Well another week flew by without being able to sit down and blog about so much that is on my radar.. I especially wanted to get this one out about my lovely lunch before it becomes a month ago..
I had to share with you all some photos from the gorgeous San Francisco apartment of my sweet friend Mary Ann Pickett. Mary Ann is one of those graceful and chic women you want to be like someday, when you’ve got your stuff together.. She is an interior designer who has been published in magazines and writes a great blog- Classic Casual Home. An empty nester, Mary Ann has raised two kids and right now lives in the a beautiful 1920’s San Francisco apartment with her husband and darling Boston Terrier. I love this selfie we all took in her foyer.
This home has the most charming details and panoramic views…
At the lunch she hosted for a few of us blog gals a week or so ago, we got to get a peek into her world and to meet her cute dog Chief, who we all fell in love with and has his own Instagram!
Mary Ann in her cool kitchen. Don’t you love that floor? Look at her view..
We came from all over- my pal Annie of Most Lovely Things blog the farthest -all the way from Connecticut ( I was so excited to finally meet her), and Cindy of Rough Luxe Lifestyle from the Carmel area and Elizabeth of Vintage Contessa from Orinda.
From Mary Ann’s home you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and little cable cars go up and down the street! If there is a spot to live in SF this is it at the top of a hill in a wonderful neighborhood. You can walk to everything and of course it’s gorgeous inside too as she has beautiful taste and every room is a jewel box. She has lived all over because of her husband’s work and has done stints in Paris, Chicago, and Florida, just to name a few and still maintains her home in Newport Beach where she is from- and she went to Santa Clara University. Her home reflects her travels and is a pretty that has that California casual feel her blog exemplifies! Look at this view from her dining room…You can see Alcatraz and little ships and boats floating by.
The living area has that view and another towards the Bay Bridge..San Francisco Bay on all sides here people!!
Love the styling of the shelves with a mix of books and treasures from her travels.
How great is her guest room with hooks for guests that Annie was using? So cute and clever.
The hanging lamp and blues here with seascape paintings..so perfect for a SF home by the Bay. Who wouldn’t want to be a guest? Her master was also dreamy and if you check out the other ladies’ blogs, especially Annie and Cindy’s there are more photos, more details, much better than mine.
Mary Ann had the table set with some purple flowers that were from the flower market. Annie below, helped and she matched them herself in a cute duster coat Contessa brought that fit her tall slim frame so perfectly! Annie is as kind in person as she is on her blog and I wish we had more time together.
The yummy lunch was a Mexican Lasagna and a great salad. All the recipes are on this link to Mary Ann’s blog today! Annie hiked a few miles to North Beach, San Francisco’s Italian Area and picked up some addicting Italian cookies for us for dessert !
We all went home with a brown sugar face and body scrub Mary Ann made herself. What a treat. It’s so rare to have friends for lunch and I made a note to try and do this. It’s much more special than a restaurant and memorable.
All these women are all uniquely talented, kind and supportive and I feel fortunate to be friends. I would have never met then if we weren’t all blogging. One really nice benefit of doing this. We ran out of time as you always do when you are having a ball and vowed to plan more time to get together.. Hopefully next time at my house when it’s done.
Go check out all of their blogs – links at the beginning, for more on her beautiful home and the lunch details. Especially visit Mary Ann’s own blog to see her style and the way she lives the San Francisco gal life which makes me want to move there too and one day be like her!
Have a lovely week and plan a lunch for your girlfriends!
Thanks to Mary Ann for letting me share her home here!
Kim
Kim, you are such a doll!!! This made me laugh out loud “Mary Ann is one of those graceful and chic women you want to be like someday when you’ve got your stuff together.” I will just try to accept a compliment here as I am not worthy! You are the one with the excellent fashion sense.
It sure was fun being together. I like that you got some real life, unstaged shots like the after lunch table photo. An I’m sure Chief thought he was a part of the party as when we were cleaning up, every one of his toys was under the dining table.
Hope to see you soon!!
Mary Ann totally true about you.. We never think those things about ourselves of course! I thought everything was so inviting and pretty about your house and I loved seeing all your special travel things and special bits. It’s everything I want my home to be. Thanks for all you did to make this happen! I hope we see each other soon and you have to come for lunch here when the house is done. xoxox
Such a fun lunch, next time my house! Love spending time with you !!
