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#Rails

What I Packed for the UK Trip & Lovely Rails Pieces for Fall

October 20, 2023 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

On this post- my final packing list for my fall trip to the UK, and what I took home from the Rails event last Saturday.

It’s time for the weekend meander with Juliet and Elizabeth!

I’ve been busy getting ready to leave on our trip to the UK. I’m excited I am finally getting to Europe. This is my first since fall 2019, before it all shut down..

Max and I had planned to go last fall, but then he was unexpectedly laid off with his whole team…We could have gone anyway, but being here and available to interview for jobs was a priority. So we are finally going!

Thank you to all the lovely friends who sent so many great suggestions! I have saved every one of them, and will try to see what I can get to.

I’m in the lounge at SFO right now as I type this after the most horrific Uber ride. Max even said it was like the guy couldn’t stay on the road and was erratic..Plus loud music. Gosh why are these rides like rolling the dice every time? DO I sound like an old lady?

Here I was in the lounge soothing myself with chocolate pudding and champagne before I pressed publish on this!

My Rails Event

Thanks to all those who came by Rails for the event last Saturday. I may have missed a few of you, but I hope you had a chance to see the beautiful store and meet the lovely people who work there.. I still think there is nothing like seeing beautiful clothes in person and trying them on, so get to the Rails store at Stanford next time you are up there! They also have a branch in SF in Hayes Valley and all the store addresses here.

We had so much fun and I felt lucky to try on many beautiful pieces from the fall collection. My friend Jeanne came by and tried a few things and let me snap pics.

I was wearing the Sunset Crop Jeans, a silky Dorian stripe blouse and this adorable Geneva cardigan. The cardigan is a bit oversized, but is great over a longer top or dress too. Its super soft so I had to get it. Jeanne has on this super cute North trench jacket. I love the sleeves and all the pretty details.

Other standout pieces..

Can I just mention their outerwear, coats and jackets? They constantly are coming up with more coats and jackets to love… As a coat lover, they are killing me. As soon as I decide on a new piece I have to have, they create more beauties. If you are a coat/ jacket person, don’t miss the new jackets and coats here.

We loved this light and warm sherpa longer Connie shacket which is perfect for a cool California day. ..

I was crazy about these Sunset jeans ( come in regular or cropped), here in cropped, but look full length on 5’4 me. They are comfy and have a raw edge and not super high waist. Cute cardi sweater and this stretchy cotton leopard top were fun options with them.

Sweater Dresses

Rails has some fantastic sweater dresses..I bought this black Lorraine sweater dress which is like butter and forgiving.. Felt amazing on. I thought I wasn’t a sweater dress fan, but after trying the Rails versions which have nice stretch, I changed my mind. I think I need to wear with my boy shorts for a smoother look. The black dress is coming on my trip and can roll it in the suitcase, so these are perfect for travel. It also is thin enough I can layer it under a jacket.

Both these styles come in variations an other colors and Rails has at least 12 more styles in knit dresses here. ( By the way, if you don’t see you size online- contact the Stanford store 650-681-8662  or email them railspaloalto@rails.com and they can see about shipping to you from the store or another, which often have things that are sold out online )

I also got this super soft Gisella cashmere sweater. It may be the nicest cashmere I have ever owned and -love this neutral color with the jeans….Now if we could just get some cooler weather. It was 90’s this week in Northern California!

You can browse all the fall looks from Rails here.

I’m and bringing the jeans, sweater, dress and cardi on my trip to the UK..

What I packed for a week in the UK ( London to Edinburgh.)

Guys I actually packed on Monday, four days before I left. I promised myself I would do this to eliminate stress and really see what I had and I did it! My dear mom, (always prepped) would be proud if she were here. I am reading this book about overthinking, and stressing and it also recommended doing everything before you need to, to remove stress from your life. It is helping!

So I have a carry-on size TUMI I have had for a long time and decided on my new carry-on (wrote about here), is the MZ Wallace Nik bag. It had great reviews and a few others wrote me and said it’s the best, including my pal Martha who is a flight attendant that has been all over and checks out all the bags. She says it’s the best she’s ever had!

