It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some cool things that have come to our attention this week. It has been a week hasn’t it?
Thursday night we went out to grab Mexican food at one of our local favorites in Los Gatos, Zona Rosa. We couldn’t believe how many people were on the streets, beautiful weather and Californians seem to be so ready to be out and about again. Max and I said it was the most people we have ever seen out since the pandemic around here! Things felt almost normal again.
What do you grab if you have to evacuate?
Anyhow, we went home and at 2:45 a.m. I was woken by popping sounds and bright lights. I thought we had lightening, which is pretty rare, and then got up and noticed the electric wires above my neighbor’s home that runs along our backyards, looked like a firework display and after huge sparks and noise, was on fire!
This is the second time this has happened in a year. Anyhow fire came immediately and PG&E a half hour later, but we were out on the street, in our pjs with the neighbors until 3:30 in the morning. My poor friend whose home it was behind, took shelter in her car with her young kids. We just didn’t know if this was one of those power line fires that would move rapidly through our neighborhood or not.
There was no weather to speak of that day and they later determined it was rats or squirrels gnawing on the line that caused this! I’m a big proponent of getting the lines buried We have less than 18% in California.
Anyhow, if something like this occurs again, I need to think fast and I need to grab my photo albums and family heirlooms.. I was thinking I need to have all the albums in bags that I can just grab and go. They need to be more accessible, like very easy to reach, not in the gallows of the house.. I am committed to having what really matters easy to go at a moment’s notice. As Californians with the wildfires and things, we all need a backup plan. Max has emergency water, flashlights and other supplies in a spot in the garage, but I haven’t figured out the valuable stuff yet, but I am and will share. Do you all think of that? Do you have precious albums and things easy to grab and if so how?
Outdoor Pillows
It’s getting the lovely time of year and I have been working on getting my garden started and my yard spruced up. The one thing that didn’t do so well over the winter was outdoor throw pillows. I’m in the market for new ones that will clean easily and won’t fade. I figured you might be too about now, so I rounded up a few that caught my eye..
This Etsy Shop, CalifornialivinHome seems to have the coolest selection of outdoor pillows and they are custom made in California!
An idea for thrifted finds..
I’ve been determined to buy more things for the home that are upcycled, vintage and unique and so when I am downtown in my town of Los Gatos, I will pop into the American Cancer Discovery Shop if I have a few extra minutes. I try to do this whenever I’m near any thrift or antique store. The last two times I saw nothing and then today, I popped in there again and right away I spied two very heavy and beautiful glass urns. I knew I could use them in so many ways and they were just beautiful and for $20 each a good price.
When I came home I washed and shined them and played around with using them to hold a candle, utensil holder, even limes at the bar. Then I remembered I had two faux ferns (you can get them here) and some moss, that would make a fresh little spring look that I wouldn’t need to water. Just add some moss, drop in your fern and top with more moss.
You could do this with a large vintage goblet, glass or any kind of old urn or vessel that isn’t huge. When you are out thrifting, look for silver, heavy glass and other objects with shine to give a bar a bit of elegance. That’s where I put these two for now, but they would be pretty on a spring table with masses of white votives, white plates and pretty glasses or crystal and green napkins of some kind don’t you think?
Madewell Sandals
I’ve been loving my new Charley Slides from Madewell. I had them on the blog last week on the casual outfit look. They come in black, cream and I went with the tan with the contrasting black sole. These were comfortable right out of the box. They are 20% off now with code WARMUP.
Update: A few inquiries about my little Longchamp bag I am wearing above.. It’s the best and can hold a full wallet, phone and tons more. this bag was on my mind after Juliet shared she had one on this post.. Mine is the nylon version and it was found at The Rack, I can’t seem to find the same one online, but the leather version here and more options in comments below. (Also a nearly exact same J. Crew blazer as mine is now at J.Crew factory here in camel and navy. )
Lemon Glazed Cookies
My friend Jeanne is an amazing baker and she made me the most wonderful light shortbread lemon glazed cookies. I have been eating mostly healthy ( trying :/) , but these tiny shortbreads were small and so fresh and delicious with the addition of the glaze from yard lemons! Since we all have so much citrus now, I thought you could use another great lemon recipe. Original Source here.
