Where I've been!

First things first. I still have yet to announce the winner of the contest as I had a bit of an emergency and had to hit town. So, that will be addressed this week. Cross my heart.

So go back to Friday the 12th. It was the boat dance that I was talking about to my Nirvana Peeps. Well, I wanted to show you all my dress. It was my gift to me after working hard teaching, and selling my art at Squam! The dance was reminiscent of that of high school years, but it gave us a chance to get dressed up, and we had a fancy dinner at Masu!

Now fast forward to Tuesday the 16th, as we don't want to remember the night of the 15th, for it was spent sleeping in the Portland Airport.... Tuesday morning I caught a flight to Sacramento, because my Portland BFF was home visitng and having a really hard life... so I just decided I would go spend my birthday with her.

Wednesday June 17th. My Birthday.

Ginger and I drove drove to San Francisco for the day! Which is always a dream come true, as SF is one of my favorite cities! We made a detour on the way though... I spotted a J. Crew Outlet store... I have a very keen sense for things like this... We found so much awesome stuff! I even found a new dress that I bought and put on to wear all day!

We also stopped in Berkely before heading into the city. For one reason, and one reason alone. Tail of the Yak. They don't let you take pics inside, and it's understandable. It's like a museum. So many cool things, and antique things. The one thing that I went for specifically was the surprise balls! There is a lady who makes these wonderful surprise balls in all shapes and forms... it's literally like 50 yards of crepe paper wrapped up hiding little prizes. The one I purchased was a daffodil. It had a brass whistle in the middle.

Next we headed into the city, and the first stop was the Curiosity Shoppe! It was soooo good to see Lauren and Derek after Squam. They have so many wonderful things in their shop! If you have not already and you are in the area, make your little way down to Valencia St between 19th and 20th.They really have something for everyone in there. But really though I was just happy to see them again. I make it a habit to see people again when I say I will.

Also, check out their sweet action book, recently released with Chronicle Books, Wallpaper Projects: More than 50 Craft and Design Ideas for Your Home, from Accents to Art.

ate at Tartine for lunch! did some other cool stuff... like this for instance. Hilarious.

you literally get to take a pen tool and draw sparkles on your pictures. Yes please. Even better still, they were stickers...

After Japantown we had a little birthday dessert with my dear friend Veronique! Who I met because of one of my dearest friends Carla Jimison! It was so much fun! We listened to sappy break up music for Ginger. I think it helped. For real.

Then we drove back to Sacramento! It was such a wonderful birthday!

next day, we just hung out in Sacramento. It was sooo hot! I've already been tempered to Portland's mild weather... also I've been meaning to show you my new sunglasses. I think everyone should have a pair.

Friday I flew home to Texas to see my Mom. I'm always grateful for the time I get to spend with her! We had a great day together on Saturday! She got me a facial and pedicure for my b-day! Sooo Nice! Then we ate a lot of sushi, and I took her to see UP. Per usual, I cried the whole time.

Now I am back in Portland. It rained last night as I went to sleep. Almost like a welcome home rain. I want to say how thankful I am for all of your sweet emails, and messages over the past couple of weeks. Your encouragement, kindness, well wishes, and whatnot have been so dear to me. I feel so close to so many of you. It was a really great birthday.

BUT! now I am home, and it is back to work for reals. Finishing a line of fabric, starting some new projects!, finishing some old ones... Oh! and I am going RAW for the next two weeks, any longer than that and I wouldn't be getting work done anymore (anemia strikes again!)

ok. so it will be back to normal around here for a while. Like responding to emails... regular posts... normal lizzy.

have a great week everyone!

ps. if you want to read the hilarious things that Ginger and I write back and forth while she vacations in Mexico with her family, you can follow her on twitter! That is of course assuming that you are already following me...