• 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

Weekend Meanderings-Sienna Miller’s English Cottage, Carmel Day Trips, an Easy Ladies’ Lunch & More

August 13, 2022 By kimwheeler 30 Comments

On this Weekend Meanderings..some fun ideas for Carmel day trips, an easy ladies’ lunch you can pull together for friends, Sienna Miller’s English cottage, a great white shirt and more…

It’s that time again for all the good things that popped up on our radars this week with Elizabeth and Juliet.

How has your week been? Ours has been busy helping Griffin to move back to University of Utah for his junior year..and we squeezed in a mini trip to Carmel for our anniversary, though it’s not until the 31st. We just love going in August for a few days and this weekend seemed to have a few rooms available, so we went for it.

Carmel

If you haven’t been in a while, it’s always a nice escape. You can’t help take in the natural stunning beauty and the charm of the town! This summer they’ve been having some wonderful weather, not the usual cold and fog. It’s been in the 70’s and low 80’s and so lovely.

Poolside Bernardus Lodge , Carmel valley
Rose Garden Bernardus Lodge
Rose garden at Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley
Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley
Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley

We have been going to Bernardus Lodge for our anniversary for so many years, I can still remember Max complaining when the prices went over $200 a night.. HA! Those were the days. Now it’s a splurge and we try to go in the off season, but for our anniversary we try and make it happen. It’s one of my favorite spots and a great couples’ getaway in the sunnier part of Carmel, Carmel Valley.

We love doodling around Carmel for the day having lunch out and exploring the beaches and then heading back to Carmel Valley to sit and read by the pool and have dinner.

Two day visit ideas for Carmel..

One of the best things to do in Carmel, is take a beach walk at the main beach, which is gorgeous and very long and and then walk up the hill to town and have lunch and do a bit of shopping or poking about the shops..This time we found a new lunch spot in downtown Carmel I highly recommend, La Bicyclette. This charming bistro run by a Belgian family with the best food and darling atmosphere.. It is Michelin rated..so a reservation for lunch can help. We got lucky someone did not show for their reservation so we got in. You can also get on the waitlist and shop around.

Pizza at la Bicyclette

I loved the pizza and their home made Calabrian chili oil ( it did that heart by itself!), which is not hot. They also have many amazing specials and sell their own bread and are lovely people. It’s in an old 1920’s Spanish building that was built for a doctor that is so cool. This whole spot is the very essence of Carmel..

Carmel California Spanish building
La Bicyclette Carmel, Ca
Caprese salad

Afterwards, you can explore the shops and grab a cappuccino or a treat at one of the bakeries. At the Carmel Plaza, a small outdoor mall, there are many new shops and one that Max made a beeline for like a zombie (seriously), was Dutch Door Donuts, where they cook to order and serve them hot. He was in heaven and the pink cactus pear one was our favorite..

Dutch Door Donuts Carmel

Also in the Plaza is one of the best curated home stores, Beachwood Home. This store has beautiful items of all prices. I never go home without something and this time I bought a pretty bracelet for $20..

Beachwood Home Carmel
Beachwood Home Carmel

Another great day in Carmel area is to stop at The Earthbound Farm Stand to pick up some sandwiches to go.. This is the cutest farm stand ever with a flower shed to buy the fixings for your own creation, fire pits and fresh produce and artisan goods. I also love the home area and the cool books and textiles..

Earthbound Farm Stand
Earthbound Farm Stand Flower shed

After you have sandwiches, head down the highway and go to Asilomar Beach..We love this beach that is in front of The Inn at Spanish Bay and in the smaller less crowded town of Pacific Grove. The beach here has wonderful tide pools and you can take a long walk along the road to all the little inlets or along the shore. Many people surfing here or boogie boarding.

boardwalk on Asilomar beach
beach flowers
Asilomar beach Pacific Grove

If you wander along the long beach you can also trot along the long wooden walk they have built in front of the links golf course and see flowers and hiding deer. We love having a picnic here and exploring..It’s rarely crowded and so lovely.

