Weekend Report

This weekend I did more Spring tidying and brightening up. I cannot believe the crazy warm weather here. My flowers and plants are growing like it’s June. A bit worrying really. I put away the heavy coats and scarves and hung out lightweight jackets and canvas totes. Espadrilles and flip-flops have already taken over in the boot basket!

I’m rearranging the kitchen a bit more and used my open shelves to stack my whites. I’d love to remodel the whole kitchen with open shelving, but that’s not going to happen anytime soon, so this is going to have to suffice. I love having everything out where you can see. Eliminates a lot of clutter.

We made a little alfresco dinner on Friday. I am crazy for artichokes right now. My family likes a dip we make with 3 parts mayonnaise with one part dijon and a squeeze of lemon, salt, pepper and whatever herbs you’ve got growing. My new favorite white wine with this is Decoy Sauvignon Blanc. I got that little tip from a local gal, The Creeping Fig. Check out her Facebook page. She has a fun alfresco dinner party video and many wonderful ideas for gardening and decor!

Saturday morning I visited some new model homes nearby with a few friends. I always love to check them out and steal a few decorating ideas. These homes were gorgeous inside. I particularly loved their use of colors and patterns. I snuck in some snaps with my phone.

One of the rooms above and a boy’s room that I would love to try to copy, below.

I also loved this little vignette some clever designer created on a desk near the entrance of the home…

So I went home and tried my own version with the use what you have at home method! I like to putter around like that when I can.

Also love this new tray I bought at Pottery Barn. It’s oversized and it will fit all my magazines, books and even a tray for drinks. The men folk are saying it is taking up some of their foot room on the ottoman. 😛 They do not embrace change around here.

We enjoyed Saturday at home and yes there was time for my youngest and his pal Abby to give her dog Ruby some wagon rides. Not sure how much Ruby liked it…

Snapped this on a wall on the way to dinner at Santana Row in San Jose with my husband on Saturday night. It was crazy there and we didn’t get to eat where we hoped.

We found a table at the Mexican restaurant there. I love all Mexican food, but this place was horrible. Have you ever eaten cactus? Let me just say do not bother.. Anyway still good to have a date night! out. My husband cracks me up. This is him waiting while I shopped a bit. He has absolutely no interest whatsoever in shopping, but he did swear a garbage can was opening a lid on its own…We were laughing like lunatics..That’s the kind of things he tells me when I’m asking whether or not he likes one pillow or another!

Finally, we drove up to San Francisco on Sunday to catch the de Young Museums’ exhibition of Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring!! If you read this blog you may have caught this post where I wrote about the painting and Vermeer and how his art has influenced so many.

It was a gorgeous day. Unfortunately, my sons were being total turds. Just keeping it real friends. Usually they are so good about going to museums and you know it just didn’t happen today. They basically ruined the trip with their gripes and had no interest at all in listening to the headsets etc. We left as soon as we went through (painful) and I bought a few post cards of my favorite pieces in the show. You know teenage boys and tweeners especially are a real challenge with family activities sometimes..

Golden Gate Park..