On this Weekend Meander..Some ideas for your Halloween night- food, treat bags, plus persimmon season, fall napkins, two fall casual outfits, and a untouched 1973 Aptos home for sale that’s a gem..
Welcome back to our little weekend roundup of fun things with Juliet and Elizabeth! Well the month flew by did it not? I am not sure I’m ready to think about Thanksgiving yet.. I did however find these cute napkins at Homegoods and I love how they look on the counter with my grandma’s soup tureen. The bit of blue always looks nice with pumpkins and harvest tones.
I found the napkins a few months back.I think I’ll be using them for Thanksgiving this year. I like to find one element and use it as my jumping off point for a table. Do you do that? I can’t find the same napkins online, but these pretty Serena & Lily ones are now on sale at the tabletop sale and a similar tone. They also have a cornflower yellow in gingham...and I’m digging this gorgeous Grove green, which would also be so good for Thanksgiving with some brown transfer plates and greenery and later at Christmas with reds..
Halloween goody bags
Do you do this for your neighborhood? I have a blast making little bags of things for the neighbor kids..Yes we get fewer and fewer, but I still do it and every year we do get some new kids on the street and coming by. We always did a pumpkin carving on the street with all the kids when they were young the weekend before Halloween! I miss those days. My kids love to still dress up when they are home and answer the door.
I make sure there are some fun bits in these bags like old school wax lips or teeth, spider rings, candy corn and a pencil or something like that beside a couple of candies and tie them up. It’s a blast seeing the little ones come by.
A great Halloween dinner/snack
I always make chili and piles of quesadillas on Halloween night for whoever stops by so they can grab a bite and go. When the boys were young, having a big pot of chili and mugs out next to it, made them more likely to take a minute and eat something before heading out to the neighborhood. I also had the quesadillas piled on plates so their friends could grab a few on a napkin and go.. Because when kids are ready to hit the streets, good luck getting anything in them besides candy!! This year we have no kids home, but we still do this and have some red wine on hand if any of the other empty nesters want to pop by. Usually my dad does too!
Missing these two. This was one of the Halloween’s we agreed they were going as their true selves.. A moody teenager and a hustler! The picture says it all..
Persimmon Season is here!
Grab them as soon as you can. The farmer’s market is the best place to find them. I visited our farmer’s market last weekend. Look for Fuyu persimmons that look more like an apple in shape. Pomegranates are also in season. They pair well and I use them in salads with pears and toasted pumpkin seeds!
Trader Joe’s has the best toasted pumpkin seeds and they also have a mixed pears in a bag that are excellent too.
I love using what is in season and I don’t use tomatoes and cucumbers again in salads until they are back in the garden. I truly believe there is something about what each season provides and that you should eat the bounty of that time of year. Just like oranges and citrus in winter. Maybe our bodies need these things when they are in season?
Try a mix of these things in a salad or charcuterie board! Persimmons and pears are excellent paired with cheese and crackers. I did this a few years back with persimmons….
They also make the perfect decor touch to a fall table or just on the counter in the kitchen! I used them on my fall table two years ago..
And last year on my counter in a bowl…
Casual outfits for a California fall/winter weekend..
A few ideas for casual looks for fall and winter..
I want these new slouchy boyfriend jeans that are cuffed and I love this reversible Teddy jacket – perhaps layered with this forest sweater. I added this Sydney Crossbody bag and these Birkenstock Mules which look so cozy and these classic Ray-Bans. This is a great weekend outfit for a fall and winter trip to Carmel, Monterey, to Tahoe, or to pick apple in the foothills… I think these jeans could also be cool with heels and a Chanel style cardigan.
Another weekend look for a trip to San Francisco – maybe to a museum or shopping and lunch. I like these Cali demi-boot crop jeans, this reversible quilted coat, (on sale now ), this same soft turtleneck in black, and these new high top Veja sneakers and black leather cross body and Dior sunglasses. You could reverse the coat and wear the camel color side out and add loafers for a dressier look..
I hope these little outfit collages are helpful! I get questions all the time about what to wear when people are planning a trip out to California. I tried to choose some quality basics with some style that can be worn for a long time in many ways.
California Home for Sale of the Week
I thought it would be fun each week to share a California home for sale that caught my eye and has a California feel or unique style.
This week this vintage home built in 1973 popped up for sale in the lovely beachside town of Aptos, near Santa Cruz. This house has been with the original family for 49 years and it has been beautifully cared for. If you appreciate lots of light and mid-century style, this is a treasure that is intact! The location cannot be beat- near trails that lead to a fantastic state park and beaches are also nearby..It’s selling for $1,798,000 which seems like a steal to be honest. All the details here.
