Hey friends how’s spring in your neck of the woods? Hmm, I feel like I’ve talked a lot about the weather this year haven’t I? Finally, we had some gorgeous weather last week with flowers and California poppies blooming everywhere. It was in the 70’s and I even got my sandals out, but here we are again back to the wet and cold! What the heck? I have booties and my anorak with my eyelet blouse on today because I refuse to go back to winter. I’m doing some spring here dammit. This is California!
Finally the house remodel seems to be making progress. I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Only problem now is a lot of the pressure rests on me to make choices and be firm about them, not always my strength. I have been obsessing on lights the last week or so. We chose all the outdoor ones and next came the main rooms (see the previous post), and now the bathrooms- the lights and mirror thing. I knew tile was going to a lot of choices, but I hadn’t given lights etc that much thought- thus my descent into mirror and lighting madness in the past week. After researching all the options on the planet, (seriously), I went with Restoration Hardware for most of the lights which seem to be very affordable for the quality, given what is out there. RH mirrors are also fab though very expensive and so I am still figuring that out. I’m not spending $1,000 or more per mirror.
One of the issues with my bathrooms is that they don’t have enough room for side lighting and a mirror over both sinks. A serious bummer as that is the most flattering light. Anyhow, after getting over that I found some options to the usual strip lighting that is over the top of mirrors and can look dated. A more contemporary option, like above, is a sconce that is hung slightly over the mirror- or a hanging pendant. For the boy’s bath I chose a RH hanging pendant that is pretty cool. That will work for them as they don’t need serious lighting like I do. You people over 45 know what I mean..
I like their pendants with these mirrors or a black steel rimmed one..Still deciding.
For our bath, I want a simple rectangle mirror with a gold or silver border. The fixtures in there are polished nickel and for lighting above the mirror, I love this double sconce for its wrench detail which is a different version of the boy’s pendants. This comes in nickel or a burnished brass, both pretty.
I also chose a small flush mount chandelier from RH Child to give the bath a little fancy and to contrast my modern Victoria & Albert IOS tub.. Who knew RH Child had such cool stuff and more a bit more affordable. It is just the bathroom. Also, what does that say about me?? I still have little girl taste? I AM trying to stay young. 😀
Hoping it all comes together.
I’ve done so much overthinking in the past two weeks- kitchen and dining lights, cabinet styles, wood tones, and tiles. I think I actually lost weight from it all and I began having hot flashes again like 40 times a day. I sleep barely at all. Last night we had a huge storm and my cats headed to my bed with all the noise and my older cat, Hobbes decided he needed to spoon with me. GAH. Talk about sweaty. My husband asks why I don’t kick them off, but how can I? He’s so old now. Anyhow, this is why I am the definition of haggard lately…and craving every carb possible..
On that note, I did get out for a spite of retail therapy. Gosh there are so many lovely things for spring and I am ready to bust out the pretty blouses and slides and pack away the sweaters. We are planning a college tour trip with the high school junior to So Cal, so California’s weather better shape up by then! Here’s to more sun ahead and a few things on the radar I thought you might like in case you have a spring jaunt coming.
I can never have enough floral or blue and how cute is this J Crew popover blouse for Spring?
I think I may have to get a pair of these new Birks with the silver buckles and metallic blue. They also have a rose and gold version which is so cute. I love these with white jeans and casual dresses.
In the pink theme, I saw this darling bag -perfect for a holidays for evenings out or for summer days! It comes in a natural too for $69 at Nordys.
I am dying to get this beach tunic for So Cal. I would wear this with cropped jeans as well as by the pool.
While we are thinking spring break, I’d like to see how J. Crew’s reissue of this 1993 underwire suit fits. It’s a pretty plaid and it has proper coverage on the backside too. It sure looks cute here…And they have a long shirt dress to match it that can be worn as a coverup too! How chic would that be?
And check out this fun tote for travel at Anthropolgie from a Danish company.
And how about this fedora with the leopard trim band? That would be a chic vacation hat!
I’ll end with these Cora slides which are TDF!
Okay well back to reality and stay tuned -another blog post is on the way to share a gorgeous California themed book with you all. We are almost to the weekend!
Kim
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Kim I hope you can get some sleep soon! I remember being at the lighting stage of my renovation, it was so overwhelming. I remember gathering my top three for any given room and then just making the decision with my husband. Too many choices can drive a person mad!