Pros of this bag are very lightweight, many many pockets including for your water bottle and a trolley slip.. and more inside.. This bag holds: an umbrella, small cashmere shawl, sweater, extra top and pants rolled, a zip pouch bag with extra underwear and socks, my makeup, my toiletries, a light jacket rolled and my laptop and a magazine. In the other pockets I have my charging cord, chargers, AirPods, hand lotion, brush, masks, hair bands and clip, readers, and on the side water bottle. It also has a hidden pocket on both outer sides for passport and phone. I also have my small crossbody bag in this. The trolley slide is wide and helps this bag stay stable over the suitcase.

I stayed with a color theme packing which is black and tan.. Kind of good for the UK don’t you think?

I will share the more details list next week I hope..

  • 3 sweaters
  • 3 t-shirts to layer
  • 2 jeans
  • 1 black pull on pant ( daytime to dressy)
  • 1 track pant to travel
  • 2 dresses
  • a pull on skirt
  • trench
  • puffer jacket
  • black knit blazer
  • scarves
  • booties
  • sneakers
  • ballet flat
  • pjs
  • one white blouse
  • socks and underwear

SO here is my entire world ( felt like it at least), crammed into my very full suitcase and the Nik carry-on. I am wearing track pants, booties, a black t-shirt, and a soft blazer- and carrying my J. Crew Factory trench coat ( that I love). I manages to cram my puffer and sneakers into the suitcase.. Let’s hope it doesn’t explode on me.. I am serious! I do carry-on for the trains and for the way there. On the way back I’ll check my luggage and another folded down duffle for purchases.

I need to leave the house more.. I just had a lot going on with my cat changing her meds, cat sitter situated, and of course there is the usual getting the house, plants, and everything cleaned up like we don’t live there! Anyone else relate?

We change the sheets, leave no laundry and clean out the frig, empty the trash, and water every living thing.. It’s a lot isn’t it? I am fortunate to have next door neighbors who are twins taking care of Marlo, and dispensing her meds.. I have my son and his girlfriend coming to give loves to her, so I’m hoping she doesn’t fall apart when we are gone!

Hoping to be able to do a small post next week and just share a few pics with you all! but if not I’ll be back in two weeks and you can follow along on my Instagram where I’ll post photos…and of course Elizabeth and Juliet will be blogging…

Thank you for stopping by,

Kim

Please visit Elizabeth and Juliet’s lovely blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If you’d like to get an email when I publish, 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!

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: #carryonbags, #fallstyle, #MZwallacenik, #packing, #Rails, #travel, #UKtravel

Weekend Meanderings- Rails Clothing, Fig Couscous, Succulent Pumpkins, & a Santa Cruz Home

October 21, 2022 By kimwheeler 30 Comments

On this Weekend Meander..my favorite Rails pieces for fall, a fig couscous to make right now, a succulent pumpkin craft, an exotic Santa Cruz home, and an historic San Francisco auction you won’t want to miss..

Welcome back to our little weekend roundup of fun things with Juliet and Elizabeth! I always have so much to share and the week I am squeezing a few more extras in because they are on sale now!

My Madewell Jacket

At the beginning of October, I shared this Larsen plaid blazer from Madewell on my Signature Style post about Fall Wishlists.. I was waiting for mine to come and turns out… I never checked out of my cart. No wonder it was taking so long! Anyone else ever do that? And here I was blaming the postal service..

The upside, yes there was one, was that I got it on sale at Madewell and I also added these loafers. The jacket came in two days and the loafers are pre-ordered so a few weeks away. It’s a good time to grab these things if you’ve been thinking about them!

I love this jacket!! I bought a small and I am 5’4 and about 137-8ish.. It’s slightly longer in the newer style, but not baggy. I paired in with my Anthropologie jeans (same jeans darker wash here) and my Resistance scarf from Claire V.

Rails California Clothes

A few weeks back I visited the Rails outpost in San Francisco. I love this California brand and they have just three shops in the U.S., the others are NY and Newport Beach, and I have a scoop that they are soon opening an outpost at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto!

They had so many beautiful things and this Wedgewood blue dress with tan flowers especially stood out. I needed a long sleeve dress for fall and later in winter with boots and it’s an easy throw on and go fabric. It’s also on sale now until Sunday at Bloomies with code SAVEMORE.

The dress is also in a longer version here.

