I bought my first piece of Sarah Kersten pottery when I came across her work at the Remodelista market in San Francisco a few years ago. It was love at first sight! I bought a beautiful deep navy vase with a patina that drew me in completely. From that moment on, I was hooked. Sarah not only understands how to make a beautiful piece, she also creates work that functions well. What drew you to ceramics initially? I started taking classes in my early teens. I liked the way that working with clay engaged me. It’s very grounding. As a teenager, I felt like pottery wasn’t very cool, but I really liked making it. In my early twenties, I started to appreciate pottery for the role it plays in our lives, and I realized that it was something I was interested in pursuing. How did you manage to evolve your passion into a small business? I decided to get serious by really focusing on Fermentation Jars. Making them was challenging for a number of reasons, but actually, I really like fermented foods. That helped me stay motivated. I made the jars by hand on the wheel for the first three years, which was lovely because I got to learn about my craft and explore my aesthetic with every piece. In Berkeley, people were looking for locally made fermentation jars, and they found me through word of mouth. Sandor Katz included me in the resource section of his book, The Art of Fermentation,  and after that came out, sales became more steady. Eventually, I got a mold made of my Fermentation Jar, and increased production. After that happened, I was able to start working with stores. I worked part time as a server while I was learning to make the jars, waiting tables on the weekend and making pottery during the week. Before I made the leap to full time, I took a course with Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, a great organization that sadly is no longer around. I knew very little about having a business/brand when I started. I’ve learned from asking a lot of questions, and I’m still asking a lot of questions!! What advice do you have for others trying to do something similar? I really suggest narrowing down a broad focus to just one or a few things, and learning to do them well and consistently. Having a niche is great; I think that by focusing on something small, somehow it’s easier to understand a bigger picture. Where do you find inspiration for new pieces? When I moved to California, I was lucky to be working at a studio where I had access to a gas kiln. I fell in love with it, and now I have my own. Gas kilns fire in such a way that the tones of the work tend to be soft and neutral. A lot of my inspiration comes directly from my materials and process. Often I’m reminded of the wild and huge nature of the California Coast. I try to mimic and reference that when I’m making choices about the look of my work. What’s the most rewarding part of your creative process? I love seeing my work leave my studio, and I love knowing that people are going to use it. Working with clay is remarkable and inherently rewarding. It is the experience of interacting with earth in a tactile way, with some transformative heat thrown into the mix. When the piece is finished, it’s a different material than it was during the process of the making. The piece becomes a record of the interaction, of the energy that created it. It’s very cool. What aspects of your business are the most frustrating? Needing to wear many hats, often on the same day, can be frustrating. I don’t switch gears quickly. I also develop my work slowly, over time. A new glaze will sometimes take me months to perfect, and new pieces can take years to bring to production. We live in a fast world, and often I wonder how compatible my slow process is with that pace. What other makers or small businesses do you admire? Oh, so many! It’s tough to make a list. Recently, I’m quite inspired from afar by Blackcreek Mercantile and Saipua. We have a really strong community of makers and small businesses here in the bay. It’s impossible to really make a list!! It would be so long. Jacob May Design and Marisa Mason Jewelry happen to be my neighbors, and I really appreciate what they do. I’m going to leave it at that. A big thank you to Sarah for allowing us into her beautiful space! We’re so excited for what’s to come out of this utterly charming studio. Photos by Ali Hartwell for Sacramento Street #lifestyle #interiors

We’re bringing back Amanda’s recipes, and this recipe won’t disappoint. I’m constantly on the hunt for easy, simple and fresh meals to make. I’ve been getting in these recipe ruts the past few months where I make the same 6 to 8 meals on rotation – boring I know! Some of my favorites are from Amanda because I know that they are delicious and don’t involve a thousand confusing directions or odd ingredients that I don’t already have in my pantry. Today she is sharing her Coconut Quinoa Bowl with Tahini-Lime dressing, which is now one of my go-to meals each week. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our family does! Coconut Quinoa Bowl with Tahini Lime Dressing Ingredients 1 can coconut milk (about 15 oz) Salad toppings such as avocado, radish, cashews, leafy greens, cucumber and carrots 2 Tbs tahini juice of 1 lime juice 2 tsp honey pinch salt Directions 1.) Rinse quinoa under cool water. In a medium sized sauté pot, toast quinoa over medium heat for about 30 seconds. 2.) Add coconut milk to a large measuring cup. Add enough water to the coconut milk to reach the 2 cup mark. Add liquid to quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce to lowest heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove quinoa from heat and let sit covered for 20 minutes. Fluff with fork and sit uncovered for 5 minutes. Add in salad toppings such as avocado, radish, carrot, leafy greens and cucumber. 3.) In a small bowl toss together tahini, lime juice, 2 tablespoons water, honey and a large pinch of salt. Whisk dressing together, adding more water if needed – dressing should be creamy but not too thick. Toss quinoa bowl with dressing and taste for salt and pepper. Recipe & Photos by Amanda Frederickson #entertaining #cooking

