While we fantasize about hanging 10 and catching killer waves à la Kate Bosworth in Blue Crush, it actually takes a lot of effort just to dip our toes in these cold S.F. waters. But, with warmer weather rolling in and rash guards popping up on runways, we've got surfing on the brain.

We've already got the seaside beauty look down pat with our waterproof mascara and tousled waves, now all we need is a surfboard (and the skills!). But, if we're going to go all-out and invest in one, we won't be settling for just any ol' hunk of wood. Which is why the Board Art Benefit is the perfect opportunity to step up our surf style. With one-of-a-kind boards decorated by S.F. artists like General Store's Serena Mitnik-Miller, Kim Cogan, and more — we plan to place our bids on these eye-catching options. And hey, if taking up surfing falls through, at least we'll have a sweet work of art.

In addition to the lovely longboards, there will be cold brews and live tunes to add to the beachy bash. So, mark your iCals, because this one is not to be missed. Now, where did we leave the SPF?

When: Saturday, June 9, 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Driftwood Salon Art Gallery, 39 Isis Street (Near 12th and Folsom streets); No phone.



Photo: via Board Art Benefit

While it sounds cozy to head straight home right after work, wrap yourself in a throw, and catch up on bad reality TV (hello, ANTM finale!) — resist the urge. We have a pretty sweet lineup that will make lounging on the couch seem like the last thing you want to do. And we know you're probably on pins and needles waiting for the arrival of Memorial Day, so we've concocted a jam-packed agenda of cool happenings to take your mind off the fact that it's the beginning of the week. Don't worry! You'll be having such a grand time and it will be Friday (and a three-day weekend) before you know it. So, peep our picks and be sure to pencil in these exceptional weekly events.

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale
Forget Bay to Breakers! Marathon shoppers, set your alarm clocks early, and make a mad dash for Rebecca Minkoff's sample sale happening this Sunday. If you're looking to blow some hard-earned dough, you'll save big on Ms. Minkoff's cult bags, of-the-moment shoes, and It-Girl pieces — all deeply-discounted, waiting for a special spot in your closet!
When: Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Madrone Studios, 1417 15th Street (between Shotwell and Folsom streets).

Ted Allen Personal Appearance
Remember Ted Allen — the wine and food expert from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? With his posh thick-rimmed frames and mad kitchen skills, he helped transform clueless-in-the-kitch dudes into cooking connoisseurs. If it rings a bell, then there's no way you'll want to miss Ted Allen in conversation with Joey Altman at the JCC. You'll also want to pour through the pages of his new cookbook, In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate Cooks, which comes free with your ticket!
When: Monday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street (between Presidio Avenue and Walnut Street); 415-292-1200.
Tickets: $40; Buy here!

Chinatown Culinary Tour with Joyce Jue
Taste the streets of Chinatown with local award-winning cook and author, Joyce Jue. The wise lady will take folks on a tour of Chinatown's tea rooms, old-world cafes, outdoor produce stands, and other hole-in-the-wall haunts. You'll even get to sample some of her bite-sized treats. Get tickets here. Hello, feeding frenzy!
When: Wednesday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Chinatown, Grant Avenue and Bush Street

Golden Gate 75th Anniversary at the Clift Hotel
Time to put your fancy pants on and hold that international orange clutch close to your heart as you toast a happy birthday to the Golden Gate Bridge. Make new friends over cocktails from another era, dance to live swing music, and catch screenings of The Maltese Falcon, Fog Over Frisco, and Song of the City — classic movies all filmed on location in our fair town! It's a '30s-themed affair, so hit up Pinterest for some inspiration.
When: Friday, May 25, Saturday, May 26, Sunday May 27, 8 p.m.
Where: The Redwood Room at The Clift Hotel, 495 Geary Street (at Taylor Street); 415-775-4700.

Mr. Marina Competition 2012
And the search for Mr. Marina rages on! While we're all for cheering on cute dudes in swimwear (yes, Mr. Marina does have a swim portion!) and perusing some serious eye candy, we're also all about coming together for a good cause. Each contestant for Mr. Marina had to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to participate. Dudes with a heart of gold are winners in our book (even if they do live in the Marina).
When: Wednesday, May 23, 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street (between 5th and 6th streets); 415-625-8880.
Price: $40; Buy tickets here

Photo: Via Rebecca Minkoff, Anna-Alexa Basile

Perhaps the only thing better than a brand-new store opening is the relaunch celebration of one we already love. And, since we’re all about reigniting sartorial flames, we're especially excited about the reopening of Cow Hollow fashion-and-jewelry boutique Covet, which goes down tonight.

