What to wear: Sunglasses indoors
What to hair: Ponytail with grosgrain ribbon tied around
What to make-up: Vaseline on your lids for a dewy shine
What to listen to: Flaming Lips, "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots"
What to see: The Good Girl
What to rent: Pinero
What to TV: The Anna Nicole Show
What to drink: A cold bottle of Sancerre
What to make: Roasted veggie lasagna
What to buy: A bouquet of stargazer lilies

A lot has been going on with the fabulous Karina Marie Diaz, photographer extraordinaire. She is currently featured in 2 magazines; Northern California Modern Bride (pg. 25,46, 47) and Wedding Bells (pg. 32, 24). Also, Karina has recently moved locations and is operating out of a studio in SOMA. So, for all of you brides who are in the beginning stages of planning, you can look to Karina to make your day extremely memorable. You can check out her work by making an appointment, call (415) 543-3100 for details.

Karina Marie Diaz

All that denying of canoodling will get you nowhere when your life involves omnipresent paparazzo. Example numero uno: here we see Ben Affleck ducking out of J-lo's birthday party at Tavern on the Green. That week the newly divorced Lopez and her upcoming co-star Ben were seen flaunting their newly minted romance by swapping spit at Nobu in lower Manhattan. Then comes this sneak attack that was so perfectly caught on camera. Even if you try your hardest to sneak around and not be "noticed" it's fairly hard to avoid the wrath of Page 6, N.Y.'s most notorious gossip column. At least Ben looks like he is having fun, his tattered image can only improve. We ask you J-lo, which is meant to be the the bigger publicity stunt...the divorce or Ben? And is that Monica Lewinsky he's leaving with!?

Pearl Opens in the Napa Valley
Pearl is please to announce the opening of their second store on 1428 Main Street in St. Helena. As part of their celebration, Pearl will be hosting a trunk show with celebrity jewelry designer, SAGE on August 3rd from 11am-4pm. For more details call (415) 464-1808.

Alla Prima Opens in Danville
Now Danville will have an Alla Prima of their very own! The chic lingerie boutique will open its' doors on August 1st. Make sure to pay them a visit in their new home! Their address is 860 Sycamore Valley Road (inside the Danville Livery & Mercantile), (925) 362-9471.

Dish Opens in San Francisco
Berkeley's chicest boutique is opening a branch in Hayes Valley on August 9th! Dish carries amazing lines that are trendy with a classic edge. Make sure to stop by and check it out!

SAN FRANCISCO
Designer Clothing Extravaganza
On August 6th, A Miner Miracle will be holding a sale that will feature 60-70% discounts on unworn women's, men's, and children's clothing and accessories from the likes of DKNY, Armani, Calvin Klein, and Coach. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit this non-profit organization which provides professional clothing and image counseling to low income men and women seeking employment.

Tuesday August 6th, 10am-7pm
Hilton San Francisco, Plaza A
333 O'Farrell @ Mason
For more info call 415.217.7230
LOS ANGELES
American Rag
We found the cutest little nehru shirt at American Rag's summer sale. Lines that have been discounted include Marc Jacobs, Ella Moss, Jill Stuart, and Rebecca Taylor. The shoes are to die for too. The store is at 150 S. La Brea Ave, (323) 935-3154.

NEW YORK
Fishs Eddy
This cooler than cool store seems to have uncovered a pile of vintage china from the '21' Club restaurant. It's all unused and is on sale for 30 percent off. Dinner plates, glasses, soup bowls, and more are $2.45 to $10.50. The sale last through Thursday, July 31 through Tuesday, August 13.

More Splendora Events

Recently we debated the merits of returning. You know what we're talking about...the even exchange, the store credit, the refund. We've all had unfortunate purchases, ones which we regret and kick ourselves for. However, in the shopping realm there are two types of people: the Returners and the Non-Returners (ReturNos). It's widely known that these two camps have different reasons and tactics for their habits. And, here at Splendora we are divided on the topic. We have a serial Returner who recently triumphed over the successful return of a 2-yr. old hairdryer and a ReturNo who never takes anything back (unless it's of the verbal nature). Here are their stories:

Pro-Return: I work for Splendora hence, I have a shopping problem. It seems as though I am always traipsing home with a bag or two and usually get the "You bought more stuff?" comment from the house-boy. I answer with the always appropriate, "I really like and need it. But, I may return it." The ability to return gives people like me, the indecisive shopper, an opportunity to have a trial period with a particular item. I can try it on, walk around the house in it, admire myself in the large windows in the living room...the possibilities are endless. Then I can truly get a "feel" for and item in order to determine the "is it me?" factor. This goes for furniture and home accessories too. New coffee and end tables make frequent appearances in my living room. I even put accessories on them, jazz 'em up so they become a part of the room. Sometimes they're just place holders while I am on my quest to find the right one. After I moved in to my new place I have bought and returned a total of 4 tables. I finally found the keepers (it only took 5 months). Moreover, I like stores that have good return policies. I refuse to purchase if it's 'store credit only'. And if I return after my allotted 30 days, I suck it up and keep that credit slip in my receipt folder which resides in my car (always keep it handy). Essentially, I like to feel confident about my purchases, and with the ability to return, I'm guaranteed to get exactly what I want.

No Return Long ago I adopted Loreal's motto "I'm worth it" and since then I have used this rationale to justify the majority of my life changing purchases (jewelry, house, plasma TV) and just about every impulsive purchase I make on a daily basis. I am not a shopper like our friend The Returner. I am a Buyer. I do not try things out for a week and take it back to the store and I am rarely indecisive about my purchases. I am the Terminator of Buying except that I won't be back... unless it is to buy more. I buy what I need (and what I don't need) and if it doesn't work I give it away. This practice is not entirely due to laziness--although the fact that I hate driving may be a factor. I can attribute my behavior to the fact that I have three sisters who are essentially the same shoe and dress size as me. If I don't like something, chances are they will. Coincidentally, the women I work with are also the same shoe and dress size so if it wasn't for my No Return policy there would be fewer pairs of Louboutins running around the office. Most importantly, and as I mentioned before I am a power buyer. Power buyers should avoid any superfluous contact with stores as much as possible. If I went to take something back, I would certainly end up trading in the store credit for yet another item I don't want. What's worse I would have tortured myself by driving to and from the store, wasting time looking around for something I don't need, and either exiting with or without a purchase thereby increasing my net loss. Gas, time, possibly more money combined with credit = NOT WORTH IT and since you already know my motto you can see how this practice of returning goes against my whole philosophy.