• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet

Northern California Style

Northern California Style

  • Home
  • About
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet
  • Shop My Home
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Summer Travel

Fun Things -Plus The Serena & Lily Summer Sale

May 27, 2021 By kimwheeler 6 Comments

Serena & Lily

Just a quick post with a few fun things.. First, I wanted to let everyone know starting today, Serena & Lily has 20% off everything at The Summer Event. This will be the biggest sale of the season. Use code DIVEIN for 20% off from 5/27 – 6/1. I know a few of you sent me notes about ordering things I have in my house like the barstools and rug, and also my outdoor furniture. This is a great time to pick an item up on sale! A few of the fun summer things..I am going to order this bookcase I have been thinking about.

  1. The La Jolla Basket is one of my favorite S&L things and is cute in a bath for towels and laundry or to hold kid’s toys. I have mine in my new closet and I love how it looks and hides the laundry.
  2. The Palm Pillow Cover for outdoors is in four colors and is water and UV resistant to last many seasons. I love the navy and light blue in this, but the green and sand colors look very Palm Beachy and chic.
  3. I have this Pacifica Lounger in and the matching sofa (8.) in the unbleached Driftwood color and love them. They are made of a resin that looks like wicker and is so strong. After almost two years, mine still look like new.
  4. The Mallorca Beach Towels remind me of my trip to Sorrento where the hotels all have lovely striped beach towels! These come in a Turkish Cotton and 6 colors with a pretty fringe. I’d love to have a stack on my deck!
  5. The Sunbrella Lido Pillow comes in three sizes and many colors. Love the colored piping and button detail..
  6. Campagna Beach Towels come in round or rectangle and so lovely!
  7. The Teak Beach Chair comes in three adorable fabrics and is a backpack style for easy toting around. For little adventures or even on your deck

Everything on the sale you can view at Serena & Lily. Sale ends June 1st.

Speaking of Sorrento..

Are you missing travel? After a more than a year of home time, I’ve really got the travel bug. We are planning a family summer trip, but not abroad. Pictures of our summer trip to Positano and Sorrento recently came up on my photos and I was feeling wistful for all the beauty there. I thought maybe others would enjoy the pretty hotel in Sorrento and its blue aesthetic and get ideas for future travel plans..I shared it on my Instagram this week and saved it on the highlights if you want to see more and get the particulars. Here’s hoping we will all travel more soon…

If France is on your list, Conde Nast Traveller just published its Prettiest Towns in Provence . I’ve been to a few on this list, like Eze, L’Isle Sur La Sorgue and Aix, but there are a lot on this list I had never heard of. Definitely one to bookmark and use to plan future adventures.

They also have a great guide- A Road Trip Through Provence’s Lavender Fields. Just wonderful to see, even if you have no trip planned.

All these Provence photos Conde Nast.

One thing we can all use for travel is a sun hat that folds. I just bought this canvas hat at Anthropologie and it is flattering too.. Frances Valentine has the identical hat for a lot more. This is a good price -$38.

Anthro also has the CUTEST fringe tote which I am still thinking of..Love the braided straps. What a fun travel tote and also beach/pool bag when you arrive!

Because I haven’t been doing my usual tennis and walking due to my toe injury, I am obviously feeling a bit heavier, so started to eat cleaner. I’m on my third day of no sugar and it’s been fine. I’m trying to stay away from refined carbs and bread too. I was stuck for what to make for dinners and remembered these grain bowls with hummus we did last summer…

I start with dollop of hummus in each, and add chickpeas, walnuts, avocado slices, romaine spears, tomatoes, sliced bell peppers and quinoa- ( I use Whole Foods frozen). The guys like shredded chicken added to theirs too. I give each a few turns of fresh pepper and some crunchy sea salt and drizzle with some olive oil. Pretty easy and filling too.

I’m looking for more clean recipes so I’ll share any good ones I get. I also made this PF Chang’s Lettuce Cups from Damn Delicious on Monday and that one is definitely going on the rotation- so good and pretty healthy too. ( I forgot to take photos- next time!) Please share any great sites or recipes you love for clean eating if you care to in comments! I find it so helpful to hear what others are doing too.

