#carmelweekend

Carmel Getaway to Bernardus Lodge, a Rails Capsule for Summer, Pretty Pots and more..

May 26, 2023 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

On this post -Carmel in bloom, Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, my Rails capsule wardrobe, a salad for Memorial Day gatherings, and more.

Are you getting your home and wardrobe ready for summer? This week I started this gloomy week with some decluttering mojo and cleared the the laundry, some closets and moved a few things around…I added a few new plants, bought an ottoman and started working on redoing my bedroom. I’ll share more next week on that!

I bought this pretty planter for myself that caught my eye at Beachwood Home in Carmel Plaza when I was down there last weekend..My little pepperomia plant that my son bought me was outgrowing its pot.. I highly recommend these guys. Super easy to keep alive and looking good. They just need a few ice cubes a week and some drainage. I leave mine in a pot and change out the paper towels in the bottom occasionally so they don’t sit in water…

These planters are a nice investment for your home decor. I like the blue in my home mixed with sandy and earth tones… It has a seaside feel this sort of color scheme. ( By the way The California Style and Frank Lloyd Wright book are both great.)

If you can get to Beachwood Home, which I highly recommend- it’s stocked full of beauty and the people couldn’t be nicer…

Beautiful blue pottery at Beachwood Home in Carmel

You can find my same planter here if you can’t get to Beachwood.. and this below in the same size by the manufacturer..also pretty!

Carmel Weekend

We are fortunate to just be an hour plus away form Carmel. It’s probably one of my favorite places on the planet. We try and plan a weekend there at least twice a year..Max and I went down there last weekend for a long awaited getaway. The weather has been so bad we were waiting for it to finally be nice.

I think Carmel is a magnet for its beauty.. Right now, that is especially evident as there are flowers everywhere..The beach succulents – or magic carpet as they call it, are in full bloom and the roadside is littered with poppies, and people’s pretty yards are spilling over with flowers. Carmel has the perfect garden weather with sun and misty mornings and nights. If you are a garden lover, you will be in heaven…

Bernardus in Carmel Valley

Bernardus Lodge is someplace we have loved forever and when we can, we try and go at least once a year. Sometimes they have deals. Hotels have gotten so pricey! If you can go when it’s not a crazy time, rates are better. Fall is definitely more expensive and spring and early summer is not as pricey, surprisingly.

Why we love it.. It’s on the sunnier side of Carmel in the valley so you can spend a day exploring the beaches and the charming town of Carmel-by-the Sea, Pacific Grove, Monterey and Big Sur. In the afternoon, you can come back to the resort and sit by the pool, or infinity jacuzzi and read a bit. The spa also has its own beautiful garden pool…

We stayed in one of the rooms overlooking the croquet lawn with views towards the mountains… I recommend them! What we did..After checkin in, we sat on our patio and had cheese and wine that they always have for you ..Later, after walking the grounds and the pretty garden, had a delicious dinner in their restaurant.

The next morning we had a great room service breakfast by the fire. We drove to Carmel and explored the town, had lunch and back to sit and read by the pool. The next morning we played tennis and had another great breakfast on their restaurant patio..Then we headed to Pacific Grove to walk the beach and have a picnic..

You are a two minute drive to the tiny village of Carmel Valley- which we didn’t go to, but it has wineries and cute restaurants as well..or ten minutes to Carmel.

Rails Capsule for Summer- perfect for Carmel

I said I’d share my favorite pieces from my Rails event in a capsule! There were so many gorgeous pieces in the store it was hard to choose. I brought home the short suit, gauze top and gauze jacket (below), the one shoulder dress and the gathered shorts. (Four of the pieces were gifted to me.)

I brought all the pieces with me to Carmel..and thought a few other additions to it and you’d have the perfect capsule wardrobe..

wearing a Rails jacket at Bernardus — This gauze jacket is the perfect warm weather piece for travel..This is the croquet lawn at Bernardus.

I LOVE the ease of the cotton one-shoulder dress..I know I and going to wear it so much.. and the pinstripe jacket can work with it as a look. I paired it with these sandals that were such a find at H&M and my Claire V. bag.

For a capsule..I think the addition of beach pants, another tank, a dress that could work as a day to night piece, and another blouse- plus some sandals, a clutch and woven bag ( those from other places as Rails has no bags/shoes), and one would be set for travel and for a summertime wardrobe.

You can mix and match all these pieces – the jackets work with everything..one casual, and one more dressy..add in a couple of simple t-shirts, a swimsuit and cute necklaces and there you go.

