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holiday decor

Kicking off the Festive Feeling at Filoli and Joules Coats

December 3, 2016 By kimwheeler No Comments

 Each year I love visiting the gorgeous Woodside’s Filoli Mansion and their annual Christmas shopping days. The 1915 estate and 654 acre grounds are a California Landmark and on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Bourns who built it were prominent San Franciscans that owned a gold mine in Grass Valley and the Crystal Springs Water Company and Crystal Springs Lake.
 In the 1930’s the property was purchased by the Roth family who made the formal gardens famous. Mrs Roth lived there until 1975 when she donated it to The National Trust for Historic Preservation.  There are events happening at Filoli all year long as well as classes and tours of this beautifully preserved home and property. It’s an easy jaunt off freeway 280, but enter the gates and you are in a magical place surrounded by green rolling hill, moss-covered oaks and little deer!

The holiday shopping days are usually sold out a few months ahead. So you need to plan by October to go to this. All of the rooms are transformed into seasonal boutiques which are really well done, beautifully decorated and filled with unique finds from cooking items, to holiday gifts and home decor and even some furniture.

 The estate inside is just beautiful and in it’s original state. You can even see the old servants buttons and cloak rooms, etc.

Check out Filoli’s site for any upcoming holiday lunches and brunches. They have things for Easter and Mother’s Day and fun summer events too.

One of the shops was scarves, coats, bags and wonderful sweaters. They were carrying the cute line Joules from Great Britain. I had never heard of them before and we fell in love with their perfect vests, raincoats and even rain ponchos. I was in need of a winter jacket and bought this floral number.

 It’s extremely warm and I love the floral of course. Check out their website, which has outerwear with the nicest trim and details. I especially like the leather trimmed capes and vests.

Have a cozy weekend everyone!

Kim

Filed Under: Filoli Estate Woodside, holiday decor, Joules UK Clothing, Northern California Travel

A Northern California Natural Christmas

December 2, 2012 By kimwheeler No Comments

Hope you are having a cozy weekend. We’ve had a wet and stormy week and today looks like much of the same. Today is our town’s annual Christmas parade, but I think I may stay in while the Cub Scouts brave the elements. Yesterday I spent the better part of the day picking up remains from the storm that hit Thursday night. The winds had brought gifts of sequoia and redwood branches and pinecones of all sizes. Cleaning up got me inspired to begin my Christmas decor and so out with the orange! I started going for a more Christmas zen feel with branches and naturals and neutrals. 

The English use clips of trees and holly to frame pictures and mirrors in the home. This is a tradition that dates back to the Druids who believed bringing greens into the home brought fertility and warded off evil spirits! Well, okay. No fertility needed here please, but I do think they look lovely and festive. I just like tucking them in a few spots for Winter welcome.

How lovely if we just let nature dictate the decor? I think all these greens look right with burlap, walnuts and my pretty mercury glass. All colorless really. I haven’t unpacked the big boys yet and may just have to keep some brights in the boxes this year. The light feel of this all just calms me. (Yes I’m trying to forget the Christmas timetable here people!)

Leaving out my seashells and popped in a few of these antique looking little ornaments I bought in mesh baggies from Restoration Hardware last year.

Just a few of these and more redwood discards on the living room mantle…Haven’t gotten the stockings or tree up yet…

Sequoias above are one of the prettiest conifers in my opinion.

In this grey wooden box I bought from Bunches florist, I stuck in the remains of the yard disaster- pinecones and tree bits. I think I like this best of all. It’s in my entry and smells so good when you open the front door. Juniper bushes have pretty little white pinecone like berries right now. Cypress bushes are also a good filler and cuttings can look mini tree like.

 

More evergreens… I’m noticing everything looks a bit crooked here. Hmm, could be my photography or possibly my house! 

I’m loving my boxwood wreath from Trader Joes. So pretty and different for $9.99. I added my own burlap wired ribbon. The Container Store is my go to for ribbons this time of year.  Their lovely wooden spools of dreamy colors make wrapping so fun.

How about a holiday posy? This mustard jar was perfect for the tiny bits of greenery. Tie with a whispy burlap thread and you’ve got a little Christmas for next to your bed or the powder room. Instagram makes everything look cool doesn’t it?

So before you go all out on Christmas decor, consider you surroundings. you might just have the most beautiful things right outside your window! It’s better for the earth and your wallet. If you don’t have evergreens like Northern California, you could use other greens like olives branches and even succulents. It’s all about bringing the nature indoors in the winter. Mix your greens with a minimal amount of silver or gold add neutrals and you have got a Northern California look!

Happy foraging!
Kim

Filed Under: bringing natural elements in, holiday decor, neutrals

Wreath Style!

December 12, 2011 By kimwheeler No Comments

via An Urban Cottage. Love the branches and this looks like boxwood.

Another crazy day, but I thought I’d post a few pics of wreaths and doors I’m loving right now. Seems like a small thing, but how cute are some of these homes? Makes you really want to rethink your door color and more. I may be needing to up my curb appeal soon.

Enjoy!

I’ve added some more wreaths that were accidently left out yesterday.

Habitually chic. Love the colors and multiple wreaths.

A swag is always a easy alternative to a wreath.
Canadian House and Home. More branches.
This acid green looks so fresh for Christmas.

Olive wreath with lights.

Like the addition of the Joyeux Noel sign.

Great color.

Maybe for my next door color?

Can’t you just hear your boots crunching up the gravel?

I want this door!
Aqua blue door and greeny-gold ribbons are a nice compliment to each other.
White doors looks new. Like the pairing with silver.

 via Nine and Sixteen. It’s classic and perfect.

via My French Country Home. Love the unadorned trees and foliage.

Sigh, wishing I had lions…Maybe one day I’ll get some small cats since we live in Los Gatos.

How do you like to decorate your door?

Filed Under: door color, holiday decor, wreaths

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I just had to share about this wonderful book, A S I just had to share about this wonderful book, A Sense of Place, by @caitlinflemming and @globalatelier . It’s on my weekend post and I can’t get enough of the homes, the stories of how they came to be, and the unique style of each one. 

The interviews are so good too! I love a home with a connection to the outdoors, a collected vibe, and natural elements and all these homes have that. 

This is a good book to inspire your fall home refresh.  You can also follow Caitlin who is a San Francisco gal and full of wonderful ideas always. The 📷by @stephaniecrusso are also fantastic!

Link to the blog is in my bio
@northerncalstyle 

#senseofplace #californiastyle #beautifulhomes #inspiringhomes #bayareablog
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. 

#bluestonelane #losaltos #bayareaeats  #bayareacharm
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. 

The best part about fashion right now is there really are no rules and we just had to find what works for us and our lifestyle and our bodies! 

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! 🍂

Here’s to an early fall! I added a few autumn touches to our tiny cabin while I was there..

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..

#tahoe #westshoretahoe #sugarpinepointstatepark #wardcreektrail #shoulderseasontravel #ourgoldenstate #californiatravel #tahoeweekend #westshorebestshore #tahoetravel #fallintahoe
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

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