If you prefer something more updated, this home– also in Aptos, is super cute and has a California vibe I love.
That is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
Thank you for being here and I hope your weekend is great!
Kim
If you missed last weekend’s post, I shared my favorite Rails fall pieces, a fig couscous to make right now, a succulent pumpkin craft, an exotic Santa Cruz home, and an historic San Francisco auction you won’t want to miss..
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OOoO the 2nd house in Aptos …would definitely swing by there for a look if I was house hunting. The first is great as well … so much natural light ..love it. Would be fun to tackle upgrading the kitchen while maintaining the mid century vibe.
Jackie, I was torn. Love that second home so much also. Yes I think you could redo that kitchen and keep all the natural light. Wish I could buy it!
Kim,
You have hit it out of the park with this post!
The outfits are to die for! And I am a collector of napkins so I am in love with the patterns and colors you chose!
Always look forward to your posts but this one was especially good!
Mary-Ellen, thank you. I’m so happy you like them. they are honestly all things I would love to wear. I have some serious napkins addiction too. Now I need a place for them all. Aren’t those good ones? Aww thanks have a lovely weekend.
Good morning Kim,
That house it amazing! How wonderful that someone loved it for 49 years. Hopefully the next owner will treat it well.
Love, love, love your outfits. Classic, chic and beautiful. The quilted coat is my favorite.
I have to admit I have never eaten a persimmon. I will have to keep an eye out for them at the market. I could not agree more about seasonal fruits and vegetables. IT is how I green up! Fall and Winter are all about root vegetables, lots of squash, sweet potatoes, apples and my favorite pumpkin. I am not sure where butter and sugar fall into season favorites except into holiday sweets and cookies.
Your table and napkins look beautiful!
We have a pot of chili waiting to be made. Although will not have trick or treaters, our neighborhood has a large meet and greet on golf carts for the kids to get their candy, to keep them safe as we have no lights in the neighborhood.
Have a wonderful weekend.
xo Elizabeth
I love that this home was in the same family the whole time too. Wonderful!! Love the quilted coat too. Elizabeth you need to try a persimmon. Make sure you get a Fuyu, not a Hachiya, which is longer and mushier, and better for baking. My grandma used to make us persimmon cookies and I was not a fan.. Maybe becasue I was comparing them to regular ones? Ha.
I’m with you about winter root veg and roasts.. Your neighborhood sounds fun.I bet the kids love the golf carts. Enjoy! xo
Well I guess my latest jealousy of you is that you have persimmons and pomegranates at your farmers’ market? Ain’t nothin like that here. Apples and pears are as exciting as it gets in VA. And I, too, have never eaten a persimmon. So maybe I’m not jealous?
I love your TH napkin ideas. I’m boring – I use my good china and antique white linens every year. It’s pretty but same ole, same ole.
Really? Gray we have so many unique fruits. Many are grown here as we had a lot of Japanese families that settled in this valley in the early 1900’s and planted many things that were native to them. Lucky us! If you were nearby I’d send you a bag of persimmons.
Thanks about the napkins. I like to throw a little change in every year..
Persimmons seem to be the least tried fruit ever!
We have a tree and I too had never tried until I lived with THAT ITALIAN!
Agree with your thoughts on salads and no more of this and that!Great colors in the napkin range!
Your BOYS!!!That was very advanced thinking for that AGE!!
Aptos hidden gems hidden down there!
Love idea of sharing California real estate!
Fall is here!
Heat is on!!!
Xoxo
Gosh isn’t that the truth? To be honest, I did not come to love them until later in life, as I only knew the kind my grandma baked with Hachiya- not the Fuyu which are amazing and so crunchy and sweet. What kind are you growing? I know the boys.. I miss those Halloween nights with kids running in and out and bags of candy spread all over the floor counting like mad and eating WAY too many.
WE have the heat on today too. BRR
And thank you I hope California Real Estate will be fun as I have shared Santa Cruz listings and nearby and everyone seems to enjoy it.
Have a great weekend. xo
Hi Kim,
I have just come back from Cabrillo Farmers Market – if you haven’t been it is SO good. We love persimmons and I now have to buy them instead of picking them from our beautiful tree which we really miss in Los Gatos! I agree they are great in a salad or just munching on like an apple, plus also look pretty as a fall decoration. Love this time of year and your fall outfits!
Have fun on Halloween giving out treats. I too miss those days of when the boys were young and wish our granddaughter didn’t live in LA – but we do get to visit her next weekend for her 5th birthday party which should be a lot of fun.
