FASHION FRIDAY: SHOPPING THE MARINA

Ahhh, The Marina! Home to beautiful, young and fit 20-30-somethings, and also the spot to head to in SF for excellent restaurants and shopping. The main areas to visit for both are Union Street and Chestnut Street. So for this Fashion Friday post, I want to fill you in on some of the best shops and boutiques to check out in this area.

Y & I Clothing Boutique- Lots of cute dresses, tops and jeans to choose from! The prices here are also pretty reasonable, which doesn't seem to be the case for the other boutiques in this neighborhood.

De Novo- They carry the latest in fashionable women's apparel and accessories at great prices.

Dress- This small women's clothing boutique carries great brands, such as Citizens of Humanity, Seven, and Diane Von Furstenberg. Most of the items are casual wear. This place has great stuff, but it is pricey!

Other Shopping:

Abigail Morgan: Abigail carries everything from T-shirts and jeans to high-end dresses, featuring mostly small, independent designers.

Ambiance: (Yes, there's also one in The Marina!) It's easy to lose yourself amidst all this urban chic. At The Marina Ambiance location, you can find such things as Free People Angora shirts, formal Laundry dresses, wool jackets, Hot Kiss pants, and tons of accessories including Steve Madden shoes, handbags, jewelry, and knit hats.

B.B. Gear: This shop focuses on women's contemporary designs, you can also find Michael Stars tank tops and shirts, as well as some shoes and accessories.

Bianca Luna: Here you'll find things like vintage Mickey Mouse tank tops and Yanuk jeans. The shop is big on big jewelry, as well as Venetian glass ashtrays, soaps, and other gift items.

The Blues Jean Bar: No ID is required at this Marina bar. Only denim is served -- over 20 styles of jeans for women and a dozen for men. Some of the designers include Bartack, AG, Future Vintage, True Religion, and Von Dutch. Aside from jeans, the bar sells shirts, belts, and purses by Sobella made with a strap that doubles as a necklace.

Cara Mia: Cara Mia's claim to fame is its large stock of Jack Rogers sandals, the favorite shoe of none other than Jackie Kennedy. Aside from sandals, Cara Mia carries luxury brands, such as Max Mara, Marc Jacobs, and Cynthia Rowley.

Dantone: Almost every inch of this store is packed with clothes, bags, shoes, and sunglasses.
Girlfriends: How can you not love it's name?!? Started more than 11 years ago by two college girlfriends, this boutique appeals to an eclectic mix. The merchandise varies from a sexy camisole and thong set to French-designed baby clothes. Girlfriends also boasts its own label, with its name emblazoned on shirts, hats, baseball caps, and tote bags.

House of Cashmere: One of, if not, the oldest cashmere shop in San Francisco. House of Cashmere opened in 1972. If you love cashmere, this is the place for you. They also carry Irish wool, Angora and Alpaca sweaters.
LF: Chock full of colors, LF supports creative, independent designers. This women's clothing shop carries mostly casual wear, including basics like T-shirts and jeans, and the not-so-basics, such as butterfly embroidered denim skirts. LF will appeal to those willing to take a few risks with their wardrobe.

Mezzanine: This shop offers the same hip Marina women's wear as a lot of other small boutiques in the same neighborhood do, only the prices here are a little lower.

Mimi's on Union: Packed with wearable art, such as embroidered jackets and hand painted silk tops, Mimi's makes for an entertaining visit. Unique accessories include colorful cell phone cases, beaded purses, and an assortment of costume jewelry.

Mingle: Clothing, accessories, jewelry, lingerie and art from emerging designers, all handmade and many one-of-a-kind!

Rin: Predominantly a woman's clothing boutique, Rin mainly carries independent lines of clothes from New York and L.A.

Trendy Moda: Trendy is the key word, as this boutique caters to women under 30.

Twenty One Tango: Tango features designer labels at discount prices! A good spot for filling in on the basics.

FISHIES & COCKTAILS

Does the idea of going to an aquarium after-hours, and having a cocktail while you are there sound good to you jet setters? If it does, then I know just where you should go in SF...the California Academy of Sciences. Every Thursday night is something called Nightlife, where you get the chance to see the museum and aquarium animals, have a drink and some food, hear great music and dance to some of SF's best DJs!Louisa and I decided to check it out last Thursday night (thinking if it's not a good event, who cares? It only cost $12.)...well we had so much fun, we did not want to leave, the place was packed with people, and we said we would definitely go back!They had penguins, alligators, and a Planetarium (we didn't see it, if you want to go, you must purchase the tickets in advance and pay extra). But look at some of the awesome exhibits we did see!

It's a fun place to head to with a friend, a date, or alone. There is so much to see and do, plus there's also a hands-on section where you can really get up close and personal with some of the animals. If you live in San Francisco, then I definitely say you must go. If you are planning a trip to SF, put it on your list of things to do if you are in town on a Thursday night. Consider yourself a Jet Set Smart Insider for knowing this, because while it's open to the public, you won't find many tourists here!

Event Details:
When: Thursdays, from 6:00-10:00pm
Price: Tickets are $12 ($10 for Academy Members). Last entry is 9:00pm.
Note: You must be 21+ with a valid ID to enter. Food and drinks are not included in the price, so bring cash with you!