Well, that’s it friends. Wishing you some fun for the long weekend

Kim

Some links may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

All photos property of Northern California Style unless stated.

Filed Under: Summer Travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: #californiahomestyle, #californialiving, #goodthings, #serenaandlily, #serenaandlilysale, #serenasale, #summertravel

A Summer Postcard…

August 9, 2017 By kimwheeler 14 Comments

Sorrento

Hello everyone!. Sorry for the absence. I checked out for a bit. We did a trip to Italy for my husband’s 50th and then met his family in Switzerland where we shared a house. My sons have been home and we have been enjoying a lot of lazy days without schedule and to be honest it’s been very nice. I have been trying to be away from the computer and social media and enjoy an old fashioned summer. Thanks to that I have enjoyed three books and am working on another.

 Life has been a bit of a blur and as much as I like things like Facebook and Instagram, I just realized how much time daily is given up to such things. Books stacked on my bedside weren’t going to read themselves if I didn’t find some way to do less yet more meaningful things. This summer I tried to eat more ice cream, sit in the yard more and watch the birds, garden, hang with friends and generally be  in the moment.

 A hot day in Rome in the Monti area with my sons Griffin and Jackson.

Being in Italy and Switzerland, you notice how adept Europeans are at savoring summer, the good weather and getting out during the warm months. Walking through the narrow streets of the Trastevere neighborhood in Rome on evening, we saw people migrating to the street with their chairs, a glass of wine, food and sometimes a dog. They chatted with their neighbors or just sat and took in the warm night. A roaming string group moved throughout the neighborhood playing Mozart and people  meandered by on bikes. It made me feel envious that they really get what it means to enjoy life.

Here in California, with beautiful weather more days than not, it is rare to see people coming outside to socialize with their neighbors in the evenings. I read that in societies where this is common, people have the longest life expectancies. It makes sense. It has to be good for the heart and the soul.

Positano. 

Speaking about good for the heart, I have to tell you about the Berner-Oberland, where I stayed in Switzerland. This area is nestled in the heart of the Alps, surrounded by mountains and lovely lakes. There are no cars or roads and the only way to get around is via gondolas, trams and cog-wheeled trains. We stayed in the town of Wengen, which is just lovely and has a charming village with wonderful restaurants and shops and is surrounded by little farms and Swiss homes.

We walked everywhere and most days did over 20,000 steps- most uphill and at high altitudes. Our Air B&B was a walk up a small, steep hill and I struggled too get up there at the end of a the day, but by the end of the week, it became much easier. My husband and I swore we had never seen so many older fit people in our lives. They walked those hills with ease and clearly the diet of Alp cheese, sausages and local beer wasn’t hurting them too much. After a day of adventuring, I slept like a baby each night wrapped up in my down comforter with the sound of faint bells from the nearby goat farm.

Walking in the Berner-Oberland above and below.

In later posts, I’ll share all the details about Italy and Switzerland in case you plan to go. Both are wonderful yet so different. In fact packing was my biggest challenge on this vacation as I brought one carry-on size suitcase. Resort clothes were on my mind when I packed for Italy as we spent most of the time in Positano and Sorrento. Rome however requires a little more city dressing and of course Switzerland requires mountain clothes. That means clothes to hike in and layers. I brought a rain jacket and a ultra light puffer coat (I never travel anywhere without it), but still ended up cold. Fortunately I found a Benetton store in Grindelwald and was able to get a pair of black leggings to sleep in and to wear under jeans in the 40 degree evenings and to the Jungfrau. I never thought I could be so cold in JULY! Turns out it was an exceptionally cold week when we were there.


Griffin with family friend Bill on one of our hikes and the Jungfrau glacier below.

 You can walk out on this glacier to a hut. Yes this is July!


In the darling town of Gimmelwald.

Our last day of Switzerland we had warm weather and explored the beautiful city of Zurich. I loved it and wow talk about stylish people. They are turned out with very simple jackets, trenches and pretty tailored pants and cool shoes.  These people looked amazing and the Swiss are beautifully groomed- men and women.

