Hello friends. It’s time for our weekend guide to cool things with Elizabeth and Juliet. What a week with this war. It’s hard to believe how fast things have turned horrible and amazing how this whole world ( or so it seems), has come together behind Ukraine. So many are doing so much for others it’s incredible the love for others we do not even know. I tell you it gives me hope. Bay Area bakers and chefs are raising money for Ukraine –read here in the Mercury News today. There is so much more humanitarian aid needed than even a week ago for the now more than one million refugees who have fled their homes. Most people have just one bag and the clothes on their backs. Can you imagine walking away from your whole life? According to Save the Children, which has a Ukraine Refugee Crisis program, which you can donate to, there are 44 million people in Ukraine and if this war continues, the UN says we could see 5 million refugees at least.
Where they are now- from Save the Children.
There is also the Polish Humanitarian Action, The UN Refugee Agency, and a list of more good aid agencies on Forbes . Thank you for letting me share this and if you’re able to donate in some way please help.
Rearranging the House
In the fluff section, I rearranged and moved things this week in the house. I just had that itch and when I do, I want things to feel fresh after usually ignoring stuff for a while. One thing was adding an older throw I’ve had over my little free table in the office and relocating my ivy there with a candle and framed pictures. Do you move things about when the seasons change? Give it a try, move tables, lamps and furniture and add in a few plants. Sometimes it’s all we need for a spring update. By the way, Trader Joes has the best plants now- Monsteras for $12! A good place to get a few new friends.
Bar Elegance
I also redid my little bar this week. I was inspired by a pretty shop in Menlo Park I popped into called Anthem. Everything was stunningly beautiful and quite pricey. I didn’t buy anything, but I noticed the bar and tabletop area was flowing with polished silver, brass, natural bone and marble etc. The glasses all gleamed and everything had a sparkle to it. Think modern Ralph Lauren..I went home and polished my vintage silver, dusted the glasses and put my stone and gold napkins rings and prettiest bar towels out. I added some of my more elegant books and tried to achieve that same luxe look..
I still could add few cool pieces like this rattan ice bucket, tortoise shell goblets, basketweave bottle opener, and these pretty tumblers, , Hammered Cocktail Shaker , Maui Ice Bucket and bone photo frame.
You can also find vintage bar things, which are super cool on Chairish , One King’s Lane and 1st Dibs. Garage sales and your parent’s home is another great place for bar tchotchkes going undiscovered.
Comfortable Kicks
Last week shopping with friends I saw these J Slides and I loved the heel and the look. This is my first pair of J Slides and I am so loving the comfort of these and the height which is perfect without making me even feel like I have any heel at all.
In fact these are so comfortable I left them on today in the house, something I never do. I just didn’t want to take them off! Have you tried J Slides yet? They are so easy to slip on and I feel like they’re a nice alternative to boots in this transitional season.
Cocktail Rings
I found the ring above in the sale section of Anthropologie. I’ve always wanted a fun ring to wear on the first finger and I am also loving the abundance of costume rings that are now all over. Anthro has a super collection here.
Nordstrom has a great collection too and J Crew has some fun things.
Resident Alien
Okay this is going to sound like someone took over my body, but I’m going to recommend a show I am loving on the Sci-Fi Chanel , Resident Alien. First let me say, I am not a fan of sci-fi at all, but this show got me with the great characters, the children especially, and the dialogue which is so darn funny. The premise is an alien crashes into a small Colorado town and assumes the body of the local doctor. He plans to destroy everyone on earth, but ends up loving life in the small town and the people. His mishaps as a doctor and also with one boy, who can see his true form are hilarious. It’s a good escape.
Adelle’s New Home
Have you seen Adelle’s new homes she bought from Sylvester Stallone? She paid $58 million, but apparently he originally wanted $110! Looks like the land and views are phenomenal. I suppose she’s going to do some renovation! I can’t wait to see what she does with it. More photos here.
Now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!
Kim
You might also like my post this week on all things floral, Flower Power.