An easy ladies’ lunch

I’m sure you are all familiar with my friend Elizabeth, aka Contessa, if you have followed the blog for a while. If not read this post all about her and her home. It was her birthday in July and we finally got around to having a celebration lunch here.

It was easy for me to host thanks to my friends Juliet and Heidi. Juliet brought the gorgeous mini appetizer boards… She did fig jam, two kinds of cheese, nuts, crackers and a little fig with cheese and prosciutto on each pretty board..

mini charcuterie boards
mini charcuterie boards

Heidi made a delicious cobbler with fresh fruit..and fresh whipped cream for dessert.

fruit cobbler

All I had to do was make two salads !

I made a green salad with toasted walnuts, shredded chicken (bought a roasted one that morning at Whole Foods) and pears. Salad dressing was olive oil, this vinegar, fresh juice from half an orange, a bit of mustard and a bit of maple syrup and Maldon Sea Salt.

pear and walnut salad
mozzarella caprese with heirloom tomatoes

I also threw together a caprese with my dad’s heirloom tomatoes.

I served my house drink, an Audrey Palmer- my twist on an Arnold Palmer, just with equal parts tea ( I used Teajava) and fizzy lemonade from a bottle and a slice of citrus, sprig of mint for fun if you have it.

We wanted to eat outdoors and I had a piece of fabric that was really cute. I cut it to fit the table (umbrella issue), and layered the pieces over each other…I used my glass plates and pink napkins. Little favors were watermelon lip balm from San Francisco’s Elizabeth W. wrapped in extra fabric and on the plates..

Floral tablecloth and pink vases
floral tablecloth and pink napkins

I also grabbed two pink vases at Safeway, (which is getting the best floral area now),and did a mix of green hydrangeas and pink flowers.

It was casual, but it was fun and that’s what matters, being with pals and celebrating our dear Contessa… Don’t you love Elizabeth’s caftan with her pig Banksy embroidered on it? She sells these caftans on her blog and you can read more here.

Vintage Contessa in a Catan

Sienna Miller’s English cottage in the new AD

Sienna Miller has great style and her English country cottage is just as chic with a thatched roof, cozy rooms and lovely gardens.. It’s a wonderful escape and you can read and enjoy ten pages of it in the September AD.

I have to admit I often dream of an English cottage. This is a great issue with loads of good spreads and pretty homes..Photos by Simon Upton and decor by Gaby Dellal.

You can watch a little video that has a tour of her fantastic property that dates from the 1500s. Love this and after watching I an sure you will be wanting oversized white jeans and a black sweater for fall…

A great Anthro white blouse..and ring

While I was in Carmel, I made a quick dash into the Anthropologie there and came home with this fun Henley Popover Shirt.. Love the button neckline and also the button cuffs that give it more style than your usual white blouse. I already love wearing it with my cord shorts and I think it’ll be great for fall. I also bought one of these new chunky silver rings there..

Anthropologie Henley white popover blouse
Anthro Henley Popover

Other Cool Things..

The Anthro Sweater I shared last week appears to have promo markdown right now for the weekend..If you haven’t grabbed this cute Chanel inspired zip hoodie, check it out here. Anthropologie is also having an extra 30% off all sale items this weekend only.

At our ladies’ lunch, Juliet gave us the cutest little gifts, mini stoneware colanders with her home grown tomatoes…I love the idea of this and wrapping them as she did to give away..Similar ones here.

tomatoes as a gift in colander
Small berry colander

Since we’ve been chatting about Carmel, did you hear Brad Pitt bought a home there last week? According to Architectural Digest article about it, the home was designed by famous architects, Greene & Greene in 1918 and uses locally found stone. More about the home in WSJ which is in the Carmel Highlands, near the Highlands Inn. Apparently at 40 million it is one of the most expensive homes ever sold in Carmel. Photo below from Hello Magazine..

