Chronicle Books Archives - Page 4 of 5

Christmas Gift Guide {For Her}

With Christmas fast approaching, I thought I’d offer up a few ideas for the men who are stuck on what to get their ladies. Ladies, if someone else makes the list, it’s easier to share it as a gentle suggestion that someone else thinks they should consider, right? Yup. I’ve got your back.

So here’s my thinking: Romance, glitter, comfort, champagne, soft skin, ambiance + a really great handbag. Gentlemen, I think this may in fact be the recipe for winning hearts.

1. Shakespeare’s Sonnets {with illustrations by Caitlin Keegan}, Chronicle Books 2. Goldtone Drift Earrings, Lulu Frost 3. The Essential Scarf, Everlane 4. Eclectic by Tom Dixon Hex Champagne Bucket, ABC Carpet + Home 5. Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil, Tata Harper Skincare 6. M.A.B. Mini Satchel, Rebecca Minkoff 7. Forester Candle Jar, Anthropologie

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|December 12th, 2012|0 Comments

Joy Cho | Blog, Inc!

Photo by Bonnie Tsang

In seven short years, Joy Cho has taken the blogging world by storm with her delightful blog Oh Joy! After working as a graphic designer with numerous fashion clients in New York, Joy brought together her passions for food, fashion and design with the launch of her blog and business in 2005. Her ensuing blogging and design success have led to collaborative opportunities to design stationary, textiles, wallpaper and even a line of children’s clothing. If that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, this lovely and talented lady has also amassed an impressive portfolio of brand development projects for clients in the fashion and food industries through her Rx program. Joy Cho is clearly a woman for whom the sky is the limit, and the launch of her latest book, Blog, Inc! is just further proof of her creative prowess.

Blog, Inc! really reads like an inspiring conversation with a great friend who is offering you her best advice over a good cup of coffee. Packed with insights for everyone from seasoned bloggers to those just starting out, Joy offers wisdom on how to create community while translating your passions into an inspiring online presence. Joy’s business savvy and strategic approach {along with the many features of other interesting and highly successful bloggers such as Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere} left me dog-earring countless pages! She also left me feeling like this little blogging adventure I’ve nicknamed “my sanity project” isn’t so crazy after all. In fact, it might just be a really wonderful way to knit together my life and work. Thanks for the encouragement, Joy!

Joy was kind enough to do a small interview with me as a part of her blog tour. I hope this little Q & A offers you a more personal glimpse into who Joy is and what she’s all about.

1. If you could express your blog’s mission statement in one sentence, what would it be?

A place to come and feel inspired and happy.

2. Your blog has evolved into a beautiful business, leading to several opportunities to create lovely product lines via collaborations with other creative individuals and companies. How many of these opportunities developed organically, and how many of them were as a result of strategic goals you set for yourself?

Thank you! I’d say it’s a mix. I certainly set goals for myself of things I want to accomplish. So, some opportunities came from me approaching various companies I wanted to work with and simply asking or pitching my ideas for a collaboration. And, in some instances they approached me with the opportunities. I’m all about being a go-getter, and believe in going after what you want. The worst thing that can happen is someone can say no. And the best thing that can happen is it works out, and you’re now working on your next big dream project!

3. How do you envision the next season of your creative life unfolding? Dreaming big, where would you like to take your blog and your business next?

I’d love to design more products. So far, I’ve done lots of smaller capsule collections, and I’d love to go into more in-depth collections where I can really showcase more of my ideas on home decor products.

4. In what ways does your blog enable you to live and work outside the boundaries of your physical location, and in what ways has it empowered you to nest and savour the sacredness of “home?”

My blog has made it so that I can do my job from anywhere. A few years ago, we had to move twice in two years for my husband’s job. While many of his colleague’s spouses stayed behind and had to have long-distance marriages during that time, I was in a unique position to be able to move with my husband since I have my own business that’s not dependent on being in a specific location. And in contrast, I’m even more of a homebody than ever. I love the fact that I can work from home, but I always try and make work time separate and stay in my office most of the day if I’m not out at meetings or running errands. I keep the non-working areas of my home (living room, dining room, etc.) separate from my work day so that they feel special and a place I come to unwind at the end of the day.

