#valentinesday

Weekend Meanderings, Pink Favorites & Windsor Smith..

February 11, 2022 By kimwheeler 17 Comments

How was your week? It’s our second edition of the new weekly roundup with Juliet and Elizabeth and I have some fun things for you to check out!

Think pink is my mantra this Valentine week and I rounded up a few things in honor of Valentines. I’ve been loving dusky pinks, and this top and sunglasses- and actually all of these, are on my wish list for spring.

Cult Gaia tote, Anthro blouse, Swank Tumbler, Agate cheeseboard , Veja sneakers, Dolce Gabbana Pink aviators.

I’ve been focused on getting my home together now, and I got a lot from this video on Schumacher this week with one of my favorite California designers, Windsor Smith. I could watch this video of her pretty So Cal home over and over. I’ve followed her forever and her home, where she raised two tennis obsessed sons, has been through a lot of iterations, but her kitchen is still my all time favorite and she hasn’t changed it a bit…

She was one of the first to have a navy, nearly black exterior on her house. I adore her undone, collected look. It’s my favorite kind of living space and very personal. I think you’ll love watching this and get more inspiration to have the not ‘perfect’ look, but to create a cool and unique home space. You can also following the sweet and talented Windsor on her Instagram too.

What are you cooking right now? Max and I are over comfort food and have been trying to eat better and lighter. My friend Bari just sent me this recipe for BBQ Salmon Bowls from Pinch of Yum and they are a delicious and easy dinner to try. We pulled this together pretty quickly one evening this week and I used frozen mangos as the grocery had none, frozen rice, and I had no jalapeño, but it was still terrific!

You don’t actually barbecue, just put an easy rub on the salmon and bake. It has a bit of a BBQ flavor thanks to the smoked paprika and with the mango and avocados feels like a dinner in Hawaii. We agreed this is going on our regular rotation. You could even make this for a Valentine’s Dinner!

I also wanted to mention that Neiman’s is having its annual Beauty Event. I love this February event, which begins today and goes through the 27th. It’s a great time to get any cosmetics and skincare you use regularly and if you spend $150, which is easy if you get a few items, you get a tote full of very nice samples. This year’s bag is the prettiest one yet, a straw tote with a ribbon handle. I plan to get my foundation, the Giorgio Armani mascara , Clarins Eye Lift cream, and Cle de Peau face lotion, which I love. The lotion, and the foundation last me almost a year, so worth it to me. I also have been wanting this Dior Lip Glow in Mahogany. If you spend $350 they give also throw in a clutch and more samples.

This week I found a great blog thanks to my friend Contessa, called Back Row by Amy Odell. As a former fashion industry insider, Amy has a pulse on what is happening in the world of fashion and some of her latest posts are about the demise of Instagram, and why the market is flooded with too many handbags- sitting unsold, and other entertaining stuff with great writing.

Do you have a Valentine’s Day plan? I think we are going kayaking this weekend, and maybe do a picnic lunch in Sausalito. My husband just bought some used kayaks, so I’ll let you know how this goes..gulp. I’m not a huge water person.

If you’re going to do the cozy thing and stay in this weekend, this great article on Vogue, has some of the best romantic comedies and many fairly recent that may have been under your radar due to the pandemic. Definitely a few I want to see from the list I missed.

I see you can still go to Filoli this weekend, have a cocktail and stroll the stunning gardens, if you are looking for something fun outdoors.

If you liked this post you may also want to read last week’s Valentine’s Ideas and Weekend Meanderings if you missed it.

Now please go see what fun ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Kim

P.S. I just love this bar at my talented friend E’s home. She always decorates it for every holiday and this is her Valentines look.. Isn’t it cute?

