poppies and pyramids

passing poppies in bloom and a clear view of the Transamerica building down an alley on my way through Chinatown

rainy day

started the morning off in a fog and a Saturday ahead of photographing tea and spices called for a Bob's donut run before picking up a few last minute shoot ingredients at the farmers market.

another favorite

La Boulange on Hayes is one of my favorite colorful corners, between the woven bistro chairs and splash of green by the planter box

ocsicnarF naS

traveling along the bay and then the SF Ferry Building makes this one of my favorite commutes

waking up early on Saturday

 San Francisco is different than other cities in that there are times of day where the whole city seems to be asleep.... even after the sun is up. I woke up and the neighborhood was still and the fog blanket was still over most of the city. Instead of heading to the local farmers market I drove to Marin County. As I approached the Golden Gate bridge a few cars slowly started to fill the lanes. I stopped at the Marin Headlands for a clear view of the San Francisco skyline with sun peaking through the clouds, but not quite reaching those still fast asleep. I paused here and continued to wake up slowly and take in the sea air and view of the bridge as the slow started to recede a bit more. Continuing north to Marin Mart for farmers market treats and a little inspiration at Erica Tanov with coffee in hand until they opened, but once they did I'm pretty sure I looked at everything in the store a few times before parting. The image on the right is a detail of a tall (15ft) wall section that they covered in these flat metal discs.

Marin Mart

a few extra guests at the Marin Mart Farmers Market including a docile donkey named Pepper and a little duck that I wanted to put in my pocket. When I see the stag horn ferns by the mailbox I think, only in Marin. There are a few great shops here and then the farmers market vendors on Saturday and then food carts on Sunday. I love this giant "B" on the side of the building.

a quick stop at Heath ceramics

... in Sausalito before heading back over the Golden Gate bridge. I tend to see Heath colors after I leave their shop/studio.

oakland sweetness

I met up with an Oakland friend and I was finally (3rd times a charm) able to try Doughnut Dollys filled to order donuts. We split a lemon creme and Mexican spiced chocolate. Talked with a local gardener and walked around streets overflowing with jasmine flowers in bloom. It was misty with a little rain earlier and it made the views of the east bay even more dreamlike. I lived in Oakland for a short stint and it's special charm is something that I miss from time to time, especially when I see zebras grazing under a highway overpass or one of hundreds of Rothko like walls as people paint over patches of graffiti.

open

sharing the love

I wove this heart here so it could rest above the East Bay Bridge also affectionately known as "that other SF bridge" and greet visitors on their way to Coit Tower. While I don't weave hearts that often I hope to make more of them in SF this year. There's still another heart by Fort Mason (also on the fence). This is one of my favorite public (he)art contributions. I'd love to revisit one I made on a bridge in Berlin that connects the East and West side.

the magic of March

March SF is one of the most inspiring kitchen/home stores with well curated pieces in a gorgeous light filled space that's a balance of modern and comfort. I feel like there's always something new to see or a new way to see something old.

modern craft

I've spotted these beautiful ceramic bells by MQuan at a few favorite stores in SF. The bells above are at The Mill in Noe Valley. After swooning over these gems I headed to The Future Perfect where I found a few of her bells hanging like sculptures above a sofa, this hand-blown glass light fixture by Lindsey Adelman, and "cold cut" coasters by Chen Chen&Kai. 

early morning at the Plow

Super early brunch that turned into 7:30am breakfast to avoid the rush and still get to work. Plow has been on my list of new restaurants to try for a while and it was worth the wait and the early wake up to avoid the wait in line. I had the fresh dungeness crab scramble with crisp potatoes and coffee plus the first bite of lemon ricotta pancakes. Delicious! I'll be back again and hopefully a little closer to brunch time so I can have a snack before and be less shaky with phone pics.