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Northern California Style

Fall

October Mood

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I know It’s been too long. Things have been nuts with the remodel, moving the oldest son back to college (junior year!) and a few other things. I love October so I thought it would be fun to share a few cool things I have been obsessing on and a few other thoughts.. WE HAD RAIN TODAY! I was so happy.

The entrance at my rental has a nice porch and a beautiful old tree. I got my pumpkins at Trader Joe’s and have a few out. I like this new doormat I got, though my kids like to think they are funny flipping it. I bought it at my favorite home store, Magpie, which is in Willow Glen. There are so few shops independently owned and so well curated like Magpie is. It’s on Lincoln Avenue in San Jose and I never miss a chance to pop in and see what they have. If you are far away you can also get the doormat here.

I brought out my skull sweater and pumpkin colored blouse. I can’t find anything like it online, but there is this pretty cinnamon colored sweater that would be beautiful for right now with so much and it’s 40% off.

It’s gorgeous everywhere around here. the trees all have breathtaking colors. I often pick up leaves that I love and bring them home to display in a wooden bowl with any full acorns I find. Wood bowls are especially nice about the house and I have to say the best ones I have found are at Home Goods, so keep your eyes peeled when you go there. It’s hit and miss, but sometimes you get lucky.

I’m going to try and copy this pretty bowl of apples they had last year at Ojai Valley Inn last fall. Isn’t it lovely with the candles? So cozy.

I am fully into the house choices now and so I have been reading a lot, looking back at my reams of torn pages and magazines I have saved for inspiration. This book, French House Chic is fun and I have really enjoyed the story of this family’s journey and how they ended up creating a home in France. Jane is a great writer and the photos are gorgeous.

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Thoughts on a Fall Weekend and a Great Home Book

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It’s finally feeling like a real fall here! I love fall weekends and there’s a lot going on now. We are going to the take our boys to the first NASA open house ever this weekend. My husband got tickets long ago and they have been waiting for this. Some wonderful women including my friend Kim and many others will be running the Nike Marathon in San Francisco this weekend. Go Kimmy! So great they do that.

Mostly, I’m elated because we are actually getting WEATHER!!! I took this ground  pic accidentally today and check it out.. Leaves!! (I love my zebra Tom’s too.)

Around these parts there has been no weather to speak of for a long, long while. Let me tell you it is possible to get sick of sandals and shorts. I want to wear some sweaters, scarves, and boots and not have the feeling I may be experiencing a hot flash or something!

Pumpkins have been put out…

I’ve got my witch hat ready..

We get out for a rare school night date. Jerry Seinfeld was in town and we didn’t want to miss it. We are diehard Seinfeld fans and he didn’t disappoint. We laughed for 2 hours straight! Hilarious observations on parenting and being married from Jerry.

 On other cool things, I just have to share this beautiful book I got in the mail. It’s seriously the best eye candy and home inspiration I have seen in a while and it’s not Pinterest. That’s right, I don’t need my readers to enjoy it. 😉 Real paper here people!
The book is called The Well-Dressed Home. They recently had the author and designer, Annette Tatum as a guest tastemaker or whatever they call it on One King’s Lane, and that’s how I found the book. Don’t buy it there though. They aren’t shipping it until mid-November for some reason..They do have it hardcover on Amazon for around $14 though. You may want to visit Annette’s beautiful site. She’s based in Santa Monica and I love her taste.

This book helps you decide what your home style is. Thing is, I wanted to be them all..
Eco-Eclectic? Sounds like me….


 Though I really loved Casual Romantic!

But wait, I’m kind of Resort too!!

 Eclectic Modern?

  Eclectic Bohemian!! (Well, I just want to look like that.)

All joking aside though, it takes the visuals that appeal to you and helps you hone your style into a home that is uniquely you. Just a pleasure to read and I possibly have multiple personalities… Or I’m just scattered, as I have been told. Still, a terrific home decor book.

You can find it now on Amazon here.
I though it looked kind of nice on my blue desk.

I also have some of my favorite pics on the desk. Love this old sweet one of my guys.

