On this weekend meander..a walk through Golden Gate Park, a few items to consider for your warm wardrobe update, Pottery Barn things and more…
How’s your week? Are you celebrating Easter or Passover or Ramadan? A lot of families gathering this week and next. Many have spring break. The weather is finally getting close to nice here after three months of dark and rain in California. I am feeling excited about coming out of this dark period and wearing some spring clothes and refreshing my yard pots with some flowers.
On Instagram, I shared my table from two years ago that was really simple. I loved it and it was merely the addition of small mini daisies from Trader Joes and white napkins with woven rings on white plates and a light table throw…
This year I will do something similar and easy for our brunch with my dad and Jackson. Griffin has to stay at school as he gets out at the end of April. I miss those younger years and all the Easter egg fun!
Easter Memories
I know I have written about this before, but I can’t think of Easter without my dear grandma Jody. She adored Easter and always made it extra special for us kids with scavenger hunts for candy and a coconut bunny rabbit cake. She loved having us dress up and many years I had Easter dresses made by her and even a matching bags. I loved all that so much!
When my boys were young I had the same scavenger hunt for them and their cousins and grandma would make her cake…This is one year when they were younger with grandma and the bunny cake!
She also loved the whole Easter attire thing and we have many years of photos of her and my papa with my dad Ray, and his younger siblings Denny and Wendy in Easter finery.. Some of them so funny with the kids not always wanting to pose as kids do. I give my grandma credit for getting the photos and them all dressed up! I treasure these and miss her terribly -and my mom.
Golden Gate Park walk
Has it been a while since you’ve been on a walk through Golden Gate Park in San Francisco? It’s so enormous I haven’t barely scratched the edge of it. It’s been a while for us and so last weekend, for Max’s birthday he wanted to walk through the western part and see the windmills and some of the areas we haven’t seen that end up by the ocean. I tried to draw a sort of approximate path of our meander…We started on the lower path first..
We began by parking at Fulton Street and hopping into the park and right into what is a big area for disc golf ( or frisbee golf), where there were teams of people playing this (serious competitors), and having a blast.
The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom and so many people were taking photos. We got over to John F Kennedy Drive and walked along there for a while and then crossed over to what was the polo fields many years ago- now soccer fields, and a horse boarding area.
Beyond that is a little path and we came upon the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club which has been there since the 1930’s and was built by the WPA. Who knew ?!
If you wander around the side of the stone cottage you come upon a patio overlooking huge pools. The patio and the club has a Yellowstone vibe with many fly fishing enthusiasts sitting there enjoying the sun with dogs and watching the casting. They kindly gave me a tour of the clubhouse and they were setting up for a class. If you enroll, a class takes three years…That’s not a typo! It’s such a cool spot.
If you want to dip your feet in the casting pool, there is a free class every second Saturday, and their Instagram is full of more cool things they do. Really nice guys there. Golden Gate Angling Club is the oldest and largest fly fishing club in the world, so check it out!
The side of the park is just loaded with surprises like the buffalo area, a dog park, trails for mountain biking, and a lovely pond. Some older guys were having a remote control sailboat race!
A short saunter from there is one of the famous windmills and the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden to honor the late Queen of the Netherlands. Right now this is the time to go and the tulips are starting to bloom. All pop up at different times, so go sometime in April.
A block to the north out of the park, is Ocean Beach area where we found a cute lunch spot. The Ocean Beach Cafe is tucked between two high rise apartment blocks and has a sunny corner. The food is fresh and the cafe is famous for being alcohol free and sells every kind of alcohol free drink. Their craft cocktails have won awards.
They also host alcohol free events, have what they call Temperance Tastings and even have Mixology Classes in alcohol free craft cocktails, and Club AF, alcohol free. It all started when owner Joshua went 11 months without alcohol. More about it all here.
We just had turkey sandwiches and cokes and it was a great spot near the park to put our feet up before the hike back to the car. It was a fun way to spend a birthday for Max on a nice spring day finally! Golden Gate Park is over 1,000 acres and a full list of things to see is here.
On my radar..
