Hello lovely friends. Well this week flew by, didn’t it? This is my weekly roundup with Elizabeth and Juliet and we always have much to share and chat about! I can’t begin to go on about my usual stuff without mentioning Ukraine. I am hugely saddened, worried and scared for the Ukrainian and Russian people as I am sure you are and at the end of this post, I will share some ways we are able to help through some great organizations.
Afternoon Tea in the Bay Area
Are you a afternoon tea person? Have you ever had a tea out? If you’ve been to the U.K. you know it’s a ritual that you can have many places and it’s a lovely and relaxing way to enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, scones and clotted cream and sweet treats. I’ve been missing travel, and dreaming of the time I can go back to London, so my husband surprised me with a belated Valentine’s Saturday lunch date at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco where they do tea on the weekends.
It’s the perfect spot to go for a shower, special birthday or occasion. We loved the beautiful historic Garden Court that was built in 1909 with its stained glass ceiling. The ceiling has 70,000 pieces of glass that have been recently retrofitted, cleaned and restored. Walking into the hotel and seeing it front of you takes your breath away. It’s truly stunning as it’s one of largest rooms on earth and was once where horse drawn carriages entered the hotel in the 1800’s.
The architecture is lovely and the history of this hotel is fascinating. The lobby has many artifacts from the hotel’s past. There was a Frank Sinatra type of crooner singing accompanied by a piano man which gave the tea a kind of yesteryear vibe we loved. The little sandwiches were super fresh and the scones were warm. We choose the Legacy Blend tea with notes of bergamot, vanilla and rose. I also had the glass of Vueve Cliquot champagne option. It’s $75 for a full tea and $89 with champagne. There are also other tea options in SF, but I urge you to take in this special hotel and its gorgeousness! We’ve also been to Lovejoy’s Tea Room last summer and it’s charming and cute.
Salesforce Park
Totally stuffed, (we ate ALL the tea treats ), we waddled over to the new Salesforce Park a few blocks away. This park is four and a half football fields long and three stories up in the financial district. It’s a lovely place to meander with grassy parks dotted with colorful chairs, pretty plants from all over the world (apparently 600 trees and 16,000 plants in 13 botanically arranged areas), and views of the city and some of coolest new skyscrapers. You can take an elevator up or a gondola!
This is the place to meet a friend, eat a picnic lunch or just have a stroll. There is also a children’s play area, a long line of fountains to play in and – transportation. The lower floors have Greyhound, Muni, Amtrak and AC Transit and SamTrans. You can follow the Salesforce Park Instagram for notifications on events. They have live music, dance parties, exercise classes, art shows and more!
I shared a fun Reel on my Instagram with more photos of our walk! I highly recommend it and right now as everything seems to be blooming and even on Saturday it felt uncrowded.
Canadian House & Home
House & Home from Canada is my most favorite shelter magazine. Most magazines now are a lot of celebrity homes and I often find them unrelatable. House & Home has remodels and homes of real people and they run the gamut from modest to glam, but are inspiring, and doable. This month’s issue features the best black and white kitchens -some very traditional, some modern -all wonderful.
On their online site I was drawn to this lovely Toronto home they called California cool, Mediterranean style. No wonder I loved it.
It’s those little touches like the tiled entry, ledges in the hall, wood panel pieces in the dining room and different kinds of beautiful and unique finishes and lighting that made this home warm and pop more than an ordinary white home. Design is by Jamie Zimmerman who you can find on Instagram.
Aqua at Bloomingdales- denim shirts
A lot of you liked the puffy purse post last week and the brand, Aqua by Bloomingdales (their in-house brand), has quite the following. Many people have told me they adore this brand. I was at Bloomies last week and on a quiet Tuesday had the store all to myself and investigated.
I do like how Bloomingdales curates its departments by brands. Aqua has some great tops and a few caught my eye, this button-up with contrasting stripes, and this dark soft denim one with puffy shoulders (it’s actually a dark denim blue, not grey.) Both had elements that made them stand out, were nicely made and a good price. I can never have too many blue button ups so I bought both.