The boys are growing so fast and much is happening…This fall especially with the high schooler. Being a junior means learning to drive, college visits, planning for tests, hard classes and the darn Homecoming or Coro (short for coronation) as it’s called here. I had a friend post something on Facebook on how much stress it is for girls – the drama of dances, etc. She remarked the boys just have to ask and then worry about the Homecoming game score.

It isn’t like that at all in my home. In fact, quite the opposite. I don’t know if it’s like this where you live, but here boys are expected to not only ask the girl they want, but to do it in a very dramatic and public fashion. At our school, it has been things like writing it on their chests, delivering flowers to class while asking, or in the middle of a football game or during lunch time in front of everyone!

 It’s more than most husband’s did to ask their wives’ hands in marriage and is frankly a stupid and intimidating ritual. It scares the heck out of many boys who have a hard enough time getting the nerve up to just ask. Imagine also being the girl. What if you want to say no? How embarassing and harder in such a public forum. Frankly, I wish our school would do away with it. After trying this once as a Freshman, my son has just decided to opt out of the whole process. I’m not even addressing all the the stress about what group you are going to go with, where to have a fancy dinner, and also what parents are offering their beautiful and photo-worthy home to do the group photos at? It’s enough to make a lot of kids run for cover. Isn’t it hard enough being a teen in today’s world? Is it crazy like this elsewhere? I’d just like to know!

In the middle schooler’s world, there was school spirit day this week. 

Griffin and friend Abby are in the purple group this year. Three color groups compete for best spirit.
I believe he may be going with a slight purple tinge for a while.
There’s a lot of great Halloween decorating around here. I love it. 
My friend Aimee had one of the cutest ideas. I love her bats….

These are made of felt and she stapled them to the house. Really cute.

 Aimee is one of the kindest people and in her hand is a darling baby kitten.
She fosters feral kittens who need to be with people and not in a shelter, so they make good pets.

This sweet baby is Tigger and he is alone. His brother didn’t make it and Tigger himself had to have a toe taken off. He walks with a bowlegged walk, but is doing well thanks to her care. Two other friends I know also foster pets. It’s such a nice thing to do. Is he not precious?

Wishing you all a lovely fall weekend and some sweater weather!

Kim

Why I Heart Autumn . . .

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Today is probably the prettiest fall say so far here in Northern California! Every tree that can has turned the brightest colors and the winds are blowing everything around. Walks are imperative right now to fully appreciate the beauty about. 
Shockingly, a few radio stations are beginning their holiday music programs next Tuesday! What? When an Instagrammer posted Rudolf and Christmas trees at a local store complaining, his responses were mostly,”Christmas is never too early,”and the like. At my local grocery and the shops the holiday tunes are already blasting…I know, I’ve already got a holiday gift list going in my head, and a card photo to take, but hold on.
Hello It’s Me
The best thing about fall is it stops you in your tracks and makes you slow down. Seriously, it is so gorgeous you can’t help pausing to take it all in. Christmas sadly, is all about hurry and tick off those boxes and jam it all in. It’s coming, but why rush it? There’s also some nice down time after Thanksgiving, time off that’s a bit of a small gift before the avalanche. No way am I spending those days shopping!
With that thought, I’m presenting you all the fall loveliness I’ve been gathering for a while. Here’s to autumn!! Christmas, you wait your turn. Don’t you know how to queue up?
I’ve heard pinecones called winter’s roses. Lovely!

 

Carolyne Roehm

Williams-Sonoma

Apple-buttered sweet potatoes via BH&G
Becoming Minimalist

Beautiful fall tablescape. via Anthropolgie

Found on Pinterest.  Original Link  here. 
How fab is this look? Similar lightweight scarf in the prettiest yellow at Bloomies.  I’d love to have a short tan jackets like hers.  The leopard pumps are a classic and cute versions are everywhere now and Nordstrom has so many versions you should check them out.
Country Living

Ralph Lauren.  Your welcome.  😉

I love this so much.

Under Spanish Moss

 What they are wearing in Paris.. Collagevintage
 Why is it I only see old men in velour jogging suits when I am walking?

Olivia Palermo makes me want everything she wears!

More Ralph Lauren. How darling is this?
Seersucker and Saddles. Adorable haircut.