Brad Pitt's Carmel home.

Speaking of celeb homes, have you read Joni at Cote de Texas’s post this week about all Johnny Depp’s properties? I’m not a fan of him, but her deep dive and details with photos of his boats, island and amazing art deco apartments in Los Angeles was interesting.

And for a great perspective on this, Back Row writer Amy Odell, this week published a post on how Dior, with their ‘We should all be feminist’ t-shirts, has signed Depp to a new contract as their fragrance spokesperson, despite some pretty awful things the man has said about women. Apparently there is no backlash for Depp from that?

On the streaming subject…Has anyone else started Severance on Apple TV? Max and I heard great things about it, but it’s pretty dark so far. It has a huge raves and it’s directed by Ben Stiller and stars Adam Scott, who I love..and Patricia Arquette.

Well that is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank you for being here! Hope your weekend is wonderful.

Kim

If you missed my last Weekend Meanderings, I shared some outdoor updates with a solar sail on the patio, the perfect outdoor throws from Portugal at a great price, a beautiful book for entertaining inspo, my favorite Instagram account for makeup tips, and a Channel inspired hoodie for transition to fall.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Filed Under: Carmel, entertaining

ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheila in SF says

    August 13, 2022 at 6:39 am

    A great post—especially about Carmel. Can’t wait to visit the new shops and walk the beaches. Haven’t been there in years and it’s time. Love your ideas for the girl friend lunch menu. You seem to have wonderful adventures with hubby and friends and that’s how it should be. I always enjoy reading about your meanderings.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 7:31 am

      Aww thank you Sheila! It was fun to have friends here again..after not for so long. And we are so lucky to live in the Bay Area. Right now is such a great time to get out with the nee weather. Have a great weekend. xo

      Reply
  2. La Contessa says

    August 13, 2022 at 7:41 am

    As I always say you do get around,
    I have not heard of that resort in Carmel Valley before is it after Tancredi?
    We stayed at The Highlands INN years ago. YEARS!
    I hear you were SPOTTED on the streets of Carmel from you blog?!!
    That house by Greene & Greene is gorgeous!
    Seems AD has stepped up its game?
    It was terrible for years with too many Ads?
    You all seem to be mentioning it ALOT. I should check it out again as I have let all subscriptions die out.
    Not much there for me anymore.
    Thank you for the lovely luncheon I think we all had a great time the weather was perfect the food was fantastic and the company is always good!
    I feel like I’m on vacation when I’m at your house!
    Happy Anniversary!
    XXX

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      Elizabeth, It is a few miles past Tancredi on the left side! I forget honestly about The Highlands Inn! It’s a beautiful spot and we stayed there once or twice before we had kids. In fact I went to a wedding there that was lovely. Brad’s on a pretty part of the coast right before Point Lobos. AD is the BEST magazine now. I would say it is more like the old HG , and the new editor, Amy Astley came from Vogue and keeps it chic and fun.
      Thank you for baring with my timy yard and the sun, but I was so happy to have you all here and celebrate you! Your caftan was perfect and I want those Estee Lauder bracelets now! I hope you come again soon. Too bad we are so far and Cindy had moved south. xoxo

      Reply
  3. Cindy Adams says

    August 13, 2022 at 7:55 am

    Always enjoy your posts, love that blouse will have to check that.
    You did a great job enticing us to go to Carmel. Lovely pictures.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks so much Cindy. I know I just love it there! Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  4. Linda Henderson says

    August 13, 2022 at 9:01 am

    I love just about everything you shared in this edition of your blog. Great stuff, Kim! And Carmel–does it get any lovelier? I hope to visit in the new few months. Thanks for sharing. Great job!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Aww thank you Linda! I hope you get to Carmel too. xo

