Picnic

Conservatory of Flowers

It's been rain, rain, rain around here lately and I've been desperate to get out of the house with the boys.  They are 6 months now and demanding some fresh entertainment.  There was a break in the clouds last week so my mom and I took the little guys into the city to the Conservatory of Flowers.  It's been a long time since I've been and I knew the babies would just enjoy the fresh air!

E & W in a rare stroller loving moment.  I'm holding out hope.

Perfection.

My camera apparently doesn't have an anti-fog lens, but I thought the steam added a nice touch.

Eero admiring the ceiling fans. (6 months)

Forage- An Underground Market

 

I was excited when I received an email that the Forage Underground Market in San Francisco was setting up shop in an empty parking lot in downtown Oakland last weekend.  I hadn't been to one before but was excited to try out the tasty treats I'd been hearing about.  

Our first observation... it's not so "underground."  The market has about 45 vendors and 1,200 people attend.  Note to self: Do not allow Bijou to bring her baby stroller to the next market.  Although the cute factor scored her free admission to the event, she must have run the thing into the heels of at least 50 people.

Second observation... there seemed to be an over abundance of dessert vendors.  I would say at least 50% of the vendors were selling homemade cookies, cakes, tarts, chocolates all made from local, fresh, organic ingredients.  Neither Bijou nor I had any issue what so ever about the LARGE selection of desserts.

Third observation... there seems to be a real trend right now for southern cooking and canning and pickling vegetables.

Fourth observation... Brandon Yee's pulled pork sandwiches are delicious. As was the paella, vegan bittersweet chocolate cookies, all-natural florentines and pomegranate/basil lemonade.

Fifth observation... where was the wine at?  I only saw two beer vendors and no wine. Weird and disappointing for my future market outings when I am without child.

To attend one of the markets, you must sign up for their free membership here.

Beehive Market

Last weekend, we decided to check out the Beehive Market that has recently popped up in Berkeley.  The market had an impressive collection of vendors, tasty food and pet adoption which Bijou enjoyed.  The crowd seemed to be a bit light so I'm trying to do my part to get the word out about this fabulous new farmers market.

 

Sling Coffee

 

My ice-cream loving husband was skeptical that this vegan ice cream would actually taste good, but it was delicious.  

      

Things I Love- Airstreams

 

Santa Barbara Silver Safari is a tow-in tow-out Airstream rental company who offers deliveries in parts of Washington and California.

 The Grand Daddy Airstream Hotel in Cape Town

 
The Shady Dell in Bisbee, AZ

Starlux boutique hotel in Wildwood, NJ 

Hotel Airstream in Newport Beach, CA

A 19-foot Airstream Bambi trailer is available for rent at the Ten Thousand Waves resort in Santa Fe, NM.
 

Upcoming Events in San Francisco

I wanted to share a few upcoming events happening in San Francisco that I plan to attend if I'm not shacked up in the hospital delivering babies.

The Indie-Mart at 17th & Wisconsin on July 18, 12-6pm

The Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason on July 31-Aug. 1, 11am to 7pm

SF Street Food Festival on Folsom between 24th and 26th, August 21, 11am to 7pm

Should be fun!

A Hometown Vacation

Bijou and I had a couple of free days in our busy summer schedule so we decided to visit our family in Santa Cruz last week.  Instead of doing the usual, shacking up at Mimi and Grandpa's, we headed to the newly redesigned Dream Inn.  Our room had a gorgeous view of the Monterey Bay, the pool was heated to a warm 85 degrees, and the air temperature remained a pleasant 70 degrees for the entire duration of our trip.

We had a  great mini vacation visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Bijou even scored herself a season pass), sushi at Mo Bo, sea creature exploration at the Long Marine Lab, strawberry picking at Swanton's berry farm, and clam chowder at The Flying Fish in Half Moon Bay on our way home.

It was the perfect little bonding trip with my daughter before the babies arrive!

 

Happy Father's Day!

 

The girls and I took Doug to Ad Hoc in Yountville to celebrate Father's Day.  It was hands-down the best brunch I've ever had... seasonal berries and yogurt, fried chicken and waffles, and peach turnovers with buttermilk sorbet.  Needless to say, it provided more than the sign implied, "temporary relief from hunger."  We all came home and cuddled back into bed for an afternoon nap.

 

I loved that the daily menu was presented in these kraft paper folders and adored the succulents planted in vintage enamel mugs by the restrooms.  I liked them so much that I logged onto Etsy this evening and bought these...

 

Happy Father's Day Doug!  You are a wonderful father and I'm excited to embark on a new parenting adventure with you. 

x + o
  

Summertime!

Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center

Sand Harbor

Speedboat Beach

 

Cherry Picking Adventure

Pomeroy Farm, Brentwood, CA

 

A blog worthy outing

I headed over to the Elmwood neighborhood in Berkeley to pick up some hand-rolled cones from Ici to take to a pre-Memorial Day BBQ we were going to on Sunday night and was quickly distracted by a few new businesses. Despite a comment from a woman I passed on the street (You must be due any day?!", "Nope, not till September 4th.  It's twins," I said in defense.), I headed into the Elmwood Cafe for lunch.

 

 Elmwood Cafe (formerly Ozzie's Soda Fountain)

The open faced seasonal veggie sandwich and iced lychee red tea were delicious.

 

Just a few doors down I found the new, Goorin Bros. hat shop where I picked up an adorable knit cap for myself and a stylish ball cap for Doug.  The prices are quite reasonable too.