• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet

Northern California Style

Northern California Style

  • Home
  • About
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet
  • Shop My Home
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Thanksgiving and Holiday Prep Talk

November 24, 2013 By kimwheeler No Comments

Just a fast post while I’m running about this week. I cannot believe it’s already been a week since I was in San Francisco with my blogger besties. Isn’t it funny how time always flies by after a getaway?
Though I wish I could beem myself back to last week and the beautiful Hotel Monaco, I’m scrambling this week to get Thanksgiving for 16 ready and also tick some of those Christmas boxes off before the after Thanksgiving madness!
 I want to not stress about the holidays and I am for once #gettingitdoneearly! This is so not my modus operandi, but people can change no? I hit Target the other day and got an amazing amount ticked off and there was much to choose from. That was my problem last year…Things were picked over already quite early. I got most my wrap there. I’m kind of picky about wrap and hate garish stuff. I generally like simple and graphic styles and like to go with 2 shades so all the ribbon easily coordinates. This year I pretty much did Kraft paper brown, black whites, cream and deep red. 

Here’s a little hint, check out the dollar section. Last time I went there I didn’t do this. All the good ribbon and labels are there! Thanks Most Lovely Things for the tip! Some pretty high-end bits and bobs. I loved what I got so much I turned my pantry into a wrap station and even cleared out a cabinet for all my goodies..

 I find umbrella stands so useful to hold wrap!

Now for turkey day, I turned my house around. Do you ever do this? My husband hates this with a passion, but I prevailed. I turned our largish and long living room into the dining room. I moved my glass table and dining table…

I love this wing-back chair at the head of the table. My husband had real issues with it as the height of the seat is lower than a regular chair. Men! I told him fine I’d sit there with a pillow!
Please don’t judge my tables yet, as I haven’t figured out my theme, tablecloths, etc yet. I’m not so great at tablescapes, but I like to try and make it look festive.

I then made the dining room, which is small, into a conversation area. I did this by dividing a sectional and adding our other sofa and ottoman. I added a standing lamp too. It’s perfect for a cozy chat pre-dinner. Everyone has a spot for their cocktail and I’ll add bowls of nuts and pretty napkins. I really wanted an area everyone could socialize, but be close to the dinner area. People like my 96 year old grandma can hear what everyone is chatting about in here…

Pictures are a bit odd and off-centered. Haven’t decided on the wall things yet. Naomi, please disregard my messy throws! This is still in laboratory stage!
 I don’t know about you, but I love changing spaces up and I think keeping rooms exactly as they are supposed to be is one of the biggest flaws with American decorating. Change your home, change your life! Try to think out of the box! Use all your spaces! Why be boring?
Cats have expressed approval…Isn’t that all that matters?? 😀
Already one of my kids brought a laptop in here and put his feet up. It feels intimate and I may just keep it like this. I  like having more space for dinner parties and guests won’t feel cramped to get in their seats. I think it will be a win-win. The only thing is where do I put the Christmas tree now???
Speaking of Christmas, I realized I have almost zero red in my wardrobe. When I was up in San Francisco with Adrienne and Heather, I found a red layered Calvin Klein shell that’s a great basic piece that can be dressed up or down. Adrienne loved it too and also got it. I’m thinking of ways I can wear it for the holidays and also for Adrienne’s next How I Wear My post which is Red! (The leather pants look pretty cute don’t they? Not sure if I could pull that off.)
Calvin Klein top- Macy’s 
Well yesterday I ran to TJ Maxx for some Thanksgiving table items and found something I’ve been wanting, but resisted buying, due to the price. It’s a wristlet that is a wallet/phone holder. I’ve seen a few girls out with them and they are so simple for evenings -or just a walk or a bike ride. Perfect for when you don’t want to carry a lot. The Michael Kors’ versions are particularly nice, but run closer to $100.  I found this red one for $39 yesterday! Now I have something to pair with my top, and two red items in my wardrobe! (Note..the top is not as blazing as it looks here!)
Have you embraced this new wallet/phone thingy at all? I swear as I get older I want to carry less and less and even a purse feels like baggage at times!
Tomorrow I’m off to get all my veg from the Farmer’s Market in town. I’ve really been enjoying the winter market (well, I guess it’s still fall officially), and all the offerings. With the baked good there and  holiday music, it almost feels like the Christmas Markets in Europe. I’d love to be there one Christmastime and have roasted chestnuts!!
This is me at the market last Sunday..My hubs took this. DO not look at the bagels..SO not going with the organic vegetables, but I have teenage boys to keep full!
Have a great weekend and I’ll be back soon with my Thanksgiving set up.
I would love to hear any ideas you have about Thanksgiving or getting ahead on the holiday thing…
Oh and I am not shopping on Black Friday and definitely not Thanksgiving. I plan on enjoying the natural world and get nowhere near a mall! And how about this below? Totally agree. As one smart person said, “How can you be thankful for all you have when you are out scrambling to get more?” That really epitomizes it doesn’t it? 

