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Good Finds- Summertime Edition

Weekend Finds

July 25, 2020 By kimwheeler 21 Comments

Hello! Just a quick post to share some goodies I found this week! Max and I started the weekend by venturing out to a small restaurant in town we love. It was the first time we have gone to outside dinner in our busy town of Los Gatos. The restaurant had tables well spaced, and we wore masks until we were eating, but still there was a lot of foot traffic about. We enjoyed actually being out, but I felt a little stressed about the whole thing. I think we might stick to take out in the backyard for a special nights, and try to support our favorite restaurants that way. What has been your experience with dining out?

I did notice everyone was dressed up! People are clearly making the most of their outings. I felt the same and wore a new top that has been gathering dust.

I have been trying to do more online shopping so I decided to try a new company, Faherty which has very cute summer things. I could use a few summer dresses and I find it difficult to find easy, light things. So many dresses I notice are of heavy fabrics, not something you want in a summer frock! This brand was started by two twin brothers from New Jersey and its growing. Their dresses are made of beautiful light fabrics and they are committed to sustainability and quality!

This dress is the Gemima dress and I bought it in small. It is light and soft and feel great on for a hot day. It has pockets! I may have been able to go down a size, but I like the length and the looser feel. I guess that is a personal preference. I think the quality of this is just tops- sewn beautifully and excellent fabric. So if you need a few more summer dresses – check them out. This is the same Gemima dress in different fabrics and also the sleeveless Isha and the Hana linen shirtdress. All darling! Now that I know Faherty and it’s quality I hope to add another dress this summer to my mix.

Nordstrom is getting ready to have their Anniversary Sale with fall items, but before that happens there are still some great buys on nice summer things. There are some serious discounts this year on account of people shopping so much less – so this is the time to grab any summer items you might want before they trot out all the fall looks.

I’ve been trying to notice the things I wear the most and replace those or get something similar and these Tory Burch sandals are on sale now so I am going to add these to my summer collection. My other pairs from her are 5 and 3 years old and they still look good.

These Roxy Oceanside Linen Beach Pants are also marked down to $29 are and something I’ve been needing in the wardrobe. Many nights I want to get comfy and my sweats and pjs are too warm, plus I think these would be good for the short trip we may take to Tahoe later this summer where I’ll need my legs covered at night. Looks like they run small from reviews, so I am ordering up a size.

I also just bought this light summer lotion that gives a little sheen for bare legs and shoulders…

Also adorable in the summer category is this Tommy Bahama coverup dress. I love the white and the pockets and would probably wear it as a regular dress too. I always like the quality of their things…

If you’re thinking the off the shoulder look isn’t for you, my stylish friend Cindy Hattersley did a post this week on off the shoulder looks. If the question was can you still so this look at a more mature age, the answer is absolutely! Cindy shows how great she looks in a lot of lovely looks- all chic and showing a little shoulder!

Cindy inspired me to pull out some of my own off the shoulder tops this week and I realized I cannot get through another summer with the lame strapless bra I have. I ordered this one from Spanx. It’s highly rated and people claim it actually stays up thanks to some smart grip technology – so I have high expectations! I’ll report back…

On the lingerie, subject the Faherty dress is very light and so I added a slip that I had from under another dress to make it less transparent. I think with the very light linen dresses, you may want to add a slip. You want a slip that isn’t heavy or tight fitting. This adjustable slip from, believe it or not, Amazon, seems to be the perfect size and weight for summer dresses.

Lastly, this film Summerland, opening next week looks appealing.. It’s coming to theaters and on demand. I could use a good British film about now!

I miss the whole theater experience.

Happy weekend!

