Sonoma

Last weekend we went to Sonoma to get some special wine for Thanksgiving. This year we're staying here in San Francisco and going to Lisa's house. We hadn't been to wine country in quite a while, so it was really nice to go. It's just an hour away, but we've only been about four times, I think, in the almost three years that we've lived here. It's so pretty there. We really should go more often. And unlike here in the city where fall doesn't make much of an appearance, in Sonoma it definately looks like fall right now. We're looking forward to Thanksgiving and sharing the Martinelli wine we brought home. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

What's Cookin': Omnivore, Books on Food

Y'all know Andrew loves to cook (and I love to eat!), so when we heard an exclusively cookbook bookstore was opening in our neighborhood, we were really excited. Omnivore, Books On Food, has a great selection of both new and old cookbooks. Their selection of rare, antiquarian books is especially impressive. Looking at the old bookcovers alone is enough to entertain me! They just opened, but they already have a full calendar of events coming up. If you live in San Francisco, it's a great new place to check out. Go to their web site for more information. Here are a few pictures.

Holiday Open House at The Pickled Hutch

Join Lisa and friends tomorrow night, Friday the 21st from 5-8PM, for some holiday fun at The Pickled Hutch. She's hosting her annual holiday open house along with three other antique stores on Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica. As usual she has a great selection of antique and vintage merchandise, and it wouldn't be a holiday party without a great selection of holiday decorations and merchandise. This year she'll also have a special treat for the little ones. And Santa will make an appearance as well! The participating shops are The Pickled Hutch, Coastside Consignments, Debbie's Attic, and Vintage Cove. Unfortunately I don't have any recent pictures of the Hutch because I've been busy being preggers and now with baby, and I haven't taken the time to get over there to take pictures, but here are a few favorite pictures from past Pickled Hutch visits. See you there!











The Pickled Hutch is located at 2021 PALMETTO AVENUE, PACIFICA,CA 650-359-2000

Dripping Jewels!

I've been wanting to have my engagement re-set for a long time now into something more antique or unusual looking. My aunt gave me the diamond for my engagement ring. It used to be part of a set of diamond earrings that belonged to my grandma (my dad's mom). My aunt had the diamonds removed and gave one of them to me and one to my sister. They are beautiful cushion cut diamonds, a shape that is not quite oval and not quite square, but somewhere in between. Initially I liked the setting I chose, but it didn't turn out exactly how I pictured. It has channel set diamonds on either side that are not flush against each other, and I don't like the small spaces between the diamonds. The center diamond also stands up high and I'm always crashing it into things. My friend Megan's aunt works for Southern Classic Jewelry and might be able to help me find something for my diamond when we go to Atlanta over Christmas. I checked out their web site and found this beautiful onyx and pearl ring. I love it! (I want to think about it and maybe see it in person, so don't go and buy it!) It's not what I have in mind for my diamond, but I love it. It's so pretty and interesting. I'd almost rather have something like this than a traditional looking diamond engagement ring. But I still want to find a new home for my diamond.

Baby update. . . Lois is great but still keeping my hands full. I'm still in my PJs at 11 and typing this with one hand while tying to jiggle her to sleep with my other arm. She appears to have given up her need for a morning nap the last few days. Alas, she just won't sleep in the mornings lately. She just wants to be held. Takes after her mom!

iomoi Address Labels

The great things at iomoi are no secret, but every year I check out their new address labels, which I love. The only problem is I have a really hard time deciding which labels I like best! I ordered some as gifts a few years ago and everyone loved them. $42 for 120 labels--a pretty good price for a thoughtful, personalized gift. You can also create custom paperweights, coasters and trays and they have really cute e-stationery as well.

Old Navy for Baby

I'm trying to find a cute Christmas dress for Lois. I had an adorable red, black and yellow plaid mini skirt that I was going to put with a turtleneck and tights, but I can't find the skirt anywhere. I bought it before we even found out we were having a girl--it was that cute. So now I need to find her a little outfit for her first Christmas and for her first pictures with Santa. I love this little sweater dress above from Old Navy. And the dress below, how cute would that be with a red turtleneck? And for under $20 for both of them, the price is right since the little bundle is growing so fast. I like H & M for baby too, so I'm going to check there before deciding on the sweater dress.