Julia xox
Hi Kim,
Your guys the moody teenager and a hustler is fabulous. How clever of you. Creating your give away Halloween bags is such an
excellent thing to do. I like how you made it so personalized. Just how many people would think to do this, or better yet take the time to do it. The neighborhood kids and parents loved coming to your home, and maybe some still do. Then to have real food available so the sugar high is not so out of control. Very insightful of you.
I can see that mama’s a happy girl she has purchased beautiful persimmon’s, They look so pretty in the bowl. I like your Thanksgiving napkins.
The homes you featured are so California. The natural light and the trees are beautiful, mother nature is the best.
Kim! That’s salad looks amazing f! And I always love your style! Perfect fall looks right down to the shoes!
Loved seeing your pretty porch on Instagram today!!
Xx
Good morning, Kim … it’s Sunday and I’m a little late. Better late than never … I adore both outfit ideas. I’ve been getting style inspiration from you for many many years now. Keep it coming! I also love your new napkins … and your grandmother’s blue and white tureen is amazing. The two together … perfection. What a fun neighborhood you must have with lovely traditions. It’s a little bittersweet when the kids grow up … those days of sweet costumes are wonderful memories. We haven’t lived in a trick or treat friendly neighborhood for a long time, and I do miss it. On the other hand, there’s no excess candy in the house to lead me astray. Always look on the bright side. I’ve never had a persimmon and have no idea what they taste like. I know. It’s embarrassing. Your salad looks for bright and fresh … I need to give it a try. I do love pomegranates. That house in Aptos … oh my gosh, so well priced (for where it is) I’m sure it will sell well above that. Maybe I can entice Jim?!!! Hope you’re having a great weekend so far … it’s really feeling like fall. Right?! xo
We still don’t have persimmons! But I’m glad our Trader Joes has the spiced pumpkin seeds and toasted pine nuts. Love your outfit of the week. I’m wearing something similar right now!
Mary Ann, I guess they are a California/ West Coast thing… Yes the Trader Joe’s nuts ares so good. Oh We love the same things don’t we?
Love the goodie bags! I always did (ziploc) baggies for the special kids but nothing as cute as yours! I’ll have to up my game for the grands. Pretty napkins, and beautiful outfits! Great ideas for salads! Your boys are adorable in their costumes (miss those fun years)
Thanks Barb! I hope you had fun with your grands. Aww thanks so much! xo
Oh gosh, where do I start … especially as I left a long comment this morning and somehow managed to lose it … so here I go again! 😂
The first home in Aptos left me conflicted lol it’s so gorgeous … love all the warm wood and the trees but I was left feeling sad there’s no one in the family that’s able to or wants to live there … seems a little sad, so much family history and memories there.
Great idea to share some real estate listings Kim, so interesting and who knows, someone may find their forever home via your blog!
Your outfit choices are, as usual, simply perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing! How great that the jacket and quilted coat are reversible. Especially convenient for variety when travelling or even for a weekend away.
Your boys!! What inspired consumes and how lovely that your neighbourhood has traditions that sees you meeting up together on Halloween for food and drinks as well as treats for the children.
I love salads and you always seem to share unique ones that inspire me to adapt my recipes and try new ingredients.
Such a pretty selection of napkins too … thanks to you I never buy paper ones any more. I would never thought of displaying them in a tureen and your grandmas blue one works do well with the yellow.
There’s probably something else I mean to comment on lol but before I lose this one, I’ll say goodbye and thanks again for such a wonderful post, Kim.
Rosemary xxx
Rosemary thank you! Sorry your comment went astray. That happens to me also! So maddening. I agree kind of sad that family can’t keep that wonderful home. Someone clearly loved it..I hope people will enjoy the real estate.. I mean I’m a bit of a real estate junkie. Isn’t that quilted jacket great? I just ordered and I will report back! I love Halloween.. was a fun night, but we get less and less kids every year. Aww you are so sweet! I can’t believe you remember my post about cloth napkins! That makes me happy. I know I still do the same. Thanks again for the kind notes always.. Hugs
Loved hanging out a bit with you, Kim! I agree totally — I prefer to eat what is in season. That is apples and squash for us right now. I can’t get enough of these great fall apples! Love the outfits you shared too! Have a good week!
Hi Molly! I know just makes a lot of sense eating the bounty of the season. Enjoy the apples! Wish we had a tree.. xo
My moms persimmon tree is bursting… I’ll have to pick some before the birds get them( or anything else!) she had the best recipe for muffins… I’ll have to see if I can find it!! Love the outfits you put together! So chic and comfy!
Martha so cool you have your mom’ persimmons to enjoy. The trees do give an amazing amount of fruit! I would love to hear the muffin recipe! Thanks so much Martha! xx