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Valentine’s Ideas & Weekend Meanderings

February 4, 2022 By kimwheeler 16 Comments

I’m very excited as today is the first of a new weekend series called Saturday Meanderings I’ll be doing with talented bloggers, Elizabeth of Pine Cones and Acorns and Juliet of Make Mine a Spritzer. Elizabeth has a wonderful way of sharing her favorite finds every weekend. Juliet and I also make many good discoveries we want to share, but don’t always have time for a full blog about them, so this will be a great way to share what we find regularly!

Valentine’s Day is just a week away and to have a little fun while we are up at our tiny cabin, I thought I’d surprise the family with a little Valentine afternoon tea when they got in from a day in the snow.

I knew they would be hungry and cold after sledding and some warm tea and treats would be nice. I made cucumber sandwiches cut in heart shapes, ( Boursin in place of cream cheese for more flavor), and almond butter and fig jam finger sandwiches. I added in some bought macaroons, and shortbread heart cookies, some strawberries and sprinkled in conversation hearts. It was the perfect little snack after an afternoon of sledding or skiing.

You could try something similar for your girlfriends, or family or sweetheart. Add in any little treats you like, but having it on a pedestal plate and a few cute heart shapes in pink or red make it fun. I was lucky to have some red plates and mugs that came with my cabin. I found these cute heart paper napkins which were perfect for the occasion. If you don’t have a pedestal plate, stack two plates with a short glass for the pedestal and use a smaller top plate for the same look.

Last year we decorated Valentine cookies here. I love making Valentines more fun.

Speaking of cookies, how pretty are these Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookies from Half Baked Harvest? I think I may try these beautiful cookies this week. They sound delicious too.

Are you watching The Gilded Age? With only two episodes in, I’m not a huge fan yet. I’m finding the characters just not that likable! Maybe that’ll change as the series progresses. I love everything about that era and the history and if you do too I think you’ll enjoy Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper. I read this book in a few days. It’s engrossing and fascinating about the gilded age and the sometimes sad and unbelievable true story of the Vanderbilt family, of which Anderson is a part of.

I found a few dresses that work for Valentine’s and beyond if you have something festive planned..

This heart tiered midi dress, and this crinkle mini shirtdress are both lovely!

I really enjoyed this home on AD this week in the Hamptons with a sunken conversation couch in denim and this wallpaper in the dining room..

I’m nuts about the Olympics and especially love the winter version. Ice skating is always one of my favorites and this year Team USA is so good. Read more in this week’s Vogue all about the amazing costumes that are constructed especially for our ice skaters like this look on Nathan Chen by Vera Wang.

I am supporting these athletes that have worked their whole lives to compete in these games. I do not support China, and have shared several things about the Uyghers on my Instagram. Perhaps the best piece to explain what is really happening there is this PBS Frontline piece. Everyone should watch and read this and know what is really happening there.

Are you starting to think (well hope) about travel this summer? I am dreaming of going back to Europe and there was a terrific post on the Rick Steve’s blog about Italy’s under the radar towns. It had me dreaming about fresh pasta and apertivo hours.

If you have younger kids you might like this post I did some years back about Griffin and I making some cool Valentines when he was small for his pals and classmates. I miss those days!

I can’t wait to head over and see what my fellow bloggers are sharing today..

Pinecones and Acorns

Make Mine a Spritzer

Hope it’s a great weekend!

Kim

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Valentine’s Gift Ideas

February 3, 2021 By kimwheeler 12 Comments

Valentine’s seems to be getting bigger every year and many retailers make some charming gifts just for the holiday. I just love red, pink and the heart motif in general, so I thought I’d share some of the cuter things that have popped up on my radar.

Before I share the online things, I also would like to share a local spot – Campbell’s Petite Petal Company . I love these people and supporting a small business. You can direct your sweetheart to their site, and they deliver or can have ready to pick up. I especially love this Modern Romantic mixture and the vase!

They also have teamed up with another San Jose company Board & Bougie to offer a cute goodie box you can add on to your flowers.. Isn’t this darling?

Again I believe in telling your significant other what you want. I am sure they appreciate the help too.

