Spices and Herbs Shine at Aziza
June 15, 2009 While I'm super proud of Chef Mourad Lahlou kicking some real cool derrière on Iron Chef, I'm more impressed with his current menu. I haven't been there in over a couple years and the food is, I'm real happy to see, is better than ever.
The self-taught chef really knows a thing or two about his spices. The orange and saffron infused mussels are really packed with flavor - a thumbs up in my book. The portions are quite generous, so bring a big belly to the table. The fluffy and well-excuted Basteeya alone could have filled me up but I had to forge on.
The beef cheeks with brown butter are so tender you don't need a knife. The carrot-tomato stew that accompanied it is outta this world - yum! I'd be pretty happy if I can get jars of this and eat it all day long with couscous, and nothing else. The squab with thyme-ras el hanout is also excellent - very moist, succulent, and well paired with the earthy hon shimeji mushrooms.
If you still have room left, get the hibiscus granita for dessert. It comes with a layer of rose parfait, making it the perfect ending to such a lush and decadent meal. I'll be back for sure. The drinks are also real awesome - try the muddled tarragon with cardamom or the verbena with wild spearmint.
aziza-sf.com
Banana Republic has cute 
Clarins recently introduced their new ClarinsMen anti-aging collection, and the 
C.O. Bigelow's Elixir Blue 
The tulip-shaped stitching is so cute! Very feminine. I like the gradiated thread colors of this design.
If you're going for the punk biker look, the 
For all other new styles, including some cool sale items, go to 
For sparkling kisses, the new POP GLOSS CRYSTAL delivers with 446 Sun Rose, a coral pink with white shimmer, and 447 Sun Coral, a glam orange with white and red shimmer.
The PRISMISSIME MAT & GLOW Face Powder has 9 colors to sculpt out the sun queen in you. The matte shades help even out the skin for a natural visage, while the glowing ones highlight the contours for a luminous look. These customizable shades also work real well as an eyeshadow! To use, just mix all 9 shades together with a circular movement, then apply over the face, shoulders and décolletage.
To celebrate the collection's launch, we're giving away one Prismissime Mat & Glow in the new Sun Caramel shade to a lucky reader. This gorgeous 9-color face powder (retail $53) will keep you looking like a sun goddess all summer.
To Enter:
Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Givenchy summer beauty & Prismissime Mat & Glow giveaway http://tinyurl.com/kmt9jv ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below this post on why you like this brand, or what you'd like to try from this line (don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great').
Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. Be sure to enter 'Givenchy Giveaway' in the subject line and your unlocked Twitter link in the body. DO NOT forget to email your name & address after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically!
One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Sunday, June 14, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!
Wearing the 
Angela Berk, Color Director at 
Using rare "Porcelana" criollo beans, the limited edition Porcelana Napolitains are really beautiful. Generally these beans result in a more delicate taste, but this one comes on quite dark in the beginning, with lots of woodsy and smoky hints, ending with a fresh and mellow finish. It's just so darn smooth and dreamy, its texture gliding around the palate like a graceful swan. For a more robust profile, the Chuao Napolitains are also worth trying. The prized and legendary Chuao beans are used, resulting in a fruity explosion of plums and red berries. For dark chocolate lovers, you can't go wrong with these selections.
If you really want to go all out, the special 
With it's masterful precision in crafting such gorgeous chocolate, it's really not a big surprise to see Amedei winning so many awards at this year's World Chocolate Awards. They swept away eight of them, including the top Golden Bean prize.
Get these at 
The Metro saved our butts. I wish we had it here! So so so so convenient. Much better than the slow-as-molasses Muni.
Visiting Monet's home and gardens at Giverny. Everything is so gorgeous there. I can spend days upon days and discover new angles to capture these trees and flowers.
Spring blossoms at Giverny:
Some wines that will be highlighted: bubbles from Murgo, COS's exquisite Ramí 2007 and the "Scyri" Nero d'Avola 2001. You'll also try a Passito di Pantelleria–Kammeo from Guicciardini Strozzi. To close the sweet evening, take a sip of one of Marcia's fave amaros (Averna of Caltanissetta), and some Limoni di Sicilia.
The event is located at The Cheese School of San Francisco - you'll also be trying some scrumptious Southern Italian cheeses as a bonus. How can you resist that? I think not.
Buy tickets here: 
tablehopper wine tasting
Wed. June 3rd, 2009
The Cheese School of San Francisco
2155 Powell St.
Cross: Francisco St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
6:30pm reception
7pm–9pm wine and food tasting
$79 (includes ticket processing fees)
To see Anne in the new commercial and to get her Magnifique makeup look: 
To Enter:
Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Lancome Magnifique EDT giveaway http://tinyurl.com/ommafj ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below on why you like this brand, or what you'd like to try from this line (don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great!').
Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. DO NOT forget to send your name and address to this email after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically.
One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Friday, May 15, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!