On a little outing to Pottery Barn I noticed these Ikat drapes. I adore these and want them for my dining room. I don’t know if they will always carry them, but sometimes these gems go away and can be hard to get later. They also have pillows and wallpaper..All the PB Ikat here.
I saw a new to me, brand of cute tops at a boutique this week and then a friend mentioned she loves the same brand – Nation! This California company is officially on my radar and I love all their whimsical tops like this pretty grey one with smocked cuffs for springtime. This also comes in white .
I am obsessed with closet organization and I always love seeing Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus’s closets in their homes.. so when I heard Jeremiah is now hosting the new California Closet Podcast, ‘Ideas of Order,’ I was excited. He’s all about beautiful organization. You can find the first episode wherever you get Podcasts..or Spotify.
I adore this bamboo flatware. I’ve been considering a set for a while and the PB ones are heavy and excellent quality. They are ones you can keep forever and how charming on a table, especially for spring and summer. Right now the individual sets are on sale.
White jeans and asymmetrical tops
I just got these bootcut crops white jeans from J. Crew and love that they have a bit stretch and a thick material, and not tight straight leg.
I also just ordered these kick out crop white jeans.. I need at least two white pairs that feel good for summer and I pitched all my skinny white denim.
The Fisherman Sandals/mules are perfect for the transition to warmer weather! I went to the local Madewell in Santana Row, which is finally open, (and lovely with a guy’s section now ), and bought my regular size. Very comfortable and well made. I wanted to try the butter color, but it wasn’t in store.
I also bought this one shoulder top which I shared in stories..Runs very small so I bought an XL and will wear it under jackets. This is a top any age can wear and look good and under a jacket is a nice updated feel. This jacket is the one I shared last weekend. It’s very oversized and this is an XS. That’s right- the end of the spectrum in sizes !
I’m also loving this one shoulder option from Anthro which is a bit longer and would be darling for vacation. More fun one shoulder looks here.
My Mom’s Demand Meeting
Last week I shared with you all I was going on Sunday to attend a local Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense meeting. It was my first at a local park. I took max with me too. I have to say I was expecting a huge turnout after last week’s terrible shooting. Sadly there were about 17 people there..
That’s not to say the people there weren’t great. They were so wonderful and talked about the different ways they organization is making strides in the fight against gun violence. They had one person who had just gone to Sacramento and met with lawmakers to talk about the upcoming bills. They had another person who helps elect and partner with politicians who support gun reform. There are other initiatives they also work on like safe storage of guns which hugely helps prevent child deaths.
I plan to keep attending and helping, but I sure would like to see more of us out there making change. We aren’t going to get any movement in this country if a large metropolitan area can’t get more people to meet up and care about this.
I hope to man a table at our local farmer’s market and get more people to join us! If you want to change things this organization has helped place more people in office than any other and helped hugely changed the conversation about guns and gun culture in America. More info and how to find a local chapter here.
The Tennessee Three
Are you appalled by what happened to the three lawmakers from Tennessee? I was saddened to see the two young men, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson expelled from their jobs. With all the awful things happening in this nation, these two guys are a bright spot and brilliant young men who are doing good. They inspire me and so many others!
If you want to see what Jones has been up to, just go to his Instagram account that has many of his very calm and inspiring speeches in the past months. I am a huge fan. You can also donate to both of them to show you stand with them.
I’ll be back Tuesday with Cindy and April’s Signature Style which is on dresses!
On last weekend’s post an inspiring Montecito home in AD, pretty spring yellows, an easy and delicious tortilla soup, and how to take action on gun violence.
I hope you all have a great weekend,
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Good morning Kim,
Happy Easter weekend! I hope you have a lovely brunch with your family! It is always nice to see photos and read your family stories. The “good old days” of easter finery, egg hunts and bunny cakes. We did all that as well and I love my memories from those special days. In fact, my mom made the same cake for us!
Your California adventures are a treat! I learn so much about a beautiful area of the country I’ve not spent much time. The cherry blossoms and tulips look beautiful!
Love your new white jeans! They look fabulous on. you, as do your Madewell mules!
