Northern California Style

Northern California Style

floral fashions

Flower Power

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Right now everything in California is blossoming and you just have to look down to see California Poppies and volunteer daffodils peeking out from the sidewalk. Those little flowers are a sort of a salve and a small distraction with the war and things right now.

Flowers have been popping up at the shops too. As usual retailers trot out all their latest floral offering about now, but this year I’ve noticed the 70’s trend of meadow flowers on fabrics which I just love. It transports me to a time of wearing spring maxi dresses as a small girl, homemade bedspreads by my grandmother and Holly Hobbie books. Can anyone else envision that time? If you’re a lover of florals these look fresh and pretty and in my enthusiasm I thought I’d share the profusion of flower items I am excited about. I hope you you will enjoy this small floral diversion…

I am coveting this beautiful dress from California company Rails. Such a pretty fabric and style!

I just received Anna Spiro’s new book and it’s very beautiful and filled with good advice about decorating and living. It’s inspiring to say the least and if you want to see how to mix florals and patterns this is your guide.

Fittingly this Anthro dress fabric is called 70’s floral and I’m here for it. I know at some point my mother or I had a dress in a similar fabric!

Anthro now has organic cotton percale sheets in a lovely floral. Other pretty prints as well.

Learn how to create beautiful arrangements with foraged finds in Field Flower Vase..

These Maje Pjs are kind of a splurge, but I adore the beautiful print.

If you want flowers, but can’t commit to color this Summerside Wallpaper is a good compromise and a cool retro look. Wonderful for a hallway or bedroom.

Pottery Barn is offering a flower field to sleep in with the Amelia Floral Duvet and shams.

I like the ease and pattern mix of this pull-on skirt from Free People.

Incorporate flowers into your food from cheeseboards to cakes to picnics and more with this lovely book Floral Provisions.

This wrap midi-dress with mixed small florals is sweet and could be worn with a long sleeve t-shirt under it too.

This Maggie Suit from Free People is so darn cute and comes in a plum and a toffee..

Flower Infused Cocktails has over 60 beautiful drinks to try. I see a girlfriends cocktail hour in the future!

Another luxe item, but fun are these Ferragamo Floral Sneakers..

Start the flower vibe at the front door with this HELLO doormat ..

I’m obsessed with this silk cotton floral blouse from Me & Em, a London based company that has come up on my radar. I keep getting beautiful catalogues from them.

How pretty is this Hollyhock wallpaper from House of Hackney- and dreaming of where I could use it..

I might opt for the blue version– also could be a fun look on the long wall walkway next to my office space.

Love this Drawstring Maxi with the side stripe also from Me & Em.

Just made for Easter or Passover are these Cecelia Slides at Anthropologie. I would wear them with swingy white dress in summer too.

Do you love wildflowers? We get some amazing blooms in California and if you love to see them as much as I do, you can follow a Facebook group called The California Wildflower Report. You have to request to join and you’ll get to see wonderful photos from people’s travels to some of the blooms. Right now there is a lot of activity on the page!

The Flower Hunter is filled with inspiring floral tablescapes for the seasons and lovely stories to go along with it. Probably one of the highest rated new books and just in time for spring.

The Lynda dress from Anthro has that 70’s floral vibe, but a casual air and would be a good one to have for daytime dressed down- or nights dressed up this spring and summer. Or wear now with boots!

Target has this blouse in this pretty vintage feeling color mix and a few others that are just as lovely.

These Sandro Jeans are half off now and I LOVE the embroidered flowers!

If you like the wildflowers look and are interested in cultivating that feeling in your yard and borders, this Instagram account, Cameron Gardening from the UK, is filled with inspiring visions and ideas for your yard.

This top from Tuckernuck is so cool and I had to include it!

I thought these adorable jeweled flower Teva-like sandals would be a good way to wrap up this flower centered post! I think I may need these. I envision these with a black dress this summer…

Here’s to more flowers this spring and soon please!

Thanks for being here.. and don’t forget Saturday’s Meanderings is coming up tomorrow.

If you missed last week’s Meanderings post you might like- Afternoon Tea in SF, Blue Button Downs & More.

See you tomorrow!

Kim

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Florals for Spring

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Happy weekend everyone!

Thanks everyone who followed on Facebook and Twitter and left kind comments about my Blog anniversary. I am grateful to you all and the kind words about this space.

Are you all digging the florals right now? I know I’ve written about my love of the flower before here  and here, but right now, with Spring in every little corner here in Northern California, I am feeling floral love more than ever.

I’ve been wearing this J Crew floral ‘popover’ shirt a lot. Probably too much. It goes with everything and it’s comfy and feels fresh. It’s a silk/cotton blend and is a lot more blue than it shows online. I think it’s on sale and additional now too.

I’ve been planning a few strategic additions to the ole wardrobe for the warmer months and I am considering the addition of a few more flowery items.

They just make me happy!

