Out And About: Flora Grubb Gardens

This week's Out And About features 2 of my very favorite things:  coffee and plants.   They come together seamlessly at Flora Grubb, in San Francisco, creating an urban oasis for the coffee connoisseur and the horticulturalist.   Wanting to visit Flora Grubb Gardens for some time now, I finally went this past weekend.  Its artful botanical displays and vertical gardens were even cooler than I had imagined.  The interesting variety of plants and, of course, the coffee made for an inspiring experience. Take a look at some of the many photos (I went a little camera crazy) I took while I shopped:

Many thanks to Flora Grubb for creating such an inspiring and beautiful place to shop and to AM for taking me there this weekend!

AND,  many loving thoughts out to all to my friends and readers back East who have been hugely affected by the storm.

GARZA MARFA At Heath Ceramics!

Saturday night, Alex and I took the kids to the launch of GARZA MARFA at Heath Ceramics in San Francisco.  Admiring the collection of leather furniture and textiles showcased in Heath Ceramics' new space was exciting even for our young design enthusiasts.   Max was coveting the saddle leather cot,  Zoe fell in love with a vintage Bolivian pillow and Ben wanted to take home the Southern Sandwich food truck parked inside the building!  Take a look at a few images from our family evening out:

Many thanks to Heath Ceramics [especially CS ] for hosting the event. (BTW, great playlist.)

Out And About: Venture - Men's Goods (And Reader Giveaway!)

 This week's Out And About features Venture , a men's shop  located in Lafayette, CA.  Offering leather goods, locally crafted denim, casual clothes, outerwear and men's gifts, Venture brings a dash of urban cool to a chic suburban town.  The store's stock is meticulously curated with merchandise designed and manufactured in California, a tribute to the craftsmanship and style of the Golden State.  Take a peek at Venture and learn more about the reader giveaway below:

READER GIVEAWAY

Be one of 20 in-store Venture visitors to mention this post and receive "Everything Here Is Wonderful" , a vintage map hand screened in Alameda, CA!   Maps make great wall hangings in children's rooms, in office spaces or anywhere as a fun detail.  Venture is located at 3751 Mount Diablo Boulevard  Lafayette  CA.

Thank you, owners Tom and Rosylyn for sharing your new ad-Venture and a gift offer with Cocoon's readers!

Out And About: Indian Springs, Calistoga

This week's Out And About features a new favorite place to be, Indian Springs in Calistoga. Alex and I soaked in its mineral rich waters over the weekend and hope to do it again soon.  I particularly loved how the historical structures (built in 1812) that make up Indian Springs are accented with contemporary touches, such as Fatboy hammocks, bridging the past into modern day chillaxing.  Take a look at some images from our stay:

Many thanks to Alex's mom (Babik) for watching the kids so that we could spend time alone reacquainting ourselves with just one of California's many natural wonders.  Next time we're all going!

Out And About: Berkeley's Pasaje Picante

Last Friday afternoon, the kids and I visited Alex at work and we all had dinner in Berkeley at Pasaje Picante.  Celebrating Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients, authentic flavors and a relaxed atmosphere, Pasaje Picante was a big hit for all of us.  Take a look:

We're looking forward to regular Friday night visits to Berkeley for a dose of urban atmosphere and a sample of the city's many culinary offerings.