#serenaandlily

My California Room- Before & After

July 23, 2020 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

This is a story of an unformed and anonymous space, that I dreamed could be a cool room… It was once my old kitchen and was left behind in the remodel and reconfiguration of the house. Initially, we imagined it as a space that could have sliding glass door, so it could be a private office or a den. However, as the renovation came closer to completion, we began to realize what was drawn on paper was really not as large as it seemed, and the glass door idea was not going to be worth doing for such a narrow space.

Before- the room right after the remodel. We were trying to see how my semi-circular couch could fit in here. It didn’t work.

I decided the best thing to do would be to leave it open, forget the glass walls and have it serve as a space for the guys to watch shows or do gaming. It could also be a spot to play family games or read or work on a laptop, when we want a cozier space.

You see part of the space is the walkway in from the garage and so there wasn’t much left to call an official ‘room.’ I love skylight we added here.

For perspective, the original kitchen was an 1980’s addition with greenhouse windows and a slanted roof. I loved the light in this space, but the single pane widows were deteriorating and California kitchens aren’t really the climate for a full ceiling of skylights…

To better use the space, the kitchen was moved to the center of the house and this area became the extra den/media space. The ceilings were raised to meet the rest of the roofline and the entry/ walkway from the laundry was relocated – marked above, and the X is the skylight. The rest of the area became the leftover room in the top photo.

To open up this tight space, we swapped out the window for French doors. Now we open up this room when we want to use the pool area for entertaining and also acts as a kind of adjunct lounge for when we hang or entertain around the pool. The view out to the pool visibly enlarges the space, a great trick.

Once the French doors were installed it became clear to me this room was going to have to have a water theme. It made sense to create a ‘California Room.’ If you Google California Room, it says it is an indoor-outdoor living space- a relative of the sunroom, but with open air. That is exactly what I was hoping for so I call it our California Room, plus it sounds way cooler than a den/media room!

I had two Serena & Lily chairs I had been saving just for this room. I built the space around these and the rug. These Mattituck Armchairs have the prettiest details – caned back and brass accents. They seem like the perfect chairs for a California home. (My throw here is Serena & Lily’s Avery Alpaca.)

This is how the space looks currently with my chairs and the new rug which I am obsessed with!

I was fortunate to find a nearly matching ottoman to the chairs at a local Homegoods. A total lucky find. I also added my vintage tennis racquets which feel kind of fun in here.

This part of the wall has a recessed space where I will be adding a bookshelf.

I also bought two upholstered chairs that swivel, found at my local Harvest home store in Los Gatos.

Our acrylic table fit in here perfectly to hold my turntable under the television. The basket below holds the guy’s gaming things and we just stacked our vinyl albums under the table…

I had an old marble table that I used between the chairs.

Our vintage glass console in the walkway is a good catchall for keys and sunglasses as we mostly leave and enter through the garage.

I’m still trying to figure out the perfect mix of pictures and objects for this wall. I think once I have the bookshelf it will come together..

To finish this space, I still need a coffee table and the book shelf. This rattan bookshelf is on the top on my list. I can imagine the styling possibilities and space for my books!

I tried to think like a designer and created an inspiration board with a few other things that might work to pull this little space together. Here is my idea board for the room and I hope to add these bits as it evolves..I began with the chairs and my rug…

Items from above:

The Marco Rug (on sale now!), was my jumping off point for the color scheme with it’s ocean hues. It’s fun, beachy, a little Boho and would be the perfect flooring for a room that people might enter with wet feet. It’s recycled denim which is super cool too. The Ryder denim/wool rug is another great option in this tone so cute!

I love to mix in some navy as a little punctuation in this space with the carpet. This is especially a cute item -the new navy Ibiza Pillow Cover.

We will need a table in here for games and to hold drinks and The Market Coffee Table is the perfect table for a California Room as I can move it outdoors when I want to expand the room to the pool deck. I like that it’s lightweight and small in size so it doesn’t overwhelm the room. More than anything though, it brings me back to happy Hawaiian vacations when I look at it!

I envisioned a chunky white lamp for the entry table here and this lamp fits the bill and has a coastal feel, but is still a classic to have for a long time. Good lamps are such a great investment. Don’t we always keep them for decades?? I know I do.

I love these navy stripe baskets in varying sizes to hold throws for chilly nights when we open the French doors and for getting cozy while watching shows. They come in three sizes and also in an Indigo Black. I am a sucker for anything with stripes.

On the stripe theme, I love these frosted glass vases that remind me of beach glass. They would be cute with cuttings from the yard and could double as hurricane vases on the coffee table for alfresco evenings.

This Palomino Alpaca navy throw has been on my wish list for a while. My Serena & Lily throws are some of my favorite houses items. This blue stripe baby alpaca throw is lighter and would also be a cool addition to the beach vibe in here!

I had the walls prepped in this room for wallpaper and this Owens Wallpaper in sand color seems just right for this coastal theme room.. plus the stripe thing.. I love it!

Serena & Lily just began carrying these cute Campania Beach Towels and I am thinking of getting a few for just outside the French Doors in a basket.

They come in a pretty navy too.

Serena & Lily is having their Summer Tent Sale right now! It’s a great time to get some of their beautiful things at a discount. I bought my Marco rug during this sale – at a big savings, so it’s worth watching this sale to what gets listed. Things do get added so I check often. I love the quality of their products, so I am always thrilled to get one of their lovely things on sale.

Thanks for following along and all your kind words about the house updates. You all have made me feel so good about it. It’s a lot of decisions and still I am working away. I hope to do a video walk through of the house very soon. The master bath video is on my Instagram. Please follow there for more regular updates and videos if you are interested in the house remodel.

Thanks to Serena & Lily for help with this design project and the beautiful Mattituck Chairs for this room. I am honored to be a design partner with them. Some links on this post may generate a commission. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Kim

P.S. Look – this room is already being used a lot with the husband working from home… another good reason to make it inviting and comfy!

