tom's soft suede tote comes with a detachable inner bag, making it an organization must-have. $158

Show mom how sweet she is with this adorable bento box from Sugarfina, including champagne bears. $65

Indulge the mom-on-the-go with travel-sized essentials from Aesop, including Mouthwash and Parsley Seed skin care formulations. $75

Made in San Francisco, a custom Dodo phone case will keep mom's phone safe and stylish. $59.95

Layer on the love and lux with these stackable rings by Chamilia, a Swarovski company. Prices vary.

Perfect for the fickle Bay Area climate, keep mom cozy and style in a pure cashmere wrap from Garnet Hill. $188

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Blue Illusion: A Travel Capsule for All Ages

The moment we saw Blue Illusion's spring/summer fashion launch we knew we had to do a capsule collection with the Australian-born brand. They are the cure for fun timeless dressing. The brand hits a sweet spot with contemporary designed pieces that fit a mature woman's body whether you are 37 or 77. This is truly a brand that "celebrates the spirit of women, their passion for life and generosity of heart."

So, we decided to do what we do best and create a travel capsule based on their latest collection. Focused on a long weekend away, we curated a 17 piece mini-wardrobe that can be endlessly mixed and matched to keep up with all of your adventures.

From bottom left to right: Charcoal Marle Boiled Wool Vest, print pants (available in-store), Limelight Layer Silk Top, chunky bead necklace (available in-store), black and white print scarf (available in-store), yellow and red print scarf (available in-store), Sapphire Wedge, Felicia Panama hat, Asymmetric Linen Tee Black/White Stripe, Sylvie Necklace, Washed Denim Jacket, Black Coated Ponti Pant, Scoop Neck Cami White, Noir T-Bar Heel Sandal Black, Long Denim Bengajean Clean Denim, metallic tote bag (available in-store).

During the shoot we couldn't help but feel the energy of the bright pops of color contrasted with sophisticated urban silhouettes. These outfits belong on the streets of Europe, but can quickly transition to resort wear. Whether your next trip includes a casual weekend in wine country or a city escape, capsule dressing will make packing much easier.

Special thanks to our model, Kendra for her darling energy and making everything looking oh so beautiful! She may have added one of the pieces for her own wardrobe during the shoot.

Face Time: Our Spring/Summer Skincare Regimes

The change in seasons means a change in our skincare routines. Warmer weather calls for a lighter moisturizer and higher SPF. We each have different skin needs, which leads to different skincare routines. Here's a round-up of the products we've come to rely on to keep our skin glowing. 

Megan:

Taking care of your skin is so important, especially as you start to get older. I wish I could go back and tell my 20 year old self that SPF5 was not actually sun protection and that tanning beds weren't going to make me look healthier. Now in my 30's, I have become meticulous about my skin care routine. It's taken (alot of) trial and error, but I've finally found the products that work best for my sensitive skin that's still prone to breaking out at times.

I always wash my makeup off at night. I use the Oil of Olay skin brush with Skin Tx Foaming Gel. Then I tone with MAC Lightful C' Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion. After I apply an Vivierskin TMR anti-wrinkle serum to my forehead and eyes. I finish with Whole Foods organic coconut oil for hydration. In the morning it's the same routine, except to I moisturize with bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. It only has SPF30 (50 is recommended), but I love how it evens out my skintone and makes me look slightly dewey.

Kimberly:

Healthy radiant skin is the foundation to any good look. Finding your right routine to get you there can be a bit of a journey. 

When I was working in buying at Sephora I was exposed to a wide array of brands to test. This was a game changer for my sensitive skin purchasing habits and I now advocate to sample any product before purchasing to guarantee it is a good fit.

The biggest change in the last year to my skincare regiment hasn't been the products as much as the technique (double cleansing + moisturizing). Every evening I remove my eye make-up with Laura Mercier Dual Action Make Up Remover, and follow up by cleansing my face twice with Dr. Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk (patting dry between washings) and finish with Aseop Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream. This small change made a difference in breakouts and retaining moisture.  

In the mornings I repeat this routine, but follow moisturizing with Sephora  Instant Depuffing Roll-on Gell (if needed) and finish by applying TiZO3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen spf 40.  Once a week I add in a treatment with Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (Original Formula) to help add glow back my complexion and reduce any uneven pigmentation.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Join Us & Hit The Pavement For A Good Cause

On May 7th we will be lacing up our running shoes and participating in a 3 mile power walk to support Dress for Success. One of our favorite charities, Dress for Success is a non profit that empowers underprivileged women to achieve economic independence by providing support, professional attire and development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.

We'd love to have you support Team Canvas for this empowering event! Come walk with us on May 7th at Little Marina Green. Kids, dogs and friends are welcome! Or you can make a donation on our fundraising page. Every dollar helps women gain confidence and find financial independence.  

We hope to see you there!
K&M
 

Self-Portrait of a Lady: A Snapshot With Designer Han Chong

This week Megan and I were invited by Cusp to attend a meet and greet with London based designer Han Chong at the SF Neiman Marcus Store.  We have been following this up and coming designer and jumped at the chance to ask him about his designs and try on a few Self Portrait pieces ourselves.  

We immediately fell in love with his current collection full of romantic designs and beautiful open lace work.  The cuts are best suited for petite and narrow frames, but a few fit and flare silhouettes would be stunning on curvier gals. Han said that he always keeps the female form in mind when designing and adds adjustable ease at key points to allow for better fit. For example, many dresses have lace up backs that add a little edge and functionality.

Keep your eye on this guy! Not only are his graceful designs accessible (in comparison to many designers) but he is honest about his creations and so approachable.  We hope he enjoyed his first trip to SF as much as we did meeting him!

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Spring Essential: The Trench

East Coast or West Coast, it doesn't matter. The trench coat is a spring essential for everyone. We are currently coveting Blue Illusion's Three In One Trench. So earlier this week while working on an upcoming project (more on that to come), we stopped by their store in Burlingame to try it on.

We both appreciated how lightweight and versatile it was. The vest option was our favorite way to wear it, but really it looks great either way. And the deep navy hue managed to complement both of our outfits.

Megan wearing the full trench.

Kimberly wearing it as a vest.

Here are some other trenches we are loving right now:

Stay stylish,
K&M

Where To Buy Your New Favorite Spring T-Shirt

T-shirts are a closet staple any time of year. We learned that last year when we did our 31 Days of Style Challenge. You can dress one up with a skirt, keep it casual with denim or layer with a cropped sweater.

While we don't think you need to spend $150 on a tee, we do believe you should invest in quality cotton. A few things to keep in mind are fit, thickness, drape and the shirt's ability to hold its shape.  

Megan swears by James Perse (Stylist tip: they're at Nordstrom Rack for a great price).

Kimberly loves Madewell. (Stylist tip: their v-neck basics are good for seasonal colors & they always have a fashion stripe option like below)

For an investment tee, Vince makes a greater heavier weight cotton t-shirt that can be worn under a blazer or jacket for work. 

Need a cooler basic option? Kimberly is loving GapFit's Tie Back Tank. (Stylist Tip: Size up if you are busty)

Tell us what your go-to tee is!

Stay Stylish,
K&M