I also saw this pretty blue style online with a cool sleeve. Honestly, I can’t wait to wear some lighter and springy clothes soon. Check out Aqua as the brand that has some cool pieces at good prices. The dresses especially, have a lot of fans.
Katrina Kenison
I know I’ve shared her inspiring writing before, but Katrina’s post this week of living through these past two years and how we move forward is so good. It’s all about finding joy in the moments of this life and the beauty around us. I think you’ll appreciate her post here.
Helping Ukraine
Who could ever fathom we would have a ground war in Europe again? It’s beyond frightening and my heart goes out to the people and families of both nations caught up in this. No one wants this war. Right now, I believe the best we in the west can do is send any funds we may have to help those in Ukraine who are fleeing with their families. I watched as many women left with children unsure of where to go and if they will even see the men in their families again. Some good places to help are below..
UNICEF supports health, nutrition, education, safe drinking water, and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian organization, Voices of Children, helps provide support to children affected by armed conflict and providing mobile psychologists and even individual help for families.
CARE has a UK Crisis fund trying to provide food, water, hygiene and cash support for the 4 million people needing help there.
The International Red Cross is in Ukraine and providing support through water, food, medical equipment and more.
Thank you!
Now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!
Kim
You might also like my 2022 Goals, House Update and Cozy Coats post.
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What a gorgeous garden! And I’m a fan of a great tea…here or abroad. That one looks worth the visit. I love the other places you included for tea. Pinned to go if I’m in San Francisco. Happy Saturday!
Hi Leslie! I am with you! We need more tea time in our lives! Happy weekend!
Good morning, Kim … what’s happening in Ukraine is a tragedy of monumental portions, And I don’t think it will stop there. Thank you so much for providing this information on ways we can help. I certainly will be doing so. On happier subjects, I’m a huge fan of afternoon tea and the Palace hotel is one of the most beautiful rooms to enjoy the ritual. I’ve been to Lovejoy’s too and it was a completely difference but wonderful ambiance. I didn’t know about House & Home Canada, but I love a good shelter magazine and I’ll give it a try. As for that puffy purse, mine arrives yesterday … in ivory. Didn’t know it was from the house brand and now I need to check out their other pieces … you know I’m loving that blue and white shirt! Happy weekend? xo,
Hi Juliet! Thanks I wanted to share someway to help. I’m not sure if we have even had a chance to think about it, this has all come on so fast. I knew you might have been to the Palace. Lovejoy’s is tiny and cute and fun- also good in a different way. I hope you love the puffy purse. I knew that blue and white shirt was your style. They are so versatile right? xo
I’ve been a fan of Canadian House & Home for years! They have a great YouTube channel as well showcasing projects and the designers behind the design!
Theresa I totally love them. Thank you for the heads-up on their Youtube! I had no idea! x
Lovely post. I’d love to get back to tea at the Palace Hotel.
I am shocked and saddened by what is happening in Ukraine. And also mad as hell!
This is something to look forward to on Saturdays, Kim.
Mary Ann it’s such a magical spot isn’t? I feel the same as you about Ukraine. Why should the whole world be destroyed by one man’s power? It angers me to no end. Thanks Mary Ann. I love your weekend posts so much too. xo
Wonderful post Kim….will have to convince hubby to take me to the Palace Hotel for afternoon tea. New Zealand is another country where everyone always has an afternoon tea break. My kids always come home to an afternoon tea spread of food after school even though now living over here… spoilt! 🙂
Fiona yes you have to go someday. How wonderful for your kids to come home to a tea spread. I love that tradition!
Kim,
It breaks my heart to see what is happening in Ukraine, it is like watching a movie/nightmare. Watching this is what is must have been like at the start of WW I and WW II. My thoughts, prayers and donations are with the Ukraine. I still have home that a diplomatic solution is available.