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I wake up in the middle of the night to check the Ukrainian news. Most of the Russian people are kept in the dark about what Putin is doing there. Your graph is great about the refugees.
There is something great feeling about polished silver…thanks for the inspiration, Kim!
Thanks Mary Ann. So crazy I do the same as soon as I am awake Panay time morning or middle of the night! Thank you. I’m just so hoping something happens to stop this. I love the polished silver too. xo
I love J Slides, I discovered them a couple years ago and have several pairs.
They are cute with jeans or casual pants but look really good when
wearing athleisure wear instead of sneakers. Comfortable for sure.
Appreciate the comments on Ukraine, such a terrible situation and I hope they
can kick Russia’s you know what. Love your perspective on things and
style etc.!
Char they are good for the athleisure look right? I need another pair maybe! Isn’t is so hard to grasp what has happened in such a short time in Ukraine? Gosh I hope we can all come together and defeat them! Thanks so much for your note. xo
Hi Kim I believe the image is from a Tucker & Marks project. I love it too!
Karena thank you SO much for that. Adding that right now!! So glad to see you and your name on here. You have been missed. xo
Kim, I love your J Slides and obviously need a pair stat. They look so comfy … and I appreciate a little lift in the heel. Makes me feel a little supermodel-ish. For just a brief moment until reality hits. I never thought of it, but your absolutely right … our parents homes are a treasure trove of cool stuff especially for barware or other entertaining type pieces. It’s impossible to see how your bar can get any better but you always find a way. The blue throw over your office table is a great idea. You know I envy your amazing home office. Hope you have a great weekend, my friend! xo
Juliet they are so nice for a little heel and comfort. LOL I agree give me an inch and a half and I think I’m a giant..Thanks so fun messing around with the home and styling things. LOVED your post today. How on spot was that with so many wedding this year? A record they said. You are going to have some serious traffic from that. Love doing this with you two. Happy weekend! xx
Your refresh looks nice, you have such good vision. It helps poking around a wonderful store for ideas.
I appreciate your map, the situation in Ukraine tears at my heart, but I continue to watch and listen. It’s so important to be well informed. I tell everyone Putin is a “war criminal.”
Sending smiles and looking towards a time for Peace in Ukraine.
Hi Katherine! Yes I could not agree more. Stores are so good for styling ideas! Thank you for being informed! We all need to know what is happening. Yes agree Putin is a war criminal, nothing better. He must go. How he thinks he can run Russia again after this is insane. He cannot have any support left in the world except from other similar regimes. Hoping for peace too. Have a great week. xo
Hi Kim,
The situation in Ukraine is just unbelievably horrible. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have my city under attack. I am constantly checking the news to see if anything has changed for the better. Sadly this looks like it will only get worse. With a madman at the helm of Russia and his cronies enabling his insanity anything could happen.
Tragic.
On a lighter note, you fluffed and freshened your house so nicely! I did the same this morning – very quickly brought out a few yellow touches and some new woven throws that have a bohemian vibe. It’s perfect for the time between winter and spring!
I like those shoes and have a similar pair but I know they were less $$! From another post you did a long time ago.
My parents did have some cool stuff, I kept what I could. I’ve got some pretty vintage glass party trays that would look great in your bar area. Looks like my bar cart has become something of a storage/ drop zone. I tried but….oh well.
Have a great weekend Kim
Xo Heidi
Heidi isn’t it frightening. Putin must be stopped. That needs to be a strategic goal too.
Isn’t it great just to move things about? I put a lot away at the holidays and am rediscovering things! I guess i did share another shoe that was similar. I am attracted to these sneaker booties for the comfort and contemporary vibe! I bet you have some amazing things in the beautiful china cabinets of yours. I wish I had more of my parents things. My grandma had one of the ice buckets with a penguin on it and my friend has the same one from her parents. I see them on Chairish. Maybe I’ll get one. Your bar cart is pretty too. I love them. xo
ADELE AND HER NEW CASA!I LOVE THE ENTRANCE.