American Viscountess
Are you an anglophile? A fan of Downton? Well you may enjoy American Viscountess Julie Montagu and her Youtube channel. Julie is an American girl from outside Chicago who married the Earl of Sandwich. They are in the process of renovating their Mapperton Country estate, which she raises money for, but she also visits other stately homes and meets interesting aristocracy. She’s a likable gal, also a yoga instructor and narrates specials on CNN like the latest one on Princess Diana. It’s a fun escape and you can find her channel and many episodes to binge here..and also follow her on Instagram here and here.
Serena & Lily 20% Off
This Serena & Lily sale is a great time to get things and I have to mention the 20% off when it happens as it’s the best time to buy. Use the code GOFORIT to get the discount. One of the best things on this sale is their Seaview Runner for hallways, bath and kitchen that I have here.. Mine is grey.
More of the Serena & Lily things I love and have in my house on this post.
Well that’s my meanderings for this week now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you…I really enjoy what they share every week.
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 post with healthy eating ideas, a plant based pasta dinner, the perfect black dress and more you can find it here.
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You look so cute and thank goodness you aren’t wearing giant puffy clownish slides… great sandals and I covet your small crossbody purse. Details? Happy Mother’s Day weekend!
Hi Leanne, I know the big puffy ones seem quite popular. I do have a pair, and haven’t worn them yet..The bag is a Longchamp nylon crossbody that holds so much! I first noticed Juliet had one. I think hers is leather. I was lucky to find mine at The Rack, but so far they don’t have it online. I
found similar ones here with a bit thicker strap
https://rstyle.me/+u2wT69_2IfR9c0zkabJZ0A
in a white and red https://rstyle.me/+2q0Bk5wIOf3YTlLwDx44ng
a leather version here https://rstyle.me/+xEwu_gkurMAroYcy_tYElA
in fun silver leather here https://rstyle.me/+2q0Bk5wIOf3YTlLwDx44ng
It’s a great bag because it can hold a full sized wallet, a big iPhone, glasses, keys, lip balm and power and still has extra room. I love light weight of it. A great bag for a day out. I’ll update above on the post too.
x Kim
Scanning family photos is a great way to protect them and makes sharing with family so much easier. We have a LOT of photos. My son spent a week scanning everything, we’ll worth the effort, now no worries.
Carol, I have begun doing that, Thank you and I just may need to spend week hunkered down like your son and getting this done. I have heard using your iPhone is just as good as the scanning service if you can take the time..
Hi Kim, My parents’ house burned down in the Berkeley firestorm in 1991. We lost many precious items (from my Grandma, and personal items from growing up.) I live in Los Gatos too and have a to-go bag packed in the garage (you can google what to put in it- mostly survival items), but I have scanned many of the photos and scrapbooks for my 3 kids and any old historical photos. I used Photomyne an app on my iPhone. It does take time, but you don’t need to remove photos from the albums. I do it while watching tv. I also have a tote box for important paper (you can scan those too..) the most important thing to do is to walk around your house and video the contents and describe them- something you do well since you are a blogger! It’s a good message and reminder that you sent out to all of us Northern Californians!
Best, Susan
Susan That must have been so traumatic. I remember those fires. I am so sorry. I bet you are so prepared now because of this. I amazing going to check out Photomyne..Thank you for that! I will have to video the house another good idea. I also like the bag read to go idea. Thank you so much Susan and nice to hear from another Los Gatan. So appreciate all this.
Glad the fire got under control. How frightening and scary to wake up to. Having a plan is so smart. Take care.
Thanks so much Katherine! I know now what I need to do! xo
Hi Kim: I love your blog! My husband and I lost our house in the 2017 Tubb’s fire. We were in Sicily at the time so we were left with only the possessions in our carry on bags. In regards to photos: even our computers burned so virtual photos were lost as well as physical photos. Now we store photos in the cloud along with vital statistic copies. Our phone, laptop and backpack are what we would grab now. Find a place in your bedroom or near a likely exit for your go bag. Jewelry might be another consideration for you. I’m sorry you had this scary experience.
