Patriotic shopping

The approaching long holiday weekend kicks off a myriad of festivities around the bay, here are just a few that caught our attention:

Independent Art

Artist, and graphic design extraordinaire, Joe Ledbetter will be signing his new book Creatures of Habit at San Francisco Gama-Go store tomorrow (Thursday July 2) from 5:30-8:30 PM. Limited edition Gama Go tees designed by Joe, and a small number of Joe’s paintings will also be available for purchase.

Picnic Chic

Dolores Chiller from Timbuk2If banging around an old-school Playmate, or environmentally offensive styrofoam job isn’t your scene, you might want to pick up the “Dolores Chiller” a hybrid bag/beverage cooler from local messenger mavens Timbuk2. The bag, which masquerades as one of the company's iconic carriers, is fully insulated with a waterproof TPU liner that keeps condensation inside, and comes with a built in bottle opener and is being given away by by Cool Hunting.com to one lucky reader who enters their contest before July 5th. For more details and to enter click here.

Red White and Blue (jeans)

photo: Sasha Gulish

If leaving “The City” to shop is something you never consider doing, then it’s time to adjust your fashion-attitude. The east and north bays are full of neighborhood boutiques and under-the-radar shops that have the same sought after labels found in Union Square without the crowds, headache inducing parking, or the picked-over size runs on the racks.

Two great examples of excellent outside-SF shopping are the Viva Divaboutiques in Oakland, and in San Rafael. The boutiques well-edited collections are well worth the bridge fare, but starting today through July 7thto make shopping a little sweeter, the Viva Divas are having aRed, white and blue (jeans) sale. This means you'll get 25% off anything red, anything white and anything denim at either location.

So if you still don't have that perfect sundress, or killer pair of jeans for this weekend's holiday gatherings, avoid the downtown stress and check out Viva Diva.