On this Weekend Meanderings…savoring November, Thanksgiving outfits, a Pennsylvania mom and her farm, a Seacliff Beach home for sale, and a moisturizer you need!
How has your week been? My dear dad turned 83 this week and our oldest Jackson will be 24 today. We have been doing their birthdays together for a long time and tonight we are going out to dinner. A few years back they went to Las Vegas with all the guys in the family and celebrated turning 80 and 21! I love that they are so close and enjoy celebrating together.
The time change kind of had me dragging this week and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten more carbs! Anyone else feel that way? I felt like I needed comfort food with the rainy days, the election, the dark afternoons..and we also got our Covid and flu shots.
Gosh I am glad we are moving on from this mid-term election cycle. I am so ready to think about other things. I need a good book, a show, and to check out a bit. I began White Lotus season 2 and it’s pretty fun. I will start The Crown this weekend I hope.
The best news to come out of this election is that the youth vote turnout was huge and in some states-350% more than normal. This is so exciting to know the younger generation is getting involved in democracy and not getting complacent. It bodes well for the future. More on this article.
Novembering
I stopped over at Pottery Barn this week to check out the Christmas decor, but came home with the white ceramic vase instead… I love this and popped a fern in it. In a few weeks I will put pine branches with pinecones in it..My heart is still in November right now.
I love the leaves and the crisp air now. It’s perfect for walks. This is a good month for making soups and for sorting out your sweaters, indulging in a new pair of slippers and pjs and curling up on the couch with a soft throw and a good book.
I did manage to clean out the linen closet, purge old sheets and bedding and pillows. I wiped everything with a nice lavender spray and what I didn’t wash, I ran through the dryer and refolded. I put some sachets in with it all. I also washed and folded all our summer throws. Everything is organized and fresh. I was a good use of a rainy day.. and I wanted to get off Instagram for a while.
To be honest, I was feeling some anxiety seeing so many people having trees and decorations for Christmas up already. I’m not there yet and am really thinking about Thanksgiving..
Thanksgiving/ Fall &Winter Casual Dresses
This is about the time I start thinking about what I want to wear to Thanksgiving..Even though I am hosting, I do want to look nice.
I choose this sweater dress because it looks comfortable and pretty. This is a very California Thanksgiving vibe. I would absolutely wear this dress with the clogs or loafers and later on with cute sneakers…. I love the chain on this bag (extra 30% now), and the hoops. Another look would be to pair this with a plaid jacket and boots for a polished daytime feel. There is also this cute sweater dress I considered.
I love autumn shade dresses for fall and this is lovely. I would pair it with booties or tall boots. It can transition to everyday with slides or Birks and a big sweater on top. I liked these black earrings with it as they picked up the black on the sherpa bag strap. You could add a big black wrap over it for a night out. The peasant look of the dress together with the bag, gives it a bit of a Boho feel…. These boots look flattering, are marked down and extra 50% off with code SALEONSALE. I can see them being a great closet staple.
Ruth McKeaney
This week I really enjoyed Ruth McKeaney, and her home Hillside Farm, on Homeworthy. Ruth and her husband flipped many homes when they were young and learned as they went and did the same with their beautiful historic property, a 305 year old farm in Pennsylvania.. Ruth has also raised five children and her story is about creating a space that is cozy and uniquely yours, with salvaged and found objects and personal art. I love her pretty and personal look in her home…
She also has a book called Hungry for Home that I just ordered. It has so many great reviews and perhaps the best said ‘Ruth reminds us that your own home is the most amazing place to be.’ That is lovely. You can also follow Ruth’s Instagram here.
The perfect winter moisturizer
My skin has been feeling dry and not so great since the heat has begun coming on and the cold weather has descended on us. A friend recommended the Hydraboost Moisturizer from Blue Mercury when we were there last week and I can’t believe how much I love it. It feels so soothing and leaves a nice look to my skin. I love having a local Blue Mercury and their in house brand M-61 is very good. I’ve been happy with all have tried.
