It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share things that grabbed our attention this week.. Let’s get started!
Village Bakery and Cafe
I had a lovely lunch outdoors at the Village Bakery and Cafe in Woodside last weekend as part of my Mother’s Day weekend with my family. I had been asking to come back here when the weather is nice, and we were fortunate to have a beautiful day. The cafe has the prettiest outdoor space patio and delicious food…
If it’s a cooler day you can opt to dine indoors which has a cozy clubby vibe with little lamps on the bar and tables. It feels like you are transported to a fancy English pub. They also have a wonderful bakery (the brownies!) to grab a treat to go after, or a more casual to-go lunch. This spot is a great day out and the center has a cute tennis store and home and garden shop.
Just some of the amazing selections at the bakery!
Boxwood and hydrangeas in baskets
One thing I love about the Village Bakery is it reminds me of Belgium and France with their boxwoods in woven baskets.
I want that look in my yard and have been stuffing hydrangeas into baskets all over. I have found the best baskets at Target. ( By the way my outdoor chairs and all of Serena & Lily is 20% off including sale stuff, use code GOFORIT.)
This seagrass basket is $26 and a good size for a boxwood or hydrangea. I line it with a plastic tray so the basket will not rot, and also take it out occasionally for heavy watering.
These by Kooboo are also perfect and more expensive, but a heavy rattan that may be very durable.
And there is this also at Target by Studio McGee in a lighter rattan that might be nice.
You can find liners to protect the baskets and let the plants drain here.
By the way, my lovely Weekend Meanderings pal, Juliet also has pretty baskets on her front porch too, which I must share. Do you follow her Instagram? She’s so fun.
Emily Joubert
If you go Woodside, and even better have lunch at The Village Bakery, you must stop at my most favorite shop ever, Emily Joubert, which is adjacent. This is probably the best home store in the Bay Area and they also have a new location in San Francisco.
Emily Joubert has a wonderful garden area with unique plants, outdoor furniture and pretty pots. Indoors holds a brilliantly curated selection of design and cooking books, pillows, dishes, fragrances, pajamas and baby gifts. Cards and jewelry as well. You can find their shop online and also follow the pretty Instagram. I love the story about her shop, named after her grandmother, who like mine, was a big inspiration.
I bought myself this lovely book..
Melissa Penfold
Melissa Penfold is a bit under the radar as she’s an Australian, but also was the longtime design columnist for the Sydney Herald. I found her book on one of the magical piles of decor books I haven’t heard or seen before at Emily Joubert.
The wonderful thing about Melissa’s book is it’s not your usual design tome filled with one designer’s projects. She begins by sharing some of the best in home design from across the globe. She shows spare, traditional and classical beauties all reimagined with fresh touches and a modern sensibility. Then she tells the story of her own stunning country home in the highlands outside of Sydney.
Her book is a treasure trove of decorating advice and no nonsense approach to a quality life using found treasures and well made basics. Interspersed in this book are great guidelines and ideas I want to underline or highlight and go back to and revisit. I’ve never felt this way about a design book, but it’s a decor bible of sorts for those who want to build a beautiful home to last a lifetime, not full of the latest trends.
I love these two of many great gems in this book:
“Get rid of everything in your life that doesn’t measure up, whether it’s chipped cups or stained linens. Avoid matching sets of furniture, bath fittings, or bedroom suites;
the most effective and affordable approach is to mix beautiful basics with one-offs.A sumptuous cushion elevates a plain sofa into the style stratosphere, a basic round metal
table looks brilliant with an antique French chair. The most successful rooms defy categorization
because they reflect their owner’s individuality and life experiences.”“Home is the ongoing story of a person and should be decorated with things that please the eye, soothe the senses, and move us in some way. It takes a lifetime of collecting to finish a room.”
Melissa Penfold
You can buy her beautiful book here and get more inspiration on her Instagram.