So looking forward to spring. We still have snow and ice on the ground here but fortunately we’ve had bright sun and above frozen temps the last three days, it’s been bliss, I’ve been out walking two hours a day not kidding, I’m just so happy for the sun.
Love your spring picks I’ve been thinking of buying that blouse from JCrew and you had me at madras, that swimsuit is so pretty, I’d better go look at it.
I bought some madras sandals from JCrew and they are so good.
Thanks for the post it’s so good to see what you’ve been up to. xox
Dani, That is a great idea getting just a few and deciding from those!! Whatever you did, it came out gorgeous…I am just hoping it all works out and looks good and cohesive you know?? Yay for the sun! I love walking and wow I bet you are loving the fresh air. That sounds like the Jane Austen diet.. Have you heard of that book? Many brisk walks a day. LOL. So English. Funny Dani, I thought of you when I saw that swimsuit and shirtdress..you of all people would look fab in them! I will look for the sandals too. So nice to hear from you Dani. Miss you! xoxo
Hi Kim – I really love your lighting choices. RH is wonderful for lighting , and as you say, surprisingly affordable and great quality. We used RH lighting for all the bathrooms in our Washington house and were very happy. We used their cabinet hardware too, throughout the house. I’ll probably go back to them again for our new renovation. Yesterday was quite a downpour … I was out unprepared and got drenched! Thanks for these cute spring clothes options … to put me in the mood for spring. I see sun peeking through this morning. Yay! xo
Juliet, thanks so much. I so appreciate your thoughts as you have done all this before and are doing it again! I hope it all comes together..you know? Anyhow, I want to hear more about your new plan! Maybe we can meet up soon. Enjoy the sun today! xo
Just love this Kimmy 😍 need to know where to get that green jacket at the beginning of your blog? Also, love that floral shirt👍 I’m getting that 👍
See you on the court 🎾
Lori
Lori so nice of you. I am glad you like the floral shirt too. The jacket is from Splendid- last season. I absolutely love it. Warm and soft. It is called the Dune Sateen Anorak, but Lori I can’t find it anywhere on the internet- maybe they still have a few at the stores. I’ll keep an eye out for you! xx
Oh Kim, you can talk all day long about your remodel! I have seen the stress that remodeling puts on my friends, but the end result will be wonderful! Just keep looking toward that light at the end of the tunnel!! XOXO Kelley
Kelley you are so kind. Thank you I hope it will be all worth it in the end! Thanks for listening! xoxo
SPOONING WITH HOBBES!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THAT THEY COME TO YOU!!!!!
YOU WILL SURVIVE says GLORIA GAYNOR!!!!!!!!!
AND SO DO I!!!!!!
VERY EXCITED FOR TOMORROW!IF SOME OF YOUR READERS want TO SEE MORE OF YOU AND YOUR STYLE HAVE THEM SKIP OVER TO THEVINTAGECONTESSA.NET
KIM is MY VICTIM of THE MONTH FOR AGELESS STYLE!!!!!!!!!!
SHE WILL BE UP ABOUT 7 AM WESTEN TIME!!!!!!
https://thevintagecontessa.net
Elizabeth I will keep song that running through my head!! xoxo
Love that bathroom mirror!!! I found a very similar mirror in black for our powder room!! And I love all the lights you are choosing! The lights are such a pain! I can’t tell you how many hours I have looked at lights…. very cute outfit on you too! 😊
Danielle, I think that rounded mirror style is cute right? I can’t wait to see your bathrooms! The lights have been overwhelming! Danielle so nice doing this at the same time and commiserating!! Lol. Thanks about the outfit. I’m so ready for warm weather! Xoxo
Holy cow, Kim, I love everything from the lights to the mirrors and tunic and tote! You have the best taste! Love your interview on Ageless Style!!
Mary Ann you are so nice. I am winging this whole thing and so appreciate that from someone like you. I just hope it all comes together. I may need your expert opinion. xoxo
Gtrest light suggestion. Your home will look fabulous. Love the hat and coordinating beige sandals.
Thank you Sheila. Hoping so.. I know love that hat and sandals.. So many cute ones out. Now if we could only get some good weather!!
Love following along with the progress of your fabulous remodel darling!! Love your style and taste!! xoxo
Tamera thank you so much. Sorry just saw this.Appreciate it from you who has the most lovely California home! xx
Kim! That mirror from Lamps Plus…who wold have thought you could find a mid century rose wood mirror…and at a great price. I hope you bought it! Again…you have the best eye!