I knew I would be captivated by the azulejos in Portugal – as you probably know, I love anything blue. But what I didn’t know was just how much the culture of Portugal would capture my heart. While I had been aware of the fact that Portugal was a major colonizer in both Brazil and parts of Africa, seeing the fusion that has become the culture of this place, blew my mind! Out of small restaurants and cafes you would hear Brazilian and African beats, people were a blend of ethnicities, and the food – don’t even get me started. We started our time in Porto, a city about 3 hours north of the capital. Porto was filled with building whose facades had tiles of every shape and pattern. Unfortunately, the week we visited it was cold and rainy. But this didn’t stop us from enjoying incredible meals, long walks (albeit wet), and of course some great shopping. Who knew that handmade wool blankets were a specialty we would go bananas over! We stayed in an airbnb that had old world charm combined with modern sensibilities. I would have moved in if I’d had my two boys with me! After a great time in Porto, we headed to Lisbon for the remainder of our stay. Lisbon was cosmopolitan, and at the same time, retained a charm you don’t see much anymore. The first day we just walked the streets and were smitten with all of the haberdasheries that were everywhere. I bought several pairs of scissors – making sure they weren’t in my carryon. We went one evening to listen to Fado music, had drinks on a rooftop terrace with the cool kids in town, and continued to eat more delicious food. As is the usual case, one of my favorite activities was going to the Flea Market. I picked up some great little treasures to use in my home and spent next to no money. Photos of bullfighters, old books, and some old blue & white azulejos, were some of my favorite items I brought home. HERE ARE SOME MUST SEE THINGS TO DO IN PORTO & LISBON: Here are some must see things to do in Porto & Lisbon: Porto: Casa de Musica – the VIP room is stunning against the modern architecture. Cantina 32 – a must order is the octopus. Lobo Taste – stunning Portuguese hand-crafted goods. I fell in love with their blankets. Sao Bento Train Station – a quick walk through this beautiful train station as you wander the streets. It’s in the heart of the city. Igreja do Carmo – has a stunning exterior that is not to me missed! Port Tasting – there are tons of tasting rooms along the water. Take an afternoon to explore each one. I’m now in love with Port. Lisbon: Fabrica Lisboa – best latte and eggs sandwich. It’s nestled on the hill above downtown. Fado Musica – get lost in the beautiful music of Fado. It was amazing to watch. Feira da Ladra (Flea Market) – stunning gems can be found in this flea market. It’s on the top of a hill where it overlooks the city. Start at the top and work your way down the winding streets of treasures. Park Bar – this is a “hip” bar. You literally get to it through a parking garage. Take the elevator all the way up and you are transported to a bar where all of the it people are in the city. Plus the view of the bridge is not to be missed. Pasteis de Belem – almost everyone I asked about recommendations in Lisbon mention going to Pasteis de Belem for their belems. You’ll find them throughout the city but this place is the best. Don’t wait in line to take them to go – pop inside for a few that are served hot and then order a few to go. #travel

Anyone who has ever been to my house knows I have a passion for branches. The wilder they are, the more I love them. One of the reasons I use branches in both my own home and in the homes of my clients, is to have that sense of bringing nature indoors. And unlike fresh flowers, branches can often last for weeks if not months. This month, Natalie will show you how to make the most of the flowering branches that abound. I always know that winter is close to being over when I see these lovely flowering branches in my home. 1) Now that spring flowers are in bloom, which types of flowering branches can we expect to see? We start seeing the first blooming branches in January and they last until late April. Cherry blossoms are currently blooming and are so special because they come in white and pale pink. In February we were getting Quince and Almond and moving in to March we’ll see Apple and Dogwood. 2) Do you have a favorite spring-time branch? I love white Quince for the sheer fact that it is the least messy branch and lasts the longest. Earlier this Spring I bought Quince for my home and it lasted two weeks. When the branches do die, the blossoms wilt rather than snow little petals everywhere as branches such as Cherry do. My less practical side loves Dogwood. It is my favorite looking branch as it is delicate yet has so much personality. 3) In terms of care, are there any tips you have to maintaining branches? I always get branches as closed as possible so that they will last as long as possible. They like a medium amount of water and a fresh cut. I recently heard someone say that they are not good with branches as they never last long. I realized it is a common misconception to think that you are at fault when actually it is just the nature of the flower to not las long. As a side tip, Lilac is not necessarily a blooming branch but it is available during the spring and their woody stems like to be smashed with a hammer so that they can maximize water retention. 4) When it comes to branches, do you prefer having them solo (similar to how we shot these cherry blossoms) or with other flowers? When it comes to flowers in my home, I love simplicity. You will commonly see a single variety of flower on my table, rather than a proper arrangement. When the flowers are are on their own, you can really appreciate each stem. Branches are the quintessential example of that. It only takes a couple branches to transform and bring life to a room. To get inspired by past Blooms in Season posts – click here. Flowers by Natalie Bowen Designs | Images by Ali Hartwell for Sacramento Street #lifestyle

