Florist Anna Campbell opened the shop as part of PopUpHood, a group that seeks to revitalize urban areas by taking vacant spaces and linking small business people to landlords. ”We’ve loved being in Old Oakland because the community is so supportive,” says Campbell, who also hosts events in the breezeway outside the shop and raises some of its flowers in an urban garden a few miles away. Her goal is to “rewild your life” by connecting you back to the land through flowers, floral-based products and floral-centric experiences.

So if you’re ready to “go in for floral mutiny,” visit The FloraCultural Society at 461A 9th St. Oakland, 94605. Don’t you just love seeing others’ talents on display?

All photos by Liesa Johannssen

Yes, beauty is often fleeting.  So best to catch it while you can.

Some other things worth chasing this week:

Rainbows mean rain. Here in California that’s cause for a Happy (Rain) Dance.

Thinking I’d like to add rain chains to my next house.

Bravo to Nars and Marc Jacobs for their stance on Age + Beauty.

This serene art installation really floats my boat

Cool Olympic photos from Sochi make me miss the games.

Golden Rules for writing well could be applied to any creative project.

And finally, exquisite animation makes The Wind Rises 2014′s first Must See film.

 Happy Weekend!

My Boston kids are on lockdown and I’m locked on to news sites again.  What a crazy, distressing week this has been.

I’ve been so grateful for peaceable things this week, including several walks through Mountain View cemetery where I saw how the quality of light can change everything.  Like the way this stone angel’s face shone as the sun came up and how its wings were bathed in a rainbow of color as the sun set. In a week where dark things held sway, I relished other light-shedding offerings like:

1. Dove’s continuing campaign to help us recognize our own beauty.

2. Tributes from their grown kids to great moms.

3. David Sedaris on buying a stuffed owl.

4. Camping images that made me breathe a little easier.

5. And, just for fun, Patton Oswalt’ s unedited Starwars filibuster from Parks and Recreation.

Peace