I’ll be honest – there is nothing I love more than changing into my workout clothes at the end of the day. Yes, I’m one of those moms. But to me it means unplugging, getting outdoors and going for a walk no matter what the weather has looks like. With motherhood comes a whole new way of working out. Since I no longer have time to head to a workout class as often as I’d like – Jackson and I head out the door on an hour long walk exploring the city. Sometimes we conquer hills and other times we walk the streets admiring the architecture that is at our finger tips. One thing I’ve learned in San Francisco is that you can never predict the weather – it can look like a tank top kind of evening and then suddenly switch to the fog rolling in. You always have to be prepared. These basics have been my go-to’s over this winter. The combination of my toasty tech pants and puffy pullover are a winning combination in my eyes. Let’s just say this pairing has been on repeat the past few months. Do you have any go-to workout clothes that you love? Outfit Details: Toasty TechTight | Puffy Pullover Jacket (similar to shown) Salute the Sun Singlet in charcoal | Energy Bra in white #style

Welcome to the brand new Sacramento Street! It’s been a long time coming. Last year I decided it was time to have a fresh new look as well as reconfiguring the functionality of the site. I thought it would take me a few months, but with a busy work schedule and a little one at my feet, here I am launching it mid-February. This has been a labor of love even if it has taken a wee bit longer than I expected. I’ve simplified both the look and navigation. I hope you enjoy it and find the way it functions easy to use. I’m thrilled to have both Sacramento Street as well as my interior design website re-designed to reflect more of who I am. They both feel like the grown up version of who I was when I started. My aesthetic has changed over the years and I feel as if this update is more a display of my visual style. Expect to see Sacramento Street ever evolving as I learn and adapt from experiences I have in life. I hope I always keep my eyes open to the world and never stop learning. A special shout out to Sarah Mattern of Mattern Co. for helping bring this project to life. Her guidance and expertise were priceless! Now, go explore the new site – there are a ton of new features. You can search by category, shop my favorite things, and much more! There is a lot in store this year here on the site – more project reveals, interior design posts, style posts and much more. Thank you for continuing to making this such an amazing place for me to share all of my musings! Photo by Suzanna Scott for Caitlin Flemming Design (project reveal coming soon!) #lifestyle

A new year brings a blank slate to indulge in new experiences. This year I have had a few things I’ve wanted to finally address. After having Jackson, my hair completely changed. I had one of those holy cow moments where you suddenly don’t even know what to do with your very own hair. Now, I’m not one to go around trying a ton of new products but friends this new hair that was coming out was wiry, curly and popping out everywhere – some investigating had to be done. After countless fails on products that I thought would work I sort of gave up on the search for something to fix this issue. You could say that I threw in the towel. Enter Moroccanoil. They approached me to try a few different products – their well-known Pure Argan Oil, Moroccanoil Treatment, Intense Hydrating Mask and Dry Shampoo (for those days I can’t get myself together). Argan oil is what creates the remarkable results. Argan Oil is a rare oil found in the semi-desert of the Mediterranean. Argan Oil has been used by women across the Mediterranean to keep their skin and hair vibrant and full of life. What is great for me, is that my hair was left feeling shiny, strong, and smooth. After just a few days of testing out these products my hair felt completely different – soft, not brittle or dry – it was as if the texture of my hair had changed. Those crazy little hairs were still there but not as wiry as before, which in my eyes was a huge help for getting them hidden when pulling my hair up. As I started to mention this transformation to girlfriends they looked at me as though I was the last one to know about Moroccanoil products. Now I’m just thrilled that I do. If you’re having trouble with your own hair be sure to give Moroccanoil a try – it doesn’t disappoint! They have become a permanent part of my daily routine. This post is a partnership with Moroccanoil. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Images by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #lifestyle