Zurich

One trend that was very big in Europe was the Birkenstock! Europeans are obsessed with them. My friend Jeanne told me all the Italians had then last year, especially the silver, gold or white versions. I saw the same in Italy and all over Switzerland. However, one difference is the way they wear them- it’s usually with a tailored sundress, so the look is a little casual dressy and it looks great.

When I got home I pulled out my old Michael Kor’s version of Birks and have been wearing them with my simplest black sundress and feeling cool!

Now we are off to St Louis for a wedding, so I hope I’ll have more from there to share too. If anyone has tips for that area, I’d love to hear them. I know we are going to the arch and I am excited for this wedding!

Hope you are enjoying summer and the simple things.

Kim

Filed Under: Europe Travel, Savoring Summer, Summer Travel, Switzerland and Italy

Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Signature Style- Summer Wish List

The Beautiful Mauna Kea Hotel, My New Bed and Nightstand Options

Tips to Give Your Home a Summer Vibe

Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips

Signature Style- Summer Sandal Edit

Summer Picnic Ideas

Get My Posts by Email!

Find Me on Facebook

Northern California Style

Archives

Categories

Footer

Don’t Forget to Follow!

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.

Currently Pinning

  • Planning My Holiday Home Part 2 | Pillows, Throws, and Table Setting
  • Planning My Holiday Home Part 1 | Greenery and Decor
  • Signature Style – The Coolest Coats
  • At home and work with the interior designer behind one of London's best-loved pubs | House & Garden
  • At home and work with the interior designer behind one of London's best-loved pubs | House & Garden
  • At home and work with the interior designer behind one of London's best-loved pubs | House & Garden
  • At home and work with the interior designer behind one of London's best-loved pubs | House & Garden
If you missed it, Juliet, Elizabeth and I are doin If you missed it, Juliet, Elizabeth and I are doing a virtual holiday sparkle party !✨ 

Tomorrow is December and we would love to see your beautiful holiday pins and brooches. If you have some lovelies that you’d like to wear, we’d love if you’d tag us and also use the tag with #ShowUsYourBling or #christmaspin and  we will share your pretties on our stories.

December gives us a chance to fly our sparkle flags and get those special pieces you may have inherited out and wear them. 

I have more ideas on my blog on how to style them and also some pretty vintage pieces  and others if you need to start your own little collection!! They are little pieces of art. 

Tag us and #showusyourbling  #christmaspin 

More on our blogs .. Links in bio
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#broochthesubject #holidaysparkle #vintagebling #vintagechristmas #weissbrooch
I’m super excited because today Juliet and Eliza I’m super excited because today Juliet and Elizabeth and I are starting a virtual brooch/holiday pin party for December and we want you to join us! ✨

I know many of you probably have some lovely little sparkles that are sitting in a drawer or box from your mom or grandma, or perhaps just ones that you haven’t worn for a long time.  Get those lovelies out and let’s see them. 

During the month of December, tag us with #showusyourbling or #christmaspin  and we will share your pretty pins on our stories.

This is another way to get creative with your outfits during this festive month ! It also sparks so many nice comments and conversations. I’ve been chatted up by so many people wearing my mom or grandma’s brooches and I  enjoyed hearing about theirs as well. 

It’s a way to keep those who we inherited them from, close to our hearts at this time of the year . 🥰 I always think my mom or grandma would be so thrilled to know I’m wearing their special brooches. 

Men are wearing brooches now too! So we’d love for the guys to join in as well.

Stop by our blogs today for more ways to wear your pins and links to some good ones if you’re wanting to start your own little collection like I have!

Use the hashtags #showusyourbling #christmaspin 

Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@pineconesandacorns 
@makemineaspritzer 

#broochthesubject #christmaspin #vintagechristmaspin #vintagechristmas #holidaydressing #holidaysparkle
I just had to put this out as I’ve already had s I just had to put this out as I’ve already had several friends saying they are stressed about not doing anything for the holidays yet -and  it’s not even December!!

