Mignonne is One!

Johnelle Mancha, Proprietor of Mignonne (Johnelle and her mother, Kimberlee are a mother-daughter team that love everything French) Also pictured is Johnelle's brother.

Alfonso Dominguez, (Johnelle's fiancee and business partner, they own Drift)

Mignonne Decor is a boutique in Old Oakland offering new modern and quality vintage objects in an inspiring environment. This is the place to go for hostess gifts, a unique treasure, or inspiration.

For Mignonne's first birthday party champagne and refreshments were served, bistro tables surrounded the boutique, and a DJ played an eclectic arrangement as people mingled and shopped.

As an Oakland Realtor and resident I want to shop in Oakland and this is the exact type of business Oaklanders have been craving. You would see a boutique like Mignonne on Union Street in S.F or Fourth Street in Berkeley, but being that Johnelle is an Oakland native, we are privileged to have her on our turf! Please take the time to visit Mignonne and support one of Oakland's own!

Oakland's Carrot and Stick Press

As your Oakland Realtor, I want to support our city and our businesses. I love the paper goods that Carrot and Stick Press creates. (In Oakland) Their designs have a timeless feel with a bit of whimsy. View the imaginative designs at, www.carrotandstickpress.com

Here is statement from the owners/artists of Carrot & Stick's:

Carrot & Stick's work is a partnership between form and function, old-fashioned sensibility and newfangled design. Susie and Julie design stationery and products that they want to use: cheerful note books to throw in a purse or to keep by the phone; paper place mats to dress up outdoor dining or to use for dinner in front of the TV; place cards that inspire the hostess to pull out her “good” china and play matchmaker with the seating chart; gift cards which really do make it better to give than to receive; and finally, folded notes, because a handwritten note is always appreciated.

Carrot & Stick's work has been featured in many national publications including Vogue, Martha Stewart Living, Harper's Bazaar, and The New York Times.

Vessel in Berkeley

If your day needs some inspiration, or if you need an object to "jones" over, Vessel is the store. Lonnie Lee is an artist and the owner of Vessel. She strives to provide well designed jewelery, home accessories, furniture and personal items. Many items in her boutique are handmade by local artists.

Vessel for Home and You is located at 3026 Ashby Ave in Berkeley;(across the street from my office, Prudential Claremont) I often walk over to visit Lonnie and her shop full of fabulous wares. Click here for Vessel Online.

* Vessel is also an art gallery the photo of "Two Hearts", an acrylic I purchased at Vessel.

The Dimond District is getting Polished!

Coming Soon! The Dimond District is getting Polished!

La Farine and Peets Coffee are coming to the Dimond District! The Bay Area's own Peet's Coffee will open soon in the Dimond District, across the street from Farmer Joe's, applications are being accepted now.

I just corresponded with La Farine Bakery on College Avenue, and they are set to start construction for their new location in the Dimond District next week! La Farine is a French Bakery that has been an Oakland and Berkeley area favorite for 29 years. La Farine is famous for fine cakes, tarts and wedding cakes. Visit La Farine at www.LaFarine.com

Shop Oakland

Why should we shop Oakland? With no department stores except Sears and all of the shops I grew up with gone, Capwells, I Magnin, Little Daisy, and more it is hard to keep our retail dollars here in Oakland. As the "ultimate consumer", I yearned for more. In the past few years I have had a ray of hope with new boutiques opening up. The Lakeshore District has: Glow, a place for urban attire and jeans, Maribel a discriminating hangout for new and used designer apparel and accessories and Urban Indigo a shop filled with treasures for gifts, jewelry and the home. These are just a few of the many independent business that now call Oakland home.

It is important to shop Oakland to keep our tax dollars in our city and to keep these independent businesses open. Oakland is conducting a survey to attract more retail and to enhance our shopping experience. Take a moment to complete the survey, at www.ShopOakland.com/Survey and for news about retail in Oakland go to www.ShopOakland.com .