We’re kicking off out 2015 Gift Guides, with one of my favorites – items you’ll be wishing for as you pull out your rolling suitcase and set out for your holiday travel. As an avid traveler, I’ve pulled together some of my must haves that I can’t travel without. No matter how long the trip is, you can always find my bringing these travel cases, a small candle and my new favorite is the Aesop Jet Set kit (it’s amazing!). Shop the Gift Guide: Modern Zip Backpack | Carry On Cocktail Kit | Shinola Shearling Neck Pillow | Monocle Travel Guide: Tokyo | Apolis Transit Issue Travel Candle | 2016 Travel the World Calendar | Travel Ready Perfume | Frends Taylor Headphones | Aesop Jet Set Kit | Cuyana Leather Travel Cases It’s time to pull out your gift lists (and wish lists) because we’ll be sharing the rest of our 2015 Gift Guides over the next few weeks! #lifestyle

Erica Tanov Napkins | Hudson Grace Bronze Pewter Flatware As I prepared the table for Thanksgiving, I turned to three local sources to put the space together – Erica Tanov, Hudson Grace, and Heath Ceramics. These are all local businesses located in the San Francisco area. I wanted a natural look for this particular celebration with a “less-is-more” approach. An abundance of light by way of candlelight and a simple bouquet of dried cotton are all the adornment there is. The simplicity of Heath dinnerware was the base of the design. Added to this were the stunning napkins designed by Erica Tanov and artist Emily March Payne. For flatware, I turned to Hudson Grace and chose a stunning set of copper utensils that contribute to the simplicity and at the same time add to the elegance of the table. Whatever Thanksgiving décor you choose this year, I hope you are able to take the time to enjoy family and friends together! Photos by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #entertaining

When it comes to my dining room, it has a variety of functions. One wall is entirely my closet and we eat all of our dinners at our dining room table. Lately it has felt a bit sterile and stark, so I decided it was time to add a few items that warm up the room and make it a bit more cozy for the fall. Since we have a large vintage blue rug, I knew I wanted to stay in that color theme and go with shades of blue. In the corner by the window, I have a vintage French chair covered in a blue Madeline Weinrib ikat fabric. I decided that placing a large scale piece of art in the pocket door nook and adding pillows to our dining chairs would make the space feel new. As I searched high and low for these items it took me awhile to find the perfect pieces for the room. That being said, when I walked into St. Frank (which just opened here on Sacramento Street!), I knew all of my needs would be met. To begin with, I nearly fell over when I saw a huge Organic Indigo Sublime textile that had been framed in a clear streamlined frame. I’ve always had a soft spot for textiles and this one knocked me off my feet. Subtle and calming, I knew this was the perfect piece to hang in the room. It was created in the Bamako workshop of Aboubakar Fofana, a calligrapher, artist, and textile designer who studied in Japan, France and Mali. Fofana is committed to preserving the art of indigo dyeing in West Africa. As I looked further, I nearly yelped with excitement when I found vintage indigo dyed pillows that would add depth to the neutral space. In ancient times, from Egypt to West Africa, fabric has been dyed blue. This indigo color is considered a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth. Now that they are all in my dining room, I wonder what took me so long to change it up. I now find myself gravitating to the dining room with my computer to work, just so I can admire how beautiful it is. If you are trying to spruce up a room or looking for a unique gift for the holidays, St. Frank is the place to go. They have partnered with artisans from around the world to bring handmade products that have been carefully chosen and encompass the authentic cultural heritage of the communities from which they originate. Core to St. Frank’s beliefs are both the economic empowerment of its artisans, as well as the preservation of traditional crafts. As a world traveler, I applaud St. Frank’s commitment to their core values and look forward to their much-deserved success. If you live in San Francisco I highly recommend popping into their new shop on Sacramento Street. It’s bound to leave you inspired to add a few pieces to your home! Photos by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #interiors

