Back to Reality

Just returned from a wonderful, but too short getaway in Southern California. It was so nice to see the sun and spend some "girl time" with my dear friend!

Four short days away and I forgot about our horrendous San Francisco weather. I ran out last night to get a bite to eat and couldn't help but take a little video to share a little bit of San Francisco summer with you...

On another note...


My "guess the photo" post last week was solved! Once again, the ever-so-brilliant Roseline from This is Glamorous identified this photo. It was actually part of a Photoshop contest (had me fooled) at Worth 1000. Credit: Oil Corner. Thanks Roseline...your prize is on its way!


The current issue of Vintage Magazine, Deuxieme issue has launched. For excerpts visit their website or pick up a copy at fine shops and museums, or subscribe. It's stunning!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

"The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent...

...was a Summer in San Francisco."-often attributed to Mark Twain, but of unknown origin.

Mark Twain did say, "Nobody ever wears Summer clothing. You wear black broadcloth--if you have it--in August and January, just the same. It is no colder, and no warmer, in the one month than the other. You do not use overcoats and you do not use fans. It is as pleasant a climate as could well be contrived, take it all around, and is doubtless the most unvarying in the whole world. The wind blows there a good deal in the summer months, but then you can go over to Oakland, if you choose--three or four miles away--it does not blow there."


So here is my unsolicited annual advice to those of you who plan on visiting San Francisco between June and August.

Bring one of these...

and you may need these...

Do Not bring these!

If you don't believe me, you may end up in Fisherman's Wharf buying one of these...

Happy Summer!

photo credits; we heart it, Michelle in NY, villapeikko

Decadestwo VIP Passes Giveaway

Decadestwo is bringing their Hollywood red carpet style to San Francisco for a pop-up shop, to be held at the historic Fort Mason Firehouse, Friday, June 18th – Saturday, June 19th. In case you are not familiar, Decadestwo is the international retail destination for luxury consignment. 1000 of the best designer consignment pieces from the world's best closets and some unique celebrity collectibles will be available for purchase at this event.

We were able to invite 10 of our readers to the VIP event on Thursday, June 17th, 6:00-9:00 p.m. First dibs on luxury items at incredible prices.

To enter this giveaway, please email DecadestwoRSVP@gmail.com and put "Paris Hotel Boutique" in the subject line. The first 10 replies will be notified and added to the VIP list.

And locals, don't forget the Pop-up shop on Friday & Saturday. I'll be there shopping for sure! Uh Oh!

Decadestwo Pop-up Shop
Friday, June 18th - Saturday June 19th
10 am - 7 pm
Historic Firehouse at Fort Mason
San Francisco

American Cupcake, please have a seat...

Am I dreaming?

Yesterday was one of those days that I wish I had my "real" camera and not my cell phone camera! I'm strolling down Union Street in San Francisco and staring at me through the window are rows and rows of whimsical cupcakes. Welcome to American Cupcake.

Are you kidding? Bubble gum, pixie stix and cotton candy cupcakes? I'm in!

Wait, is this a disco? No, it's a restaurant/dessert lounge. White patent leather banquettes and colored “gumball” lights create a Willy Wonka-meets-modern soda fountain effect.

This place is not just for kids. They serve candy cocktails and have an extensive beer and wine menu. How about a single cupcake and wine pairing?

And they have a full menu of "real food" like BBQ chicken sandwiches, tuna melts, cheese plates and more from chef Carina Lampkin.


These cotton candy cupcakes send me over the top! These pretty blue babies have little cotton candy "pops" on them!

Remember Pixie Stix when you were growing up? How about cupcakes dusted with Pixie Stix?

19 cupcake flavors.
8 peanut butter & jelly options.
13 candy cocktail selections.
16 item savory menu.
candy apples, whoopie pies, fried oreos.

Just how fun is this?

They even cater to our four-legged friends...

Although I haven't tasted a cupcake yet, you know I will be back there soon. I did bring my husband home some cotton candy. This is my new favorite place, if only just to look!

If you're in the area, be sure and visit American Cupcake. I promise the eye-candy alone will make you full!

American Cupcake
1919 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
415.896.4217

Lights, Camera, Action!

designed and fabricated bus stop for a San Francsico photo shoot

I just stumbled upon this San Francisco-based company, Scene 2. I think it was this photo above of a Grey Poupon bus stop in the middle of San Francisco that caught my attention.

The young hipsters at Scene 2 have a full service design studio that specializes in 3-D media. From small scale models for a photo shoot, to large scale installations for music festivals and concerts, these people are very talented indeed!

Do you like a carnival? Mister Gnogiurzauchshoff’s Traveling Midway of Curiosities and Delights has been traveling the dusty roads of America’s great carnival past. Conjuring up memories of the traveling circus and images of America's small towns, transformed by the arrival of the carnival.



Check out M.T. Pocket's 2009 tour (above) that traveled from San Francisco to Austin, Texas!