Kim

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Filed Under: Good Finds- Summertime Edition, Uncategorized Tagged With: #cindyhattersley, #faherty, #nordstrom, #offtheshoulder, #summerdresses, #summersales

Good Finds- Summer Edition

June 10, 2017 By kimwheeler 12 Comments

Happy Friday! We are having some crazy weather here in California. It’s raining in June! I’m loving it, but I feel for all the graduates today and the end of year picnics that were planned. I honestly can count on one hand all the times it rained in summer as a lifelong Californian. I remember one time my mom let us run outside in our bathing suits during a July rain. This is very unusual though for us and reminds me of the summer of 1973 when I spent time in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin with my favorite auntie and cousins. 
So after the last post about less shopping, here I am talking about shopping again! However these are ideas for summer events and gifts one might need to get. Everyone seems to be in the summer mood here already. Many friends have already taken off on vacations while others are hosting grad parties. or invited to them. There are a few good things I stumbled across in the last week or so I thought I’d share…
Cost Plus is hitting it out of the park nowadays with so much of their merchandise. I went for potato chips (I didn’t need those either), and came home with two blouses, a scarf and some other goodies.

 I cannot resist a feminine cotton blouse for summer, and I find them much more flattering and cool than any t-shirt. I’ve been coveting the whole Chloe collection, but unless I come into some money, I won’t be spending that kind of money on a summer blouse, so enter Cost Plus!

The racks of pretty cover-ups, caftans and blouses had me as soon as I walked into my local store.  I zeroed in on the white blouses and the quality was quite nice. I also found a scarf in aqua and a packable hat for travel. If you cannot get to your local one they have most of the styles online here too.
 Here I am with one of them on. (Look away from the cat beds and terrible carpet please.)

I really like the quality and look of this Lila top. There are also dresses, wraps and ponchos. Most of these are around the $30ish price range which seems fair and adds a bit of Bohemian vibe to the summer closet!

Are you going to any grad parties or summer gatherings? I love these special edition bottles of  Chandon for gifts. Super cute even just to have on your summer bar counter! I think it’s only in stores, so grab some before they are out. I bought a few to bring to barbecues.

You can pair a bottle with one of these darling tea towels that are summer-themed…

I bought the popsicle one, but thought these posh pup version, below are adorable too.

Just some of the tea towels at Cost Plus below. Many have that Anthropologie vibe at half or less of the cost. Just saying.. 
I like their new woven placemats and napkins and table linens for summertime. 
If you are giving a gift card or money this season, I love these little raffia wallets from J Crew to tuck them into. I bought a pineapple and a flamingo one for some gift cards. There are also striped ones and colorful leather ones that hook on a bag. 

 


Are you a house guest at someone’s home this summer? The Picnic is a lovely idea for a hostess gift. It’s beautifully illustrated and full of great ideas for picnics and makeshift summer feasts. There are games, recipes and cool things to try plus the book is just so pretty and makes me dream about picnics, which is almost as good as the real thing. It would also make a sweet engagement present.

Love this book!!

We are fortunate to be invited to two weddings this year and the wedding gift can be tricky. However, my new favorite store Hudson Grace in Palo Alto at Town & Country Shopping Center is just the place to go for this. They sell the most basic and beautiful housewares and also a few luxuries. I bought one of their perfect white round bowls, which I am using for salads and everything. I’m obsessed with it.

 I like to keep it on the counter with citrus or other fruits.

I also am in love with their Tart Kumquat dish soap which smells divine.

Hudson Grace was started by two friends. He was in design at Gap and she for Williams-Sonoma. Their collection is the practical yet beautiful pieces you want in your home- gorgeous white dishes and serveware, luxe linen napkins, big wooden bowls, beeswax candles and rustic serving planks. It’s just what you would imagine a California home to have -unfussy modern things. It’s a great store to choose a wedding gift. I’d love to collect these well designed pieces like this and purge the rest of the jumble I own someday.

     
There are other Hudson Grace stores in Montecito, Marin, San Francisco and Brentwood. You can read more about the founders, Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton and their own homes and style here.
Happy weekend to you all!

Kim

Filed Under: Bohemian blouses, Good Finds- Summertime Edition, grad gifts, host gifts, Hudson Grace, J. Crew, The Picnic book, wedding gifts, World Market

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Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

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It’s the weekend post time again with Elizabeth It’s the weekend post time again with Elizabeth and Juliet. 🧡 

This  weekend I shared how I spiffed up the front with a few mums from the local Ace and Trader Joe’s .. Happily, these baskets I bought last year at Target are still looking good, and are available again. I link to them on the blog. 
My wreath of petrified leaves bought last fall at my local @buncheslg florist seems to have survived the garage pretty well. ( Miraculously!) 