Then yesterday my dad said he felt some anxiety because all his neighbors had their Christmas lights up and he hasn’t done his. 
That really made me upset. My 84 year old dad! 

This is not a race. 

The person with the most things done is not the winner in fact, that person may not be enjoying the season as much as somebody else who’s taking it slowly and going at their own pace, and doing less.

Remind yourself to enjoy the little things this season that matter to you. Also say no to things . You don’t need to do all you think you do. Let things go that aren’t bringing you joy. 

This holiday season shouldn’t be about stress! 

That’s the end of this PSA from a person who has bought two gifts and still has Thanksgiving decor up! 

Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed?

Tell me below, have you made the season better by doing less?  Are you a late shopper or card writer? That is okay. 

Do you know people used to shop and decorate the tree in the days before Christmas just a few decades ago?? 

#holidaymadness #simplechristmas #holidayzen
Hope you’ve had a great long weekend! If you mi Hope you’ve had a great long weekend!  If you missed the Weekend Meanderings with Juliet and Elizabeth pop on by for some good holiday ideas!
On my weekend post…
-A Thanksgiving table hack
-Pretty wrap from California
-Beauty gift ideas on sale
- J. Crew silver holiday looks
-Part I of my Edinburgh trip 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Including Holyrood Palace and @thebalmoral hotel, in Edinburgh.

It’s all on the our blogs -links in bio:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#weekend #edinburgh #edinburghtravel #holyroodpalace #balmoralhotel #roccofortehotels #scotland_insta #scotland
Finally got my table together ! I added some flowe Finally got my table together ! I added some flowers from Trader Joe’s after picking up Griffin from SFO this afternoon. I found these green napkins at @worldmarket and added some velvet ribbon I had with our @anthropologie dishes… and my favorite candlesticks from my pal Juliet! 

I have my mom’s tureen and my grandma’s platter out and the recipe binder is open to my mom’s beautifully written instructions on how to cook a turkey made for me and other tips. 💛

It will be me and all my guys including dad, but I’ll be thinking of mom and grandma and all the Thanksgivings they did. I am missing them especially at this time of year. I know a lot of you feel the same. 

I’m thankful to all of you sweet friends here on Instagram too.  It’s been a joy to connect with so many kind people. 

Now I am off to trim Brussels sprouts!😅

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!

#thanksgivingtable #thanksgivingtablescape #thanksgivingtableideas  #californiathanksgiving
It’s the weekend blog time and I’m sharing the It’s the weekend blog time and I’m sharing the fourth part of our travel to the UK with our visits to Chatsworth House, Bakewell and the medieval walled city of York! I loved this area and if you are a Jane Austen fan, you know 500 year old Chatsworth was her inspiration for Mr Darcy’s Pemberley and in many of the films. It’s amazing it’s been in the same family for 16 generations and you can have the best day there walking the house and grounds and lunch..

October was a magical time to visit these places with foggy days and fall weather! We absolutely loved it and York has to be one of my favorite cities now. The walls were so fun to walk and we stayed at the most charming hotel..@grayscourtyork 

More on the blog ! 

Please visit Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs too! 
Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#uktravel #visitbritain #york #chatsworthhouse #bakewell #falltravel #prideandprejudice #pemberley #grayscourtyork
It’s November’s Signature Style so Cindy and I It’s November’s Signature Style so Cindy and I are sharing great coats and outerwear!  We’ve got fun ideas on how to wear your coats and jackets and the coolest options out there!

I snapped a few pictures of people in the UK in their coats, and I’m sharing a little inspiration from the trip..

Stop on by our blogs if you need a fresh look or maybe a new coat for this year! We are finally getting some real weather, and I love it! 

You can comment LINKS to be sent the post by DM or find the posts in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley 

#winterstyle #coatinspo #coatseason
Did you get to read my post on the Cotswolds? I’ Did you get to read my post on the Cotswolds? I’m absolutely in love with this part of England that includes Oxford University where we began, Stow on the Wold, and Stratford-Upon-Avon! 

All three are places of incredible history and charm! We even did a little side trip to the teeny village of Lower Slaughter.. More about all of it, and the sweet shops and restaurants and our cute hotel on the weekend post..

