10 favorite things.
Today I am pretending to be a very important person. Specifically, someone who might be asked by some brilliant, inquiring design journalist, "Victoria, just what are 10 of your favorite things?" And you, no doubt, will be intrigued beyond belief, awaiting my reply. It's going to be fabulous. You'll see. Here they are, in no particular order, I will show no favoritism. And I have many more beyond these, but for now, with no further ado, 10 of my favorite things...
#1 fleamarketing. I love walking around the Alameda Flea Market while the marine layer's still hanging heavily, coffee in hand, pulling my vintage cart behind me and mentally scouring each booth for some precious gem. I get a bit of a rush from it, really.
#2 my dog. Cooper is one special mutt. I know some people may think we are too attached at the hip. Too bad. I love him, he loves me and in many ways I think we saved each other. I didn't even know I wanted a dog, until I found him in the craigslist pet forum, listed by a woman who wanted to give him up, or put him down. Thankfully her vet told her to try and find him a home. His name at the time was Copper, due to his color. That's just stupid, so as suggested by best friend Joni, I changed a consonant to a vowel and now he's Cooper. Cool.
#3 my apartment. It is truly my sanctuary from the busy world and it's very important to me that it be something I love to look at as much as be in. When the fire's lit and I look around at the things that mean something to me or evoke a nice memory, I feel pretty darn lucky to be here. Plus it's got good karma, as Herb Caen, the infamous San Francisco Chronicle columnist once lived in my very apartment.
#4 cooking. I really love entertaining friends with a feast. It may seem like a lot of work, but to me it's like therapy. Very soothing. I love seeing everyone enjoying the food: my famous grilled artichokes, 'miracle' chicken, fresh figs with honey & gorgonzola melted on top, shrimp & avocado ceviche, and lately, lots of decorated cupcakes. All served with some lovely wine.
#5 great films. I love movies, old black & whites, independent films and sometimes a big ol' blockbuster. I love the total escape of it all. And as I've said before - the set decoration is something I always admire. I keep my Netflix queue updated with all kinds of great documentaries, too, like the incredible film, One Day In September . Some of my favorite films are Breakfast at Tiffany's, Lost in Translation and most recently, Little Miss Sunshine.
#6 music. I love blogging to great music. I love making and listening to good iTunes mixes I've created specifically for doing different things: driving in the convertible bug, walking with Coop, dinner parties, long plane rides, or just relaxing with a good book. Roxy Music's Avalon is my all-time favorite album (and it was an album) ever, hands down.
#7 my friends. I came to San Francisco from Los Angeles in 1994 and didn't know one person. Well, I knew one, but she moved to Chicago the week I got here. Now I have met an abundance of amazing friends who surprise me every day with their kindness, caring and abundant talent. They're always inspiring. San Francisco can be a transient city, people have come and gone. But those of you who have left for one reason or another, I'm so glad we stay in touch and visit often.
#8 San Francisco, beautiful city by the bay. What can I say, it is definitely home. I love that there's city life with tons of great galleries, museums, restaurants, shops and funky neighborhoods. And I also love that in 10 minutes you can either drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin, or just take a short walk to any one of the many national parks here and find beautiful green woods to get lost in. The best of two worlds - nature & city colliding.
#9 Flickr. I'm seriously addicted. I love the sense of community and sharing. I am an art buyer for a living, and I am discovering so much talent here that I might never have known about. If you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend you do. There is a world of beautiful photography and artistry here and so many photo groups you can join, there must be something for everyone. Since you're here, I'm guessing you're a fan of design, and there are so many lovely photographs on flickr, that I know it will be a wonderful source for inspiration and ideas for you and your home.
#10 and last, but certainly not least, blogging. All you guys out there reading this and making such lovely, flattering comments really make me feel like I've found my niche. It took long enough, but this truly makes me feel happy and fulfilled. It's really just for fun, but it's opened a lot of doors for me and I can't thank you all enough. It's been a bit of an epiphany to say the least. Stayed tuned for more...
