Unexpected Guests: Jinnie Lee.

This week I am quite excited to introduce you (should you not yet know of her!) to a San Francisco local, the divine Miss Jinnie Lee. Jinnie is on of my favorite etsy artists and the reigning Queen Bee of the Polaroid camera! Jinnie is the talented mastermind behind Lilacmoon Studios, and the creator of some lovely prints she's created making drawings and collages directly on Polaroid photos, which she calls Poladoodles. She also creates and sells her beautiful hand carved, inked rubber stamp stationery in her etsy shop, and runs both her Lilacmoon Studio blog, as well as her Poladoodles blog. To find out more about Jinnie and shop her products check out her shop and blog. And, now please take a look at her beautiful home, studio and works of Polaroid works of art. Thanks again Jinnie for sharing with us.

Where do you live?
San Francisco, by Dolores Park.

What is your idea of a perfect day in your city?
If I start the day early enough, I will start with a good breakfast at Chloe’s. Then a little trip to Chinatown, do some browsing, and eat spareribs with spicy salt at Hunan Homes. Next would be a little green tea tasting at Red Blossom. Then I would spend some time shopping for craft and design books at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Japantown. I could spend hours doing that! On the way home, I would stop by Bi-Rite Creamery for a banana split sundae. Maybe walk all that food off by walking around Dolores Park. Then more good food at Range for dinner.

What don’t you leave home without?
Polaroid Camera and lip balm.

(Editor's note: I'm gonna start taking a tally on this lip balm issue! Apparently, studies conducted privately through sfgirlbybay show no one ever leaves home without lip balm!)

What’s your favorite local shop?
I have a lot of favorites. To name just a couple in my neighborhood, I would say Curiosity Shoppe for gifts and Stem for flowers and greeting cards.

What’s one thing about you that would surprise people?
Hmmm...people who know me won’t be surprised (if they read this) but I have a degree in material science & engineering. If that’s not surprising enough, I have once slept for 23 hours, straight. Those two may have been related.

Who is your favorite artist(s)? And why?
Tadahiro Uesugi – for his compositions that are deceptively simple, masterful control of light, and very stylized figures that are uniquely his.

Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere, sometimes nowhere. Books, posters, nature, friends, patterns, colors, fashion illustration, video games, science, flowers, song lyrics, things people say, typography, etc.


Who do you admire and why?
My one and only sister. She’s so cool...and focused.

What's the last great book you read?
Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell. So sweet and warm...

What's your favorite film?
My all time favorites are Love Letter and Hana & Alice both directed by Shunji Iwai. Linda Linda Linda is another Japanese favorite. I really enjoy animated films, too, like Iron Giant, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and My Neighbor Totoro. The latter is what rekindled my love for art.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
I feel like I should name someone really famous. But I can’t think of anyone else except this old man I met on my last trip to Japan. He was working at a garden my boyfriend and I were trying to visit. It was very hard to find, and when we did find it, it was unfortunately closed. But the man let us in anyway, and it really made our whole trip. The garden was so beautiful and peaceful.. and we had the whole garden to ourselves! We were walking the path that circles the pond and about halfway through, the man came running all the way where we were to hand us the garden brochure. I’m sure he doesn’t even remember this or if he does, it was probably very trivial to him. Maybe he does this to all the foreigners but I was very moved by his kindness. Because of him, we were able to return with such wonderful memories. I regret not having thanked him properly and not being able to remember his face. So I would like to photograph him.


Who would you like to sit down to tea with?
My friend in Singapore. I haven’t seen her in years and I miss her dearly.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Do I have one.. Oh.. too many to count. But mostly potato chips, watching Asian dramas, and often times a combination of both.

What would you eat for your last supper?
Probably a very simple, Korean meal. Like rice + gim (flat, seasoned seaweed) and good authentic kimchi. If I may add dessert, either the buckwheat crepe at Range or the Mostess Cupcake from Noe Valley Bakery.

What is your most treasured belonging?
Hard to choose.. Probably a book I got on my trip to Portland, at Powell’s Books. It’s a used, accordion-style book of beautifully drawn butterflies.