Walnut, Parmesan and Parsley Linguine via Simple Provisions

 

I’m trying to include a few guys this time. I know they read too and I’m afraid they get left out.

Happy weekend. Hope you get to fully savor fall!

Kim

Images as noted and other links can be found on my Pinterest boards, I Love Fall and Thinking About Fall Already.

Fall, Life and Stuff

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I’m writing this post on my high schooler’s desk. He doesn’t know it, but he has the best view in the house and I love a desk with a view. (Yes, I did have to clean off the Subway sandwich,  Slurpee cups and candy wrappers first, but let’s not let reality enter into this!)

I bought him this vase for his pens. Cute isn’t it?

Summer finally seems to be taking it’s leave and fall has fully descended upon us here in Northern California. On my walk, I noticed so many brightly colored trees, some are already losing their leaves, and it is just gorgeous right now! California may not have the autumn display that Vermont does, but we have a pretty good one.

The birds are having a heyday with the riot of berries in the bushes and trees around here. They are going bonkers and it’s fun to watch the show. It’s become very cool and wet in the mornings and finally I am ready to bring out my boots, fleece and down items. Goodbye flip-flops. Though I guess they are never really gone here in California. Just at the bottom of the shoe basket for a while…

The heralding of fall gets me thinking of the passage of time. How could this year be nearing a close so soon? What do you mean Thanksgiving is around the corner?  Christmas I can’t really wrap my head around yet, but I do have a little bit of excitement when I think of Christmas songs and decorating the tree..

That said, it also means the birthdays of my two boys are coming in a few weeks. Each school year becomes busier than the last. Days are flying by and I just want to make it all slow down. I want more family time. The nights of reading to them are over. Some nights we can get a game night in if homework doesn’t intrude. Weekend trips are even trickier with the homework and it seems everyone want to hang with their friends. I get it. You mean you don’t want to be with us 24/7?? Lol. Does anyone else feel this way?

There’s a lot of this going on when the fire’s on.  I also keep hearing from this one, “Mom, stop harshing my mellow.” Right!

My days also feel so chunked up. I accomplish so little! Like right now I should be putting the next load in the washer, but I’m writing and pondering what’s on our plate after-school. I’m wondering what I need to get from the grocery that I’m missing from tonight’s dinner…Also tomorrow’s lunch boxes. They’ve already eaten what I’ve bought for the week.

On a quick side trip to the store yesterday I remembered that Grif, my youngest needed socks that, “Slide on easily mom and my pajamas are too short.” Done. No memory loss on that trip.

Only to get a comment last night from the eldest, Jackson that, “My socks are all too tight mom.” I thought he was flush with socks..Grrr.

Yesterday, as I was about to run out and get groceries the call comes, “Mom we played soccer in P.E. today and the grass was all wet. My shoes and socks are soaked. Can you bring me dry ones?” There goes another 45 minutes.

 Happy to greet the high-schooler mid-afternoon I get, “Mom, I need a laptop. All the high-schoolers have one.” My response if you need one you will have to save for it yourself. (He has a fairly new and very nice desk top one.) The response, “Mom is it really fair to ask me to pay for school supplies?” Nice try.

Then this morning from the 6th grader, “Mom I’ve decided I no longer want to play cello. I’m switching to flute to be with my friends. Yes, I know I said I wanted to do bass last week, but I really mean it. Can we go look at flutes today? Oh and I need blood for my Halloween costume asap.”

Ten minutes before the Boy Scout meeting Monday night, “Mom my Scout pants are too short and need hemming and can you add 4 patches too? The last patches you put on are falling off.” Hmm, I never did master sewing.

“Mom, can you buy some GOOD food for once?” In others words, he means junk food. This from the high schooler of course. Note to self, when getting a few token processed items, buy guinea pig food and another large container of Calm while I’m out!

Yes, they are working me. Total hustlers. It’s a mom’s job to put the kibash on a large percentage of these things. It’s also my job to make a loving, cozy home and though most of the time I enjoy it, I get worn down.  I try to remind myself in a few short years one will already be away at school, and the other also not long after. I’ve got to savor all the adversity. I know I’ll have much more time then to do all the things I don’t have much time for now. Those are on the back-burner while I make those guys my priority. (Reader, I have a blogger girl’s night away in November. I can’t wait!)