Outdoor Living With Style – 9 Bloggers Share Their Spaces

June 18, 2020 By kimwheeler 26 Comments

Today I’m joining eight other bloggers and sharing my outdoor space with you. In the past few months, I’ve felt very fortunate to have it as it has become an extension of the house during the pandemic with both adult boys home and my husband working here also!

In the evenings, it’s been great to get outside after being in and working all day. We really use the extra space to for all of us to spread out right now. With four adults in one house, we need it. I’ve tried to create a few cozy spots so there is always a place to hang out and work, do a call, or just chill out here.

If you have visited here before, you know we just remodeled our 1965 home after being here for ten years. When we remodeled, I wanted to extend the living space with fold away doors to the back and French doors and a patio in front. These things have made the house more spacious though we didn’t really add any square feet. Our yard is tight with a pool that wraps around the yard and a funky lap lane… And a LOT of brick. Replacing it would be a small fortune so we’ve chosen to love it and its old school look. I like it with the new white stucco of the house even more now.

The yard is divided with an Ipe deck in the center that feels like it floats above the pool. It’s tight though and our main door to the yard was previously through the dining room, not ideal. We changed how the house flowed so we could see the pool and instead come out to the deck from the living room via a folding door. We now see the yard in a way that makes it seem much more expansive and makes the house feel larger too.

The yard once was surrounded by a wall of green – A new owner on the left took the hedge down and the fence needed replacing in the upper yard, so it all was taken out right before the remodel two years ago along with all the mature plants. We started fresh almost, so I am waiting for both fences to be someday again be covered by vines, creeping fig and citrus, but it’s slow going and looks so bare to me right now.

The set above is the Pacifica Serena & Lily couch and chairs in driftwood color. We always knew we wanted a sofa out here and we are very happy with this with the two chairs. It’s an easy brush off Sunbrella fabric and the woven white driftwood color surprisingly doesn’t show dirt. I do like to cover it when we are getting a lot of wind and fall leaves though.

Our round table is from my neighbor Graces’s estate sale. It’s an indoor marble table and so I cover it during rainy days, but it has been perfect out here with this set! We can do a whole lot of appetizers on this baby.

I recently changed all the cushions to black and white to keep things consistent with the house. The two with graphic leave motif pillows are from my January Hawaii trip to the Big Island and one of my favorite shops, SoHa Living.

Below is my rickety teak table I’ve had way too long. It is due to be replaced, but I found these white metal chairs last year and they kind of pulled the yard together, so we are making it work. I will sometimes use a tablecloth or runner to dress it up a bit when we dine out here.

Once we moved in, we removed all the old terra-cotta and colored pots and added these resin/ceramic ones with boxwood. Here in a photo from my Instagram stories..

I have this old bar stand I turned into my herb garden/potting table. I’m hoping to move this to the side yard when I get the French teak console table of my dreams from RH someday…

Our vegetable garden that I wrote about in this post is going great! My oldest son Jackson does most of the work on it with my dad. They are garden nerds. I’m so excited we just got our first heirloom tomato! This year we have tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers and cantaloupe. We are so fortunate that my dad starts all the tomatoes himself by seed, and they are really good.

Our front is another outdoor space we use so much now that we remodeled and added a patio. I always wanted an area that we could hang out in front, chat with neighbors and enjoy the sunset view. This is another thing that has made our home feel so much bigger. The wall serves as extra seating and I still may order some bigger chairs, but for now it’s enough to eat lunch out here and hang with the cat during the winter months. With the western exposure, the front patio is a bit warm to use during the summer except at sunset and in evenings, but it’s super in the winter as it stays protected and warm. We love having coffee out here in winter and wine at night with friends in summer. If we open the French doors, the patio serves as a great spot for guests to grab some air and more seating when entertaining inside. (Will that will ever happen again?!!)

Last winter having my coffee with the cat..

Now we’ve placed pillows on the wall like a Greek hotel LOL.

We did native plants and decomposed granite in this front landscape. I used French Provencal gardens as my inspiration. I especially love the two non-fruiting olive trees and the agaves. Right now it’s busy with all the lavenders blooming we have butterflies, bees and birds all day. It’s very low maintenance, organic and pesticide free. All I have to do is occasionally weed so we don’t miss our old grass at all. It’s becoming more and more filled in as the bushes spread out and take up space.

I hope this wasn’t too rambling, but I did want to share how we made our smallish home feel a lot bigger by creating indoor/outdoor spots.

Here’s a few links to get the same look if you are interested:

I love these Quinn Stoneware pots at Pottery Barn. Right now they are living up to their name with a great assortment of modern and simple pots for inside and outside.

This black outdoor pillow from Target is my style. I think it’s hard to find outdoor pillows in black and white so I grab them when I find them.

The Target collab with Joanna Gaines is so good now in terms of quality and design! This pretty stripe throw is a great price at $29 and I don’t mind it being outside at that price. I like to have a big basket of throws for cool evenings. ( The table runner on my outdoor teak table is oversized and also well made thick linen from them!)

I don’t do melamine and instead prefer to use my everyday when entertaining outside. Theses stoneware plates are strong enough to hold up to outdoor use and dishwashing by young men too.

A few years ago I replaced my motley group of umbrellas with three Ballard Design Auto-Tilt Sunbrella 11 foot umbrellas with black poles in the black/sand combo. I also bought the 50 pound extra weight to prevent them from falling over in storms. It’s been three years and they are still looking like new and working great. Excellent quality.

I also need to order an outdoor rug for the deck and I love the Seaview Rug from Serena & Lily. I already have it in my kitchen and it’s indestructible. The new rose color would be pretty out here.

Now please go enjoy all these amazing women and their versions of outdoor living. I am excited as I always learn so much from everyone’s blogs and ideas..
ROUGH LUXE
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
MOST LOVELY THINGS
EDB DESIGNS
KELLEY & CO HOME
MODERN GLAM
SHABBYFUFU

Also joining us in this collaboration is the talented Brooke Giannetti! She is author of the beautiful Patina Farm series of books about the oasis she and her husband Steve have created in Ojai, one of the most beautiful towns in California. Their home is so lovely and inspiring the way in brings the outdoors in!