What is your greatest indulgence?
Drinking oolong tea, taking Polaroid photos.

What is your idea of living hell?
Polaroid Camera with no more film. Or public speaking.

What are some of your favorite websites/blogs to visit?
Tons! Yours (and I mean it); Flickr; Drawn; Design*Sponge; How about Orange; Three Potato Four; Decor8; Book by Its Cover; Re:makeables; earth music & ecology; and Ping Mag.

Where In The World Is Julia Rothman?

Well, that would be just about everywhere! I received artist Julia Rothman's newsletter this week, and man-o-man, this girl is prolific! Julia's beautiful artwork is just everywhere, including this really great poster (below) she designed for a Montreal craft and zine fair called Pomme Pomme. I'd really like to get my hands on one of those - wouldn't this be quite cute hung in a craft room?

Oh, and then Julia was over on design*sponge doing her fab stint as guest blogger and sharing some of her latest and greatest work for Urban Outfitters, as well as some great visits to the homes of her partners, and a couple of her junk collector connoisseur pals.


You can also spot her this week in New York City at the ICFF Show at the Hello! Lucky booth, sharing her fun new line of gift wrap and cards (below).


And, you can also find more of her amazing Also Design design work with her partners Matt Lamothe and Jenny Volvovski all over the web. Like their design of one of my favorite shops, Reform School (below).


You can also read a profile article about Julia in Paper Magazine's April issue. See what I mean? Julia Rothman is just everywhere, and I for one, couldn't be more thrilled.

Summer Reading.

Last weekend, while cruising around beautiful, sunny Mill Valley, I stopped into one of my favorite shops for home decor eye candy, Summer House. This place makes me want to dim all the gorgeous chandeliers, light some of their sweet smelling candles, grab a spot of tea, curl up with one of their luxurious blankets and take a big nap! It's just that cozy. Summer House is an eclectic mix of old and new urban chic, filled with exotic imports and beautiful bedding, linens and unique home accessories. It reminds me of a shop or a street bazaar you might stumble upon in Paris and I never leave without some bit of inspiration. Take a gander...















Summer House
21 Throckmorton Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.383.6695

Scrappy Little Spot.

This weekend my good friend, artist Leigh Wells introduced me to Scrap. I'd heard her speak of Scrap so many times, a place where she rummages through their gritty, packed to the gills warehouse for reusable materials for her artwork. Paper, old photographs, paints, old books - it's all there at Scrap for the taking, or at least, at dirt cheap prices. It's a scrounger's paradise for reusable art parts. And by bringing new life to these old objects, Scrap reduces the huge amount of waste headed to our city's already crowded landfills.

Scrap is an old warehouse full of donated cast-offs from all kinds of people, businesses, and local artists who have all contributed to Scrap's stockpile of goods. There's old frames, fabric remnants, paper, yarn, buttons, cards and envelopes, old letters, candles (I swooped up a bunch of votives). We even saw old teeth molds (Leigh was strangely drawn to these, but she resisted, gosh darn it!).

Kids love it, too, and there were a bunch of them in Scrap this weekend, exercising their imaginations, and finding recycled goods to make their own art projects. So, if you are an artist, or crafty person in seek of inexpensive, reusable materials, you should most definitely check out Scrap. And if you have items you'd like to donate, check out Scrap's website to find out about drop offs, or in some cases, arrange for a pick up.





Scrap
801 Toland Street
San Francisco 94124
Open Tues thru Saturday 9a - 5p
415.647.1746

Sunday In The City.

I was kinda all over the city this weekend! From the Mission district, to a walk on over to Polk Street, to Hayes Valley, and then here, there and everywhere in-between, snapping pix like a mad woman with my brand new camera! It's time to recline, kids! Here's a peek at my travels around town. Hope y'all had a great weekend, too!

Dangerous Beauty.

P is for Powder Room.

Idol Worship.

He's All Man.

Be Seated.


Domestic Chores.

Oh, and happy, happy Friday.

It's insanely hot here in San Francisco today...
time to find a place to retreat from this heat.
Have a cool weekend, everyone.

*Vintage postcard photo courtesy of Smaddy.

