• 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

A Californian July Fourth

July 4, 2015 By kimwheeler No Comments

 Happy Fourth of July! I always love splashing a bit of red, white and blue about.
I’ve said it before this is truly my favorite part of the summer.
If I travel in summer, I always have to be home by the fourth. I’ve only ever missed it once.
I have so many good memories of my California childhood and many involve summer.
The older I get the more I appreciate the simple joys of those times!

Just a few…
  Backyard barbecues
Fresca and Funyuns
Swimming in the pool until we couldn’t stop shaking
 Missles, fudgsicle, push-ups,  and creamsicle popsicles
grandma’s strawberry shortcake
 riding bikes at night
 sparklers and buying fireworks from corner stands
 eating apricots from the tree and buying fruit from the orchard on the corner
 tomatoes from the yard
shucking corn on the cob
Smokey Joe and Piccolo Pete fireworks
watching Wimbledon and playing badminton in the yard
ping-pong on the porch
staying up late and reading Little House books
riding my bike to the little library around the corner
washing dogs on the lawn
floating on rafts
tanning with Coppertone and way too much sun
eating  bowls of cherries until we were sick
laughing 
mom’s potato salad
water balloon fights
Lake Tahoe
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
salt-water taffy
making ice tea and chef’s salad with grandma
lip-syncing with cousins
using racquets as air guitars
tennis, tennis and night tennis

I hope my kids will have some of the same memories.

Thanks to my parents, they have many years of going to the huge parade in their neighborhood and dressing their bikes up, getting hotdogs in the park, and swimming at my parents.

 It’s surprising once you look about how much red & blue you can pull together.

I have so many precious pictures of my guys from when they could barely ride on their colorful bikes.

This year we are barbecuing with friends with street fireworks later. Swimming of course. My boys still love that.
I miss my mom so much and each holiday reminds me how fun she made it for us all. I am grateful for the memories!
Wishing you all a fun fourth. Remember it’s the little things that make life special!
xo
Kim
photos Northerncalstyle

Filed Under: California, decor, July 4 home style, July 4 memories, My mom

ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leigh Powell Hines says

    July 4, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Your home is lovely, Kim.

    Reply
  2. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    July 4, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    Thank you Leigh! Happy Fourth. Hope you are having fun with your crew! x

    Reply
  3. GSL says

    July 5, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Beautiful post Kim and love the pic with your mother!

    Reply
  4. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    July 5, 2015 at 6:34 am

    You are very sweet. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Anne-Laure says

    July 5, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Happy fourth from France.

    Reply
  6. DaniBP says

    July 5, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Love these pictures Kim and I have to say your childhood memories, it all sounds like pure magic. Wonderful times to think of having and your Mom did a brilliant job creating those memories from the sounds of it. XO

    Reply
  7. Dawn Lucy says

    July 5, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    I love hearing about all your childhood July 4th memories, Kimi. I hope you made some wonderful new ones this year as well.
    OXOX
    Dawn Lucy

    Reply
  8. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    July 5, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Thank you Dawn! I am sure you had some very similar ones! Hope you had a good fourth. x

    Reply
  9. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    July 5, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    Dani, I know and only now am I realizing what a great time and place it was to grow up! I was lucky. xo

    Reply
  10. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    July 5, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    Anne-Laure, Thanks and hoping you are having a beautiful French summer!!

    Reply
  11. La Contessa says

    July 5, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    I totally MISSED out this year………first year ever.I was flying from OHIO to home………took all day and I was too pooped to watch the fireworks!I ENJOYED YOUR LIST!!!!
    XO

    Reply
  12. Traveling Chic says

    July 9, 2015 at 2:26 am

    Such a sweet post and love your decor! Where's the Paris tote from? It's so cute!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Dining Room Refresh Ideas, San Francisco Homes, and Cosmetics I’m Loving Now

Spring Colors, White Jeans, and Skin Cleansers

Fun Kitchen Styling Tips!