If you have a need for some cute Valentine’s ideas there’s a lot to choose from this year…

I’m a sucker for Tory Burch and her heart sandals are calling to me. Not sure I need them, but they would be so cute this spring with khaki pants and a white t-shirt! They also come in a pretty creme.

Other finds..

This charming scarf..Half off now at the Loft.

This Scarlett Poppy Cologne from Joe Malone. It’s described as powdery and soft..

An adorable Love sweatshirt from Spiritual Gangster.

I adore these towels from William-Sonoma and this sentiment.

Williams-Sonoma also has many cool food items to order … Like these sweet slice and bake cookies. Maybe a neat project with kiddos and you could wrap them up and share too?

These little bouquet cakes are darling- and kind of a splurge, but if you were just delivering to multiple people – what a sweet surprise.

And one more food thing.. Who Knew Trisha Yearwood made candy? These XO sour gummies are fun.

There are loads of Valentines food gifts and cakes at Williams-Sonoma. You can check them all out here. They also have many heart wreaths and others like this one that reminds me of my mom’s pink stripe and chintz house in the 80’s. She had one just like this..

I love the quality of Roller Rabbit things. Their heart robe is not only a pretty block print, but made of the soft pima cotton they use.

For kids these friendship bracelets come in sets of 2 and are a cool thing to share in several different charms and colors…

This is a beautiful book of love poetry to enjoy or give to someone special.

Pottery Barn has this sweet doormat.

A classic for your nightstand- this frame.

A small luxury this Valentino Rockstud card case.

Or the bracelet..

A pretty Madewell layered necklace.

Frances Valentine has been donating heart totes to front-line workers for every one sold. So far they have given over 4,000 and are still doing it.. Such a nice thing- and a very cute tote!

I like this red and navy heart pull on slip skirt from J Crew.. The elastic waist is kind of hidden the flat panel and would be more comfy than a zip up..so I’m more likely to wear with sweaters and sneakers this spring.

I have been thinking about this Tory sweatshirt too..

Some cute socks for your Valentine…

Sugarfina makes this set of three tea chocolate bars.. a great idea for sharing with friends.

A soft terry sweatshirt by Lou & Grey..

How adorbs is this little set for 3-24 month olds?

I thought this was cute from Pencil & Paper Co. at Anthro, a chic pill case!

Terrain has this Grapevine Heart Garland in different sizes and it would be pretty with fairy lights as they show it here..

This travel jewelry case is a super useable gift and you can choose from so many colors and ways to personalize it with stripes or a pretty shadow monogram. Who wouldn’t love this??

And for the guys Mark & Graham has a personalized Acacia Wood Tray which is attractive and affordable. I’m thinking of getting one for each of my guys.

I can think of a few guys who would love these Tree Hugger socks from the Parks Project.

Hope you found something to love.

Wishing you all a beautiful Valentines.

Kim

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Valentine’s Day Craft Fun

February 2, 2021 By kimwheeler 20 Comments

I love Valentine’s Day!. It’s just what we need for this darker time of year, and a chance to have a little fun.. and don’t we need it now more than ever. My mom made Valentines always special for us as kids. Waiting for us at our breakfast table was a small gift like cute socks or a plant, like a little cactus and of course some chocolate and some money too.

When my boys were small I did the same giving them a surprise at breakfast and we also started our own tradition of making a special dinner and dessert together. When they were very young we had indoor picnic dinner with candles and spread a blanket in front of the fire at dinner. They loved that! They would help set it all up, make place cards and choose the plates and find flowers in the yard. As they older we moved to the table and I made chocolate dipped strawberries with the guys for dessert.

Griffin making some of the strawberries a few years ago before the remodel.

We melted both white and dark chocolate chips in the microwave. After dipping the berries in dark, we’d take a tiny spoon or spatula and drizzle the white over in swirls. A delicious dessert and pretty placed in a bowl after they harden. ( Very organic in looks too.)

