>> scenes from san francisco

The General Store in The Sunset: me likes.

Mollusk Surf Shop rules.

Post-run grilled cheese at Outerlands and a quick pop into the Heath Ceramics factory in Sausalito.

>> dwell on design 2011

I just got back from this year's Dwell on Design exhibition in downtown Los Angeles, which was a pretty good showing! The guy up there in the Sleeper get-up is spray painting the rhythm of random people's heart beats and then auctioning off the artwork for charity. Here are few pics of items and designs that caught my eye.

A+R's genius Hot-Pot BBQ by Black + Blum and great wireless portable speakers also at the A+R booth.

Rewired and re-purposed shoe lamps (?) and Heath's house number plates, which are to die for.

Minimalist loose-leaf tea strainer and ceramic speakers by Joey Roth.

Molo Design's lighting booth was pretty dreamy and loved this pendant cage lamp.

Public Bikes out in full-force!

LOVED these cast honey bears by Lesley Anton. So cute!

Nice lookin' hammocks. Nice lamp?

Charley Harper + Todd Oldham, so great.

>> father's day gift guide

Check out my Father's Day gift guide over at the L.A. Times, packed with gear, tech, and tools!

>> 2011 Venice Garden + Home tour

A few snaps from another great year of snooping around people's homes and gardens in Venice!



This is where "The Dude" lived in The Big Lebowski!

Bee keeping on the West Siiiide!

Nice Tom Dixon pendant lamp on the left.



Drool.

>> sky lanterns

Matt and I just got back from The Bahamas for our dear friend Alex's birthday. After dinner one night, paper sky lanterns were set off over the harbor and we all watched as they slowly floated up into the dark sky—one of the most beautiful and poetic things I've ever seen at a dinner party. The airborne paper lanterns (also known as Kongming Lanterns) are a staple in some Asian cultures and are simply constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, lifting the lantern into the air. So cool and so great for weddings and parties! Get a 5 pack right here for $18.

>> red, white and paddle

I've become so obsessed with paddle tennis that on Sunday afternoon I made Matt play with me after he got off a six hour flight. Nice wife, right?

L.L. Bean custom tote ($39); Blue Crab Bay Bloody mix ($8); Wilson Slash paddle ($129); Bird-Electron portable speaker ($90); Bobble filtering water bottle ($10); Tennis needlepoint key fob ($25); Rod Lavers ($55); Boast polo ($68).

>> peachy-palm-beachy

Stubbs & Wootton "storm" slippers ($395 for ladies, $425 for gents—and there's a 30% off discount right now with the code: SPRING); Vintage Cocktails ($50); Current Elloitt trouser roll shorts ($189); Rod Stewart's Greatest Hits on vinyl ($6); Rodarte x Opening Ceremony "Roy Orbisons" ($218); Marcel Breuer's f41 Lounge on Wheels ($2,165); The Kennedys (Eunice, Bobby, Ted and Jean in 1941).

>> spring break

I'm having a serious hankering to be poolside or oceanfront. It's freezing in L.A. and I don't like it!

Chance beach towel ($65); woven tote bag ($495); 1973 British Military Rolex (ummm...); Pellegrino; Zalo loafers ($165); Field Guide to Seashells, 1968 ($30); "Fear and Loathing" aviators ($120).

>> sheryl crow has a tepee

Scans of her Hollywood Hills home from the March issue of Architectural Digest. Landscape design by Johnny Appleseed, tepee by Earthworks.

>> digging out

I was shocked to find out last night that it's not shorts weather everywhere in the country. Hang in there dudes!

Filson log carrier ($75); Patagonia special edition down sweater ($275); Potpies: Yumminess in a Dish ($19); Wings + Horns blanket ($156); Texting gloves ($24); Shearling-lined Bean Boots ($149); First Aid Kit ($89); Ergonmic shovel ($30).

>> three wreaths

Setaria and Purple Majesty wreath ($64); Golden Cedar and Birch wreath ($68); Mahogany wreath ($40), all from Terrain, all all-natural.

>> road trip to santa cruz

Matt and I like taking weekend road trips, especially in the Jan/Feb off-season. This year I kind of have a hankering to go to Santa Cruz. I remember it being pretty great when I was 18, back when getting into a jazz club underage was "the ultimate". Built by Wendy tee ($45); flea market beads; trail jacket ($261); neckerchief ($13); soft sole mocs ($38); California field notes ($10 for set of three); Stanley water bottle ($36); Ella Dish collar and lead ($68); L.L. Bean signature duffel ($135); Blackbird vintage shades ($353).

>> current obsession: crafting community

I know I'm not the key demographic for this as I am neither a child nor a mother, but, I'm totally and completely obsessed with Crafting Community, a weekend of hip arty and good old fashioned family fun hosted by Kimmel Kids and Kid Concierge. This time (and don't worry they happen throughout the year) 75 families headed for The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs for fun events, pool time, and plenty of activities to keep the little ones (and big ones) muy occupado.

Splendid, the weekend's main sponsor, set up a pop-up shop at the hotel where kids (and...ahem, grown-ups) could design their own scarves! You pick four fabrics, staple them to a sheet and the seamstress gets cracking on it. I'm wearing mine right now.



The schedule of activities and classes is massive and includes DJ-ing 101, spin art on old LPs, fort building classes (OMG!), Skate-Or-Dioramas, underwater photography, garland making, succulent assembly, friendship bracelet classes and good old macrame.

This is literally too cool for school. For more info: click here!

>> case study #22 chaises

The Case Study #22 chaise collection was designed in 1939 and manufactured simply from stainless steel, powder coat and marine cord. The design has held up for over 70 years and is today built in the exact specifications of the originals. If you're worried about outdoor furniture going out of style, I'd say you can safely bet on these guys ($550 for lounge chair and ottomon, $1,295 for chaise).

>> acapulco chair

I think I first laid eyes on an Acapulco chair ($350+) earlier this year when I was writing a story about a Los Feliz couple who had white ones in their back yard. The chair, which is based on Mayan hammock weaving technology, was designed in the 1950s and has been a huge hit in Mexico. They're great for outdoor space but could work indoors as well. Another good online resource is Greenpoint Works in Brooklyn.

>> vertical planter

I'm particularly fond of this vertical garden ($178) because it doesn't read too contemporary as a lot of them do. This wool pocket planter is framed with rustic wood and 100% recycled fiber. How cool would it be full of herbs just outside your kitchen or even in your kitchen? This one is 24" high by 22" wide, but there are other sizes available here.

>> two things

RGB's new color "Punch" ($14) and a Filson shot shell bag ($34).

>> red rocks

Matt and I drove into the Mojave dessert yesterday for a little day trip to Red Rock Canyon State Park, a much needed mini escape from our computers and cell phones. It's about 2 hours east of L.A., and the hike is pretty amazing.

All of these ridges were under water ten million years ago.

You can get misted post-hike at The Jawbone Country store.

A few souvenirs.

>> simple summer goodness

Fair trade fire sticks ($4.50) handmade in Guatemala from the stumps of Ocote trees; recycled enamel bbq ($195) akin to a traditional west African cooker; recycled glass storm lantern ($11).

>> cocktail hour at the pool

Campari soda (recipe); The Savoy Cocktail book ($20 new); 1950s Italian bar cart ($2,400); Kisses 7" single ($7) or here on iTunes; red Supergas ($70); Spaghetti stool, 1979 ($335); Perrier tumbler ($12); beach blankets ($48); Bird-Electron portable speaker ($80); paper straws ($3); Gaucho boardshorts ($58).