You can see more of her home on Brooke’s Instagram, and Cindy, Mary Ann and Annie are holding contests giving her books!

Happy almost summer!

Kim

Some links on this post may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Staying Cozy With Serena & Lily Pajamas

January 31, 2020 By kimwheeler 12 Comments

January felt long, however a heap of cleaning and purging got done here. I feel like I am beginning the year with less which feels great. In 2020 I am committed to choosing better quality things when I bring stuff into the house. In purging, I decided to get myself some nicer pajamas and clear out all the sad bits that have been taking up what should be a pretty PJ drawer. So I was a happily surprised when Serena & Lily offered to send me a set of their Pajamas. Quality items like linen pajamas are what I want to add to my life. Serena & Lily’s motto is living well begins at home.

I chose the Positano Linen Pajamas as I know how long linen lasts and how wonderfully soft it gets the more years you have it. The Wild Rose color was my first choice- so lovely. They are woven in Portugal with eco-friendly European linen. I love the details like the pant pockets (have to have those), and the pretty edging, and buttons.

So far I’ve been lounging more than usual in the new year. I like to hang out and work, read and plan meals and stuff on my bed when I don’t have to dash off somewhere. These pajamas are cute as much as they are comfy so I feel presentable if anyone comes to the door too. (A S&L favorite above – Jetty pillow cover.)

My usual morning look – my readers, pony tail and almond butter toast. LOL.

Linen is often thought of as a warm weather fabric, but it’s actually cozy and warmer than cotton, and also is light and breathable in summer too.

So many cute quality pajamas and luxe robes to choose from at Serena & Lily…

I honestly love everything in the pajama category especially the Porto Linen Stripes in a flax or blue chambray. Also cute are the Cavallo White Linen Pajamas which have a timeless chic feel and remind me of Diane Keaton who always is in white luxurious pajamas in her films. And the Positano Linen Robes are another classic choice in a pretty collection of seven colors for year round chic!

I purged the linen closet as well this month and ordered the Positano Linen Sheets in the same pretty shade for our bed. This is my first set of linen sheets and they feel much warmer and softer than my percale ones, which was unexpected!

The sheets come also in a French Blue, Indigo and a soft Eucalyptus. The linen gives it a undone look to the bed that fits the California casual look.

Speaking of California style, I have a few new Serena & Lily additions to the house since fall and I haven’t shared on the blog yet…

I finally chose a table for the entry! The Blake Raffia Console Table fits perfect in my little entry space and with the woven raffia it has that natural vibe. I chose the natural color, but it also come in a pretty grey and a navy that are also gorgeous like below…

I love the two levels on this table for trays and books. The raffia reminds me of Hawaii.

I still want to wallpaper the entry, but with my Carson Bench, below on one side, the console and my pretty light -this little space is almost finished.

Love my Capiz Scalloped Chandelier !

I also just added the coolest chair. I knew as soon as I saw the Edgewater Lounge Chair, it was my style. It’s the most comfy chair in the house and since everyone wants to claim it, I ordered another.

The seat is very big and and I can really curl up in it. My pillows here are the Addie Stripe in the foreground and the Winter Beach Pillow Cover in the back.

I think I may move both of the chairs in my new media room, but this one sure makes this room look cute and is easy to move wherever we want it. Right now we are loving it by the fire.

I finally chose a new rug for the laundry room. The tile is a very strong statement and so I wasn’t sure if a rug would look good here, but it’s been chilly on the feet and I want one for when I’m folding laundry, wrapping and other tasks. I finally decided on the South Shore Rug in Oyster. It works with the tones in here, is made of recycled plastic, is water and UV resistant, so perfect for the busy laundry area and super soft underfoot.

I’m in my new PJs here. The cute Teak Step Stool from S&L is still used so much by us all and is great for me in this space with all the tall shelves.

Connected to this laundry space is the pool bath that I finally am putting the finishing touches on. The Montara Mirror in the medium size was a perfect accent with some tropical flair.

I love it with the tiles. A little natural element with the modern.

Below you can see this Montara Mirror in white, on their site with the same Blake Console table I have in the entry, but in grey. So pretty! The mirror comes in three sizes and also in a navy color.

I’ll share the whole pool bath soon in another post.

I’ve been slowly cranking away on the Hawaii post and I’ve also been posting stories on Instagram where I can share more in an easier way. Last week it was a Santa Cruz getaway and our family’s most favorite recipe, so follow along on my NorthernCalStyle Instagram please and we can chat more!

I wish you all a cozy weekend and some pajama time.

xo Kim

Thank you to Serena & Lily for sponsoring this Northern California Style post. All opinions and writing are all my own as always.

Wallpaper Dreams

January 22, 2020 By kimwheeler 4 Comments

I just got my February issue of AD and am in love with this cover home, a gorgeous California gem in Altadena, California. The whole thing is stunning- the yard and every detail ( cat included.) It renewed my interest in wallpaper and choosing it for the house.

I’ve always planned to wallpaper after the remodel and even had some walls prepped for it. When we first moved in I was all ready and then I got overwhelmed with all the final choices and I just had to put the breaks on making one more decision. I just couldn’t go there with the holidays coming and all. Now that I’ve finished the last bathroom, we are about to get the media room started and I’m feeling ready. I’ve even had dreams about putting it up and not getting it to stay up. Is that a bad omen?

Oh man there are so many choices, too many. I know I want something fun with punch in the new entry, something neutral on the long wall leading into the house that wraps around the dining room, and something floral and romantic in the bedroom. A few choices I’m considering below…

Love this Wave Wallpaper from Anthro.

I think this Lattice Paper is nice for the bedroom- the mint would be pretty with an all white bed, no?

Serena & Lily has many choices and one favorite is the Granada Wallpaper in the Fog/Smoke color. I can see it on my long wall with these tones. Fun, but in this color, a bit chill.

I also adore their Palm Wallpaper which would be cool in the black/ white in the entry and make a statement.

Alternatively in the white/sand for the bedroom..

