fantasy holiday

I love that movie The Holiday mostly because of Arthur, the elderly screenwriter Kate Winslet’s character befriends.  But secondly, I fantasize about arriving in a new place to find either a cute quaint cottage or a beautiful Beverly Hills home waiting for me…

Daily Imprint linked to Real Living Magazine’s blog that linked to Luxe Home Swap, a website whose tag line is “For people with homes they’re proud of.”  I think my biggest fear in doing a house swap is showing up somewhere to a home that is decrepit and not wanting to stay there.  This way, you’re swapping with a person who takes pride in the decor and style of their home!  On top of seeing a (presumably) brand new place in the world, you’re getting to steep in the style of a local who has decorating pride.

Stay in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney in chic modern style

Moroccan retreat with serious flair

can you imagine staying in this rad apartment in Moscow??

I'll retire here, thanks. Toulouse, France...

what a lovely holiday spot in Buenos Aires. sign me up.

in Marais in Paris... I couldn't NOT put this one even though it's 2 from France...

I probably could keep posting pictures, in reality, for days.  There are so many places around the world to go.  I’m not sure how desirable my 1 bedroom apartment would be to folks, but I did see a Russian Hill (SF) studio listed, so who knows.  I wonder if that would break my lease agreement?

Now I’m dreaming of far away places.  In my fantasy when you do a house swap, it’s a clean barter for accommodations, no other charges, right?  What a dream.

Sign me up!

love & other indoor sports,
ValerieAnne

It’s official. I’m going!

For the first time ever (gasp!), I’m going to the Nutcracker.

I am so excited.  5th row!!!  Dec. 17.  Yes!!!

One would think, having done ballet for 10 years, this wouldn’t be my first time.  One would think that, and one would be wrong!  I took my first tap class this week in over a decade.  And it was awesome.  It sort of warmed me up to the loaded return to ballet… and I’m going to do it!  So when I see the Nutcracker I won’t only think wow, I remember when I did that… I will be able to think wow I love that I do that!!

Love & Other Indoor Sports,
ValerieAnne

tardy

Oh my, it’s been two weeks.  Two weeks!  With nothing to say?  Not nothing, maybe.  You know how sometimes what you are thinking is just clear & easy to share?  And sometimes it isn’t?  I have been going through an “isn’t” phase.  I think I’m back.

I am in large company while saying this, but I LOVE etsy.com.  I remember at least three years ago when I first got a glimpse of what has become the ultimate treasure trove of buying fabulous things from fabulous artists/craftspeeps.  I can’t BELIEVE how much the quality and diversity of what’s offered has grown!

Recent Etsy MUST HAVES:

Whitney Smith is the same artist that created my candy dish!  I love this color.  It reminds
me of a retro kitchen!  These would be such a cute gift!  Love the birds.

Pretty much all of Freya’s pieces kick butt.  When I have more wall space, you can bet
I’m making a purchase.  Sentimental, cute, colorful, SWEET, but not in a pucker ick way.

I love the story of Home to Roost.  Remember when Mom used to say “Rise and shine?”
Kinda made you want to do the opposite, right?  Here the message isn’t so sweet.
More like a just do it kind of tone, right?  And I love brown + yellow.

Those are just three of my current obsessions.  So as not to overload, I’ll save some of the others for later.  I wonder if one day I’ll be able to buy almost everything I need from Etsy… Etsy is to clothing, art, accessories, home wares, etc. what the farmers market is to food!  You think?

The Grove on Fillmore

Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous in SF.  Thanks to the weather gods for providing us with a genuine feeling Labor Day Weekend! I had a ridiculously great weekend that left me feeling so recharged. Boyfriend and I ate at The Grove on Fillmore Monday for lunch, and it was absolutely perfect.  I love this place.  They have an absolutely classic menu, and they pull it all off.

lemonade with lavender, lemonade with fresh watermelon. heaven.