Despite the chaos, last weekend we whisked the eldest away minutes after finishing his PSAT and the four of us made a road trip to my brother’s in El Dorado Hills, near Sacramento. That’s a beautiful area near California’s Gold Country. They also have a famous area called Apple Hill to buy apples, crafts and have picnics. The weather was so gorgeous.

I couldn’t stop snapping photos. The light and the farms were just too pretty.

This area is amazingly beautiful and the sweet scent of apples wafts through the air. There are over 50 farms along with bakeries, wineries and even a brewery on the beautiful winding road that goes through here. Apple Hill is a must do if you get up to this area of California!

I love warm fall days and being outside in the softer sunlight. I am also savoring the quality time with the boys as it is happening less and less. The highlight of this trip for them I think, was being with their cousins. Cousins are the most special friends you can have and I wish they had more time to be together.

We also had a good time watching my brother fly his hovercraft. They are fortunate to live in an area with a gorgeous view facing towards the Sierras and a backyard that is open space.

It’s perfect for remote control planes, or RC, if you know this stuff. My brother has a side business selling the parts and things and he is doing very well. Apparently this is pretty popular stuff. Boys love it of course…

I got some quality girl time with my sweet sister-in-law, Line.

And my favorite niece, Veronica!

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Also, this week I made a lovely discovery, this book, “Fall in Love for Life,” by Barbara, “Cutie’ Cooper.

Written by a 90 something grandmother, it’s a smart and inspirational guide to married life and more. Cutie, as she is called, tells it like it is, while we experience her lifetime-the hard times and good. She doesn’t sweat the small stuff and inspires you to value what matters. I bought my copy at Anthropolgie. She has her own blog, The-OGs– so fun! You can even follow this 96 year old on Twitter! Today she tweeted that it was cold and your grandma says bundle up. I love it!

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Speaking of lovely, I also found another blog dedicated to Northern California that you will drool over if you love this area and great photos. California Coastin is the blog of Tiffany Ingram, an amazing young woman who is a fantastic photographer. She really has captured some of my very favorite spots in California on her site. Seriously a treat to visit her gorgeous blog!

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 This blog has been a bit slower coming, but I’m ramping up and I’ll be back with a decorating post very soon. I just realized I never wrote the final trip post about Germany! Yikes. That’s in the can as well..Thanks so much to all you long-time readers and all the new friends too! I know that some of you are getting the new post emails on Bloglovin’ and it would be lovely if you follow me on Facebook where I post more frequently and there are always links to latest blog!

Now I’m off to stare out the window a bit and watch those birds!

Wishing a beautiful fall weekend to you all!

Kim

P.S. So excited Uniqlo (it’s supposed to be the Japanese Gap), is opening tomorrow at Valley Fair nearby here and I plan on getting over there to get a fleece and one of their gorgeous down puffers for $49. Have you heard of this store or shop there? I cannot wait to check it out!

What I Bought for Fall

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 With Thanksgiving less than a week away I’m starting to feel the twinges of seasonal anxiety coming. I just celebrated one son’s birthday last week, will be hosting Thanksgiving for 14, and then a week later son number two’s birthday comes. Usually, if I survive that it’s like, “Yikes! How did I get to this point in December with no cards/shopping/decorating, etc. done?

 Today, instead of inspiring you with shots of turkeys and pretty tables, here’s a post I wrote a before this craziness began. I did want to show what I finally ended up adding to my own closet this Fall.

If you read my past bit on wardrobes, you’ll know, I tried hard to be a minimalist!  A few things to spice up the old wardrobe and give a smattering of polish to what I already own. To wit:

1. A Burberry trench. No, I did not spend $1,000 on this coat. It was on sale in July, during Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale. I also had a windfall from selling some patio furniture, and put it toward this coat, which I am hoping will last me through a few decades! Total cost, (with sale and savings applied) $180! By the way, Nordstrom’s once a year, Anniversary sale, in July, is one not to miss and worth making a investment purchase at.

