On this weekend meander.. last minute gifts for friends and neighbors from the grocery store, make a basic wreath cool with cuttings from your yard, and an outfit for Tahoe.
Trader Joe’s Pink Poinsettias..
Right now the cutest gift for a neighbor or friend – or just for your holiday table is the pink poinsettias in these nice pots that you can use later for $8! The pots alone are worth the price. I loved the two different pinks and they work with the green of my runner. I moved my wooden bowl to my island and kept the plants here. Hopefully these won’t sell out. It’s rare to see such pretty pinks and who wouldn’t love one of these for a gift?
The world needs more pink poinsettias, if you ask me!
More Last Minute Gift Ideas- from the grocery store..
Sometimes finding a gift is as easy as dropping by your local grocery. Some of the things I like to give from the grocery are tea, candy, and baked goods. Our local stores like Lunardis and Whole foods have piles of Italian cakes, and gourmet chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company and Lake Champlain. They also carry special hot chocolate mix in glass bottles, high end teas from places like Tea Pigs, and others in pretty tins. I like to tuck tea into a bag with some home made cookies or scones or just bottle of local wine, or preserves.
Food is a very appreciated gift and I would say greener as it its more likely locally made, and actually consumed. Older folks really appreciate these little goodies at the holidays. Nice for neighbors too.
At Homegoods and TJMaxx, you can find bunches of cute tea towels inexpensively. Buy a few and wrap them around loaf of banana or cranberry bread, scones or cookies with a pretty bow. Not a baker? Then pair them with a nice box of tea from the grocery or World Market! ( World Market is a fantastic place to get nice teas in pretty tins, German stollen, and chocolates.)
Some of my favorites from WM below. All their teas can be found here online.
Get a custom look with a grocery store wreath and yard cuttings..
This year I decided to save some money and get a basic grocery store wreath for $19 and zhuzh it up with succulents and cuttings from the yard.. I’m hoping it lasts for a while.
I started with the basic noble fir wreath with a few pinecones and juniper already on it…
I was lucky to have a plant with dried hydrangea balls that was perfect to tuck in here. I went around the yard a snipped bits of succulents, then wired or worked them in.
I ordered this ribbon from Amazon and I am surprised how much I like it. Took me about 15 minutes total.
On my French doors, I always buy two small advent candle ring wreath from Trader Joes to hang on the doors. Love the small size and kept it simple with orange ribbon that was leftover from a Hudson Grace gift. I use command hooks and black string to hang which sort of camouflages against the black trimmed doors.
A Tahoe/ Ski Holiday Look
I am excited to get up to our small cabin during the break and we just got 48 inches of snow! A lot of you get to the mountains or Tahoe at this holiday break and I thought I’d do a ski/winter look with some of the darling pieces I have noticed lately..
Madewell had me at this beautiful sage green parka made by Halfdays. If you want a longer jacket, there is also this adorable jacket and this even longer one.
These booties have a toasty lining and water and snow proof suede upper, but are cute enough to wear here in California in the cooler months (so are these.) The cold weather fleece tights will work for hikes and days out and even some skiing with a second layer( these with Stirrups are also cool.) Love the Barbour Sweater, also here, which nearly sold out as soon as I made this collage, but there are more fair isle options here and here . I’m kind of crazy for them now. I also love this cozy one for Tahoe and it’s a good price, as is this one. The shearling tote is now 40% off and this one is also cute.
Lastly, the new Mega Wayfarers are on my wish list and this green is especially pretty.
People are often asking what to pack and wear for Tahoe, so I did add clothing options for colder months and ski trips on my Lake Tahoe Cabin Style page, which is on the drop-down under Home & Decor at the top of the blog. I’ll keep adding to it.
Donate a coat
This has been one of the coldest winters in California, and elsewhere in many years. Many of us have a closet full of coats that we rarely wear. This is one of those years, where shedding a few might really help others. One Warm Coat is one of my favorite charities and such an easy one to help. You can find a local drop-off place where your coat or jackets will be distributed to nearby charity. It’s also easy and simple to hold your own coat drive. Directions how here.I did one with my kids when they were younger. You simply put out a box, either at your home, or it can even be at your kid’s school, or a library or public spot for a stated time, and then pick one of several local charities to deliver them to after.