This week in San Francisco, the weather has taken quite a turn and the air is finally crisp and cold. This is the perfect time to change the look of flowers to a more moody and romantic style for your home. Natalie hit this look out of the ballpark – I swooned when I saw this particular mix of flowers!  I am usually one who buys white flowers or greenery and that’s about it. But lately, the dark flowers that look like the color of a glass of pinot noir are something I’m gravitating towards.  Notice the extraordinary vines creep out of the arrangement – perfection! The use of a stone urn is also in keeping with the season.  All-in-all this is what I would consider the perfect grouping of flowers. With the weather feeling more crisp, what types of flowers will be in season? Any favorites you love using? I’m finding that my arrangements are becoming more simple this time of year. I often use a branch and then only one type of flower, rather than mixing a lot of different flowers. In California we are getting the very end of the summer flowers so I find myself tending towards the branches and berries are so pretty that they can easily stand alone to make a statement. It will make the blooms that much more special when they come back in to season early spring. I love using branches this time of year – what are two of your go to’s? Pastiche, bittersweet and maple are all varieties I find myself using a lot during this month. Since everyone is thinking about their thanksgiving centerpiece/arrangement, could you give everyone a few tips on what they should look out for or think about?  Setting the table was always my favorite part of the holiday meal when I was a child and it still is. I would hand-make my place cards and carefully chose who sat at which place setting. Now, I tend to think about the overall look of the table and while I’ve grown up a bit, I still think there are a few key details to keep in mind when planning the floral decor for your holiday table. My top list includes: 1. Keep the florals low so people can see across the table. If you put your elbow on the table and lift your hand straight up, the arrangement should be no taller than your finger tips at the tallest point. 2. Don’t use any scented flowers. I adore having fragrant flowers in my home yet I know so many people are allergic to scented flowers of all kinds. Be sure to not make your guests unexpectedly suffer and leave the scented blooms for the powder room. 3. Keep the arrangements compact. I find that holiday meals are often family style and even if you have a buffet you may have multiple glasses, salt and pepper or even candles on the table. Keep the arrangements compact and opt for several smaller ones that are movable, rather than one large piece. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Flowers by Natalie Bowen Designs | Images by Ali Hartwell  for Sacramento Street

Fall is by far my favorite season – the crisp air, change of leaves, and sunsets earlier and earlier I love getting nestled in at home for the night. We’ve had a pretty mild fall here in San Francisco with our Indian Summer lingering for quite some time – no layers have been required. Over the past week the weather has changed, it’s finally sweater weather. With the leaves slowly turning I’m ready to break out my fall clothes. I’ve been counting down the days for fall to make it’s appearance. Another reason I love this time of year is the fashion. There is nothing I love more than getting a few new staple pieces that will carry me through the winter months. I was just talking to Eric last night about how I go shopping maybe once every quarter and purchase three or four essentials that I know I can wear for the months to come. No layers have been required quite yet, but two of my favorite pieces this season have been this cashmere henley and D’Orsay black leather flats from Jenni Kayne. The henley with its classic style, is probably a piece I want to grab out of my closet every single morning. The D’Orsay flats have been on my wish list for years. I’ve always been a flats gal – easy to run to meetings in and transition from work/life to mom/life. They are comfortable so that I can wear them all day long and easy to have on while chasing Jackson around the park. Their elegance are what make them special. I cannot wait for the fall days to get cooler so that I can add layers to my outfits but in the meantime, I’ll be happy wearing this pairing. Do you have any fall essentials you are loving that are becoming staples? I’ll be sharing more fall outfits in the next few weeks. Photos by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #style

A few weeks ago I drove to Santa Barbara with the excuse of needing to pick up a table for one of my clients. What I was really looking forward to was paying a visit to one of my favorite clothing shops – Jenni Kayne. Located in Montecito’s Upper Village, Jenni Kayne is down the road from the stunning grounds of San Ysidro Ranch. When you walk into the shop, the physical surroundings are so beautiful that you don’t want to leave. I’ve always dreamed of an open-beamed ceiling of wood painted white for my home and this is how the physical space looks in the store. Clothing, accessories, and a few well-curated home items are carefully placed to create a serene and aesthetically pleasing space. As many of you know, I prefer simple lines and timeless clothing that stands the test of time. I would rather buy a few nice pieces of clothing each season than buy the latest trends. Jenni Kayne is the perfect place to find those enduring pieces. Clean lines and a neutral palate draw me to her designs. There were also smaller items I had to purchase. The earth tu face + jenni kayne lotion was something I couldn’t leave without. The fragrance of rose & geranium was like no other lotion I had smelled and I knew I had to have it. I also noticed that my good friend Simone LeBlanc has partnered with Jenni Kayne to create a unique and exciting gift box. The carefully chosen items for this box are the perfect gift for that special person. Filled with items that remind you of this time of year and a walk in the woods. All of the items come in a stunning balsa wood box that will be a keepsake for years to come. Pop over to my instagram to find out how to win your very own Simone LeBlanc x Jenni Kayne Woods Gift Box – it’s the epitome of fall! Of course, I couldn’t get out of the store without a pair of shoes and several sweaters for the crisper fall days, which we are finally having in San Francisco. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to pick up more wardrobe staples. Thank you Jenni for welcoming us into your store with open arms. Photos by Caitlin Flemming #lifestyle #style