2. Two pairs of Tom’s shoes. If you aren’t already familiar with this wonderful company, they give a new pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair you purchase. That’s a win-win. Get some cute shoes and help kids who need it too. I bought a pair of the super comfy flats in taupe, and a pair of yellow corduroy wedges with peep toes. Love them both. One practical and one for fun!

3. Camel colored sweater jacket from Nordstrom on sale. A little polish and warmth at the same time. Love the color and it’s cute with animal prints too. Camel is very Grace Kelly to me and always looks classic.

4. A very soft leopard and zebra print tan and white scarf from Banana Republic. Love the bit of metallic on it for the holidays and I think it will be usable for Summer too.

5. A tiny bendable rhinestone wrap bracelet, from a boutique in town. Looks like diamonds and can mix and match with all my bangles. This shows a stack of them, which could be pretty too.

6. AG Jeans in a dark straight leg. These were also an investment, but I haven’t bought jeans in a year or so. I know they will be worn so much they are worth it. This is my first pair of these. They fit well, don’t stretch out and I love where the waist is, higher, but not too much and it hits at the perfect spot to flatter.

I also bought a custom made shirt dress in a grey blue that I am very excited still to get. I will give more details on that experience in a later post.

That’s it! Well, also got a rose scarf and a yellow print blouse at Gap. Now I’m trying to mix and match with the few other basic T’s I bought and my favorites I always wear.

On my wish list:

A FEED bag. Have you heard about these? This company started by Lauren Bush is all about making caring for others on this planet cool. The cross-body bags are chic, and at the same time you are funding a worthy cause. Depending on the style you choose, you could be helping buy school lunches for the UN World Food program,  immunizations in Africa, vitamins in South America and more. I love that by wearing one you are  saying, “Hey I’d rather give my money to this cause than a designer. ” Check them out. Hoping to get one myself soon. I can’t decide which style I like best! I think this one is a super cute bag for weekends and running errands. I’d wear mine with a chunky beige sweater and my jeans. Love it.

Hope I’ll have a chance to write later this week and give you some Thanksgiving inspiration!
Kim:)

Fall Wardrobe Stuff…and Closets

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My bowl of bracelets. Perfect for the pile-it-on jewelry trend for Fall!

Don’t you love Fall clothes? I really do look forward to chunky sweaters and boots. I Loooove herringbone, tweeds, cable-knits, argyles, cashmere, camel hair and all the lush fabrics that embody this season !

When I was a small girl, I loved school shopping with my Mom.  I could picture myself meeting my teacher in my new dress, fresh knee-high socks and shiny mary-janes. Growing up, there was always some item of clothing I coveted that would change my world if I could just get it. Clothes lovers you know what I mean! My Mom, bless her, always made sure I had a few special things, even when we didn’t have a ton of money. One, I remember, was a red faux fur coat in elementary school, another time it was flowered denim platforms in fourth grade and later, in junior high, brown dittos jeans and boots that laced up. That last ensemble went along with a knit cap with a flower I loved! As you can probably guess, I stood out. That wasn’t always a good thing. Yeah, I was harassed throughout my school career for my non-conforming clothing choices. I was the first girl at my high-school to wear ankle jeans in the early eighties.  They were so cool, but they called me high-water girl.  Anyway, I have suffered for fashion willingly since childhood!

 Back-to-school shopping is now for my two boys. Getting a few special new pieces for myself is fun too. As far as the closet, I try to take a hard look at what I have actually worn in the past year and donate what hasn’t and what is looking faded or worn. I’ve noticed it’s the finer things I have added that have stood the test of time so I try to add one or two a season, if I can afford it. Sure, I also still like a few new trendy things from places like H&M, Banana and J. Crew that I throw in the mix. I am trying hard to buy less and only things I am truly crazy about. Otherwise, they just end up taking closet space. As a close friend recently said, if you haven’t worn it within a week of buying it, you probably won’t. True that!