A special black-themed post is in the works though!
xx Kim

 P.S. Persimmon tree spotted on one of my morning walks. Two Californians told me this week they never had one! Wha? Seriously good! Persimmon 101…Eat it like an apple! It has a core called a calyx, that you can just avoid by slicing the sides off and eating those. I love slices in a green salad with pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts. It’s a good Thanksgiving salad too!
– Also make sure if you are buying it to eat you get the tomato-shaped ones-fuyu. The other heart-shaped ones are better for baking and more acidic.

Filed Under: Christmas wrap, Michael Kors, red, thanksgiving

ON MY RADAR...

Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Signature Style- Summer Wish List

The Beautiful Mauna Kea Hotel, My New Bed and Nightstand Options

Tips to Give Your Home a Summer Vibe

Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips

Signature Style- Summer Sandal Edit

Summer Picnic Ideas

Get My Posts by Email!

Find Me on Facebook

Northern California Style

Archives

Categories

Footer

Don’t Forget to Follow!

Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

Currently Pinning

  • feeling all white
I don’t know where I saved this from, possibly P I don’t know where I saved this from, possibly Pinterest, but I’ve had it forever.  I need to remind myself this quite often! 

Our mindset is everything and I was inadvertently raised to worry about things. My mom was one of 8 kids and her mother warned them about the dangers of everything to keep them all alive in her mind.  I think that was seeped in my dear mom’s bones and passed onto us.. by no fault of hers. 

My brain defaults to that and I have worked hard to stop that sort of internal monologue. 

Remember worrying never kept anyone safer. We don’t care more about someone by being a worrier. We just need to expect good things will happen. 

Being a person who is always worrying is not good for those around you either. It hurts your family and their own feelings of security. The more I realize this, the more I feel impelled to reassure, not stress and trust all will work out… and might even be fantastic!

Hope you all have a Happy Friday - and trust things will work out! 

I’ll be back tomorrow with the weekend post! 

#dontworrybehappy #qoutesoftheday #imspirationalquotes
If you missed the weekend posts with Juliet and El If you missed the weekend posts with Juliet and Elizabeth, I shared this pretty Newport Beach Home by the talented @caseyhillstudio in @fredericmagazine photos @lauraresenphotography 💕 

The Chanel slingback is also the ‘it’ shoe of the season and so versatile.. I share the original, resale options, and some very chic copies..at a lower price point.. My favorite Vuori jacket is also back and in new colors.. and lastly the fab J.Crew at 40 book I am coveting.

This is my second go at posting a Reel on the weekend meander.. The first was taken down, for unknown reasons?  So let’s hope this works!

Pop on by our blogs for all the fun and more good ideas!
Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

Have a great week friends. 😘

#californiahomestyle #californiastyle #jcrew40 #vuori #chanelslingback #caseyhill #fredericmagazine
Had a great cappuccino and avocado toast at the mo Had a great cappuccino and avocado toast at the most charming spot @bluestonelane in Los Altos with my dear friend April. So good to catch up with her. 💕 

I think this is one of the nicest spots to meet a friend! Make a plan to catch up with a friend this fall. 

#bluestonelane #losaltos #bayareaeats  #bayareacharm
I have this quote in my closet! It is smart to re I have this quote in my closet!  It is smart to remember we may already have what we think we need to look great.

Right now the season is changing and I - like everybody else, am super excited for fall clothes, adding new things to my closet, and refreshing my look. 

Hold off though. Before we buy anything or get ‘influenced’ from people like myself, we have to first look at what we have. 

I am constantly reminded that the best dressed people have less clothes and wear great pieces on repeat! 

Get in your closet and you may see you already have that perfect fall sweater or the ballet flat that’s everywhere!! The truth is your pieces may be cooler than the new offerings that are out there- and no one else will have them. 

Make this a goal to go to your closet before you buy for fall and I promise you’ll shop smarter  and get what you really love and need.

Have a beautiful Friday!! Here’s to sweater days soon. 🍂

#fridayinspiration #fallshopping #closetinspo #quotestoliveby
I haven’t posted many house photos lately. I jus I haven’t posted many house photos lately. I just realized yesterday how very much I’m enjoying being at home especially now windows wide-open and the beautiful weather. We couldn’t be more lucky here in California when the weather is as it is now. 🧡

My tomatoes finally turned red and my new fig plant that I added to the front yard in spring already has figs on it!  Marlo is enjoying the sunshine and fresh air too. She’s nearly 18 years old. 

Nothing better than this late summer early fall…Still the goodies of summer and the promise of fun things in fall without all the heat.

If you didn’t read my weekend post there’s a  wonderful inspiring story I shared about getting together with your neighbors and creating small micro neighborhoods…. and how the French love this time of year for socializing again too.. Lots to look forward to! 

Have a beautiful day.