#Blingit
Our #BLINGIT hashtag is still going strong and so many of you are sharing your lovely family heirlooms and brooches you have collected! Keep sharing them in Instagram, just tag us and we will share on our stories. It’s been a treat every day. More than a few have said getting these pins out really brought back so many special memories of their moms and grandmothers, and holidays past. That is kind of what I was hoping for! It makes me so happy to hear. It’s great to see those special pieces get a little day in the sun and out of the drawer, and remember those who once wore them at this time of year…
Just some of what you all have shared from Dana, Contessa, and Kathy, and so many others. I consolidate them daily on my BlingIt Instagram Story Bubble if you missed it!
Thank You Guys!
This is my last blog for the year and Juliet and I will be taking time off until the 7th of January. It’s been a great for me to do the Weekend Meandering with Elizabeth and Juliet and I can hardly believe we have done it every weekend since beginning in February! I’m hoping taking time off to recharge will be good and we can come back with more fresh ideas for the new year.
I also want to say thank you for being here and the kind comments and feedback! It’s truly the best part of the blog for me and I so appreciate you taking time to stop here. I feel like this is a circle of friends and I am so grateful.
Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season and wonderful New Year. Hugs to you all.
See you in 2023!
Kim
Please stop over at Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
If your missed last weekend’s post, I shared my neutral Christmas Decor, holiday nights at Santana Row, vintage holiday pins, cute runners and napkins, an easy Christmas cookie to make and more…
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Such a great start to my day … this popped into my inbox, just as I was frothing coconut milk for my morning coffee! ( so good 😊)
As always, I love what you love lol … I’m on the look out for pink poinsettias, so pretty, in the two shades and a perfect accompaniment to your pink tree.
Your wreath is beautiful and just perfect for your door, that I also love, lol . So simple yet so effective.
All your suggestions for Tahoe or any snowy destinations, are gorgeous and I’m definitely wishing I’d kept all my fairisle sweaters from years ago … if only to give to my daughter as probably a little snug on me now!
Packing for the snow is my favourite sort of packing and the one I find the easiest. Coordinating sweaters, hats etc Chunky snow boots Maybe a knitted dress in case we go somewhere a little special! ( gosh, I’m smiling even as I write this! )
A could also wear all your suggestions here at the moment as we’ve been below freezing most of the week.
I’ve been aware of my total lack of bling this week but I’ve so enjoyed seeing everyone else’s. So many ladies have the most beautiful and precious brooches, belonging to their mums and grandmas and this is just the best time of year to celebrate the jewellery as well as their previous owners 💕 Such a lovely idea Kim and Juliet.
Enjoy your break Kim and wishing you the happiest of Christmas’s with your wonderful family 😘😘
Hi Rosemary! So nice to get your note from England! I need to try coconut milk! Thanks about the decor.. takes me a while to sort it all out and get it the way I like. You know I had a few wool Fair Isle sweaters that I wish I had too.. Of course couldn’t wear, but I think they were big in the 80’s and I had some good ones.
Can’t believe your snow! It always looks so magical to me with your pretty boxwood and hedges there..and open vistas. We also have been freezing temps and snow all around here. I need those booties.
Thank you and wishing you a beautiful holiday with your family. Thanks always for the sweet notes. It means so much. xoxo
Love reading your posts every Saturday morning!!! Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy holiday season. You deserve a much needed break. Look forward to more posts in 2023….
Hugs….
Jaimie
Hi Jaimie! Thank you so much. Aw wishing you a great holiday too. xo
Hi, Kim —
Just want to say that I really appreciate your blog. You do a great job keeping it interesting and stylish. I save the wired pinecones, faux berry sprays and my favorite plaid ribbon bow from year to year to zhush up my Costco wreath. Today, it’s time to decorate that bare tree in the living room and tackle some wrapping. I’m not running behind at all, am I?