Cindy I adore you and yes let’s plan something soon as we are closer.. Maybe antiquing in Santa Cruz and lunch? xo
Hi Kim,
I always value your opinion…..do you like your Burberry Ashby bag? I am currently scouring good second hand ones, and I am about to take the leap. Please weigh in!
Joanne
Hi Joanne, I just got mine in March at the Cabazon outlet.I think you can get these now there and if you go on the weekend they have additional 40% off.. Much better price around $375. I think they have an outlet in Tracey too. I am going to be totally honest and say no I do not love this bag. It’s awkward and I feel like I have too put a scarf in it to fill it out as it’s so huge. It also smells super strong and I don’t know if it’s because it was at the outlet?? I thought it would be a good summer and spring bag, but it’s a BIG. Also, for the price, it seems not made that well. It doesn’t hold it’s shape and the fabric stains super easy. That said, if you like it, I’d go for a second hand one. The Burberry’s are so overpriced, it makes sense to look for a gently used one for sure! Good luck!
I HAD THE BEST TIME THAT DAY!
Remember as I sat in traffic downtown I’m chatting it up with a TRUCK DRIVER!!!!
OH MY GOSH what a DAY!I had NEVER been on her little street before SO that was a THRILL for me but the BEST was seeing ALL OF YOU BLOGGING BUDDIES!(plus getting your CAR in the garage!)The lunch was WONDERFUL and I went out yesterday to BUY all the ingredients for the MEXICAN LASAGNA and forgot to BUY the CHICKEN!!!I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT and meeting ANNIE was the ICING ON THE CAKE!
A BEAUTIFUL DAY Mary Ann THANK YOU!
Meeting CHIEF was a HIGH LIGHT for me as well……………what a FUN DOG!
YES, KIM your next up once you get back into your house!WE ALL MUST VISIT AND SEE ALL that YOU have been chatting about!!WE DON’TCARE IF ITS NOT FINISHED EITHER!!WE ALL HAVE VISION!!!!!!!
XOXO
Wasn’t it fun. You are so fun. I loved being all together with this group! Isn’t her apartment amazing? I would never move! The location and street too.. Being in Sf has it’s challenges, fitting into parking, and those steep streets, but it’s all worth it! I have to try the Mexican Lasagna here at home too. I think my guys would love it.Yes you all are coming to lunch soon! xx
I DID IT and it was JUST AS GOOD AS MARY ANN’s!EASY TOO!!!!!!!!
Hi Kim, it’s so neat how each one of you girls were able to capture that lovely afternoon in a different way. I read each blog post from all the lucky bloggers in attendance and you each put a special spin on it, bringing a unique perspective to your fun afternoon. I agree that we should all try and do more girlfriend luncheons, as it does indeed enrich our lives.
Hi, Kim. I liked your photographic take on the apartment and your telling of the lunch. You look great! And your photograph of La Contessa is gorgeous. I hope we can meet again someday. Where do you live? Do you get my email when I comment? If so, email me and maybe we can work something out. Hugs.
What a wonderful idea. I’ve always admired Mary Ann’s style. I adore her apartment. I’d move to San Francisco if I could live like that. I’d love to have as bloggers lunch. Funnily enough, I know more bloggers up North than I know in Los Angeles. Funny. Well, then again I really thought about it….
Just looks like the perfect day. I will download your recipes and try them. .
Hi Kim – What a great post about a lovely afternoon with fascinating, accomplished woman like yourself. I, too, hope to be just like Mary Ann whenever I get my you-know-what together! I adore the Contessa and Cindy’s blog has been a favorite for quite some time. I’m wasn’t familiar with Annie at Most Lovely Things – so I’m heading over there to check it out. Look like such a fun day . . . and those apartment views! xo
Well doesn’t that look fun! One of these days I hope to meet all of you guys:)
Oh, that looks like such fun. Maru Ann’s apartment looks so inviting. I could move in tomorrow. Well, maybe not tomorrow but soon. The food looks lovely and delish. Yum. Of course what fun fiends to all be together. Wish I were there. Fun women and fun style all around.