Posts by Barbara Bussey
Filmore, Hayes & Chestnut Streets, San Francisco’s Best Botiques
Well, now I’ve seen the best of San Francisco’s shopping meccas. We started our exploration at the “big box” fashion stores, in Union Square, followed by a trek to Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdale’s in the big Westfield mall on Market. While these stores are lovely, there’s just too much of everything! For my money, I’ll take…
Read MoreBeautiful Arrangements
While Christmas shopping at Union Square in San Francisco, I saw the beautiful, simple arrangements, that anyone can create. With cedar greens, red berries and white mums, an elegant, simple yet festive look has been achieved. I’m hoping I’ll be able to squeeze a trip to the flower mart in, before returning home.
Read MoreGift Giving for the Home or Garden
If there’s someone special on your shopping list, who loves their garden and/or making their home more beautiful, Hi Hand Nursery, on Taylor Rd., in Loomis, is worth a special trip. But don’t start anything this important on an empty stomach! Delicious lunches and dinners are served every day except Monday and Tuesday. And don’t…
Read MoreFestive Sur la Table
If you want a little inspiration to entertain, bake, or try out a new kitchen gadget, stopping in at any of the Sur la Table gourmet cooking shops should do the trick. San Francisco’s store is the chain’s largest volume store, and one of the prettiest, in my opinion. We have our very own store…
Read MoreA Powder Room Fit for Company
Holidays are synonymous with entertaining. And if you’re having friends over, don’t neglect the bathrooms, when creating your to-do list. A guest bath can be fun and elegant. Since they’re typically small, you can perk them up for next to nothing. Put yourself in your guest’s position. First on my list is that the space…
Read MoreExquisitie lighting
Last night, we enjoyed a nice dinner at a lovely restaurant, Townhall, built of brick, after the 1906 earthquake, in San Francisco. It was originally a marine repair facility, and the bricks used to build it were charred from a fire during the quake…probably previously used in a demolished building. A local artist was exhibited…
Read MoreTips from the Accessory Queen!
You know, I’ve always wanted to be queen of something,so I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Accessories! Truthfully, I can’t live without them. Plush throw pillows, pottery, artwork, greenery, personal treasures, beautiful books and family photographs are just some of my favorites things. No home is complete, in my world, without beautiful vignettes throughout a home,…
Read MoreSpray On Some Holiday Cheer!
Have you discovered the versatility of metallic spray paint? No? Well, if you’re looking to jazz up your holiday home, for next to nothing, gold and silver spray paint is your friend! How about taking your harvest collection of pumpkins and gourds and spraying them a mix of silver and gold? If you have an inexpensive wreath…
Read MoreHoliday Plans for Two Empty Nesters
Joyous Noel! It’s Veteran’s Day and already, I’m anticipating my first Holiday season without either of my children in sight. My adult children, 19 and 21. Instead of “crying in my soup”, which would be easy to do…I’m going to rack my brain for some festive things to plan for, sans children. How about having…
Read MoreSide-tracked at Carnegie Deli
For me, the senses become more ‘alive’ here in New York city. Between beautiful sights, amazing clothing and accessory displays to scrumptious food and the latest home design showrooms, it’s so delightfully easy to become distracted! Today, I was in awe, strolling through Henri Bendel’s 2nd and 3rd floor of costume jewels, scarves, purses and…
Read MoreABC Carpet and Home
When I walk through the doors of ABC Carpet and Home, I’m transported to another energy level. You’d think that with a name like ABC, you’d find a boring, nondescript store with more of what you see everywhere else. Just the opposite, as a matter of fact! ABC is in two massive buildings in Manhattan…
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