Every once in a while, a project comes along that just works, where all the pieces fall into place with ease. That was the case with the Baker Street project. I’m pleased to let you know it is live on Rue Daily as well Homepolish. This was a labor of love that worked at every step. A big part of that was the great relationship that was developed with the clients. Let me take you on an armchair tour of the Baker Street project! Window Treatments: The Shade Store Sofa: DWR Como Sofa 92” in pumice pebble weave Carpet: Restoration Hardware Chairs: Knoll When the clients first met with me at the tail end of the construction process, I wanted to make sure that every room had a cohesive graphic black, white and gray palette to highlight their growing art collection. Since they had spent so much time and effort building the perfect space, the clients wanted to make sure that all the details that were chosen had the same amount of precision, attention to detail, and cohesive style that the construction did. I focused on an aesthetic with clean lines that would help to make the narrow rooms feel generous but that balanced modern with warm and inviting. I didn’t want a cookie-cutter house: so we mixed unique, vintage pieces, high-end new, and inexpensive basics. The use of black, white, and gray throughout the house helped to keep the entire space more cohesive and allowed the focus to be on the couple’s growing art collection. Adding a game table in the foyer and plants out the lead glass windows, the light of San Francisco can shine in to greet its owners. The kitchen was already completed when I came into the picture. The previous kitchen had been closed off and the new one opens up to the dining and family room. With the cool Carrara marble counters and white and gray cabinets, it fits in perfectly with our neutral palette. Window Treatments: The Shade Store Sofa: DWR Coffee Table: Rove Concepts Rug: Madeline Weinrib Art: Hudson Grace Chairs: Cherner Table: Rove Concepts Painting: Michelle Tholen When designing a small home, it’s important to keep the palette consistent so the rooms flow into one another. I prefer them to be a lighter color and avoid clutter by having a streamlined style that works throughout the house. For example, in the foyer, we placed a game table that has Lucite legs and a glass top. The end result created an airy and open room that doesn’t close in on you. The entire home was painted in Benjamin Moore Winter White and this makes it feel much larger than it actually is. A huge thank you to my amazing clients for letting me share their beautiful home with all of you. Pop over to Rue Daily to take a look at the before photos! Photos by Suzanna Scott | Architecture by Five Design #interiors

