October 2nd, 2009
Today’s guest post is written by stylishly bohemian Cathy who lives in California. Cathy is a writer, music teacher, Mum of two delightful gals and a long time YLF supporter and forum member. She recently organized a YLF gathering in her neck of the woods and this is how it went down.
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos is a charming Californian town named after the wildcats that roam the surrounding slopes. Its pedestrian-oriented downtown boasts a vibrant mix of shops, salons, galleries, and restaurants–a perfect venue for the first Bay Area YLF gathering.
On an overcast, slightly muggy Saturday, I met Lori, Marianna, Srujana, Lisa (cyan45), and Lisa’s friend Cindy in front of Gap. The first thing I noticed, besides the group’s high style quotient, was the fab assortment of colorful handbags: pink, purple, gray, cordovan, yellow, and white.
We first stopped at Gap to check out the new line of 1969 denim. I raved about the 1969 skinnies I was wearing. Lori tried on some boyfriend jeans but was undecided on this trend. Next was Banana Republic, where Marianna picked up the best deal of the day: a beautiful cobalt sweater for $7.97, down from $58. The rest of us pawed through the sale rack but could not match that bargain.
As we strolled down the main avenue, a “50% discount storewide” sign at the Anjou boutique caught our attention. I tried on a fun bohemian dress, which was unfortunately too large. Srujana bought a gorgeous lariat necklace that featured two translucent agate leaves. The saleswoman told us about a going-out-of-business sale at a nearby “L.A. ghetto” shop. Intrigued, we went off in search.
Along the way, J. Crew distracted us. Lori was wearing the gray ruffled J. Crew tank that Angie blogged about, and I wanted to find one. The tank was sold out, but we had fun trying on other goodies. Lori supplemented her fall wardrobe with pieces including a black ruffled cardigan, ribbon-embellished t-shirt, and mustard-colored pants.
Lori had to leave but pointed us toward the L.A. ghetto store, which turned out to be Karma Boutique: “Bringing L.A. to the South Bay.” We exclaimed over the True Religion denim, sequined t-shirts, Ed Hardy tattoo wear, and leggings printed to resemble distressed, studded denim (Angie would have an apoplexy).
Having worked up an appetite, we were faced with the most difficult decision of the day: gelato or pastries? Lisa suggested the award-winning Fleur de Cocoa patisserie, which met with universal agreement. It was pleasant to sit and chat while savoring exquisite French pastries and sipping coffee and tea.
Marianna and I left soon afterward. On a whim, Cindy, Lisa, and Srujana visited White House | Black Market, where Srujana scored a silver-and-cream beaded camisole (the last one in stock, on sale) and a gray ruffled corduroy jacket with a mandarin collar. Cindy had been looking for a cardigan all day and found the perfect one on the sale rack–a black 3/4-sleeved ruffled bolero-style number.
I had a blast hanging with these fashion-savvy women. As we shopped, it was so helpful to have realistic style feedback. And I loved how our conversations leapt from fashion to work, movies, music, family, and food. I hope to meet more local style mavens at the next Bay Area YLF gathering!
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31 Replies
Posted on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Wow, sounds like you all had a wonderful time and looked oh so stylish doing it!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 am
Oh, how fun! Great write-up, Cathy! I have heard of Los Gatos – it sounds scenic and full of fun things to do. And you all look gorgeous. The shoes and bags particularly caught my eye — absolutely killer!!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 am
You girls look great. It´s always a pleasure to read about stylish, intelligent, interesting women having fun together. These meetings show how fashion connects people from everywhere, sharing lifestyles and experiences. It´s style and beyond – very inspiring!!!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 am
What a fun post! Thank you for documenting everything, Cathy. You ladies had a great time. I loved looking at the pictures!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
Yay! I had a fantastic time! These are some amazing ladies and I look forward to shopping with them again!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
Thanks for the wonderful write-up, Cathy! It sounds like you had a lovely time and scored loads of fab goodies along the way.
The first thing I noticed about the day was the high handbag style quotient. Needless to say it made my toes tickle. I’m stealing the lipstick coral one. That shade is soooooo delicious I could eat it up.
Everyone looks fabulous! It’s so nice to put a face with the name, Lisa. That yellow bag looks smashing with your lovely dark hair. Love it. Srujana, your boots are killer and I’m seeing a boho element to your style too. You and Cathy are in good company. Marianna, you are as pretty and polished as ever and I’m digging your funky jewelry! Cathy – you know I love your top, specs and shoes. Swish and cool, just like you.
