ULLABENULLA

Nest...

On our visit to 'The City' the other day, we peeked in at one of my favorite shops called NEST on Fillmore Street. I love that they are so iconic that their sign is an image rather than words! They had a beautiful window display with a bird fabric that I adore! Anyone know who its by??? I forgot to ask... My heart, however, was lost to five antique marionettes seated up high on a shelf... Their price? A mere $2,800.00... Shame too, as they would love to live in my house - I just know it!!! Oh well, a girl can dream...

Our Last Stop

After leaving Wendy Addison's studio THEATRE OF DREAMS on Tuesday, we decided to peek in at Tail Of The Yak in Berkeley. Ironically none of us took photos, except I did ask if I could photograph this lovely santos, who took my breathe away... If you feel cheated, I highly encourage you to look at this post by Amy of Inspirico, lots of photos, including some of the Castle! Enjoy!

Wendy's Eye Candy!!!

Following our visit with Stephanie Blythe the other day, we headed over to the tiny town of Port Costa to visit Wendy Addison's studio THEATRE OF DREAMS! As her sign so whimsically proclaims on the front door, she is open only by Chance or Appointment! Not wanting to 'take the chance' of missing her we made an appointment for 1:30!

Walking into Wendy's shop is like entering WONDERLAND. Glass cases are filled with one of kind creations and vintage finds and glittering constellation's hang from the ceiling... Magical Theatres beckon from every corner, and delightful visual poetry fills the air... We were swept away with fairy dust, while being serenaded by 'Queen' Wendy herself. Like little children, we put our noses right up to the glass, and looked with wide eyes, trying in vain to decide which 'candy's' to bring home... Each of us did finally find a few special things to steal away, with the hope that we could bring Wendy's magic with us as we went home... Come join me here in a THEATRE OF DREAMS!!!!

Susan's Wonderland Of Toys!!!

Last Friday a friend and I visited Susan's Store Room in San Anselmo. If you are in the Bay Area, and need a 'WHIMSY' fix, let me tell you, this is the shop for you!!! For 30 years, Susan, the lovely proprietor of Susan's Store Room has delighted and thrilled all who visit with not one but three huge rooms filled to the brim with toys, dolls, bears, miniatures, gifts and all things magical and whimsical! Not a space is left bare, and no corner empty, truly a wonderland of delights!

Susan is also known for a delightful series of books, "The Travel Journals of the Steiff Reggie, Pansy and Clarence Bears". Our visit just happened to coincide with the arrival of her newest book: "Clarence goes to The Chelsea Flower Show". This wonderful book (illustrated by the very talented Maryjo Koch) tells the tale of Clarence visiting England! Clarence, designed by Susan and created by STEIFF takes us all over the Queens Kingdom, journaling about his adventures as he goes. Here we see Susan and Clarence posing at Beatrix Potters home!
(Book and Bear available from Susan's Store Room)

You need to plan on spending a good amount of time when visiting Susan's Store Room, there is sooooooo much to see! look around and you will find Noahs Ark - filled with Steiff animals of every kind; Jolly Gnomes hiding behind a forest of trees; dressed Mice having tea-parties; King Tut holding a conversation with a giant ostrich and Elephants playing Safari! Doll Houses filled with delicious miniatures of every kind, tempt us to join in the fun. Every Holiday has its place all year round here, with Halloween and Christmas sharing space with Easter and Valentine's. Shelves are crowded to overflowing and Dolls and Bears peek out where ever you look! A visit to Susan's Store Room makes us walk back in time and be children again! Truly an adventure not to be missed!!!

Anthro - Windows...

I love the window and interior displays that Anthropologie whips up around the country!!! They truly believe in 'More is More' and have fun with it! I tell you, I want to be a 'display girl' for them when I grow up! Sigh... Check out this fun blog for more inspiring pictures!!! (photos via Flickr and Craving Anthropologie)

Ulla's Jewelry On Earth Angels!

My jewelry is for sale on Earth Angels!!! Please come take a look! THANK YOU JEN!

'Bonpoint For Children' in Paris!

Today Florizelle shares with us the delightful children's shop called Bonpoint. This is Bonpoint's brand of clothing flagship store, stretching over 1,200 square meters in the beautiful Hotel de Brancas, a XVIIth century townhouse, 6 rue de Tournon near the Luxembourg gardens. Two Floors, seven huge rooms, a garden, a wood hut (with enchanting mushroom lights), antique chandeliers and beautiful childsize French furniture! In October, a tea room will be added in the backyard. The shades of the decoration as well as of the clothing are always very subtle and classic. The nicest room, according to Florizelle, is the one selling 'shoes', which has frescoes painted by the talented Clémence Rouveuvre and Clément Goutal, also known as "Clémence et Clément", whose workshop is situated in Montparnasse (119 avenue du Maine, XIVth arrondissement). Graduated from the Van der Kelen school, in Brussels, they work "sur mesure", especially in "trompe l'oeil". This is the shop where Florizelle found the two dolls by 'Apolline a Paris' featured yesterday! Thank you Florizelle for a delightful excursion into the best of French Children's fashion and design...

Le Boudoir et sa Philosophie...

Don't these photos just make you want to visit this shop??? (Anyone have a spare ticket to Paris???) Owner Carla Vizzi invites you to discover the first Boutique Museum of Living History. The Boudoir Philosophy is to allow you to rediscover the Art of Living in the 18th-century around the daily activities of the Boudoir. Oh la laaa... link from ParisMarais.com.