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#etsy

Weekend Meanderings-Pretty Pillows, Cool Slides, Block Prints & More..

April 8, 2022 By kimwheeler 24 Comments

It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some good things that have come to our attention this week! I hope yours has been good. Here’s what’s been on my brain..

Pretty Pillows

I have been wanting to do a little refresh with my sectional pillows and found a well rated and lovely Etsy shop that makes some beautiful pillows like this..

Then I noticed she sells combinations of pillows as well, which makes it easy if you want to pull a look together. Two combos I really like- on left, and on the right.

The whole collection of pretty pillows here.

My favorite inserts, which should be 2 inches bigger than your pillow, are these which look like feather, but are synthetic down, made in the U.S. and karate choppable if that’s your thing. They have weight and feel great. I have replaced almost all my pillows with these…

Block Prints

Looking for a sweet small gift or to just give your morning routine a little upgrade? These block-print mugs at Anthro caught my eye right away! So lovely and they make a cute gift for a friend or teacher and you can add a gift card or some treats. Anthro is getting on the block-print bandwagon and if you are a fan check out their whole block print home collection.

I also love Emerson Fry’s India block print collection… (A company committed to zero waste, organic fibers, plant and non toxic dyes, and other great things.)

Beeks

Slides seem to be all I wear now and a new to me shoe brand with many slide options is Beeks. They sent me the prettiest catalog with the above photo and I was hooked! Begun by two California women, who met at Quicksilver, and were industry veterans, they wanted to create footwear that feels great and looks even better over time.

This is just a glimpse of a few of the sandals which come in all colors and heel heights..

Each pair, designed in California and made in Mexico, and takes over 48 hours to create. Beeks is also committed to helping end child hunger and have focused on feeding at-risk kids in the United States. For every pair of Beeks sold, they donate the equivalent of five meals, through the Childhood Hunger Strategy with the Second Harvest Food Bank. Shop the whole collection here.

Walking the Golden Gate Bridge

If you follow my Instagram, you might have seen that I walked the Golden Gate Bridge last weekend with Max and my oldest son, Jackson. It’s been on Max’s bucket list for a long time, and even though I am a native Bay Area girl, I hadn’t done it either or brought my kids. I just always thought it was a long hike and how to get back and all that…

Turns out it is easy and not a big deal, and so worth doing. We didn’t even leave particularly early, got there about noon and found a parking spot at the Battery East Parking (great map here),which is right across from the historic homes of the Presidio..

From there it’s an easy saunter up to the bridge, with photo op spots, a warming hut/park bookstore, a bathroom and an historic cafe. From there you can catch more trails to explore on foot or bike. We chose to walk to the middle of the bridge which took about an hour and 20 there and back with many stops.

We snapped lot of photos and saw a whale, seals, pretty sailboats and the cityscape of SF. Seeing the bridge and the infrastructure of it up close is incredibly impressive! I loved the historic plaques. Even the lights are beautiful on the bridge. Know that it can be loud, and you are close to cars, but separated by a metal divider. You could go all the way over to the Sausalito side or alternatively, begin there. We felt we saw a lot just going to the middle. It can be foggy so we waited until after morning and chose a nice day weather wise. You will need a jacket as it’s cool and windy on the best of days, so dress appropriately.

More information and photos of the day, on my Instagram . Under my profile click through the ‘Bay Area Favorites’ story bubble to see it all.

After we had some great sandwiches at the cute Round House Cafe with bridge views, and then we headed to the city for ice cream at Salt & Straw and walked around the square in the charming Hayes Valley neighborhood. This a great spot with cute shops, a park and places to enjoy your treats and people watch.

Salt & Straw Ice Cream

On a side note, if you haven’t ever had Salt & Straw ice cream, it’s unbelievably good and the flavors are unlike anyplace else. They are a phenomenal company begun by two cousins and they use only organic and pure ingredients and support local suppliers and manufacturers. They do a huge amount of community care, support and outreach and donations. They pay good wages and try to make an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

They just opened a branch in Valley Fair by the outdoor shops.

“We make ice cream about the ingredients we use and the farms and artisans they come from. About how we cook and freeze and candy and sort and burn and smash and hand-drizzle and ribbon and spoon and sprinkle all of our ingredients in intriguing and unexpected ways.“

That explains what kind of ice cream they serve.. and right now they are featuring flavors inspired by their Rad Readers series with Scholastic to take kids imaginative stories and turn them into ice cream flavors! How awesome is that?

All the flavors here and all about them and locations here. If you can’t choose a flavor, you can’t go wrong with their salted caramel -SO good!

Betty White’s Carmel Home

Lastly, many of you may have seen this, but I just love Betty White’s home that is now up for sale in the most lovely part of Carmel. Betty and her husband Alan Ludden bought the property in 1978 and built it from scratch on the undeveloped plot that cost just $178,000.

The pictures make it look so open and bright and quite ahead of it’s time. I’m sure it was staged for photos, but I could see living in it just as it is. The wooden peaked ceilings, the curved brick fireplace in the bedroom, and the skylights in the main area and expansive windows are fantastic. I hope someone doesn’t take a wrecking ball to this.

It overlooks Monastery Beach, and the mountains of Big Sur. The beach here is popular for scuba diving as the Monterey trench is right there which after a few feet in, drops to extreme depths. It’s also the steep and extremely dangerous to walk along, but the views are amazing and you can wander south to Point Lobos State Reserve, another stunning spot. The listing is here in LATimes.

Well that’s my meandering for this week now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you…

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed the last Weekend Meanderings, on spring tables, my Hawaii getaway essentials, talented South African designer Sue Bond, you can read the full post here.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month! Thank you so much, as Bloglovin seems to have stopped working and I no longer post as much on Facebook and plan to do less there.

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Filed Under: weekend meanderings Tagged With: #bayareaweekends, #beeks, #bettywhitehouse, #blockprints, #carmelca, #etsy, #goldengatebridge, #saltandstraw, #Sanfranciscotravel, #throwpillows, #weekendmeanderings

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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.

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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
The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. I have my 40th reunion this weekend so I’ve got what to wear to a reunion, an excellent book on rethinking how we age by the chic @annagmurphy , and  the story of how San Francisco’s Nordstrom changed the city and its unlikely success story. 

It’s all on the blog! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#whattowear  #highschoolreunion #highschoolreunionlook 
#bayarea  #northerncalstyle #californiastyle #agingbackwards #destinationfabulous

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