Visit: Ojai Rancho Inn's Deck the Halls

Scenes from last weekend's 4th Annual Deck the Halls at Ojai Rancho Inn where the the entire inn is converted into a festive holiday pop-up shop with good vibes, good folks, rad makers, bakers, musicians and shop-owners. 

the amazing stained glass work of David Scheid (right)

a Heather Levine Hanging, hanging in the lobby

"PALO SANTO means HOLY TREE in Spanish. It has been used as a spiritual remedy for purifying + cleansing since ancient times." - on the front desk.

Agnes Baddoo and her lovely goods | Eric Trine's airy sculpture for the lounge area

Room 17 had a lot of awesome in one room: Rachel Craven textiles (Rachel is also the co-founder of The Echo Park Craft Fair along with Beatrice Valenzuela, who had her wearable wares here, too) | Victoria Morris pottery | Heather Levine ceramics  

clockwise: Outdoor jams with Folk Steady | Kathleen Whitaker jewelry. This one is my personal favorite.  | April Napier ceramics

selections from Otherwild with co-owner Rachel Berks

BZippy and Company ceramic vases and necklaces, designed by artist Bari Ziperstein. I'm digging the hands wrapped around the vases and her necklace color combos.

a beautiful mosaic hearth from Full of Life Flatbread feeding good stuff for the folks here

Hushi Handmade embroidered textiles

JuJuMade's ceramic and leather jewelry came about as a way to be creatively free from the technical side of being an industrial designer. 

the exquisite, Black Crane by Momo Suzuki | Alexander Yamaguchi's equally thoughtful line. My photos do no justice to how lovely their clothes are, so please click on the links.

Kat and Roger's rad pottery

I'm in love with everything from Niki Livingston's textile collection, Lookout and Wonderland. 

Kieley Kimmel creates very chic, yet cozy knits as well as wovens that are light and fluid with cool silhouettes. 

clockwise: Clark and Madison handcrafted, sure-to-be-heirloom travel bags and accessories | Osei Duro's vibrant textiles and garments are made in LA and Ghana through traditional hand dyeing and weaving | Beads of Esiteti "is a fair-trade social business dedicated to empowering the Maasai community of Esiteti/Embarinkoi through the selling their traditional beadwork."

clockwise: Tranceessence wild-crafted and organic perfumes oils and absolutes | Kathryn Bentley's stunning jewelry, Dream Collective. I am really coveting the evil eye cuff (or evil eye ring or the quill necklace or ... )

clockwise: the nice folks from Rock Rose Provisions staying cozy as night falls | Hand Eye Pictures' fun photo booth - complete with under-the-mistletoe-set-ups | the scene near the pool with Erik Junker's painted artwork | Sama Sama's set up, making delicious baos (buns) out of a cute yellow trailer

KKIBO knits and hangings. The sweater on top is kid-sized (!) | Gravel & Gold's fantastic prints

I wish I was able to take photos of everyone and everything! But, I did have two rambunctious boys nearing bed time as we headed out through this magical exit. They had a blast: dancing to the bands, chasing each other through the meadow, doing 360 twist jumps off the platform, making friends with various dogs (hi Poochie, Frankie and Franz!) and popping into the rooms to check out the good stuff inside!

Thank you to all the artists, designers, shop-owners and chefs who were at this special event, letting me snap pics - and especially to Chris and Kenny from Shelter Social Club for bringing everyone together. As I'm new-ish to LA, it was so great meeting all the lovely people there.

p.s. Many of these artists and designers will be at various other events with the holidays quickly approaching. Their works are also available online through their site or stockists. So, no worries if you missed Deck the Halls this go-around. But, it's worth the trip for next year!

Temescal Alley | Part 1

A couple of weekends ago, I took a visit to Temescal Alley in Oakland. The main area is a pocket of two car-free alleys off of Telegraph and 49th Avenue with retailers, eateries and galleries converted from former horse stables turned carriage houses. Much of the goodness spills onto Telegraph, is easily accessible by BART's MacArthur Station and walkable from one place to another, creating a neighborly village vibe.

1. Esqueleto is an afternoon light-filled shop with a dreamy desert-meets-the-sea airiness curated by Lauren Wolf. The shop displays its jewelry, accessories and art in vintage glass cabinets and rustic wood/iron tables. Items include Lauren's eponymous line as well as Satomi Kawakita, Melissa Joy Manning, Emily Counts and vintage jewelry, Job & Boss Shibori and Oaxacan Woven bags, artist Patrick Dunaway prints, Michelle Quan porcelain and stoneware bells and hangings, Heather Levine ceramic hangings, rugs, pillows, Ally Maser dream catchers and findings such as petrified tree branches, gem rocks, shark teeth, pottery, animal skulls and succulents.
shopesqueleto.com | 482 49th Street, Oakland, CA 94609

2. Doughnut Dolly is a neighborhood favorite, often selling out before the end of the day with a line out the door down the alley. Owner, Hannah Hoffman was inspired by Doughnut Plant in NYC (yum!) and London's take on the treat. Through the help of a Kickstarter campaign, she launched the Doughnut Dolly shop. Hannah makes custom filled-to-order doughnuts including her signature Crème Fraîche Vanilla Bean "Naughty Cream" and a rotation of deliciousness like Mexican Chocolate, Malted Coffe Cream, Bourbon Cream and seasonal jams.