If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds save this reel..
On this clip-
@oxford_uni 
@thesheepstow 
@cutterbrooksshop 
@lucystearoomstow 

Link to my full blog on this in bio
@northerncalstyle 

#stowonthewold #cotswolds #cotswoldstravel #oxforduniversity #stratforduponavon #uktravel 

@lambsrestaurant
Today I joined my blogging friends to share cozy b Today I joined my blogging friends to share cozy bedroom ideas and inspiration for the season. 

Do you have a  bedroom that could use some cozy?  Mine needed help.. I used fuzzy rugs, plaid throws, velvet pillows, plus a touch of black to give my own room some depth and warmth during these darker months!  I added a faux wreath above the bed for a festive feel. ✨It feels like a little retreat now and I’ve been reading and having my tea here.

All of us have unique bedroom ideas for this collaboration, so stop on by our blogs!

@northerncalstyle 
@classiccasualhome 
@cindyhattersley 
@most_lovely_things 
@mysweetsavannah 

#cozybedroom #cozyroom #wintervibes #holidayhouse
If you missed this weekend’s post, with Juliet a If you missed this weekend’s post, with Juliet and Elizabeth, I shared my favorite things to do in London in fall and winter! 

I’m breaking my UK/Scotland trip into regions, and this week is all about London, where we stayed, some good spots to eat, my favorite museums, and shops. I also shared a few good things I bought, and the boots I wore everywhere that were fairly inexpensive and very comfortable .

The link to this post is in my bio or you can comment below for it and I’ll DM you. 

On this Reel:
-Our beautiful hotel @hamyard_hotel in Soho
- My favorite museum the @vamuseum which is having the Chanel exhibit until Feb. and don’t miss the gift shop totes! 
- The best place for tea and beautiful tins of it to take home @fortnums 
- The historic and coolest department store in the world, @libertylondon. Must do!
- Max’s favorite museum @thebritishmuseum 
- I always find something at @hmhome 
- Two Italian spots we love @circolopopolare and @_boccadilupo &gelato @gelupogelato 
MORE on the blog!

Save this post if you’re planning a trip.

More on the blog! 
@northerncalstyle 

Please visit Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs for more fun too:
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#london #londontips #londontravel #londoninthefall #prettycitylondon
I haven’t posted much as we’re on a trip in th I haven’t posted much as we’re on a trip in the UK! 🇬🇧❤️ 

I’ve been trying to share everything on my stories, and saving some of them in my highlights in case any of you are planning a trip! 

I’ve been so overwhelmed with the pictures,  I actually let Instagram make this Reel from the highlights of London and Oxford.. 

I just did a little postcard post on the weekend blog with a few fun pics and details, especially about our stop to visit my friend Rosie who lives in Stratford Upon Avon,  which was so lovely.

You can follow along on my stories, or if you’ve missed any, look at the highlights ! I’m trying to categorize by area.

Please visit Juliet and Elizabeth blogs too. I know they had a great weekend posts!!

 Our links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#uktravel #uktraveltips #londontravel #oxfordtravel #visitbritain
I am finally getting to share a bit of the fun sho I am finally getting to share a bit of the fun shopping event at the Stanford @rails store. I felt like the luckiest girl getting to try all these beautiful clothes on! 

Thank you to everyone who came.. A special thank you to my pal Jeanne who was a great sport and modeled for us.. The Rails team is so sweet too.

This fall collection is gorgeous and my style. My favorites were the jackets, knits and the new denim! Did you know Rails also has a great men’s line? I bought Max a shirt for our trip. 

I wanted one of everything! On the weekend post I’ll share what I picked to add to my fall capsule…One of them is a dress I’m taking with me on my UK trip. 

This California company makes standout pieces. If you get a chance visit the Stanford store or the Hayes Valley to see the whole collection up close and you’ll see why. 

#bayareashopping #rails #stanfordshoppingcenter #northerncaliforniastyle #californialook #falllooks

Copyright © 2023 · Northern California Style· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer