have you any wool?

Just home from a fantastic visit to San Francisco and the bohemian enclave of Hayes Valley. Divine sushi at Sebo, frothy cappuccino's at Momi Toby's and a heavenly day in Sonoma beginning with bubbly at Gloria Ferrar. Many of you know this city, the bridge, the hills, the Haight but the theme for this particular weekend for me was sheep. Yes, as in "baa baa" and "little bo peep".

Cotton Sheep, a gorgeous boutique of subdued shades, meticulous detail and wispy layers of texture offers fine apparel with a Japanese influence. Indulge yourself or your tot with their sublime yet cozy collection. And around the corner, on Octavia in Hayes Valley, lies the wonderfully woolly Peace Industry. Melina and Dodd Raissnia have revitalized an ancient tradition in Iran of felting wool rugs yet have added a modern aesthetic through palette and motif. Melina creates these lush pieces and uses only eco-friendly vegetable dyes. We walked away with a 6x8 and anxiously await its arrival (thanks for staying late for us)! Last but certainly not least was the most inventive advertising I've seen in a while, woolyweeders.com. A brilliant concept, munching on the hillsides of Northern California wine country were dozens of contented sheep. Live lawnmowers, no gas required and free fertilizer. A novel idea to this midwestern girl, clever, simple and a monumental effort toward clean energy. Who knew?!