Hot House Flowers

As a belated birthday treat, my family visited the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park today.

The reason we waited over five weeks to celebrate my special day is that we were waiting for the rainy weather to clear up. After a warm, sunny day yesterday you can see our efforts were in vain since the city's fog was relentless today, casting a cold gloom over the park.

At least my family's spirits remained cheery.

Here is my mom, dad, sister and bro-in-law carrying little Tilly. (Can you see her in the pink outfit and tiny feet hanging below his sweatshirt?)

Once inside, the large white greenhouse is a warm, tropical paradise.

Pathways lead into bright rooms with high glass ceilings.

Statuary and hidden benches peek out among the exotic plants.

The warm, humid air mixed with the cold fog outside conspired to frizz my hair...

but I'll bet this guy always looks dashing.

Different varieties of orchids were a big hit, posing for their photo ops from tourists everywhere.

This pond of lillies reminded me of a miniature Monet's Giverny.

And how cute is this tiny pineapple?

Ah, back outside in the bitter chill...

This week I'll be working on a custom order for my friend in Australia, as well as some new gems featuring raspberry and rhinestones. Please stay tuned! :)

Press: Works on Paper

Last night, my family and I attended the grand opening of Press: Works on Paper, a boutique devoted entirely to the love of paper in all its artforms. Our good friends Paulina Nassar (of Coco the mannequin fame) and her husband Nick Sarno (I like to refer to them as the Nassarnos) are the proprietors of this unique shoppe located in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District.


In their own words, 'Press: Works on Paper loves paper. Books, with an emphasis on works published by small presses, vintage books and out of print and hard to find fashion and photography titles. Notebooks, pencils and pens, vintage office supplies, typewriters, bookbinding supplies, unique papers and pieces by artists working primarily with paper: woodblock, letterpress and collage artists. Our focus is design, beauty, use and uselessness. We can’t hope to save an art form that is quickly becoming irrelevant. Rather, we hope to celebrate its irrelevance and the creative freedom it brings.'


Check out the cool installation of rolled papers above the stained glass window.


Mid-century office supplies including a green Smith-Corona typewriter.






Lovely artisan papers and vintage greeting cards.



Retro bookbinding supplies and instructional manuals.



Rare and out of print books.



Classic foods like meatballs and chocolate-covered twinkies were served. (Yes, this is what summer in San Francisco looks like!)



Poor Nick was stuck behind the counter all night ringing up sales, which were carefully wrapped in brown paper packages tied up with string.


My mom and dad bought a cardboard camera!


Oh, yeah, and c'est moi.


Press: Works on Paper is located at 3492 22nd Street / San Francisco, CA 94110 / 415.913.7156 / info@pressworksonpaper.com.