Friends & Neighbors: Apartment Therapy.

Over at Apartment Therapy today they are announcing the winners of their Small Cool 2008 - the Smallest, Coolest Apartment Contest. Here's a peek at the Northwest winners, Dave & Rob's very colorful, 579 sq. ft. San Francisco apartment. Looks great guys, and congratulations! To see more entries and winners from the contest, both nationwide and internationally, click here. And, congrats to all who entered and all the other winners Small is cool!

Fashion Fridays: Very Hush Hush.

Very Hush Hush is a small gallery run out of a restored 1964 Airstream Trailer in Nelson, British Columbia. They feature craft, art and design by independent designers. Hush Hush is getting all polished up for a second season opening on the May long holiday weekend. If you know me at all, you know I've been dying for one of these Airstream beauties - I could take sfgirlbybay on the road! The girls from Very Hush Hush found their trailer in pretty rough shape and had it all retro-fitted into a retail space. What fun! Here's a little peek at their beautiful trailer and some of the designers they represent.


Co-founded by Cathy Terepocki and Tracy Fillion, Very Hush Hush is a logical extension of their own labels ( Horn of Plenty and Dear Pony, respectively). While both have been selling work in stores throughout Canada, opening up a retail space of their own seemed like a reasonable next step. What started as an unconventional idea has snowballed into a distinctive collection of clothing, jewelery, ceramics and other accessories by more than a dozen artists.

Maison Sweet Maison.

In my Unexpected Guests post on the lovely home of Analisa Payne, she mentions Maison Reve as on of her very shops in Mill Valley. So, I made a visit to the shop over the weekend to check it out. I'd stopped into Maison Reve once before quickly, and was aware of their online shop, but Analisa couldn't have been more right - what a lovely shop! Their things are definitely of the French farmhouse style, and bit on the shabby chic side. But they carry a cool mix of textures and finishes, and I saw lots of accessories and furnishings I could scoop up and take home to mix with some of my more modern pieces. I couldn't stop snapping pix (oh, could that be my new camera's fault?), so here's a peek into beautiful Maison Reve. If you can't get to Mill Valley any time soon, be sure and check out their website for online shopping and some great inspiration.

UPDATE: As a way of saying thanks to all the readers, Yasmine from Maison Reve is offering everyone 10% off anything they buy at Maison Reve through July 4, 2008 if they just mention sfgirlbybay. Thanks so much Yasmine!!

Loads of great wire baskets and bird cages.

Colorful garden cafe chairs and wrought iron accessories.

Vintage furnishings and pretty floral pillows.

Fun enamel wares.

Beautiful vintage French flour sacks are make great pillow cases.
Did you know the stripes represent the name of the family farm they come from?

Lovely old watering cans and French inspired striped canvas.

Unexpected Guests: Analisa Payne.

I am really excited to share with you today my very good friend, Analisa Payne's beautiful Mill Valley, California home. Analisa is a recent first-time home buyer, and shares a beautiful lot with her amazing sister Quinci, and best brother-in-law ever, TJ (we'll be visiting them sometime soon!). The three went in on a duplex together, and Analisa's unit is downstairs and is just an exquisite place surrounded by lush greenery and gardens. Analisa is a longtime advertising industry Art Buying guru, and her great eye for buying photography and illustration has translated into creating a really beautiful and welcoming home. Being there is much like a being away at a woodland lodge, indeed, and often I feel like I'm off on a zen retreat, what with the natural beauty of Analisa' place, the calming interiors and the abundance of delicious healthy food she serves up! Oh, and there's the yummy wine and great laughs we all enjoy there, too! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous new home, Ana!

What is your idea of a perfect day in your city?
There are so many ways to have a perfect day. But the first that comes to mind starts with a bikram yoga class, brunch at Toast in Mill Valley, or Fish in Sausalito, and a hike from Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach for a pint (and maybe a game of darts) at the Pelican Inn. Hang out on the beach, collect some rocks and shells, hike back, head home, have a nice long shower, hang out in my back yard. Then hop on my cruiser bike to downtown Mill Valley and have dinner at Ora, Small Shed Flatbread or Bungalow 44, and then check out who’s playing at the Sweetwater.