I love these multicolored mums from Trader Joe’s. I missed them last year and they go fast!

Other fun things on the blog are an inspiring home book, some great pant options for fall, and a few cottages in Carmel that are for sale! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#fallporch #mumsforfall #bunchesflorist #traderjoesplants #targetstyle #porchplants
I don’t know where I saved this from, possibly P I don’t know where I saved this from, possibly Pinterest, but I’ve had it forever.  I need to remind myself this quite often! 

Our mindset is everything and I was inadvertently raised to worry about things. My mom was one of 8 kids and her mother warned them about the dangers of everything to keep them all alive in her mind.  I think that was seeped in my dear mom’s bones and passed onto us.. by no fault of hers. 

My brain defaults to that and I have worked hard to stop that sort of internal monologue. 

Remember worrying never kept anyone safer. We don’t care more about someone by being a worrier. We just need to expect good things will happen. 

Being a person who is always worrying is not good for those around you either. It hurts your family and their own feelings of security. The more I realize this, the more I feel the need to reassure, not stress and trust all will work out… and might even be fantastic!

Hope you all have a Happy Friday - and trust things will work out! 

I’ll be back tomorrow with the weekend post! 

#dontworrybehappy #qoutesoftheday #imspirationalquotes
If you missed the weekend posts with Juliet and El If you missed the weekend posts with Juliet and Elizabeth, I shared this pretty Newport Beach Home by the talented @caseyhillstudio in @fredericmagazine photos @lauraresenphotography 💕 

The Chanel slingback is also the ‘it’ shoe of the season and so versatile.. I share the original, resale options, and some very chic copies..at a lower price point.. My favorite Vuori jacket is also back and in new colors.. and lastly the fab J.Crew at 40 book I am coveting.

This is my second go at posting a Reel on the weekend meander.. The first was taken down, for unknown reasons?  So let’s hope this works!

Pop on by our blogs for all the fun and more good ideas!
Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

Have a great week friends. 😘

#californiahomestyle #californiastyle #jcrew40 #vuori #chanelslingback #caseyhill #fredericmagazine
Had a great cappuccino and avocado toast at the mo Had a great cappuccino and avocado toast at the most charming spot @bluestonelane in Los Altos with my dear friend April. So good to catch up with her. 💕 

I think this is one of the nicest spots to meet a friend! Make a plan to catch up with a friend this fall. 

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I have this quote in my closet! It is smart to re I have this quote in my closet!  It is smart to remember we may already have what we think we need to look great.

Right now the season is changing and I - like everybody else, am super excited for fall clothes, adding new things to my closet, and refreshing my look. 

Hold off though. Before we buy anything or get ‘influenced’ from people like myself, we have to first look at what we have. 

I am constantly reminded that the best dressed people have less clothes and wear great pieces on repeat! 

Get in your closet and you may see you already have that perfect fall sweater or the ballet flat that’s everywhere!! The truth is your pieces may be cooler than the new offerings that are out there- and no one else will have them. 

Make this a goal to go to your closet before you buy for fall and I promise you’ll shop smarter  and get what you really love and need.

Have a beautiful Friday!! Here’s to sweater days soon. 🍂

#fridayinspiration #fallshopping #closetinspo #quotestoliveby
I haven’t posted many house photos lately. I jus I haven’t posted many house photos lately. I just realized yesterday how very much I’m enjoying being at home especially now windows wide-open and the beautiful weather. We couldn’t be more lucky here in California when the weather is as it is now. 🧡

My tomatoes finally turned red and my new fig plant that I added to the front yard in spring already has figs on it!  Marlo is enjoying the sunshine and fresh air too. She’s nearly 18 years old. 

Nothing better than this late summer early fall…Still the goodies of summer and the promise of fun things in fall without all the heat.

If you didn’t read my weekend post there’s a  wonderful inspiring story I shared about getting together with your neighbors and creating small micro neighborhoods…. and how the French love this time of year for socializing again too.. Lots to look forward to! 

Have a beautiful day.