Did you know if you Pin and item on Pinterest from another site, it will notify you if that item drops in price? Probably I’m the last to know about this, but it’s kind of cool. It’s especially nice if you’ve forgotten all about that piece. Very clever, actually sneaky, marketing

This notification thing happened to me twice this week. Once with a Pottery Barn item and yesterday with this Tory Burch sweater…

Tory sweater HERE 

 It’s still a bit pricey for $195, but the print is gorgeous. Might be the one thing to splurge on.

 I’m really trying to buy less, and buy better. I’d rather have perfect pieces that I love than a big closet full of sales and seasonal impulse buys. Makes life simpler too.

I can see this sweater with khaki shorts, distressed jeans or a flowy white skirt, all items I own already.

Summerfield Design

Yesterday I found this beautiful space on Pinterest and I had visions of doing our tiny dining room all in floral paper.

I like that this isn’t fussy and the bare woods, glass and white walls give it that California vibe.

Also, I was excited when I found this little lovely from Zara. More affordable and think how many ways this could be worn. It’s longer and I could even see it as a beach cover-up.

I have to say blouses are now my go-to items daily. They cover a multitude of sins by skimming over you, not grabbing like a tee or sweater, and you always look more put together. Maybe this is an over 45 thing, but has anyone else rediscovered blouses lately?

But back to flowers, How adorable is this MZ Wallace Tote? It was in my Nordstrom catalog and I’m crazy about this. MZ Wallace totes are super lightweight and perfect for travel as well as your day bag to chuck everything in, like I do.

I like to get one good tote for the Spring/Summer season. Usually I’m quite rough on warm season bags as they go on travels, trips to the beach, pool, and park. They often need replacing by the next year. (I won’t even mention that particular people around here felt a Jamba Juice could be carried in my tote last Summer!)

Even the inside is the print! LOVE.

No Jamba Juices will enter if I own this!

MZ at Nordstrom

  Lastly, I realized this week I have almost no cute skirts in my closet! I don’t know how that is possible, but I need to fix that quick.

 Next week, Adrienne, from The Rich Life on a Budget and Jill from Everything Just So are having their How I Wear My for skirts, and I would love to find a floral one to wear.

I love the skirt Reese Witherspoon has on here.

She lets the skirt be the star with her simple accessories.

Reese’s skirt by J Crew.

 If you don’t know about How I Wear My, it is a spot for readers and bloggers to send in photos of how they wore or styled a particular item. It changes monthly. Very fun, so check it out and maybe even participate! Entries are due by March 31.

Just also wanted to add these darling floral pants worn by my friend Andrea, of A Della Dress’s, daughter. Her name is Helene Yorke and she’s one of the stars in a Broadway production of a Woody Allen’s, ‘Bullets Over Broadway’ play right now. I can only imagine!! They interviewed her for Broadway.com and in her photo shoot she wore these pretty Tory Burch pants.

I love the juxtaposition of flowers with tough motorcycle jacket. Very modern!
Thanks for sharing with me Andrea. Wish I could see this show. Looks like it’s getting some great reviews too. If you are in New York, and get a chance, check this show out.

Lastly, in flower chat, this is the scene here in California right now.

If you haven’t seem my Instagram, I’ve been spotting California poppies all over the place this week.

I love how they give even the most cruddy little curb charm. . .

Clearly, these are volunteers, or seeds that blow about and find a home.

Also these trees in my neighborhood are this pretty pink for about 2 weeks.

I’m trying to take in all the beauty while it’s here.

Our Wisteria has already started to drop blossoms!

 I’m hoping we get another week or so of this!

It was hard to get a photo of the whole thing.

Honestly, it’s hard to drive the car in the garage right now.

(Don’t look at our cracked driveway that is being lifted by the Giant Sequoia to the right.)

Are you enjoying Spring’s little gifts? 🙂

Hope you all find a little flower today, wherever you are!

 Kim

P.S. There is still one day left to get your Savvy Sleeper Pillowcase is you missed, with a discount! I love these beautiful cases and Dale has generously offered a special 15% discount to Northern California Style readers now through March 28.Use the code ‘NorCal’ when checking out on Savvy Sleeper Site.

Mixing Leopard and Florals

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I think I’ve had a love affair with leopard or animal prints since I was a small girl. I can still remember the feel and look of a boxy leopard print tote with faux tortoise handles that my mother owned. I adored that bag and once on a train trip back East, she let me use it as my own for all my books and coloring supplies! That was in the late 1960s, but by time I went to college in the 1980s animal prints were big again and I claimed it for my book bag. All my friends coveted that vintage tote. Oh how I wish I still had that bag.

 If you read the post before last you know I was just up in San Francisco and did a bit of all shopping with my pal Adrienne of The Rich Life (on a budget). Shopping with her I found a dream blouse that was both floral and leopard from Equipment! Love! So me, since I already have a Floral & Leopard Pinterest board.  I was going to model my new blouse here, but I’m saving it to wear in Adrienne’s (and Jill’s of Everything Just So), special How I Wear My – animal print edition this week. Send your photos to them by October 1st., to be included in their fun posts of readers wearing their animal prints.