What don't you leave home without?
Lip balm.


What's your favorite local shop?
In San Francisco, Timeless Treasures; in Mill Valley: Maison Reve, and Summer House.

What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
In college I didn’t really exercise, and my diet consisted mostly of not mac and cheese, but spaghetti and Velveeta, Pyramid pizza, quarter pounders with cheese, and Sonic tater tots.


Who are your favorite artists and photographers? And why?
Henri Cartier Bresson: He captures honest moments that pull you into a deeper story; Henry Ossawa Tanner: his brush strokes are as rich as his subject matter; Andrew Wyeth: the mystery; and Auguste Rodin: his realistic ability to express movement and character of his subjects.

Where do you find inspiration?
Flea markets, antiques stores, paper/stationary stores, junk shops, nature.

Who do you admire and why?
My mom. She’s the hostess with the mostess. She can whip up a dinner party in an instant. She knows her way around a garden, and can spot a weed a mile away. She volunteers for Youthfriends, and at the library. She’s a dog lover, a voracious reader, and loves to travel. She always has fresh cut flowers and night water by my bed when I come home for a visit. Not to mention she’s incredibly thoughtful, crafty, talented, smart and fun. And, wow she can cook. And, of course, because she married my dad, who's the best sous chef, yard manicurer,
handyman, builder of many fine things, and all around great guy.

What's the last great book you read?
Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow.

What's your favorite film?
Secretly? Sixteen Candles, and then there’s Big Fish.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
Queen Elizabeth.

Who would you like to sit down to tea with?
Maya Angelou.


Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Baked goods, pretty much anything with cinnamon.


What is your most treasured belonging?
My grandmother’s Fiestaware.

What's souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
Maracas and a tapestry.


Greatest indulgence?
Consecutive spa treatments.

What is your idea of living hell?
Having to eat a cantaloupe, raisin, bell pepper and beet salad.


What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
Sfgirlbybay (of course, and I’m just not saying that, your perspective is classy and sassy and inspiring); beachbungalow8 (not because Megan is one of my oldest friends but because she’s super talented and smart, has a great eye, and is full of wit), and bonjourbruxelles (because I love Karen’s amusing take on life). You girls are always teaching me something new. Thanks for having your eyes wide open.

You Say It's Your Birthday....

Hey, it's my birthday, too, yeah!
So I'm taking the rest of Monday off...so no new posts for Tuesday.
See you on Wednesday, when I am older & way wiser.
Sorry kids, but a girl's gotta do what a girl can do...

Unexpected Guests: Whitney Smith.

Today we're visiting a very talented local craftswoman, Whitney Smith. Whitney is an amazing ceramics artist who's been living in Oakland, California since 1996, along with her husband, Andrew. Whitney first fell in love with throwing clay on the wheel when she took a class at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz in 1994, and her design aesthetic definitely emulates the craftsmanship of an earlier time. Her style is strongly influenced by Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement of the 19th and early 20th Century, and is often laced with Dogwood and Lotus flowers. Whitney likes the look and feel of old things and antiques, and her glaze choices have a certain look that reminds us of a different era. Whitney currently has a ceramics design studio in Oakland, and her beautiful pieces are carried in shops all across the country. For more about Whitney and her work, check out her blog, This Artist's Life, as well as her etsy shop and her ceramics shop, where you can purchase her beautiful pieces online. Oh, and Whitney is also having an Open Studio Sale on Saturday, May 17th, from 11-5, so don't miss it!

What is your idea of a perfect day in your city?
Riding my tandem Schwinn around with a friend from out of town so I can show my city off. I would take them around Lake Merritt, over to Oakland Chinatown, through downtown to admire all of the great old buildings and architecture, up to Mountain View Cemetery to wander through the acres of hills and admire the beautiful views. We’d also have to have to eat every few hours at some of my favorite restaurants Cock-A-Doodle Café for breakfast, BC Deli for lunchtime Vietnamese sandwiches, Mezze for dinner… Sounds like a pretty good day to me!


