Beyond the Fog: Voyager

One of my favorite stores to visit when I'm in the Mission is Voyager. It's a collaboration between SF's store Revoler and an Austin based store called Spartan, and it is an amazing collaboration if I do say so myself. There's a gigantic deer head with branches for antlers on the wall when you first walk in, a yurt-like structure in the back corner which houses the men's clothing, succulents galore, and approximately one million things I'd like to purchase when I win the lottery. Definitely on the list of places to visit if you're ever in the Mission!

Beyond the Fog: Accident & Artifact

Accident and Artifact is a gem of a store hidden within busy Valencia street in the Mission. As soon as I walked in I felt like I was in a friend's eclectic apartment, with every corner filled with special treasures with it's own unique history. The owner, Martin Holden, buys, collects, consigns, and scavenges each unique piece in his store. Incense burns on the piano in the middle of the store- which was Martin's old roommates grand piano and is the only thing that is not for sale- and old studio lights illuminate the corners of the store, creating an eerie and claustrophobic (in a good way) atmosphere.

My favorite thing about the place is that every couple of months there is an art show to highlight the new pieces hanging on their walls. When I went in there was artwork created by artists from Creativity Explored, a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create and sell art. Each piece of artwork was beautiful crafted and portrayed a unique expression by each artist. Needless to say it was a treat to be able to experience the gallery and one-of-a-kind store in person.

Beyond the Fog: Off The Grid Picnic at the Presidio

Off The Grid recently added a weekly food truck and a farmers market picnic in the Presidio to their calendar for the summer months and it is amazing. Last Sunday we met some friends for a birthday celebration and, despite the foggy and slightly drizzling summer weather, we had a blast. A DJ played all types of jams from Earth Wind and Fire to Daft Punk while we snacked on pizza and chicken wings from various food trucks like Del Popolo and Go Streatery. In addition to food trucks galore, there were farm stands with fresh produce, cheese, seafood, and gorgeous flowers from local vendors around the Bay. And of course, there was dancing, corn hole, and Cards Against Humanity, which no party would be complete without. 

Beyond the Fog: Jack and Anna's Fun Day in Half Moon Bay

Being unemployed has been a crazy adventure so far. The past month has been filled with extremely exciting new opportunities as well as some long days spent alone in my apartment bored out of my mind. However, one huge perk of being unemployed has been being able to spend Fridays with Jack since he doesn't work on Fridays either. We've made it a point to spend those days going on an epic "Jack and Anna Adventure" to make sure we get out of the house and don't waste our free day doing something not-epic. For example, a few weeks back we ventured down the coast to Half Moon Bay in search of the world's best fish and chips. We stopped by an adorable farm stand and garden and picked up a pretty succulent to spruce up the rooftop, then tried out Yelp's recommendation for the best fish and chips at Barbara's Fish Trap (yes, that is really the name of the place). While it might not have been the best I've ever had, it sure did fill our cravings for grease and fries and made for a fun filled Friday afternoon.

Beyond the Fog: Atomic Garden Store Spotlight

Last week I had the privilege of working with Rue Magazine to photograph an amazing store in Oakland called Atomic Garden. This eclectic space has so many hidden gems that after an hour I left feeling like I still hadn't captured every unique detail. Each item is handpicked by the owners, Jamie and Adrienne, who have created a one-of-a-kind place filled with hand crafted goodies. Every simple detail- from the hand stamped name tags to the handmade furniture and shelves- creates a vibrant and homey vibe that made me want to curl up behind the desk and live there forever. Highlighting both home goods and clothing, this place is the place to check out if you are ever in Rockridge.