House for Sale of the Week – at Seacliff Beach
I saw this beach house above Seacliff Beach and I knew it had to be my house for sale of the week. Look at those views and windows and light! I love seeing the fog and the hills right outside. The plants in this place look pretty happy too.
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
On last weekend’s meanderings..cozy kitchen lamps for the dark months, the best hummus to make, a Thanksgiving guide book, Chanel style jackets, and Carmel homes to dream about..read that here.
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Lovely post thank you Kim. I was very anxious this week too about the mid terms and Trump being so vocal. I travelled back from London after an intense three weeks seeing dear family members and dealing with their serious medical/ aging problems and felt at a loss as to how to navigate the “new normal” with that, the world, and the physical challenge of where l live to proximity to them. Very tough. And just like you l came home and give thanks to my home, my husband, and my family here, and the fall season, and all it’s beauty and honestly l want to stop time and just be. Lovely sweater dresses!! Why this rush…all th time to experience the next thing.
Have a lovely weekend friend xo
Francesca, So sorry to hear about family and health issues. Nothing is more stressful and even harder being far away. Thinking of you.
I hope you get to enjoy the now and take a breath. Thankful for this month and why rush life?
Take care! xo
I, too, am glad the elections are over-so many negative ads everywhere and tons of cards in the mail! Does that even influence anyone?
Instagram stressed me out this week with all the Christmas decor! Made me feel that I was behind! Have to keep reminding myself that it is fall and December will come soon enough!
Mary Ellen, I agree- some candidates sent me five mailers. I put them right in the recycle. Places like the UK people are not allowed to have television ads and I assume mailers. Less is spent on the elections and there is a limit and it has to be equal among candidates and they only have five weeks to run a campaign versus our 600 days. We need change. So much waste with this less election, I think of how we could have made the country and the world a better place with that money!
I’m with you.. I don’t want to feel rushed through the year, or the seasons. I remember when decorating after Thanksgiving was early and some people’s families did it just a few days before Christmas. It’s gotten to be a lot. I’m taking my time here trying to live a slower life, but places like Instagram can be anxiety producing when you open the app and it seems everyone is already in another month and decorating.. Just do you. We should not feel the pressure. xo
I’m with you, Kim, I can’t even think about Christmas until we’ve finished off the leftover fun-size Kit Kat bars! And yes, thank goodness this election cycle is over…it was definitely a factor in powering through those Kit Kats. What, Kari Lake is ranting again? Ugh, gimme a break!!
Have a great week!
Ha! Sarah you made my day. That is what I need to tell everyone now. Yes I’m with you and ate WAY too many of those Halloween treats to get through it all.. xo
P.s. happy birthday to your two special guys!!
Thank you Sarah !!
Hi Kim,
A treasured picture of your dear dad and Jackson. Happy birthday to Jackson today, 24 years young. How nice that the guys gathered and celebrated in Las Vegas in years past. Memory markers for all of them.
I get where you have been with the election big time. I have had the election jitters. Our state Governors race has not been announced yet. I don’t think the “oh my” person will get in, but you never know. I agree with you it’s wonderful that the youth vote was huge and in some states 350% more than normal. This is encouraging news.
I hear you loud and clear about all the Christmas decorations that are displayed so early in all the stores. It’s like Thanksgiving does not even exist. I was in wholesale for almost my entire working career marketing and selling to retailers so I understand why they have to do this. I still never liked it either.
Yea for you for organizing, washing and getting everything fresh and put away. What a great accomplishment.
Sending you peace.
Katherine, Thank you I am so very lucky to have my two November guys nearby.. Oh the elections, I have been thinking of you all in Arizona. The good news is that people who were election deniers have been doing poorly, and hopefully going away. So many nice concession speeches yesterday on the news from both parties. This is the way it should be! There is hope civility will return.
Enjoy November Katherine! I hope it’s becoming the beautiful season there! xo
Always enjoy your meanderings! I am full-on Thanksgiving here too. The whole rush to Christmas on IG just makes me feel overwhelmed, with wreathes and trees and ribbons and glitter coming at me! It is all just too much. I loved that dress you shared in your stories! I do the Nuuly clothes rental subscription service. They have a lot of Anthro clothes and I was hoping the dress would be available there, but it is not. I hope to find something to rent for Thanksgiving and for our daughter’s baby shower the next day! Have a good weekend!
Thanks Molly! I agree it seems too fast for me at least.. Ooh I will check out the rental clothes site. That is another great way to be green with clothes. The dress is really pretty! I see there is a fair amount of it in the US online. Also, if you think you’ll only wear it once, a lot of people then resell very quickly on Poshmark and recoup like 75% of the amount. This is especially true with popular dresses on places like Anthro. I just found two dresses from J.Crew that were recently sold out, on Poshmark. So you might consider that if you really love the dress! xo
Lovely blog post Kim. I really like what you’ve chosen to wear for Thanksgiving. A celebration we don’t have. In all the stores, we are all geared up for Christmas. I will wait until around December 1 to start all that decoration. Also love that your Dad and Son celebrate together! Very special.
Thanks so much Sarah! I forget you don’t have Thanksgiving… Well more time to think about how you’ll do the holidays. December 1 is a good plan! xo
Happy Saturday, Kim! I love that we’re on the same wave length and both discovered Ruth this week. We’re early adopters and I think she’s going to be a big deal. The next Martha? Their home is magnificent. Happy birthday to your dad and first born! Lots of Scorpios in your family. I like it! Once again I’m ready to pack up and move into this beautiful home. Is there anything better than seaside living?! Have fun celebrating with your family. xo
Juliet I know love how Ruth lives! Very inspiring. That’s right can’t wait to celebrate your birthday soon too.. xoxo
Kim,
Happy birthday to your dad, and to Jackson. What a lovely birthday tradition. I am sure there will be stories to tell for years about their trip to Las Vegas all those years ago.
I am with you, I am so glad the election is over, although it seems like that is never the case. Once election cycle is over and we are already talking about the next. I cannot believe the amount of money spent, it is more and more all the time.
Between the time change, the election and the full moon it is no wonder you needed extra carbs.
I am limiting my time on Instagram, not because of the Christmas content, I love Christmas, but because everything seems so over the top on there especially at the holidays. I miss the old days of beautiful photos, although I do love the videos of Scotland, the English countryside and forcing baby elephants and sheep. I cannot stand the videos of people throwing ingredients in a bowl and making as much noise as possible while they eat whatever they just made a mess making(sorry for the rant).
Your Thanksgiving outfit is beautiful, elegant, comfortable and perfect for a day with family and friends.
Great minds think alike, Juliet posted the same house and video from Homeworthy. I love that Chanel! So many beautiful houses and stories.
Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the crisp leaves, cool days and long walks.
xo Elizabeth
Yes we have to do something about the money spent on elections. It’s horrible… I’m hoping some legislation gets passed. I hear you about the Reels. I have yet to see the food ones like that..but Reels are taking over and it’s a turnoff. Still some good people and content though right? Funny Juliet and I both shared Ruth. Fun channel isn’t it? Hope you had a good birthday and happy weekend!!
I’m late to comment since I’m traveling and still will be on thanksgiving so won’t need a special outfit since the holiday won’t be celebrated. My son and SIL have the same birthdays, Nov. 10. What are the chances although, they are a decade apart! They celebrated in Las Vegas with family and friends this year just like your men did.
When I read how much money is spent on campaigning, it almost makes me physically ill. There are so many people that money could be helping and I feel it’s almost immoral. Good to read your post and try to picture you in Los Gatos, doing your “Novembering”.
