sunset on the beach

the graduate cardigan

while islanders can continue to wear all the pretty looks tailor-made for tropical temperatures, the mercury has begun to dip on my side of the pacific and i am once again coveting cozy coverups for chilly days and nights spent by the california seaside. it's not often when a collection captures my fancy from head to toe, yet this fall began to look much more fetching after spotting quiksilver's qsw line which invited kaua'i-raised and sf-based artist & designer serena mitnik-miller to be their muse.

in addition to opening up her closet filled with vintage to inspire the w's design team, serena stepped into her studio and sketched out the most gorgeous prints to be translated into jersey, silk and woolen wearables. the mix of toasty geometric cardis, intriguing silk slips, and reinvented toppings perfectly capture the indie coastal lovely, the oft forgotten companion of flirty beach goddess and luxe resort bohemian.

my wishlist is smitten.

more to adore after the jump!

water dress

the neighborhood cardigan * sea of waves tee

nouveau deco dress

the cardis may hint of winter bonfires on the beach and rainy days spent curled up inside with a favorite book and a mug of hot cocoa, but the charming silk dresses will certainly make an effortless transition upon summer's return.

the entire autumn 2011 collection can be peeked and ordered on quiksilver's website while sf friends can shop select styles at general store, the delightful boutique curated by serena and her hubby mason.

• where: 4035 judah street, sf
• shop hours: mon to fri, 11a to 7p & sat/sun, 10a to 7p

{photo credit: quiksilver}

a peek inside general store

it's back to the west coast for today's mainland week discovery. i first happened across a mention of san francisco's general store in sunset magazine last fall which briefly noted shop proprietor & artist serena mitnik-miller's childhood ties to kaua'i. the carefully curated shop, which serena and hubby mason st. peter opened in early 2010, sounded like a little haven for design geeks so the mister and i made our way to its outer sunset neighborhood during our holiday getaway to the bay area.

the spare design of the shop interior combined with the handmade mix of merchandise was a pleasant antidote for my lingering winter cold. within minutes of our arrival, i was delighted that we agreed on the perfect clock (made in japan!) while i happily scooped up the elusive travel size bottle of jasmine scented hair powder along with a pair of pastel washi tape. somehow my wish list had magically manifested on the shelves within the tiny storefront . . . a very rare occurance for me.

with a few crushworthy objects left behind for another trip, i was most impressed with serena and mason's cultivated eye for thoughtfully designed goods. since we are slowly dispensing of no longer loved things in our small space, general store's wares reinforced our notion to live with less and fill our surroundings with well crafted designs that bring happiness to our day.

curious to see more?

wood stamp

malibu

i have also become quite taken with serena's artwork composed of minimalist wood stamp prints and quiet photographs of the sea. low-key and graceful reminders of keiki years spent exploring the islands and her adopted hometown of san francisco. (fyi: a current inventory list is available on request.)

for those not able to pop in and say hello, an edited selection of pieces from the general store inventory can be ordered in the online shop. and, bay area friends are advised to sign-up for the mailing list to stay posted on pop-up events and art openings hosted by the shop.

• where: 4035 judah street, sf
• shop hours: mon to fri, 11a to 6p & sat/sun, 10a to 6p