as time goes by
these boulangeries are everywhere, really affordable and authentic french food. the croissant and baguette sandwiches were great!
hey guys! seems like i just got here and it’s over right this very minute! i forgot my camera on so many occasions that i almost gave up posting about san fran. but when renee called to check in yesterday she was not hearing that! she convinced me to retrace my steps. i accepted the challenge, hopped on a bus (love the one that goes up van ness. it’s $1.50 in coins), and started shooting!
on the bus i got a call from lynn who was ready to run around again so off we went on another adventure by car! these are some random hilights
chinatown
market at the UN on wednesday
passing by the pretty old theaters
off the bus you can see so much more detail of course, like adorable toy stores. this was a puzzle in a train specialty shop
great displays
got off on polk street by union and ran into a great store called jak. turns out the exterior was designed by the man who did the carvings at the hearst mansion. he didn’t want to live on site so he created this little workshop that jack now rents. it’s all in the book below:
polk turned out to be a great street with lots of amazing places
swallowtail can really merchandise, making me want everything in the store
tiny crowns in ‘past perfect’ antique collective. lynn is a crown expert and i always look at them when we’re together
carol at interior visions may end up carrying some tpa stuff! glad i went back and revisited afterall and will post the rest later. and now to the airport!
keys to the castle
castle, chateau, crib, call it what you will but the good news is we’re going in! tomorrow night hgtv is going to air a new season of ‘keys to the castle‘ where they take us inside these living fairytales.
this is one they feature, i don’t know how many we’ll tour per episode but it looks like pure bliss
check out more of the gardens here (this shot from perseverando on flickr)
below is chateau brissac, another fantasy come to life
how exciting to get to go inside!
of course i got off the track researching this endlessly inspiring topic. below is chateau d’ usse, said to have inspired Jean Perreau to write fairytale “Sleeping Beauty”. i didn’t see this one listed on the series but got pulled into it anyway.
and i just fell in love with this picture of chenonceau castle by eric rousset on flickr
maybe we weren’t the lucky ones born to live in these beauties, but staying in one is closer than you may think. for a special occasion, visit castles for rent and maybe live the dream yourself one day!
ps: special thanks to bonnie for all your help on this post with links and pics! ok back to reality in sunny san fran!
it’s a tropical paradise
the first 24…
(neiman marcus above)
it’s 8 am and i’m already rushing out! i just wanted to say hi and post a few pics from yesterday.
i wandered around union square and discovered maiden lane, a little alley filled with boutiques and cafes. i’m loving san fran for it’s glorious weather (it’s setting record hi’s in the 70’s), palm trees and uber friendly people.
these were a couple shops on maiden, so charming and i guess i was pulled in by the slightly french vibe let’s face it
one thing i love about traveling is hearing and reading different viewpoints. the ads on tv are different, articles in papers are different and in cali they’re always talking about everything from electric cars to healthy living.
i hope to meet kelly, lisa and lynn who are natives for coffee then head out to see my college roomie & her family
as you can see it’s just heavenly and full of sunshine. it’s got a little bit of everything here from ny to paris to miami, but there’s a vibe all it’s own. one thing i’m a sucker for is a tropical city. and there are palm trees everywhere!
meanwhile it’s been amazing to watch the sun rise and set from our room in the middle of it all! i’m feeling pretty spoiled and loving sf. now if i look carefully for signs…i might stay if only it was always sunny! more later, xoc
the paris apartment 