The perfect pants for spring/summer and travel
I recently got these new light cream pants from Anthro. They totally different than any other pants I own, but I liked the shape and light fabric. When I put these on they just felt great right away. I like that I can pair it with a blazer for a modern look or a tank or with this striped tunic top for a daytime casual look. They are a great addition to the spring/summer closet, and so lightweight they feel like nothing on which is nice for travel and hotter days. I like the two pockets on the front and they hit at ankle length.
The pants are here, up to plus and tall sizing, also in a black, which I am considering, and a khaki and 12 other colors! People love these pants and they are highly rated so check them out and also look at your local Anthro for these!
* UPDATE I just noticed they are sold out of many sizes of the white/cream. Will try to share here if they get more in. I believe this is a newer pant, so maybe they will restock. Many sizes in other colors though..So frustrating so check in stores too.
Other options are these Theory white cropped pants (similar material), and these by Nic+Zoe, this pair at Madewell, and these at J. Crew.
The striped tunic is from Madewell and my straw tote is from Mango and I added my wool tassel from Tancredi & Morgan, another similar tassel here on Etsy (both are made by women artisans in Guatemala.)
Loads more straw totes on this post if you missed it!
Well that’s my meanderings for this week now please go see what fun finds and ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you..
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.
Thank you for being here!
Kim
If you missed last week’s blog with outdoor pillows, lemon shortbread cookies, a fun idea with thrifted finds and more that post is here. I also shared a great Asian noodle salad this week.
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Please send link for pant at Anthropologie.
HI Barbara, So sorry must have been asleep when I posted this. You can find them here: https://rstyle.me/+bUVGOxzwKdBCt2DyZzMQOA
x Kim
I really like the anthro pants … is there a brand like pilcro or product name ? I will have to check store as I don’t see anything close online . Thank you.
HI I apologize, I was asleep on the job apparently! Yes the brand is Maeve and the pant is called the Colette, which they have win 15 colors and also denim versions. I realize there aren’t as many sizes in the creamy white, but there are a lot in the other colors. I will check back and see if they add more and check your store too. So sorry.
Here is the link:
https://rstyle.me/+bUVGOxzwKdBCt2DyZzMQOA
x Kim
Love the pants! Could you provide a link?
HI Ellene You can find them here: https://rstyle.me/+bUVGOxzwKdBCt2DyZzMQOA
Also check stores. Brand is Maeve at Anthro. Style is the Colette pant. Lots of colors. Looks like the white is running low. Hopefully they restock..
xo
Kim you may have forgotten to post the linen pant from anthro. Would you mind posting link??? Love them. Thanks
Julie
HI Julie you can find it here and I updated above. I am so sorry! Must have been asleep..
https://rstyle.me/+bUVGOxzwKdBCt2DyZzMQOA
Oh my gosh, Kim … I know you said a bunch of stuff before you got to the pants. But … The Pants!!! Love … they are my favorite style. And they look amazing on you. Plus the blouse and tote. So NoCal chic. But back to the other stuff. Did I tell you we tried to go to the Bakery, and ended up at the place next door? Oh well. On the positive side we accidentally fell into Emily Joubert. I’m surprised Jim was able to get me out of there. All your beautiful photos make me want tor return … right now. And eat at Village Bakery too (not next door)! I have Melissa’s book. What is it about the Australians? They have the most beautiful homes and gardens. And lovely attitudes about it all. Her quote is so inspiring …and right on. Hope you have an wonderful weekend. Looks like we’re going to have sunshine and all the good things it brings. xo
Forgot to mention the baskets. I need and want and as soon as I’m back from walking the dogs I’m ordering. I think they’ll be great additions to our front porch. xo
I forgot you have front porch baskets!! I need to share. xx
LOl Juliet!! I know and darn if they aren’t sold out on most sizes in cream, but I’m hoping they restock and there is other colors.. I am a big time fan of the light feel of these and versatility. Oh the place next door? Bucks? That’s the silicon valley deal making place and definitely a dude lunch. We are so meeting up at The Village instead soon and EJ is on the agenda! I know Aussies and South Africans know how to live beautifully! Love their sensibilities for what matters. Have a lovely weekend and hope you’re enjoying the cinnamon toast in the sun! xo
Thanks for the lovely post Kim. I want it all !
