It’s our favorite time of year—Doggie Photo Days in the East Bay with our good friends at ShamPooches in San Ramon and Molly’s Pup-Purr-Ee in Danville. This year was the best ever! Our furry friends got a 20-minute portrait session (a few of their guardians joined in) and all of the photos were posted online for them to view. The extravaganza began at ShamPooches with Mary on Sunday, November 8th. We love working with Mary, and the doggies sure do love her too–When your cutie-pie is ready for a bath, ShamPooches is the best bunch of groomers around. We did it again the following Sunday at Molly’s Pup-Purr-Ee on November 15th. We insist you stop by to peruse the fun selection of unique toys and accessories that Tina has in her adorable boutique. Thanks to all of our friends that came out to see us again (and new friends we are looking forward to seeing next year)–We hope you had a wonderful holiday!

“My sweet Sasha doesn’t see or hear very well. But in spite of that they were very patient in capturing wonderful pictures of her!” - Denise

“They are young and energetic and are willing to work with you. Very flexible and are fun to work with.” - Gloria

We are just exploding with artiness. Every once in a while, like a geyser, our creativity must erupt in the form of an art show. Hence, this Friday night we will be showing off our latest glorious works at Fort Gallery in Oakland during Art Murmur. Also regaling us with their arty greatness is Bryan Alberstat and Peter Ellenby, along with debuting photographers Jessica Ruth from Los Angeles, and Pat Spurgeon of Rogue Wave. Fort Gallery is in the heart of Art Murmur at 480 23rd Street (near Telegraph) and the fun begins at 7pm. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

We have surely mentioned how much we love the Indie Mart, so we’ll save you the spiel. So come on out, get some holiday shopping done, increase your hipness tenfold, and visit us at our booth. It’s at The Independent on Saturday, December 13th from 11am-4pm. Sarah expressed it best: “Holiday Indie Mart is on. Need we say more. Lots of new designers. Vintage. Unique finds. Rock and roll, oldies and Motown. Cheap beers. Fun people. The best way to shop. Local and drunk.” And just three more words for you: Hall & Oates.

We’re so crafty! We had a booth at the Craft Meet on Sunday in Oakland. Sponsored by ABCO Art Space and Brave Scarecrow music and art collective, it was a day of independent selling of crafts, used goods, treats, etc… there was live music and DJs all day and night, including our friend Golden Gram. The morning began with someone running through the lot yelling “vegan donuts are here” and ended with $2 beer and baked potatoes for dinner at night, all the while surrounded by independent artists selling and trading their wares. The proceeds of the day went to support Oakland’s art scene–We like that.

Every November Jen gets to shoot the MacCentric Solutions holiday card, and update the staff photos. This is always so much fun, because this is one great bunch of folks… And talk about making her job easier–they are all gorgeous! This year, they decided to let their personalities shine in the website bio photos, so they were encouraged to bring along props and have a little fun with their photo shoot. Everyone’s choices were so clever–there were Moses and Freud action figures, crazy hats, comic books, potted plants, and of course a plush raven a la Edgar Allen Poe coupled with a monocle. Since Jen is secretly a sci-fi geek (not so secret anymore) her favorite props were Rick’s vintage toys. [Left you will see him making the USS Enterprise fight the Millennium Falcon.] With all-around merriment throughout the morning, it wasn’t even like working. Thank you to the gang of MacCentric Solutions! (pssst… If your Mac needs some help, you should give these guys a call…)