On this Weekend Meanderings..Some outdoor updates with a solar sail, the perfect outdoor throws to cozy up with, a beautiful book on creating a memorable table, the best makeup tips, and a transitional summer to fall cardigan I am obsessed with…
It’s that time again for all the good things that popped up on our radars this week with Elizabeth and Juliet.
Hard to believe it’s already August and kids are starting back to school in a few weeks. Where did the summer go? Time to go out and grab those fleeting summer pleasures before fall sneaks up on us. Have you been to the beach lately? Have you had an evening ice cream cone or taken a picnic to the woods? Have you set out a chair and watched the stars at night with your family or enjoyed a summer gathering with neighbors? If not, get to it!
Backyard Update
Well before summer is over, we are finally getting a few things in the yard done.. Better late than winter right? That is so us!
We have an oddly shaped yard with a pool with a lap lane, that wraps around the house. Our patio, right off our main space, is almost like an island, surrounded by water. It’s an Ipe wood deck and while I love it, it can be hard to get all the furniture on it and also have a space for an umbrella…and with multiple ones it’s lame and crowded..

Earlier this year, I looked into a cantilevered umbrella, so we wouldn’t have the umbrella underfoot, but the walkway where it would go, isn’t wide enough. Max came up with the idea of a solar sail. I wasn’t sure, as it has to be stretched across the pool and anchored on a fence..
It came Saturday, and he put it up on Sunday! I am pleasantly surprised how much we love it. My only complaint is I would have preferred white, but he though neutral was a good color and ordered it without spousal approval.. Ahem.
We may order another in white. These sails are from Amazon and make the patio feel like an outdoor room, and gives us much more space, without the umbrellas underfoot.
We are enjoying it in the mornings more now out here as things don’t get so dewy. Max on his lunch hour…

I’ll try to get a whole yard photo, but you can kind of see how it’s working…

Throws and folding table at TJMaxx’s /Homegoods
Each year I seem to want to change up the throws outside. They get pretty beat. That said I also don’t want them to be too pricey. I think I may have found the best compromise at Homegoods (aka TJ Max), with these 100% cotton throws from Portugal…

I love the slightly nubby weave on them, and the variety of designs in soft grey and blues. I have a few on the backs of the couch and more in a basket. Everyone likes wrapping themselves up them in the morning sipping coffee or at night. I like that they are from Portugal, where they have a lot of high quality textiles.
Also I found this Panama Jack brand folding wicker/wood outdoor table and I love it. It’s not online, but I noticed there are still a lot of them left in stores and they are $49!

In the throws, I have this denim blue one , below and this stripe and this chevron one. They have some great ones in store that are similar with a small stripe. It’s a great time to grab these cotton ones as I see they are beginning to make way for the heavier fall and winter throws already!



Recovering Outdoor Furniture Pieces
I’ve had a furniture set for many years outside my office door that needs new cushions. I decided to recover them in new Sunbrella fabric and have the stuffing redone as well. It’s one of those things I’ve been meaning to do for two years. Isn’t that terrible?
Do you ever have a project like that and it just sits and for some reason you never do it? Well this week I did it! I’m so happy and I will have a nice little sitting area just for me, outside my office doors..
This is the sad state currently..

I found a local shop, Krupps Upholstery in Campbell, a family owned business with father and his son, a veteran that just did 8 years in Iraq, and is now studying business at San Francisco State. Super knowledgeable and kind people.
I loved their service and help with my set and I choose this Sunbrella Sailcloth Salt fabric, below left, for my three pieces- two chairs and an ottoman…


I also have them making two, 24 x 24 pillows in this Sunbrella fabric, above right , called Fretwork in Pewter.
Stay tuned and I will share the results. I just wanted to mention them in case anyone is thinking of reupholstering, especially older outdoor cushions.
A Loving Table book for entertaining inspo..

I’ve been meaning to share A Loving Table: Creating Memorable Gatherings , a gorgeous book I bought myself a month for so ago. It’s all about entertaining and creating a beautiful table. There’s a a wide range of styles in here and all are a feast for the eyes..

The book includes fantastic looking recipes as well. This is a great gift for a friend or anyone who enjoys entertaining and living well.
I keep meaning to take a cup of tea and grab a corner to indulge in every story and plan a few special meals.


My Mersea bag
I know summer is almost over, but I finally ordered one more woven bag for myself that was on my radar. I also spied a very chic blogger at our conference, carrying one, so I finally clicked and bought the medium Medina Market basket with the off white handles…

I love it and of course put my tassel on it. I mentioned this on the linen post too, but someone just asked so I’m sharing it again.


The small size is darling for a dinner date, the medium for an everyday tote, and the large for a travel bag or the beach or some people use it as a file holder on their desk. I love the saffron color and there is also a jade, indigo and black handle versions.

By the way, if you still want one of these cute tassels, they have them in fall colors as well. I am thinking of getting a new color for my fall bags..

Instagram Makeup Pointers ..
My new obsession on Instagram is Kate Albert, who has the best makeup tutorials that are simple for a pretty, not heavy makeup look.
Did you know you are supposed to press your foundation into your skin, not rub it or sponge it? Already using her tips, my skin looks so much more natural..

A Summer to Fall Piece to consider..
This hoodie/Chanel inspired sweater has made it’s way onto my radar and I’m thinking it could be my first purchase for my fall wardrobe edit. Could this be the sweater Coco would create had she lived in California today? I’m loving it. It would be pretty now over a black tank dress, and later on with white jeans, and come fall with black denim…

This week was also time for our monthly Signature Style -and if you missed it, it was all about linen clothes and chic pieces to add to your wardrobe.
Well that is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Thank you for being here!
Kim
If you missed my last Weekend Meanderings, I did a recap of my jaunt to Georgia, shared a great summer dress, my favorite new vase that looks like an art piece for $39, and my favorite kind of day out in Palo Alto for consignment shopping and lunch!
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