From upper right. Gauze shirt, drawstring skirt, beach pant, pinstripe blazer, pinstripe shorts, one shoulder cotton dress with pockets!, black tank, white dress, stripe blouse– longer on shorter people, gathered short, woven clutch, black sandal, blue bag, and white flatform sandal. ( Both sandals 30% off this weekend as are all the Rails pieces!)

I think it’s fun to choose a smaller collection of clothes for a time and see all the ways you can wear them. I feel less stressed on vacations when I am disciplined and bring a smaller amount and I do get more creative with accessories and mixing things up.

Since Rails is having 30% off their site this weekend, I have this beauty in my cart which I did not put on the capsule and only just discovered, but will be adorable with so much! I’m a sucker for stripes and this one shoulder look is so good for showing a little summer skin, but tastefully.

Memorial Day

Are you staying near home? We have family and houseguests here so we will likely do a barbecue, though the weather has been cold! I hope we can take a drive and show our town to our guests and also gather for a Memorial Day barbecue with the family.

Our go-to is always a sort of chicken and fish on the grill and a pasta and green salad.

Our family favorite summer green salad

If you are looking for something easy to share or add to your meal that’s a little variation on the regular..

I use a mix of dark greens, romaine ( baby romaine is great if you can find it), a container of organic cherry tomatoes, 1-2 avocados cut into diced bits, toasted pumpkin seeds, and parmesan crisps broken up and sprinkled on top. I think what makes this salad good is the crunchy textures.. Also look for the sweeter tomatoes.

For the dressing I do a 3 parts olive oil, 1 part citrus vinagar, ( I like this one), a tiny bit of dijon mustard, one minced shallot, and salt and pepper to taste.

Other Things..

On this Memorial Day, I am thinking of all those who have died and who have given and sacrificed so much for all of us Americans.. I am hugely thankful to them and grateful on this holiday weekend. Much love to all our veterans.. Many who don’t get enough credit or love in this world.

Also, sadly we lost one of our great American icons, Ms Tina Turner this week. Tina was one of my mother’s favorites and I adored her style, her music, her ability to survive through abuse and so much else. She was hugely inspiring reinventing a whole new career at a later age..I found this quote of hers on Pinterest, and sometimes it is just what we need. RIP wonderful Tina.

On last weekend’s post, I shared the San Mateo Home tour, a recap of my Rails event, Everlane’s new linen, and more..

Also next week.. I’ll show you how I got my tomato garden in and how to make yours thrive with some tips from my dad!

Hope you have a lovely holiday weekend,

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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California Weekends- What to Pack for Carmel and Monterey

May 6, 2012 By kimwheeler 13 Comments

This eternally popular post is all about what to wear- and pack for a getaway to the Carmel/ Monterey area. It can be tricky as it’s a California coastal area, but more often than not can be cool, though sunny. As we are very casual in California and your key word for this trip – laid back luxe!

The original post on this was written in 2012, after a little getaway to Carmel to celebrate my husband’s birthday. It has become so popular I update it quarterly. As a Bay Area and Northern Cal gal we get there a lot, so I feel qualified to advise.

You’re going to love this area and if you pack the right things, enjoy it too. This updated post has some newer links and photos to help you plan a trip in 2023 and beyond.. Lots of inspiring looks for you to copy here too.

Carmel is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet and I am continually thrilled by its beauty on each trip. I am so fortunate to live here in Northern California and be nearby. When I say Carmel, I also mean the whole Monterey Peninsula area, which encompasses Carmel by the Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel Valley in the hills to the East.

You could be staying in the warm and sunny Carmel Valley, but will most likely end up at some point in the foggier and cooler town of Carmel, too. For this reason you need to pack for two climates! I kid you not If you don’t believe me try spending a day in town here and you will see how many Carmel sweatshirts are sold to tourists. It’s not unusual to see winter coats and sweaters worn here especially during summer time. Carmel Valley, up the road about 20 minutes from Carmel is a warm wine region and not unlike Napa and Sonoma. So you really have to think before packing.

Most of my visits to Carmel I have wandered around like Jennifer Aniston above, with sandals, yet burrowed up in a big sweater!

Carmel is a cosmopolitan place where people dress very well, but casual. Carmel Valley tends to be a horsier set where as Carmel by the Sea, is a little more luxe. Monterey where the aquarium and Cannery Row are, is super casual.

Bottom line…This is the capital of casual chic. People dress well, even though they are dressed down.

What to pack for a weekend in Carmel and Monterey. . .

White jeans.

Even in winter. They look great with heavy sweaters and pea coats.