Since I branched out on my own, one of my favorite things to do is visit the studios of fellow creatives. They are a constant source of inspiration to my own work and keep me inspired to continue to reach and stretch my own potential. Without a doubt, one person who has been a beacon of influence for me has been Natalie of Natalie Bowen Designs. In all truth, she has been much more than that – she is a dear friend who I know will always help me to become a better person as I continue down this road of creativity. I met Natalie when she did the flowers for our wedding nearly six years ago. Since then, we have created a multitude of memories together. Whenever I visit her workspace, I am both inspired and in awe. Natalie has a way of making even the simplest detail important. Wallpaper in the smallest of bathrooms, a plate of goodies no matter when you visit, and a garden you want to endlessly linger in. Having the privilege to feature Natalie’s workspace has been something I am thrilled to share with you! Floral design is something that runs in your family. Did you always know it was what you wanted to pursue? When I was a child I imagined that I would work in a high-rise building with an elevator and wear power suits to work. It was the 80’s after all. However, sometime in college I started to day-dream about working in a flower shop and how much fun I thought it would be. As soon as I graduated I got a job in a flower shop and soon realized that my dream of working with flowers was totally inaccurate but also where my heart was going to lead me. How is your floral design approach influenced by your educational background in industrial design? What do these two fields have in common? My education in industrial design was brief and limited to an undergraduate degree and when I was in school I had the expectation that I would go to graduate school. I often feel as if starting a business has been my version of continuing my educational process. I feel as if I love seeing the way one design relates to the space around it which I think is influenced from my background. My husband is an architect, and we spend a lot of time talking about the way things are built in relationship to their surroundings. After being together for eight years I often joke that I could have a degree in architecture by now. How has your floral styled evolved over the years? When I started my work was much more tight and I used fewer varieties of flowers. I have developed my style to be much more naturally designed playing with the instinctual movement of a particular stem or branch. When I look at my work from the past, I do see that I have consistently designed with purpose and a little structure. Like my personal style, I’m always developing the details while staying dedicated to my true nature. I’m constantly in awe of your work and how you have this particular style that is stunning and timeless. What do you do to stay inspired? Oh Caitlin, that means so much coming from you. I have a dedication to staying fresh and try and pull my inspiration from non-floral sources. I don’t want to be overly influenced by what others are doing, so I try and nurture my creative side by indulging in fashion, art and architecture and then letting my expression truly come from within. If I spend too much time looking at what others are doing, I feel the opposite of inspired. From an outsider’s perspective, working in the floral industry seems like it would be a job that’s quite literally filled with flowers, sunshine and cheer–like something straight out of a Meg Ryan RomCom. But it certainly can’t be THAT perfect ALL of the time. What are some of the challenges to the job that we don’t see or realize from the outside? The reality of working with flowers is that it is often not a pretty job. I spend more time behind a computer than doing anything else and as a team we all spend time dumping compost, cleaning candles, cleaning dirty thorny flowers and shlepping. There is so much sherpa shlepping and car driving I cannot even tell you. Oh, and the hours are insane. When you work with flowers you get up int he wee hours of the morning and that doesn’t mean you end your day any earlier than the next person. Make sure you can think and be creative at 4am before you get into this business. I also work most weekends which isn’t terribly hard for me since I am so used to it, but I do know my husband would prefer to have me around more. I had the Meg Ryan version of this job in my head when I started but I soon realized the reality of what it takes to do what I do well. Yet, I still love it so much. What’s the most valuable piece of career advice you’ve been given? 1. Do good work and put it out there. 2. Concentrate on developing your strengths not getting better at your weaknesses. 3. Get enough sleep. If you had the chance to design the florals for ANYONE (famous or normal) and ANY event, who/what would it be? I would love to design flowers for a personal party for Martha Stewart and then have her LOVE them. I’ve always loved her. Ok, now give us the insider’s scoop… Talk to us about an up-and-coming “trend” you’re forecasting or starting to see in floral design. After several seasons of all blush everything, I have been happy to see richer and deeper colors coming back in to trend. I love color, so this makes me happy. I also foresee more ikebana styled designs that highlight negative space also becoming popular. A huge thank you to Natalie for giving us a glimpse into her stunning studio. Our November Blooms in Season post will be live in early November that will definitely have you thinking about your Thanksgiving flowers. Photos by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #lifestyle #interiors