Sally, I am so very sorry. That must have been devastating to come back to everything gone. I cannot imagine. So good to have things in the cloud now isn’t it? I like your idea of having a grab area by the door. We have a closet near there and I am thinking of having a few totes ready to go there. Thank you about the blog and for sharing that here. xo
That Nixie pillow caught my eye! Love what you did with the glass urns & love your outfit with the slides! We moved alot when we were growing up so there was always the stuff you just didn’t really let movers handle: important documents, family heirlooms, etc… & of course living in areas with hurricane and tornado weather that also translated to needing to stash the essentials. My mom always kept a big tote bin with important documents, photo albums, several emergency items and a few small prized possessions. I have followed suit in my adult life and like your husband- mine keeps a more “tactical” set of things around. Never hurts to be prepared and make it easy to grab and go. Happy Mother’s Day!
Nicole I love that pillow too! Your mom was smart keeping all the important things in bins! I am not motivated to get this together, so I know the little things that matter to me, some just sentimental won’t get left behind should we need to go. Thank you so much and have a beautiful weekend too.
Kim, Thank you for another interesting, inspirational post. Since moving to Sonoma Cointy, I have lived through too many fires, which included two evacuations. All my heavy photo albums are history. I took the pictures out and condensed the collection for grab and go purposes.
It gave me chills reading about the power line experience, such a close call.
Got to order those great looking sandals.
The connection to Los Gatos means so much to me. I have been in the Cancer thrift store so many times and found treasures.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Rosalie
Rosalie, wow you have been there too with fires and all. Wow that was a smart thing. may need to take apart all my mother’s and grandmother’s old albums so I have the photos.. Some of these heavy albums are disintegrating and not acid free either.. Probably worth doing. The power lines were so scary. It’s twice now this has happened and it could be anyone. We weren’t even having weather and are in an area that has relatively good PG&E upkeep of trees and lines! You know the little cancer thrift store? I didn’t know you were a Los Gatos person! The nicest people there along with Happy Dragon another great spot. Thank you and wishing you a beautiful weekend too. xo
What a scary nite. Glad things worked out fine. But I definitely need to gather in one spot my photos etc and be prepared. Love your Madewell sandals . Will check them out, I’m familiar with Julie on utube; she’s very interesting to watch,
Sheila I know I am doing the same. Thanks I love the sandals and the moulded footbed which is making them so comfy.. Isn’t Julie good?? Have a nice weekend.
Kim, truly terrifying what happened in your neighborhood. And can happen anywhere … and does everyday. We need the power lines buried. And I agree we all need to have our go-bags packed and ready as well as any other sentimental things easy to grab and go. I’m glad the fire department responded so rapidly. Thank goodness for them. And everyone is ok … aside from very frayed nerves. Poor you. The photos of your bar area and books are the pretties photos I’ve ever seen. And are now part of my shelfie/book Pinterest board. Those urs! What a find. I need to stop by our thrift stores more often … so many treasures waiting for a second life in a new home. And I adore the faux ferns. I need some of those. This weekend is the weekend our outdoor pillows come out … I’ll take stock and see where I need to replace and add. Your selection is so good … I want every single pillow. Of course, I can’t have every single pillow. At least I don’t think so. Hmmmm … How great to have a neighbor who bakes … her lemon cookies look scrumptious. Is the S&L sale still on?! Yay. Just followed Julia Montague and look forward to many hours of enjoyment catching up on her videos. You know me, I love anything English, royal and royal adjacent! Happy Mother’s Day weekend! xo
Thanks so much Juliet! I know a wake-up call isn’t it? We really must lobby PG&E to get those wires underground. Aww thanks you’re so sweet. I was excited to find those urns and I think saw a Juliska ad a long time ago that had ferns with moss in glass containers.. That kind of gave me the inspiration. I loved your post and that outfit! So classic and perfect! Always chic… We need more outfits like that. Julie is fun and you will enjoy her. Have a beautiful weekend. xoxo
Hi Kim,
You look adorable and those slides really are cute and comfortable!
Love the urns, so pretty. That electrical fire was crazy and must have been terrifying. So glad there wasn’t any damage to your homes.
I’m getting frustrated with so -called outdoor fabrics on cushions etc, because even they fade and don’t look great after a season or two. I find it difficult to get rid of my cushions (feels so wasteful to me)and yet they look so dingy. Ugh. I guess I need to sew slipcovers or something.
Hope you have a fun weekend and a great Mother’s Day!