17 comments:
Mmmm. Avalon. I remember about 10 years ago I was at a beach house in Connecticut and that song was on. It was 2 am, the party was over, and some of us were slumped over couches in a happy haze.
And the words kind of sunk in and either Mike or Nancy said "that's what this is. This is our Avalon." And then it was just the music and the sound of the ocean and a little murmur of agreement which sounded like another layer of tiny waves.
That will always be the most perfect song at the right time, ever.
Mark - what a great memory. Thanks for sharing. It is the most perfect song at the right time, ever.
Hello Victoria,
This is my first time to your site, i clicked on your post on apartment therapy ( Sep 7 , the pink/green apartment), I wonder how diid Lotta Jansdotter get "started like this"?
now I'm going back 2 your top ten- Alway A fave Feature in any mag- and I'm focusing on the stained glass panels above the bed, so
seemlessly installed!b I hav e to admit these gorgeous design sites inspire and overwhelm at once, but there is no going back...thanks for all the beautiful features.
Hello Victoria,
This is my first time to your site, i clicked on your post on apartment therapy ( Sep 7 , the pink/green apartment), I wonder how diid Lotta Jansdotter get "started like this"?
now I'm going back 2 your top ten- Alway A fave Feature in any mag- and I'm focusing on the stained glass panels above the bed, so
seemlessly installed!b I hav e to admit these gorgeous design sites inspire and overwhelm at once, but there is no going back...thanks for all the beautiful features.
Hi there -
Your pink/green place is fantastic on AT. I'm glad you like mine. The stained glass windows were there when I got here - not sure when they were installed.
Lotta got her start by having her designs, style, home etc. featured in Mooks over in Japan - just like the one they're doing on you! That's what I meant. You can find hers online sometimes, or in Japanese book stores.
Thanks so much for your kind words.
My 1# is also fleamarketing :) Just the feeling of finding the special thing to compleat my home is a high. And, love your apartment.
/Nina, Sweden
Cooper should have made the #1 spot, playing favorites or not!
Avalon is the most romantic rock album ever recorded; just brilliant. Given that I am a serious music fanatic (I've got over 8,000 songs on my iPod) I know there is a lot of amazing stuff out there, but Avalon/Bryan Ferry are sheer genius!
Sydney - I was thinking the exact thing this morning when I looked into Coop's sweet eyes. He knows he's #1, though.
Ooooohhhh, Victoria, I just noticed that you said your apartment was Herb Caen's former home - I loved his columns! He was a total original and didn't have a mean bone in his body. My grandfather went to high school with him (didn't stay in touch in later years, though).
Very, very cool that his vibe is resonatinating (somewhat) still in your place; I bet he'd love what you've done with it!
I can't believe it! I was thinking recently that I wanted to suggest fellow bloggers do their top ten faves as if being asked by a journalist! Yes, really! Sometimes things will go on my mental list -- like the other day I found a bag from Tati (the Kmart of France) and I thought to myself, "Tati would go on my top ten list."
As I was driving back from oregon today I was dreaming of the Alameda Flea Market!
Also I played Avalon to death when it came out. Thanks for reminding me.
Oh, goodie. It's so fun to find someone with similar interests!
regarding #6 (music): I noticed you have Snow Patrol listed under your "music to inspire" heading. Have you heard The Last Kiss soundtrack? I highly recommend it, especially if you liked Zach Braff's Garden State soundtrack.
-mr in austin
I'd be interested to hear your playlist for reading on a rainy Sunday.
fleamarketing. you can't beat that feeling:)
i just found your blog!
love it!
i was born + raised in alameda,
+ spent countless hours treasure hunting the alameda flea market when it was at the drive in theatre (now a housing development) so i was excited to see you mention it + i clicked the link.
$15 + antiques only! times have changed.
i mean $15 admission. it was 50 cents.
that was a great drive-in theatre too.
alameda point (we called it the navy base) has a great roller rink in one of the old airplane hangers.
a roxy music fan!
even more reason to love you and your blog :)
absolutely! avalon is THE best album, to me, ever. i was arguing that point just last weekend. aaaaah, bryan ferry - pulease!
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