Asian Noodles & Other Main Dish Salads

Loving Rattan and Serena & Lily

Tennis Style -Your Guide to the BNP & Indian Wells

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

  • Have you tried smashed potatoes? | Most Lovely Things
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Creative Wall Decor Part 1: Art and Gallery Walls
  • Why We Love Our New Solo Stove | Most Lovely Things
  • Weekend – Cool Readers, Spring Things, J Crew’s New Direction & More
  • Weekend – Cool Readers, Spring Things, J Crew’s New Direction & More
  • Weekend – Cool Readers, Spring Things, J Crew’s New Direction & More
Well after all this weather, and so much indoor ti Well after all this weather, and so much indoor time, I’m officially sick of everything and I am ready to give the home a little refresh. Homegoods and TJMaxx have some great spring items and a promotion with items from France, Italy, etc. They can be a good source for outdoor pots, new pillows, rugs and decorative bits. It’s good time to find a ‘few’ emphasis on few, new things for the home. They carry unique items, many one offs, but you have to be a discerning shopper.. What to look for and what to avoid on this little clip. 

I’ll be taking more about how to shop smart at these sort of places on the upcoming blog as well. What’s been your experience at these stores? I have had good luck and bad and I think you have to be smart about what you choose and don’t fill a home with these things. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on shopping there. 

#californiahomestyle #springhomedecor #homegoods #homegoodsfinds #homeaccesories #northerncalstyleblog
A little spring in the kitchen while another storm A little spring in the kitchen while another storm rages. Met a friend downtown and we had to dash as the storm hit and power was out minutes later. Stay safe everyone!
I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room today as my builder @mikemccloudconstruction shared it too. I still love the way it came out! I had saved many inspiration pictures of how I wanted this to look. I was lucky Mike helped me make this happen. A good builder who listens and has ideas as well, helps so much. I’m sharing some of  the extra details up close. 

I loved this blue sort of organic watery tile for a pool bath. I also knew I wanted an open shelf for all the pool towels so people could grab them on the way out the door. The @serenaandlily mirror definitely has that nautical almost porthole, sort of look and picked up the unfinished oak color. I used an RH pendant light and the sink is Victoria and Albert. The counter is from a slab of @vadaraquartz that I spilt and used in the laundry as well as the boy’s bath. I choose an inexpensive cement tile for this space and the connecting laundry/mud room which works with drippy pool feet!  It’s been almost four years and all still looking great! 

DM me if anyone wants details I left out! I thought I did a post on this, but maybe not! I need to do that with all the baths. 

Hope you all have a good week and get some nature in the first day of spring! 

#californiaremodel #poolbath #poolbathroom #powderroom #serenaandlily #mikemccloudconstruction #northerncalstyle #lunabaytile #vadaraquartz
On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore i On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore it and I am sharing some pretty toile pieces, beautiful woven leather bags in fun colors, cute sweatshirts, a trench coat that stands out, the new book about the story of J.Crew, and more! 

Juliet and Elizabeth have great things to dive into this weekend too…

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

Have a great weekend! Hope you got a little sun while it was out. ☀️

#weekendpost #bayareablogger #paloalto #evereve #toile #cos #madewell #jcrewbook #northerncalifornia #californiastyle #trenchcoat
Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and resort vacations? This month’s Signature Style is for you! Cindy and I are sharing our tips and favorite sources for warm weather looks.  You need a few good pieces like a great linen jacket, a swimsuit you love, a couple of coverups, and a pretty dress and you’re nearly ready. More ideas and suggestions on our blogs! 

Hope there is a sunny getaway in your future!☀️
As always links are in our bios and stories..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley

#resortwear #resortdress #resortpacking #whattowearresort
Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks se Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks seen at the @bnpparibasopen . I always love to see how people mix it up including the guys! Nice to see so many cute looks and cool hats. Loved the Day Glo brights and florals the best. Hope you get some ideas if you are going to this tournament or doing something fun in the sun soon! ☀️

Thank you to all the sweet people who kindly let me share their looks ! 