      Reply
  5. Julia Moss says

    August 13, 2022 at 9:16 am

    Good morning Kim, enjoyed reading your post and loved your lunch table – such a pretty cloth and flowers. The food also looked amazing. We always love visiting Carmel too. And I wasn’t sure about Severance to start with but then got hooked and couldn’t stop watching it!! Disturbing and thought provoking at the same time! Have a great weekend xx

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Hello Julia! Thank you.. a bit impromptu, but it worked out! Okay good to know about Severence. I feel like aso many people like this I need to keep chugging along..And Adam Scott is the best!
      I hope you’re having a lovely weekend xo

      Reply
  6. Cath🇨🇦 says

    August 13, 2022 at 9:39 am

    You’ve got me reminiscing about my stays in Carmel back in the 80’s …in another life!
    We stayed at a lovely BnB …maybe Stonehouse Inn…which was beautifully decorated and had the best breakfasts. Twice with the former husband, and later with my mother- in – law. Sadly the place wasn’t kept up as it was previously. Loved the town and the good memories.
    I will keep your suggestions for places to visit in town and stay . Perhaps it’s time to consider a return to Carmel. Certainly one of my favourite places.
    Also, your pear and walnut salad looks like a keeper, and the personal charcuterie boards made by your friend are a fantastic idea! My husband’s tomatoes are ripening, so he’ll likely be considering a caprese salad for sure. Patio luncheons are such fun, and more so for a special occasion as you enjoyed. Thanks for this on my Saturday morning.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:38 pm

      Hi Cath, That sounds like a lovely place.. Just the name- Stonehouse makes me want to stay. Isn’t it sad when a spot that was so special gets sold or falls apart? That has happened to a few spots I have loved too.
      Thanks the salad is so simple.. pears are getting good about now too! I’m so grateful to have people over once again. Aww thanks for the note and happy weeekend!

      Reply
      • Cath🇨🇦 says

        August 14, 2022 at 7:02 am

        Kim, I did look up The Stonehouse Inn in Carmel. It is a weekly rental now, still with very pretty interiors . Could see the kitchen in the photos, , which was off limits when a BnB , and the dining room definitely needs a big bouquet of flowers! However with 6 bedrooms , it would be an amazing spot for a family reunion… although likely an expensive stay.

        Reply
        • kimwheeler says

          August 14, 2022 at 9:09 am

          Cathy thank you! I am off to look it up! xo

          Reply
  7. Juliet says

    August 13, 2022 at 9:43 am

    Kim! Carmel! I adore it and it’s been too long. And now I want to book a trip and leave this instant. What a dreamy weekend … those donuts! I always save your travel posts for future getaways. You find the coolest places. Speaking of dreamy, our luncheon at your fabulous home. It’s every bit as amazing as I knew it would be and your back patio and gardens. Paradise. Loved enjoying your dad’s tomatoes after hearing about him for so long. He should have joined us! And your salad and the dressing. Wish I could remember to squeeze a little orange juice in to mine. It was a lovely day and its so fun to relieve it through your photos. Love the Henley top, Siena’s home … and Brad Pitt in Carmel. I wonder what he’s going to do with the place. He’s such an architecture fanboy. All the more reason to go to Carmel. I’ll bet he makes a bee line for those donuts. Have a wonderful weekend, Kim. I imagine you swanning around your back patio in sun hat, Audrey Palmer in hand … and Architectural Digest, Veranda, etc. xoxo

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:36 pm

      Juliet thanks for squeezing into the micro yard.. It’s a bit tight, but so nice to have you all here. I know my dada would have loved a good chat with you ladies. Isn’t Brad’s house cool?? Love people who love architecture and aren’t going to mess with it! Maybe we can celebrity spot him.. Wonder if he’ll go to the auto show?? We should all go with Heidi. She knows what’s up around there.. LOL yes that’s me in the yard with my magazines. but probably swatting bees..HA!