In honor of its revamped locale, Covet isn’t just serving up bubbly, treats, and vino — it’s also hawking free eyebrow waxes from Skin Remedy. Yes, that would be free, as in, won’t cost you a dime.

Plus, if you’re looking to offload some old garb, then we suggest bringing it along to donate to Career Closet — in addition to warm fuzzies, your donation will entitle you to 15% off any Covet purchase.

Whoever said only weekends were made for fun certainly didn’t have this event on the calendar. Get the deets below and be prepared to leave with a little more sparkle than you walked in with.

When: Thursday, May 17, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Covet, 2042 Union Street (at Webster Street); 415-440-2373.

Photo: Via Facebook/Covet

It's not every day that we get a true fashion legend traveling to these parts. Which is why we're especially excited for this Friday, when the reigning queen of the American-fashion scene, Donna Karan, hits up San Francisco to celebrate her brand-new in-shop boutique at Saks Fifth Avenue in Union Square.

The New York native, known for comfy, luxe basics, expertly draped wares, and her insane business savvy, will be unveiling her new space and meeting and greeting fans all the while.

See the deets below, and start planning your "late lunch" accordingly. Trust we'll definitely be there for this one, as well!

When: Friday, May 18, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Saks Fifth Avenue, Donna Karan Boutique, 3rd Floor, 384 Post Street (at Powell Street); 415-986-4300.

Photo: Via Donna Karan

Sure, we S.F. gals get sunny summer days here and there. But let's be real. Jeans are a year-round thing around these parts. And that's why we're extra hyped about Madewell's rad denim-packed Airstream passing through town, as part of the 13-city Madewell Denim Roadtrip.

On Wednesday, May 16, head to the corner of Grant and Geary to check out the mobile pop-up, which will include a "braid bar," so folks can get their hair did before or after perusing racks of Madewell denim (and checking out with a 15% discount). Plus, if you’re more into getting things, ya' know, completely free, you can take part in Madewell’s Denim Dash scavenger hunt in Union Square, where seekers can search for five vouchers for a pair of free jean. Um, so worth it!

The real doozy? Madewell is taking things a step further by granting one seriously lucky gal five years worth of absolutely free jeans. How so? Head over to the shiny silver one-day-only shopping spot to get details or simply click here to enter. May the most jean-ius babe win!

When: Wednesday, May 16, noon to 7 p.m.
Where: At Grant Avenue and Geary Street.

Photo: Courtesy of Madewell

Do you find yourself glued to the television anytime shows like The Real Housewives (of pretty much anywhere!) come on? You’re definitely not alone. We'll readily admit to a few marathons of the addictive programming aired on the legendary Bravo network, as well.

And now we can meet the man responsible for many of these reality dramas this Wednesday, when Andy Cohen, Bravo's executive producer and author of new tome Most Talkative, will be stopping through the Castro Theatre to discuss everything from life at Bravo to run-ins with celebs, while local drag queen Donna Sachet moderates.

Unfortunately, standard tickets for this hot event are sold out ($80 premium options are still available), but we've got a solution! We're giving away a free pair of tickets to one lucky reader. All you've gotta do is answer the following: If you could be any Real Housewife, who would you be and why? Get your cat fight on in the comments below!

When: Wednesday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street (between 17th and 18th streets); 415-621-6120.

Photo: Via Facebook/Andy Cohen

It’s true: It pains us to see the weekend come to a close. We felt like it was Friday just five minutes ago. Sigh. But just because the weekend ship has sailed, doesn’t mean fun has to take a five-day hiatus. Nope, that’s why we’re pretty stoked to bring you a handful of buzzy events to keep your agenda packed and your spirits high. From a cool concert to a jewelry trunk show, here are the best of best in must-catch happenings in S.F. this week. Enjoy!

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School: Cute Girls On Bikes
San Franciscans are all about the two-wheelers. There’s no denying that. And if you’re eager to creatively express your adoration for spokes — this event is for you. At this workshop, you'll get a first-hand lesson on how to doodle bicycles and the cute girls riding them. Because who doesn't love babes on bikes?
When: Tuesday, May 15, 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: Chicken John’s Warehouse, 3359 Cesar Chavez Street (between Van Ness Avenue and Mission streets).
Price: $15; Buy tickets here.