The other thing Serena & Lily has is grasscloth and I have always loved the look of that. My mother had our living room covered in cocoa colored seagrass growing up and it was very pretty. Just coming back from Hawaii, It’s been on my mind, especially for the entry and long wall. I also like the ability to hang things wherever and not worry too much about wall marks and holes, as I change decor up a lot. Fixing the walls makes my husband nuts, so that’s a plus. Just a few of the pretty grasscloth they offer..

Anthro also carries Farrow & Ball and I’ve had a crush on this Helleborus from Farrow & Ball for a long time. I think in the bedroom this would be so pretty..

Silvergate by F&B is so cool. Would I get sick of this dark color on a long wall or would it be the pop of color this house needs and some fun? It could go only in the entry as another idea.

Truth is I want my house to have that English country house feel – AND a California look. Maybe I’m asking too much!

Obviously I am hiring a pro for this. I am not good with this kind of thing- precision has never been my strong suit.

I have to ask you all- have you done wallpaper and how are you liking it?

Kim

P.S. In that new year, home refresh thing..come back tomorrow for a fun pantry organization collaboration with some friends!

Links on this post and others may sometimes generate commission. Thank you kindly for supporting the blog.

My 2019 Favorites

January 1, 2020 By kimwheeler 12 Comments

Wow the holidays flew by! I hope you are enjoying a break before the new year. Hard to believe it’s a new decade. I love this time of year and the downtime to clean up, put away and reassess before the new year starts. Of course there are always many after holiday sales, but I thought it would be good to start with a post on my favorite things of 2019. This is things I have used, loved and would buy again!! It’s also a good reminder to myself to think how many things I purchased the past year I can say I still love, still work and were worth every cent. In the new decade I’m going to try and think hard when shopping and ask myself if the item will fall into this category, and if not, reconsider. Micro-resolutions! That’s the mantra apparently… Things you can actually do.

Here’s my list of things I would buy again and I will be enjoying into the new decade and were worth every penny!

My white Grayson Cozy Cotton Shirt is probably the most worn item in my closet and spans the seasons as a perfect layering piece for now as well as my go to shirt for spring and even summer paired with shorts. I love this brand Grayson which I discovered this year and I now own the white as well as a cool striped number. What makes these shirts so nice is the fit and the open collar that is flattering. Beautifully made they always feel good and look great on. In the new year I need more items like this in my closet that work for so much and make everything look good!

My Serena & Lily Carson Backless Bench has been a bright spot in our entry and a welcoming spot for everyone coming or going to stop and gather their things or put on shoes. It get used so much, I don’t know how I lived without a bench before. It also sets a pretty tone for our small entry and gets a lot of compliments with its lovely weave and design. I like to change the pillows often and this is my January look! The grey pillow is one of my favorite S&L pillows and there are many new ones like this Auckland Cover, I love the fringe on this Avalis Pillow , and this cute pompom and look of the new Perennials Texture Loop Pillow.

My Serena & Lily Balboa Barstools are probably the most used and also my most favorite item I have added to our remodel. They still look terrific after lots of wear from the boys and the pets. The white Perennials basketweave cushions are still repelling stains and are brush away spots easy and still look like new! The Marin-based Serena & Lily whose mantra is, living well begins at home, were all over a friend Angela’s beautiful new remodel I got a peek of at a recent holiday gathering. What really caught my eye were her pretty Riviera Backless Stools I snapped a photo of in her gorgeous kitchen. So fresh and California chic. Her runner looked like this Seaview rug I have in Earth color.

Other favorites from Serena & Lily are my Malibu Chandelier in my dining room and my Capiz Scalloped Chandelier pendant in the entry that so many have asked about and set the California look I like so much in the house! Right now they are having their Winter Tent Sale, so it’s a nice time to pick up something for the home with your holiday money. Always a better long term investment over clothes.. but speaking of clothing..

Another wonderful item I added to my closet this year and have worn too many times to admit is my Everlane Cashmere Square Turtleneck. I have the black and I would love the light oatmeal. It’s the perfect modern shape and so well made it still looks fresh after a zillion wearings. Everything at Everlane, a San Francisco based company, is produced ethically. Read more about how they track and monitor every step of a garment’s evolution from the thread to the shipping, to stores, something they call radical transparency.

You can feel good when you shop there and I would rather have one of their beautiful sweaters than multiple lesser made items. Once you have one of their coveted items, you’ll understand why they are so loved. Lucky for us in Northern Cal, they recently opened a store in Stanford Shopping Center.

This Bissell ICONpet Cordless Stick Vacuum was an idea of my husband’s and my first reaction was I already have a Miele Canister I love and I don’t need it. I can now say this vacuum is a brilliant idea. It’s a combo handheld and stick vacuum. I use it many times a day to pick up cat sand, kitchen crumbs and dust bunnies you cannot otherwise see without its powerful light. The light is a real innovation and vacuuming in the evening with this thing is even better than day. You have never seen the true state of your floors until you have a light like this attached to your vacuum. I am using the wood floor attachment so I love it for my new hardwood, which will preserve it even longer. Still, the best part about this vacuum is thew ability to scoot around the house with no cord and do a fast house cleaning on one charge. Ours is mounted on the garage wall and the boys like using the handheld part to clean their cars. It’s life and house changing!

Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection 45 and Primer is the loveliest skincare discovery I have made this year. I was talked into it when I bought the Future Skin Gel Foundation (also excellent), but I think this actually made the biggest difference in my skin appearance – i.e. my pores, vibrance and dark spots- and it’s good SPF is not heavy, but is a daily essential in California! I’m not going to lie, this stuff isn’t cheap. I wish it came in industrial size, but fair warning you will love it and see a difference in your skin.

I am also obsessed with this Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Longwear Concealer. It has a light texture, is easily blended and works not just under the eyes, but all over the face to conceal and brighten without feeling heavy. I love how it seems invisible, but it’s definitely working.