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I also love a good floral as you know from this previous post. Leopard I like in smaller doses. Women my age have to be careful not to look like too cougar or Jackie Collins, if you get my drift.

That said, a little leopard gives you some fashion cred. The floral- a bit of innocence and femininity. Perhaps that’s why the mix of the two, strikes just the right note..There’s something inherently appealing about it to me.

Look what Alice Temperley showed at London fashion week for Spring /Summer 2014 in the four photos below. Lovely! Apparently she likes the mix and we’ll be seeing more of it come Spring…

 Dresses in both have been a big hit this year, especially loved this…

Dolce & Gabbana 

 And this..

Versace

 How great does Andie MacDowell look at 55?

via sadieandstella

Leopard and floral can look so pretty in a bedroom. I’ve always been crazy for leopard rugs, but not so sure how the hubs would be.

Pinterest
The  stylish Linda of Design in My View found these online at Zara Home and thoughtfully sent me the link.  I think they would be so cute at a ladies’ lunch with a hot pink tablecloth or cocktail hour. Thanks Linda!

Don’t ask how much, (too much), but Roberto Cavalli is making a floral/leopard collection for children. Bergdorf-Goodman link here.

This look works best if one of the prints is in a small accessory counter to the other one. For example, I’ve been crazy about this floral jacket and how cute would it be paired with a small animal print wallet/clutch?

Can’t find the original link, but similar versions here.
Prada zip wallet/clutch surprising found on Overstock.com
I also got a new leopard tote with my Neimans’ cosmetic purchase. It’s actually a really chic and not your usual freebee. I’m thinking it could be cute with a rose blouse I have…
A snap of my tote which I was using as my laptop bag as I worked at Peet’s this week. (Like my new sequin converse? :D)
Are you now craving something floral or animal print for your autumn wardrobe?
I hope I’ll see some of you on Adrienne and Jill’s, How I Wear My fashion show post later this week!
 Have fun with your prints!
Kim

Gather ye Rosebuds…

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Maybe it’s that Valentines’ Day is around the corner, but have you noticed all the lovely rose-inspired clothes and decor coming for Spring and Summer? I’m enchanted all over again with the romance of roses…Suddenly, I’ve got flashbacks of wistfully shopping at Laura Ashley in the eighties. Oh how I longed for all of it and could afford very little. Well, here’s our second chance.. And if you’re a twenty-something or thereabouts it’s all new for you and I say work it!
source
For this look to work it needs to be paired with sparer and more streamlined decor and brighter or deeper hues. You don’t want to get all musty, fusty great aunt with it..

I remember this spread a few years back, in the beloved and now gone Domino magazine.. No one was using chintz roses then. How about chintz on brown leather? Love!

 Fashionistas need to mix roses with more modern shapes and rougher textures to avoid the Sue Heck look…(You do watch The Middle, don’t you? Sue’s character has a time machine wardrobe straight from my high school days c.1983..I don’t know how they find the stuff! By the way, the kids in this show are hilarious.)


Stella McCartney Collection. Brighter shades and no lace here!

Toms for Spring…

From my last trip to The Ivy…sigh..Their roses are always amazingly beautiful.

My stylish friend Leasa sent me the link to these gorgeous chintz roses on snakeskin Jimmy Choos…

nordstrom

Helena Bonham Carter. The original Room With a View is one of my all-time favorites. (You can watch the whole thing on this link. The young Maggie Smith and Judy Dench are also superb in this.) Fabulous movie. 

Preen S/S 2013
Having Laura Ashley déjà vu yet? 

From the 80s Laura Ashley catalogs.. I remember dreaming about these dresses and owned one not unlike these below. No wonder I didn’t worry about working out! The one time in my life I was quite tiny and… I was wearing these? How great is the hair?

 Such a romantic time. I see now why maybe I didn’t go on many dates. I had other things on my mind like emulating Lady Diana. Did I mention I was a bit of a late bloomer?

Anyhow, the Laura Ashley brand is back and the lampshades below are part of their new home collection… Fun!
Laura Ashley
Vogue U.K.
 
Stripes pair well with chintzy florals and look hip.
Street Peeper
source
 Something about the umbrella and this entry makes me want to run off to the Cotswolds and buy a little cottage..
She’s darling…hating her!
My dream bedroom.
Not that I’m sanctioning floral pants, (especially for my age- hello 1980s Guess?), but these are pretty cute on Miranda Kerr and I’m envious of her Sophia Coppola LV bag.
J Crew
These wedges are on my shopping list for Spring. Can you just see these with distressed jeans and a lacey white vintage blouse?!! A collaboration between Tom’s and Shabby Chic they are to be out later in February…
Toms
What do you think of this trend? Been there and still love it or all new to you?
xo
Kim

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