Once upon a time (2003 to be exact), two fashionistas by the names of Karen Appel and Jody Frank decided to have an intimate shopping event in Karen’s home. With products from eight Bay Area designers, 40 guests had the opportunity to browse through a lovely array of clothing and accessories.

Fast-forward to 2007 and the Appel & Frank’s yearly events have become San Francisco’s own shop-a-palooza with more than 65 designers from all over the Bay Area, 700 guests and tons of shopping fun that will sure to rid all of that hard earn money out of your pocketbooks.

On March 24, SF’s Regency Center played host to Appel & Frank’s latest shopping fest called Spring into Style.

As I walked in, tables of local fashionistas and arts denizens were showcasing their work - and this isn’t that sort of “Grandma’s crochet arts and crafts” event. This is classy, fun high end “Craft Couture.”

From food to handbags to clothing to beauty products, the event was like a shopping mall but with a lot more class and no teen mallrats mongering about eating soft pretzels and talking about how hot Justin Timberlake is.

Here are some sights, sounds, tastes and designers (in addition to the enjoyable slideshow above) of the event:

Oakland-based Natalie Rickards of sophie says go! handbags makes this jetsetting screenprint bags that serve as intercontinental flair that can hang from your shoulder or arm. Her latest collection give us iconic scenes from her travels to Malaysia and Thailand! www.sophiesaysgo.com

The paw print of Baby Leo Designs may suggest a line of pet accessories, but the name is derived from Mimi Sweeney’s baby boy and her products are kid friendly bibs and blankets with eccentric, colorful tones. From skulls to muscle cars, the items are like pieces of pop culture art for little tykes! And if you look at the pictures above, each blanket has a signature corner stitch which gives them a unique signature from the respected designer. www.babyleodesigns.com

For retro fancy charm go to Carolyn’s Kitchen! Their products are filled with the traits of classic Mrs. Cleaver-esque kitchen garb with “fabulousity.” Creator Carolyn West (from L.A.) says these dish gloves with fur trim and bejeweled gloves and ’40s kitchen aprons (made from real vintage patterns) are perfect for entertaining. How fancy is that? Donna Reed would be so proud. www.carolynskitchenonline.com

Joy Adams of One Sweet Second makes some of the most fragrant soaps. They are so deliciously aromatic, that some people tried to eat the cubes of soaps she put out for samples. Coming in a variety of “flavors” like plum, orchid, honeysuckle, lemongrass, apricot freesia and pomegranate (I loved this one!). She also has a variety bath salts, teas and gifts that you can eat - I mean - use in the bath. www.onesweetsecond.com

LoLo Bags by Oakland-based designer Loretta Nguyen are remarkably filled with urban hipster personality. When chatting with the sprite-like designer, she informed me that she made a handful of the bags in three weeks - which made me wonder if she got any sleep. The bags rival those that you find at any of those commercialized rags and they are so youthful. She also wisely utilizes the indestructible paper material, tyvek, in some of her coin purses and bags. With anime-esque characters drawn on them (courtesy of one of her friends), she stiches them up and makes them into these wonderful accessories that are very charming.

I had to take a quick break from all the shopping so I indulged - actually I inhaled two cupcakes from That Takes the Cake. They all looked so good and they STILL look so good. I devoured the red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and the vanilla cake. They also had carrot cake, coconut vanilla, peanut butter cup…my mouth is just watering thinking about it. www.saralynnscupcakes.com

For some finely tailored clothes, Al’s Attire in SF’s North Beach provided stocked racks of coats, dresses and hats. Designer Al (who was in one of his own fabulously designed blazers) allows his customers to choose their own designs, fabric, lining, buttons and details for their own custom-made outfit. I absolutley LOVE the high-collared trench pictured above. www.homepage.mac.com/alsattire

For more info on Appel and Frank and their events visit their website.

Stay tuned for more…