“Berkeley Bowl” salad.  Delectable.  Their ranch dressing has a fantasitc
dill flavor, it’s TO DIE FOR.

Veggie Burger w/ Cheese.  The bread is delish, and that tomato was
farmers market fresh and thick thick thick!  And tasty. YUMMMMMM.

Chicken Pot Pie.  A little steam to combat the breeze.  I could eat two of these. Probably.

The Grove, gorgeous Labor Day.

beverages to go.  we couldn’t pack it all away in the end…
with a little encouragement from Cyndi

Eat here!!!

Love & other indoor sports,
ValerieAnne

exceptional living

I came across a story about Cota Street Studios in this month’s issue of Sunset.  It’s not necessarily the epitome of my style, and I’m not house hunting in Santa Barbara, but with my WHOLE BEING I thought “Now, THAT’S what I’m talking about!!!”

I overflow with joy when I see or hear about things like this… I mean, it would be blasphemous to some for me to wonder if we need a reminder that we don’t live in a communist state?  But seriously!  We aren’t required to live in cookie cutter homes or work in cookie cutter offices (“little boxes little boxes and they’re all made out of ticky tacky…”), and if you read what the residents of Cota Studios say, the art that was put into their residence makes them FEEL BETTER.

Shared space and a bend towards communal living isn’t for everyone.  I shy away from it myself, but I wonder if sometimes that’s because I assume it will just highlight the rude things that I feel my neighbors do to me already!  I gotta slap that cynic.  Think about it, neighbors annoy us by doing things people we love can get away with.  What if we knew all of our neighbors and cared for them?  Would it make their inconvenient habits easier to deal with?  Hrm.

You don’t have to be a hippiedippie gal to live with fabulous design. I question, though, if feeling connected to your space because it speaks to you creatively and is a source of HAPPINESS wouldn’t bring the inner “communal” living lover out?

Seriously, what if every building you entered, every yard you saw, even every city sponsored road median planting you drove next to, had something exceptional to offer?  Seriously, I want to know.

glowing!

During a recent trip to Point Reyes, I came upon this glowing scene.  I steadied myself against the wall, held my breath, and opened the shutter… it turned out so so…

(random beautiful night scene) – (tripod) = some major blur…

I think the real magic in this scene lies in the scale.  The space itself is grand with a tremendously tall ceiling, yet these lanterns are still  over-sized.  It looks like, and felt like, wonderland.  Close your eyes and imagine the difference in feeling if even just the color of the lanterns was changed to white!  Or, if they had chosen to string small holiday lights around.  It’s the difference between gazing at stars and being joined by the planets!

I don’t know what this party was for, but this barn space was filled with warmth: people eating, music, food, and hanging glowing warm orange and yellow paper lanterns.

I can imagine recreating this feel with bright white lanterns under a green tree canopy, or with turquoise and yellow under a tall, grand white event tent.

Love & other indoor sports,
ValerieAnne

Hayes Street gaining floral style

The feeling that inspired me to take up residence in Hayes Valley was the joy I felt walking down Hayes between Gough and Laguna.  The shops, street, and trees combine with such small town charm amidst big city possibilities.  My courtship with these vibes was brief; I couldn’t NOT live in the middle of it.

While I’m not surprised, I am elated to discover that Birch, the infamous SF flower shop, is moving in among the chic baby boutiques, high end shoe shops and used furniture shop on Hayes.

bouquet by Birch

I can only imagine folks brunching and browsing (Miette cupcake(s) in hand, of course) and going home on  Sunday morning with a beautiful bouquet.  I can say this with certainty as I’ll be one of them!!!!

I am of the firm belief that everything, including a floral bouquet, should have some exceptional quality: home grown, hand tied, organically grown, locally picked, wildflowers, native flowers… Birch really seems to get this, as it seems EVERYTHING they churn out is in complete homage to the exceptional nature of, well, nature.

Can’t wait for Birch to open its doors!

Love & other indoor sports,
ValerieAnne