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…

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..

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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