On this Weekend Meanderings.. why an army green utility jacket can give a cool edge to all your closet staples, a Hawaiian twist on banana bread, British home tours to binge and more..
It’s that time again for all the good things that we want to share with Elizabeth and Juliet.
Hi friends, how was your week? Well believe it or not, a day after I returned from Utah and wrote that self-care post (HA), I came down with some weird virus and literally have been feeling awful for nearly a week. Yesterday was my first normal day and I am thankful. No doubt I picked up something while traveling. I’m so glad to be normal today. Nothing like being unwell to appreciate the status quo right? I’ve been playing disco music and acting like I’ve won the lottery around here!
The army green utility jacket
Onto something more interesting, specifically fall clothes! I am a jacket nut, and today I’m focusing on the utility jacket.. often known as an army jacket. I have four and I am always looking at others.. These jackets give you an instant cool girl cred and just work with so much. They’re the piece you’re going to take on the trip, throw in the car and toss on when the night start turning bit cooler. They don’t need maintenance, rarely show dirt or wrinkles..They work over a white feminine dress in summer and over that chunky fall sweater you can’t wait to wear. Know this, it’s one piece that will pay for itself over and over again in your casual chic closet!
About a month ago when I was shopping for the conference with summer dresses on the brain, this cutie by Paige was next to the dresses and I grabbed it. I can’t resist a utility jacket in a new shape and I knew this might be gone next time I came.
I think I already shared that I wore this on the plane trips to Utah and Georgia..This jacket has some stretch which made it instantly comfortable. I also like the length, updated feminine shoulders, and cool buttons. The cuff has more buttons that can be undone and rolled back.
Some inspiration on how to style these from Kate Moss who has been wearing army/utility jackets from her early days and still is.. She shows the versatility of these jackets..I think it doesn’t hurt to have a casual version of this jacket and a more tailored one in your closet! I like how she goes to black as a foil for it. Truthfully though, this khaki green works with so many colors..
Naomi Watts in a casual look.. and Kate dressing it up..
And maybe my favorite is Victoria Beckham’s look..
I remember buying these at the army surplus stores in the 80’s.. Now seems everyone has some version of this.. What used to be the jacket of anarchists, Sex Pistols and Blondie is now mainstream!
Other offerings out there are this by Anthro (cute crop style with embellishments), and at right this more classic, Marrakech Ari Utility Jacket..
Liverpool Los Angeles has a pretty tailored look below left, and I love the vibe of this soft linen version from Michael Stars, right..
I also like this fun jacket with embroidered daisies and this blazer version by Free People.
One with unique embroidery by Sundance.. and below right an Army coat with that vibe, by Emerson Fry, that’s on my fall wish list. I love their coats!
And another I am adding here thanks to a reader Theresa, with a good eye..This cute and classic jacket is at Nordstrom and in a few colors. I like the details here and price.
So keep your eye out for these jackets when you start planning you fall closet edit. They can be found in all price points.. and online upcycled too at The RealReal, Thredup and other spots.
My stylish California pal, Cindy Hattersley had a fantastic post this week about jackets and had some good choices for cargo jackets so don’t miss her blog!
Hawaiian Banana Bread
I was really craving some banana bread the other day after pics popped up of the Hawaiian version I tried to replicate after our last trip to the islands.. It’s a riff on a simple, but excellent banana muffin recipe originally from Gourmet Magazine. We just leave the bananas a bit chunkier and add coconut flakes. Other variations are to add a few extra banana slices to the top, and to my version here I added walnut and chocolate chips. To make it more Hawaiian, add macadamia nuts in place of the walnuts and omit the chocolate..
Hawaiian Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 C Flour
- 2/3 C Sugar
- 1 1/2 t baking powder
- 1/4 t salt
- 1 C mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 C=1 stick melted butter
- 1/4 C milk of your choosing
- 3/4 C coconut flakes for sprinkling top
- 3/4 C chocolate chips (optional)
- 3/4 C macadamia nuts or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, sugar baking powder and salt in a large bowl with a whisk. In another bowl, mash bananas lightly with fork, mix in egg, milk and melted butter. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients just until blended and stir in nuts and chips if using. Pour into a prepared bread loaf pan (9 x 5 ish), bake 50-55 minutes. For muffins bake 32 minutes.
British House & Garden Home Tours
One of my favorite things is to watch house tours on Youtube and British House & Garden magazine has the best ones. I also appreciate the way British people live in their homes. They are so personal, comfortable and inviting. Americans could take a few cues from them about things being less precious and more enjoyed. This tour of former Vogue editor Lucinda Chamber’s home is a great example and a fun one to watch..
Loot
My latest television obsession is Loot, with Maya Rudolf. I began while I was sick, and though I wasn’t crazy about the cast at first they really grew on me and this show was just heartwarming. It’s a good escape as well as feel good and I needed both last week.
-Also this weekend Serena & Lily is having 30% off rugs, so those who asked about my rugs, the new one in the dining room, Alamere and my living room Stella, as well as the kitchen runner – this is a good time to get them, if you want them arriving before the holidays- and on sale!
-For those who asked, I finally set up a more complete shop on my Liktoknowit , or now LTK and you can shop on that site’s app if you prefer here! You can always shop the tabs at the top of the blog as well.
Well that is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
Thank you for being here! Hope your weekend is wonderful.
Kim
If you missed last week’s Meandering’s post, I talked about making yourself a priority, skincare tips, improving your sleep, Salt Lake City, a book on moving to the French countryside and more.
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 and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.
Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!
If you want to save this post, you can pin it Pinterest below..