As many of you probably know already, I am a devoted tea drinker. Tea is an important ritual in my day. I begin with a cup while the house is quiet and my family is sleeping and I find other moments in the day to also enjoy a cup of tea: a mid-day pick-me-up, a cup while I prepare dinner, and often tea in a to-go cup for my daily walk with my son. In the past, I always used tea bags for making tea. The problem is that if I wasn’t careful, I would leave the bag in too long and it would be too strong for me. Discovering Pique Tea has completely changed all of that. I get a consistently perfectly brewed tea with their crystallized tea. Every cup I make turns out delicious and by the time I’m done with a cup, I’m ready to start another. The premium quality of Pique Tea has reached my high expectations for excellence. The great thing about Pique Tea is that it’s handcrafted from organic whole tea leave by a tea master with over 30 years experience in the art of tea. The company has trusted growers who go back over two generations and care about the quality of their tea. With a crystallized tea you get all of the antioxidants of tea bags without the bleached paper. If you want an exceptional tea experience (and who doesn’t), consider trying crystallized Pique Tea. Simply open, stir with hot water, and you’ll have a perfect cuppa – anytime and anywhere! This post is a partnership with Pique Tea. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Images by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #lifestyle

A successful gathering all comes down to the food you serve. Yesterday we shared how you can pull together a simple and effortless meal for any group (friends, family, you name it!). Thanks to Amanda we are able to share two dishes you can easily make that will wow your guests and leave them wanting the recipes details. Both can be made in advance so that you can enjoy every minute your guests. Enjoy! Italian Chopped Salad Ingredients 2 bunches romaine lettuce, chopped 1 head of radicchio, quartered and chopped 1 6 oz jar artichoke hearts, quartered 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved ½ cup assorted olives, pits removed and halved 6 oz fresh mozzarella ¼ red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated 2 Tbs. pine nuts, toasted ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar 1 tsp. honey 1 tsp. dried oregano salt and pepper Directions 1.) In a large bowl combine the romaine lettuce, radicchio, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, red onion, Parmesan and pine nuts. 2.) In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, oregano and large pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately. Garlic Knots Ingredients 1 package store-bought pizza dough 2 sticks butter 3 Tbs. minced garlic 2 tsp. thyme, chopped Coarse sea salt Directions Pre-heat oven to 375F. 1.) In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook over low heat until the garlic is fragrant about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. 2.) Cut the pizza dough into two halves.  Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough out into a large rectangle, about 12 by 8 inches. Brush the dough with the garlic butter mixture. Cut the dough in half lengthwise and then cut crosswise into strips about 1 1/4 inches wide. Tie each strip loosely into a knot, stretching gently if necessary, and place on a parchment lined sheet tray. 3.) Sprinkle the tops of the knots with thyme and a pinch of salt. Repeat with remaining dough.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes. 4.) Bake garlic knots until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Brush with any remaining garlic butter, sprinkle with salt and serve immediately. Recipe by Amanda Frederickson for Sacramento Street | Photos by Suzanna Scott #entertaining #cooking

Now that I’m a mother, I understand that life can get busy and sometimes we need to remember to keep it simple so we can enjoy what’s most important in our lives – connecting with family and friends. You don’t need to make getting together with those you love a complicated event – create a simple meal and give yourself the opportunity to appreciate your guests with good food, good conversation, and lots of laughs. Recently, when having friends and family over for an authentic Italian dinner, I kept it very simple. I set a simple table – reminiscent of a meal in Tuscany with a huge cutting board as my centerpiece, branches from an olive tree and the simple beauty of candlesticks to set the mood. Instead of spending the better part of the day preparing for the meal, I decided to make a salad, some simple garlic rolls, and a Bertolli Italian Sausage Entrée. Anyone with a skillet and a few minutes to spare can create a warm and delicious meal for their friends and family. This year I’m toasting to spending more time with friends and family. I’d rather be less formal and spend more time with those I love. Thinking outside the box for ways to make this time happen on a more regular basis is a great idea. I only have to look as far as my freezer to have a delicious Italian meal ready in no time. Pop open a bottle of wine, and you’re ready to go! For more inspiration check out our virtual table over on Pinterest to create your own Mangia moment. Photos by Suzanna Scott for Sacramento Street This post is brought to you by Bertolli. Don’t just eat, Mangia! #entertaining