One of the highlights of my week is our Saturday meanderings, I love to see what both you and Julie are up to. Afternoon tea is one of my favorite things to do when traveling, now I will have to add this wonderful destination to my list. It looks like you are in London. I love this history!
You look beautiful in both shirts! I will have to check out this brand, I love a blue and white button down shirt.
Thank you Kim for sharing the beauty of your world and for meandering with Juliet and I!
Happy Weekend.
Elizabeth
Hi Kim,
First of all and the most important thank you for sharing your thoughts and how we can help the Ukraine people. It’s so disturbing to see what has happened to these beautiful peoples lives. So many list and critically injured. It’s imply heart wrenching. Putin is a tyrant and a war criminal. The good people that are against the war in Russia and all the people in Ukraine are in my thoughts and prayers.,
Thank you so much for sharing the Place Hotel. What a beautiful place for a belated Valentine’s Day tea. The architecture is gorgeous. The ceiling and all the stained glass must be gorgeous to see in person.
The park sounds totally amazing.
We have been to Lovejoys, that was fun, ona different scale to The Palace.
I read Katrina’s post and throughly enjoyed it.
In PEACE,
Kim,
You always find the best in everything! How sweet of Max to surprise you with a tea date! That selfie photo of the two of you is too cute! I think I’ll order that striped shirt from Bloomingdale’s! SalesForce Park…gosh I want to go there too!
xx
LOVELY POST!
FUNNY THING I HAVE NO DESIRE TO GO TO San Francisco!It’s been three years since I have been there!
I feel I am not missing a thing!
THATS SALES FORCE BUILDING IS THE TALL ONE WITH DIGITAL VIDEOS ON THE TOP at NIGHT?
YOU know what they say about THE LOOK?
TEA AT THE PALACE was a BEAUTIFUL THING to do………..however I was disappointed the last time I went there which was four or five years ago now at CHRISTMAS TIME!When I was little it was MAGICAL………..so was THE CITY OF PARIS and BLUMS!
MAYBE ITS THE AGE THING WITH ME but its as if they just thrown up FAKE STUFF and give NO THOUGHT to the final outcome!
I spent the weekend cleaning out my closet……..NOT MUCH TO TOSS!
I went through the CAFTANS one by ONE and KEPT ALL!
I have divided them into ones I can sleep in and ones I can do Cleaning in or household chores and ones for elegant events which will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN IN MY LIFETIME!
BE WELL and KEEP SHOPPING AS ITS AWAY OF GETTING AWAY……
AS FAR AS UKAINE it is SO SO SAD………….POOTIN………YOU KNOW MY THOUGHTS ON THAT AND WELL THE ORANGE MAN TOO!
MY HUSBAND HAS ALWAYS SAID, “IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER WORLD WAR TO RESET HOW WE THINK AND OPERATE IN DAILY LIFE!”
LOOKS LIKE THE ITALIAN GOT THAT RIGHT!
IT IS DEVASTATING…………….
XOXO
LETS MEET UP THERE NEXT CHRISTMAS AND DECIDE WHAT WE THINK!
LOVELY OF YOUR HUBBY TO THINK TO TAKE YOU THERE!THAT IS THE SPECIAL PART………..
DENIUM always looks good on YOU.
What a darling husband you have I love that!! kim this was such a lovely post in so many ways beginning with the UKraine. Thank you for sharing . I used to be a news junkie and have become the opposite in the last few years.
Thanks so much Cindy. I know I am very lucky.xo
Hi Kim,
This is a belated comment on your SF ideas. I will be going there is June with a newish BF who is a SF native. He is anxious to show me around (although I lived in Oakland for 6 years so know “the City” and went even as a little girl). I told him about the new Sales Force Park and we will go check it out. My turn to show him something about his own city! Thanks for clueing us in to that.
Wren so exciting!! That sounds wonderful. You will have to share any cool places he takes you to also.. I hope you two have a lovely day at the park! xo