XoxoHeidi
Hi Heidi!! Thank you for shopping with me! I had fun and appreciate your taste too. Outdoor pillows should not fade and should be made of sun resistant fabric. I would take them back!! Mine from last year were not all totally outdoor ones and had some bird issues..
I hope you are having a good Mom’s weekend and get to relax and be with the girl. Sending hugs, xo
What a scary night for you and so thankful the outcome wasn’t worse. We have been having so much wind and that always makes me concerned. I’ve had to evacuate twice in SLO but always had enough advance warning to gather precious things. One additional hint I might add is to go around each room of your house and take good photos. God forbid you ever lose your house but you have the photos to help you remember everything and for insurance purposes. The Madewell sandals are really cute but even more, I’m coveting your blazer. Although that color is no longer good for me with gray (ahem, silver) hair, I wonder if you can share who it’s made by? The weight looks like it might be perfect for warmer days. Happy Mother’s Day, Kim!
Wren thank you. I am thankful to be okay too. Thank you for the tip about taking photos of the rooms. Never thought of that. So smart! Thanks about the blazer! It is an older J. Crew in gabardine and I do love the weight for springtime. This is nearly the exact same blazer, except it has gold buttons and has the same lining, etc. It also comes in navy which would be pretty with your hair!
Link is here. https://rstyle.me/+yP7SnEeSXEcZM64kzI8Obw
Happy Mother’s Day Wren! xx
Glad no fire! Scary! We live in Arizona with a serious drought and much
desert surrounding us so we have discussed what do you take!
I just started the major project of sorting through many hundreds
of photos, many were my parents and so old but fragile. i found
Costco Yes video service incredible. I just got my first
batch uploaded to my Mac and wow! What a better way to
protect and capture forever! There are many ways to
do scanning but I went with their experience
I felt they were reasonable and you do get the originals
back just in case you aren’t ready to part with them.😜
Char I have been reading so much about Arizona and the fires and dry weather! Thank you too much for the Costco recommendation. We should look into that. You must have peace of mind now. I love that you keep the originals too. Thank you Char and stay safe there with those fires. xo
Kim, THANK GOD you are ok, your neighbors are ok and the whole place did not go down in flames. That is frightening.
As for what to save in a fire, besides my husband and my pups that is it. You could get a firebox and place all of your albums in there just in case you are not able to grab them, and also have them loaded onto discs that you can keep somewhere safe.
I love antique fairs and thrifting. I always find way too much stuff. I love your urns and ferns, I have never seen a fern like that.
Your slides are classic, I love the color.
Have a wonderful weekend, keep safe and have a very happy Mother’s Day Kim. xox
I know it’s insane isn’t it? Great idea about a firebox. Thrift shops are so fun. I think you need to go regularly until you see something that speaks to your own taste right? I hope you have a beautiful weekend too! xx
I have a couple of oil paintings and my photo albums which are in my bedroom and wa, I know I would grab those. I’m so excited you told me about the YouTube show I put it on right away and I know I’m going to be thrilled with it. Love the sandals to as usual I just wait for you to buy something and then I end up copying it!!
Thanks
Martha
Martha I think it’s good you already have own the top of mind what you would take! I think you will like her show. Lol you are sweet. The sandals needed up being a great find ands so comfy! xo
Hi Kim – what a fright for you all! I’m glad that the situation was gotten under control. I think you are smart to get your valuables/photos, etc. together in one place – I should do that too, you just never know what can happen. Hopefully you won’t have any bad situations in the future, but it will be worth it for peace of mind.
I remember seeing Julie on Ladies of London – that was a fun reality show. However, I’m pretty sure she didn’t marry her father-in-law! 😊 Her husband is the heir apparent, Viscount Something-or-Other. Of course, one day he will become the earl and she will be a countess (I guess?). I don’t envy her the task of running the stately home though!
Patricia so crazy. This has definitely got me motivated to get organized and have bags to grab with those things I treasure. I never heard of that show, but sounds fun. I wonder why she is called the Viscountess then? Did the father die? Anyhow, a big job those homes!
Hi Kim, so the top title is The Earl of Sandwich, the heir (his son) is Viscount Hitchingbrooke (but his family name is Montagu, so Julie is also known as Julie Montagu), and the Viscount’s wife is Viscountess H. When the earl dies the son will become the earl and his wife countess and their eldest son will become the viscount (like the Wessexes – Prince Edward is The Earl of Wessex, his wife Sophie is The Countess of Wessex and their son is James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn. I have no idea why the name of the earldom and the family name and the viscount’s name are all different!)