If you're looking for set building, model making or custom fabrication, be sure and check these folks out!

Scene 2

1335 Yosemite Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124-3319
(415) 822-2020

photo credit: Scene 2

A Favorite: sfgirlbybay

Green Shoes - photo: sfgirlbybay

San Francisco-based blogger/writer/editor, Victoria of sfgirlbybay never ceases to amaze me. Her colorful and inspiring blog is one I look forward to reading on a daily basis.


Sfgirlbybay is one of the leading interior design blogs, brimming with new product reviews, shopping tips, including art, photography and design resources, flea market finds, vintage inspiration. Gosh, the list is too long! This is one talented gal!

Orange Crush.

Onion Peeling.

Take for instance, Victoria's Sunday in the City series where Victoria shares some of her San Francisco musings captured in her beautiful photography. And, with a fun play on words!

Or her current updates on decorating her Pacific Heights apartment, which I may add, she is in the process of moving into a house. Can't wait to see the new photos!

Icing on the Cake.

I love Victoria's Flickr photo series...

And can't help being biased since we live in the same city...

Victoria also has her own Etsy shop, where she sells her own photography, 'Keep Calm & Carry On' posters, and more...

How does she do it all?

Victoria was recently voted #10 of the London Times Top 50 Design Blogs. So, if you have a moment, take a trip over to sfgirlbybay and relish her lovely blog. And be sure and check out her Etsy shop too!

Thanks Victoria for the endless inspiration!

all photos: sfgirlbybay

Blog it Forward: What Inspires Me?

photo: Ed Brodzinsky

I'm thrilled to be part of the Blog it Forward mash-up started by Victoria of sfgirlbybay. A group of 300 participating bloggers are sharing “what inspires them”on their blogs, and then passing it on to the next blogger on the schedule. I've already discovered some lovely blogs I’d never seen, so definitely check out the other participating blogs! The previous blog in the chain is Paper and Thread, and I'm blogging it forward to Peanut Butter and Poetry, link here.
So, what inspires me?

That's a tough one, since so many things inspire me. But, the first thing that popped into my head was "yesteryear." definition; time gone by; especially : the recent past.

Selling vintage and antique goods is one of the most interesting things I've ever done. I'm constantly inspired by things I find and the history behind them.

Market Street, San Francisco, 1940's

I've always said that if I had to wish for one thing, (not that winning the lotto wouldn't be great...and good health, of course), my wish would be to travel back in time and spend one day in San Francisco, preferably the 1930's or 40's. I'd take a stroll down Market Street, all dressed up in my hat and gloves.

The Flood Building

I'd stop to admire beautiful buildings that have been untouched by modern architecture...

photo: Ed Brodzinsky
The Hearst Building on Market Street was designed by architect Julia Morgan and dates to 1937. Gorgeous!

photo: twiga_swala

The San Francisco City Hall dome, inspired by Mansart's dome of Les Invalides in Paris, is the fifth largest in the world. The building is a a Beaux-Arts monument. I love the garlands, cartouches, balustrades, arched doors and classical details of the Beaux-Arts style.

Ferry Building Clock Tower

Gazing at passersby dressed in their fine clothing...I'm going to have to buy some new clothes to fit in!

What's a day without shopping? A "must stop," the upscale City of Paris department store (Beaux-Arts style building) which reflected French culture in the store’s décor and merchandise...

photo: ecastro
Its opulent rotunda with an amazing stained glass dome...breathtaking...

I may be tempted to purchase one of the dresses in the window...

Okay, enough shopping. Time to grab a cable car...

Headed down to Bernstein's Fish Grotto on Powell Street where I'll have some delicious seafood...Can't believe the crab cocktail is only 75 cents!

I'm on my way to visit fine hotels like the Fairmont and Mark Hopkins atop Nob Hill, and gaze at their interiors...luscious carpets designed by Dorothy Draper, marble pillars, massive chandeliers...

It's getting late...I'm stopping off Bimbo's 365 Club to hear some Big Band music...fabulous Art Deco supper club...

Perhaps I'll sip on a cocktail like a Pink Lady or Sidecar...

But wait! I haven't even said hello to my relatives!! Okay, I'll grab the nearest streetcar and pay visits to all. My great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins galore! Can't wait to meet some of these people!

photo: cinderella

Uh oh! It's almost midnight. My day's up. I'm afraid it's time to return back to 2010...So sad to leave...I had the best time!

There is nothing like yesteryear. The beauty and elegance of a bygone era continues to inspire me to hunt and seek out vintages treasures to share with you. Perhaps we can all imagine a "time gone by" that in our minds, is more glamorous than it actually was. But, I doubt it. I think it was very glamorous indeed!

Thank you all for reading what inspires me. I hope your days are filled with your own endless inspiration!

Photo credits; San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection/Public Library, myvintagevogue, twiga_swala, e castro, twenty_questions, atelier/Ed Brodzinsky, srk1941, open salon