What don't you leave home without?
Shiny lip gloss. Most of the time I look like a mud-wrestling street urchin in my work clothes, but lip gloss makes me feel glamorous.

What's your favorite local shop?
Favor on College Avenue. Caramia makes jewelry under her label Hotcakes Design that is so fun to wear. She always has great stuff she picks up from other designers, plus champagne in her little fridge in the back! And for pure imagination and fun I love Castle in the Air on Fourth Street.


What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
I used to be painfully shy and sometimes I still am!

Who are your favorite artists? And why?
My first favorite artist was Georgia O’Keefe. I found her when I was 14 and really getting into my painting. She was the first accomplished artist who I identified with. After seeing her work I realized I could paint the stuff I wanted to paint, which was mostly nature inspired abstracts. Being that young I didn’t have my style down yet, but she totally inspired me.


Where do you find inspiration?
Nature is my main source for ideas. Being out in the world and away from the city opens me up to beauty and gives me inspiration to create. I also love to spend an afternoon looking at contemporary art in the galleries. It reminds me that art is a wide, open place and it’s important to stay receptive and not oppress my own ideas.

Who do you admire and why?
I have a strong admiration for my husband, Andrew. He is so patient, calm, and brave. He’s an extremely good influence on me. We’ve been together since I started making pottery and he has always supported my development as a ceramic artist, even when I’ve been down to my last dollar and not sure how I would make it another month.

What's the last great book you read?
I was delighted by Eat Pray Love. I also just read Bill Byson’s The Lost Continent and I laughed every five minutes. Any book that can make me laugh that much is a great book!


What's your favorite film?
I don’t really have a favorite because as much as I love movies, I forget them almost immediately. One movie that I saw within the last year that made an impression was The Lives of Others. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of what it means to be an artist in an open, free and privileged culture.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
Nelson Mandela.

Who would you like to sit down to tea with?
All of my girlfriends. At once. Without their kids (sorry kids!). Oh, and with vodka tonics, not tea.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I love blowing my money on wine. I don’t feel very guilty about it though!

What is your most treasured belonging?
A teapot made by Christa Assad that I traded some pottery with her for. And a quilt my mother made for my 30th birthday where she scanned some of my drawings from when I was a kid a stitched the images onto the quilt.

What's souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
I was in Japan last summer for a ceramic residency and I went to a craft fair where I bought some exquisite pottery, including a paper thin porcelain plate with a matching cup. I actually came home with so much pottery I had to buy myself a new baby blue hard case to transport it all home!

What are your greatest indulgences?
Trips to New York City! And I love buying pottery.

What is your idea of living hell?
Having to be at the same uninspiring place everyday at the same time surrounded by annoying and insecure people. I think it’s called junior high.

What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
Well, of course I love sfgirlbybay (shameless flattery) and my favorite blog is Thirty-Year Old Secretary, but he has not posted in while, which is unfortunate for his readers. I always read Savage Love every week. I secretly want to be an advice columnist and Dan’s advice is always so thoughtful and right on, even with the crazy topics he writes about. I also love to check in on Urban Mercantile’s blog; Bradley Burch writes about more than just home décor in a style that I really appreciate. I love Posy Gets Cozy, her writing is so engaging. And I always visit my friend’s blogs to see what they are up to — Rae Dunn, Diana Fayt, Terrill Waldman, and Christa Assad.

What music are you listening to these days?
I let other people control my listening habits—at the studio I pretty much listen to whatever the KALX dj, or my assistant plays, at home whatever my husband has going in our 300 CD player. My favorite recent musical discovery is Toshi Regan. I saw her at Joe’s Pub in the East Village last year and there was not a dry eye in the house.

Sunday In The City.

It was a lovely Sunday in the City...well, kinda, sorta. I also headed out across the bridge to lush, green Mill Valley to find some sunny morning skies, as the San Francisco fog had rolled in and I was much in need of warmth and sunshine. Here's a glimpse of all that I saw in and around our beautiful San Francisco bay.

Barbershop.

F is for Feminine.

Picture Postcard.

French Café.

M is for Masculine.

Apple Blossoms.


Green Day.


Hairy Barker.