For many years Grif and I made Valentine packages for his school chums when he was little. He always loved doing it and I had fun looking back and thought I’d share some of those too for those who have kids or grandkids. I feel badly for the kids who are missing all the school Valentine cards this year.

I realize it may not be cool to share the food items in the Covid era.. So maybe they can just be made and enjoyed with family at home, or you can find prepackaged treats to substitute.

Note: The boy in these photos is now a college student! Griffin was a great card maker – and still is!

One thing we liked doing is getting cellophane bags, cutting them in half, adding something, like these super balls, and fold a square notecard stapled it over the top with a sentiment. This is what Grif did one year…

Another year we did something similar with Swedish Fish.

..and wrote a cheeky, ‘I’m glad you’re in my school.’ That note was tucked inside and we tied it with yarn.

Another year we made arrows and hearts.

You keep the hearts intact and push a pretzel through them and then with kitchen shears cut a notch to make a bigger heart shape on others. Not sure why we did that, but both came out cute packaged in cellophane bags and tied with red ribbons and we put a velvet sticky heart on each.

Do you have any fun Valentine’s traditions or cool ideas? It might be nice to share more ideas here for families at home all together this year!

ANOTHER FUN ONE…Annie’s watercolor hearts! My friend Annie has the coolest crafts on her Most Lovely Things blog and this was one I always loved and easy with kids. You can do it without the heart punch and just use scissors to cut the heart shapes… Aren’t they cute?

I hope you’re having a good week. I have a Valentine’s gift ideas blog coming too!

Kim

Red Fashion -Not Just for Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2020 By kimwheeler 12 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you have fun plans today? Tonight we are cooking a family dinner with the sons and doing our chocolate fondue tradition. When my boys were small we would do Valentine’s night dinner as a picnic on the floor by the fire with chocolate dipped strawberries we made together. My own mom always made Valentines special for us with a small gift like socks, a little money and chocolates by our breakfast plate. Valentine’s is the day I got engaged 24 years ago and on that same day my sweet niece Veronica was born. It’s one of my favorite days of the year.

I wanted to share a few lovely discoveries in the fashion world I came upon this week in red, just in time for Valentine’s Day and beyond..

Red has never been my favorite, but I needed a pair of red shoes to wear to a Valentine themed lunch and came across a suede pair of sandals at our local and darling She She Shoes. Feeling a little thrilled with the red, and how pretty it looked, I walked over to Banana Republic to see what they had in the shade, and found this very lovely high necked blouse in lipstick red. I’ve already worn them both in many ways this week. Just these two red pieces are making the bland winter closet staples like my camo pants, dark jeans, camel blazer and brown handbag pop! Thanks to Valentines the closet got a little boost and everything feels reinvented and fresh. I guess it is good to go out of your comfort zone and try a little color, especially this time of year when we can use a little injection of bright with the wardrobe classics.

Above and below, you can see my friend Jeanne’s darling red booties she wore to the lunch. SO COOL! I once saw a woman in Paris with almost the same boots and a trench coat and it was perfection. I adore Jeanne’s fun outfit. Her Diane Von Furstenberg lips knit skirt is darling and I have always liked the mix of pink and red.

If you can’t get to She She Shoes, my red suede sandals can also be found here and here. Similar red booties to Jeanne’s are here, here and here. My jeans are Madewell Cali Demi Boot.

Banana also has this darling XOXO sweater.. How cute is this in black or grey? It was hard to choose, but I bought the black. I know it’s cute enough to wear it all year long. Right now it’s 40% off this weekend and I think they have free shipping also.

Happy Valentines to you all in whatever way you celebrate. I’d love to hear any traditions or memories in the comments if you can!

xoxo

Kim

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Think Pink- Valentine Gifts for Yourself.

