June has arrived friends and as usual there are so many fun finds in the bay. Fashion continues to rule, check out some fab new designs from a talented Tomato, Atelier Francesca. Then get ready for sandal season with Italian made delights for our feet from native Tomato Linda Ravano. And as the world is all abuzz with the Royal Wedding, you can get your own fascinator from Tomato artisan Kathleen Kelley. The SF Documentary film festival is back, isn’t it time to check it out?  And the Exploratorium is not just for kids, their newest art is full of hot air!

Atelier Francesca

Fashion Designer Francesca is an uber talented designer and her website is the fashion destination for the Ageless Contemporary Woman. Creating statement pieces and contemporary classics that fit beautifully has become her signature. Her catch phrase is that she designs a line that enhances a woman’s inner beauty, sensuality, and joy for life. Well now, who doesn’t want some of that?

She brings her collection of beautifully crafted jackets (perfect for SF fog) and accessories to pop-ups around the bay. Fran also believes in giving back to the community, we love Tomatoes with heart. Right now she donates a portion of her sales to Feeding America. And by the way, all of her clothing is manufactured in the bay area. Cheers to reducing the carbon footprint and employing locally.  www.atelierfrancesca.com

Linda Ravano – Sandals

It is indeed supposed to be sandal weather, and it is depending on where you reside in the bay. If you are looking for a shoe, made in a small family-owned factory in Italy – these are for you. Linda Ravano is a native San Franciscan who summered in Italy where her family roots were. She loved the unique, stylish sandals and was unhappy with what she could find locally, thus her sandal collection was born.

Hand sponged leather makes for a beautiful sandal that wears like the finest kid gloves. The thongs feel like you are walking on air, and they are all stylist and comfortable – the most important element of course! It’s a limited collection and now these lovely shoes are on sale!  www.lindaravano.com

Kathleen Kelley – Artisan

Over 30 years as a well respected interior designer, Kathleen Kelly has brought her love of world wide travel, appreciation of nature and her desire to create as an artisan to her remarkable line of beautiful accessories. Her affinity for combining color, material and texture in architectural design lends itself beautifully to fascinators, headbands, barrettes and shoe clips (love those!) as well as napkin rings and ties for men.

I recently found her exquisite creations at the DeYoung Musuem pop-up and lusted after all of her exquisite creations. The uniquely configured materials including hand woven textiles, sheer and satin ribbon, natural feathers, twigs and branches and handcrafted birds will inspire you to find somewhere to wear these beautiful pieces of art. Find out more here: http://kathleenkelleyartisan.com/

SF Documentary Festival

For the next two weeks, you can see the most weird and wonderful aspects of real life documented on film at several bay area theatres. SF Indie, the company behind this 17 year old festival, does not take itself too seriously and scattered throughout the evenings of these enlightening films you will find extremely fun parties planned. You can watch films focused on politics, social issues and food. But the content is out of the ordinary.  90 new films from the bay and around the world will be featured.

The opening film is BREWMASTER – a deep dive into the world of craft brewing through the eyes of pros and amateurs – grab Mr. Tomato and your popcorn. One documentary that is deeply profound is called THE FIVE BROWNS – DIGGING THROUGH THE DARKNESS, about classically trained sibling pianists who rise to meteoric fame only to fall into darkness when it was discovered they suffered abuse by their father. A compelling story that shows the strength of these women. More highlights include THE BILL MURRAY STORIES, and ELEPHANT PATH. Party on at the Clueless Bingo event, or the Roller disco party among others. Get your tickets here: www.sfindie.com

Inflatable Art

Get ready for some ultra cool massive inflatable works of art at the Exploratorium this summer. Spread across the indoor and outdoor galleries, these ephemeral sculptures include otherworldly organisms, a forest of cushiony columns, an inflatable insect-eye room and monumental humanoid figures peeking around corners.

Yes they have the whimsy and lightness of balloons, but the artists have infused their creations with technology of a grand scale and oh so creative complexity. This gives us a totally new take on contemporary art. Definitely not just for kids, all of us will appreciate and love this entertaining and awe-inspiring exhibit. www.exploratorium.edu