I also couldn’t leave without this butterscotch colored Steffi Jacket. I was taken in by the super soft feel, very pretty color and contrasting black buttons. It’s light and not stiff and a good jacket for California’s fall and winter. It’s also on sale here this weekend with the SAVEMORE code and 25% off.. I missed this chance to get them on sale, and it’s a nice savings.

After a few cool days here, I finally wore the jacket first time to meet Juliet for a working lunch on Wednesday and it was actually 90 degrees by time we finished! We both thought we were having hot flashes! I’m so ready to wear all these warmer things.. and still using my straw tote as my laptop bag and purse.. A very overheated me posing with the jacket.. Thank you Juliet for the pic..

Town & Country Village in Palo Alto

The day I met Juliet we decided on a halfway point to have a working lunch and I suggested one of my favorite spots, Town & Country in Palo Alto. This old school shopping center really has the nicest places for a bite and we had a French lunch at Douce France, and unassuming little bakery with great salads, sandwiches, coffee and pastries.

We both went for the brie, pear and walnut sandwich on a baguette…It felt like the perfect fall lunch and we loved it. I was thinking what a good girls’ lunch sandwich to recreate?

After we popped in one of the best consignment places, Fillmore & Fifth and we found Juliet a Maxmara Chanel style jacket, a Nili Loton blue stripe blouse, and this Annabel Ingall tote in Kelly green. I adore those totes and have one in yellow…

All the things she got were like new. I also found a brand new August Cashmere cardigan with leather buttons that had a $550 tag still attached for $50… SO it pays to go to consignment. Wherever you live, you need to find the good spots and frequent them. Upcycled clothes are the future and stylish and cool. I can’t wait to see Juliet share all she found. Below she is with the new bag..

Fall Fig Couscous Salad

Figs are still all over the stores here in early fall and so I thought I’d share my family’s favorite fig couscous dish. It’s great to bring to a potluck, or to serve with grilled chicken or fish, and a big green salad.

Pick figs that are not too soft, but have some give. If I’m at Whole Foods I like to mix the figs if they have several varietals of the same cost. Get fresh pine nuts. A sliced thinly shallot, cooked until slightly brown, almost black, gives a savory bit and counters the sweetness of the figs. A very important step is toasting the pine nuts. It makes all the difference in this!

Fig and Shallot Couscous

kimwheeler
a great side dish or potluck item for summer and into late fall.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 C. Olive Oil Extra virgin
  • 1 box couscous
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 basket fresh figs mixed or of your choice
  • 3/4 C Pine nuts
  • 1 tsp sea salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add boiling water to couscous, cover and set aside. Toast pine nuts on the stove until just browning, set aside. Thinly slice shallot and cook in a tablespoon of olive oil until starting to brown and remove and let drain on paper towel. Slice figs into quarters. When couscous is ready, fluff with a fork and all olive oil, salt, and then gently fold in figs, shallots and pine nuts. Serve at room temp.
Keyword fig couscous

Succulent pumpkins

During 2020, our pandemic year, my neighbors and I did a fun project in my garage with succulents and pumpkins. If you have succulents growing around just snap bits off and use them.. You just need some moss, and a few other things. The original blog and instructions here. This weekend might be a fun time to do this with friends or kids and the pumpkins last a long time. They also make a cute gift and a darling centerpiece…

A Santa Cruz home in House Beautiful!

I spied this very cool Moroccan inspired Santa Cruz, California home in House Beautiful this month and had to share as it’s a renovation of house built in the 80’s…

I love to see someone’s unique vision. You are not wedded to the architectural age of your house! Interior design was by Alexandra Loew and photos by Roger Davies.

Many of the beautiful wallpapers in the home are Morris & Co.

Buy a Piece of San Francisco History at Ann Getty’s auction..

This week Cristie’s is finishing the auction of the Ann and Gordon Getty Collection. Ann was a longtime famous hostess and tastemaker and what a gorgeous collection she had. Ann grew up on a walnut and pecan orchard in California’s central valley and later attended UC Berkeley where she studied anthropology. Thanks to her job and friends at the Joseph Magnin cosmetic counter, she met her husband Gordon Getty.. More about her fascinating life and amazing taste and here on Airmail.

The live auction already took place and made 79 million! The online auctions end on the 25th, but you can still peruse the offerings and there are still some not too outrageous things to be gotten.. Ann’s handbags and jewelry is the most interesting to me, and many of the bags are less than the Real Real is selling them for. I mean that! There is also some of my favorite Ippolita jewelry.

