Home Making

It’s spring!  The flowers are blooming, the birds and bees are busy do birdie and bee things and it’s time for a garden tour!  Phyllis who blogs at Around the House has one of the most beautiful backyards I’ve ever seen.  Wait until you see what’s behind this fabulous gate!  I love the basket of flowers [...]Read the full article

Today I had the pleasure of sitting at this table in my living room in front of the bookcases full of books, and having a tea party with a very special little girl. To me at least. Marley, my now four year old granddaughter, came to spend the morning with me. She has grown a [...]

Braun global radio controlled alarm clock radio • $100.00 • Horne Introduced last year under the direction of Makus Orthey, senior designer at Braun, and winner of the Red dot award for product design, the rounded corners digital table clock offers an easy to read LCD screen illuminated with blue LED backlighting, alongside alarm/snooze functions and an AM/FM/ radio. And no need to change the time while traveling, local time is automatically set utilizing global radio frequencies specific to regions, making this clock equally suited for the bedside table or in the travel bag for global excursions. More

It’s 4:00 and you have no idea what to make for dinner. Or, it’s 6:00 and you’re raiding the freezer for something somewhat healthy to serve your family. Sound familiar? Real Simple wants to help solve these dinnertime dilemmas. We’re launching a 4-week trial of a new weekly meal plan service. Check it out: We want to hear what you […]

Name: Peighton, 1Location: San Diego, CA For my daughter's first birthday I wanted a simple party that didn't require a lot of food preparation so I could focus on the decorations. I decided on a Milk & Cookies party as a result. More

Hostess with the Mostess®Summer’s just about here, and to kick off the season Jenny Raulli of Bloom Designs Online and Jenny Dixon of Craft That Party organized a Chillin’ + Grillin’ Summer Pinterest Party happening… TONIGHT at 9pm EST/6pm PST. Ten of my favorite Hostesses will be pinning with me and giving out prizes…To join in the fun, follow the Chillin’ and Grillin’ Pinterest Board. And look out for prize pins throughout the party including $250 Pottery Barn Gift Card, credit to The TomKat Studio Shop, printables by Anders Ruff and more!*****I’ll see you tonight at the party… don’t forget to re-pin your favorite ideas (with#chillingrillin), add comments, and look for special prize pins! Click on the prize pins and you will be taken to enter a Rafflecopter drawing.PARTY PINNERS– Tori of EdiTORIal by Tori Spelling – Kim of The TomKat Studio – Jenn of Hostess With The Mostess – Jenny of Craft That Party – Courtney of Pizzazzerie – Kim of The Celebration Shoppe – Jenny of Bloom Designs Online – Maureen and Adria of Anders Ruff – Casi of cupcakeMAG – Kori of Paper & Pigtails – J & Do Driver of Piggy Bank PartiesHostess with the Mostess®

If you arrange the refrigerator properly, you'll not only be able to find everything, but you're also less likely to waste food.

Extension cords are, well, pretty universally ugly. Making them more attractive is also a tough job, because of the electricity involved, which could lead to a fire hazard. Enter rope...specifically, firesafe rope. More

Today I am going to show you how to make a succulent garden in a few simple steps.  I found some beautiful flowering succulents named moss rose at Home Depot which I am going to incorporate in my arrangement. If you are more of a visual person, watch the 2 minute video and see just [...]

last week you all enjoyed the post on umami mart in oakland that sfgirlbybay assistant editor rachelle dunn put together, we thought it might be about time to share more of oakland — also fondly referred to as oaktown. and right in the nick of time, maia mcdonald of the awesome blog conundrum, über pinner and art director at rue magazine offered to show us around oakland with her own little guide to the best of east bay, including where to dine. so, without further ado, i give you maia’s most excellent guide to oaktown! Umami Mart. Since moving to Oakland almost 2 years ago I’ve become a tad obsessed with my new home. People always rave about San Francisco, but little do they know that it’s slightly grittier neighbor to the east has some pretty amazing things going on. Don’t just take my word for it, not only was it ranked in the Top 5 Places to Visit by the New York Times last year, it also got top honors for the Best Climate, boasting more sunny days than Orange county. I could probably go on forever about everything I love about Oakland, from the breathtaking views when hiking in the hills, to the vibrant First Friday art and music scene. But for the purposes of this post I’ll stick to the revitalized restaurant and shopping scene. Below are just a few of my favorites in both categories and many of them are within walking distance of the Bart for those of you who are venturing over from San Francisco without a car. temescal alley. EATING Plum 2214 broadway • oakland A local favorite helmed by executive chef Manfred Wrembel. You can’t go wrong with their deliciously modern take on California Cuisine. Ramen Shop 5812 College Avenue • Oakland Don’t miss the newly opened Ramen Shop in Rockridge, but get there early because there is always a crowd! Created by Jerry Jaksich, Rayneil De Guzman and Sam White, formerly of Chez Panisse, they’ve taken the classic ramen to the next level with a menu that changes weekly featuring interesting flavors such as Meyer lemon and maitake mushroom. Mua 2442 Webster Street • Oakland Mua’s large cavernous industrial space in uptown Oakland is perfect for large groups. With great art, loud music, superb drinks and even better food, I find myself going back again and again. mua, photographed by tim gatto at bit by zeus. Camino 3917 Grand Avenue • Oakland Wood fired perfection at Camino, with former Chez Panisse chef, Russell Moore at the helm. True Burger 146 Grand Avenue • Oakland True Burger takes a fast food burger to the next level. Specializing in house-ground beef patties served on homemade toasted egg buns, each bite is simple perfection! Chop Bar 247 4th Street • Oakland A great brunch option just a short ferry ride away from San Francisco. Esqueleto. Wood Tavern 6317 College Avenue • Oakland A really great neighborhood spot serving up consistently delicious locally sourced California Cuisine in a comfy environment. Donut Dolly 482 B 49th Street • Oakland It really doesn’t get more indulgent than the fried treats at Donut Dolly. These donuts don’t have holes but instead are filled by hand with custom, seasonal flavors, such as raspberry jelly, salted mexican chocolate and lemon curd. To-die-for! Beauty’s Bagel Shop 3838 Telegraph Avenue • Oakland Beauty’s takes their bagel making seriously. Done in a traditional Montreal style, which includes hand-rolling them before boiling them in honey water and baking in a wood-fired oven. All I can say is the outcome is mind-blowing! Atomic Garden. Hopscotch 1915 San Pablo Avenue • Oakland If you really want a treat try Hopscotch’s yonsei oyster, topped with sea urchin, salmon roe and citrus soy! Boot & Shoe Service 3308 Grand Avenue • Oakland Scrumptious wood oven pizza and a killer brunch spot on weekends. Brown Sugar Kitchen 2534 Mandela Parkway • Oakland What can I say about Brown Sugar Kitchen that hasn’t already been said? It’s classic chicken and waffles. They are heavenly! Go now! Just make sure to get there early. SH