Best holiday wishes!
Julia
Thanks so much Julia for saying that! So sweet. That is so smart saving your cute accessories to re-use on each year’s wreath! Green and creative.Well, I just finished decorating too, but you know it is sort of more fun when we get closer to the actual holiday. Do not stress and enjoy. Happy Holidays! xo
Been meaning to clean out the coat closet and now I know the best place to donate! Thanks for the tip.
An oh, the return on the Faire Isle Sweater. My mother, a knitter, used to make ours and I would shrug and dream of a store-bought sweater. What a dumb kid I was! Love your links and will be stopping at Macy’s today to make a return but I think I will be picking something up as well.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Holly, I am too! Going to run drop a few coats off this weekend. How wonderful you had a handmade Fair Isle sweater.. I know we never appreciate these things when we are young. I bet you can find a few good ones now at Macy’s. They seem to be the thing this year. Happy Holidays to you. xx
Kim –
Thank you for the time, effort and energy taken to create your blog. I subscribe to a lot of blogs (still!) and yours, by far, is my very favorite. For the past year my Saturday has begun with coffee and reading your blog. Although I will miss you for the next couple of Saturdays, I look forward to what you have in store for us in 2023.
Thank you.
Aw Jackie thank you ! That is so nice of you. Wow. Wishing you Happy Holidays xo
Kim,
Pink poinsettias for the win! They are gorgeous! I haven’t seen one this year but I will be on the lookout for next year.
I love the addition of foraged elements to your wreath. And you TJ wreathes on the door are beautiful as well.
Tea, hot chocolate, seasonal coffee and treats are always welcome gifts. As you said, you do not need to go further than your local store. I love all of the seasonal selections at WF, TJ, and Fresh Market.
Your Tahoe look is beautiful and practical. I know that you are going to have a wonderful time with your family at the cabin. Looking forward to seeing the new door and windows! Enjoy the snow and the break.
#blinkit has been so fun. I love seeing all of the beautiful brooches and the stories and memories. Next year we need to start bling it at thanksgiving so that we can see and hear more of everyones stories.
Thank you Kim for saying yes and joining Juliet and I each week to meander around our worlds. Its been so fun learning more about your neighborhood, Lake Tahoe and the beautiful area and stores of your town. Your dads garden tips are going to come in handy next year.
Merry Christmas my friend, enjoy your holiday and time off and I will see you in January!
xo Elizabeth
Elizabeth, I can’t say thanks enough for this opportunity to do this with you and Juliet! It’s been great fun.I agree we should start #blingit early next year! I hope you have a beautiful holiday and get to take some break and relax. I will share pics from the time cabin. Looking forward to 2023! xo
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, Kim. Your blog is one of my favorites and I look forward to following you in the new year. Thank you for contributing to Weekend Meandering, and I hope you will consider more of the instagram videos with Juliet…so much fun! Enjoy your break and see you in 2023! Xo
Hi Karen! Aw thanks so much for that. Thanks too for watching our LIVE video. I love connecting with everyone on there. Hoping to get better at it and have more fun with that in the new year.. I’m glad it wasn’t too horrible to watch. It’s a bit of a learning curve!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday too. xo
Kim, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!! Love your fun posts on my Saturday mornings.
I would have joined in on #blingit, but I donated much of my mom’s and mother-in-law’s jewelry to the theater department of our high school a few years back. I kept a few treasured pieces of Mom’s, one a hinged Bakelite-style bracelet that I remember playing with as a child, but nothing too bling-y. I guess you could say my bling has flung. You’ve inspired me to start my collection anew!
Thank you so much Sarah! So appreciate all your comments and notes this year. Well that sure is a fun way to keep vintage jewelry being used. Love the drama department idea and I am sure they appreciate it too.. Bakelite is gorgeous isn’t it? Nice you have that. I am also collecting again and found a few pieces on EBAY and now going to hit the local charity shops after seeing everyone’s pretty things.
Happy Holidays! xo
#BLINGIT
Was a Fun IDEA!