doughnutdolly.com | 482 B 49th Street, Oakland CA 94709

3. Book / Shop is one of those places that you could easily lose time in just perusing the collection of vintage books and independent magazines with great names such as "Gratuitous Type" and "Day Job" or admiring art like literary clay busts by Jason Polan and author-related poster prints or coveting handmade bookshelves, book-holders, reading lamps, book-bags and other reading related accessories. One thing I was particularly in awe over was "Absorene" a paper and book cleaner that absorbs dust, dirt, smoke and film. Pretty cool.
book---shop.com | 482 D 49th Street, Oakland CA 94709

4. Minds Eye Vintage is a perfectly refined selection of clothing and accessories by Sarah Rainey and Maya Messoriano. 
mindseyevintage.com | 486 49th Street, Oakland CA 94609 

co-owner Brad Roberts with customer Kilian Betlach

5. Temescal Alley Barbershop is a rare spot honoring the art of traditional barbering with straight razor shaves and beard trims in an old school setting, complete with classic hex tiles and vintage haircut images on the walls. It's a friendly environment where you can even loosen up by slinging back a shot of whiskey - which kindly is available while you wait.

temescalalleybarbershop.tumblr.com | 470 B 49th Street, Oakland CA 94609

6. Homestead Apothecary washes you over with good vibes and relaxation the second you walk in. They support local farmers, practitioners and makers for healing herbs, oils, formulas, soaps and the like. The shop also serves as a community hub for workshops and events that revolve around wellness. 

homesteadapothecary.com | 486 C 49th Street, Oakland CA 94609

This is Part 1 of the visit. Next up are several more retailers, eateries and upcoming happenings!

Ojai Vibes + Deck the Halls at Ojai Rancho Inn

design by Nichole Berger

There are many, MANY reasons why I am stoked that Shelter Social Club is hosting a Holiday Pop Up at their Ojai Rancho Inn on Saturday, December 7th from 3-10 pm: 

Boob print via Gravel & Gold

• No. 1: All the artists and shops included in the Pop Up itself:

Gravel and Gold - a fantastic store in SF that Lena first introduced me to. The boob print: Love love love!

Beatrice Valenzuela - What can she not do: beautiful handmade shoes, co-founder of the Echo Park Craft Fair  (it started in her backyard!), a mama expecting #2 soon and now she just opened her new shop.

Black Crane  - womens line with lovely silhouettes

Alexander Yamaguchi - whose leather sandals I was spying on this summer, but unfortunately never got. Now the sizes left are too big for me.

Otherwild - another awesome store in LA I've been wanting to stop by. The ladies are also rad designers. 

It's so much awesomeness all in one place! I've listed only a few, see full list above.

• No. 2: An excuse for an overnight camping trip with the kids. El Capitan is a fun place that isn't camping, but rather "glamping." I haven't been there yet myself, but many friends and even my kids (who went on a group sons + fathers trip) recommend it!

Beatrice Wood photo by Jim Hair

•  No. 3: I'll get to check out these places:

Modern Folk Living - an "eco-boutique" carrying such brands as Matta, Coral & Tusk, Apolis and Heath Ceramics.

Summer Camp - a new (just opened this past weekend) creative space housed in an old gas station that carries vintage & new home goods and provides custom framing.

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts - Beatrice is the amazing, amazing goddess of pottery. Many years ago, my husband, David had the fortune of hanging out with her in her studio. I can't even imagine!!! Check out this film on her, Mama of Dada.

•  No. 4: I'm stoked to see the work done in person by amazing artists that have graced the Ojai Rancho Inn. Just this one room itself is packed with several artists in one heavenly space: art above bed by All For The Mountain, light pendants by Heather Levine Ceramics, indigo dyed curtains by Lookout and Wonderland, printed peshtemal by Kylea Borges. 

All of the artists are amazing, and at the moment I can't post it all, so for now let's get our minds blown by two of them:

images via All for the Mountain

All For The Mountain is Carly Margolis. "My aesthetic explores the trans-dimensional psychedelic realm via mythical landscapes, color, humor, and uplifting New Age symbolism." Whoa. The colors, lines, shapes... intention... I can seriously feel the amazing vibrations just from these pics alone! She recently closed her community gallery, Sacred Door, but continues to curate, including a women-focused show that will no doubt be awesome. It opens January 16, 2014 at Dilettante, in Downtown LA. 

 images via Elena Stonaker

I know, like, what is this insane radness?! This meticulously hand-crafted wearable art is by Elena Stonaker. Her work won't be at Deck the Halls, but she's used the Ojai Ranch Inn's space as a temporary studio and she'll be in the art show at Dilettante. She also created Carly's wedding dress (top image). Elena's work is just so amazing, I had to share it! 


photo by Shelby Duncan

Truly, all this comes together because of Kenny Osehan and Chris Sewell who previously renovated The Presidio in Santa Barbara - now under new ownership. Currently, in addition to Ojai Rancho Inn, they also have Sama Sama restaurant and Agave Inn in SB and The Hamlet Inn in Solvang. 

all images via The Shelter Social Club unless otherwise noted

At the very least, I hope to get this tee-shirt!