Philanthropist Ann Getty, wife of millionaire oil tycoon Gordon Getty, decorating tables for a Christmas celebration at their home in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, USA, August 1979. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)

The Art of the Table lot has ceramics, art and silver pieces.. and other beautiful one of a kind things! I love this green porcelain set which is private stock made for Tiffany in France.. All the proceeds go to benefit their foundation.

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 and I hope your weekend is great!

Kim

On last Weekend’s Meander..my fall front porch decor, more plaid jackets to consider, including Katie Holme’s latest, organizing your jewelry, a Christmas jewelry tree project to prep for, a French hair product you’ll love, and revisiting the legendary design of California’s Nut Tree restaurant.

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!

Filed Under: Uncategorized, weekend meanderings Tagged With: #figcouscous, #Rails, #succulentpumpkins

Weekend Meanderings -Live Like an Italian, Easy California Dresses, a Day in Aptos & More

June 25, 2022 By kimwheeler 75 Comments

It’s time for my Weekend Meanderings with Elizabeth and Juliet and all our obsessions of the moment.

As someone said yesterday, ‘I am sick of living in unprecedented times’, and I could not agree more.

I couldn’t post without expressing my outrage on the the unbelievable striking down of Roe v. Wade yesterday. I felt sick about it and also so angry. We now have less rights than our mothers over our own bodies. My mother and grandmother would never believe this. We are one of four nations in the world banning a women’s right to choose – Afghanistan is another. That tells you who our peers are on human rights now.

What I think upsets me most is the people (so often infuriatingly men) bragging about how they’ve been working towards this for years. What exactly were they working toward? Pressing their religious beliefs on others? Making sure that every child conceived is born? Making women live with an unwanted pregnancy? It’s ludicrous. And it’s going to be deadly for women in so many ways.

This law will affect women of low income the most. We know that 60% of all women seeking abortions ALREADY have a child. This is a choice between women and their medical doctor. A friend’s very religious mom said to me why is there even a law? She believes this is between a woman and her doctor. Now in America now have a law telling woman what they can do with their bodies, but there is nothing about men’s bodies.

Why do we want more babies born into poverty, minimal education opportunities and dire family situations? It’s a recipe for more crime, poverty and more societal woes. If we are ‘pro-life’ we should care that every child that is born to have the best upbringing, food, shelter, love and education. In states where these mandates are happening, they have records of terrible support for women, families and social assistance.

Conservative church groups promising formula, diapers, and baby blankets aren’t going to fix that. And those same people, who so celebrate these births are NOWHERE to be found once these kids got to school hungry, in crap neighborhoods with broken families and later become teens on the streets. Pro-life means caring for all stages of life and clearly that is not happening after birth with these groups. The same pro life people are okay with assault rifles wreaking havoc in our children’s lives and letting any 18 year old have a weapon meant for war. You can’t have it both ways people. You can’t care only for the fetus, but that is exactly where their concern ends.

What we need is a nationwide walk-out, a strike of all women and men who want to say no this is not America and we won’t accept it. We need to register every warm body to vote in the next election too.

Today this is how much this law affects our nation via the New York Times...

………………………….

We are officially in summer now and I am loving it. It’s been a bit warm, but the promise of summer gets me so happy, even if it’s just a late night trip to get ice cream or a day at our local beach. It’s not even the doing, but the thinking of maybe doing, that gets me happy. I am also enjoying people’s travel posts and seeing where in the world people are going. It’s a joy after two years of staying close to home.

Aptos Gems

Speaking of local travel, Max and I did a fun beach day last week, at Aptos. We left early before the traffic backs up on highway 17, and had a very long walk on the beach, called Sumner or to locals, Beer Can Beach, then hiked up the trail to Seascape Resort. I did this walk almost 5 mile that day), in flip flops, but I would recommend something with more support, especially for the path to the resort. You could make the walk longer or shorter depending on how far you continue down the beach.

We love this beach and it’s kind of a quiet one. You can walk both ways and going north you hit Rio Del Mar, another beach town with a few eating spots. We planned on grabbing lunch at Seascape, which is south of the stairs but they seemed to be understaffed. Instead, we walked across from the resort to the Seascape shopping center, a little enclave that is under the radar! We ended up at a very good Mexican spot called Palapas upstairs with ocean views and the nicest people.