As for Pottery Barn, they always have something fun to add to the house! The curtains would look beautiful in your dining room!And the bamboo flatware is perfect for summer entertaining. I have contemplated a set myself, but still have not pulled the plug.
Have a wonderful weekend Kim! Happy Easter! Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories and finds!
xo Elizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth. I also love the old photos and memories of Easter clothes and dressing up. Things have changed a lot. I was thinking of those drapes for the dining room!
I hope you have a beautiful weekend and look forward to your post too. x
Thank you for another enjoyable and thoughtful post. Your memories of past Easters generated good memories of my past Easters. Your stroll through the park was informative as well as enjoyable. I always enjoy and I am very often inspired by your fashion and decor shopping. Most of all your concern regarding gun violence gave me the gentle shove I needed to get involved in MDA. Thank you and Happy Easter.
Hi Carolina, thanks so much..fun to look back. I really appreciate your note! Thanks so much and caring about this. Happy easter to you too!
We dressed for Easter!
And WE LOVED IT‼️
Matching hat and coat was what I recall!I hated the coat one year it was BLUE🤣
Oh dear only 17 people!
What a Wonderful way to spend a birthday!
I remember that old windmill it was on the way to the SF ZOO!
I’m freezing where did the sun go?
Enough of this weather!
I have cancelled EASTER this year.To sick.SAD.
Hope to do it next weekend.
Xxx
Elizabeth why did that all go away? I loved Easter dress- the bonnets, the shoes and gloves!
I hope your weekend is lovely and the sun comes out.. Maybe you can sit in the garden and feel better.
Sending hugs to you!
xo
Kim, your plan to have a table to get the word out about MOMS DEMAND ACTION and find like minded people to get involved is excellent. Watching BBCAmerica news on PBS , and are aware of the grim realities of America’s weapons policy. Here in Canada, we are seeing more signs of the use of knives in attacks. All appalling. Progress does follow…albeit slowly…the demands of rational people
to change what is an absurd situation .
I got myself my first pair of white jeans …ever! At almost 73 ! Will definitely have fun putting together outfits from my closet. As long as I don’t wear white near my face I’m okay. Cream girl.
But white jeans do say summer ☀️
Enjoying your treks through San Francisco… keeping information for a future trip… will be a third visit…and I do love exploring by walking.
HAPPY EASTER 🐣
Cath, Thanks.. I hope I can get some more interest in Mom’s Demand! Know I am hearing about these knife attacks. Very sad also.. Yes someone in SF just this week at night. Terrible and I hope they figure out who did it.
Yay for you and white denim. I know you must be a stylish 73! Have some fun .. I think they have so many possibilities- and I love when people wear them in winter too.
Happy Easter to you!
Another interesting and enjoyable to read post Kim. Likewise me and my kids have grown up with Easter egg hunts.. with the bonus of a 4 day weekend national holiday ( in NZ). May be my last one with my kids as they are off to college … no longer do I get up early and race around hiding the eggs.
Wow, an anglers club in the GGP!!! I haven’t been to the Western end yet but definitely now have it on my to do list…. Thank you again for being a “ tour guide”.
Wishing you and your family a very happy Easter Sunday !
Hi Fiona,
Thank you! How nice NZ has a four day holiday for Easter. We get NO national holiday here! Enjoy the kids! I hate that we can’t all be together for it now.
The angler’s club was a total surprise to Max and I! It’s really something and hidden sort of. Yes you have to explore this end of the park when you come.
Wishing you a lovely Easter too!
Hi Kim,
I really enjoy your posts. I always learn something new. As someone who lives in TN I’m especially interested in hearing viewpoints outside of our area. Thank you for sharing your insights. I agree the TN 3 are to be applauded for their efforts to do something about the rampant gun violence across our country. I also agree that Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are inspirational in their activism.
Have a wonderfully blessed Easter.
Regards, Sherri
Hi Sherri! Thanks so much lovely to hear from someone actually in Tennessee. I have been inspired by many people in your state. I know it’s been the focus of a lot of controversy, but I have also seen more people there fighting for change than almost anywhere.. You guys may be the center of the revolution that is going to bring change to the gun culture!
