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Good Things This Weekend

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Can you guys believe we have been in this pandemic for a whole year now? I remember the exact moment it sunk in that it might be a lot more than a few weeks at home. We were having one of our pantry dinners we so diligently turned out for weeks on end, and Max said, ‘You know it’s more likely we will still be in this until August or more.’ That seemed so scary to me and here we are a year later.. A year that has changed everyone in some way or another. I do feel hopeful though, especially this weekend I noticed so many seniors eating outdoors and doing things. It made me a bit emotional seeing so many of them having fun after this past year.

Anyway, without going on, I have a few things to share this week. I’ve come to realize now I am living in sweatshirts.. The ruffled ones specifically. Guess that’s my flair right now. It’s been chilly and wet and there are a few good ones from Target that are cuter than a lot more expensive ones out there. This is my most favorite..

There’s very few sizes left in my color, but there is other colors in most sizes and a few other colors..

(UPDATE: This sweatshirt already sold out online in most colors since I wrote this a day ago! Darn I hate when that happens…You may have luck finding it in the store as it is now a sale item. I did find other ruffled sweatshirts from Rebecca Minkoff, also this one at Nordys, this at The Loft, and this in black. )

I also own this one below, which one of my sons said looks like Moira from Schitt’s Creek, which I consider a compliment!

I usually wear it with jeans, and black tennis shoes, but the jogger pants with the ruffle pockets do make a cute look.

They also have this ruffled version..

I’m also crazy about J.Crew’s new sweats. I already own two of the Vintage Cotton Terry Sweatshirts and they are super soft. The matching pants are flattering and slim fitting, but run large so you need to size down one size to get that look.

They have a lot of tennis themed things, which I am nuts about and this new addition with little racquets.

I just saw a woman at the grocery in head to toe cream/beige sweats and these sneakers..

It just looked really cute all one tone and luxe for sweats.

Other odd stuff that’s been occupying my headspace is this chicken pot pie recipe we made last week that was seriously amazing. It was maybe the addition of cognac to it? We did one change omitting pearl onions, which we could not find. The recipe is from the website, Once Upon a Chef and Jenn Segel’s recipes are so far 10/10 for everything we have tried. (This recipe can also be made with mushrooms instead of chicken and oat milk. In the recipe comments many have done that. )

I also have her potato leek soup on my regular rotation. The pot pie recipe is just the thing for the cool and wet days we’ve been having.

We just baked ours in these cute stackable porcelain bowls from Crate & Barrel, because our ramekins were too small. These bowls are fantastic for storage as they stack and they can go in the oven up to 350 We did them at a bit above that though the recipe calls for 425 and it was perfect.

Lastly, I wanted to share with you that Serena & Lily is having their Spring Design Event with 20% off sitewide, using code NEWLEAF. If there is something you had your eye on, this is the time to get it as sales are just a few times a year. You know I love their things and already have one of their new Alamere Rug in runner size in my cart. I think it will be great in our hallway… I love the shades of this rug.

Other favorite rugs are the Porter Denim & Suede Rug, the South Shore Rug, I have in my bath, the Stella Rug in our dining room, the new Ashbury Moroccan Style Rug is also beautiful- and the new Valmere Rug – both so cool.

The Montana Mirror in my pool bath/powder room is gem and a few people have asked about it after seeing the bath on Cindy Hattersley’s blog last week, where she was so kind to feature my home.

It’s a beautifully made piece. I have the medium in natural, but it also comes in white or in natural with navy stripes, and more sizes.

You may need towels like I did and the Fouta Striped towels ( I have the hand towel above), are seriously the nicest quality and come in other tones as well.

The Healdsburg Towels are in my main bathroom and still feeling soft and looking great a year on..

Anyway, so much to love from them! The lamps are gorgeous too and there are beautiful pillows as always…and bedding! The Sale ends on 3/16.

My Mattituck Armchair and Avery Throw– also on the Serena sale.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve done a few updates to the old website. The blog turns 10 this year and I am working on changing up things a bit. You’ll notice I added a few pages at top, My California Closet which has things I wear and have in my beauty drawers and in my closet. The house link has a few drop-downs which I am still working on. The Shop My Home, will have things I have used in my home like rugs, lamps, dishes, etc – and also California inspired picks. Another, Our California Remodel, will be information about the remodel, as so many inquire about materials, flooring, paint and floors. The Lake Tahoe Cabin Style will be cabin inspired items I am using in my Tahoe place or that could work in a more rustic setting, and Books I Adore will be many my favorite books or new ones that are on my radar…So stay tuned and hopefully they will all be finished soon.

Thanks for being here and I hope you enjoy the weekend- even though we lost an hour!

Kim

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My Black Friday Picks and Holiday Gift Ideas

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I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We had a small one with my dad in the yard and though it was small, it was still nice. I know this year is an exceptional one. Most people will try to do as much shopping for the holidays this pandemic year online from their homes. I also encourage everyone to shop small in your own town, instead of the mall, so these small businesses can survive. Many have curbside pickup and personal shopping hours. I will share some more of them on my Instagram stories during this next month.