As most of you may already know about me, I am a textile hoarder! I love fabrics of just about every kind – but I especially love fabric that are made by hand. Ever since I took trips to Marrakech and Istanbul, I have my stash of favorite fabrics neatly piled fabrics on shelves in my office. I’m fortunate that blue is my favorite color because many handmade fabrics are in the blue category. Recently, I stumbled across a new company – LuRu Home – that has stunning fabrics, pillows, and accessories made from incredible fabrics from China. I wanted to be sure to share them with you – they are the real deal! Give us the story on how you guys shared and grew a mutual interest in Chinese textiles. It was on a back alley stroll through Shanghai in 2010 that we first came across swathes of Nankeen indigo-dyed fabrics. We’d each spent a year in Asia– Liza in Shanghai, Claire in northern Thailand – and were traveling and exploring China for a bit before returning home to the states. Claire had studied textiles in college and Liza had dabbled in Shibori before it was a household word, but here we were, both unfamiliar with the indigo hand-dyeing happening in Northern China. Indigo Nankeen prints differed from the understanding we both had of Chinese fabrics. Chinese textiles were embellished silks, detailed jacquards, saturated with color and motif. Nankeen was different. It was simple and humble, the cloth of the people. We were hooked. We spent several years in Shanghai, studying Chinese, researching fabrics, designing prints with master artisans in the handful of remaining Nankeen indigo hand dye workshops. Our goal has always been to support the Nankeen craftsmen and women by embracing traditional Chinese design and creating textiles for our customers that present Chinese design in an unexpected way. For those of us who aren’t familiar with Nankeen fabrics, give us a brief rundown. What makes them so special? How have these fabrics influenced the rest of your collection? The Nankeen dyeing technique is a Chinese indigo printing process that dates back several thousand years. Indigo was introduced to northern Asia from the south through trade roughly 3,000 years ago. The land around Shanghai, in Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, was ideal for farming indigo, and the bushy shrubs became the top choice for dyeing the cottons worn by farmers and peasants. Indigo was believed to possess protective properties, warding off snakes and insects. In traditional Nankeen dyeing, artisans apply a thick soy-bean paste to cottons through hand-cut screens. When the soy paste has dried, the fabric is submerged in natural indigo baths. The dried paste creates a hard, protective barrier through which the indigo dye cannot pass; it creates a resistance, much like wax batik. Upon oxidation, the indigo-saturated fabric gains a vibrant blue and is set to dry in the sun. The paste is carefully scraped away to reveal crisp prints, and the cottons are laundered to remove excess dye. We can print by hand on natural fibers – cotton and linen are best suited to Nankeen dyeing – though we are continually experimenting with silks, flaxes, ramies and other fabrics. The printing process can take anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending upon the prevailing weather systems. It’s best to dye during a spell of high barometric pressure, the indigo gets darker and the soy-pasted areas stay whiter and crisper. A big rain storm can slow the timeline down a month or more. Needless to say, with Nankeen dyeing, we have to plan ahead quite a bit and remain flexible. Last year, we brought on screen printing and digital printing to balance the lengthier Nankeen process. With screen and digital printing, we can offer a wider range of colors and grounds, too. Since you guys founded LuRu in 2010, you’ve both moved back to the states. Tell us a bit about where you guys are now and how this influences your creative approach. Claire moved from Shanghai to New York City in the summer of 2013 to open our Brooklyn studio and focus on our American clients and projects. She lives in Chinatown, with dumplings and bubble tea galore. New York is bursting with inspiration, of course, and helps us balance our love for Chinese design with what’s current. We no longer design away from our clients and customers. We’re much more accessible and thus better able to communicate a client’s ideas and needs. Liza has just moved from Shanghai to San Francisco. Already she adores being closer to the action, able to visit boutiques and design partners of ours on a routine basis. We travel to Shanghai several times each year to check on production, but more importantly, to get inspired and create new collections. Tell us a little about your studio space in Brooklyn. Our NYC office is in South Williamsburg, within the Brooklyn Fashion and Design Accelerator. This puts Claire in touch with a host of apparel, product and jewelry designers, and we draw so much inspiration from their influence. There are twenty small companies in our large shared office space, and we bounce ideas, make introductions and collaborate. For example – Suzanne Rae, a fellow member, is translating a print of ours into fuchsias, blacks and grays for pieces in her Spring 2016 apparel collection. Our space is open on two sides, as all of the BFDA company office spaces are, and this fosters much sharing and companionship. Working as a team of one or two can be isolating, and sharing common ground with other entrepreneurs brings more laughter into the day. I hope you enjoyed meeting the founders of LuRu Home. There is so much to chose from but I promise you’ll find unique and quality pieces for your home. Happy shopping! #lifestyle #interiors

I recently completed a bedroom update and one of the things that has me most excited is the bedside tables with plenty of room for the necessities for things I like to have at my fingertips. To begin with, it’s the top drawer that has the most important items. I like to have a pen and tablet in case I get a genius idea in the middle of the night (and it happens more than I’d like to admit!). I’m also blind as a bat without my contacts in, so I need my glasses at my fingertips. In addition, I like having a small bowl to place my jewelry. A small candle is a must-have on every nightstand and finally, most importantly, my small Vaseline Lip Therapy Tin. I know there are a plethora of other lip balms and lipsticks, but I honestly love the simplicity of the newly relaunched Vaseline Lip Therapy Tin. I use it regularly and carry one in my purse, one in the car, and one in my bedside table – in my opinion, you can never have too many. It not only protects my lips, but creates a soft sheen that I prefer over lipstick. This is something you can never have enough of. I’m smitten over the tin containers that harken back to the original container of the 1880’s. They are easy to pack, and since I’ve always used Vaseline on my lips, it’s a no brainer. This is perfection in a tin! SHOP THE POST Glasses from Jimmy Fairley Vaseline Lip Therapy Tin in Original and Cocoa Butter from Target Adhesive Notepad Set from Appointed Pen from Muji diptyque Baies Candle This post is a partnership with Vaseline. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. #lifestyle