Two I like.. this thicker white cropped pair, these very nice mid-rise jeans and these vintage straight ones

I love this look of Linda Wright and her daughter- both making white denim look chic in cool temps..Look at Linda’a Instagram for a lot of inspirational looks with white denim..

Other white denim looks that could work for Carmel…Dressier here like below..

Alternatively, khaki or black jeans ..

Black jeans are versatile -with sandals or boots and you can dress them up for dinner..And these classic straight legs from Frame are a versatile choice that will feel great too.

Blue jeans of course…

I love this relaxed version and this one .

I love the mix of straw bag and sweater – and sweater plus sandals..A little summer and winter together works by the sea.

A Woven or Straw Tote..

I love this classic straw bag with a leather handle by J. Crew – the perfect tote to pair with your sweater and for travel.

I also love this medium market tote by Mersea ( also comes in a small) ..

This woven leather bag is another casual tote that’s luxe looking.

Button down shirt in white or denim for day.

Great for layering with chunky sweaters. Can also double a a cover-up by the pool if it’s longer.

A great shirt here and this classic white button down here.

Comfy flats.

I always have a pair of ballet flats and a cute pair of tennis shoes.

Ballet flats are another good thing to have on hand and a good a sneaker alternative. Love the look and shape of these Sam Edelmans, and also here which come in a few colors..and also these classics by Tory Burch and these are a modern update on the ballet flat with many pretty shades

I love a good white sneaker

Vejas are so California classic and neutral in all their variations. Perfect for up and down the hills of Carmel and a day of walking. Also more Vejas here and many styles of them here.

And these New Balance are quite popular..and also a neutral.

Flip flops for the pool or beach.

I have this pair of black rubber Tory Burch that have lasted years. They make everything look California casual chic and upgraded. Great to wear to the spa or breakfast as well.

I also like this new style Tory Burch has a take on the rainbow flip-flop of the 70’s she has in many colors and the soft pink is pretty..

I also have bought two pairs of her Cloud Miller Sandals that feel great on..

If you want to go a little more luxe this Gucci pair is very Carmel…

I would pass on heeled sandals for evenings. Streets are hilly in Carmel by the Sea. Heels will look ridiculous during the day and are impractical with the hills here and the beach.

Cozy cardigan or wrap

You need this for cool days and around the room as a robe over your night clothes. Any cashmere wrap is also perfect for that and layering! A wrap similar to below..

Even warmer light quilted or puffer jacket, moto jacket, blazer or trench to layer. These Herno puffers are gorgeous and very popular in Carmel. If you need something less pricey J. Crew has these cute quilted puffer jackets too.

Here I am a few years ago with my son wearing a scarf and my trench coat in late summer! A few trench options here at J Crew, and a cute look here at Anthro.

A cashmere wrap is a wonderful idea for this area to ward the chill off in evenings and for an extra layer. This one by J.Mclaughin is lovely and will be a travel piece you can count on wherever you go.

A Swimsuit

I always prefer a tankini or a bikini with a rash guard to layer. This is a flattering tank I love and another by Tory is a classic and beautifully made suit and this is universally flattering and and so is this from J.Crew – so cute.

Cute cover-up & hat

I love this shirt style coverup for the pool or spa if there is one, or the beach. I take a felt rancher hat I always take to Carmel and this is a similar and comes in a lot of colors.

For dinners dress warmly.

Almost all evenings are cool in Carmel, once the fog rolls in. A pretty blouse paired or soft sweater with nice denim is the norm. I’ve never felt warm enough to wear a dress to dinner, but if you do, bring a wrap or light trench or coat.

I think you can’t go wrong with a black pant/ sweater combo for dinners – chic and warm.

A chunky cable-knit or similar sweater. Cute with shorts- or jeans, depending on the day.

A casual skirt or shorts

If should the weather turn warm. One of my favorite looks on a warm day in Carmel is denim shorts and a long-sleeved T or sweater. Perfect for places by the coast where the weather is sunny yet cool.

Cozy pants and soft T-shirt

Great for lounging around the room. PJs could also work. I do like to have something cute and warm with me to wear to breakfast without getting dressed for the day yet.
Yoga pants or leggings and a wrap sweater could work with a soft T for breakfast. Add boots to your leggings and a swingy sweater or poncho and you have an outfit…

A nice travel layering piece, especially for Carmel is a cardigan like this cute option or a this cashmere poncho

Boots

They are worn year-round in Carmel. I didn’t pack mine last August and was so mad at myself. All the gals wear them in summer too. Of course people have Uggs, but a classic tall black boot like this, in black looks chic and preppy too.

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