I love your wreaths and especially the placement in the front door!Isnt it a little lower than the norm?
Frost on the roof tops today over here in the East BAY‼️
A Very Merry Christmas to you and your Household♥️
What did we do before Blogging?😆
Xoxoxo
Elizabeth, Yes I do hang it lower. I don’t know why, but I sort of like it that way with the wider door. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful pins! Super chilly and white here too. I don’t know what we did, but it sure is fun to have this little community.. I think I read the paper for an hour. This is surely more fun. xo
I really enjoy your Saturday posts! Thank you! And Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Thanks so much Judie! Wishing you Merry Christmas too!
Great post as always Kim… look forward to the next one in 2023!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your loved ones.
Thanks so much Fiona! So sweet of you. Happy Holidays to you also. xo
Each morning, I read several blogs as I’m having hot tea. I limit myself to two (large!) mugs and when the tea is gone, I stop reading. If you are in my inbox, I have to read you first! I always love your decorating, your clothing picks, your travel adventures, etc. Enjoy this well deserved break and have a wonderful holiday season! Oh, and now I’ve just got to get my hands on a pink poinsettia. I’m in Kentucky, so this might be a challenge!
Lisa, You made my day! Thank you. I sort of do the same in the morning by the fire! I hope you can find somme pink poinsettias. I love Kentucky, my husband was born in Louisville and all his family is there! Merry Christmas! xx
I wanted to echo those above who love your blog! Such great posts and variety
of things that you write about. I pulled my bling out and velvet and have been
wearing them when I go out! So many comments on how cute and festive they are!
Lake Tahoe in the winter is so fun, especially when there is lots of snow. We went
to Vail this time of the year for well over 30 years to ski and just relish in the winter
since we live in Arizona now. I don’t ski anymore, too many knee problems and I was
wiped out by snowboarder and that was it. Time to watch everyone and drink hot toddies
waiting for my husband to come down the mountain! Merry Christmas to you and
your family.Look forward to seeing your posts in January.🎅🏻🎄
Oh Char! Thank you so much for saying that.. Yay for getting your bling out and velvet! Isn’t it wonderful when people comment on the pins? They can be a fun conversation starter. Vail must have been wonderful. It’s still on my list! Oh gosh..well the hot toddies and apres ski can be fun too! Sometimes I just like sitting in the lodge with a book. I think it can be just as fun. I get a bit nervous when there are a lot of people on the mountain..
Enjoy your holiday Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! xo
Hi Kim,
I’m a bit late in responding.
Your front door wreath is so natural looking. It’s the California cool touch. The poinsettias that you found at Trader Joe’s are so pretty, and the pot too. Who ever buys in the floral department has great taste, and at excellent retail prices.
The brooches from the Contessa are beautiful and EastBayBarry tree is gorgeous.
You may recall our first woman to ever hold the U.S. Secretary Madeleine Albright. In all or most of her appearances she always had a brooch on. Madeleine passed away in March of this year. We saw her in person in November 2019. A lovely brilliant lady. I think her collection is big, always standout pieces. I should send you one of her brooches.
Thank you so much for bringing up Rick Steves European Christmas. Going to try and watch that
if everyone is interested. Sounds perfect to me. This is what Christmas is all about.
Kim, I’m so with YOU about keeping the gift giving thing simple. It’s so easy to get carried away.
My Bear writes up a wonderful Christmas/Holiday letter and I send out some cards. The days of sending out 70+ cards have gone by. We love receiving photo cards, that is a wonderful present to me. I’m a card paper person however I realize everyone is not.
Enjoy your cabin retreat in the woods. A time out to have some Kim recharge your batteries.
Thank you for adding to my life. You have a wonderful blog, you put so much into it and it shows.
Happy Merry Everything.
Katherine thanks so much about the wreath. Nice to use what I had! I agree Trader Joe’s is so good..Thank you for the reminder of the wonderful Madeline Albright. I just admired her hugely. That she used brooches to often convey her mood was the coolest thing.. I am going to get that book. What a shame losing her this year.