Have a great weekend!
Hi Karyn! Thanks so much! Wishing you a lovely one too!
The baskets are very cute!. My very good friend was in escrow on a house recently in the Los Gatos area but she backed out because of structural issues. She wants to move closer to her grandkids in Aptos.. If she ends up buying up there I will be visiting so it’s always nice to have recommendations. The bakery looks yummy and the store is adorable.
Have a nice weekend.
Linda
Linda we will have to meet up for coffee if she ends up here! You have to try there bakery if you get time! Happy weekend! xx
Sounds good! 👍
Hi Kim, that book looks really interesting. I haven’t heard of Melissa Penfold before, I’ll have to look out for her book.
The trousers you featured are really lovely. I recently bought a pair of wide-leg chinos from Lands End, but they are mostly cotton with a little bit of spandex, so much heavier I’m sure (and nowhere near as many colours available!). We have an Anthro in the mall in downtown Ottawa, I must have a look after the rally at the Russian Embassy tomorrow. Oh, did you see that the Ukrainian entry won the Eurovision Song Contest this evening? They were pushed past the post by the public votes – I’m sure that will be a huge boost to the morale of the country.
Patricia she is interesting. Loved her thoughts about home and creating the one you love.Land’s End has somme cool things don’t they?? Let me know if you find the pants. Apparently they are the top selling pants there! The style anyway.. I was so happy to hear about the Eurovision contest!! Happy news in this world. xo
Kim, your Mother’s Day lunch at this charming cafe looks scrumptious, as do all of the sweet treats! I love a good bakery! And Emily Joubert!!!! I need to hop on a plane to see this amazing store in person,, it has everything I love! Books are my weakness. I am in search of this book you discovered by, Melissa Penfold. I love the quote! So true, a home should be a reflection of a life well lives, full of adventures and have items collected over time. Another place for great baskets, TJmaxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods. Lots of great baskets for inside and out.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful finds! It is always so fun to read the post, then go bak and read it again and finally head the to links to see what I need to add to my collected house!
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend! xo
Thanks Elizabeth. You have to get to the store someday! I linked to the book sold at Target!! Cheaper than Amazon too.
Hope you had a wonderful week. Loved the lavender post so much.
KIm,, your post today really appeals to the senses on every level! I love the look of plants on rattan or baskets. I never get to Target anymore, so I missed this latest collection from Studio McGee. I ordered the smaller baskets and will find a place outdoors! Anxious to learn more about Melissa Penfold!
xx
Annie you would love Melissa’s philosophy about living. The baskets are so good. You make everything beautiful.
THOSE AUSTRALIANS HAVE IT DOWN WITH EVERYTHING!FROM CLOTHES TO HOME DECOR AND GORGEOUS BIRDS IN THE WILD!
THIS QUOTE RESONATES WITH ME!!!!
“Home is the ongoing story of a person and should be decorated with things that please the eye, soothe the senses, and move us in some way. It takes a lifetime of collecting to finish a room.”
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE!
XXX
Don’t they??? They love nature and have their priorities straight. No nonsense! Love that quote too. It’s your house ! x
Your front porch looks very pretty with those baskets. We’re doing some work on our garden right night, repainting stuff and trying to grow stuff from cuttings ( it’s something I’ve really started to enjoy). We have this kind of Mexican vibe going. I have a book called Nomad which featured a Mexican garden with vibrant colours and I just loved it. So trying to reinterpret it my own way 🙂
Lorna, thanks I was lucky to find them. How nice you are growing from cuttings. Succulents are so easy to do this with! I know that Nomad book. It’s beautiful. I hope you’re going to share your garden soon. xo