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Entries from the ‘Halloween’ Category

Dandelion San Francisco

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Dandelion opened first opened in San Francisco on November 16, 1968, at 3381 Sacramento Street and now their present location is 55 Potrero Avenue in San Francisco. The owners were featured in Martha Stewart Living 10 years ago on the September 2011 issue where we showed their amazing mountaintop retreat and how they entertain within it.

The name Dandelion was chosen because the dandelion is considered a “weed” by adults, but as a plaything by children and the young at heart.  Most of us remember necklaces of dandelion stems, and the delight in “make a wish and blow.”  That joy in childish pastimes inspires every aspect of Dandelion.  They are passionate about celebrating the seasons, holiday traditions, our own cultural history as well as the stimulation of experiencing other parts of the planet.  Dandelion embraces a whole spectrum of design, from the best of the new to the most vital of our rich heritage from the past.  We make every attempt to share the delights of living through great design, inspiring books, and tantalizing tastes.

I was particularly drawn to their holiday items and thought they would inspire your Thanksgiving table—they certainly did mine—I can't wait to set my table with all of the items I purchased.

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Look at this display--there is too much to choose from.

1 Look at this display--there is too much to choose from.

The autumn colors in this arrangement are inspiring me.

2 The autumn colors in this arrangement are inspiring me.

Here is Martha with Steve Fletcher and Carl Croft the owners of Dandelion.

3 Here is Martha with Steve Fletcher and Carl Croft the owners of Dandelion.

Did I mention my camel obsession?

4 Did I mention my camel obsession?

One of the three wise men.

5 One of the three wise men.

This miniature orchestra would make an amazing display.

6 This miniature orchestra would make an amazing display.

Aren't these adorable?

7 Aren't these adorable?

These turkey place card holders are genius.

8 These turkey place card holders are genius.

And they even set a place for Martha.

9 And they even set a place for Martha.

Ooh the soup tureen would go perfectly on my dining table.

10 Ooh the soup tureen would go perfectly on my dining table.

These smoke glasses are modern and elegant.

11 These smoke glasses are modern and elegant.

I could keep this year after year!

12 I could keep this year after year!

Dandelion also has a great selection of vintage inspired cards.

13 Dandelion also has a great selection of vintage inspired cards.

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This would really make a statement on a buffet or entry table.

17 This would really make a statement on a buffet or entry table.

or this one...

18 or this one...

This is one of my favorites.

19 This is one of my favorites.

This one is quite beautiful as well.

20 This one is quite beautiful as well.

A turkey painting.

21 A turkey painting.

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These persimmons and pomegranates would make a pretty centerpiece.

23 These persimmons and pomegranates would make a pretty centerpiece.

These autumnal pieces look so pretty silvered.

24 These autumnal pieces look so pretty silvered.

The corn is fun.

25 The corn is fun.

Wow!

26 Wow!

This turkey will look great on my table.

27 This turkey will look great on my table.

These salt and pepper shakers are really quite sweet.

28 These salt and pepper shakers are really quite sweet.

and this napkin holder is so intricate.

29 and this napkin holder is so intricate.

This glass candlestick has such an interesting profile.

30 This glass candlestick has such an interesting profile.

Look at these convex and concave mirrors I found in the shop.

31 Look at these convex and concave mirrors I found in the shop.

Look how differently they reflect the same space.

32 Look how differently they reflect the same space.

Dandelion has a beautiful assortment of asian dishware for sale year-round.

33 Dandelion has a beautiful assortment of asian dishware for sale year-round.

These are very Skylands.

34 These are very Skylands.

This is a beautiful design.

35 This is a beautiful design.

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The asian teapot section is not to be missed.

37 The asian teapot section is not to be missed.

This would make a great hostess gift.

38 This would make a great hostess gift.

It could be fun to mix this with traditional willoware dishes.

39 It could be fun to mix this with traditional willoware dishes.

Another great gift idea...

40 Another great gift idea...

And here is everything I ordered!!!

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Here are all of my boxes from Dandelion!!

1 Here are all of my boxes from Dandelion!!

I love this label.

2 I love this label.

Here I am starting to unpack...

3 Here I am starting to unpack...

The first turkey to be unpacked.

4 The first turkey to be unpacked.

I just couldn't leave the store without the pumpkin tureen.

5 I just couldn't leave the store without the pumpkin tureen.

I had a lot of unpacking to do.

6 I had a lot of unpacking to do.

Here is one of the three wise men I ordered.

7 Here is one of the three wise men I ordered.

They are going to be great all together.

8 They are going to be great all together.

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Sometime soon you will see this amazing Ikebana flower arrangement holder being used in my apartment--I got two.

10 Sometime soon you will see this amazing Ikebana flower arrangement holder being used in my apartment--I got two.

Here is everything--I am so happy with my purchases.

11 Here is everything--I am so happy with my purchases.

Happy Thanksgiving!

12 Happy Thanksgiving!

These faux bois plates are exquisite--aren't they?

13 These faux bois plates are exquisite--aren't they?

I love the simplicity of these porcelain pieces.

14 I love the simplicity of these porcelain pieces.

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These measuring cups will come in handy on Thursday.

16 These measuring cups will come in handy on Thursday.

Dandelion: 415-436-9500

dandelionsf.com

Halloween Eve Dinner & Birthday Party

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I'm just not ready for Halloween to be over! Hulaween was such a big bash that I wanted to wind down my weekend with a dinner party for just myself and some close friends. Sunday night, we gathered at my apartment where Chef Pierre put together the most incredible meal that everyone is surely still swooning over. The evening was also a birthday tribute to some of my favorite Scorpios, including Chef Pierre himself! I had all the glittery skulls and butterflies arranged on the table, plus a host of spooky critters and other festive decorations lurking throughout the apartment.

Wining and dining with great friends is one of my favorite ways to spend free time, and the weekend couldn't have closed out more perfectly. Now, it's time for a little sleep!  Enjoy these pictures; may our plethora of Halloween posts hold you over until this time next year!

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A glittery pumpkin, an arrangement of fall leaves, and light from a New York sunset.

1 A glittery pumpkin, an arrangement of fall leaves, and light from a New York sunset.

I tucked these little critters into plants and arrangements.

2 I tucked these little critters into plants and arrangements.

Don't be afraid to use more than one type of decoration, especially for a party. My guests loved that every corner of the apartment held a new surprise.

3 Don't be afraid to use more than one type of decoration, especially for a party. My guests loved that every corner of the apartment held a new surprise.

Buttery yellow roses lit up the bathroom. Flowers are an easy and refreshing way to add color in all the unexpected places.

4 Buttery yellow roses lit up the bathroom. Flowers are an easy and refreshing way to add color in all the unexpected places.

This gorgeous orange arrangement was littered spooky surprises. The black glitter caught the light in such a hauntingly perfect way.

5 This gorgeous orange arrangement was littered spooky surprises. The black glitter caught the light in such a hauntingly perfect way.

More creepy crawlers lurking in the Chinese Lantern arrangement.

6 More creepy crawlers lurking in the Chinese Lantern arrangement.

Some of the spiders visited the original skull and bones arrangement.

7 Some of the spiders visited the original skull and bones arrangement.

Voila! This table arrangement was as stunner; my friends loved all the butterflies especially, and glass pillars gave the table-scape a polished look.

8 Voila! This table arrangement was as stunner; my friends loved all the butterflies especially, and glass pillars gave the table-scape a polished look.

Here are all six skulls. I wanted you to see how uniquely all of their butterflies perched.

9 Here are all six skulls. I wanted you to see how uniquely all of their butterflies perched.

This table arrangement glistened all night long. I'm thrilled with how it turned out! Worth the hours I spent glue-glittering in the Craft Department.

10 This table arrangement glistened all night long. I'm thrilled with how it turned out! Worth the hours I spent glue-glittering in the Craft Department.

Be careful when glittering candles–little metal pieces don't get burned. They'll catch on fire! Not that I would know...

11 Be careful when glittering candles–little metal pieces don't get burned. They'll catch on fire! Not that I would know...

Already thinking about how I can top this next year. It will be tough!

12 Already thinking about how I can top this next year. It will be tough!

Some of my favorite butterflies. How incredible is the blue one that almost glows?

13 Some of my favorite butterflies. How incredible is the blue one that almost glows?

Whimsical decorations are just as important as fancier ones!

14 Whimsical decorations are just as important as fancier ones!

Tending to the details. I wanted to make sure there was room for coats after Saturday's mini-snowstorm.

15 Tending to the details. I wanted to make sure there was room for coats after Saturday's mini-snowstorm.

I kept the table settings clean and simple so the decorations and food could shine.

16 I kept the table settings clean and simple so the decorations and food could shine.

Some monogrammed napkins that I use for special gatherings.

17 Some monogrammed napkins that I use for special gatherings.

Pierre outdid himself with his birthday dinner. I'm so glad he and Jenny were able to use my kitchen!

18 Pierre outdid himself with his birthday dinner. I'm so glad he and Jenny were able to use my kitchen!

Having incredibly talented help in the kitchen and around the dining room meant that I could focus on playing host. Tremendous service from Gregory and Paul's stellar cooking assistance made the whole night possible.

19 Having incredibly talented help in the kitchen and around the dining room meant that I could focus on playing host. Tremendous service from Gregory and Paul's stellar cooking assistance made the whole night possible.

Cote de Boeuf is quintessentially French and elegant, and it was the star of the show at dinner. Pierre has started his own catering business, and I'm thrilled that more people will be able to try his incredible dishes!

20 Cote de Boeuf is quintessentially French and elegant, and it was the star of the show at dinner. Pierre has started his own catering business, and I'm thrilled that more people will be able to try his incredible dishes!

Pierre knows how to use every inch of my kitchen!

21 Pierre knows how to use every inch of my kitchen!

Cheesy hors-d'oeuvres get a blast in the oven.

22 Cheesy hors-d'oeuvres get a blast in the oven.

Drinks, anyone?

23 Drinks, anyone?

Champagne is one of my favorite things, especially Veuve Cliquot. The only thing just as elegant was the service by Gregory and Jenny!

24 Champagne is one of my favorite things, especially Veuve Cliquot. The only thing just as elegant was the service by Gregory and Jenny!

Tiny mozzarella bocconcini added depth to a gorgeous fall salad.

25 Tiny mozzarella bocconcini added depth to a gorgeous fall salad.

These tar-tar roll-ups were sealed in the most thinly-sliced cucumber shavings. It's so amazing to see something like this come together!

26 These tar-tar roll-ups were sealed in the most thinly-sliced cucumber shavings. It's so amazing to see something like this come together!

Tiny, delicious, and chic rollups by Paul.

27 Tiny, delicious, and chic rollups by Paul.

Light and bite-sized appetizers are important for any party, so that your guests don't get too impatient for dinner.

28 Light and bite-sized appetizers are important for any party, so that your guests don't get too impatient for dinner.

A tray of crostini head for the oven.

29 A tray of crostini head for the oven.

Plating the greens–anything Pierre touches turns to pure elegance.

30 Plating the greens–anything Pierre touches turns to pure elegance.

Teamwork is important in the kitchen when so much is being prepared.

31 Teamwork is important in the kitchen when so much is being prepared.

Profiteroles and chocolate sauce. These were just decadent.

32 Profiteroles and chocolate sauce. These were just decadent.

A chocolate salt cake from Baked was the perfect ending to the perfect birthday meal (http://bakednyc.com/).

33 A chocolate salt cake from Baked was the perfect ending to the perfect birthday meal (http://bakednyc.com/).

Great friends, delicious food, and beautiful decorations made for a perfect Halloween Eve.

34 Great friends, delicious food, and beautiful decorations made for a perfect Halloween Eve.

This is the Birthday Chef and Sirio Maccioni, owner of Le Cirque where Pierre took his first job in New York.

35 This is the Birthday Chef and Sirio Maccioni, owner of Le Cirque where Pierre took his first job in New York.

One of my favorite little people! How sweet is Kingston?

36 One of my favorite little people! How sweet is Kingston?

Sometimes you just need a nap!

37 Sometimes you just need a nap!

Not a bad seat for me!

38 Not a bad seat for me!

My friends are incredible people. These are the birthday Scorpios! From L to R: Mike, Marco, Biamante, John, Egi and Chef Pierre.

39 My friends are incredible people. These are the birthday Scorpios! From L to R: Mike, Marco, Biamante, John, Egi and Chef Pierre.

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This incredible headdress made it from Hulaween to my apartment for the party. Isn't it wonderful?

41 This incredible headdress made it from Hulaween to my apartment for the party. Isn't it wonderful?

Bette Midler's Day of the Dead Hulaween

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Happy Halloween, everyone! Now that you've gotten an idea of how I dressed in costume this weekend, I wanted to share some pictures of the frock in action.  On Saturday night, I had the pleasure of attending Hulaween 2011, an annual Halloween bash hosted by Bette Midler that benefits the New York Restoration Project. Decorations and dinner took cues from the evening's theme "Dia De Los Mertos" or "The Day of the Dead," and Stevie Wonder rocked the room with his famous, fabulous vocals.  Enjoy the eye-candy in these pictures; there were some incredible get-ups!

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Some wonderfully costume-clad attendees. Everyone was so creative with their outfits.

1 Some wonderfully costume-clad attendees. Everyone was so creative with their outfits.

Martha, dressed as Motha, was a hit as always.

2 Martha, dressed as Motha, was a hit as always.

Motha and my Jared, who is dressed as Slash.

3 Motha and my Jared, who is dressed as Slash.

Daisy, Motha, and Robert Diamond (Assistant Art Director of the Martha Show)

4 Daisy, Motha, and Robert Diamond (Assistant Art Director of the Martha Show)

Renee Fleming, opera singer, poses with Motha

5 Renee Fleming, opera singer, poses with Motha

My Jared & Daisy

6 My Jared & Daisy

Motha and the fabulous host, Bette Midler.

7 Motha and the fabulous host, Bette Midler.

Motha, Bette, & my Jared

8 Motha, Bette, & my Jared

My Jared flanked by some serious costumes.

9 My Jared flanked by some serious costumes.

Ron Auriuna as a fly swatter and his gang of insects was so clever and hilarious! The table was hosted by Studios Architectures and Todd DeGarmo (who was dressed as a mosquito and who serves on Bette's Board of Directors). Other bugs include Mike Dees as the fly, Bill Sales as the centipede, Yetta Banks as the moth, Tracey Collins as the beetle, Paul Cassidy as the roach, Vern Evenson as the can of RAID (ha!), and Hana Getchew as the little spider. Incredible.

10 Ron Auriuna as a fly swatter and his gang of insects was so clever and hilarious! The table was hosted by Studios Architectures and Todd DeGarmo (who was dressed as a mosquito and who serves on Bette's Board of Directors). Other bugs include Mike Dees as the fly, Bill Sales as the centipede, Yetta Banks as the moth, Tracey Collins as the beetle, Paul Cassidy as the roach, Vern Evenson as the can of RAID (ha!), and Hana Getchew as the little spider. Incredible.

Michael Kors and Robert Diamond getting his award for best costume!

11 Michael Kors and Robert Diamond getting his award for best costume!

The winner for Best Costume!

12 The winner for Best Costume!

Tunes from Stevie Wonder made the night so special.

13 Tunes from Stevie Wonder made the night so special.

His performance was incredible (as were the decorations)!

14 His performance was incredible (as were the decorations)!

I hope your weekend was as spook-tacular as mine. What were some of your favorite costumes?