Isn’t it the truth about cards? I am so with you – a paper person and Max says luddite, but I can’t help it. I decided to just do a small amount of cards this year. I honestly don’t have it in me to do so many anymore, and I understand so many aren’t.. Each year it gets smaller the amount we get… and this job falls largely (almost exclusively) on women who are already doing so much at this time of year!
Thank you for the kindness and notes this year! I’m so lucky to be connected with you!
Happy cozy Christmas in pretty Arizona! xo
Here we are at the end of the year. Hard to believe. Those poinsettias are gorgeous and you’re right the pots are worth the price. You’ve got to hand it to Trader Joe’s. And their wreaths are amazing … and amazingly priced. Speaking of wreaths … how crafty are you?!!! Love the succulent addition. And that velvet ribbon is GORGEOUS. I’m so tempted by the Madewell booties. Love them. Wondering if I order right now will they arrive tomorrow in time for MY road trip?! Probably not … but they’ll be here when I get back. I’m going to check our coat closet … we have too many coats and thank you for the reminder about this wonderful organization. #BLINGIT has been a lot of fun … a great idea and so much enthusiasm! Have a well deserved rest, my friend. I hope you make it to Tahoe … how beautiful it must be right now. You’ll be setting new standards for Tahoe style! Wishing you the happiest Christmas and merriest New Year! xoxo
Juliet, They are such a good deal, but most of all pretty! The booties are so cute right? Hope you have a wonderful trip and a happy Christmas and New Year! xoxo
Hi Kim,
always the best here on your blog! Thank you for inviting us to join in on #blingit, I’ve worn a pin or two of my mom’s everyday now! I would have forgotten about them this year had you not posted your great idea.
Love your wreaths. They look great. The small ones are perfect for the French doors.
I’m lusting after those booties. Do I need another pair? NO! But still…
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Xo Heidi
Heidi, I just loved those pins on your pretty coat! Oh that’s so nice you got to enjoy them..Thanks for saying that. I know we could all use more booties right? Happy Holidays to you too. xo
KIm, It is always fun to start my Saturday morning meandering with you and Juliet. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday and a very healthy and happy New Year! See you in 2023!
Annemmarie, Aw Thank you! Wishing you a lovely holiday and New Year. xo
Kim,
I love what you did with your $19 wreath! I love that you added the dried hydrangeas and succulents. And on the back doors, you re-purposed the Hudson Grace ribbon. The owners, Gary and Monelle, would love that!
Your Pink poinsettias, too, on the checked tablecloth look so pretty!
Merry Christmas, Kim!
xoxox
Thanks so much Annie.I’m not as crafty as you..Merry Christmas Annie! xo
Love your easy Christmas gift and Tahoe outfit ideas! I always enjoy these weekend meanderings. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Years with your family! See you next year!
Thank you Molly so much! Happy Christmas and New Year.xo
Hi Kim, you’re getting so much well-deserved love in these comments, I have to add my tuppence worth! Your blog is truly my favourite on the whole internet for style, so thank you for another year of inspiration and and just lovely images and accessible ideas. Have a wonderful time in Tahoe, Merry Christmas to you and the whole family, love from Ontario.
Patricia, Aww gosh that is so kind. I am hoping you have a beautiful Christmas too. Stay cozy up there! Hugs to you.
Kim – you do such a great job and inspire me to be better at this. Thanks for your support and being an “on-line friend.” I consider myself lucky to have found this lovely group of CA ladies, only 8 months into my blogging life. Have a wonderful Christmas with your two boys and see you in January! xo
Gray
Gray, That is so nice of you. I think you are already so good! Nice we all are connected. We just need you to live closer!
Thank you so much. Have a lovely holiday and new year too. xo
Your wreath came out so gorgeous and the ribbon really adds so much! Wow those pink Pointsettias are amazing…I haven’t seen any at our TJ’s but will be there tomorrow. Enjoy your time off and hope you have a very Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁
Thanks so much Linda! I know I hope they get more, aren’t they the prettiest pinks? Wishing you a Merry Christmas and New Year. xo