It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share things that grabbed our attention this week.. Let’s get started!
Village Bakery and Cafe
I had a lovely lunch outdoors at the Village Bakery and Cafe in Woodside last weekend as part of my Mother’s Day weekend with my family. I had been asking to come back here when the weather is nice, and we were fortunate to have a beautiful day. The cafe has the prettiest outdoor space patio and delicious food…
If it’s a cooler day you can opt to dine indoors which has a cozy clubby vibe with little lamps on the bar and tables. It feels like you are transported to a fancy English pub. They also have a wonderful bakery (the brownies!) to grab a treat to go after, or a more casual to-go lunch. This spot is a great day out and the center has a cute tennis store and home and garden shop.
Just some of the amazing selections at the bakery!
Boxwood and hydrangeas in baskets
One thing I love about the Village Bakery is it reminds me of Belgium and France with their boxwoods in woven baskets.
I want that look in my yard and have been stuffing hydrangeas into baskets all over. I have found the best baskets at Target. ( By the way my outdoor chairs and all of Serena & Lily is 20% off including sale stuff, use code GOFORIT.)
This seagrass basket is $26 and a good size for a boxwood or hydrangea. I line it with a plastic tray so the basket will not rot, and also take it out occasionally for heavy watering.
These by Kooboo are also perfect and more expensive, but a heavy rattan that may be very durable.
And there is this also at Target by Studio McGee in a lighter rattan that might be nice.
You can find liners to protect the baskets and let the plants drain here.
By the way, my lovely Weekend Meanderings pal, Juliet also has pretty baskets on her front porch too, which I must share. Do you follow her Instagram? She’s so fun.
Emily Joubert
If you go Woodside, and even better have lunch at The Village Bakery, you must stop at my most favorite shop ever, Emily Joubert, which is adjacent. This is probably the best home store in the Bay Area and they also have a new location in San Francisco.
Emily Joubert has a wonderful garden area with unique plants, outdoor furniture and pretty pots. Indoors holds a brilliantly curated selection of design and cooking books, pillows, dishes, fragrances, pajamas and baby gifts. Cards and jewelry as well. You can find their shop online and also follow the pretty Instagram. I love the story about her shop, named after her grandmother, who like mine, was a big inspiration.
I bought myself this lovely book..
Melissa Penfold
Melissa Penfold is a bit under the radar as she’s an Australian, but also was the longtime design columnist for the Sydney Herald. I found her book on one of the magical piles of decor books I haven’t heard or seen before at Emily Joubert.
The wonderful thing about Melissa’s book is it’s not your usual design tome filled with one designer’s projects. She begins by sharing some of the best in home design from across the globe. She shows spare, traditional and classical beauties all reimagined with fresh touches and a modern sensibility. Then she tells the story of her own stunning country home in the highlands outside of Sydney.
Her book is a treasure trove of decorating advice and no nonsense approach to a quality life using found treasures and well made basics. Interspersed in this book are great guidelines and ideas I want to underline or highlight and go back to and revisit. I’ve never felt this way about a design book, but it’s a decor bible of sorts for those who want to build a beautiful home to last a lifetime, not full of the latest trends.
I love these two of many great gems in this book:
“Get rid of everything in your life that doesn’t measure up, whether it’s chipped cups or stained linens. Avoid matching sets of furniture, bath fittings, or bedroom suites;
the most effective and affordable approach is to mix beautiful basics with one-offs.A sumptuous cushion elevates a plain sofa into the style stratosphere, a basic round metal
table looks brilliant with an antique French chair. The most successful rooms defy categorization
because they reflect their owner’s individuality and life experiences.”“Home is the ongoing story of a person and should be decorated with things that please the eye, soothe the senses, and move us in some way. It takes a lifetime of collecting to finish a room.”
Melissa Penfold
You can buy her beautiful book here and get more inspiration on her Instagram.
The perfect pants for spring/summer and travel
I recently got these new light cream pants from Anthro. They totally different than any other pants I own, but I liked the shape and light fabric. When I put these on they just felt great right away. I like that I can pair it with a blazer for a modern look or a tank or with this striped tunic top for a daytime casual look. They are a great addition to the spring/summer closet, and so lightweight they feel like nothing on which is nice for travel and hotter days. I like the two pockets on the front and they hit at ankle length.
The pants are here, up to plus and tall sizing, also in a black, which I am considering, and a khaki and 12 other colors! People love these pants and they are highly rated so check them out and also look at your local Anthro for these!
* UPDATE I just noticed they are sold out of many sizes of the white/cream. Will try to share here if they get more in. I believe this is a newer pant, so maybe they will restock. Many sizes in other colors though..So frustrating so check in stores too.
Other options are these Theory white cropped pants (similar material), and these by Nic+Zoe, this pair at Madewell, and these at J. Crew.
The striped tunic is from Madewell and my straw tote is from Mango and I added my wool tassel from Tancredi & Morgan, another similar tassel here on Etsy (both are made by women artisans in Guatemala.)
Loads more straw totes on this post if you missed it!
Well that’s my meanderings for this week now please go see what fun finds and ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you..
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.
Thank you for being here!
Kim
If you missed last week’s blog with outdoor pillows, lemon shortbread cookies, a fun idea with thrifted finds and more that post is here. I also shared a great Asian noodle salad this week.
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