Stephany Hitchcock Trunk Show
Feel like adding a little sparkle to your Sunday? New York gemologist Stephany Hitchcock is bringing her color-soaked baubles to Gallery of Jewels today. Don’t miss the final leg of the jewel tour, which will be at the Pacific Heights store until 6:30 p.m. Mosey on over to peep the luxe goodies.
When: Sunday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gallery of Jewels, 2115 Fillmore Street (between California and Sacramento streets); 415-771-5099.

Best Coast at The Fox
In the mood to catch a concert? Groove to the ethereal and dreamy sounds of Best Coast this Saturday. We couldn’t think of a more romantic spot than the decorative and breathtaking Fox Theatre to see this L.A.-based band. But get tickets while you still can — we’re sure they’re going fast.
When: Saturday, May 19, 8 p.m.
Where: The Fox Theatre, 1807 Telegraph Avenue (between 19th and 18th streets), Oakland; 510-302-2250. Price: Varies; Buy tickets here.

Drinking And Songs: A Night of Beer & The Music That Goes With It
Does drinking beer and singing about it sound like your kind of evening? If so, you'll probably want to pencil in this event. Taste artisanal beers from Dogfish Head while you jam to live music themed around different ales. Hey, this probably beats what you currently have planned Wednesday night, right? Then why not give this beer and beats fete a whirl?
When: Wednesday, May 16, 8 to 10 p.m.
Where: 50 Mason Social House, 50 Mason Street (between Turk and Market streets); 415-433-5050.

Makin’ Mobiles in the Month of May
Mobiles are having a major moment right now, and if you’re itching to add one to your abode, check it. Instead of coughing up mucho dinero for one, why not get all crafty at Gravel + Gold's mobile-making class and make it yourself? At this course you'll learn the ins and outs of felt mobiles and in no time at all you’ll be a lean, mean, mobile-making machine.
When: Sunday, May 20, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Gravel + Gold, 3266 21st St (between Bartlett and Lexington streets); 415-552-0112.

Photos: Via Facebook/Best Coast, Tumblr/Bikes + Babes

Ever felt the inclination to roll up your sleeves, get super crafty, and learn the tricks of the stationary trade? We're not going to lie: We've felt that itch, too. And now, we can all satisfy our burning curiosity right here in town, this Saturday at paperie Hello! Lucky's open studio event.

This won’t be your typical you-can-look-but-don't-you-touch kind of tour, either. Instead, we can witness first-hand how the pretty pieces are designed and then take a crack at printing our very own letterpress cards. If you ask us, this is a lot more personal than just scribbling “With Love” at the bottom of a store-bought iteration. Mom will flip when she's handed one of these babies.

And once satisfied with your newfound printing skills, you can peruse the store’s latest greetings card line before anyone else gets to ogle. Suddenly we’re starting to see the where the "lucky" part comes into play. Sound like a plan to you? Jot down the deets and prepare to give Hallmark a run for its money!

When: Saturday, May 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Hello! Lucky, 977 Howard Street (at 6th Street); 415-355-0008.

Photo: Via Facebook/ Hello! Lucky

Remember about a month ago when we gave you a sneak peek into PUBLIC Bikes’ sweet new setup on Valencia Street? Well, the wait is over. The red ribbon is ready to be cut, and the doors are swinging open — in style. And naturally, PUBLIC is hosting a happening shindig to celebrate its hub (um, pun intended) nestled inside Harrington Galleries. And if it’s anything like previous PUBLIC Bikes parties, we know there’s ample fun in store.

Mosey on in this Saturday, when the bike company will debut a slew of brand-spankin’-new cycle shades. They even have a limited edition Golden Gate Bridge-colored one on deck — better get on it, those are going to go like hotcakes. And that’s not all — of course drinks, live music, food, and deals will be going down, too. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. So, see you there?



RSVP: Here!
When: Saturday, May 12, 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: PUBLIC Bikes Pop-Up At Harrington Galleries, 599 Valencia Street (at 17th Street); 415-861-7300.

Photo: Courtesy of Public Bikes

While we're still jumping for joy over Heath Ceramics' latest super-elegant bridal collaboration, that doesn’t mean we can’t be equally excited about the iconic ceramics shop’s multitude of upcoming special events!