      Reply
  8. Karen H. says

    August 13, 2022 at 10:13 am

    Happy weekend Kim! Love all the mentions on Carmel. I will have to check out that pretty Beachwood Home store as I don’t remember having seen it at the Plaza. Carmel Valley is beautiful. We enjoy eating at Rustic Cafe. Have you been there? Your luncheon for Contessa looked good, and you girls coordinated your outfits beautifully!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      Karen it’s a great little store and the owner buys everything himself and is always there.. I forgot his name. Paul I think. Really sweet guy. So funny you mention Rustic Cafe..in Carmel Valley! We went to Corkscrew, but it isn’t as good as it once was and I think next time we will go to Rustic. I haven’t bee in years! Thanks so much for you note! x

      Reply
  9. Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says

    August 13, 2022 at 10:26 am

    Kim,
    I could not agree with Juliet, you always find the cutest places to eat, shop and explore. Carmel is a beautiful place, I have not been in many years. I will have to add that to my growing list of places I need to get back too.
    I do not know why you would ever want to leave your beautiful house and back garden, it is an oasis!
    How wonderful to have a ladies lunch with Contessa, Heidi and Juliet. You all look lovely. And the food looks amazing!
    AD has had some exceptional houses lately. Love Sienna Millers house in the Cotswolds. And Brad Pitts new place is AMAZING, as is the history. It is nice to know that as someone who love houses and architecture that he will be a good steward to it.
    Johnny Depp…honestly that trial was a travesty. Hard to believe when you read his texts that he has a daughter he is so disrespectful to women. Dior, as the article you linked to is a business and unfortunately they don’t care. Women who care about women should stop purchasing their items.
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and wonderful adventures,
    xo Elizabeth

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 13, 2022 at 12:31 pm

      Elizabeth maybe you can plan a trip out here.. Carmel is so wonderful. Thanks about the yard.. It’s pretty micro sized! Agree about the houses of Brad and Sienna! I fully agree and plan to tweet that article. Dior should be ashamed and women should stop supporting Dior.
      Hope you have a lovely weekend! xo

      Reply
  10. Wren says

    August 13, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    You are causing me to have wanderlust to be in Carmel. I was there just about a year ago, 3 nights by myself, and I loved just poking around and walking everywhere. It’s so interesting to see the homes and yards in town. I’m glad that the trend to pull down little cottages and put up huge faux Tuscan houses seems to have slowed down or I hope so. One of my earliest memories in life is of playing at the beach when my grandparents used to go there to get out of the heat of Fresno. Glad you found Bicyclette (it’s not new, maybe you know). A darling spot. Another fav is out in Carmel Valley, Corkscrew Cafe.
    Thanks for covering so much ground in your weekend meanderings. Always a treat to read.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 14, 2022 at 9:13 am

      Wren three nights in Carmel by myself, I could have a blast.. and do some damage. Love all the shops! Yes I hope they start caring about the small cottages. Big homes don’t really fit in there! I knew La Bicyclette had been there a long time, but hadn’t been in a long while.. Corkscrew we went to also! Very charming and right there by Bernardus! Always love your notes Wren. xo

      Reply
  11. Katherine says

    August 13, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Hi Kim,
    What a wonderful post that you have written about. Your anniversary trip to Carmel looked so wonderful. I got a kick out of Max with his donuts, he looked like he was in “donut heaven,” such a guy thing. Carmel is such a beautiful place to celebrate a anniversary.
    Your hosting of Elizabeth’s birthday at your home and all the collective yummy food was spectacular. Your entire table setting was so feminine and pretty. You gals are so adorable together and the handcrafted birthday card was exceptional, what talent. I have never seen a card designed quite like that. Your father’s tomatoes looked so healthy, even from the platter they looked home grown.
    It’s so wonderful you and Max have one another. You make such a cute couple. Happy early Anniversary. We celebrated our 43rd anniversary last month.
    Yes, you could be our daughter.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 14, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Katherine I know!! It’s like we were at his worst place, the shopping mall and he found a happy spot! We had a nice time in my yard celebrating Elizabeth.. Aww thank you about our anniversary. Happy Anniversary to you also! xo