On my recent trip to Santa Barbara (more details about my favorite spots here) – I met up with Samantha from Could I Have That at one of her favorite local spots d’Angelos Bakery. I tried her favorite dish – Eggs Rose, which is artichoke hummus on olive bread with a poached egg on top. Friends, it was heaven in my mouth. I came home craving it. I had never thought to do an artichoke hummus before. I made a batch and it’s going to be a staple in our house from this day forward. We’ve been putting it on toast, I’ve been eating it with eggs and having it as a snack with crackers and veggies. It’s simple and easy to make in under 10 minutes. Hope you all enjoy this as much as our family! Enjoy! ~ Caitlin Artichoke Hummus Ingredients 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 cup artichoke hearts 1/4 cup warm water Directions 1.) In a blender (or food processor), combine all ingredients and blend. Be sure to scrape down the sides as needed. Blend until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. 2.) Add warm water if the hummus is still too thick, but be sure to only add a tiny bit at a time. 3.) Pour it into a bowl and drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top. Recipe and photo by Caitlin Flemming #entertaining #cooking

A couple weekends ago I had the perfect opportunity to leave San Francisco for a long weekend. I needed to take a buying trip for several of my design projects and having three days away gave me the chance to also relax and enjoy a little R&R. The drive went quickly, despite the 330 miles between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. We left on Saturday morning so we didn’t encounter any heavy traffic. The first stop we made was to Raoul Textiles – one of the highlights of the trip. It was such an inspiration to find a business that is run by a mother and her children. The fabrics they create in their factory down the block from the store were stunning. I have used them on many projects and now I have even more finds to incorporate into my projects. Our stay in Santa Barbara at The Goodland – a Kimpton Hotel, was the perfect fit for us. It was a retreat from the hustle and bustle I’ve had in my life lately. Rooms were simply appointed with excellent bedding that helped me have the perfect nights sleep. We got up the next morning ready to enjoy the entire day. We decided to have breakfast in their Outpost restaurant at the hotel and loved it. Not only was it delicious, but we were able to sit outside in the shade (its was almost 100 degrees that day). It was an oasis. We could see guests taking a yoga class by the pool and it felt like we were a million miles away from our lives at home. After meeting a friend for a lovely breakfast and visiting Jenni Kayne for my fall essentials, we hit the road and headed back to San Francisco. We had lunch in Los Alamos at Bell Street Farm thanks to the advice of Samantha of Could I Have That. I had one of the best sandwiches ever! If you are ever on the road – this is the place to stop! All and all, it was the perfect getaway. I would stay at The Goodland again on my next trip to Santa Barbara. Favorite Discoveries: Raoul Textiles – It’s pure heaven. If you love interiors, textiles and found objects, this is the perfect place. You’ll be in awe of the beauty that lies within the store. Jenni Kayne – One of my favorite shops for clothing. You’ll get an inside glimpse into this store next week. It is not to be missed! La Super Rica Taqueria – This place is worth every minute you wait in line. By no means is this place fancy, but the tacos are mouth watering. Get the Tacos de Bistec and the Queso con Chile. Diani Living – This small shop will inspire you to transform your entire house into a neutral oasis. d’Angelos Bakery – Get the Eggs Rose. You’ll be dreaming of making their artichoke spread. I certainly am! Finch and Fork – The perfect way to end a busy day is with a delicious meal at Finch & Fork. Their Kale salad is delicious! #travel

Sometimes I have a habit of doing the décor in my own home and not changing it up enough. It might be a result of being an interior designer but I also know that rearranging a room on a regular basis can bring life back to a space. I’m not necessarily talking about physically moving the position of furniture (although that’s great too!) but rather changing up the smalls in a room. An example of small changes I made recently were the shelves in our living room. I loved the way I had arranged the small shelves in his room but I also wanted him to have the opportunity to play with the stuffed animals I had placed on them and to use the blankets his grandmother had knit. So, I set out to freshen up the shelves in the living room to give him a place to store his toys – rather than in the corner. I bought two baskets that I had been eyeing at my local knitting shop to store his favorites that he loves the most. Then I displayed a few of my favorite wood toys on books. There are so many beautiful kids toys these days that you can have them on display its a win for Jackson and me! Since I lost two shelves to Jackson I had a bit of a struggle fitting all of my favorite pieces in. I knew two things – the bar had to stay and I was going to have to take out a stack of blankets. I’m a closet blanket horder. By the end of my day I certainly loved the way everything more after rearranging. This is something everyone should do. It helps me look at my own house with fresh eyes! Images by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #interiors