Ginkgo Leaves

I am completely inspired by ginkgo leaves.

Maybe that's odd, but I just love their shape.

Somehow they are whimsical and just different from the rest.

A photo of a ginkgo branch in San Francisco, that I took earlier this year:

A fossil of a ginkgo leaf!

How cool is that?!!

According to Wikipedia's page on the ginkgo leaf:

The Ginkgo is a living fossil, with fossils recognisably related to modern Ginkgo date back 270 million years

WOWZA!

THIS beautiful necklace is from i like you as a friend Jewelry

Fortunately for me, my good friend Cristalle is the designer and maker of this pendant!
And I got one for my birthday.
And I <3 it so much!

I have LOVED these mobiles since the first time I saw them:

The mobile is made by Moon-Lily and sold for $236 by Hanging Mobile Gallery (and others).

I love it sooo much. And if it was half the price or if I was RICH, I'd think about getting it.

Until then, I will admire from afar!

I am a big fan of Queen Bee Creations

So much that I have several of their bags.

On a trip to Portland, OR last summer, I had to stop at their studio (all of their products are made in their Portland studio!) I knew that I should not get another bag so I made myself a deal:
I would only get a bag if they had one with a ginkgo leaf on it.

And guess what? 

They did:

The leaf is from a tree in SF....
But the bag was a sample from their studio and I love it!

More photos that I took of SF's ginkgo trees!

I have lots of dried ginkgo leaves...

big ones

and a bunch of tiny ones

Leaves from Berkley, SF, SLO, and Oregon!

Is that weird?

I think not.

Now I know that Ginkgo Trees apparently smell... badly.

But I have not had that experience yet.

So until then, ignorance is bliss!

 

Nature is an easy place to be inspired!

Radha's bridal tea party!

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated our friend Radha with a

Bridal Tea Party at Lovejoy's in San Francisco.

I've known most of these girls since freshman year in college so it was extra special.

Isn't she cute?
I've always loved photographing her.

Jordan did an amazing job with the set up- including place cards, a menu, and goody bags!

We had Vanilla Rooibos, Black Rose, English Breakfast, Black Mango...

others too but I can't remember!

And what tea isn't complete without little sandwiches!

I didn't get a good photo of the amazingly yummy cream that we had for the scones...

But just trust me- it was delicious!

Beautiful and silly Jordan. :)

Tanya! She is super photogenic!

These lower res photos do not do Emily's eyeballs justice...

They are BEEAAUtiful.

Loretta- always a gem to be with. I mean it.

Cheers!

These group photos are extra special because 5 of us have been taking them for about 14 years!

Happy Bridal Shower Radha!
Can't wait for the wedding next month.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

shoes inspire me!

I am not usually a "typical" girly girl...

Except when it comes to shoes.

I love shoes. They really do inspire me, as cheesy as that might sound.

I gawk at other people's shoes- cute or not.

These shoes (and legs) belong to my friends... Aren't they cute?!

I can't help but to walk through the shoe department in stores, if not just to gaze at the colors and textures.

Sometimes to stare in amazement that, not only did someone actually design some of the shoes but that someone might actually buy them!

(Case and point)

And then...

And then I find a pair.

On sale.

In my size.

That feel pretty good on.
And I fall in love.

Or lust.

I got these in seafoam.

I am pretty obsessed with this color right now.

And the heal, albeit small, is just about the tallest I go.

Actually, these are the most high heals that I have ever had...

which is laughable since they really are not high at all. But just perfect for me!

Hooray for new shoes!

dogs!

I love animals.

And that includes dogs.

Particularly boxers.

They're beautiful, cute, fun, funny, sweet, playful...

My brother had a white boxer, Monty, who was such a goof ball.

On my weekend in San Francisco I met a couple of boxers.

And a hilarious golden-doodle.

This cute pup was hanging out outside of La Boulange in Noe Valley.

*note the "dog parking" sign

He seemed a bit concerned about being left outside by himself.

But super cute nonetheless!

Next, at Dolores Park, my friend Radha and I came upon these two new friends:

A brindle boxer and a golden doodle puppy.

The golden doodle puppy cracked me up.

He was goofy and clumsy and just plain silly.

And he was having such a fun time racing around the park.

hehe.

He makes me giggle.

Can't you just picture his thoughts?

"oh boy oh boy I'm having so much fun!"

San Francisco post 8: Random Leftovers...

Wow... I sure did take a lot of photos over 2 and a half days in San Francisco!
I think these are the last of them...

Random assortment.

I hope you enjoy them!

This photo is for Kat.

I'm pretty sure this is lil Leo hoopin' it up!

Alley ways and shadows...

Chinese food and donuts.

Guacafries.

City Smoke & Gifts (where you can get your hip hop clothing).

And a meat shop that has lots of different meats, including goat.

Doors... This is just a partial collection of my SF doorways...

They're so pretty!

I was obsessed with the designs that the bus stops made in different lights.

Pretty sweet bike, if you ask me!

Mexican bakery in the Mission.

I just loved this color coordinated blue mini in front of the blue garage doors.

San Francisco post: 7 Radha and Akira

My friend Radha is cute and photogenic.

Her cat Akira is cute and photogenic too.

Here is the proof:

Radha's engagement ring is a beautiful vintage piece... simply stunning!

I just liked these old signs. And asked Radha to stand in front of it for me.

OK!

Akira.

She sort of looks like a mouse.

And she is super pretty...

She loves sitting in the window, looking down on her San Francisco empire below.

Akira was trying to be sneaky and didn't feel like having her photo taken.

Silly kitty.