Bay area designers are on fire, check out the ones we love as you read on. July and festivals go together. From Frida Kahlo to Folk Festivals to a wonderful night market, we have many for you to discover. Filoli is at it again with expanded floral design classes and so much more for your summer entertainment. And, I have created an online course called IGNITE YOUR SPARK! It may be just what you need to find more joy and passion in your life right now!

How to Ignite Your Spark for Women in Midlife and Beyond

Are you a tomato who feels stuck in life? Not knowing what’s next for you. Or perhaps you need to rediscover your purpose and passion in this act, or simply desire more joy and happiness, I have created a class for you! “How to Ignite Your Spark for Women in Midlife and Beyond.” Totally self-guided, this course draws upon my decades of experience working with women, as a creativity coach, as a fashion stylist, and all of the other jobs, careers and volunteer activities that I have under my belt. There are 7 modules, 7 meditations, a yoga practice and more.  As a tomato you will receive a discount by emailing me kimduffselby@gmail.com. Explore the course here.

Are we vintage?

That’s a question I often ponder and I recently asked an antique/consignment store owner. She said not unless you are 100 or an item is 100 is it considered vintage. So I guess, my fellow tomatoes, that we are not indeed vintage. That being said – are you someone like me, who often wishes we had some of the clothes our mothers wore? Mine had fabulous purses, shoes, dresses and hats. I have no shoes of hers, we wore different sizes, a few dresses, that sort of fit me, she was shorter, and I do have some fab hats. None of the amazing plexiglass purses from the 70’s – and I do wish those were in my closet.  This is a long way of saying, there is a wonderful online vintage store based in San Francisco that has me drooling over her finds.

Since 2013, Allyson, the force behind Birthday Life Vintage has been connecting women all over the world with carefully selected and restored vintage fineries. Specializing in 1930s-1970s women’s vintage fashions, their items are hand-sourced with particular attention to craftsmanship, detail and wearability for today’s modern wardrobe. They always have playful prints, bright colors and impeccable tailoring. I was in a commercial and was fortunate to wear some of the clothes featured in the shop, and since then I scour the weekly emails just to ooh and ahh over the finds. If you are craving a piece of nostalgia I highly recommend heading to the website and getting the Sunday email with the finds of the week. You can find a $65 sale section on the website for some great bargains. Sizes are XS– XL.  Happy hunting. https://birthdaylifevintage.com/

Bright Colorful Prints

They always bring a smile to my face and I recently wandered into Lesley Evers’ store in Oakland. She has been featured in many magazines over the years and her fabrics are bright and her designs delightful. I had the pleasure of meeting her while there and she designs everything herself. Most of the clothes are actually made right in Oakland where Lesley was born. Originally intending to be a fashion designer she went to Penn to study architecture at her parent’s urging. In 2008, she founded her dress company and opened the Oakland store in 2012. You can’t but feel joyful while trying on the bright prints, fun designs and being treated like a queen.

Everything sold online as well, but the store is worth the visit. (And if you are in Portland, she recently opened a store there as well). 5709 College Ave. Oakland https://lesleyevers.com/collections

Taylor Jay

Another Oakland designer who designs with all body types in mind. Taylor Jay empowers women with beautiful, versatile, comfortable, sustainable fashion basics that easily adapt to any lifestyle. Described as elevated fashion basics, her clothing is comfy, designed with inclusivity – all women and sustainable. They partner with an ethically sourced local factory to produce environmentally safe garments from eco-friendly textiles.

The founder and CEO, Taylor Jay, began designing fashion for herself during a transitional period of her womanhood when her body was changing significantly in size and shape, and the fashion industry didn’t cater to her journey. She soon discovered that many other women shared the same experience, and what began as a journey of self-discovery has become a promise to all women to empower them with clothing that will adapt to their evolution. Two locations in Oakland or online. https://www.taylorjaycollection.com/

July Flora Parties

We just love when Filoli comes up with new ideas for their gorgeous estate. This month you can attend FLORA PARTIES. Summer floral arranging. July 10, 6 – 8p.m. July 11th 2 – 4 or 6-8 and July 13th 10 – 12 or 2-4. Bask in the bounty of the season as you artfully combine a mix of fresh flowers and greenery to create a showstopper arrangement. Don’t worry, you need not rely on your own skills as the Filoli staff will be there to guide you along the way. Light snacks and drinks will help you unleash your creativity and take inspiration from the garden around you.

If you do not have access to a pool this summer, for the first time ever, Filoli is opening their gorgeous pool for limited occupancy pool parties. Lap up the sunshine, relax on the lawn, take a dip in the water, and enjoy all that summertime pool parties have to offer. Get your Swimmer ticket for pool access and poolside-lawn space or upgrade to a Lounger ticket for a deluxe full-service experience! Select Tuesdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. Must be reserved in advance. https://filoli.org/

JULY Festivals and there is something for all of you

July 13. The 48th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival

SF (Golden Gate Park Bandshell) Taking over the historic bandshell and gardens in between the de Young and the Cal Academy of Sciences, the annual free folk festival typically features 5 stages of music and performances including folk, Irish singing, old-time fiddle, old California dances, bagpipes and more. https://sffolkfest.org/

July 26-28. The Bay’s Huge “626 Night Market”

In Pleasanton and inspired by the famous open-air nighttime bazaars of Asia, this iconic Californian festival named after the 626 area code region of San Gabriel Valley, northeast of Los Angeles, features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music, and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. https://alamedacountyfair.com/events/626-night-market-7-28/

July 18-Aug. 4. SF Jewish Film Festival

Ah tomatoes, I hope to see you at this year’s because the opening night is a  film featuring Shari and Lamb Chop Shari and Lamb Chop are iconic for women of a certain age. A pioneer of children’s television, Lewis was the perky powerhouse behind NBC’s wildly popular family variety shows in the 50s and 60s. A multitalented singer, dancer, and magician, Lewis is best known for her skillful ventriloquism as the human counterpart to the beloved sock puppet Lamb Chop. Primed for the spotlight with her unconventional upbringing in the Bronx: Lewis’s mother was a pianist and proud feminist, her father a Yeshiva University professor who moonlighted as Peter Pan the Magic Man. When an injury sidelined Lewis’s dance aspiration, the misfortune led her to discover her passion for ventriloquism. Through the highs of those early years at NBC to her crushing cancellation when animation began to edge out live children’s television, Lewis’s talent and perseverance served as the cornerstone on which she waged her incredible comeback. Shari & Lamb Chop features home movies, archival footage, and candid interviews with family and colleagues, cementing Lewis’s status as an original television icon.

More amazing films will be screened July 18 – August 4th. https://jfi.org/sfjff-2024/

Aug. 17. Ignite the Fight

We all love a good cause, and your SF Editor is involved with a worthwhile organization called Pink Ribbon Good. We all know someone touched by breast or gynecological cancers and this nationwide organization assists women with these diseases who are in need. PRG provides transportation to appointments, meals, peer support groups and so much more. Their annual fundraiser is IGNITE THE FIGHT is August 17th at the Los Altos History Museum. They serve women throughout the Bay Area, and this fundraiser is vital to keep their amazing work going. I will be interviewing one of the women who has found the service valuable, there is a dinner, silent auction and more. I urge you to come and support this event, and if you can’t attend, check them out. Worth your time to help those who need you. PINK RIBBON GOOD