One more in the beauty column, but can’t go unmentioned, is Glossier’s Lash Slick Mascara, which is amazing at making my small, stick straight lashes look lifted and pretty all day without flaking, dark shadows or weighing them down. So many of the new ‘false’ lash formulas are heavy and goopy and make brittle older lashes like mine just flat and clumped. Glossier has perfected this product and nothing else comes as close in my book for wearability and ease of removal too. You can also layer it for more dramatic lashes. I also am crazy for their eye creme called Bubblewrap, which you can buy as a duo with the mascara right now for $34! I love so many of Glossier’s simple and brilliant products.

Something I reach for every day is jeans and the ones I’ve worn more than anything this year and have replaced most of my others, are these Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in different washes. They aren’t too high waisted, flattering and look cute with heels to sneakers. I love the quality of the denim they use, and my black pair feels like satin on!

I’d love to hear what items made your 2019 favorites list! Please share things that were great finds and that you can’t live without in the comments!

Before we start the new year, I wanted to say It’s been almost a decade since I began blogging and many of you have been here all along and many new friends have popped on by too. I so value your comments, your friendship and your feedback as this blog has evolved! Thank you for all of it and here’s to a new and exciting year and decade! May it be the best ever and I hope to share more new discoveries, travels, cool people and journeys with you all. I have changed and evolved and so have you. You guys inspire me and you are the reason I am still plodding on in my small corner of the world. Keep sharing your thoughts and feedback – many of it coming on my Instagram and some on my Facebook page. Thank you friends!

Happy New Year and decade to you,

Kim

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Holiday Appetizers

December 5, 2019 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

Need festive food for a gathering or upcoming party? Ready to try something new? Well you came to the right spot! Today I am joining a talented group of bloggers in a holiday appetizer roundup. Everyone is sharing something they love for this time of year. I am sharing my simple way to make pretty cheese board.

I find these boards are so popular that you can rely on them to fill most of your appetizer requirements for a gathering. It’s even better if you have a nice board to display it on.

I recently purchased this one from Crate & Barrel above, but I have my eye on these darling ones from Serena & Lily.. I like the leather straps to tote them and the whale spreaders!

I also like this one from Pottery Barn…

Having a good platter is half the battle.

Cheese boards are fun because you can make them seasonal. There is an easy equation to keep it simple- three cheeses, three fruits, and three kinds of crackers. I arrange those in a free-form fashion and fill in with whatever other nuts or salty treats I have on hand. Another touch that will make your cheese board popular is breaking up one or two dark chocolate bars and adding them in by the fruit. I copied this from an appetizer board at a tennis lunch and it’s been a hit every time I since.

The board on top photo was from my Blogger’s Lunch I hosted and it was in fall, so I used apples, pears, persimmons, walnuts and figs. I try and add three cheeses- one soft like a brie, a gouda or a manchego which are firmer, and a goat cheese which I like to drizzle honey and sprinkle almonds or pecans on. Mini apples are in the store now and look cute as a garnish on a fall board if you find them.

In summer I choose things like berries, peaches and apricots, the same cheeses and a little edible flower or two. Sprigs of fresh mint can look and smell pretty with the berries and the same cheeses and crackers.

In winter I like a pomegranate split on the board and the seeds sprinkled on top of a drizzle of honey on the goat cheese. Fruit is harder to come by so dried figs – the Turkish kind, can look pretty sliced in half, and of course citrus should be on a winter board. Clementines are very cute cut in little wedges or peeled and broken up next to dark chocolate. Candied nuts are a holiday touch you can add on a December board.

My go-to crackers are the unbeatable Rainforest Crisps, Trader Joes Pita Crackers, and any long Italian cracker. I also like to add Mary’s Classic Crackers as they are gluten free.

My formula is pretty simple and if you do these frequently it is easy to stock the basics in the pantry and pull one together on the fly. I worry often about them being neat, but sometimes just mounding them up and letting it all organically kind of fall together can look just as pretty, so don’t overthink it and have fun!

Now for more good ideas please stop by lovely partners in this and see what they have in store for you for holiday appetizers….

This is a link to each person’s blog and after their Instagrams so you can follow them there as well..

Melaine My Sweet Savannah @mysweetsavannah

Sheri Sheri Silver @sherisilver

StefanieBeautiful Living with Stefanie Wall @beautiful_living_wtih_stefanie

Mary Ann Classic Casual Home @classiccasualhome

Cindy Rough Luxe Lifestyle @cindyhattersley

Annie Most Lovely Things @most_lovely_things

I would love for you to share below in comments if you have a favorite appetizer for holiday get-togethers.

Cheers!

Kim

Cyber Monday Gift Ideas

December 2, 2019 By kimwheeler No Comments

It’s been particularly wet and nasty here in California. The idea of getting to the mall sounds a lot less appealing than sitting by the fire with my cats and a cup of hot tea perusing the Cyber Monday deals on my laptop!!

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We did and I’m working on a little recap of a busy week. During the blustery weekend my co-worker kitty and I found a little time to round up some gift ideas for you to get a jump on the shopping. Some of the Black Friday Picks I just wrote about are still going, so check that post if you missed it.

Most of these sales I am listing are for Monday only, but some go for the whole week or longer, so read the details on the site.

I am happy to tell you the Serena & Lily Thank You Event is being extended until 12/3 and now including sale items! This is their biggest sale of the year, so check out my dedicated post to what to buy for the home and for gifts during this event! Everything you love is 25% off right now.

A few more below..

My current favorites for holiday gifts and home.. Top to bottom, left to right:

1 Henley Wool Throw/ 2 Dip-Dyed Cake Stands /3 Coastal Christmas Candle /4 Amelia Rug /5-Beachside Bowls /6 Dalton Flannel Robe & Milo Alpaca Throw/7 Edgewater Lounge Chair /8 Lakeview Rug /9 Hattie Table Lamp

Trina Turk, my favorite California designer is having 30% off site wide, and more on specially selected items- like sweaters and coats. This Liza dress, is 40% off…and so cute for any upcoming holiday parties.

This Suez sweater is 30% off too. Love it for Christmas.

Coats are always fab at Trina and this Black Lace Trench is gorgeous and 40% off!

Athleta, is having 20% off with code BEMOVED. These cute leopard leggings I loved and tried on in our local store and shared on Instagram, are now on the sale as is this cute Transit Crew sweater with piping my friend Kim and I loved in black and grey.

This Metallic Bronze Down Jacket is also marked down today! This sale also works at the store today too, which is great if you can get to one. The new Los Gatos location, above is really pretty.

Minted, another Northern California company like Serena & Lily, has 25% off orders- and free shipping, including art, excluding tote bags. I love so much on their site, especially their cool and unique holiday cards, which I have ordered for 5 years now.

And how cute is something like this personalized stationery? I think something like this Painted Desert design below, is the nicest gift for a friend or family member, and the price is good, even better with a discount.

You can also do something cute like this collage for a grandparent! It’s pretty large -18 x 24. Minted’s photo calendars are a super gift too.

J.Crew is having a fantastic sale up to 55% off in some cases like this cute girl’s reversible jacket for $56 regular $128.

This jeweled button sweater is cute at $49 regular $118 and comes in 7 colors.

This Plush Sherpa Coat is also find at $98 regular $228.

More J.Crew on their site and also at my post I just did on holiday fashion– some of those things are on this sale!

Blue Mercury’s Cyber Monday is a $20 gift card for every $100 purchased and $50 for every $250. Lots of great gifts there like fragrance.. Joe Malone’s are always a hit.. This Wood Sage & Sea Salt is loved by many..

I also like their selection of Lafco candles, which come in the most beautiful scents and glass holders. The Sand & Dune is my favorite, but look at all the choices here. A super gift for hostess. The Ski House smells like winter!

Blue Mercury has all kinds of stocking stuffers, and travel and gift sets too.

Tory Burch is having 30% off anything over $250 and on most of her cute crossbodies and bags with code THANKS. I really love the design and colors of the Mcgraw bag right now..

This offer includes the adorable Tory Sport items in the sale, like this tennis bag below.

And also this ski sweater which is exclusive for Cyber Monday..

Nordstrom has a lot of exclusives for their Cyber Sale. One good deal is this Barefoot Dreams Cozy Cardigan for $73 originally $114, and it comes in 5 colors. These are so soft and are great for someone you want to stay cozy. Everyone loved this brand from college kids to grandmothers. Perfect for a day at the beach, as it is around the house.

These cute waterproof boots are $89 -regular $132 and come in black too. Perfect for running around or for the college kid or family member living in colder and wet climes.

This Kenneth Cole Coat comes in four pretty colors and regular $228 market to $139 for the sale.

These Monogram Scented candles at $19 from $28.

Bloomingdales has a Cyber Sale and most things are some percentage off. Check out their pajama department which is always good. This soft ensemble is a nice gift for a mother-in-law or sister, regular $90 on sale for $63.

..And this P.J. Salvage flannel set is just $46 down from $66. Check out all the Bloomies deals here.

Neimans also has a Cyber Monday thing going on- see all the offerings here.

Please share below if you know great find or deal on Cyber Monday!

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving week and some downtime. I’m so thankful to all you readers and friends who have visited the blog over the years. Your comments and notes mean so much to me. Thank you!

I’ll be back with a Thanksgiving recap and some cool holiday ideas too.

Kim

Links on this post may sometimes generate commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Black Friday Picks

November 29, 2019 By kimwheeler 8 Comments

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We have family visiting and it was so nice to host now that the remodel is done. The day after we always go for a family hike or walk and never shopping. I do like to peruse the deals on Black Friday online though and last year actually got a few great things and a jump start on my Christmas shopping which was nice.

Many retailers began their sales early this year, so I’m linking to a few of my favorites and some of the best buys I like. These sale prices are varying- all are on Friday, some longer. My recommendation is to not hesitate if you like something, as things go pretty fast.

J.Crew is having a blow out 50% off most things on site. This jeweled button popover is just one of a ton of darling things at this fantastic sale.

This ruffle neck sweater (so many colors) is another cute item. Use code FRIDAY at checkout. The men’s area is loaded with cute sweaters for gifting too. Many cute J.Crew items from this post may be on the sale.

Serena & Lily is having their Thank You Event and on this blog post I shared some of the best things and my own purchases.

I have my eyes on is their gorgeous pillows– especially this Bayview Pillow.

Lamps are a good home investment and they have the prettiest collection. I’m loving this Bari Lamp so much!

Other good buys on this sale from them are (below from left), the Seaview Rug, the Henley Wool Throw, the Dalton Flannel Robe the Healdsburg Bath Towels and the darling Bedford Tray– all these and everything you love from Serena & Lily is 25% off with code Thankful right now!

Madewell is having 30% off your purchase with code GIFTWELL. This Mercer sweater is darling in all its shades- a best seller.

It’s a great chance to pick up a pair of their amazing denim! The Cali-demi boot jeans are so flattering.

Trina Turk is also having 25% off on Black Friday. I’m loving this Boscage leatherette dress.

Trina Turk is a super place to get a special occasion holiday dress or top during the sale. Check out their collection of cocktail looks.

Neimans has a few gems, especially in the handbags…

This Tory Burch clutch is so chic for evenings and for travel. It’s marked down to $166 for Black Friday Sale and for every $200 spent you get $50 off including beauty items, so you could add a fragrance or a regular item you buy during this time and get another $50 off!!

This Coach 1941 bag is $120 off at $375. Love the style and the crossbody strap.

This Rebecca Minkoff Suede Tote is the prettiest blue and $203.

Neiman’s Mens Black Friday Sale here.

Nordstrom has some terrific buys on their sale:

This Avec La Filles Moto Coat is adorable with the details and a nice closet addition for $219- 30% off.

This Barbour Plaid Scarf is 50% off at $34! So cute for a guy or gal.

I think Ugg Slippers are one of the nicest gifts that last forever and right now this cute style is 30% off at $69 and comes in tan also.

This pink is pretty cute too, especially for young gals you might need to buy for, and it comes in an orange version also.

This Soft & Cozy Pj set comes in a bunch of cute colors for $49.

