Spring

Florals for Spring

March 27, 2014 By kimwheeler No Comments

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.

Spring Stuff + Kate Spade’s Saturday Line

March 21, 2013 By kimwheeler No Comments

Spring is finally here and I’m coveting the new Saturday line by Kate Spade. Have you seen the items in this new lower price point line? The simple shapes and colors are so fun. This whole line including the round sunglasses remind me of pictures of my mom in the 1960s. Have a look.

I love that this is a capsule collection that is easy to mix and match. It may be the ideal travel wardrobe. The shift shirts are easy to pair with skirts. The dresses are statements on their own

Other details I dig are pockets. There’s lots on dresses and on skirts. I can see some of these could become classics.

Looks like right now these items are only online at Saturday.com unless you live in Japan where they have 3 shops.

Let’s hope Spring weather comes along soon. I’m excited to wear my new Kork-ease I scored at Marshalls.

After wearing these about the house for 15 minutes, I wished all my shoes were this comfy. Serious. These give Uggs a run for their money. Now I see why they have a cult following… Do they not have a California girl vibe? How about these with distressed jeans and a gauzy white blouse? Also add the perfect pale pink pedicure, a slight tan, fabulous necklace and…Sorry! Need to stay focused here…

One more thing. Check this out. An aerial photo of the tulip fields in the Netherlands via This is Colossal. Is it not fabulous?

You can also see how the Netherlands celebrates the start of Spring at Keukenhof, the worlds’ largest flower garden at here and at their Instagram page to see more.

Tune in later this week for a fun give away which is all about color. I’m very excited about it.

Happy Spring to you all! Hope you’re getting a little blossom in your life today!

Kim

Bunches of Spring!!

March 21, 2012 By kimwheeler No Comments

Happy Spring! Can’t believe it’s the first day already! I don’t know why, but it seems each time another Spring comes I am seeing so many buds and blooms that I never did before! I love how each little living thing finds a way to regenerate again. Marvelous and lovely! We have a huge wisteria bordering our garage and it was cut back quite severely in the Fall. I was worried since it looks like a marled and twisted dead wood, but low and behold, a sign of life! A beautiful tiny cone of lavender color was hanging yesterday along with, if you look closely, a ton of little green buds. I am blown away by nature. How amazing she is!

I thought this would also be a fun time to show you a few pictures of one of my favorite places in Los Gatos, Bunches. In my Spring house style post, I showed a picture of a cute wood box filled with ivy on my mantel from there. I’m crazy about this flower shop!

The people who work there are so helpful and nice. Bunches always has something unique and different. I recently asked them to make me something for a friend who had surgery and they made such a pretty, modern bouquet. They use unexpected combinations!

Bunches has a multitude of beautiful pots and vases. Whenever my home needs something fresh, I can always find a pot to inspire me. Sometimes I like to buy ivys to add to it. Other times I am in the mood for potted flowers. Right now, I really love all the forced branches that they are selling. Those say Spring so well and look fresh in a large vase or bucket!

Bunches holds a special place in my heart. When my youngest son was in preschool, we used to stop and see their duck Pete, after we grabbed pizza from across the street. Petey, is actually a girl and yes, lives in the shop. You can see her sleeping, or in her corner eating. She can talk a lot and is quite cute! On this day we visited, the owner let my son hold her!

Beautiful pots out for St Patrick’s Day and Spring. They totally embrace the seasons and have unique items to help you bring the feeling into your home too.

Baby soft, locally knit scarves that are the most delicious colors for sale.

Some of the larger plants and orchids are in the back. Don’t miss the room with house plants too. I love to get my wreaths and garlands here during the holidays. Right now there are a ton of cute ideas for Easter.

Pete in repose.

Don’t miss this darling shop next time you are in Los Gatos!

Kim:)

All photos property of Northern California Style unless noted.

Random Thoughts..

March 18, 2012 By kimwheeler No Comments

Happy St Patty’s Day everyone! Hope you are enjoying your Saturday and doing something fun! This week Winter finally decided to come to Northern California and boy are we getting it. The rain and wind is coldest yet this year! Finally am getting to wear my rain boots my husband bought me for Christmas!

Today my 4th grader has been busily working on the school’s science fair project and we have been keeping the fireplace on and hanging out with this lot.

Lazy mongrels and heat suckers!

Loving all the citrus from the neighborhood trees that we have been collecting, cough, stealing.

And enjoying all the variations of green tossed about this week! The school bunch and my son with the new green shoes on the left! Loverboy headband added without my expressed permission. Don’t you love their little faces?