Places We Go : Out&About in the Bay Area

I've been out and about the last couple weeks, lunching with friends on outdoor patios and pre- shopping at decor stores. I didn't buy anything but a girl can dream. On Sacramento Street, a tony shopping street in Presidio Heights (San Francisco), we walked by the above shop, Found by maja. Never has a used furniture store looked so beautiful. Let's take a look at some of my other favorites.

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Last week, John&Jim invited me for lunch on Sacramento Street and a visit to a store in nearby Laurel Village they knew I'd love. They know me well as Emily Joubert home & garden is filled to the brim with everything beautiful.

The store is named after the owner's mother - that's her portrait above the fireplace. I wanted one of everything..

It astonished me that jute wall-to-wall carpet really does stand up to wear and tear.

The store is well divided - this kitchen display almost looked as if it were in use. Don't you love the pleated linen apron skirt?

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Before shopping, John&Jim took me to the Magic Flute on Sacramento. I hadn't been there since 1994.

It's still such a sweet, intimate Italian restaurant.

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It was a cold and windy day but the heaters kept us toasty on the back patio.

We all had pasta - John and I ate steaming Clam Vongole. Delish!

The week before, Betty invited me to walk one of my favorite shopping areas - College Ave in Oakland. We ate on the patio at Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen.

I couldn't help be amazed at the ceiling of the restaurant.

Here's one of my favorite shops on College Ave - Maison D'Ertre - an eclectic gift shop.

Along our walk, we passed by this building. I've always admired it, thinking had been recently built. Turns out, the famous Bay Area architect, Julia Morgan, designed this United Presbyterian Church which was built in 1917. The church was founded in Oakland in 1890. Who knew?

On Valentine's Day, Sue, Pat, Mary and I went to Room&Board in San Francisco. This chain has 22 stores including in San Francisco and Portland. Most of us were along for the ride as it was Pat who was on a mission to purchase of two iconic Jonas chairs.

Incredibly comfortable, the Jonas Chair fit us all perfectly. Pat chose this walnut base but went bold with full-aniline leather color of Vento Chartreuse. Bellissimo!

They'll arrive in May - can't wait to see them in person! They'll be perfect in her living room.

At Room & Board, African mud cloth pillows were $225 each for the 24x24 size. Truly classic. I'm going to take a closer look at the French Flea Market next time I'm there as a man sells similar covers for $35 each. Seems like a good buy.

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After an exhilarating shopping experience, we drove over to the Ramp - an San Francisco institution, situated right on the edge of the Bay. Under patio heaters, we enjoyed appetizers and creamy clam chowder.

And then last Friday, Betty invited me to her monthly "dim sum ladies" lunch. I met 6 new people and tried new-to-me dishes at Alameda's East Ocean Restaurant. Often judged as one of the 10 best dim sum restaurants in the US, it never disappoints.

Afterwards, I went over to Uhuru Furniture on Grand Ave. in Oakland. At their monthly warehouse sale this month, I bought a nightstand (a story for another time) and now I need something for the other side of the guest bed. I came up empty handed but worth a try.

I then followed the signs to an estate sale on the way home. There were nine rooms chock-full but no nightstands. So many treasures but I resisted. Seems like this was the most I've been out in a few years and it was such fun. Hope you are getting out and about despite the weather. One of the "dim sum ladies" had to scrape snow off her windshield to drive to lunch. We can't make this weather up.