Love this Madewell sweater in all its colors- regular $98 it is $58 right now..Cute for a sister, mom or friend.

These Ugg Jogging pants are nice for hibernating at home this winter. Love this color and they are $52 – 40% off.

Gorjana Necklaces are nice and this pendant is 50% off at $34.

Something about this Ted Baker Stripe Sweater is really attractive and it’s marked down 40% to $92.

Love this Baja Poncho Hoodie for the special beach bum in your life by the wonderful brand Faherty, now marked down to $112 from $188.

For the young guys in your life this RVCA Packaway II Hooded Anorak is perfect for throwing in a backpack, but ready to repel rain and wind and is just $39 right now marked down 40%.

I like to get my husband a Bonobos Shirt every Christmas as they fit him so well and he likes the whimsical designs. This Slim Fit Dinosaur Shirt is 30% off at $54 and that is a great price for the quality of these shirts.

Bonobos also makes this slim fit t-shirt with ski jumpers $40, 30% off. I know my sons would love it.

This Vince Classic Fit Stripe T is also a good deal at $65 it’s a 40% savings.

More of the Black Friday and Cyber Sale at Nordstrom here.

Nordstrom is also having their Buy 3 get 1 Free Mascara Event on Saturday the 30th. Pick any 3 mascara, any brands and get the third one deducted off the bill. All the Mascaras here.

Another approach to Black Friday is where a company decides to give to a charity instead of give you a price break. I love that Everlane is giving $10 for every purchase on Black Friday. Since 2014, Everlane has raised over $800,000 for initiatives that help improve the lives of factory workers and clean up the environment. This year they are donating to Oceana to help end single use plastic.

Their Square Silk Shirt is a classic and beautifully made.

I also love this lightweight jacket which comes in many pretty colors. The unique pockets and oversize design is nice.

Their Mac Coat is another great item in other pretty colors as well as this fun blue check.

Go to Everlane’s site to read more about their giving. Their men’s gift guide has sustainable cashmere and jackets as well.

I hope these give you a few ideas and a head start on your holiday shopping! I know things can go fast, so I’ll check back and make sure items are still available. Most of these sales, are for the weekend, but some are just Friday, so check that.

I’ll be back with Cyber Monday post and a Thanksgiving recap! Wishing you some quality time this weekend with nature, family and friends.

Kim

My Holiday Gift and Home Picks From Serena & Lily’s Thank You Event

November 26, 2019 By kimwheeler 4 Comments

Today starts The Thank You Event at Serena & Lily with 25% off and as a partner in design with them, I want to share my picks for holiday gifts and a few of my own things I’ve chosen to get the casa Christmas ready! This event runs November 26- December 3, so you can get a jump on your present shopping and the house spruced up early.

This is the latest Serena & Lily addition to the remodel, our new backyard furniture. I know we are going into winter, but as Californians we use our yard most of the year and I wanted to get this Pacifica Sofa for a long time. We finally bought it during the last sale plus two of the Pacifica Lounge Chairs.

What do you think? I am loving the quality of this furniture and the yard is feeling like another room with that indoor/outdoor vibe! I just need to get one of those heaters for evenings.

Two years ago we sat in the backyard on Thanksgiving. Not sure if we will be doing so this year with rain in the forecast. I’ve had my grey striped Avery Alpaca Throw out here on the deck for the chillier nights!

That Avery throw is one of my most favorite things and would make a kind gift for a special someone- or for yourself for the winter.

Throws are something I always love to receive and I have gifted many over the years. Check out the Serena & Lily throw collection during this event as there is something for everyone. There is nothing nicer to have with you on the couch at night than a luxe throw and they look so good as an accent or a pop of color.

A bench is always a welcoming item if you are having holiday parties and guests. Recently I added the Carson Bench to my entry. Its unique design was based on a bench found at a Paris flea market and it has a vintage look. I’m in love with this piece, how beautifully it’s woven, and the dark stripes. It is a great space to drop my handbag and for everyone coming and going to gather shoes, etc. We mostly don’t wear shoes in the house, so having a bench or seat is really essential in the entry! I am having fun playing with the pillows on this bench. I already had this Thanksgiving one and I love my Winter Beach Pillow’s Bohemian look. I plan on pairing it with something red for December.

Serena & Lily also makes a few other great rattan benches and the Sunwashed Riviera bench was another I considered, especially in this pretty mist color.

I think an entry needs a mirror and I’m crazy about the Cayman Mirror..

I also just ordered this cool one for my pool bath. If you have been following along my remodel saga, this small bath is finally finished, except for the mirror. The Montara Mirror has many sizes and I like the beachy rattan for a pool bath vibe. I’m excited to finally have it together for the holidays because this is also our powder room most of the year. I’ll share a picture of it as soon as the mirror is hung!

This is a snap of the pool bath.. Don’t you think the rattan will be good with this? Just a sneak peek. More to come..

Always a great choice during sales and the Thank You Event is a rug and if you read this post on rugs, you know I just added this Stella Rug, which I am so loving and it completes the dining room.. My Mailbu Chandelier helps make this probably my favorite space in the house.

My friend Debbie who writes Debbscorner on Instagram is renovating her Berkeley home and just got the Stella rug in the runner version and sent me the photo. I love it!

Debbie also just finished a guest room and choose these Serena & Lily linens. What a nice mix of the soft blue Cavallo Linen sheets and the grey dotted pillow! Thank you Debbie for letting me share. You chose some lovely things.

Some of you may be freshening up a guest room like Debbie, so bedding and linens are another smart buy during the sale. These Classic Ring Sheets are their newest and would also chic in a guest room.

Also in my cart this week is The Ryder Denim Rug. It’s got that very California casual feel with its mix of denim and wool. It will be good for our media room which I am setting up as a space for my turntable and record collection, books and reading and also as a space for the guys to hang out and for us all to do board games. French doors in that space open to the pool, so a durable as well as cute is important in a rug here.

Mary Ann Pickett, my friend is an interior designer who writes Classic Casual Home has the runner version in her stylish San Francisco home office. I LOVE this space she created. She also has the most amazing views. More of Mary Ann’s gorgeous home on this post.

