Hello Berkeley…

Today I did one of favorite things with one of my favorite people in the whole world–my eldest daughter took me thrifting to Urban Ore in Berkeley. This huge store is part thrift store/part architectural salvage. A whole warehouse full of intriguing things! Glorious!

Alas, alas I soon discovered that all the items I wanted were priced too high for a reseller. Good prices for regular folks, but not for my needs. This cool 1607 Surrey map was priced at $400…about what it sells for retail.

I really, really, really wanted to come away with from this store with a mini haul, but in the end just bought a vintage metal flower frog and a couple of books for myself. Oh well, some sourcing trips are like this. That’s the reality of it.

Afterwards we enjoyed a healthy and yummy lunch at the nearby Standard Fare Kitchen. I highly recommend this restaurant. I wish it was closer!

We made our way home via the Bay Bridge with stunning views of San Francisco on this gorgeous sunny day. I found myself getting a bit sentimental about the years I lived in San Francisco in the ’80s. I was young and it was a heady and delightfully fun time for this small-town girl. I still have a place in my heart for it.

But of course the best part of the trip today was spending time with my eldest. She is kind and generous. Lovely and smart. These moments together are gifts and I don’t take them for granted.

In fact I try not to take anything for granted. Ever. As you get older you realize life is a house of cards.

So I’ll close now, feeling grateful and blessed,

Karen