As I ventured out into the beautiful fall weather for a walk, I came across something in my tote that had not been there before.

Besides the grocery kind, shopping is really just another form of entertainment. In fact, shopping is rated one of the top forms of entertainment for millennials in the United States.* Yes this group includes me (in case you were wondering). This week, I've had the honor of being a Guest Blogger for the city's top tourist destination and marketing firm, Union Square San Francisco. What this means, is enjoying one of my favorite pastimes, while letting the city know what I think. These opinions are all my own, and personally, I'm most fascinated by the fashion retail tech that seems to be popping up in our local stores down on the square.


I was recently invited to meet with Jeani Hunt-Gibbon; who is the Marketing & Communications Manager for Union Square Business Improvement District. The offices are located directly above the square, in a historical building with beautiful large glass windows and a bird’s eye view of many stores and happenings.

Never-ending staircase in the building that hosts Union Square San Francisco Offices

Jeanie Hunt-Gibbon, best tour guide in town if you ask me.

If you weren't able to get tickets before they sold out for today's game, you should still come down to AT&T Park and join the all fans that have come out, sporting fall's brightest color in support of our home team.

Interior design meets science fiction...the upstairs lounge felt a little bit like it was going to take off, spaceship style.

Gearing up for a night on the town, I was thrilled to try out my new Cole Haan handbag, and Cuyana infinity scarf; a few of the gifts I recently received from Union Square SF, the cities local marketing firm. I'm excited and honored to be a guest blogger soon for the firm, now all I have to do now is shop around Union Square (gift card in hand) and talk a little about what I think. Post coming soon...all in a hard day's work, as they say.

"This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more."

 - Morpheus, The Matrix

I'm falling.

Help! Some 50 stories up, I was told to jump... leap across other buildings. I can't. Now there is no noise but the buildings whizzing by then a thud as I hit the ground, and bounce. Try again. This is a different kind of video game. A game you have to play with your mind rather than a controller in your hands. How do you make it to the other side?


Last week I had the privilege of receiving an invitation to meet one of the creators of the Matrix VR (Virtual Reality) for Oculus Rift, and try it out first-hand. Tipatat Chennavasin, UX designer and developer, with his team, Eric Beyhl and Jon Dadley, have given us all free and open access to their creation, and I was lucky to experience how it was meant to be played.


"You know," Chennavasin casually tells me," this game helped cure my fear of heights". Then I had the headset on and there was nothing but silence and blackness. Better sit down for this one.

So I began my day a little short on time, with a lot to do, so I had to improvise. It is possible (of course not something you should do on a day-to-day) to pull off wearing pajamas in public.

A quick 'before' selfie taken after I woke up. (Not the last time you'll see me without makeup.)

Observing the unveiling of Puls, the latest wearable co-created by musician will.i.am last night was interesting, but overall disappointing.


The technology aspect was great, I was intrigued by this wrist wearable that did not need to pair with a phone, and that it had some artificial intelligence built in he termed "Aneeda" (as in, I need a directions to the store...).

When I first began to listen, all I heard were the familiar political campaigns - the same that we've heard from the Democratic party over and over...nice but not revolutionary. It wasn't until Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum in Davos, took the stage with her that I noticed something new.

Before I show you anything, I'd like to share a story with you. Please read it...this is an excerpt from an old Chinese fable, The Story of the Farmer:

There once was a farmer who had only one horse. One day, for no reason, his horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him, but he asked them, "What makes you so sure this isn't a blessing?" Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him, but he replied, "What makes you so sure this isn't a disaster?" Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day the son fell off and broke his hip. Again, everyone tried to console him, but he said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a blessing?" A year later the nomads came to force across the border, and every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of ten men. Only because the son was lame did the father and son survive to take care of each other. Truly, blessing turns into disaster, and disaster to blessing: the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.*

No matter what the day brings, whether it feels like a victory or a defeat, never assume anything.

I am so excited about the potentials of virtual reality. Not necessarily just for gaming and entertainment, (still not sure what Facebook has in mind for the social aspect) but for the ways it will help transition interfaces away from screens and into real life experiences. That is why I couldn't wait to gear up for the VR demo night taking place at the Unity offices downtown. Forget bringing a purse or handbag to these types of events. Either a backpack with a demo kit or a utility jacket with plenty of pockets will do the trick.


There was limited admission, and I didn't understand why until I saw the line curling around an entire building.

Walking towards the offices of Lumoid.com, I remembered the excitement I felt as a little girl, walking into a VHS rental store, knowing I could walk away with anything in there. Nothing was unobtainable. After watching a film over and over, the thrill faded and I'd walk back to return and exchange for a newer release. Why purchase something you're only going to enjoy for a short period of time that will eventually collect dust and produce clutter?

"You know I can sue you for that..." my gorgeous council advises after a snap from my photographer lights up her face. (We try to hit specific angles after that.)


Brunch with these superintelligent women reminds me to cover all bases. Here are a few tips they share for inspiring bloggers & entrepreneurs out there.

As a girl from the Pacific Northwest, I never thought I'd find myself praying for rain.

A night on the town this weekend however, has left me on bended knee as the the smog blowing in from the northern fires has slowly floated down, leaving our fresh air from the bay subdued and the climate parched.


Even the shop windows optimistically showcased the future of winter and the promise of cooling the city off with a little precipitation.

Fashion week has come to a close, and it's clear that the city hasn't defined anything iconic to put San Francisco on the fashion map yet - but its getting close. A few innovative designers have made a name for themselves inspired by a little fantasy, science fiction, menswear for everyone, and even some of California's favorite animals.

Here is a quick peek of the show - organized by the bay area's own Owen Geronimo (whom I have to thank for the front-row seat), it was nothing less than fabulous...