The fact is, the less we are in crowds and with people, the safer we all stay right now. I have already told my family that we are doing less which helps. Expectations have to be lowered this year. Focus on better made items and buy fewer. It’s better for the planet and all of us. How are you all approaching this holiday season with the pandemic? Have you also been thinking smaller this year? I think in 2020 we can all give ourselves a pass on going all out as we might usually right? It’s the one upside maybe of this whole year!

In the better and less, and shopping from home theme, I have a few Black Friday shopping deals for you to check out and some gift ideas too. Sorry this is coming late on Friday, but many of these last through the weekend. Check to be sure.

Of course I have to share my favorite Serena & Lily which is having their best sale of the year, 20% off everything- INCLUDING SALE ITEMS! This never happens so check it out if you have been needing a nice item for the home… something I consider a gift for myself. I would often prefer that over a lot of smaller gifts, and something like a lovely lamp or throw lasts years and decades. Use the code TOGETHER to get 20% off – plus FREE SHIPPING!

My favorite S&L items: -The Porto Linen Pajamas are stylish and cool in summer and very warm in winter too. – I love the look of these Wood and Marble coasters, the Dot Baskets, the Tahoma Pillow Cover, and the Blantyre Alpaca Throw are just a few on my own wishlist. It’s also a great time to pick up one of their beautiful rugs or lamps for your home that will last years or a chair like my Edgewater Lounge Chair so many of you have asked about! Free shipping ends on 11/30 and the sale goes until December 2.

Tory Burch is having a 30% off this weekend (use code THANKS), on selected items some of her classics which always look chic or dated including her Simone Cardigan wool cardigan which comes in the prettiest colors. I love this layered for winter, worn backwards for evening or even over the shoulders with a sundress when warm days are here again. This will last you and upgrade your whole outfit.

Also on this sale is these marked down Brooke Ankle Boots in black leather and a pretty suede.

Some cute heeled boots on sale too, but lately all I buy is comfort shoes and flats. Another great buy is the tall Miller Lug Sole Boot– darling with leggings and big sweaters! Markdowns have the an additional 30% off reflected when you check out. These things go fast so don’t wait too long. Ends on 11/30.

Anthropologie has so much to love and is offering 30% off everything this weekend only with free shipping on items over $50. Standouts are this Nancy Eyelash Cardigan made in California, the Eleanor Velvet Tunic Dress, the Love Textured Sweater, this Sundry Vera Lounger Set (comes with matching scrunchie!) also made in California, these Florence Balducci Flannel PJ top and pants, these darling Elephant Pjs and these Sorel Mail Run Slippers.

For the guys in my life, Nordstrom is my go to for the hubs, my dad, and sons. A few ideas for the men in your life.. marked down right now are the Nordstrom Brand Quarter Zip on sale now $44 dollars, this green cotton/cashmere version in 6 colors, the Marc New York puffer for the cold (I’m thinking my Univ of Utah kid will need this), and this water-resistant puffer in oxblood and in black, these Adidas Soccer pants my younger guys love, and a hoodie in three colors for the younger men, and the Faherty Baja Beach Hoodie, which is a great quality brand.

Also good gift ideas that aren’t on sale, but go fast this time of year, are the men’s UGG robes (my husband loves his), and these Barefoot Dream’s full-length zip up robes for women. I have that on my own list!

Trina Turk has 25% off full price, 45% off certain styles, and 35% off sale. Love this cheeky champagne sweater, the Palm Springs Merino Crew Neck, this coat, and their Birkenstocks are an extra 25% off -something you never see.

Other sales to check out this weekend…

Bloomingdales– 25% off most things this weekend (exclusions apply) and an extra 50% off clearance. Uggs Short Zip Booties are the Deal of the Day at $109.

J.Crew is having 50% off all styles and 60% off sale items. Use code FRIDAY.

Madewell is having 50% off selected styles.

Athleta is having $20 off tights and also 20% off your purchase until 11/29.

Lou & Grey has 50% off everything plus free shipping. Use code BESTWEEK. I love their sweats and soft clothing!

Loft- the parent company of Lou & Grey has the same 50% off offer and free shipping with BESTWEEK.

Banana Republic has 50% off everything no code needed. I especially love this cute fuzzy beanie that’s 50% off now. Sale ends 11/28.

Williams-Sonoma is having 50% off many items and other great specials throughout the weekend. They aren’t on sale, but their gorgeous frames are always a great gift for a special anniversary, house warming, marriage or birthday. Some of their pretty rugs are marked down and I just spotted this amazing Breville/nespresso Espresso machine half off- a fantastic deal.

I’ll add more shopping ideas as I see them this weekend and in the next few weeks.

I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving weekend and use the extra days for some quality time- whether it be a walk, reading a book, time with family or dear friends, or just a few moments of zen.

