Gettin bridgey with it!

My parents visited last weekend which meant I finally got in some San Francisco tourist time! I'd gone up for the museum of course, and dim sum a previous weekend but hadn't gotten to any of the "must see" items in the city. Here are some of them:

Myself with Lombard St. the worlds twistiest street. I would not be a fan of living on this street... Basically, I would become a mirror serial killer. Plus all the people throwing tennis balls down your road would get old.

Love the windows that slant with the staircase!

The pier next to pier 39 (whichever that was) in Fisherman's Wharf

The sea lion invasion on the pier. I imagine that guy being all like "Say now, I'm in charge here. Fish for a photo." He needs a monocle.

So tie tie... 

Cable Car Frenzy! 

So. Much. Effort. To. Go. Anywhere. Ahhhhh legs.

Yay!

This last one by the way... The parking area in the Presidio by the point overlook is a logistical NIGHTMARE! (Soooo muuuuch honking. Seriously people, calm it down.) It's got to be one of those places that the parks department hasn't updated since 1960 despite a few hundred thousand extra annual visitors. Highly recommend anyone considering driving up there to just take the shuttles. Also, there are only 4 female bathroom stalls so time your line waiting wisely.

Tasty eating spots:

Delicious! And very attentive staff. And free tiramisu.

Nice lounge music and city views along with tasty cocktails. No problems here!

Top Chef desserts? Yes please.

I vote seafoam.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Saturday Hannah and I went to the De Young Museum of Art for their Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit. An extra bonus, the museum is in Golden Gate Park so that's another thing checked off of the list! (an additional item - squealing the tires when the light turned green because the hill you're on is so large)

The exhibit had a hundred or so outfits that JPG had created throughout the past 4 decades. While pieces were selected to highlight different aspects of his career it was fascinating to see how he has returned to a similar theme throughout. Some pieces I was not all that into, but I respect the message. As always with these shows the execution was flawless. I can’t imagine the training involved to get the skill of hand sewing complex garments and making it look like a machine did it.

Some of my favorite or the more interesting (that did not involve beaded lady parts attached to the dress... gotta keep things PG here):

The mannequins had faces projected onto them which was seriously creepy. Some of them would talk to you or sing, like the ladies below. JPG had a whole speech welcoming you to the show too (he's cut off on the right hand of the pic above.) So. Weird.

Best cultural highlight - Madonna's cone bra!

Iconic, no?

Body inspiration

Seriously fun colors in the traditional dress inspiration section

I want a sweater dress like this. Maybe without so much tulle though.

Obligatory punk phase

They had a mini runway within the show!

I'm going to get this look for the office. Head to toe houndstooth and no need to do your hair!

Flipper slippers! Transition from the runway to the pool.

Though the JPG show was the draw, the De Young has a wonderfully eclectic permanent gallery. I really enjoyed the masks and shields from the Africa and Oceania exhibits, as well as the murals surviving since the 6^th century from the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan. There is also some modern art, art of the Americas, textiles, and photography. Overall worth the $10 entry fee (special exhibits are extra.) Extra bonus, the 9^th floor has an overlook of the city. Definitely take the elevator up to see that (I’m not sure, but you might not even need an entry ticket.)

The Frida Kahlo audition booth

(Lady in white is in the way, but their were girls with fruit basket hair EVERYWHERE)