Mom, Madre, Maman – enjoy the celebration for all that you do! I know it’s coming right up, but if you don’t get exactly what you want, I found some cool activities you can just do on your own from “If only” – a company that provides unique experiences.  Or you can head to the Decorator Showcase in the Marina and plan a remodel. Maybe you want to see a show? – “Me and My Girl” – is playing at the Gateway theatre. OR you can take the “Walk of Happiness”. May all of you tomatoes whom someone calls Mom, revel and relax on your weekend filled with love!

Mom Experiences

Did you know that you can dine in the kitchen at Chez Panisse, pet a hedgehog at the Zoo and skip the line for yoga at Grace Cathedral? You can do all of these and more via If Only, the SF company that provides unique and exciting adventures instead of a traditional gift.

For the foodie, you can go to China Live for a multi-sensory experience as you learn the art of making dim sum during an intimate, chef-led class with dinner and champagne toast.

For the Zen Mama, skip the line and reserve a balance and serenity session for two at Mystical Yoga inside Grace Cathedral.

For the Flower Child, be transported back to a time of peace, love and nostalgia when you visit the Flower Mart for a behind-the-scenes flower tour.

For the style icon, design your own piece of jewelry inspired by SFMOMA with Sophie of Slate & Stone Jewelry. You will take a two week course where you will make a necklace, earrings, ring or bracelet.

Prices vary by experience. Head to www.ifonly.com for experiences beyond compare.

Happiness Walk

In need of a boost of happiness? German graphic designer Rosa Kammermeier thinks we all do! That is why this artist painted cheery messages in storefronts around San Francisco as part of her Walk of Happiness public art campaign.

Invited to participate in this year’s  Adobe Creative Residency—a program that launched in 2015 as a way to support creators of all kinds—Kammermeier, tagged the windows of local businesses including Vive La Tarte, Rare Device, and Les Gourmands with uplifting lettering designed to make us pause and lighten up. (permission granted of course!) She found that people in Munich were stressed out and not being friendly, so she created slogans to make them stop, smile and think.

The Walk of Happiness got its first installation in Munich, then inspired residents of Las Vegas. Now we are delighted to have her uplifting notes gracing eight of our shops through May 30th. For all locations visit walkofhappiness.de/en/san-francisco

Decorator Showcase

Celebrating 41 years of transforming homes with fabulous décor, this year’s showcase comes to the Marina for the first time ever. 465 Marina Boulevard is the location from now until May 28th. This is one of those houses you see when you drive along the Marina and say – maybe someday. Now is your chance to peek inside this 1930’s home with amazing views of the bay, the bridge, Alcatraz – well you know. What a canvas for our top interior and landscape designers.

There is a kaleidoscope of swirls painted on the exterior – you can’t miss it. It welcomes this classic home into the 21st century with bold colors. Each room pops with a unique theme and a name to match.

For example inn Lararia Guest Refuge, San Mateo–based Kari McIntosh channels her recent honeymoon to Italy’s Herculaneum ruins with black clay and 24-karat gold snakes, created by Linda Fahey of Yonder, that spiral above the bed, flanked by charred nightstands and overlooked by a dramatic chandelier.

WOW – check it out and as usual all funds raised directly support the San Francisco University High School Financial Aid Program. Tickets are $40 and available at the door.

Me and My Girl

The funny and charmingly romantic 1937 musical, Me and My Girl, is now playing at the Eureka theatre through May 20th. This British play was a huge hit in England, but largely unknown in the US until it came to Broadway in 1986. I saw it on the great white way and fell in love with the music, the characters and the uplifting message. It’s a fish-out-of-water comedy about a roustabout Cockney lad who learns he’s actually an Earl and must try to adjust to his new upper-class life. The cast of this 42nd Street Moon production is, as usual, stellar.

Musically fantastic, the cast is hilarious as they portray the characters. One of the things I love most about this theatre is that Saturday evening shows start at 6 p.m. Enough time to head to dinner after and for Tomatoes to get their full 8 hours!  http://www.42ndstmoon.org