I think you’d love Ladies of London if you could find somewhere to watch it – lots of fun, Julie was not the only one with a title, there was also a Danish lady who came from an aristocratic family. Here’s a taste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRxk7xIXxfA&list=PLcOEstqyLw-qXZsq1XK9brG6nf5-HTBoo They were pretty outrageous!!
P.S. I just started reading Tina Brown’s The Palace Papers and I’ve learned that Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname given to descendants of the monarch who are not HRHs, i.e. that’s why Prince Harry’s kids have that name. The Royal Family became the House of Windsor around the time of the First World War (I think), for obvious reasons. Otherwise the descendants would have had the name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, which is the German family from which Queen Victoria’s husband came. Mountbatten is the English version of Prince Phillip’s name, Battenberg. It’s all very interesting!
Thanks so much for explaining all the Patricia! Makes a lot more sense now. Thanks for the links to Ladies of London. I’m tucking into that show this week. I need somme escape from this daily news. Palace Papers is next on my list!! You’re wonderful. Thanks so much. xo
Happy Mother’s Day Kim!
That’s so scary about the power lines on fire in the middle of the night!
You know I love a thrift find! Yous are so lovely!
xx
Thank you Annie! I hope yours was lovely too. xo
I MET THE EARL OF SANDWICH!HE GAVE US THE TOUR OF THE FAMILY HOME!
OUR SANDWICH TODAY COMES FROM THEM!
I WAS ALMOST IN TEARS………….
AND AS FOR JULIE I FOUND HER ON IG WHEN SHE HAD JUST STARTED THE VISITS TO THE GREAT OLD HOMES IN ENGLAND!
SHE had like 25 followers………….I need to subscribe but when do you all have time for this stuff…….?
WHAT A FRIGHT!TWICE IN ONE YEAR………..HOLY MOLEY!
I am sorting the older photos of the boys now and dumping a lot as the baby albums are full.
They probably will not give a dam about the albums anyway…………
I have my favorites on the wall so easy to grab and go!
Plus the animals…………
XXX
Was he nice?? That is so neat. Julie I have only watched a few and really enjoyed her. You know we have a lot of photo duplicates and things no one will want in out albums and I need to streamline them too. Love your wall photos! Do you have digital copies?? You need them. xoxo
Those are really beautiful urns! We have a Discovery Thrift Shop that I have been to once but it’s quite a drive from my house. I have a small eBay hobby, I sold many of my in-law’s collectibles over the last 4 years but most of my inventory now is from estate sales, an occasional yard sale and more recently the Goodwill and Salvation Army. I had stopped going to thrift stores for awhile but lately it seems I always leave with something I can sell and/or keep. My favorite neighborhood in San Diego is having their annual yard sale this Saturday with over 60 homes participating. They didn’t have it for 3 years because of Covid. Hoping I can score some cool stuff. 😊
Those cookies look delish!
Linda
Thanks Linda! That sounds like a fun hobby.. It’s the hunt that is so fun right? Wow what a neat idea. I would to go to a yard sale like that!! I really think that’s where the coolest things are. I’ve found may favorite finds at yard sales. Have fun! xx
Sorry I meant to comment about the fire. That must have been scary, too close…many years ago we had a bad wildfire here in San Diego that came within 3 miles of our house. My daughter woke us up at midnight and said “get up now”! From our living room window we could see the fire on a mountain near her high school headed in our direction. I started packing stuff up in the car but luckily we didn’t need to evacuate. After that I made a list of items to take if we are ever in that position down the road. I heard awhile ago on PBS that eventually every acre of California will burn. Not what I want to hear.😩
Linda
Oh my gosh Linda, how scary! I guess this means we all should have something prepped no matter where we live! i’m so glad you guys were okay. xo
I love your vintage glass urns. They look like high quality and you decorated them really nicely. I also live the selection of outdoor pillows that you shared. So pretty.
Thanks Loree I knew they were nice when I spotted them. It was a lucky find. Outdoor pillows are always tricky. I promised myself this year I would only get the Sunbrella types that last.