Lola of North Beach Review

Definitely  a charming place to find greeting cards, baby gifts (Onesies with headphones and SF themes such as the I dig Marina Chicks onesie, baby shoes, baby socks), tasteful journals, thank you cards, candles, gift bags, calendars, ornaments, erasers, magnets, rubber stamps, etc.  The Japanese food erasers that I like so much (the ones that look like sushi and cake) are sprinkled throughout the store.  Custom printing services are available.  

Things I spotted and liked:
* Mini tubes of Lollia hand creams, perfect stocking stuffers
* Sushi calendar in sticker form - each month is printed on a different piece of sushi
* Cupcake greeting cards
* Carrot & Stick Press and Snow & Graham letterpress notecards
* Metal paper clips in various animal shapes like ducks, penguins and cows
* Tiny Japanese super strong sushi magnets
* Moleskin notebooks

My greeting card standards are high and I noticed that Lola's carries greeting card lines that aren't commonly found elsewhere.  I'm constantly looking for unique cards so that's a plus.  For the type of girly store that it is, they have a surprising number of humorous and irreverent cards.  That's a minus.  I never feel comfortable giving those types of cards and would rather see more of the pretty letterpress cards.

1415 Grant Ave
(between Green St & Union St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

(415) 781-1817

Nancy Boy Review

I shopped in this store just the other day while on vacation with my boyfriend. He has discovered this little gem years ago when it was in a different location. 

Today, i opened my suitcase and almost fell over with how amazing my jackets and dress shirts smelled. I left the clothes that did not need cleaning in the suit case with three bars of their soap and it has put me in the best mood.

I just ordered room spray, linen spray, and the wonderful shampoo that they make. I was fortunate to try some by getting a free travel set of the haircare with purchase. 

Long story short: Shop here. Order their products online. 

I will be ordering travel sized products to make gift baskets this winter so all my friends can try this stuff. Keep up the good work!

347 Hayes St
(between Franklin St & Gough St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley

(415) 552-3802

Perch Review

There I go again, keeping all of the good stores to myself (slaps own hand with other hand).  

Kristina R. and I were there the very day that Daily Candy wrote about it, which was a Monday, and unfortunately the one day they are not open.  That did not deter us from pressing our noses up against the window and getting a sneak preview of everything inside.  I think we may have alarmed the owner a little bit, who came out to tell us that they would be open the next day, keeping the door open juuuuust a crack, so there would be no chance of us getting in.  He probably saw my crazy eyes darting over to the wall of letterpress cards and nice wrapping paper.  Can't blame him for his ability to spot a retail psycho now, can we?

I went back a few weeks later and just as I thought I would be, was delighted with the assortment.  I found perfect, unique gifts for that uber-cool friend who has everything, a fab vintage milk glass necklace for myself, and the promise of many future purchases.  The owner was so nice and chatty, and wrapped everything so beautifully, that I left with a huge smile on my face.  If I'd have had a hat, I would have thrown it up in the air, Mary Tyler Moore style.  

So, what is it?  It's one of those everything stores, where everything is just right.  House stuff, cute stuff, jewelry stuff, paper stuff, baby stuff, stuff stuff - all selected with the great eye of the owners/buyers, and in a range of different prices.  You just have to go there, and you will know right away if it's your store or not (it will be).  If you like stores like Lavish, Doe, Candy Store, you should make a trip to Perch.  

The Glen Park location is a relief from all of the regular boutique-shop neighborhoods, and you can actually have elbow room to browse there, which I love.  More browse, more buy.

So there you go - I shared.  See you at Perch!

654 Chenery St
(between Carrie St & Diamond St)
San Francisco, CA 94131
Neighborhood: Glen Park

(415) 586-9000

Heartfelt Review

Fun and whimsical shop in Bernal Heights. Best of all there was a bench right outside where my boyfriend could sit, while I took my time and contemplated buying one of everything in the store.
Wound up with chip clips in the shape of frogs (cartoon smiling frogs, mind you) and some bird magnets (cause one can never have enough of bird decor or magnets.)
Unique kitchen items, candles and home decor galore. Also has a very pretty selection of jewelery. I almost bought a pair of silver lotus shaped earrings but that will have to wait for another time.
Reasonable prices and also cute selection of toys for the younger ones and neat greeting cards/stationery. Can see myself making a special trip out here for gifts-whether they be for myself  (oops) or others.

Oh and also a cute selection of candies right by the register-they had Atomic  Fireballs, which I obviously couldn't leave without buying. One for  me and one as a reward for the BF who had sat outside patiently while I circled Heartfelt at least 5 times to be sure I hadn't missed out any little gems that I "needed." It's THAT kind of store...

436 Cortland Ave
(between Bennington St & Wool St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

(415) 648-1380

Japonica Review

So glad this place finally opened up. After years of going to Val and Japonica for wonderful flowers and beautiful gifts, she finally decided to perfect something else, coffee and on the go snacks. Perfect, absolutely perfect.

When you first walk in you are greeted with smiles and you automatically feel warm, but not only that, you're in a place that's beautifully decorated with plenty of room to hang out. I am absolutely in love with the snacks here too, the yogurt with granola is amazing, as are the quiches. The coffee is robust and what makes it great is that the brand Japonica uses is "Weavers" which is a branch off of Peets so it always makes me feel good to know that i'm supporting local coffee roasts in a local coffee shop. 

This place will do great, and seriously I can only see it going up!

Tips and Pointers:
-Try the snacks, delicious. 
-Ask for a "Cubano" when asking for coffee, very good.
-Parking can be a drag
-Prices are cheap to moderate

5501 California St
(between 17th Ave & 18th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94121
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

(415) 668-8663