Isn’t that lamp cute? She also got that at Serena & Lily.. The Flynn Table Lamp also comes with a wicker shade if you prefer.

Check out the S&L lighting during the sale. Their table lamp collection is especially cool. Lamps are just one of those things people keep for decades so they are worth spending a little more on and they can really make things look upscale. Like good accessories, a few nice ones make everything look better.

My current favorite is this Halsey Table Lamp with its bamboo shape and Hawaiian vibe. I would love it in the media room. Stay tuned..

Everyone is busy this holiday week, but if you need anything for the holidays take a few minutes to check out the Thank You Event as things can go fast sometimes.

Some great picks from this sale event for the holiday home and gifts…

These Salento Linen Napkins are so beautiful and also come in navy, flax and white in sets of 4, 8 or 12. What a kind gift tied and so cute with the prettiest tassels. I love the sky color.
You are all set to style your holiday drink station with the South Seas Bar Cart. I love that you can roll it outside in the summer and use it in between for photos and books.
These Wood and Marble Servers are gorgeous and are the perfect hostess gift for someone who entertains. They have that California vibe and I’d love to add these to my special pieces to my entertaining bits!
These Beachside Serving Boards are the perfect size for an expansive holiday cheese board or just cool on the backsplash.
The cute Whale Spreaders are darling for the cheese board or a fun hostess gift with a bottle of wine.
I love that the Pinecone Wreath can be used year after year and with it’s luxe velvet bow, is so classic and pretty for Christmas. It would be lovely on a colorful front door or on a French Door or window.
The Westwind Toile Trays have been on my radar for some time with their soft blue and darling design made of birch. I kind of think they are perfect for the bedside to corral things and protect a side table.
A sweet gift for friends or to make your house smell like the holidays, the Christmas Coastal Candle was made in South Carolina of soy and smells like pine, douglas fir, cinnamon, clove, woody cedar and lasts up to 50 hours. The Blue Jeans, White Shirt candle would be just the thing for a few California girlfriends I can think of.
The Dalton Flannel Pajamas are on my own Christmas list and come in chambray and fog colors and are made of eco- friendly cotton in Portugal for snuggly nights.
For the beach house vibe, the Henley Wool Throw is it. Made by hand in Peru, it will be something everyone fights over on cozy winter nights.
For the world traveler in your life, Holiday is a beautiful tribute to the vintage Holiday magazine that was published from 1946-1977. If you are like me and adore vintage fashion, travel and photography, this book is a gem!
Serena & Lily’s La Jolla Baskets are always a great thing to get during sales as they are one of their signature items and you cannot find similar baskets made as beautifully. They are so cute for blankets in the family room, laundry, toys and shoes by the entry. I can think of so many ways to use these!
The Dip Dyed Stools are another S&L signature and have been popping up everywhere as plant stand which looks so cute with ferns. I would use mine in the bath to hold towels and soaps. Love the grey and navy colors too.

Exclusions on this sale are items in the sale section, gift certificates, art, and Limited-Edition PUBLIC® C7 Bike.

The code for this sale is THANKFUL.

I hope you find things to help with your gift shopping and holiday home prep here. Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving week!

Kim

Marlo posing with my Addie Striped Pillow on our new sofa!

I wrote this post in partnership with Serena & Lily. Links may generate commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

My New Serena & Lily Rug

November 9, 2019 By kimwheeler 1 Comment

It’s that time of year when many of us are motivated to spruce up the house for guests with the upcoming holidays and a new rug is one of the easiest ways to do that. I just added a Serena & Lily rug to my dining room and I think it makes the space.

This is my new Stella Rug, which I am thrilled about. I love the tones and its graphic design for my house. It just pulled everything together- the neutrals and the greys in here, and I like the modern look. I also love the New Zealand wool it’s made of, which is so soft underfoot.

This Stella rug is hand-tufted so it has an artisan feel as each one is slightly different. It’s also Oeko-Tex certified which means it’s free of harmful chemicals. I love that. It also comes in a gorgeous navy.

This is the one thing I needed to cozy up the open space together and make the dining room feel more elegant. I’m still in love with my Malibu Chandelier! I think that is the best purchase I made for the remodel as it sets the vibe for the house with it’s California look.

Well the cats certainly love the rug.. Not sure if I’m thrilled about that! Up close you can see, the rug is so lovely. It has small dots in a lighter cream, and another kind of weave in the zig-zags. Photos don’t do it justice. It’s literally the nicest rug I’ve ever owned.

A larger shot of the whole space. The Balboa Counter Stools have been great and are wearing beautifully, though in constant use! You can see I still have bare walls.. I am working on that. About one thing a week is getting done..

I recently added this Carson Bench I had my eye on. It fit perfectly in our entry space. I am crazy about the weaving on this bench. Everyone stops here to put their shoes on so it’s been most convenient as well as cute!

I still need to figure the wall space. I hope to wallpaper this entry area, and possibly add a large round mirror above the bench.

The Winter Beach Pillow is nice here. Both have that natural vibe.

My Seaview Runner is still looking spiffy and if you get one thing from the rug sale- this is such a good value with it’s stain and water resistance.

Other chic rugs to take a peek at during this sale ..

This Jute Border Rug..really affordable and durable for a family room area or an entry, or I was thinking it could be cute in one of the boy’s bedrooms. It also comes in an ivory stripe and a denim.

The Casco Wool Rug is heathered and would be a nice option for a family space as it won’t show wear as much. I love this blue, but there is also a beautiful fog color.

The Lakeview Rug is also cool..

The Ryder denim & wool rug is another I’ve had my eye on for a bedroom or a runner. .. I love it in this dining space on the Serena & Lily site.

All of Serena & Lily’s beautiful rug collection can be found here. I can tell you anything you buy from them is exceptional quality. I’ve been so happy to share about this Northern California company and be a partner in design with them.

P.S. I just noticed they added a lot of pretty new pieces to their site that I am drooling over like this Wooster Console..