in search of fall colors in san francisco

One of my favorite activities is walking. Of course I do it mostly for exercise but when I am walking in a more leisurely pace, it is so I can just take in the outdoors.

Fall is especially a wonderful time to take a leisurely walk, because if you happen to live in a city where the leaves turn color, it is probably one of the most rewarding walks you will experience (at least for me).  However, in San Francisco we are not fortunate enough to experience the fall colors because, outside of the parks, we are mostly treeless and the type of trees we do have, they do not change colors.

When I worked at Stanford University six years ago, I had the pleasure of walking the campus every morning before work and in the Fall, I was able to enjoy the colors while I shuffled through the fallen leaves.  As a matter of fact, there are benches strategically placed along tree-lined pathways and if you are bold enough to sit on one of them on a brisk Fall morning, you can actually hear the leaves break from the trees and fall unto the ground.  I really miss that.

So, until I can take a trip outside of the city in search of the Fall colors, I have included some photos for my viewing pleasure. Also, if you are a local, please let me know of any place “in your neck of the woods” I can go  to experience the Fall colors.

salon de the – parisian tea salons

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

A must, while in Paris, is of course the Salon De The (Parisian Tea Salons).  It seems over the years there is one erected  in every street corner, but then again it could just be that I happen to notice alot more of them since I have become an avid tea drinker myself.

These tea salons are the most charming and exquisite places to be seen in and to meet up with friends as well as experience the most amazing cuisine and creative and a delicious array of desserts . The history of the Tea Salons go way back and if you happen to be in Paris, make it a point to have dinner there at least one night out of your stay and don’t forget to leave room for dessert while enjoying your cup of tea.

Once again, I have included photos of the ones I stumbled upon while walking the streets of Paris and just a note, there are actually coffee table books available in French bookstores about the Salon De The(s) just in case you are interested in bringing one home.

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

propertyofrawsilkandsaffron

foggy days in san francisco

rawsilkandsaffronproperty

Being a sun worshiper, I actually dread summers in San Francisco. Most everywhere around the globe experiences sunny, warm and even hot days in the summer months where people can actually dress colorful, have picnics and frequent the beaches or community pools for those living more inland, as well as outdoor concerts, sidewalk cafes and a stroll through a central park. It is a time to really enjoy the outdoors and get a dose of the old Vitamin D the natural way.

But in San Francisco, that is not the case of course during the summer months. Those of us who live here seem to be the most depressed in the summer because all we do is bundle up and turn the heat on while indoors just to stay warm and dry.  The only folk walking the streets are the tourists, who often come here in shorts and t-shirts, and are always shocked at how the weather is.

So, in an effort to cheer myself up and to shift my eyes from seeing nothing but gray all day, I decided to walk through the  Seacliff neighborhood, where there is still remnants of beautiful landscaping around the homes, in order to see some color. I walked away with over 80 photos of the colorful flowers in bloom and when I sit at my desk to write, while staring out the window into grayness, I often put the slide show of the photos on just to get me inspired again.

I can’t wait until fall just to see the sun again in San Francisco.

1001 gardens to visit before i die

I don’t know if you have noticed but in most museum stores, there is a book perfectly displayed, titled 1001 Gardens You Must Visit Before You Die.  Although I hate the words visit and die in the same sentence and normally don’t really look at such books, but because I am a garden phonetic, I actually flipped through the book when I was in the Getty Museum (Center) bookstore couple of weeks ago.

From the 1001 gardens listed in the book, I have visited perhaps two or three thus far, and although I would love to make a point to see a hundred of the gardens in the book, I know I am not really going to get a chance to do so, for one reason or another and mostly because some of them are in countries I don’t really plan to visit in my lifetime.

So, I would love to  hear from anyone and everyone who has had the wonderful opportunity to visit any of the famous gardens around the world listed in the book, whether in Japan or Mexico or New York and Vancouver, just so I understand if the gardens are truly as amazing as the ones I have seen.

treat yourself at anthropologie

Some stores may be intimidating or just not the right style for some woman, so they simply avoid going in for the fear of the unknown or the lack of interest in experiencing something new. In my opinion, all women need to experience  Anthropologie and if you happen to live  in a city or town or a country where there is an Anthropologie store near by, please consider going in and buying yourself something just for the fun of it.

The store reminds me of  a cross between a French Provincial boutique with a hint of a shabby chic theme and although I am a fan of modern decor, I simply love walking through Anthropologie  and admiring all the colorful displays and products from ceiling to floor. I often buy myself a neatly wrapped bar of soap from France or a bizarre hook for my bathroom and even a costume jewelry piece with unique or unusual compilation of beads and colors stranded together. Kitchenware is also fun to look through and can be incorporated into any summer backyard bridal shower or a theme party.

The clothes are more for the younger crowd but once in a while you may run across a piece here and there that may work for the woman over 40. The nightwear section is the best part of the store because it  is geared toward  woman of all ages. So if you are in a much-needed day of self pampering, please consider doing so in Anthropologie and if you can please leave the children at home.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

getty museum garden envy

Nature, gardens, plants, trees and flowers, you name it and I am there to enjoy it and take pictures of. One place I completely love to visit is the Getty Center (Museum) Gardens in Los Angeles. It’s an inspirational place to say the least and an extra ordinary maze to walk through while enjoying over 134,00 square feet of pathways lined with exotic, amazing, colorful, beautiful plants, flowers and trees as well as streams of waters flowing down toward a neatly arranged sitting area under Bougainvillea vines intertwined inside several oversized wicker planters.

Everywhere you look, there is another rare flower in bloom and foliage in every shape, size, and color imaginable. Each plant is so strategically planted in order to get the proper light or shade necessary  for them to flourish to their full potential. There is nothing out-of-place and not a scent too strong. The feeling one gets walking about the gardens is unexplainable and yet recommended for everyone to experience at least once in their lifetime.

What I also find fascinating is  watching the people walk about the gardens, taking pictures and pointing out their favorites among the display. There is not a sad person in sight among the gardens,  the children skip about while parents converse and laugh. Everyone gathers at the pond for a group photo and seem to linger about the gardens for hours on end. I think the Getty gardens are as close to getting a glimpse of heaven as anyone can get while alive and to have the opportunity to get that feeling is simply amazing in my opinion.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.