      Reply
  12. Annie Diamond says

    August 14, 2022 at 5:10 pm

    Kim,
    I have a serious case of FOMO! Your ladies’ lunch in pink is simply gorgeous! When I saw photos on Instagram, I thought how fun everyone wore pink and blue! You planned it! Perfect! Your table in pink too is so pretty! And even more pink in the AD article on Sienna Miller’s home!
    Your Carmel trip looks wonderful! Cindy and Mary Ann showed me around Carmel last October. It had been years.
    xx

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 16, 2022 at 7:35 am

      Annie wish you were with us! I loved Sienna’s home too. More pink is great! Carmel is so good.

      Reply
  13. Lorna says

    August 15, 2022 at 8:29 am

    What a pretty table you set for Elizabeth’s birthday. I live all the links. It looks so feminine and we’ll put together. Carmel sounds cool and wonderful compared to the heat and humidity we are having. We had a holiday today and managed to get out of the house even though it felt !Ike the tropics outside.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      August 16, 2022 at 8:31 am

      Lorna, I wish you were closer so you could join us! I have heard about the terrible heat all over Europe. I don’t know how we got so lucky this summer, but this week we are getting it.. xo

      Reply
  14. Linda Salazar says

    August 15, 2022 at 2:02 pm

    Bernardus Lodge is beautiful! So funny, we almost missed each other in Carmel. What day were you there? We were only there for a couple hours on Wednesday but I made a point to run into Carmel Plaza since we parked near there. I was looking for Beechwood Home because I went there last time and darn it got sidetracked stopping at Anthropologie. That store goes on forever! I did pick up a sweater because I only packed one and a very lightweight one at that. Turns out I hardly needed one in Aptos because the weather was fairly warm. My husband would have been all over those donuts if he had spotted Dutch Door Donuts. We had just been to the bakery though lol. I think we hit every cookie place too on this trip. Have you ever been to Penny Ice Creamery in Santa Cruz or Aptos? Really good. Went there twice. Somehow I managed to lose weight on this trip.
    Looks like a lovely luncheon and what a great photo of the four of you! The food looks amazing.

    Reply
  15. Diana Amato says

    August 16, 2022 at 6:54 am

    Wishing you and your hubby a wonderfully Happy Anniversary! I had to chuckle when I read about the little heart splash of Calabrian Chili Oil on your lunch plate. Yesterday, in my kitchen with my mom, we prepped all the garden chilies for our chili oil. It is a little bit of a process, but so worth the effort. I’m so glad you and your Gal Pals were able to celebrate Elizabeth! It is absolutely beautiful when we can get together and have a casual afternoon of laughter and pretty things! Collectively, you all brought something wonderful to the celebration and the end result was super!
    Hope you are doing well! This was a very happy post!
    All my best, Diana

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Fun Kitchen Styling Tips!

Asian Noodles & Other Main Dish Salads

Signature Style- Fall Edit & New Season Wishlist

Remodeling – The Social Front Patio

Loving Rattan and Serena & Lily

My Favorite Sheets, Duvets & More- Refreshing Your Bed

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

  • Heart Shaped Cake with buttercream frosting
  • See the looks that caught our attention, and stay tuned for more of Paris Fashion Week's top street style moments.
  • If you can wear jeans to work, these are the 7 shoe styles you need. Shop our picks here.
Do you wear red? ❤️How do you feel about addin Do you wear red? ❤️How do you feel about adding more to your look? Are you partial to certain tones like poppy or burgundies? It’s a great time of year to pull those red ( and dark pink) pieces out of the closet and have some fun.

This quick clip is to share more about what’s happening tomorrow for this month’s Signature Style with Cindy and I and of course we are talking all about red. 

I’ve had fun gathering red pieces in my closet and seeing how I can make my everyday pieces pop a little more with the addition of some red accessories. 

