As an event organizer, I’ve enjoyed checking out the Web 2.0 Evite alternatives.  Considering that I love design and am big on presentation, clip art has never fit the bill.  Never!  Thus, it’s refreshing to know that Pingg, the online invite provider, has spent months developing a platform and product to fit the truly discerning event organizer.  Pingg is user-friendly, fun, and provides those incremental options that change the experience.  For example, it’s fab to know that I can finally upload images, logos, and PDFs on an invite and the corresponding web page (I can even add video to my web page).  Also, Pingg’s SurroundSend enables invitations to be sent and received via online (including Facebook posting), SMS and print (they print & send for you) and of course web (ad-free event web page).   The gift and non-profit registry, as well as the event management tools are tres helpful for any busy party planner (love the fact that you can track forwards and sign up for an RSS feed).  And, for those of you on the go, Pingg is available and readable on your crackberry – no need to copy and paste the details into your calendar.  I’m off to plan my next soiree. 

Just like music, which tends to become recycled every other decade, so do snack tastes.  The roaring 80s are back again (crossing my fingers that another Black Monday is not on the horizon).   For those who lived in suburbia in the 80s, we were more than content to drive our gas guzzlers to the nearby Penguin’s – even if it was 10 miles away.   Mass penetration of yogurt store brands eventually lead to the expansion of places like TCBY, Golden Spoon, and a variety of other consumer destinations.   Although the yogurt trend seemed to decline in the late 90s, Red Mango revived the trend in Asia and then Pinkberry led the recent US explosion.   It’s clear that a variety of upstarts are now on the scene.  Although they also seem to be outfitted w/ the white curvey wall, cement washed floor, and nice lighting, some are aiming for true differentiation.  Palo Alto’s Fraiche, for example, is pushing its probiotic benefits; on-site pasturizer; a new organic coffee brand (Blue Bottle Coffee Co); organic steel-cut oatmeal topping and snacks; booths to the Philippe Starck ghost chair; and offers 3 flavors:  original, chocolate, and soy.  What will Yogen Fruz be like?!  It hits the US soon.  Btw, more on Blue Bottle Coffee Co soon.

Planning your next fabulous trip has become an easier task because of sites such as TabletHotels.   Similar to other helpful web-based services, there’s now a trustworthy, well-edited, and super hip guide and booking engine in the travel space.  I’ve been a loyal TabletHotels.com user for months, but I’m now gushing over the site’s relaunch.  In particular, there are a few, specific features that caught my fancy.  I’m thrilled about Tablet’s new expanded set of Top 10 lists (I’m a list whore), TabletStars (Visionaries like Richard Meier and Nancy Silverton share their favorite hotel pics), and Tablet Tunes (who doesn’t want to download a mix curated by a fab Parisian hotel).  From an extension POV, I was impressed when I was given the Tablet10 coffee-table book. 

From a branding perspective, it’s clear that creative marketers are seeing a market opportunity in the pet space above and beyond the cute, local pet store.  As an example, Wag Hotels are an innovative 1-stop destination for dogs and cats.   Although the concept initially launched in Sacramento, it now has locations in San Francisco and Sunnyvale.  Each of the Wag Hotels are fresh and smartly built-out spaces that are inviting and fun for pets and parents alike.  The Wag Store has super cute gear, including the Juicy Couture pet line, fab collars, cool-looking beds, bowls, etc.   And as a protective dog mother, I’m thrilled that our little Zynga has the chance to stay in a clean, beautiful facility that offers play groups, swimming, massages, and even a blueberry facial.  You read it correctly – a facial(!).  To date, we’ve been placing Miss Zynga in a mini-suite as opposed to a luxury suite, since watching TV is not a requirement for a peaceful nite sleep.  Fortunately their online reservation service takes less than a minute.  And finally, the sleek driveway and W logo on the front door screams cool brand development.

Having formerly lived in New York, I preconceived Core Fusion as the place for “exceptionally fit and flexible women.”   To be perfectly honest, I could barely keep up in the Core Fusion classes.  Due to my new SF life, I am feeling as though I can slightly hold my own in The Bar Method Classes, and I’ve become committed to going at least 2x per week.  Unlike Core Fusion, the classes at The Bar Method are open and accessible to ALL levels and sizes.   Since the atmosphere is not as enticing as Core Fusion’s, the cost per class and package is over 30% less.  Women are going crazy over The Bar Method in SF… you need to sign up days in advance for afternoon classes and the waitlist is typically oversold.  It’s like ladies in a candy store!  Whereas Core Fusion is backed by a prestigious private equity group, it appears as though 100% of The Bar Method Franchising Group is still owned by the founders.  Would be curious to know if a private equity group has begun sniffing this out.  

OTT:  Ice Cream Sandwiches 

My obsession with Bi-Rite continues to their stand-alone ice cream store, Bi-Rite Creamery.   Located across the street from the market, the Bi-Rite creamery is heaven on earth (salted caramel, malted vanilla with peanut brittle and milk chocolate, etc).  Though San Franciscans are committed to their health, exercise, and eating right, good old- fashioned ice cream is definitely still part of the mix.   As witnessed on Sunday night, the line went out the door and down the block.  Unlike most ice cream specialty stores, Bi-Rite completes their offering with artisanal goodies, such as homemade cookies, cakes, and pies.    And of course, their milk and creams comes from a top-tier, organic dairy provider: Strauss Organic.  Without question, Bi-Rite’s ice cream sandwiches are over-the-top (OTT).  Would love to send Bi-Rite ice cream sandwiches and cakes to friends across the country.  And, it would be fantastic to see the Bi-Rite brand on dessert menus outside of SF.  As both an ice cream and dessert lover, I feel compelled to strongly encourage Bi-Rite’s GM to consider these business opportunities.  Although it may not be a colossal revenue stream, I must ask “who else has cornered this market?!”

Nowadays, it’s hard to find a perfect local market that combines gourmet offerings; organic, sustainable & locally-produced products, and undeniably good service.  Well, it’s been found at Bi-Rite.  And, Bi-Rite can truthfully boast that it has solid relationships with local star ranches like Niman (isn’t that to boot?!).  Too bad for you if you live outside of SF — Bi-Rite only has one location in San Francisco (it’s in the gourmet ghetto:18^th Street in-between Guerrero and Dolores).   If their owners could accomplish this feat, they should replicate their model in every cool US City.  Without question, Bi-Rite would do well in any cosmopolitan locale.  I’m a chocoholic, and am constantly amazed at the plethora of emerging chocolate brands.  Looking forward to sharing the new brands w/ you!