#california #californialiving #northerncalstyle  #serenaandlily #latesummer #earlyfall #catlife #acalifornialife
It’s that fun time when I get to talk style with It’s that fun time when I get to talk style with the fabulous Cindy and since it’s September, we are sharing our Fall Wish Lists!  Are you ready for the change of season?? I can’t wait!

I had so much fun pulling this together. I sort of had to edit myself because there’s many cool new things out there, but we just have to find the right pieces that will make what we already have work and look updated and chic.. We have to be editors! I am just giving you some ideas. 

The best part about fashion right now is there really are no rules and we just had to find what works for us and our lifestyle and our bodies! 

Pop on by the blog, and I’ll share some of the trends like longer fuller pants, suit looks, those darling Chanel style jackets, and other pretty pieces. 

Cindy as always has some beautiful ways to mix it all and create your own look.

Link in our bios as always!! 
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley 

All the links are on the post, but comment if you are missing something you see here! 

#fallfashiontrends #falllooks #fallfashioninspo
Hello happy weekend! It’s that time for Meanderi Hello happy weekend! It’s that time for Meanderings post with Juliet and Elizabeth!  This week I am sharing this cute bar basket from @hudsongracesf my friends bought for me, and fall items that I am excited to add to my closet.

I am also chatting about the new movement to connect with your neighborhood and create smaller communities -and ideas on how to do it! 

Fall is a perfect time for this and in France it’s called la rentrée and it means the start of a new exciting season of getting back together with others after summer. 

More on the blog- along with my favorite fall soup I’ve made forever from @marthastewart . 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#fallstyle #fallvibes #fallsoup #larentrée #microneighborhoods #onlyconnect #trench 

P.S… This is my first time adding music to a static post.. Is this fun or annoying??
My motivation for Friday! I love @therealdvf and s My motivation for Friday! I love @therealdvf and she is still out there working and inspiring women. 

This quote! Only we can make ourselves truly happy and as women we so often taught to look outside of ourselves for that and that’s never a good thing. We have to learn to ask for what we want without apologizing and go for it ourselves.🩷

Happy Friday friends!

#inspiringquotes #quoteoftheday #dvf
What do you do when it’s rainy and cool in Tahoe What do you do when it’s rainy and cool in Tahoe? Well someone asked me today and  actually there is a lot to do and it’s one of the best times to go! 

Last weekend it was a cool 48 degrees and it felt like November even though it was Labor Day weekend. We enjoyed some sun and breezes so being layers!

You can pack a lot in the two days with great hikes and walks..and food!  Two good hikes- one at Ward Creek, another at Sugar Pine Point.. are perfect for now! Have some lunch by the river @riverranchlodge, take a walk on the lake and a drive on 89, end it by playing games and have a cozy dinner in with pot pies from Tahoe House bakery. ( SO good!) 

Tahoe when it’s shoulder season is the best kept secret. Though normally Labor Day would be hot here. Make some plans to enjoy the fall here! 🍂

Here’s to an early fall! I added a few autumn touches to our tiny cabin while I was there..

Yes I snapped that 🐻 bear! He was crossing the road. This is their season to bulk up so you leave no food in your cars..

#tahoe #westshoretahoe #sugarpinepointstatepark #wardcreektrail #shoulderseasontravel #ourgoldenstate #californiatravel
Hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend! I Hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend! If you have down time the Weekend Meanderings is up with my pals Juliet and Elizabeth with some fun ideas for you. 

On my weekend post-
Cute fall decor
Pretty towels on sale 
An autumn my dress and sweatshirt
The US Open’s tribute to Billie Jean King
Michelle Obama’s US Open look and her talented stylist! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#falldecorating #septemberdecor #bathtowels #serenaandlily #rails #evereve #michelleobamastyle #meredithkoop #usopentennis #billiejeanking
I can’t let this date go by without a tribute to I can’t let this date go by without a tribute to Princess Diana, my original style idol.  I recently found this book my dear mother bought me way back in the 80’s. Tucked inside was this torn page from American @vogue about this new girl’s style….Oh if they only knew what this young woman would be to the world. …

She was so much more than what she wore. She was a real life princess in her heart as well as title- touching so many lives. Who didn’t she care about or show kindness towards? She had it in her heart and that radiated in her face. 

These are a few photos that are my favorites and a few that show her fun personality that always shines through.. 🩷 Of course everything she wore is back in style again like this vest - the caps, the blazers, and floral prints. 

This day makes me hugely sad. 
If it wasn’t for the nasty British press ( who are still horrific), and paparazzi she would be here. 

#dianaspencer #princessdiana #ladydi
The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. I have my 40th reunion this weekend so I’ve got what to wear to a reunion, an excellent book on rethinking how we age by the chic @annagmurphy , and  the story of how San Francisco’s Nordstrom changed the city and its unlikely success story. 

It’s all on the blog! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#whattowear  #highschoolreunion #highschoolreunionlook 
#bayarea  #northerncalstyle #californiastyle #agingbackwards #destinationfabulous

Copyright © 2023 · Northern California Style· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer