Quirky Shopping - The San Francisco Treat

When I was in San Francisco we hit four stores in particular that really were one of a kind.  The items I bought at these shops were totally whimsical and unpractical...certainly not a socks and underwear purchase.  The things that made these shops so unique were the attention to detail, not just in what they sold and how they displayed and decorated, but even how they wrapped your purchases.

Let me show my quirky find...

Store number one: Bell'occhio.(no photos allowed inside)  This shop has been featured in Martha before and other publications.  It has been on my list of shops to visit for a long time.  It has unusual items...take a look at what I bought.  Everything was carefully wrapped with care.

I needed this hot pink flocked raspberry box.  It is good sized and could hold a large grapefruit.
Bet you can't guess what is in the package?

Slowly, slowly unwrapping...such cute twine and even a little store sticker.

A pair of scissors that are divided (similar to shredding scissors). They are designed to make pom poms like the end of the package they were wrapped in. Totally cool!

I also got some braided chenille cord in pink and white that I love.  This store will definitely be on my list to visit again.

Store number Two: Castle in the Air in Berkeley (blog). 

This shop was on my "must see" list and a number of blog readers told me about it as well.  Lots of miniatures and paper and just super unusual items.

I love the children silhouette cutout! Glittery stars, hot pink mushrooms in three sizes and some Valentine paper items.

I loved this pink foil cardboard trellis paper...can't wait to craft with it.

This paper pressed cardboard trellis and bird was one of my favorite purchases.  I had never seen anything like it before. It is about 3 foot long and I am going to super high on a corner wall in my house.

Store Number Three: Tail of the Yak, also in Berkeley.  There are some great photos of it on the blog Housemartin. Again, a super unusual store...whimsical and total eye candy.

I bought a number of paper garlands in a rainbow of colors. A silly metal clicking bird and some party poppers.

I fell in love with this hat. It reminded me of a jiffy pop popcorn bag.  I am going to embellish it with a reflector flower and it will live on a hat stand in the studio.  Or perhaps, if I am in the right mood, I may wear it one day!

Hope you enjoyed the show and tell.  If you ever are in San Francisco, I would TOTALLY recommend hitting these shops.  Each night when I fell asleep I would revisit each one and go thru their little magical worlds in my head.  What fun!

One more shop to show...Crown and Crumpet coming next.

Comments

[Heidi]

Ooh, that flocked raspberry! I've seen that on their website and drooled over its loveliness. :) I love what you bought, thanks for showing us your treasures!

[Sadie Lou]

I feel like I went shopping with you!
How fun...I think I have been in that store Tale of the Yak. Back when I worked in an upscale furniture shop, the boss took us on a field trip to Moscone Center to the Trade Show and then a shopping trip in Berkley-they have great shops there! I love your little purchases...
~S

[Jill]

What fun goodies!!! Don't you love "The Castle"-- I always spend so much time in there, looking at every wonderful detail! It's the best place to find foil dresden-- they have the best selection ever. I love the mushrooms that I found there, too! Thanks for the "show & tell"-- so much fun!
Hugs,
Jill
PS: Can't wait to see how your hat turns out!

[elma]

What fun stores!! I love the mushrooms and the childrens silhouette:)

[Sarah]

I just saw scissors like that in a magazine this month. Apparently they sell them for cutting fresh herbs. When I saw them though I immediately thought Herbs? No way! PAPER! I am glad to see I wasn't crazy...lol.

[Mary]

Those are the coolest scissors EVER! I've never seen them before, but I am going to be on the lookout for them.

My chances of getting over to the West Coast are pretty nil anytime soon, so I will just live vicariously through your posts! Thanks!!!

[Shara]

No trips to CA planned for me either - so thanks for the tour. You find the lovliest, quirkiest stuff ev-uh. I love it all!

[Theresa]

What no crepe paper purchase at Castle in the Air?!!!
I love that place! Wish I was there in person though--the COOLEST SCISSORS EVER. Would love to see them in action!
Now you are making me want to come North!

[Vintage Christine]

Yup--I'm definitely going to visit all those shops when I come out to SF later this year. You had an amazing trip!!!!

[deb christensen]

oh man - those scissors! what amazing things you could do with those scissors! i'm going to be dreaming about them....

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Wow, what a great assortment of goodies, Laurie! That cardboard trellis is amazing, and those scissors are just full of possibilities. One request: please model the hat and add it to the little gallery on your sidebar. You know you want to!

[Kim G.]

Looks like you had so much fun, love all of the paper ephemera! Hard to beat Alameda flea market. Next time I'll meet you for a day in the city! XO!

[rebecca]

Oh wow! What cool treasures! You certainly have an eye for the treats. :)

I look forward to swapping with you in Shara's Egg swap.