Also, due to weather..the Signature Style resort dressing post with Cindy is postponed until tomorrow. Sorry I had no Internet here in Los Gatos yesterday and 89 mile an hour winds so I have been unable to work! Back at it today. Hope you all are doing okay after yesterday’s storm! 

#bnp #bnpparibasopen #tennisparadise #whattowearbnp #tennis #tournamentlooks #indianwells #northerncalstyle
How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of lo How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of love in our actions.  This is a wonderful account and @yung_pueblo ‘s book ‘Lighter’ is top of the NYTimes list too. 

Happy Monday. 💛
Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got back from three whirlwind days with pals and we had a ball. It was so good to be in the sun and and warmth -with snow capped California mountains as a backdrop.  We went in the beginning part of the tournament which we always do, and got to see Andy Murray, Sabalenka, Zverev, Raducanu, and so many fantastic other players. We basically eat, slept and breathe tennis for two days straight and we loved it!  You can still catch play on the @tennischannel 🎾

I will share another Reel of all the stylish people.. Something about tennis brings out the sharpest dressers and there was excellent people watching. 

If you love tennis, this is a bucket list tournament. They call the fifth slam and it’s getting crazy popular so plan a year ahead of you want to go. We reserved our hotel that was walking distance a year ago. More tips on my BNP post that I update each year. 
Link in bio! 

#tennisparadise #bnpparibasopen #indianwellstennisgarden #bnp #bnptips  #andymurray #zverev #raducanu #sabalenka #tennis #californiatennis #discoverpage #tennislove #tennisgirl
I separated the sectional and sort of like it apar I separated the sectional and sort of like it apart. This RH couch is a LOT of maintenance and can look pretty deflated after a weekend of hanging out. In hindsight, I’d buy a couch that does not require so much fluffing and cushion alternating. I snapped this pic because it was one of the times I had the pillows looking nice on it. You also need a lot of pillows to not get swallowed up by it. I call it the great white.

The local RH actually has a cleaning team that steams and fluffs their couch and I’ve seen them before the shop opens. I found it hard to get reviews on this couch before buying because RH does not have them online and if you notice they don’t do social media… so I’m just putting it out there. I will share what I love here,but I think it helps to be transparent about what is a disappointment too. 

#rhcloud #whitecouches #livingroom #californiahomestyle #thecaliforniahouse #cloudcouch #restorationhardware
The weekend post is up and I’m sharing things on The weekend post is up and I’m sharing things on my radar this week -like cute ballet flats and a darling spring bag, an eye brightner with sunscreen, and cool readers. Also the new head of design at J.Crew @olympiamarie and her fun account with styling inspiration and vintage J. Crew gems. Plus what to do with those tangelos, and lemon almond scones.

It’s all on the blog! 

Don’t forget to stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s..our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns
Have you ever made a rustic style scone? These are Have you ever made a rustic style scone? These are the only kind I’ve ever made and it all started when I had one in Paris at the @rosebakeryparis years ago. My sweet mom later bought me their cookbook. I was thrilled and have made scones with their fantastic recipe ever since. 

I was missing my mom and thinking about her as today is her birthday, (actually tomorrow she was a Leap Year baby) and made these yesterday.  She also loved lemon so I tried a variation adding Meyer Lemon zest and juice and lots of almonds and it was SO good!  These are a great treat for a rainy afternoon with tea. ☕️ Recipe is on my story.. and I’ll add it to my cookery highlight. The Breakfast Lunch Tea book from Rose Bakery is a treasure if you can still get it with many delicious recipes using whole grains and healthy ingredients. 

It’s raining cats here! Def scone weather!

#sconeday #sconerecipe #rosebakeryparis #breakfastlunchtea #teatime #sconehome #lemonalmondscones
Daffodils.. so much spring packed into a tiny flow Daffodils.. so much spring packed into a tiny flower. Loving these $1.99 bunches at @traderjoes and seeing the little guys on my walks too. 💛 

We have more storms this week! Winter 2023 is feeling very long to this Californian.

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