When it comes to gifting, I know one thing – I don’t like to be rushed. I ponder, brainstorm and search for unique gifts when it comes to friends and family. Lately, I’ve been turning to a mastermind when it comes to gifting – Simone LeBlanc. Through her site, Instagram and shop, I’m constantly getting inspired on different items to give and beautiful ways to wrap and tie the gifts. That’s why I wanted to share with all of you a new gift she’s put together just for all of our beautiful mothers out there. Let me tell you – this is my idea of the perfect gift. Read on to hear all about how Simone got inspired. How we chose the items: All of our gift boxes and concepts are built around the idea of a customized experience. Because we’ve spent so much time creating bespoke projects and significant moments for clients, it’s important that we translate that feeling into every box we give. We choose the components carefully and each one is there for a specific reason. For Mother’s Day we were inspired to re-create the time-honored tradition of bringing mom breakfast in bed. We included products that were created as a labor of love, that take time and care to create. They are all made with fine ingredients and thoughtful processes. The Napa Valley Bath Co. Lavender Hydrosol and Body Lotion, for example, is made by a mother of two daughters who harvests her organic lavender from a nearby farm in Napa and distills it locally. And Lite + Cycle candles are 100% earth-made with pure essential oils and hand poured to be just right. Everything from the product itself, to the packaging, including the way we put together each box in the studio by hand, is done with care and thoughtfulness. All of the elements come together to create a complete gift that gives her everything she needs to enjoy a breakfast morning with herself, all in one box. When thinking of a Mother’s Day gift, what people should focus on: Mother’s Day is all about showing our appreciation for the time, wisdom and unending efforts that our moms have given us. Focus on something that she will truly enjoy, that’s all about her. I love the idea of a gift that gives her an excuse to take time to relax and unwind. That played a big role in the creation of this box. The role that being a mother played in creating the box: As a mother-to-be myself, I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of life balance and how to be mindful and aware of that balance. Between career, motherhood, my marriage and personal time, it’s so important to be vigilant about this. The Mother’s Day box touches on keeping that balance with a little unapologetic quiet time for yourself – so important for a new mom especially! A HUGE thank you to the ever so lovely Simone for sharing her beautiful Mother’s Day boxes with us. I hope they’ve inspired all of you to either create or find a gift for your mom this year! Photography from Simone LeBlanc #lifestyle

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. It’s a time to celebrate and honor the important women in our lives. I personally cannot wait to enjoy a day with my mom. She’s my best friend, go-to person for advice and I look up to her every single day. With that being said it’s time to start planning your outfit for this special day. The Basics: 1.) Paige Denim Skyline Mid-Rise Straight Jeans 2.) J.Crew Silk Pocket Blouse (30% off with code GOSHOP) The Layers: 3.) Ella Moss Harleigh Sandal 4.) Jersey Infinity Scarf 5.) Givenchy Antigona Medium Leather Tote 6.) Tom Ford Eye Shadow Quad in Cognac Sable 7.) Isabel Marant Street Scene Geometric Cuff 8.) Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Cover 9.) Karen Walker Anytime Cat’s-Eye Acetate Sunglasses Stay tuned because later this week we’ll be sharing more on Mother’s Day gift ideas. #style

Happy Monday! This weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Dallas for a conference and a few meetings. It was special catching up with friends that I don’t normally get to see. I love getting quality time with them – even friends that live in the same city as me. After the conference I decided to stay a couple of extra days to do some sourcing here in Dallas – they have amazing furniture and design shops. I also wanted to see my dear Dallas friend, Joslyn and her family. I think it’s so important to make sure to carve out time when traveling to see friends. I love that I have people around the world that have become some of my best friends. There is a lot in store here in the next couple days – a new shop preview, a fun Mother’s Day treat that you’ll love and much more. Cheers to a new week! Photo by Caitlin Flemming #lifestyle

I have to be honest, this time of year the flower market is billowing over with all of my favorite flowers. It truly feels like heaven when I step inside. The beautiful blooming branches that we wait so patiently for have arrived.This month Natalie and I decided to bring you a few flowers that we adore. They each have a little trick or cool trait to them that we wanted to share with you. Read on for more details on these beauties. Sometimes my lilac wilts. Do you have any tips to keep it alive longer? Lilac can be so finicky. Lilac have woody stems, so one technique to open their stems to access more water is to literally pound the ends with a hammer. You can also cut up the stems, but I prefer to hammer them. Most importantly, they need a lot of water. When you buy or cut them, put them directly in deep water. Find a tall vase and fill it to the very top and refill as needed. Keep the vase out of direct sun and in a cooler space. This should really help the lifespan of lilacs. On the other hand, sometimes my peonies don’t open. What should I do to push them along in developing? If your peonies are not opening up quickly enough, I have a few suggestions. If they are a very tight, hard ball, nothing other than time and patience will help you. If the ball is a little larger and the size of a very small apricot and not as hard, then there is some hope. Cut the stems (always cut all flower stems before you put them in water) at an angle, put them in warm (not hot) water, and put them in a warm space that is not in full sun. You can delicately start to peal the petals back to encourage them to open. This should really help. Dogwood is so pretty. Why does it sometimes last a long time and sometimes die so quickly? I think that this is one mystery I have not solved. I always make sure I put my dogwood directly in water, as it is much more sensitive than any other blooming branch. Even when doing that, sometimes it lasts for weeks and sometimes for just a couple of days. I think it is sheer luck! However, I do welcome any tips from readers, if anyone has any. What is the fuzzy fruit on the green branches? Those are almonds! I was raised in Northern California where almonds were one of the largest local agriculture crops (other than rice). California grows 80% of the worlds almonds, so you see a lot of nut orchards when you drive through the farm lands of the central valley. Almonds are one of the very first branches to bloom in the springtime, and by this point in the year they have sprouted their leaves and are showing the nuts. I think they are so cute! This month’s features has me running out the door for a fresh arrangement for the house. Thank you Natalie for getting me inspired by what’s in season! Flowers by Natalie Bowen Designs | Photos by Claire Giffen #lifestyle

With spring here in full swing, it seems as though everyone here in the Bay Area (including myself) is venturing up to wine country for a little weekend getaway. It’s the perfect weather – warm with a light breeze and not scorching hot, like the summer months. It’s time to take advantage of it! When I travel up to Napa I leave the city having multiple layers on, but by the time we drive up the 101 highway it warms up and no layers are necessary. The Basics: 1.) Zipline Minidress (love the zipper in the back) 2.) Classic Merino Long Cardigan The Layers: 3.) Venus de Milo Pendant 4.) The Rowan Gladiator Sandal (on sale) 5.) Ciela Bangle 6.) Nars Blush & Bronze 7.) Valentina Eau de Parfum 8.) Butter Nail Lacquer – Ingredients More of my favorites for a weekend of wine tasting! #style

The past few weeks I’ve been immersed in design projects – it has been incredible. I thought I’d share a little bit of what I have pulled together for one client. This client is all about black and white. I felt that adding texture and pattern was essential to give the spaces I’m designing character. This week there is a lot in store for you – I’ll be sharing details about the collection I helped curate for Project Bly (which launched today), we have a new Blooms in Season post that I’m madly in love with (think spring whites), and much more! I hope all of you have a splendid week ahead. Photo by Caitlin Flemming #lifestyle

A few short weeks ago I was enjoying a father – daughter trip to Baja California to visit my dad. I was for the most part completely unplugged from technology, except when I got my spotty connection to briefly work from time to time. We traveled from San Juan de Los Cabos to Todos Santos and ended in Cabo Pulmo. I will provide more details on my favorite spots later. When packing for a warm weather getaway I’m usually at a loss for what to bring. Since the temps don’t get all that hot here in San Francisco, I only have one small box of beachwear, which makes packing much simpler. After adding a few new essentials, like a backpack for carrying on hikes to secluded beaches, my tried and true sunscreen, and a baseball hat I wore almost 24/7 – I was ready to embark on my trip down to Mexico. If you’re planning a warm weather getaway, these ten essentials were used tirelessly in my adventure. I hope this helps you pack for your next journey! 1.) Nine Space for J.Crew Beach Towel | 2.) Ella Gold-tone Earphones | 3.) Clinique ‘Sun’ Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Face Cream | 4.) Current/Elliott Cut-off Denim Short | 5.) Elastic Hair Tie Pack | 6.) Linen-front Embroidery Tank | 7.) Baggu Canvas Backpack | 8.) Madewell Ruched Bikini Top | 9.) Ray-Ban Original Aviator | 10.) Colorblock Baseball Hat PS. Looking to add a few summer clothes to your wardrobe? Shopbop is having the ultimate sale – 25% off all full-price and sale items. Enter code INTHEFAMLY14 at checkout. Map by Heather Day or Sacramento Street #travel

Happy Monday! This weekend was pretty incredible. I’m excited and overjoyed for Eric. We traveled up to Napa for his first triathlon that he’s been training for months and months. It took time, dedication and perseverance to get to the day of the race. I’ve never been so incredibly proud of him. Over twelve hours he swam, biked and ran 140.6 miles. Something I can honestly say I could never do. As I cheered him on along the route I saw how strong and happy he was about achieving his goal. It was amazing! As I start this new week I’m inspired by his unbelievable achievement. I hope all of you have a wonderful week ahead! Photo by Caitlin Flemming of Lake Berryessa #lifestyle

Since moving to San Francisco almost 10 years ago I dreamed about having Heath Ceramics in my first home. I loved the classic lines, the aesthetic and most importantly, the fact that every single piece they create is made right here in the Bay Area. When I reached out to the Heath team about featuring their creative studio I was on pins and needles waiting to hear back. When I heard that Cathy Bailey – the owner of Heath was excited to meet, I was ecstatic. As I walked into the studio you could feel the creative energy. There were new designs being worked on, items that never went into production and shelves filled with pieces that dated back to when Heath was first born in 1948 by Edith Heath. I was in complete and total awe of my surroundings. Today, I’m thrilled to bring you a tour of the Heath Ceramics studio where I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cathy Bailey to discuss the design process, how they look at trends and much more. Read on to get more of an inside look into their space. 1.) As a company that has been around for several years, do you find it difficult to keep up with the trends while also staying true to the company’s aesthetics that began over 60 years ago? Since Robin and I bought the company in 2003, we’ve edited and expanded the Heath product line and brought it where it is today, but that’s been an organic process. It’s “on-trend” only in the sense that people today drink more coffee than they used to in 1947, so we designed a larger coffee mug while making sure that it still felt appropriate with the other shapes. What’s most important to us is that we honor the company’s roots and that we don’t change just for the sake of change. For example, in our core dinnerware line, I choose colors I believe will last for at least 10 years. That said, we also love exploring glaze colors and are excited to come out with some new colors that feel appropriate for the season twice a year. It’s a balance of using colors are feeling appropriate for the moment and keeping the core of what we do classic, not moving with short term trends. 2.) Speaking of aesthetics, you are considered to be among the most enduring examples of mid century design. As your company grows, do you find it difficult to maintain the high level of quality while keeping costs low and continuing to work within the US? We try to be really smart and efficient about how we do things without compromising the end product, and ultimately it costs what it costs. We do strive to be as transparent as possible so customers can see the time and labor that goes into making something seemingly simple, like a plate. There’s a lot of hand work/ labor in everything we make, it’s expensive to have factories in Sf and Sausalito, and we feel strongly that we pay a fair wage and provide health care for our employees. These factors dictate the price, we don’t compromise and we feel fortunate that our customers want to support what we are trying to do. 3.) Can you tell us a little bit about the process of a ceramic piece from start to finish? All our new ideas usually come out of our clay studio here in San Francisco. Tung Chiang, our studio director, constantly experiments with creating objects that embody the Heath sensibility, that push us forward while staying true to our history. Our candle holders that we launched last year were a result of those experiments. He starts with sketches, makes prototypes, puts them into CAD, and from there we create molds and we go through the making process— we form the clay with molds, we trim and finish the shapes by hand, glaze the pieces by hand, wipe the edges and feet, and then fire them for 9 hours in our kilns. The result goes through another sanding process and then to QC to determine if the piece is first quality and can be sold at any of our shops, or if it is a 2nd quality piece (most of our 2nds are sold at our Sausalito shop). 4.) After the ceramics are complete and ready to go, what’s the next step? How do you get the word out about new collections? (assuming the have some recent collections right aside from their old ones?) We’re lucky in the sense that a lot of people who “get” Heath really love it, and we reach out directly to them through our newsletter and our social media. That’s really our favorite way of going about it, since it’s nice to feel connected to people buying our products. We also host factory tours so people can see how we make everything, and once people understand what goes on behind the scenes, it’s a great story for them to share. A lot of our bigger product launches are paired with some fun events, which we post on our website, and that’s been a great way for our products to come to life. 5.) What would you recommend to a small business owner starting out? Think about what you want your job to be. If you like throwing pots and you’re starting a ceramics business that you intend to grow, you’re probably not going to end up throwing pots because most of your time will need to be spent on things like human resources, marketing, accounting…and the list goes on. There is nothing worse than having to deal with accounts payable when your passion and skills lie in design. So make sure that you go into business doing what it is you enjoy doing, and partner with the right people to handle the other responsibilities (ideally the ones they want to focus on). A huge thank you to the Heath Ceramics team for welcoming us into the creative workspace. It was incredibly inspiring! Photos by Claire Giffen #lifestyle #interiors

After we were graced with a much needed dose of spring showers here in SF, our current weather has felt like heaven. It has been warm, there is a slight breeze and I’ve felt like I can wear sandals without hesitation. It’s delightful! I can’t tell you how excited I am for sandal weather. Aren’t you ready? It puts a spring in my step. This is my go-to look for this weather – stripes, a touch of leopard and of course a perfect pair of sandals. The Basics: 1.) Scooped Back Striped Tank 2.) Vintage Denim Jacket in Recycled Indigo Wash The Layers: 3.) Vince Sawyer Sandal 4.) Karen Walker Northern Light Sunglasses 5.) Anglestack Necklace (on sale!) 6.) Beadtwist Bracelet 7.) Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative Foundation 8.) Clare Vivier Leopard Flat Clutch 9.) Givenchy Antigona Small Tote More warm weather favorites all of us have been adding to our wardrobe! #style