Between the Alt Summit for design bloggers and my work at Federated Media, I’ve been lucky to work with more than a few talented publishers. Their work speaks for itself, so I won’t be too long-winded in reflecting on five who have particularly inspired me in this crazy ecosystem. In no particular order, they are:

Victoria Smith, SFGirlByBay: The work of the art director turned poster designer turned design blogger is a treat. Saying Victoria has an eye for color is a complete understatement, and she knows modern furniture like no one else.

Shayna Kulik, Pattern Pulp: While many of my favorite bloggers live in the Bay (call me localist), NY trend forecaster Shayna creates bright daily posts that I can’t stop coming by for. Her work is punchy and informative, and you’ll be glad you were sent to see it.

David Pescovitz, BoingBoing: Whether writing about Cindy Sherman posts on sale or citizen science projects, I always learn from Pesco’s work on the tech and life wonders site. A researcher at the Institute for the Future, I’d love to take a science writing class from him.

Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous: Stylishness and sustainability are the core passions of Ms. Joaquin, and I’m yet to meet anyone else who makes conscious decision making so fun. Under the creative direction of Caitlin Bristol, Zem’s ecofabulous is a great resource for safe cosmetics, home wares, and apparel (if you’ve looked at my site searches for the past week, at least). I’m lucky to learn from them.

Audrey Watters, Hack Education: The ed-tech advocate’s coverage has been my go to source as I explore more in education entrepreneurship. Her weekly news roundups aren’t like anyone else’s, and you’d be remiss not to start following her.

Don’t forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

Hayes Valley has had an earth tone to it lately between a new set of urban gardens and the Samovar tea lounge (which is trying to coin the neighborhood “Zen Valley”). Enter RoomService, a new furniture and accessories store whose bright colors may change that.

The Southern California design company first sought to expand beyond LA and Newport Beach a few years ago but held off on a northern location until they were able to secure–and quickly fill–a converted hair salon at Hayes and Laguna this spring. The husband and wife team of apparel merchandising alums John and Taryn Bernard have couches and beds made in Gardena, California, and stock the rest of the store with large prints, bright pillows, and home items found at European gift shows. Taryn said she prides the company on its seasonality; while visitors are currently greeted with post-modern pop hues, she promises deeper and “ethnic” fabrics in the fall.

The store’s affordability is also striking and purposefully hard to miss with large red tags hanging off products from vases to petite Buddha sculptures. Because RoomService’s own factory and domestic production allows it to keep costs comparatively low, it may hit a sweet spot with new parents and trendsters looking for a respite from the area’s green and grey.

Photos by Jason DePerro.

First featured on ecofabulous.

Inside a set of photographed and drawn “small treasures and curious things” includes vintage art supply packaging, old and colorful prayer cards, and plastic and wood rings. But that’s not all. “Mid-century paperbacks with awesome cover design and typography”! Japanese notebooks! Candy jars! It’s well worth a flip through the digital preview to see the breadth of Congdon’s inspiration–but I’d suggest owning one (or the corresponding 20×200 print) to appreciate the bizarre wonder of baby doll hands, aggregated.

Thanks to a friend who’s new to the Bay Area, I got back on the high fashion train this week to find that the presentation of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s styles isn’t better–it’s just different. More items–from tunics to gowns and bolero jackets–are presented this time around, and you’ll want to give yourself a while to study the folds and fabrics. The show’s themes were curated by Vogue’s European editor at large Hamish Bowles and include Spanish Art, Regional Dress, the Spanish Court, Religious Life and Ceremony, the Bullfight, and Dance. It was the first time since seeing Ms. V’s work that I went into a museum wishing I could walk out with a bag of goods off the mannequins–Balenciaga’s geometry and craftsmanship are that good.

Since ForePlays’ November 2009 debut, the PianoFight troupe has performed everywhere from SketchFetch to WomenROCK and the Actors Theatre. Like their other great work, “Spring EGGstravaganza” is produced, written and directed by Ruth Grossinger, Nicole Hammersla, Kate Jones, Jessica Mele and Emma Rose Shelton. You’ll thank them.

This week the California company Apliiq launched a line of products with Japanese prints, a fifth of whose proceeds will go toward the Japanese Red Cross. The textiles used include youthful anime manga, simple classic bamboo, and the geometric collage style of Japanese Yuzen paper.

As designer Ethan Lipsitz explains: “The earthquake and tsunami in Japan has had a huge impact on the lives of millions who have been displaced without basic necessities, food and water. With news focusing on nuclear threats in Japan and civil war in Libya, the people who have been directly affected by recent events are being overlooked.”

Even if you don’t get one for yourself, I’m sure you know someone special who you could T up for the cause.