so, last month i asked you to jump right in and tell me what you really think. and boy, did you! and that’s a good thing, because i’m writing this here stuff for you, so if i’m not getting it right, it’s a good thing to find out. i asked you to fill out a wee survey about how i’m doing here on the blog, and the good news is, for the most part you seem happy. yay! but there’s always room for improvement, so i’m going to share a bit about what you hope to see (or not see as the case may be). afterall, all i can do is follow my gut, and the majority seems to be with me on most of what i provide here each day. i had a few surprises, but that’s okay — i can take it. and i appreciate you all taking time to let me know. i also want to announce the winners of the giveaway for helping me out!

the three happy winners are:

sarah palisi / brianne ravenna girls / erica of mommy needs a minute.

and a little bit about sponsored posts, because i think it’s important you know what you’re reading here is sincere and my opinion, and nobody else’s. just little old me sharing what i love…

so that about sums it up, guys – thank you all so much for your valuable input! oh, there was one more thing. i’m keeping ‘oh, happy, happy friday’. it was voted back in. love you!

• top image via silver scents.

hi guys! just wanted to say hello and i’m hoping you’re having a great holiday! i’ve been getting to that very long list of “to do’s” — one of which was swapping the living room and dining room around. i’ll share more pics when i get back, but here’s a sneak peek!

it’s been a few months now since we’ve redesigned the site, and we’re also embarking on a brand new year, so i thought it was probably time to check in with y’all and see how you’re feeling about the content, my voice, the posts — you know, the whole shebang. i’d like to know what you feel is missing, what else you’d like to see, maybe what you’d like to never see again! i’d like to know if you want me to get more personal, or just shut the heck up.

sooo….a bit of homework for you — i’ve created a very brief, and anonymous survey for you. it’s shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes (unless of course you have a lot to say!). and i know you’re time is valuable, so there’s a giveaway for three of you!

so if you’d do me a favor:

• give me your feedback by filling out the survey. you can reply to more than just one answer in the multiple choice questions.

• comment here and let me know you’ve done it by December 31, 2011.

• I’m going to send out a fun prize package to three of you. i promise, it’ll be a fun package you receive, full of some surprises, so i hope you’ll take the time to help me out. your opinion matters to me!

• please include a way to contact you either through email, twitter or facebook.

NOTE: GIVEAWAY/COMMENTS CLOSED.

thanks y’all! you can fill out the survey right here!

okay, so it wasn’t that long ago that i shared my new living room arrangement with y’all. remember? the black walls with pops of pink? well, i got a little restless (what else is new?) and painted over the black with some fresh white paint, and swapped around the furniture a little bit. i can’t help myself – i’ve got a decorating identity crisis, and can’t stick with one look for too long. i’m still (as always) struggling a bit with hanging art, and a few blind spots, but here’s the latest.

i haven’t shared many sundays in the city lately…i guess i’ve been kinda busy! but here’s a few snaps from around san francisco’s mission district this week. i always love the gritty neon signs, exotic murals and worn out old buildings. i’m not sure why – they’re kind of colorful in their own way, though. here’s a look.

well, this is pretty darn fun! the very kind folks at jonathan adler have invited me to mingle with y’all. i know not everyone is in the bay area (heavy sigh), but if you are in the neighborhood, please come by their beautiful fillmore street store on thursday, september 22nd from 6-8pm and say hello! i’d love to meet y’all and toast you with a cocktail and a nibble or two! please rsvp so they have an idea of those of you who can make it: sf@jonathanadler.com

event: mingle with sfgirlbybay
when: september 22nd, 6-8pm
where: jonathan adler
2133 fillmore street • san francisco 94115

please [here] if you’d like a closer look. mercí.

my fantastically fun new logo was designed by the super talented artist shanna murray, and her beautiful creation set the tone for much of the design to follow. thank you so much, shanna, you designed exactly what i was envisioning without even having to say it out loud. shanna, you had me at hello.

and the overall concept and magically delicious design and development? yep, some of you may have guessed from my secretive tweets — that our very own much beloved anna dorfman of door sixteen made me the happiest blogger in the land, designing this brand new, bright and shiny blog for me. i literally cried with utter and complete joy when anna sent me the first comp — that someone could get me so well. we may be separated at birth after all — certainly by many miles — but not at heart. thank you anna, for everything i ever wanted (with the exception of the man of my dreams, and maybe much longer legs).

and now — the big reveal:

so, please do have a look around! you’ll now find the navigation bars on the right, so click and discover! everything is still there, but hopefully improved for you to easily find just what you may be so desperately seeking:

• there’s a little bit about me, and my awesome contributors — read about them — they’re talented people you wanna know.

• check out the categories – everything is there, just roll over the categories, click and browse by thumbnail!

• resources – still sharing the most up to dates finds around the web, and beyond.

• there’s a bit about my press, should you find that scintillating reading.

• you can contact me about sponsorship, including discounts for independent designers and mom&pop shops. i love those.

• and, lastly, a way to contact me — i always like to hear from you.

should you have any questions about the new site, or have any trouble (we may have some tiny glitches to work out), please comment below, and i’ll get back to you asap! i hope you like it! have fun and here we go – brand new and improved sfgirlbybay! happy, happy!

well, i was at it again this weekend…rearranging the furniture in just about every room! i get so tragically bored, and really wasn’t feeling it around here for a while, so i started moving one thing, and one thing lead to another. i had swapped the living room with the dining room awhile ago, and then swapped back (call me crazy) and now — i’ve swapped ‘em once again. still debating on painting the chalkboard black and lightening up the living room, but now that i’ve changed things up, it’s feeling kinda cozy. what do you think? love it or hate it?

• all photos © sfgirlbybay.

yay! it’s the weekend! i’m gonna lounge about a bit, hike with lucy and play with my new camera…what are you up to? whatever it is, have a blast and i’ll see you monday.

• all photos © sfgirlbybay.