October Mood

I know It’s been too long. Things have been nuts with the remodel, moving the oldest son back to college (junior year!) and a few other things. I love October so I thought it would be fun to share a few cool things I have been obsessing on and a few other thoughts.. WE HAD RAIN TODAY! I was so happy.

The entrance at my rental has a nice porch and a beautiful old tree. I got my pumpkins at Trader Joe’s and have a few out. I like this new doormat I got, though my kids like to think they are funny flipping it. I bought it at my favorite home store, Magpie, which is in Willow Glen. There are so few shops independently owned and so well curated like Magpie is. It’s on Lincoln Avenue in San Jose and I never miss a chance to pop in and see what they have. If you are far away you can also get the doormat here.

I brought out my skull sweater and pumpkin colored blouse. I can’t find anything like it online, but there is this pretty cinnamon colored sweater that would be beautiful for right now with so much and it’s 40% off.

It’s gorgeous everywhere around here. the trees all have breathtaking colors. I often pick up leaves that I love and bring them home to display in a wooden bowl with any full acorns I find. Wood bowls are especially nice about the house and I have to say the best ones I have found are at Home Goods, so keep your eyes peeled when you go there. It’s hit and miss, but sometimes you get lucky.

I’m going to try and copy this pretty bowl of apples they had last year at Ojai Valley Inn last fall. Isn’t it lovely with the candles? So cozy.

I am fully into the house choices now and so I have been reading a lot, looking back at my reams of torn pages and magazines I have saved for inspiration. This book, French House Chic is fun and I have really enjoyed the story of this family’s journey and how they ended up creating a home in France. Jane is a great writer and the photos are gorgeous.

Do you decorate for Halloween? My family is ready to put our monster spider on the roof, and I have already put my small collection of glass pumpkins out.

I discovered this little cutie in blue at Pier 1 and couldn’t resist it for next to my blue things.

Last Thursday I got a chance to try out a cute new coffee spot with my friend Dale Janée of the Savvy Spice blog. If you aren’t familiar with Dale she is a Northern Cal girl (yay), who grew up in Ukiah and was later in San Francisco where she started her luxury satin pillowcase line, Savvy Sleepers. She married and moved to Switzerland, and is now living in Dallas with her sweet family which includes two little girls.

I enjoy Dale’s blog because she always writes about a cool destination and then some details about her style. She couldn’t be nicer and I am so glad we finally got to meet after being friends online forever. We had fun at this little Backyard Brew coffee spot that has taken up a previous small alley in downtown Palo Alto and made it into a nice community gathering spot. Their cappuccinos are fantastic and they could not be nicer either.

There was an artist in residence working away along with some moms and babies and business people chatting over coffee. I love to patronize local independent businesses so stop by there if you are on California Avenue in P.A. Someone said on Yelp that it feels like a beer garden and it totally does.

Dale in the back part of Backyard Brew.

If you visit Dale’s blog SavvySpice you’ll see how she puts her looks together and mixes things up in a chic way.  I am impressed how she manages it all being an entrepreneur, writer and mom of two small girls.

Aren’t they cute? This is from a post on her blog about a day out in Highland Park in Dallas.

Dale brought me one of her special eye masks that they carry right now. It’s a fabulous silk that I will be taking with me now wherever I go and feeling like a modern Holly Golightly! If you don’t have one of her satin pillowcases, they are wonderful for hair and skin. You wake without crazy, fuzzy hair and your face can’t crush against the satin so your skin looks smoother, plus they just feel amazing. I have two of them and I’m always hunting them down as they are popular in this household. You can find Dale’s pillowcases, eye mask, satin scrunchies and other cool items she sells on the Savvy website.

Talking about the past week, I want to mention a wonderful organization called  There With Care, that I was fortunate to find out more about last Friday night. My pal Jeanne invited me to a dinner to raise funds for this amazing charity that provides assistance for families with critically ill children. This organization really tries to be there for these families whose lives are often taken over by the huge weight that comes with a very sick child. Some families will spend months or even years at the hospital by their sides. Last year, There With Care helped some 600 families with things as small as food and clothes to car repairs, gas, and even shelter. To have some of these burdens lifted for them is huge while they care for a very ill child.

The stories of what some of these families are dealing with are unbelievable. We heard some of them that evening and there are more personal stories on their website. I was so glad to be part of this evening, hear about these brave people and I wanted to share with you all. Please look at what they do as they are always looking for donations and volunteers.  The Bay Area There With Care serves the Louise Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto.

…I am reluctant to mention it, but I’ve been consumed with this Supreme Court thing like everyone and it’s been horrible. Dr Ford lives in our area and is about my age and has two teen sons like I do. I’m sure most of you can guess how I feel. I am so hoping our country does right thing this weekend.

Stay strong friends. Try to find some time to watch the leaves fall.

Kim

This print from WE design studio.

There With Care dinner table photo courtesy of the organization.