#california #californialiving #northerncalstyle  #serenaandlily #latesummer #earlyfall #catlife #acalifornialife
It’s that fun time when I get to talk style with It’s that fun time when I get to talk style with the fabulous Cindy and since it’s September, we are sharing our Fall Wish Lists!  Are you ready for the change of season?? I can’t wait!

I had so much fun pulling this together. I sort of had to edit myself because there’s many cool new things out there, but we just have to find the right pieces that will make what we already have work and look updated and chic.. We have to be editors! I am just giving you some ideas. 

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Pop on by the blog, and I’ll share some of the trends like longer fuller pants, suit looks, those darling Chanel style jackets, and other pretty pieces. 

Cindy as always has some beautiful ways to mix it all and create your own look.

Link in our bios as always!! 
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley 

All the links are on the post, but comment if you are missing something you see here! 

#fallfashiontrends #falllooks #fallfashioninspo
Hello happy weekend! It’s that time for Meanderi Hello happy weekend! It’s that time for Meanderings post with Juliet and Elizabeth!  This week I am sharing this cute bar basket from @hudsongracesf my friends bought for me, and fall items that I am excited to add to my closet.

I am also chatting about the new movement to connect with your neighborhood and create smaller communities -and ideas on how to do it! 

Fall is a perfect time for this and in France it’s called la rentrée and it means the start of a new exciting season of getting back together with others after summer. 

More on the blog- along with my favorite fall soup I’ve made forever from @marthastewart . 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#fallstyle #fallvibes #fallsoup #larentrée #microneighborhoods #onlyconnect #trench 

P.S… This is my first time adding music to a static post.. Is this fun or annoying??
My motivation for Friday! I love @therealdvf and s My motivation for Friday! I love @therealdvf and she is still out there working and inspiring women. 

This quote! Only we can make ourselves truly happy and as women we so often taught to look outside of ourselves for that and that’s never a good thing. We have to learn to ask for what we want without apologizing and go for it ourselves.🩷

Happy Friday friends!

#inspiringquotes #quoteoftheday #dvf
What do you do when it’s rainy and cool in Tahoe What do you do when it’s rainy and cool in Tahoe? Well someone asked me today and  actually there is a lot to do and it’s one of the best times to go! 

Last weekend it was a cool 48 degrees and it felt like November even though it was Labor Day weekend. We enjoyed some sun and breezes so being layers!

You can pack a lot in the two days with great hikes and walks..and food!  Two good hikes- one at Ward Creek, another at Sugar Pine Point.. are perfect for now! Have some lunch by the river @riverranchlodge, take a walk on the lake and a drive on 89, end it by playing games and have a cozy dinner in with pot pies from Tahoe House bakery. ( SO good!) 

Tahoe when it’s shoulder season is the best kept secret. Though normally Labor Day would be hot here. Make some plans to enjoy the fall here! 🍂

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Yes I snapped that 🐻 bear! He was crossing the road. This is their season to bulk up so you leave no food in your cars..

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I can’t let this date go by without a tribute to I can’t let this date go by without a tribute to Princess Diana, my original style idol.  I recently found this book my dear mother bought me way back in the 80’s. Tucked inside was this torn page from American @vogue about this new girl’s style….Oh if they only knew what this young woman would be to the world. …

She was so much more than what she wore. She was a real life princess in her heart as well as title- touching so many lives. Who didn’t she care about or show kindness towards? She had it in her heart and that radiated in her face. 

These are a few photos that are my favorites and a few that show her fun personality that always shines through.. 🩷 Of course everything she wore is back in style again like this vest - the caps, the blazers, and floral prints. 

This day makes me hugely sad. 
If it wasn’t for the nasty British press ( who are still horrific), and paparazzi she would be here. 

#dianaspencer #princessdiana #ladydi
The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. I have my 40th reunion this weekend so I’ve got what to wear to a reunion, an excellent book on rethinking how we age by the chic @annagmurphy , and  the story of how San Francisco’s Nordstrom changed the city and its unlikely success story. 

It’s all on the blog! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#whattowear  #highschoolreunion #highschoolreunionlook 
#bayarea  #northerncalstyle #californiastyle #agingbackwards #destinationfabulous

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