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It was beautiful here today, which inspired me to put on a springy outfit (I took a picture but it didn't do justice to the cuteness-- imagine a floaty circle skirt, aqua sweater and yellow shoes, carrying a yellow purse), and take a walk down Fillmore Street to soak in the sun and a little bit of retail inspiration.

Just because I'm doing Wardrobe Refashion doesn't mean I can't go into shops, it means that shops are more like museums--I soak in the colors, textures and shapes and let them percolate. The stores on Fillmore are just *perfect* for this.

My first stop is always Nest. What makes Nest so special is that it presents a whole fantasy life- you can imagine you are visiting the wonderful apartment of the coolest girl, looking at her books, her clothes, her jewelry, her bedding, her cups and glasses and even her perfume. And perhaps if you bought enough there you could actually *become* that girl. I'm guessing that is their strategy, and if their stuff wasn't quite so expensive, I would be that girl already many times over, at least in terms of *stuff*. My latest designer discovery at Nest is modern-twist. Their fabrics and graphics are adoreable, and their products are useful but so cleverly constructed. I'm particularly fond of their coaster notz and pj pocket pillow.

And most assuredly not local, but definitely inspiring is Jigsaw. I grabbed a copy of their Spring/Summer look book because I'm dying to make a version of this jacket:

But shorter and without that bottom ruffle. I have a length of off-white washed linen that would be perfect, I just have to figure out how to construct it. Do take a wander through their flash catalog, everything is breezy, simple and beautiful (and in person, beautifully made enough to justify the prices). And the girls' clothes are made with Liberty prints! I wish they'd make them in grown-up sizes.

Then of course there is Paper Source. Not their largest SF location, but I think their best. The manager is great- knows everything and is hot on the heels of replacement supplies from other companies if we can't save gocco.

Zinc Details design store is just off Fillmore on California. At the moment they have a gallery of "emerging art" from the beholder that is fantastic. I was blown away by the tiny, incredible embroidered pieces by Katja Ollendorff. At first I imagined that they were wonderful bitty paintings but when I got up close and realised they were stitched? I almost put down my credit card and damned the consequences. Somehow I managed to control myself. If you have some cash to spend on art, though, go in there and check it out. Untitled 9 is still for sale at this posting!

By this point I'm usually a little tired and thirsty. If it is warm I stop at The Coffee Bean for an iced blended, and if it is cold at Bittersweet for the best hot chocolate outside of Europe (I recommend the classic with an espresso marshmallow).

There are so many other eye candy gems to babble on about, so I'll just make a little list of favorites: Margaret O'Leary, Erica Tanov, The Next to New Shop (my favorite thrift), Flicka, Her etc. And if you're hungry, have the macaroni and cheese at The Grove. Despite the grouchy things that the people on Yelp have to say, it is some of the best mac & cheese I've ever had, and more than worth the calories and price!

Now I'm off to try to draft up a pattern for that jacket I'm envisioning...

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