Revisiting this week's OM [one moment] meet up

Last weekend, I went to San Francisco for the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs.  The conference was a great opportunity to hear from other bloggers and small businesses as well as get inspired, and network.  I plan to blog in more detail about some of the great speakers.

I went to the conference with two talented ladies, Angie (Angie Allen Stationary) and Cyn (River Dog Prints), who are on a similar trajectory in life as myself.  It was wonderful to talk and laugh about shop and family, while sharing new ideas and helpful advice.  The weekend was everything a girls weekend should be.

My moment this past week was appreciating how we all met.  We took a leap of faith to get to know strangers - online via blogging and social networking.  What began as friendly banter, was nurtured into true friendships.  We wouldn't have met otherwise and now we are friends.  It has made me realize that friends can be found via many vehicles. We never know how a connection will be made or relationship transpire.  We just need to be open to the possibilities.

Thanks, Cyn and Angie, for a wonderful weekend.  I feel fortunate to have both of you in my life and I value our friendship.

Please visit last week's OM [one moment] meet up and join us.  I'd love to hear what one moment stood out in your week.

  Breakfast at Farm Table

Quote by Martin Luther King

Quote by Martin Luther King, originally uploaded by alamodestuff.

Thinking about the significance of this day, I remembered these pictures I took back in October while in San Francisco. I spent some time at a beautiful memorial in Yerba Buena Gardens soaking in these poignant words by Dr. King - as important today as they were when he spoke them.

I will share a few others with you throughout the day.

This is me - Design Refuge October Challenge

I came across this challenge on Design Refuge just as I returned from recent my trip to San Francisco.  The objective is to post pictures (of self, decor, home, favorite magazine spread, etc.) that represent "you" and "your" design style.

While in SF, I had thought a lot about how much of my style has stayed consistent over the years. What I like hasn't changed much since high school when I had posters of city skylines lining my pink bedroom walls.  I still love my big cities:  Chicago, San Francisco, NYC, London.  While shopping, I bought a pair of boots that I've had in numerous iterations over the years.  I even forgot that I currently own a similar pair in a different color.  I have definitely learned to stick with what I like and who I am regarding style.  When I try to branch out, it just doesn't feel like me.

I stopped to take a picture through the window at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.  The yellow wall of the interior staircase along with the various lines (of the railings and windows) caught my eye.  Much to my surprise, this one photo reflects a great deal of information about my design style.  I was wearing a simple standard go-to outfit (boots, long sweater, leggings all in dark gray and black) while visiting modern art museums and gardens (the SFMoMA, the Academy of Art University, and Yerba Buena Gardens and Center for the Arts) taking photos of everyday things in one of my favorite cities. 

These elements are all the things I love in design (in both fashion and decor):  clean lines, repetitive geometric shapes, neutral colors, innovative ideas,  a pinch of bold color, and a dash of humor.

How would you summarize your design style?

Hello from San Francisco

Well, I've been lost in a sea of fog here.  Actually, today it is sunny and lovely. 

We arrived Saturday afternoon and settled into the hotel downtown.   So far, I've spent a lot of time shopping.  Frankly, I'm beginning to feel a bit shopped out.  But nothing is more fun than running around with a good friend of 25 years trying on shoes, drinking flavored lattes, and laughing.  We've had a blast.

Yesterday, we drove to Reno to look at my dream house - a mid century modern home just minutes from C's new office.  Fingers crossed, if all goes well, we will be living in it next year.

Staying downtown has it's limitations.  We are mostly surrounded by big name stores.  I did come across a great boutique today called A Miner Miracle.  It is a shop that offers a big selection of famous maker clothes (Calvin Klein, DKNY, Via Spiga, Michael Kors and more ) at 50-80% below retail.  Best of all, it is a non-profit organization whose proceeds go directly to low-income families.  It has been recognized with an Oprah's Angel Network Award and named the "best place to get designer duds."  I bought a few sweaters there and realized that next year I'll live close enough to come back to one of their popular sample sale benefits.  Great fun, great cause!

Will be heading to dinner soon, but wanted to check in.  Hope you are having a great week!

Heading to San Francisco for some R & R

I'm heading to San Francisco with C this morning (sans kids).  He has a conference (boring) and I'm joining him for the heck of it.  My bff, who lives in Seattle, is meeting me for a few days AND we'll be driving to Reno to look at some houses.  I'll be blogging from the West Coast next week and hope to show you some wonderful SF sights.  Enjoy a virtual visit to California!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Highlights of my San Francisco trip

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San Francisco, what can I say that hasn't already been said. I think I definitely left my heart there this trip. I spent much of my time in San Rafael and Marin County with a college friend and her family. We (including my other good college friend who came down from Seattle) didn't sight see too much but rather experienced the area like the locals.

The towns in Marin County feel like college towns all connected. There were wonderful farmers markets with fresh produce, music, crafts, and lots of energy with people out and about. The restaurants were fabulous and many alfresco. The weather was perfect. Pockets of Marin County, including San Rafael and San Anselmo, are mostly sunny with no fog. We had two days of near 100 degrees but it wasn't the kind of heat I'm used to on the east coast or Midwest.

We spent one week day morning in Sonoma, my first taste of wine country. We went to 3 wineries including Gloria Ferrer and Shug. I could've been in Italy. What a world of difference only 20+ minutes away.

Our last evening, my friend insisted we do something touristy so we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. The size of this bridge always takes my breath away. As the fog was rolling in, it felt like a looming presence moving eerily and with purpose. It made for perfect picture taking and instant atmosphere. I had never seen the fog roll in quite like that before. The weather changes quickly and the temperature dropped 15 degrees easily.

I can't yet bring myself to Twitter and had to force myself to blog today. I'm still basking in the afterglow of my mini vacation.

Heading west to discover new territory

I'm not posting my inspiration/interpretation weekly feature today as I'm heading to San Francisco. I'll be back by the middle of next week. I have scheduled some posts in my absence, so please continue to stop by.

Why San Francisco? Each year I've taken a solo trip with one of my oldest and dearest friends from college. These trips started as a semi annual girls getaway (mostly to places where we have mutual friends to mooch off of), but has now become a yearly must do. I don't like to be gone from the boys (hubby included) for too long, but it is so nice to get away and rejuvenate. This is especially nice for me as I'm mostly surrounded by flatulence, dirt, odors, and general boyness. I love my boys dearly and never thought I'd have anything but boys. However, I do like to get out and nurture my inner girliness at least once a year. I recommend a solo getaway to all moms even if it is just spending the night at a downtown hotel.

This trip is also going to be an exploration of the SF area. As C begins his 6th year of residency (more details here), he will soon begin looking for work. Although my local friends don't like hearing about it, I have to keep my options open (believe me, this is harder for me than you). For the last 12 years I've lived at the mercy of medical school and residency. We've been fortunate that everything has always worked out for the best. However, for the first time in all these years, we actually have a say in where we want to be. While many factors have to fall into place, we do have to look at the big picture (job opportunity, schools, community, lifestyle, etc.). I'll report back with photos from the area.

Love this photo I found on Flickr:
Salt ponds in SF Bay, by Kevin Kemmerer