February 15, 2019 By kimwheeler 3 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day lovelies!. I hope whatever this day brings, you are treated special, or do something nice for yourself. After many years of waiting to be surprised by the Valentine’s Day of my dreams, like most women, I am now at the age now where I feel happier when I buy my own flowers when I want, and tell my husband what I would like to go to dinner and yes even sometimes the gifts I am hoping for. It also makes for a lot more harmony and less disappointment for both of us!

As Max just got back from an epic business trip to India, my expectations are low and we will get Valentine pizza tonight, but later next week we will do dinner someplace I love- and if I don’t get any flowers I will likely buy myself some of my favorite kind the next time I am out. Michelle Yeoh, star and the beautiful mother in Crazy Rich Asians recently said, ‘If I want flowers or jewelry I buy it for myself.’ Love that! We women work so hard to make everyone’s life terrific, yet we need to send more love our own way. We need to say no to more. We need to say what we really want and to not judge ourselves so harshly. Valentines is a nice opportunity to be kinder and treat yourself a little. Whether it is a binge watching your favorite show in bed alone, having a spa appointment, planning a day to take yourself shopping for something new and special, or even just buying yourself lunch out somewhere with a friend, do it. A wise gal once told me, we teach others how to treat us. I try to keep that mantra in mind always. We have to start putting ourselves first more often, so others will too. We are the work horses of the damn world and the planet would be nowhere without us, but we perpetuate that subservient slot in life when we keep doing for others what they should be doing for themselves. Women are the healers, nurtures and lovers of the world, but we are only beginning to love ourselves as much as we deserve. Wishing you all a little indulgence today and to cherish yourself.

In the Valentine spirit, a few pink things that have been on my wish list and some are wishful thinking…

In the Pink book. This is a collector’s book now!

This Malvern Round Ottoman is actually from Target and in person looks a lot more expensive than it’s $56 dollars! I am thinking of this for my closet or bath.

Tory Burch Convertible Citrine/Shell Pink Shoulder Bag.

Love the colors of the Kiss collection from Glassybaby.

Sulking Room Pink Paint– by Farrow & Ball now at Anthropologie!

I love the rose gold look of these pressed copper frames from Anthropologie.

Happy Valentines !

Kim

Valentine’s Gifts

February 7, 2018 By kimwheeler 4 Comments

Valentine’s Day is literally a week away. It pops up before you know it and I do love it. I try to keep it Valentines all month long at home, with pink in my kitchen and hearts about the house. February is such a short month, but it’s special to me in a lot of ways. I got engaged on Valentine’s Day 1996, and my niece Veronica was born on the very same day! It’s also the month my beautiful mom Suzanne was born. She was a Leap Year baby and born February 29, 1940.

Right now, it’s warm, unseasonably so even for California. I am trying my best to soak it in and enjoy. I’ve been distracting myself a bit with all the cute Valentines’ themed things and I have to share a few as they are pretty cute. A few ideas for a friend or maybe just for yourself..

– I am starting to love square scarves again like I showed in my last post. I could wear this Echo I Heart You scarf with so many things.

– I love these Tory Burch Espadrille Mules. I can see these for running about all spring – equally as cute with skirts as with white jeans. The khaki color is another great choice in this shoe.

– How cute is this Anthro metallic zip clutch? I am crazy about these for makeup bags and travel. This is particularly pretty and also comes in a gold and beautiful blue-silver. All were just marked down.

– This J. Crew heart wrap skirt is darling. I love it with these sneakers with a pop of red! It’s also available from Nordstrom here.

– J. Crew is killing it with their T-shirts this season and this Love First one is adorable. It comes in a navy with light blue print too. Another fun piece to layer with jackets and skirts. Both the shirt and T are an extra 30% off for Valentines online if you use code xoxo from J. Crew.

Our family tradition is to cook a big meal with some fancy dessert together. When the boys were small I would always get them a small box of candy from See’s along with something cute like a pair of socks and some cash. My mom always did that for us as kids and it would be at the breakfast table on Valentine’s morning. Do you have any traditions you can share?

Kim

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