On the blog, I’ll have more ideas for you like styling red with other colors, and how to wear red like a French person ! I’ll also have some great red items I love if you need a chic accent piece for your wardrobe.  Don’t forget to check @cindyhattersley and my @northerncalstyle posts tomorrow! 💗❤️

#red #redaccessories #redaccents #redfashion #fashionhomework #signaturestyle
Spring has sprung in San Francisco with the plum t Spring has sprung in San Francisco with the plum trees blossoming in the Parnassus Heights neighborhood. We did another fun walk through SF yesterday starting in Cole Valley and walking up to the Mt Sutro Forest that borders this beautiful area and winds back around through Twin Peaks. 

I loved that the city was giving off early spring vibes even though it was a bit drizzly and windy.  Before the walk, we had the best brunch with Jackson and girlfriend Kristin who is on a short break from school.

On this reel you’ll notice all styles of homes. There are colorful homes like the blue one with its matching kayak and the cottages mixed with the sleek new builds. The road we walked up to Sutro Forest is all brick in the center, and at the top of the stairs sits a cottage where the French Consulate General lives. It’s a small cottage with a top of the world view. 

I will share all the details for this hike, and all the stairs and little parks with views that dot this area on the weekend blog…It’s a great time of year to explore the city and get your steps in. Of course I can’t resist sharing all the pretty houses on the hike as well! 

#sanfrancisco #sanfranciscowalks #prettycitysanfrancisco #northerncalifornia #ourgoldenstate #visitsf
The weekend post is up and there’s a few Valenti The weekend post is up and there’s a few Valentines pillows, Jennifer Aniston’s favorite salad, a transitional dressing idea inspired by Princess Diana, a few California houses of the week, my Northern Cal playlist, and a great book/show about the American woman who broke codes and saved so many lives. 

It’s all on the blog!

Check out Juliet and Elizabeth‘s posts too..
Link in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

Happy Sunday !
Today, on the blog, some Valentine fun. 💗I’m Today, on the blog, some Valentine fun. 💗I’m joining a group of talented women and we all have some Valentine ideas for you. My blog is about an easy Valentine or Galentine‘s dinner you can recreate. I tried to make this super simple because the whole point is gathering with your people and having a good time. 

I did make ahead dishes and used pink items already in my home for the table. I added primroses from the hardware store for extra prettiness and for take home favors. 💕

Stop on by the blog to get all the details. 
@northerncalstyle link in my bio.
And don’t forget to go to these lovely blogs:

@most_lovely_things 
@cindyhattersley 
@classiccasualhome 
@makemineaspritzer 
@sherisilver

#valentines #valentinestablescape #valentinesdinner #galentinesparty
Styling idea of the week…February dressing inspi Styling idea of the week…February dressing inspiration from Princess Diana.. Try a puffer vest or jacket paired with ruffles or florals and a skirt. A pretty transitional look with a romantic February vibe. 💗 Maybe you already have these items in the closet? See what you can create!

This pic is from the fun account, @lostinvintagefashion which is a wonderful rabbit hole to drop into should you need some sartorial inspiration.

Happy first of February friends!

#winterdressing #stylingideas #princessdianastyle #puffervest
The weekend post is up with chat about the trendin The weekend post is up with chat about the trending colors for 2023 in home decor and fashion.. Did you love the 80’s? If so this is perhaps a more sophisticated version with sherbet tones and bits of magenta, greens and navy.  Here I added a bit of these Easter tones to the coffee table with a grass cloth box, one of my books and a candle. I think the best way to update things is to add touches to the home and closet that appeal to you and mix them in with neutrals.. 
What do you think of these colors? I think they’re fun. Some clothing pieces bring me back to my Esprit loving days. It could be fun to add a shirt, shoe or bag in these tones and I selected a handful to consider..

Also on the blog, a few good white jeans, skin cleansers you may need and more! 