This is the perfect time to point out the virtues of a fabulous book that really got me revved up about Fall wardrobes, closets and starting fresh. It’s called, Practical Princess Perfect Wardrobe, and it got my tail into gear regarding my closet. The author, Elika Gibbs, styles and organizes closets for the rich and fabulous, (Kate Moss, ladies!)  She knows her stuff.  It has many helpful tips, that you should be doing, but probably aren’t.  For instance, how to keep things ultra clean so you will never get moths, and how to properly store every kind of garment and why it even matters. Loved this book and if you are into clothing you will too.

Some of the fashion books I keep on my closet shelves.

Here’s a peek into my weeny closet. It’s tiny, but I don’t share it, unlike my old larger walk-in. I kind of like it smaller and to myself. I love to fill it with sachets, and a candle, that make it smell girly. I also have some shelves that I like to place jewelry, accessories and bags. I try to rotate them out each season, where I can see them.  I like putting a small inspiration board of pictures up from the latest Vogue or whatever I love! It’s fun- you should try it. I did it for the first time in Summer and I enjoyed seeing it in there when I dressed and now I just changed it for Fall. It also gave me some ideas for getting dressed when I was feeling uninspired. This is like my only personal spot in the whole house, so I tried to glam it up a bit and really make it my own little sanctuary, though it is a closet!

I display my jewelry so I can remember to wear it. I recently bought a pretty bowl from Anthropologie that I pile all my bracelets into. I love seeing them sparkle on the shelf. I also use the tie racks that were originally built into the closet for my necklaces. It makes it so much easier to see what I have. I put these by metal and color. Check out my cute owl necklace my sweet friend Jen gave me if you can see it.


So ladies, get on with the de-cluttering, as one of my favorites bloggers, Faux Fushia always says. While you’re at it, get yourself a Vogue or Bazaar too. Lucky us, we can do back-to-school clothes without the school !

Indian Summer

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Loving the weather right now here in Nor Cal. I think we are having what I think of as an Indian Summer, so late in the year. However, you might want to click on this link. According to Wikipedia,  the name Indian Summer, has many different definitions and orgins. Don’t you love learning new things? I found it quite interesting!

Here, in the Bay Area, I love this time of the year for late evening walks, harvesting the last of the summer garden and enjoying the bounty. Though, sometimes, we are still getting tomatoes in late October! Just check out these gorgeous tomatoes from my Dad’s garden! Wish I could send the smell. Just love to see them on the counter.

Winery lunch!

Last week, I had the good fortune to go wine tasting twice! Once, was with school Moms, for a tasting and picnic we try to do at the start and ending of the school year. I highly recommend this tradition! Then, last weekend, our dear friends also asked us to go with them to pick up some bottles and taste at the winery they belong to. We brought our families and had a ball. This is the season people!

Check out this Peacock who stopped by to say hi at our lunch! Loved him, but some of the girls were not so enamored!

 I just love tasting a few wines in the afternoon, and a picnic after. It’s always memorable and really makes you stop and realize what a gift friends and life are. Even a short trip to a winery for a few hours seems like a getaway. And as parents of school age kids, we need to grab those small bits!!

The view from my window- can you see the birds in the plant?

I don’t know if you can see, but a whole flock of beautiful goldfinches have invaded this Sunflower that my son bought and planted on the front porch. I couldn’t believe it until I heard this crazy chirping. At one point there was 8 at a time on it! Didn’t know Sunflowers were such an attraction for the little darlings, but I’m getting more of these. They are gorgeous birds and blend right in with the plant. I love sunny afternoons with the late-afternoon light flooding the room and their sweet chirping.

Couldn’t resist adding this Fallish pic of my boys on a swing in Carmel.

Speaking of small bits and children, well it’s that time again! Time for the annual scout popcorn drive. my husband and I have done this now for, 7 years I think. My fourth grader hit the court people up. (Sorry ladies!), and was so proud to have sold $100 worth of that…stuff! Here he is now, on the left, a year one Weeblo with his dear buddy. Love this age.

Yesterday, I actually found a gorgeous cable knit cardigan on sale at Banana, and also was spying some pretty suede booties at J.Crew. Then I was thinking if I had time to plan one more pool party before our weather turns. Guess I’ve got one foot in Summer and the other in Fall. I’m thankful to enjoy it all so long here.

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