Four years before having Jackson, I made the bold decision to quit my day job to work full-time on Caitlin Flemming Design and Sacramento Street. I have never looked back. I love being able to determine my own destiny and use my creativity in a variety of ways each and everyday. That being said, when Jackson was born, my priorities completely changed. I knew there would be a shift but not this big. I was now responsible for the well-being of this perfect angel, and that has taken precedence ever since he was born. I was able to take three months off from work when Jackson was born. Now this wasn’t a normal maternity leave where I dropped everything. I promised myself I would take a month off from it all – work, emails, you name it. After that I slowly came out of the 5 – 6 week new motherhood haze and worked on small tasks – keeping up on emailing clients, working on scheduling fun partnerships for when I fully went back to work in March. This gave me three months with Jackson. Being able to spend that time with him is something I will always cherish. I was also able to adjust to the lack of sleep and figure out how we were going to do this thing called parenthood. One thing I’m grateful I did during this time was bond with other mothers that were going through the same dilemmas about going back to work. I realized that in the end it was all going to be about trial and error. That’s kind of what this parenting gig is all about. When I knew it was time to return to work I felt apprehensive and nervous about someone else taking care of my son. I quickly realized that for me, having a nanny was going to work better than daycare. Since I work out of my home, I thought that being able to see Jackson throughout the day would make the transition easier and we wanted to bring him up in a house where we spoke two languages. As it’s turned out, it was the perfect decision. I get to see him all of the time, but my nanny (whom we love as a member of our family) keeps him busy with trips to museums, music classes, messy play and constant visits to the park. She’s a saint and I can tell you that without her I’m not sure what I would do. She’s enabled me to go into my workday worry-free because I know that they are going to have a blast doing their own thing. Now, there is always going to be a part of me that would love to be a stay at home mom and enjoy every single moment with him, but that’s just not feasible financially. And at the end of the day, I have found I’m much more productive in my work because I know I have less time to devote to it than before having a baby. I work hard and when I’m finished I can feel free to play with him as much as I want. It’s not easy, but I wouldn’t trade any single part of it! Also, be sure to check out the rest of the Real Talk, Real Moms posts. I’m headed over now to take in all of their knowledge – I’ve linked to them below. Apartment 34 | The Effortless Chic | A Daily Something | Could I Have That | Parker Etc Sarah Sherman Samuel | Our Style Stories | Ave Styles | The Refined Woman Photos by Delbarr Moradi from our family holiday shoot #lifestyle

Before the holiday we took a trip to Portland, Oregon for Jackson’s baptism and to visit our family. We usually stay with family members but because there were so many friends and family coming for the occasion, we stayed at a hotel downtown. Being my hometown, I had never actually stayed in hotel there. We chose The Vintage Hotel for its location.  Centrally located, you can walk just about anywhere!  I had stayed at Kimpton Hotels before, and the hotel and our room did not disappoint.  We were on the top floor and the minute I walked in I was blown away by the view we had of the city. The windows wrapped up into the ceiling and we could see the city scape from every angle. In addition to our sleeping area, there was a calm and comfortable sitting area that we would hang out in while Jackson took his naps.  The adjacent restaurant – Pazzo Restaurante – was delicious. Breakfast was perfect and the evening meals were savory Italian. If you are planning a visit to Portland, consider a stay at The Vintage Hotel – you’ll love it.  Here are a few of my other places to be sure not to miss: Alder & Co. has long been a favorite home store for me. Stunning candlesticks, dinnerware, jewelry, and clothing await you here. I always find a multitude of things to buy. This time I bought bells, a cookbook, and handmade dishes. This was a first visit to: Paadee, a delicious Thai restaurant in Laurelhurst. Everything was so fresh and mouthwatering! Oven & Shaker had one of the best kale salads I’ve ever had.  They also have croquets and pizza that won’t disappoint. Blue Star Donut on 23rd Street is worth the wait in the long line. They bring donuts to a new level. I hope you have a chance to visit and enjoy Portland soon. It is a city full of wonder. #travel