Lori, it’s so nice that you could join the YLF crew in your hometown. Wished I could have been there too. Hopefully next time. But I’m going to see you soon, which makes my heart happy 
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
Loved your post and the photos!
Ladies you all look so fabulous!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 8:40 am
What fun!
Great pictures, too.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 9:12 am
Fabulous report from a bunch of stylish lasses. Thank you!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
How fun. I always love the pictures of the shoes and handbags; I feel part of a special tribe when they make me smile.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 am
What a fun post. I think its encouraging to shop with like minded friends. I tend to land somewhere in the middle between my very girlie and very boyish dressing pals. I would love to have a larger circle of like minded shoppers. Thanks for sharing!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
My favorite thing about this picture set is the diverse set of footwear! Everything from sandals to boots. This time of year is so much fun in terms of getting dressed
Sounds like all of you had a super fun day (and it makes me happy that you met in a town called “the cats”, hehe). Hope this is just the first of many shopping events you guys have together.
Thanks for the write-up Cathy!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
What a great idea! How fun!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
Oh wow! How can I get invited next time? I’m down in the Monterey Bay area and go to Los Gatos / San Jose all the time (about the closest fabric stores to me!) who wouldn’t want to spend some time with lovely YLF ladies with great style. The shoes, the bags – you all are soooo Looking Fabulous!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 am
It was fun! Cathy, great description of Los Gatos! It was so nice to meet all of you ladies!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 11:05 am
Every one of you look polished and gorgeous. What a colorful bunch, I love it.
Thankyou for the write up Cathy. It is great to read about your day together.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thanks everyone! I had a great time meeting everyone, and it was fun to write about it (but hard not to include copious amounts of detail).
Maya — I didn’t notice the shoes on that day but then saw the photo–funny! It was kind of an unusual day for California — threatening to rain, but warm temperature-wise. That strange in-between summer and fall time.
klauren — We planned the gathering on the YLF forum. Check there for mentions of future Bay Area gatherings. Would love to have you!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Cathy,
Such a wonderful write up…Makes me miss my home town area:(
What a beautiful and diverse group of fabulously dressed women , sounds like you all enjoyed the day and eachother:)
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
How fabulous, you all looked beautiful and sound as though you all had a ball.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Everyone looks gorgeous, plucked from the pages of Lucky mag or something! Now I’m craving gelato…
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
What a fantastic write up! These are always my favorite posts. You ladies look fabulous. It’s fun seeing the forum ladies “in their element.” 
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Thank you for the wonderful report and sharing your day with us. It was fun to read and to see your photos
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
What fun! Thank you for the great write-up! Everyone looked amazing and it looks you had tons of fun too.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Sounds like a lot of fun! I love love love those red shoes!! Where do you get them?
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Thanks for sharing your AMAZING day! I often wish i had wonderful shopping companions…if any one of you fashionable ladies happens to come to Switzerland, St. Gallen or Zurich, PLEASE don’t hesitate to let me know…..
^__^
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 am
Great post! You ladies look fab and sounds like you had a fun day. I was just in Los Gatos for my friend’s wedding and we had a blast. Great way to get away from the San Francisco fog in the summer!
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 am
Looks like a fun afternoon! You all represented the Bay very stylishly I might add.
Hopefully more YLF Bay Area gatherings to follow – I would love to come out and play with you all!
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
Cathy, your write-up makes it seem like we were all there tagging along with you. What a fun gathering! I love seeing how stylish and fun everyone looks, and it must be wonderful to have such a helpful and honest group of shopping buddies on a trip like this. Thanks for capturing it in such great detail!
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Ah, I live in Los Gatos, and I’ve been to those stores many many times I wish I had known about it, you guys sound like you had a blast. And I *love* the top you are wearing Cathy — where is it from?
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
You are all so stylish!! Thank you for sharing your pictures, they are fantastic.
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
anjali — Oh, I’m sorry you missed it! Perhaps you can make the next Bay Area gathering; check the forum for details. The top is one that Angie picked out for me (thanks Angie!); it is from Nordstrom and the brand is Filtre. My local Nordstrom had one in the sale rack last week, so you might want to hunt around!
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
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