Take care!

Kim

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Serena & Lily Favorites

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Hello lovely friends. How have you all been? We are starting another warm week here in Northern Cal, but I’ve been thinking about sprucing up the house now that cooler days are coming.

Since so many of you have commented on my Serena & Lily pieces I have in the house, on Instagram, I wanted to share the source for some of them and more photos.

I have a a lamp and a rug for my family room on my list. I really am in love with my Serena & Lily rugs (so is the cat with our denim rug – similar one here), which make each space in the house stand out. You definitely get what you pay for with rugs. One rug I bought elsewhere when we moved in has already begun to fall apart. I truly am believing the better quality we can buy, we save money in the long run.

Here’s a few of my Serena & Lily picks that I think are lovely..

The runners are wonderful and I LOVE these three for the well wearing materials and look…

Ryder Denim Runner, Porter Denim Runner, Metallic Suede Runner.

Good lamps are something I am slowly adding to my home and S&L has many gorgeous ones to choose from.

I need a lamp for my bedside tables and I like that the new Freeport Bedside Lamp has a three-way switch and also a diffused shade. I like not having a bulb shining down at you when you read. It’s those little details and the quality of the materials that make their pieces stand out. The rattan and marble base of this lamp has a very California feel.

I also want a lamp for my entry table that would add a hit of style when you walk into the house. I think you can have some fun with lamps and consider them as pretty accessories that add chic to your decor as well as nice ambient light. These are a few standout pieces that will make a statement..

Artichoke Lamp, Hattie Lamp, Cove Table Lamp.

If you are defaulting to those canned lights for your primary lighting, lamps can change the look of your rooms, your own mood, and whole feel of your home. Those easy flip on overhead lights lights can make your home have all the intimacy of a surgery room! We use the overhead lights only when working on projects or we’ve lost something on the floor. I seriously feel like I am being interrogated with them on. Does anyone else agree? A home needs ambient lighting to give a cozy feel.

There is nothing as pretty or as cozy as a home with soft lamps throughout and some mix of hanging lighting. My grandparents had a beautiful home filled with soft glowing lamps. As a girl, I loved those lamps- some gold, some very mod and 60’s inspired, but each room had a warm and cozy vibe. Once you get your ambient lighting, the trick now is to find alternative bulbs that mimic the incandescent or use artsy Edison bulbs so you don’t get an overly lit feeling that comes from CFLs.

If you have no great lamps and need to start somewhere these are some beautiful basics that will look good for a few decades. Isn’t that how long we usually use them? Lamps are such a great bang for the buck.

Georgia Table Lamp, Hastings Table Lamp, Bari Table Lamp.

I know a few of you have asked about my rattan chairs that I have in the home. Recently we had a gas leak (all okay thankfully), and the PG&E guy asked the name of these chairs and how he could buy them. My husband said that’s a first!

My Edgewater Chairs I have moved to this space in front of the couch in the entry and it’s made a good spot for crashing, doing a bit of laptop work, or reading a book. I think they give a certain vibe when you walk into the house- it’s California and a little vintage casual.

I also have had a lot of people ask about these Mattituck Chairs. We love these in our little den/media area. I am thinking of moving one to the bedroom as they are so pretty with the brass trim. The throw is their Avery Alpaca Throw -so soft and cozy.

Serena & Lily has some new throws and they are beautiful. I love this Blantyre Alpaca Throw in Lavender. This would be gorgeous on a bed or in a room with grey. It also comes in a coastal blue and fog tones.

They also have some cool new bedding if you need a bedroom refresh. I like this Sutter Linen Quilt in Sky.

I am becoming a huge linen fan as I never get too hot or cold with the linen sheets and blanket that are my favorites now. I love these Cavallo Linen Sheets too. Each wash they get softer and more wonderful.

In the new and cute category is also the Stone Harbor Duvet and Shams..

The Driftwood Quilt is velvet on one side, linen on the other and also comes in a deep sapphire blue. Love this lavender color..

New for fall and beautiful is this Roxbury Velvet Pillow Cover (also in fog, lavender and coastal blue)…

This Hillview Pillow Cover (also in sand and fog)..

I am already dreaming of a new bed with all of this..but I didn’t show you the Tahoma Pillow Cover..

And lastly the Ridge Striped Cover – also in other pretty shades.

All the new lovely pillows here.

Other things that stand out are these Big Sur Baskets..

This new Gardenside Grasscloth wallpaper is gorgeous..

I could go on…There was just much to share and this is just a tiny bit of their excellent fall collection!

Hope you are inspired as I am by all the beauty they offer.

Kim

P.S. Okay last one..I wanted to add their new Balboa Bench. This is the same material as my barstools and I wish I had a place for this in my house. Isn’t this whole look wonderful? I love the fern too!

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My California Room- Before & After

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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

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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:

  • 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

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Staying Cozy With Serena & Lily Pajamas

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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

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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!

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My 2019 Favorites

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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

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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

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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

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