When I can’t think of anything to cook for dinner, which happens way more often these days, my go-to meal is tacos. Since it’s Taco Tuesday night I wanted to share a new recipe that I’ve been loving thanks for the one and only Amanda. Her recipes really are the best! Now, I’ll be honest, usually I make boring roasted chicken or beef tacos but ever since discovering her Korean Chicken Tacos I’ve been sold on not making boring tacos anymore. Friends, these are easy and will wow for family or friends if you serve these at your next dinner or gathering. Be gone with boring tacos, enjoy! Korean Chicken Tacos Ingredients For Chicken: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup mirin 2 Tbs. toasted sesame oil 2 tsp. sugar For Asian Slaw: 1 cup shredded Napa cabbage 1/3 cup shredded carrots ¼ red pepper, thinly sliced 1 tsp. honey 2 Tbs. rice wine vinegar 2 tsp. sesame oil Pinch of salt For Gochujang Mayonnaise: 1 Tbs. gochujang or fermented chili paste (found at most specialty grocery stores) ¼ cup mayonnaise 6 to 8 corn tortillas Directions 1.) Assorted garnishes such as pickled onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, and jalapenos. 2.) Marinate the chicken by combining the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar in a medium sized bowl. 3.) Pour contents over chicken in a ziplock bag and marinate refrigerated for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. 4.) When ready to serve the tacos, begin by grilling the chicken. 5.) On a stove top grill pan or on an outdoor grill, grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through. 6.) Let chicken rest for 10 minutes then cut into thin slices. 7.) While the chicken is resting, combine the cabbage, carrot, and red bell pepper in a medium sized bowl. 8.) In a small bowl mix the honey, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and pinch of salt together. 9.) Pour over cabbage mixture and toss to combine. In another small bowl, whisk the gochujang and mayonnaise. 10.) Taste for heat, adding additional gochujang if desired. Recipe & Photos by Amanda Frederickson #entertaining #cooking

When Eric and I moved to our little abode in San Francisco almost three years ago our son wasn’t even an idea yet and we were moving from a studio apartment we had lived in for seven years. There was suddenly more space than we knew what to do with. Slowly we began filling our rooms with furniture we loved. However, no sooner did we get started that Jackson was born and our focus changed. One room we never got around to finishing was our bedroom. We had a nice bed but not much more. Mismatched side tables that were different heights made the room look hastily put together. Enter One Kings Lane and we now have a lovely bedroom that functions harmoniously in so many ways that the old set-up just didn’t do. To begin with, both of us have bedside tables with drawers to hold all of the necessary items a person needs by their side of the bed. I like having my glasses, a good book, my cell phone, and a host of other things right at my fingertips. I also love the addition of mirrors and art above each of the bedside tables. It actually feels finished and complete. We even added art on the door of my closet which reflects in the mirrors. I feel as if I’m actually in a room for a grown up! The bed itself looks completely different with the new bedding from One Kings Lane. I chose white linen sheets and duvet cover to keep with my neutral palette. Pattern was added with the stunning gray batik pillows and throw. But my favorite new addition in the room is the stunning Moroccan rug under our feet. It adds depth and is the softest thing in the world! My husband is most pleased with his new chest of drawers that was long overdue. The gentle curves of the drawers are serene and fit with the neutral choices in the space. While our bedroom is small (as so many in San Francisco), it now feels complete and that is a great feeling. It was so effortless to find what I wanted and put together the room using One Kings Lane – The Studio as my source. I look forward to doing the same thing again soon when my son is ready to bust out of his crib. I had used One Kings Lane frequently for my clients but what a treat it was to actually shop for my own house. Feeling inspired to create your very own bedroom oasis? You can shop my entire bedroom makeover look over on One Kings Lane. Photos by Laura Resen #interiors #lifestyle

