Time + Papercuts = Mind blowing art madness

This time-lapse is  I N C R E D I B L E .

I had no idea that this was the backstory of laser-cuts.  Crazy!  I've made enough stencils to have a healthy respect for the cutting process.  Our friend Dan, AKA Stenzskull has made some insanely detailed, multi-layer stencils... 

Fremont Theatre, Painting by Stenzskull

and I've been a big fan of Rob Ryan's Papercuts Collective for a few years...

But getting a sneak peek at the madness that is this San Francisco city map by UK/Paris design studio: Familles Sumerbelle is intense.  They've even made a WORLD MAP version!

LOVE!

That elusive rockstar, Cinderella...

I know it's Summer and I should be shunning black, but I am totally feeling black lace for SS12!

When we were in San Francisco, I spotted these goooorgeous shoes in the Marc Jacobs store, and I was like... YES!   Wouldn't you feel like a rockstar Cinderella?  I love the illusion of the lace just floating around your foot.  SO lovely.  Unfortunately, I also spotted the $795 price tag- and then I was like...  Ohhh.

Jeffrey Campbell has also tried his hand at a black lace flat, with a totally different effect-
but a much kinder price tag.   Available here for $70.

Though not quite the dainty but daring Cinderella vibe of the M.J. shoe...  I'm kinda sold on this cute pair from TOMS for $58!  Even better?  They're available locally at Coalition.  YES!

trying oysters...

One of my favorite moments of our recent trip to San Francisco, was watching the kids try oysters for the first time. While eating lunch at the Ferry Building, Evelyn (our resident picky eater) decided to give 'em a go. She put on a brave face, doctored hers up with lemon juice, and then... spit it right out! It was kind of gross to watch someone spit an oyster out. What's even grosser??? JEFFREY ATE IT! Yes, the very same one she spit onto a plate.

I guess that's parenthood? *BLECH*

Of course, James had to show her up. He made a huge effort to look like it was no big deal, but check out his face in that last photo... Hahaha!!! Needless to say, I don't think they'll be trying oysters again for a while.

San Francisco, the family trip...

Thinking about... San Francisco!

We're thinking of spending a long weekend in San Francisco! When I first moved to California, I thought seriously about living in San Francisco because something about it felt comfortable... easy access to familiar foods, cultural diversity, intriguing history, amazing art, and endlessly inspiring architecture.

Of course, it made me nervous too... let's face it, San Francisco can be down right filthy. Being offered drugs while strolling down a sidewalk or through a park was absolutely terrifying, and seeing homeless people and pan-handlers all over the place was really foreign and depressing. But I've learned that with any major City, whether it's L.A., San Francisco, New York, Amsterdam, or Paris- there are conflicting juxtapositions and plenty of the good and the not-so-good.

Now that 2/3 of the children are older, I'm excited to take them to Japan-town and Alcatraz, and I'm suuuuuper excited to eat at lots of yummy restaurants and bakeries! I'm looking forward to public transportation, trolleys, teaching the kids about Harvey Milk, the history of Asian immigrants in the City, and even the black plague!

I know that Jeffrey will have his own list of galleries, shops, and landmarks, and we can't possibly do everything, but... here's my wishlist of SF favorites:

Shabu shabu in Japan-town

Concrete slides at Golden Gate Park

The Exploratorium

The Ferry Building YUM!

Fisherman's Wharf - you have to, right?

Golden Gate Bridge

de Young museum

California Academy of Sciences

Paxton Gate

Tartine, obvs...

and Miette!

And a wishlist of to-do's for Jeff & I, sans children... someday. ;)

Foreign Cinema

Imperial Day Spa

P.S.

This will be Elliott's first trip out of town. Any advice on travelling with an infant?