Thanks for your note and keeping good thoughts for you all over there.
Happy Easter! xo
Kim,
Thanks for another wonderful post! I know I’ve said it before, but I miss the Bay Area so much after living in Orange County for several years. I feel so connected when I read your posts and view your lovely pics.
What a fabulous day in GGP for you and your husband! I can remember so many lovely times running through there when I lived in The City after college. Oh, and of course Bay-To-Breakers!
I loved your review of Ocean Beach Cafe. My husband and I drastically reduced our drinking. I was drinking wine every night especially when the kids were younger (now they are 10 & 14) and my husband would drink after work religiously.
He to zero now for two years and me just socially. We feel so great! It was lovely to watch Josh’s YouTube video. We had no idea there were places like this with such a variety of wonderful non-alcoholic choices! Very inspiring indeed.
I’m going to try the white Madewell jeans here at Mission Viejo Mall. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Thank you again for bringing NorCal to me every week. It warms my heart.
Happy Easter!
-Karen L.
Karen, So happy the blog connects you back to Northern Cal! How wonderful you lived in the city. I saw many people running last weekend and was thinking what a good place to run if you were living nearby.
You guys are not alone with changing drinking habits. So many friends I know have totally stopped or really reduced drinking. Max and I rarely drink much anymore. We used to be in a wine club and everything. We just realized we feel better when we don’t, so we just do it if we are going to special dinner, or out with friend, but sometimes not even then.
I loved that this cafe still had all the cool cocktails and fun social things that you might feel left out on if you avoided alcohol. I do think Justin is inspiring too!
Let me know how those Madewell jeans are! I didn’t see them at our branch.
Thanks for the kind note Karen and Happy Easter to your family!
Golden Gate Park is so beautiful, we took some great photos when we were there. Including a few amongst the tulips and the windmill.
I’m surprised there wasn’t a better turnout for the meeting you attended. Maybe some people were too busy with Spring Break and Easter preparations? I truly believe it’s going to take the younger Generation to change anything with the gun laws, although it will take years probably. There were fired up!!
Love that one shoulder top. Thanks for mentioning the sizing issue. I would have ordered a large but I will probably go with a XL.
I too am appalled at what happened to the lawmakers in Tennessee. An insurrection? Really? So ridiculous. They were up there for like 20 seconds. I read today that some council members might vote to reinstate Justin Jones.
Enjoy the beautiful weather and have a happy Easter. No rain in the 10 day forecast here. 🤞I pulled so many weeds in our yard one weekend now I have tennis elbow.
Linda
Linda, It’s so pretty, right now especially! I feel badly I haven’t explored it more before now! Yes I am hoping that a maybe spring break had something to do with the turnout…
The top is fun and hope the sizing works.
I know isn’t is unbelievable about these young men? I do hope they get reinstated! Yay for nice weather finally.. Gosh our weed issue because of the rains is really bad and I have tot get out there too.
Happy Easter! xo
Hi Kim 😊 Another wonderful post … so many interesting topics and such a beautiful picture of Grandma Jody with your boys and her gorgeous bunny cake! How lovely that she made it every year and you all celebrated together. I think the simple Easter traditions are the best … bunny cakes and egg hunts. So much fun.
Thank you for the wonderful tour around Golden Gate Park. I had no idea how extensive it is or all the varied activities etc. Such a surprise to see the windmill … the picture reminds me of the Netherlands and Belgium!
I love places that serve really great non alcoholic drinks … great fresh juices and even cocktails. If I choose a cocktail it’s for the flavours not the alcohol! So great to have a choice of alcohol free ones.
Like you and others here, I imagined a much larger number of people at the meeting you attended… hopefully this will increase. Such a good idea to have an area at your local farmers market to highlight the group.
Your Easter tables are always so beautiful and uplifting … I hope you all have a lovely family day ( although I know how much you’ll miss Griffin )
I look forward to your posts so much and I especially enjoy curling up with an early coffee and reading them. Such a happy and relaxing start to my day.
Rosemary xxx
Hi Rosemary! I know I am so happy to ahem the photos of my grandma and the bunny cake! She really made that holiday special for us and I am so grateful to have grown up with her nearby.
I know love GG Park! I am with you, I choose a drink now more for the taster and not the alcohol. MY son doesn’t get that at all- but he’s young.
I hope your weekend and Easter were good! Thanks so much for the sweet note. xo
Kim – So much to love in this post. The old photos, your Easter table…and I love the idea of getting a table at your local farmers market to get more people involved in MOMS DEMAND ACTION. I’m definitely going to look into a chapter near me! Surprisingly, only 17 people attended, but it’s a start!
Annie thanks so much. I know hoping the Mom’s Demand Grows. This little organization is changing this nation, even if our lawmakers aren’t.. This group is!
Hi Kim,
Ah, what a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday. In GGP there is beauty that surrounds you everywhere isn’t there? We have not been for many years. I have ran and walked in GGP, it’s beautiful. The Ocean Beach Cafe that Joshua
has created is unique and smart. What a brilliant concept. I did listen to his story on You Tube and I enjoyed hearing about his journey and what lead him to stop drinking. I always in years past loved my wine, however I never felt in tip -top shape the next day. When I went into serious training for my marathons that is when I totally stopped. My honey enjoys a glass of red wine once in awhile, taking a smell from the glass or bottle is so nice, but that’s it. I love my water and almond sugar free milk.
Oh the Easter photos that you shared are wonderful. They all tell a story. Dear grandma Jody is just beautiful, she looks so pretty all dolled up in pink. The boys in that photo with her is adorable. The boys are so cute, that picture is a treasure. I love everything about your grandma she made everything memorable and special. Talk about “leaving footprints on your heart.”
The Tennessee Three and what happened is appalling but nothing seems to surprise me anymore.
Glad you and Max attended “Moms Demand Action.” Maybe the numbers will grow in attendance. It’s good you were both present.
If you pick this up today wishing you a Blessed Easter. 🌷🐇🌷
Hi Katherine! I know we are so lucky to have this park! I love that you ran through there and were training! I agree love wine, but now how I feel later.. I think a little red wine in moderation is supposed to be beneficial. I give Joshua kudos for what he has done.
Aww thanks so much about Grandma. What a sweet thing to say. She definitely left footprints our hearts. Hope your Easter was lovely!
xoxo
Happy Easter, Kim! So many great things today … as always. What a lovely day in the park. I keep adding things to my list of places to visit in the City. I’m going to need to spend a month there to cover everything. I told Jim about the fly casting. He had no idea and it’s something he’s really wanted to do. Grandma Jody! Love your memories. Easter was such a big deal when I was growing up. We always got a new Easter dress … usually with hat and new MaryJane’s. The dying of eggs and the hunt. Just downloaded Jeremiah’s pod … how did I not know?! I love him, I love a good closet … and, of course, a new pod! It’s disappointing to hear so few people showed up for the area meeting. I wonder if that has to do with spring break and so many people out of town. A table at the Farmer’s Market is a great idea … and excellent way to get more locals interested and involved. I think may, like me, just feel helpless and hopeless. I’ve been following the two Justin’s the past week … inspiring young men. And I’m not sure the TN lawmakers thought this through … because they’ve made national stars of these two men and what we’re witnessing is the beginning of two great and I’m sure long and meaningful careers. And I think they are likely to be reseated. This could be a blessing in disguise. Time will tell. That said, I’m horrified and appalled by what happened. It’s wrong on every level and even in our current climate, shocking and so, wrong. On a happier note, I look forward to Signature Style! xo
Juliet, Jim would dig the fly fishing spot! It’s really cool. I know Easter always meant getting new shoes for us too! I am excited about the podcast too. I aim hooping that is why the turnout to this meeting was low and I do plan to work at the Farmer’s Market..and other things. These two Justins have inspired SO many. I think the TN lawmakers have catapulted these young men to the spotlight and are rallying us all to change the gun laws to listen to the kids in this nation. They don’t need to live this way! xo