Shortly after we checked into the hotel, we decided to walk the few blocks to Union Square. On the way there we discovered a great taqueria and stopped in for a late lunch. We ordered chiles quiles because that is one of our favorites and they were hands down the best we have ever had! They were so good that we went there on Sunday and had them again for breakfast. The next time you are in San Francisco, you simply must stop in Taqueria El Patron on Geary Street.
When we got to Union Square I couldn't believe the size of the crowd. I don't know why I was surprised - it after all was San Francisco and a holiday weekend. Here are a few shots outside of Macy's.
There were vendors outside of Macy's selling hot roasted chestnuts and coffee - but, not Starbucks. The San Francisco Macy's is the largest Macy's that I have been into. There were 6 floors above ground and 2 below. We spent 4 hours there and only made it to 2 floors - the floors that had Martha's Collections, of course.
When we walked inside we were greeted by the most beautiful decorations! I was so overwhelmed that I didn't take that many pictures inside. People were literally everywhere and most of them had cameras in hand - snapping away. I took a few pictures inside the store.
Loved the way Martha's Trousseau bedding was displayed and decorated.
This picture didn't turn out that well, but it was one of my favorite trees that was decorated with Martha's Christmas Collection. It was done in white, ice blue, and silver. There were a total of 8 Martha trees. People were snatching decorations left and right. You couldn't put anything down because it would be snatched right from under nose. I am not kidding! I have never experienced anything like this before. It was fun, too, though because as I was carrying my ornaments around quite a few guys came up to me and asked where I got my ornaments. They defintely liked Martha's!
I enjoy looking at table settings in the fine china department. You can get such great ideas. Here is one done in gold with some of Martha's wedgewood china. So elegant and beautiful!
Notice the detail on the table. That is a Waterford crystal compote sitting on a gold doily with one of Martha's ornaments inside. Perfection!
Here is a more casual table setting, but I really liked it and loved the texture and colors of the quilt. It worked perfectly with the Fitz & Floyd china. The decorations on the napkins are Martha's gingerbread Christmas ornaments. They were made to go with this china!
Here is a picture taken from the 6th floor window of Macys.
These are pictures of Macy's display windows outside. It was difficult to get good photos because it was not only night, but also because there were so many crowds of people filing past them to look. They were pretty spectacular and the pictures don't do them justice.
Another favorite pastime of ours in the city is to watch the street performers. They are on almost every street corner in Union Square. This guy was truly amazing. I wish you could hear the music that was coming from those kitchen pots and plastic pails. At one point he even juggled sticks of fire in the air and then somehow smoothly picked up his drumsticks again without missing a beat.
This guy is a really talented singer. He sang songs from the 60s and 70s - he was a real crowd pleaser.
By this time it was pretty late and the stores were beginning to close. It was time to head back to the hotel. Check back tomorrow and I will have some pictures of our Sunday in the city.
Season 2 of Top Design on Bravo TV is proving to be an arresting one. Each week the designers are critiqued by judges Jonathan Adler, Margaret Russell, Kelly Werstler, and host India Hicks. The designers are mentored by Todd Oldham who gives them thoughtful critique before their projects are completed and shown to the judges. This week two designers were booted off.
Wisteria is "a catalog of antiques and decorative items for the home and garden." They have unusal items that you don't see anywhere else. Some are expensive and beyond my price range, but some are very affordable. More than anything though I just enjoy looking at the pictures and get inspired just looking at the vignettes they put together. Something that caught my eye was the Turkey Pumpkin Kit on p. 58. Once Halloween is over, I always turn my carved pumpkin that sits on the porch around so that I can get the most out of it and it usually lasts through Thanksgiving. This kit takes that one step further with a metal head and turkey tail - you instantly have a turkey pumpkin! I also love the treasure nests on p. 29. Handpainted birds stand atop iron branches that have a wicker basket where you can toss your keys and other sundry items. I also have a thing about wire this year and fell in like over the wire votive candleholders on p. 52. And, check out the doormats on p. 17. Beautiful! I can go on and on. This is one of their best catalogs yet.
Another catalog favorite of mine is a little closer to home. Napastyle is the brain child of Chef Michael Chiarello from Food Network and Fine Living. I enjoy his show on Food Network and I like his easy style and his way of whipping up Italian food for entertaining family and friends. His strong sense of family is what I enjoy most about him. He is opening up more Napastyle stores and I hope to get to the one in Berkeley one of these days. But, until then I have to be content with shopping through his catalog and online. I love the warm colors of this catalog and the photography is wonderful. Some of my favorite things: the vintage metal bins on p. 41, the ornato doorstop on p. 58, the talavera tile mirrors on p. 65, the surefire wire baskets on p. 68, the pumpkin leaf plates on p. 73, the coverflex silicone lids on p. 75, and the nesting ruffled bakeware also on p. 75.