First off, for those eager to learn how Heath's awe-inspiring decor pieces are crafted, a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge is seriously in order, since the Sausalito-based company will be giving Wonka-style factory tours as part of SFMade's roster of events, this weekend, May 12 through May 13, only. And sure, seeing how the pretty ornamentals are spun into form is pretty amaze, but we think getting them for 15% off is just as exhilarating!

Plus, if your mom is into all things Heath, we suggest you also hit up the brand's weekend-long tile-glazing courses and family-focused photo shoot that won’t cost you a dime. We hear space is limited, so secure your spot by heading here, and treat Mom to an unforgettable day trip.

Photo: Via Heath Ceramics

If sipping on steaming cups of Ritual Coffee, guzzling tall glasses of Anchor Steam, or indulging in chocolatey delights is your thing, then we’ve got a bevy of events that are sure to be mega tempting!

Starting today, we lucky S.F. dwellers can take part in up to six killer factory tours going down throughout the week at hotspots like Ritual Coffee Roasters, Kika’s Treats and Cocoa, Heath Ceramics, and more, for just $10 a pop. It’s all a part of SFMade Week, which celebrates all things made right here in San Francisco.

Our favorite part? Hands down, the week-long silent auction, jam-packed with coveted prizes worth every bid. We’re talkin’ Giants tickets, a cocktail party hosted by Bi-Rite, and a yummy dinner for four at Magnolia.

Um, sound like the best week ever? With this insane weather added to the mix, it just might be! Check out the full list of SFMade events happening all week long here, and kick your case of the Mondays to the curb.

Photo: Via Anchor Steam

Can we get a round of applause? We’ve made it through yet another week. And while the weekend is slowly slipping away from us (sad) — the fun doesn’t have to stop. We’re here to offer up a bevy of happenings to keep things exciting all week long (yes, even on a Monday). Now, get ready to wave buh-bye to cabin fever — and hit S.F. in style.

Kombucha Workshop
If you’re like us, and have had many failed attempts at crafting your own Kombucha, you may want to listen up. The friendly folks over at 18 Reasons are hosting a workshop on how to make the popular Chinese fermented tea. Now you can finally learn how to bottle the healthy drink — and save yourself major moolah. Count us in.
When: Wednesday, May 9, 7 to 8 p.m.
Where: 18 Reasons, 3674 18th Street (between Dolores and Guerrero streets); 415-568-2710.

Moms Inc. Party With Cat Seto
We are serious fans of Cat Seto's cutesy Russian Hill paper shop. So, we’re excited to rub elbows with the stationary designer, who will be on site at West Elm celebrating the launch of her new tome Moms Inc. It is sure to be an evening packed with fashion, frill, and treats. Sounds like a pretty rad plan to us.
When: Wednesday, May 9, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: West Elm, 5602 Bay Street (at Shellmound Street), Emeryville; 510-655-1367.

Paxton Gate Story Hour
We love popping into Paxton’s Gate for an array of oddball gifts that everyone (at any age) can appreciate. And while we usually just mosey around the quaint shop, it never crossed our minds to hit up one of its much-loved story hours — until now. Sure, it may be slightly geared toward the kiddies, but whether you bring along a youngin’ or fly solo, you’re sure to leave impressed. This week’s story hour features Lela Shields’ grim tales.
When: Thursday, 11 a.m.
Where: Paxton Gate, 766 Valencia Street (at 18th Street); 415)-824-1872.

How to Set Up a Beehive
Okay, we’re not going to lie: We’ve been wondering how to set up a beehive for ages (really!). If you’ve ever wanted to get into the niche hobby of beekeeping (we know you have), this eclectic event is for you. Part of an ongoing series, you’ll learn how to keep an urban beehive right in your backyard. Pretty adventurous, no?
When: Saturday, May 12, 1 p.m.
Where: Garden for the Environment, Seventh Avenue (at Lawton Avenue); 415-731-5627.

A Fair To Remember
Why not celebrate Mom's Day strolling around the quaint Jack Kerouac alley? A Fair to Remember is in full swing — and hosting another gathering this Sunday. Here you can peep goodies from some of North Beach’s most creative shops and craftsmen. From local bookstores to bakeries — Mom will think you’re super-sweet for taking her to such an enthralling event chock-full of creativity.
When: Sunday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Jack Kerouac Alley, 257 Columbus Avenue (between Jack Kerouac Alley and Saroyan Place).

Photo: Via Cat Seto