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Toys that Aren’t Just for Kids
For most locals, North Beach is probably not the first neighborhood to come to mind for shopping; it means braving the tourists and sidling past the strip joints. But there are a few gems that could motivate the savvy shopper to venture that way, and Double Punch is definitely one of them. More
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Lingerie and Other Treats
Across the street from Box Dog Bikes on 14th at Guerrero is the lovely boutique and gallery Porcelynne, where shoppers can find sweet lingerie along with unique clothing and jewelry, all handmade. This boutique showcases local designers, and many of the items here are one of a kind and unique to anything you will find in other boutiques. More
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Big Fun for Vegans and Not-Vegans
You don’t have to be vegan to appreciate the wares offered by Little Otsu, a cheery shop on Valencia that specializes in sweatshop-free, vegan products, though you may leave with a welcome conscious scrutiny of your lifestyle and buying habits. With the plethora of cute, affordable ethically produced goods at hand, it’s easy to question why we bother with goods that are made any other way. More
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Shopping For The Gift That Gives Twice
A couple weeks ago, as I walked down Castro Street, my eye was drawn to two skateboards in a shop window, one blue and one green, both with a simple white Hawaiian floral pattern. I stopped and scanned the front window display of a modern home wares and gifts store. I was hooked. I’ve been getting my hair cut at a salon near this store, Under One Roof on Castro Street near 18th Street, for the past year, but somehow I had passed by without ever noticing it before. I’m not sure how that is possible, but it’s true. A place like this should not be ignored. More
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Love is in the air
Everywhere you look, there are flowers and chocolates for sale, and while we can all agree that they are good -- and safe -- bets for Valentine's Day, more personal gifts aren't difficult to find. A little imagination and the gift ideas below are all shoppers need to make sure their Valentines are satisfied. More
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Not a T-Shirt Shop
Some people are thrilled to the bone to bring home new clothing from boutiques and department stores. Others prefer a diet of thrift store wares. Both groups may find that graphic design house My Trick Pony adds just the right amount of personal flair so as to distinguish its patrons from the masses. More
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Provisions of Brazil
I couldn't seem to set foot in a boutique last weekend without hearing the pulsing beat of Brazilian electronica. It's no surprise, though. It seems with the growing population of Brazilians in the Bay Area, follows an increasing local fascination with all things Brazilian. And though I know some people only associate Brazil with the Amazon rainforest, Carnival and thong bikinis, it's a huge country with a lot to offer. More
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Elope with the Past
Imagine your family attic with pedigree -- the amassed objects of a rococo duchess, a Victorian globetrotter and a flapper-heiress, all dangling alluringly from your family tree -- and you have an idea of the delights that the small confines of Gypsy Honeymoon has been providing San Francisco for the past six years. More
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Exciting Pre-Vacation Destinations
Summer always sparks the wanderlust in me. I don't know if it's the constant stream of tourists with dazed faces I see all day wheeling their luggage past the cable car turnaround or my need to escape the summer fog that inspires me to pack my own bag and head out on my next adventure. Though I live in one of the top tourist destinations in the world, even I need to go and see what the rest of the planet has to offer. My favorite part of preparing for my journey is checking out new carryalls and contraptions at the luggage stores, making travel shopping a destination in itself. More
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During a recent trip to Japan, I masqueraded in the densely populated streets hoping to dig into Japanese culture. As I walked around the Shibuya borough of Tokyo, I couldn’t help but uncover a unique part of Japanese consumer culture. Whether young or old, male or female, there was a rich display of keitai (cell phone) culture.
The Japanese have commodified all areas of the device, from antennae covers, wristbands, stickers, faceplates, phone covers and carrying cases. The most prevalent accessory is the wrist strap. This is an important cell phone add-on used while talking on the phone in high traffic situations or simply carrying the More
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