For the past four years, I have been going to Mighty Pilates. It started as a last effort to find relief for back and neck pain I had been experiencing for years from an old dance injury. I didn’t hold out much hope it would work, as I had tried so many other forms of exercise and none of them seemed to help. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my neck and back pain began to disappear. I think I needed more strength in my core and Mighty Pilates was the ticket to getting more in shape. When I got pregnant, I worried how I could stay strong and deliver my baby with as much ease as possible. I continued my Mighty Pilates but switched to the classes designed specifically for pregnant women. Not only did I make new friends who were soon-to-be-mothers, but I also continued to stay strong without injuring myself or harming the baby. I can’t recommend Mighty Pilates enough and luckily now they have studios in both San Francisco and LA. The individual attention you receive and the small classes, make you feel like you’re getting the help you need to complete the exercises properly. Every person has to find their own way to keep in shape but I can definitely endorse the superb classes I’ve had over the past four years. Sometimes I only manage to go once a week. Other weeks I go 2 or 3 times. The important thing is to find something that works for you. Keeping in shape helps me to have the energy I need to run after Jackson, as well as work hard in my design business where I’m often lifting heavy rugs, paintings or books for installations. Feeling good is important – we all need to take care of ourselves! Have you been able to find a workout that works for your body and lifestyle? Photos by Emily Scott #lifestyle

Some trips are meant to discover new places I’ve never been before, but I always try to include a few days in Paris – the old friend I always come back to. Paris is so familiar and beloved – every corner of the city is a visual treat – even the graffiti is beautiful. Our stay in the city of lights was only four days but we managed to pack all kinds of activities into our day. My bestie from high school lives in London and came with her boyfriend for the weekend – we ate amazing meals and laughed until I almost cried. This time was a first for staying in the Marais. We rented a cute Airbnb apartment in the heart of the action. We were a stones throw away from the Picasso Museum and enjoyed our visit there the first day we arrived. No visit to the Marais is complete without lunch at Merci where they serve a delicious plate of three salads that will make your mouth melt. And not far from us was the Pompidou with the incredible exhibit of Constantin Brancusi. We also managed to squeeze in a visit to the Clignancourt Flea Market – always a favorite for sourcing for clients. Here are some of my favorite spots from this trip to Paris: Picasso Museum – I could have spent the entire day there. Atelier Brancusi – This is not to be missed. In order to find information about it you have to go here. Mariage Freres Tea Room – It’s the perfect place to go after walking around the city all day. I highly recommend the Paris/Singapore tea, which is green tea with mint notes. Robert et Louise – Everything is cooked in a wood burning oven. It was the highlight of the trip finding this new restaurant. La Briciola – I’ve been craving this pizza since returning home. If you go order a pizza for each person because they are just that good! La Cantine de Merci – Once you’ve walked around the beloved Merci, be sure to pop into their cafe “La Cantine” for their trio of salads. #travel

Mid-week, I still have a day dedicated to spending time with Jackson. I love taking him to museums – especially now that he’s walking. Often, we may not spend too much time inside but we play in the gardens and watch the world go by. Dressing for these special outings, I like for both of us to wear clothes that are comfortable and make us happy. It’s finally beginning to feel like Spring here in San Francisco with cherry blossoms blooming and the sun finally out, so I decided both of us needed a wardrobe refresh. I popped into Old Navy for their denim and kids sale and I was not disappointed with the incredible selection for both myself and Jackson. We settled on matching chambray outfits – comfortable jeans for me and stretchy jeans for him. Both of us got chambray shirts and I found Jackson a cute striped t-shirt that finished off his outfit. I finished off my outfit with a bold scarf to ring in the sunshine and blossoms. I love it when I can find clothes like this that look good but also stand up to our busy and varied activities. In one day, we can be climbing the slide at the park, playing in the sand at the beach, or getting dirty at his messy play class. I want to have both of us in clothes that can withstand all of this and I’m not worrying about ruining them. We can be fun-loving and look awesome at the same time! Check out the great selections that Old Navy has for you and your kids and you won’t be disappointed! Outfit Details Caitlin: Chambray Button-Down Shirt | Mid-Rise Rockstar Skinny Jeans | Scarf (similar to shown) Jackson: Chambray Shirt | Skinny Denim Joggers for Baby | Patterned Jersey Bodysuit for Baby This post is a partnership with Old Navy. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Photos by Suzanna Scott at the Legion of Honor Museum #style