UKRAINE situation is HORRIBLE………….I feared from the beginning that a NUCLEAR BOMB would be let loose lets hope my senses are wrong!
SOME ONE ON THE INSIDE NEEDS TO DO THE JOB!
HOW ALL OF US CAN STAND BY AND DO NOTHING IS FRIGHTENING!
HE IS A SICK MAN………….and been planning this for a REALLY LONG TIME.
I can’t wait to see what Adelle does with it. Looks like good bones and location.. I’m with you with the Putin removal. Could anyone inside have the guts? What a group of horrible enablers? A viper pit. Someone in this world must have the power to take this man down. It’s like Hitler all over again.
Kim, the situation in Ukraine is heartbreaking. Already 1 million refugees and they are estimating 5-8 million more. I have been having a hard time all week writing or working, I cannot think of anything else. I have a Master’s in International Relations, and I was working on my PHD for a bit. My thesis was on chemical and biological weapons and over the course fo my studies I spent a long of time studying Russia, Russian History, WW !! and I received a certificate in Holocaust studies, all of this is to say that what is happening in Ukraine is so much like WWII. I fear we are on the brink of something terrible and I feel as if the governments around the world are guilty for letting this happen, Putin has been building up troops on the border for weeks and nothing was done or if there was something done it was merely a slap on the wrist. For years I have thought the focus on China and a cyber war was important but not more important that Russia, especially once Putin started changing the laws so that he could be president until 2038. Unfortunately things are very challenging in Europe, Germany was partnering with Russia on a pipeline, they have since stopped(last week) Germany under Merkel downsized its military tremendously, China and Russia are each others best buddies and China is taking note of all that is going on, which business, countries are doing what to Russia and they will retaliate in the future. In addition, China has been playing it’s own games in the South China Sea and with Taiwan and Hong Kong. These are two strong countries with unpredictable leaders. As for Russia, getting rid of Putin does not necessarily mean something better, Putin has a tight hold on the Kremlin with a small circle of friends and advisors that are just like him.
Sorry to drive on and on, these are frightening times and we are watching a man with 6000 nuclear weapons 500 of which have the capability to hit the US, he has shut down most independent news agencies and the propaganda machine is working overtime. I am praying for a miracle.
On to your beautiful bar, I love all of your special touches and could not agree more about add vintages pieces from antique stores, our parents, Chairsh or thrift stores too. Tell me, do you have a favorite cocktail?
I love your new plant, I cannot keep plants alive in the house, I have a terrible habit of giving them too much water.
Your new boot/shoes look very comfortable, I am off to check them out when I am finished here.
As for Adelles new house, it is beautiful and huge! 21,000 sq. feet. WOW.
Thank you for sharing all of your fun finds, I love meandering with both you and Juliet. Have a wonderful weekend Kim.
Elizabeth
Wow thank you so very much Elizabeth for weighing in here. You sound uniquely qualified to understand what is happening.I have also been following Fiona Hill, who was a Russian expert and she says the same as you. Putin has been allowed so much, for so long, going unchecked because of the greed of many who just want the money and to look the other way. Now look what we have allowed. It’s not going to be easy to stop him, and I do believe it’s going t take the whole world to say no. So far I am at least encouraged by the majority in this nation saying they are okay with sanctions and paying more for gas. I am encouraged by the coming together of Europe and the lead the US has taken to pull a coalition together..
Thank you about the bar and I am always looking for more vintage pieces. My favorite drink is a gin and tonic- with Aperol a close second, but honestly I drink very little. Maybe on holidays and occasionally on the weekend will have one.
I loved your posts and have to make that lavender bread. I don’t know how you do it Elizabeth with your Friday posts too. A lot of great things! I love doing this with you two. xo
So many good things here Kim! You have such incredible design and fashion sense. I learn from you every day! The Ukraine situation is so disheartening it seems like we should be doing more.
Thanks so much Cindy. I know I agree. xo