I clicked on an email the other day from one of my favorite boutiques, Elizabeth Charles who also carries my line (story here), and was greeted by eye candy in the most gorgeous of green hues. As I was obsessing over the Maison Kitsune jacket with a touch of kelly green, I noticed our Designs by Alina Tahitian Swirl earrings, a perfect pairing for the season.

Later, while at the store, I discovered these green Illesteve mirrored glasses that I just had to have, and my daughter keeps swiping from me. Hubby's travelling so the jury is out on how he feels about this new daring look, but Mamma's got a brand new bag!

Stylist Mary Kinney, Elizabeth Charles and Alina de Albergaria at Elizabeth Charles Boutique

What is stylish, sexy, fun, and charitable to boot? Fillmore's Movable Feast and Fashion's Night Out. 

On Fillmore Street which boasts delectable eateries and upscale shops, you will find the brands you know, but more importantly, the ones you don't. And if you are like me easily trading in a name for quality fabrics, unique designs, and superb construction, this street is a windfall. As my good friend, Nancy puts it: "I rank Fillmore and San Francisco right alongside the Marais and Paris for shopping and walkability." She would know for she is well on her way to completing her goal of having set foot in 100 countries.

Suffice it to say that on the evening of the event I was in heaven. Quickly discovering that all the fog talk is either a myth or global-warming fact, my Roman date (AKA awesome husband) and I strolled on over to Fillmore Street on a temperate October evening where we were greeted with wine varietals and delicious cuisine from Baker and Banker which sadly closed a few days later. Last stop: Elizabeth Charles, where an array of desserts and a bottle of bubbly await amidst an entertaining crowd with which to sip, chat, view Elizabeth's exquisite fall collection and answer questions about the Designs by Alina pieces on display.

The event raised thousands of dollars for the Ronald McDonald house, whose mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children. A fabulous night out for a wonderful cause...gotta love this city!

Romantic and exhilarating. That is San Francisco.

Just a few weeks here and we are getting our bearings straight, brushing shoulders with passersby, sampling a bit too much of the city's fabulous cuisine, and hitting the pavement on foot more than we are driving.  As the children carve their way through their new schools and city streets, our family is discovering that the love affair these people have with their Golden Gate cosmopolis is no different from the one shared by the people in our previous city, Santa Barbara, who adore their American Riviera. 

They say three's a charm...

On my third jaunt to Fillmore Street with Tessalina, our youngest, I discovered Elizabeth Charles, an uber-chic boutique on my short list of ones to visit. I happened to be wearing my Queen Baroque necklace about which Elizabeth inquired. No sooner had I mentioned that I had recently launched a jewelry business than I was asked to share my collection, pose for a photo, and just like that Designs by Alina was given the home I envisioned for her, not to mention one of my Queen Baroques which now gracefully resides on Elizabeth's neck. The icing on the cake is that she is a hoot to be with. Her effervescence and Aussie warmth have been passed on to her lovely daughter, Lucie, with whom Tessalina has become fast friends, just like their moms.

Yesterday, we took our first international order for three Designs by Alina pieces to be shipped to London. And in the very near future we will be adding 18kt pink, white and yellow gold earrings with new pearls to the Designs by Alina collection, so please keep browsing and stay tuned!