5. What are your best recommendations for creating meaningful community in the ever-changing, fast-paced world of social media?

Just be yourself. People love seeing your style, your creativity, and the things that make you special. But they also like knowing you’re a real person dealing with the same things as everyone else.

6. What is your favourite way to decompress from work and stay grounded?

It used to be exercise. I’d work out 4-5 times a week as my stress relief, and it was always an activity that totally distracted me from blogging or my design work since it’s so different from what I do for a living. But ever since I had my daughter last year, now my favorite thing to do is spend time with her. Nothing gets me away from the computer and living real life more than playing with a baby!

Photo by Bonnie Tsang

I’m with you, Joy! Time spent with my sweet family is truly my favourite way to decompress and get reconnected with what {or more importantly, who} matters to me most. As my little guy is getting older, working out has started to become a part of our family time together as well! Best of both worlds.

Wishing all of you, my lovely friends, the opportunity to just unplug today and get nose-to-nose, eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart with the ones you love. Happy Thursday!

P.S. Here is Joy’s outrageously adorable trailer for the book. {Warning: you may come away craving a slice of chocolate cream pie and a mint green Vespa!}

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|October 25th, 2012|3 Comments

The Ferry Building Marketplace | San Francisco

Image via www.cooltownstudios.com

Image via www.sftours.com

By now my love of markets should come as no surprise to you. I love the happy hum of shopkeepers and shoppers alike, greeting each other whilst being bathed in golden morning light, admiring beautiful produce and delectable baked goods, making warm and happy small talk amongst their careful selections. I love the variety, colour and artisinal goodness represented by each unique vendor. And I love the possibilities and creative opportunity their wares offer a humble shopper like me.

If you are in San Francisco and love all the sensory splendour to be beheld at a market, then you simply must make a trip to the Ferry Building Marketplace. Located right on the water at the foot of Market Street, this historic and beautiful building opened in 1898. The port for commuters crossing the San Francisco Bay, it is also a natural home to the delightful market. The Farmer’s Market {see the photos of produce above} rolls in to set up shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, taking up residence in temporary outdoor stalls. The permanent shops nestled in the Nave of the building are there 7 days a week.

Here are some of my favourites from the beautiful space inside:

HEATH CERAMICS

As you’ll know from yesterday’s post, I have a sincere fondness for ceramics. I think it’s something about the purity of the process that enchants me. It’s a real collaboration between human hands and machine to create something truly beautiful. There is a joy in making things by hand that is so clearly reflected in Heath’s product. I adore their colour palette – vibrant and fashion-forward – met with their subdued matte finish. Beautiful art for everyday living. Take a look at their beautiful process and beautiful product in this delightful video. If I didn’t already love them for their product, I’m head-over-heels knowing the integrity and community that stand behind it.

Heath Ceramics: An impressive view from within from Heath Ceramics on Vimeo.

MIETTE

Setting foot into Miette is a bit like taking a step back in time to a picture-perfect 1950’s pastry shop. There is something charmingly traditional and authentically American in each cake and confection they create, with a serious dollop vintage perfection on top. I think it is safe to say that the owner Meg is as much an architect as she is a pastry chef, very carefully crafting each concept into California-playful-meets-perfect. She even has a gorgeous, scalloped-edge cookbook, published by Chronicle Books {of course}!

Miette: A Video from San Francisco’s Most Charming Pastry Shop from 4SP Films on Vimeo.

McEVOY RANCH

Last but not least, the truly remarkable organic and sustainably farmed olive oil from McEvoy Ranch is award-winning for a reason. Crafted in the Tuscan tradition and capitalizing on the good earth of Norther California, their product is truly exceptional.