Sycamore Street Press: 07.2009

Let's Go Away For Awhile (California, Part 5: San Francisco)

San Francisco: maybe my favorite city ever?
That's a tough call to make, but it's at least in the top 5.

We had half a day to explore before Renegade SF started, so we explored the Mission District...which happens to be the neighborhood where Kirk and I got engaged about 5 1/2 years ago. I hadn't been back since, but I still loved it. We poked around some great little boutiques: The Candy Store Collective, Little Otsu (they carry Sycamore Street Press goods), The Curiosity Shoppe, Paxton Gate and Paxton Gate Kids. My only regret is that we got to Dave Egger's Pirate Supply Shop about 10 minutes after it closed.

And then there was Renegade. It was a lot of fun. My aunt Laurie and cousin Nick stopped by to say hi, and we met lots of great people. The venue is a huge spacious building on a pier. It has the ideal combination of being indoors so that you don't have to worry about rain, while still being so breezy and light that you practically feel like you are outside.

All in all, we loved our time in California, and definitely plan on applying to both Renegade LA and SF next year. We don't mind the fact that we were pretty much forced to take a vacation in the golden state for the 5 days between the shows...

Argentina on my mind

My younger brother, Will, just got home back from living/volunteering in Argentina for 2 years. It's so good to have him back. I love being able to see his face, give him hugs, and hear his stories in person.

Here are a few photos of Argentina that I found on dsbartholow's flickr page. Dreamy, aren't they?

Don't you just love real mail?

Erica Juhn and I both wore the gray and blue uniforms at Rolling Hills Country Day School. We both recited the pledge of allegiance ever morning right after the Lord's prayer and went swimming in P.E. with Coach Don and Coach Theresa. But in fifth grade my family moved and I started going to public school. Erica became my first pen pal.

I can't quite remember when Erica and I stopped writing each other. I think it slowly tapered off in high school or early college. I remember hearing that she went to UC Berkeley, but it's been years and years... Still, she was a good pen pal. She had what it takes.

So does my good friend Claire. Last week I got a surprise package in the mail from her.
I was absolutely giddy as I opened it. The contents: a letter, a Canadian leaf (she lives in Vancouver), a couple of mix CD's, a hand sewn pouch, and an incredible handmade picnic quilt!
Claire also has was it takes to be a good pen pal: the absolute love of sending and receiving mail, the persistence to keep it going for years on end without seeing one another, and as with any friendship, some common interests and a good rapport.

Although I love email, blogs, flickr, etc... I think it's sad that people don't write many letters these days. How about you? Do you have a pen pal? Do you lament the decrease in correspondence by snail mail, or do you fully embrace modern technology without regret?

p.s. Did you know that one of the few circles where traditional pen pals are still flourishing is in the prison system? (Inmates are not allowed access to the internet.)

Transcendental Meditation (California, Part 4: Highway One)

The beautiful Highway One,
the touristy "Danish" town of Solvang,
picnic lunch on the Pismo Beach boardwalk,
elephant seals,
Hearst Castle from afar,
hiking/camping in the majestic redwoods of Big Sur,
flower farms in the Santa Ynez Valley...all in 24 hours.

Facebook & Twitter

We've succumbed! :) Join Sycamore Street Press now on Facebook (user name: Sycamore Street Press) and Twitter (user name: sycamorestpress).

(p.s. Take a close look at this photo. Yes, the letters on the mountain say "BM". Paul and Valerie and Kirk and I got quite a kick out of this as we caravanned across Nevada.)

Jobs Handtryck

You probably know already that I have a soft spot for folk/mid-century/Scandinavian design and pattern. And if those designs are exquisitely hand printed in farmhouse-type buildings in the Danish countryside by a small family business that's been going for 3 generations?! I'm speechless. Can I be an honorary member of their crew? Or at least be invited to a family dinner or two? Maybe I'll settle for one of their cushions... but I'm already scheming a way for me to get over to Denmark and check out Jobs Handtryck in person.

(via Design*Sponge...product photos from the Jobs Handtryck website. Workshop photo by Brittany Watson via Design*Sponge.)

Catch a Wave (California, Part 3: San Diego)

In San Diego, we went to the La Jolla beach (gorgeous!), ate homemade tacos, walked around Balboa Park and caught part of an outdoor organ concert, explored some tidal pools, took a ferry out to Coronado Island, and had a great time with Kris (Kirk's brother), Jenn, Sam, and Lucy.
..............................................................................................................................................................
For those of you who celebrate it: Happy Pioneer Day!

Happy Anniversary Kirk

5 years! You're still my favorite person. Always will be.

(top photo by jonathan canlas. second one by chelsea hertford taylor.)

True Blue (California, Part 2: Los Angeles)

We saw Michael Jackson's star in Hollywood, took a trip to Amoeba records (I bought God Help the Girl), ate at Swinger's Cafe (best grilled cheese ever) and Hugo's ( for delicious soy chorizo tacos), walked through the bat cave that leads out to a secret view of the Hollywood sign, drove through Silver Lake and Echo Park, had a great time at Renegade, and caught up with our old friends Grant and Chelsea.

We only wish we could have caught a Dodgers game. I grew up going to games at Dodger Stadium, eating Dodger dogs, and watching Orel Hershiser play ball. Think I can convince them to bring Orel back?

New (to this blog) Renegade San Francisco 2009 Favorites: Part 2

KG + AB

A random assortment of things I liked this past weekend...
If any of you lovely readers were also there, I'd love to hear which items/vendors caught your fancy.

(And if anyone can tell me the name of the line of beautiful hand cut leather jewelery made by a girl named Taryn, I'd be very grateful.)

New (to this blog) from Renegade San Francisco Report (part one)

There were so many great handmade goods at Renegade SF this weekend...
Here are just a few. I'll show you more later -- along with more photos from the whole California trip. Even though we didn't make a million bucks, we made enough, had a fantastic time in the golden state, met some lovely people, and got to see lots of people we already knew we loved.