Stairs to the beach and lunch at Palapas.

Afterwards we checked out the cute shops and I am now officially a fan of Seascape Foods a small grocery/deli/bakery and general store. I was amazed at the just made gourmet sandwiches and noticed they have morning burritos, the freshly baked cinnamon rolls, house made bread, salads, juices and fresh local coffee. The store is owned by a couple and one does the baking. Very fresh produce is everywhere, along with staples and snacks and just cut lavender from a local farm and plants! My photos don’t do this place justice..

I went home with a beautiful throw and a basket to hang a plant. I had to hold myself back from buying more baskets. The owners obviously have a good eye and you can find gorgeous home items. I can’t wait to go back. It was like a beautiful bazaar!

There is also a darling women’s store in this center, where I bought a new hat, a pizza spot, wine shop, flower shop and lots more.

My hanging plant basket, new throw and hat…

This is excellent stop to grab a lunch to go at the deli ( or eat on the benches there) or have a Mexican lunch with a view. For parking, this beach is accessed through a neighborhood, but you must go early!

How to be Italian!

A wonderful little book, How to be Italian, came on my radar last week and I ordered it straightaway. I am just beginning this fun guide which is a perfect summer escape and reminds us how to slow down, savor life and enjoy the little things. There are lovely photographs and chapters on Italian thought, culture, fashion, food and dolce far niente: the sweetness of doing nothing. If we can’t get to Italy this summer, at least we can try and live like one!

Rails Dresses

With the weather so warm, I just want to live in dresses that are light and comfy. A friend wears a lot of Rails which is a California brand and has the California casual vibe. These are the kind of dresses I will grab over and over again and make it easy to look pretty on the hottest days. Just add some cute sandals, a straw bag and pull your hair in a bun and you’re good to go. Some of the Rails dresses:

I’m loving this Valentina Dress in white, this green floral Constantine Dress

Also super easy is the Tara Dress in blue stripe and the Ashlyn Dress and the Arielle Dress..

You can find more Rails dresses here and here. The run pretty true to size and I am a medium in these.

Target

On my quick trip to Target this week, I spied some seagrass lanterns that are excellent quality and would be darling on a table or in the porch or yard. They come in two sizes, $20 and $25. I love when Target has something so affordable and looks nice too. I’m obsessed!

Target also has some of the new solar outdoor candles for these which is so easy. No more batteries!!

While at Target I also found a dress.. This sundress is so nicely made and our store had the only the floral Hawaiian print, but I loved it. The smocking on this dress makes it look expensive, is flattering and you could possibly get away wearing this without a bra. The smocking camouflages a lot. It also has pockets!

Just a few of the other prints it’s available in.. This is a nice quality dress!

Santa Cruz Beach House

This little beach cottage showed up on the listings this week, It’s the perfect size for a beach cottage and I love the shingle style and shabby chic look of the interior. This cottage has a view to the ocean along a river and it’s in a great area near Pleasure Point. It is so charming I had to share here. Now if it was only about a million or so less..

Listing here.

A hopeful video on NYTimes..

A lot has happened the past few weeks, but I haven’t stopped reading and doing more research on the gun violence epidemic. It’s heartening that we passed some legislation to help, though I wish assault weapons were banned, and it’s horrible the new Supreme Court ruling that people do not need a concealed weapon permit.

One heartening piece in this time of dismay was this video about how a CDC researcher who wanted to use gun statistics to end gun violence and and an NRA advocate in congress who crafted some of the laws restricting gun information, came to be dear friends. The man who crafted the laws, came to regret it and later was working for change and gun control. It shows we can come together and solve these issues when we listen to each other instead of retreating to sides. Both of these men really seemed like good people. If you can watch the video, I think its gives one hope, which we so need now.

Well that’s my meanderings for this week. Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs and see what’s on their radars this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank you for being here. Have a lovely weekend,

Kim

If you missed last weeks meanderings, I had a Tahoe kayak trip for science, my new dining room rug and curtains, a lemon pound cake that is easy and so good, and a California road trip cookbook you’ll want for you library! Find that 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 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!

Filed Under: weekend meanderings Tagged With: #aptos, #casualdresses, #HowtobeItalianbook, #Rails, #seascape, #summerdresses, #targetfinds

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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

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