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

#color2023 #springcolors #trending #serenaandlily #coffeetablestyling
A January PSA- get in your closet and get those wh A January PSA- get in your closet and get those white jeans out! I found mine at the bottom of my closet today in a basket and thought -yes! I love the look of a classic white jean, paired with a chunky sweater or turtleneck in black, beige, tan, creams-  neutral colors always look fantastic. Today it was warm enough that I could go sockless and wear my Madewell loafers with them and a little jacket I have from Anthro. Get your white jeans out. it will give your winter wardrobe have a little kick. White jeans can be worn all year and they even look great with winter boots and coats. 

This is also a great time to look at your white Jean inventory. 🤍If you don’t have a pair that’s comfortable and straight leg, in a thicker material…this might be a good time to look. I’ll share some on the weekend blog as well.

if you missed our LIVE this morning, you can watch it on Juliet’s @makemineaspritzer Instagram and I’ll link to it on my stories ! Thank you everyone for tuning in in for the fun questions and comments. We love doing this with you all weekly! Let us know in comments if there are any other topics you want to hear about. Today we talked trending colors, exercise classes .. finding art and pillows and more..

#whitejeanseason #januaryclosetremix #winterwardrobehacks
I love the sunshine in the morning streaming throu I love the sunshine in the morning streaming through the kitchen.. My baby daffodils are blooming to make it even happier. This is one of my favorite things about the new year, the bulbs and daffodils and California poppies that hint spring it on the way.💛 If you don’t have a few blooms in the kitchen, maybe you can add a few?

Hope your having a beautiful week!

#kitchensun #californialife #januaryincalifornia
I love this of Liz Taylor at her first wedding to I love this of Liz Taylor at her first wedding to Richard Burton in 1965. She’s wearing a empire, knee length dress and orange blossoms in her hair, which must have smelled heavenly. I want yellow in my closet this spring!

This is the center of my spring vision board! 💛 Link to all Elizabeth’s wedding dresses on the weekend post -and a few yellow things I added to the house if you missed it! 

#yellow #yellowaesthetic #liztaylor #thebrideworeyellow #springfashion #spring2023 #vogue
Sunday beach trip… We made it to Santa Cruz to c Sunday beach trip… We made it to Santa Cruz to check out the coast after these rough last weeks. Aptos looks pretty good and poor Seacliff is terribly battered. So sad to see what people have lost. My heart goes out to them.

We had the beach to ourselves and the weather was winter perfect. ☀️Cold and sunny. We had a picnic of sandwiches from Zoccolis deli and took in the sun and sea air while watching surfers and birds.

This song just seemed to fit -and relatable as I could not sleep last night! No idea why. Isn’t it maddening? 

Hope you get a chance to take a winter beach walk.. They are the best. 

#santacruz #aptos #california #northerncalifornia #winterbeachwalks #seacliff #norcal #seascapebeach
Happy Sunday! The weekend post is up and I’m sha Happy Sunday! The weekend post is up and I’m sharing a few good ideas for a dining room refresh, pops of yellow, my favorite winter skin care essentials right now, a beautiful and unique San Francisco house in @archdigest, online yoga, and the story behind a historic San Francisco home I came upon last week.. Head to the blog for all the deets! 

I hope its a wonderful weekend.☀️

Don’t forget to visit Juliet and Elizabeth blogs ..links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#northerncalifornia #weekendpost #yellow #diningroomdecor #bernardmaybeck #sanfranciscohomes #architecturaldigest #potterybarn #serenaandlily #californiastyle
Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has been seriously sick and fortunately is back home now, but still struggling with pneumonia. If anyone wants to send her a snail mail note please dm me and I will share her address. She loves unique cards and pretty postcards you’ve saved from travel, so she would be thrilled to get a little note!

It seems like just yesterday we were in her gorgeous yard taking photos for my Californians at Home series. It’s still one of my favorite photo shoots and if you want to read it again -or missed it I will link to it in my bio today. She’s one of a kind, so let’s get her well soon and bolster her spirits!!💛💛

#californiacontessa #californiansathome

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