Shop: new coin pouch and find us in Little Paper Planes!

Last summer I was eating butifarra amb mongetes in a Catalan restaurant in Gracia, Barcelona with some friends, new and old. When it came time to pay the bill, we all pulled out our various wallets/coin purses and I looked over at one of the new friends, from Barcelona, and we laughed as we had the same exact coin purse! I asked her where she got hers - and she said Istanbul! Which is precisely where I got mine! Fast forward, I was thinking about small items to show the Treasure Island Flea, where we'll be later this month, and I remembered this handy coin pouch. I have a ton of leftover gorgeous fabric from my sewing days, and so I spent most of Tuesday sewing one-of-a-kind pieces.

The result, a handy little coin pouch to throw in your bag or purse. They measure about 5 1/2" x 4", with slight variations as I am hand cutting and hand sewing each one in my Mission studio. Each has a unique liner and the zippers are actually jean zippers. The tabs help you open and close easily. I store things like bobby pins, tampons, and lip gloss in mine. It's nice to have one for each category so you always know what's inside what.

Until the end of September, if you purchase anything on our online store, I'll through in a one-of-a-kind coin pouch!

You can also find them at our booth at Treasure Island Flea on September 28th and 29th or at Little Paper Planes on Valencia, where you can also find the Etxe San Francisco Mini Wallet!

Find Etxe in Little Paper Planes on Valencia between 19th and 20th 855 Valencia Street SF,CA, 415.643.4616

Wanderlust Wednesdays: a trip to historic Mission circa 1850-1920...

Travel time from anywhere in San Francisco: Instant if you have a time machine, otherwise impossible. Ideal trip length: 6 weeks, there's lots to do, but eventually you will miss the internet. Nice to haves: shoes you can walk in and gold nuggets. Directions: Start at 14th between Mission and S. Van Ness.

I recently stumbled upon this amazing side called Old SF where you can find historic photographs of San Francisco. It is completely interactive and you can toggle the year in which you want to travel!  All of the photographs on Old SF are  from the San Francisco Public Library's San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection. I am assuming they got permission to reuse the photos or fit nicely under the Fair Use law. I will instead link to the photographs hosted on the SFPL site, so click the links and pretend you are on a treasure hunt.

Start in 1875 when Woodward's Gardens was in its heydey. It took over 2 square blocks and  looks like the most amazing amusement park--they had carousels, trolleys, a reptile house, aviary and of course, camel rides. See photo here.

Those gorgeous homes on Howard between 17th and 18th after the 1906? See them sad and crooked after the earthquake here.

Wonder what Valencia between 17th and 18th looked like in 1906? See the photograph here.  Or Mission at 18th in 1910? See it here.

Maybe you'd like to take a trip to the Willow's, check out the trolley here.

It's crazy to see photos from both before and after the 1906 earthquake. More historic photographs can be found oldsf.org and foundsf.org and learn how Old SF geo-mapped the photographs here. You can always browse images form the SF Public Library's San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection here.  And read some interesting facts about historic amusement parks, resorts and gardens of San Francisco here.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: some favorite new and old spots on 24th street

Travel time from anywhere in San Francisco: 5 minutes to an hour, depends on where you come from. Ideal trip length: an afternoon. Nice to haves: shoes you can walk in and cash. Directions: Take the bart towards Daly City/SFO and get off at 24th and Mission.

24th street Mission, San Francisco. 

One of my favorite places to wander is up and down 24th street! There are so many amazing, locally owned shops, restaurants, and coffee bars, really I could do about five posts just like this. Here are some of my favorite new spots (and some old ones that I just couldn't resist mentioning because I go there so often and they are always lovely).

Get off at the bart station and go up 24th towards Noe Valley for a pop into new local gem Mill Mercantile. They are having a sale right now so go soon!

Then go back down the hill and turn left on Valencia. Grab a coffee and muffin at worker-owned Arizmendi (my favorite is the blueberry corn muffin).

Now keep going south on Valencia and hit Painted Bird for some locally sourced vintage/thrift pieces. I've been quoted saying 'I only shop at Painted Bird'. This is only a half-lie, as things I don't buy there I sell back to them. They usually have Tarot card readings on Sundays.

Now turn back around on Valencia and turn right on 24th street. Beware of many delicious temptations, including the Crème Brûlée Cart and La Mejor Panaderia on Bartlett.

After you've recovered from your sugar high, keep going down 24th and turn left on Mission for a stop at Artillery for locally designed clothing and local artwork. Now turn back on Mission and left on 24th. Stop at Mixcoatl Arts and Crafts for sugar skulls or Luchador masks.

Keep going down 24th and just past Shotwell you'll find Adobe Books (formerly on 16th). Sit and read or visit their back gallery. Then keep going down 24th and peak into Press (Works on Paper) and buy yourself or a friend a goodie. One can never have too many pens, notebooks, or art magazines!

Time for coffee or juice--your choice. Sidewalk Juice or the original Philz will hit the spot. Are you starving? Soon you can stop in for a killer sandwich at Pal's Takeaway inside La Movida (we'll go back later for wine, don't worry). Further down towards Alabama, try La Victoria for some mexican bread and empanadas or the La Palma Mexica-tessen for the best crispy tacos. Ever.

Now stay on the North side of the street and check out Alley Cat Books (yes same owners as Dog Eared). They also have a gallery in the back. Now cross to the south side of the street for more book browsing at Modern Times. Then go to Wonderland SF for more locally designed clothing and local artwork. Tired out? Scared of going past Bryant? Good! I want St. Francis Fountain, Dynamo Donuts, and Pop's all to myself.

Go back down 24th towards Harrison and give yourself a pat on the back with some Humphry Slocombe ice cream. Try all the flavors. Now keep going down 24th and stop again at La Movida, they open at 4:30. Try all the wine.

Happy Wandering!!

What's your favorite store on or around 24th street? Where's your local gem?

calling the cards...

San Francisco. April. 2013. Therapy. Volunteer. Brunch. Dinner. Date. Dance. Spring clean. Tarot. Busy weekend full of reflection and fun, calling my own cards now. Will write soon about it as it unfolds. Four of cups coming my way. Worry ends where faith begins...