Wren that’s okay !! So glad you are out and hopefully having fun. Wow that is nice your guys did the same.. November babies see like good people. I am hoping campaign reform is coming very soon. Yep I’m trying to savor November. xoxo
Totally agree Christmas decor in my house not until after Thanksgiving. I watched Ruth on utube and such a great home she has. I think I’ll follow her Instagram also.
As always great post. How wonderful your father and son are close.
Thank you so much Sheila! I know I am very lucky. xo
Following the instagram Gal thanks someone more like me!
I’m in no hurry for Christmas although we did watch a cute Christmas movie yesterday about 5:00!
I have not seen any Christmas stuff on IG yet with the exception of Parker Kennedy!
Hope your Birthing Day was Magical!
Xoxo
Isn’t she great? Love her and how she lives. happy Birthing day too. Hope your birthday boy had a good weekend. We momss need to celebrate with champagne soon. Raising sons isn’t easy is it? xo
NO IT IS NOT!
i really like both the outfits you picked out for Thanksgiving. I have been looking for a nice sweater dress but most shops here only cater to the very young orthose that want to look l ike mutton dressed as lamb. I am all for people wearing what they like but some styles can pile on the years instead of reduce them.
I think we;’e on the same wavelength regarding November and will be sharing my take on it in the coming days. I think we should savour it and not be too much in a hurry for Christmas. Having said that, we did get some new Christmas decor but it’s safely in a cupboard for the time being. I love Christmas and try to hold on to it for as long as I can. I’m hoping we’ll have a nice storm with string winds soon so I can go foraging for branches and pine cone. I hate to cut anything off of trees.
I’m having a problem with my blog as people that signed up are not getting notified when i publish and I am not sure how to fix it. I hope to have some time to read about a fix but not sure when that will happen.
Have a wonderful week.
Thanks Lorna, I hope you are enjoying November there on your lovely island. I bet Christmas is beautiful there..I will pop over to the blog! I hate when tech issues happen! xo
Hi Kim
I just can’t bear to dive into Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. Someone made the comment that it takes so long for us to reach fall in CA that we aren’t ready to give it up so quickly. I am going to try the moisturizer you suggested. We have a Blue Mercury in SLO I need to pop in there next time I am downtown.
As always I’ve so enjoyed reading your meanderings … like a “mini but much looked forward to” magazine … that I read more than once from cover to cover!
Looking forward to seeing you in your sweater dress … I bought a few last winter and wore them on rotation as they work for so many occasions from casual to smart … I haven’t worn one yet this year though as our weather is unseasonably mild. I actually ate lunch on a terrace by the beach on Sunday. Unbelievable for here in mid November! I’ve only worn a scarf once and I had to take it off and tie it around my bag lol.
It’s concerning in a way … I’ve noticed that there’s no snow in Wengen yet either 🥹
I hope you all had great fun celebrating Jackson and your dads birthdays … so lovely you were all together.
Christmas decorating!! Please don’t let all the pictures on IG stress you … it’s supposed to be fun and your home will look gorgeous as always, decorated in a way and at a time the works for you and your family.
Rosemary xxxx
Oops * that works
Kim, I adore how you add warm touches on your kitchen counter, a new vase, a basket of fruit, a lamp, a cool utensil jar…flowers, plants, branches, linen napkins in your grandmother’s soup tureen. All so lovely, just like you!
xx
HI Kim,
Very nice post, you always find interesting things to share. Happy bday to your Griffin and Dad! My daughter and mom had the same birthdays, it was always special celebrating them together!
I felt the weight slide off my shoulders after the elections. It was as if I had been holding my breath. So relieved things turned out the way they did, and the voter turnout was wonderful.
I’m not sure how I’m going to do Christmas this year but for certain it will be different. Makes me sad but everything in my life is different right now so I just need to keep looking forward. Glad I still have a couple of weeks before I need to decide anything!
Xo Heidi