TRAVEL
Thank you to all my friends that came out last weekend! Had a great time and loved seeing the Seattle wool baseball cap on so many faces. Now we all know how to make kalimotxo and to say yes to pintxos!
Don't forget - I'm still raising money for Etxe. Back the project here.
xo,
Stephanie
Lirany of Pretty Little Thing shares where she hangs out around her new studio!
I've recently relocated the studio for my jewelry line, Pretty Little Thing from New York City to San Francisco and it's been really exciting settling into a new city and a vibrant neighborhood like the Mission.
The studio is right in the heart of the Mission on 17th Street, at a space called Studio 17, which is home to other designers, artists, tech start-ups and young entrepreneurs. I love the eclectic and creative energy of the space and of the neighborhood itself. After lots of exploring, here are some of my favorite spots to eat, drink, shop and have a good time in the Mission in San Francisco!!
Food: Delfina Pizzeria for good pizza and a cold beer. I love having lunch at an outside table--perfect people watching spot. ( 3621 18th St.)
Drinks: The Elbo Room is perfect for Happy Hour. They have great live music on the second floor at night and the retro arcade games are a fun bonus. (647 Valencia St.)
Snacks: Bi-Rite Creamery is a go-to for their legendary ice cream and sweets. The only downside is the crazy line outside--velvet rope and all--but worth the wait! (3692 18th St.)
Shopping: I love vintage and one of my favorite vintage shops, Clothes Contact is in the neighborhood. You have to hunt and dig sometimes, but I've found lots of great dresses and accessories here. You can buy clothes by the pound too! (473 Valencia St.)
Dolores Park and the Dolores neighborhood is my favorite spot in all of San Francisco because it's the sunniest spot in a city that feels like its windy and chilly 80% of the year! The park is huge and beautiful, and is the perfect spot to sprawl out on a blanket and hang out with friends or alone with a good book and an iced Coffee from Dolores Park Cafe. The neighborhood that surrounds the park has a little bit of everything: shopping, food, and bars so there is always something to do after a day at the park.
Lirany made this for my birthday, it is the absolute best gift ever! I have literally been wearing it everyday. Get your own or find your own favorite on her online store.
About our guest blogger: I met Lirany Vasquez out and about in the city and we love her bi-coastal style and reading her Monday Muse posts. Lirany is the owner and designer of Pretty Little Thing Jewelry, you can see her designs on her online store and find out when she has pop-up shops by following her on twitter and instagram. She blogs about fashion, style and jewelry here!
This time last year I was celebrating my birthday at 'the craziest block party in Spain': Festa Major de Gràcia. It's a week long party that starts on my birthday and goes pretty much non-stop for 7 days. Gràcia is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Barcelona, with bohemian boutiques, chic cafés, locally sourced restaurants and the most fun bars. While some people go to Burning Man for their kicks, I prefer the Catalán way...every street gets a theme and decorates with recycled things. The presentation is mind-boggling, and I am a bit embarrassed I don't have more photos, but I was a bit occupied dancing, drinking, eating and making friends with people from all over the world. Over a million people go just for this party and no one spends more than they would on a normal night out in San Francisco--for the entire week.
Wandering doesn't get any better than walking around during this festival. You'll be surprised at every corner you turn. Teepees? Jellyfish? Giant Star Wars figures? Anarchist punk rock concerts? Circus acrobats? Hip hop classes? Electro dance parties?
Luckily, I had a place to stay in the neighborhood, otherwise just take the metro to Fontana and follow all the people.
Yes, line dancing, 20s-themed drinks, salsa, all ages out all night, castellers (human tower building)...
Star struck everywhere. Magic really happens here.
Until next time, happy wandering!
Thursday night there's a Saito Excito party at Betabrand, where I used to design silly things like Japants. In fact - that's how I met Tomo! He's an amazing designer, visual artist and musician, throws the best parties at his fab studio in the city and innovates with things like the Tofu Project. Our first project together was creating the first ever pant mashup -- it sold out in just a few days. I found this super sweet Japanese herringbone twill and the rest is history.
Check out Tomo's latest here and party with the old crew. Wanna hear what happens at his parties? Why I left my drum set at my parent's house? click here.
This is our first guest blog post! We'll be highlighting local artists and creators in San Francisco for the next few weeks. Thanks Jane!
Summer in San Francisco
On this chilly, overcast day, I’m bundled up in my apartment with a couple sweaters and a blanket: turns out it’s August, so what better thing to do than think about my favorite places in San Francisco, foggy summer day aside.
I live in NOPA (North of the Panhandle), a small and relatively newly named neighborhood, bounded by Divisadero, Masonic, Fell and Turk streets. Even in this small radius of only a few blocks, there are so many great places to eat, shop and hang out.
Nopalito is one of my favorite brunch, lunch and dinner spots nearby. Located in Falletti’s plaza on Broderick street between Oak and Fell, there is often a wait to get in, but if you stop by during odd hours (they are open throughout the day) or right when they open in the morning, you’re usually guaranteed a table. You can sit inside at the bar overlooking the kitchen, at a shared table, or in their enclosed, heated front patio area.
They have small plates and large plates to accommodate all appetites. Some of my favorite dishes include: Ceviche Nayarita, Ensalada de Lechuga, Empanada con Desebrada de Res, Enchiladas de Mole con Pollo, Pozole Rojo, and Carnitas.
The ensalada and ceviche are refreshing on a warm afternoon and the pozole will warm you up on a chilly evening. Get the carnitas to share, or plan to have leftovers.
After a meal at Nopalito, walk over to Divisadero and Hayes to check out Rare Device, a store filled with unique, well-designed and often handcrafted items. They have everything from jewelry to kitchen accessories and host monthly art shows and community events.
You will walk in and immediately think you need one of everything in the store. My boyfriend stopped there to pick up this sweet card and gift--I can’t wait to send some Pantone postcards to my friends! It’s a great place to go to support local artists and artisans as well.
Speaking of local artisans, Workshop SF is a wonderful resource for learning new skills. Located at the corner of Baker and McAllister, they have classes ranging from Screen Printing for Newbies to How to Make and Blend Tea taught by local makers and DIY professionals.
I recently took Sewing 101, where we made our own beer koozie and sock puppet. Workshop has also partnered with Western Editions, originally a Kickstarter project, to offer Letterpress classes in the neighborhood. Workshop often hosts DIY parties for making, mixing and mingling!
There are plenty more amazing places in my neighborhood and throughout the city, but these are just a few of my favorites. Now the chilly weather has me thinking it’s time for some pozole from Nopalito!
About our guest blogger: Jane Philipps previously worked with me on the design/production team at Betabrand. She then worked in product development at Levi's and is currently making art and doing freelance projects in San Francisco. Feel free to email her at jane.philipps(at)gmail.com for more insider tips about NOPA, art, and living in the city!
Berkeley, California Need an excuse to get out of the city? No tickets to Outside Lands? Get over to the East Bay, where local artists Kellen Breen and Peter Harris will be showing some rare illustrations inspired by fiction and pop culture, like images of H.P. Lovecraft, Lewis Carrol, Edgar Allen Poe, William Gibson, Ray Bradbury, and Herman Melville. I've been a long time fan of Kellen Breen's work, ever since I first saw his large-scale oil paintings a few years ago in Place Pigalle!
