Hello it’s our Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet. I hope your week’s been nice. Ours has been heating up and we even had humidity this week. There are some things I can’t live without during the heat and I thought I’d share a few..
Carve Shorts
I love dresses, but I live in shorts most days of summer, especially when I’m at home. I don’t know what it is about these Oahu shorts by Carve Design, but they are the most comfortable and flattering pair I own. They are the tiniest cord and never look or feel tight. Last year I bought them in the cement color and wore them tons. I just ordered them in this olive, another good neutral. The inseam here in 4 inches. I like my shorts slightly oversized and bought an 8 in these.
If you like a longer short they also have a 6 inch inseam version..
Chantecaille Ultra Sun SPF 45 Primer
I love this primer and sunblock in one and how it makes my skin look. I often wear it alone if I’m not going out. It is a bit pricey, but I find it lasts a long time and has excellent ingredients that actually improve your skin over time. It has a very light feel and a little goes a long way.
Body Lotion
I also tend to get drier legs and arms and use more body lotion in summer and this Fresh Seabury is hydrating, nourishing and soothing.
Stronger Sunblocks
For sunblock, we buy ELTA MD Face and Body lotions as everyone here is sensitive and can’t use many of the drugstore brands. We love both of these and have for years. I just noticed you can buy them as a bundled together now on Amazon for the summer and save $16!
Summer Jacket
Here in California, we always need some kind of light jacket for most evenings. Last summer I bought this Tommy Bahama Two Palms Jacket and it’s been a staple that goes with so much, is light, but cozy. It travels well and I love it with shorts and over dresses and the raw edges make it look cooler than normal. I keep wondering if I should get another, but the natural color is so good with everything. The white or olive would be my second choice.
Loving Frank Book
I love getting into a good book in summer and began a new novel this week on the recommendation of an Instagram pal. Loving Frank is based on the affair that Wright had in 1903 with the wife of a couple he was building a house for. It’s a blend of fact and fiction and won countless awards a few years back. This one description of it from reviews:
“Loving Frank is one of those novels that takes over your life. It’s mesmerizing and fascinating–filled with complex characters, deep passions, tactile descriptions of astonishing architecture, and the colorful immediacy of daily life a hundred years ago–all gathered into a story that unfolds with riveting urgency.”
Sounds like a great summer read..
An easy summer dress
When the high heat hits, all I want is an easy dress to wear with slides to stay cool. This pretty indigo number came onto my radar and it ticked all the boxes. Love the color, shape and length..and well, pockets! This is another great style from Madewell who does simple California chic so well!
Microsoft’s New Green Work Space
I was able to finally take a tour of my husband’s new Microsoft work digs which I’ve been wanting to see for a while, but you know pandemic and all… He’s been talking about it for a while since it’s not only a beautiful design, but it extremely green.
It’s a work space reimagined so everyone has gardens and open spaces they are looking at or able to work in. They even have windows that crank open, and walls open to the outside. They want employees to mostly use natural light when they can and all other power sources are all from their solar. They use no municipal water except sinks and drinking water. Everything is recycled stored and reused. They actively are storing extra rainwater from their living roofs to improve local Stevens Creek and restore the habitat of 30 species.
I had lunch at one of the many restaurants and then we took a wander to the smoothie bar. Everything is in regular dishes and glasses and coffee mugs instead of disposables. Smoothies were one thing that wasn’t.
It’s light, bright and truly open air, unlike most office buildings. Birds and butterflies were enjoying the space as were workers. Obviously Microsoft has money to do this, but they are innovating how we think about work places. If work spaces can feel less sterile, and more like a home (many living room type spaces like above left), how nice is that? Wandering outside the walls to work or just open the window, get fresh air and work by sunlight, are all things we need more of. All spaces are designed around courtyards, paths, rooftop gardens and walkways that bring the outside in. I loved seeing seeing artichokes, lemons, flowers and blackberries thriving next to Max’s desk area.
I thought it was pretty cool and that’s why I wanted to share it here. It’s truly visionary and it was designed by WRNS and more about it here.
Bryce Dallas Howard’s Home in AD
Bryce Dallas Howard, star of the both the Jurassic and Twilight series, and now a director in the footsteps of her father, Ron Howard, has had an interesting life and recently built a home to reflect her life in film. It also has a lot of pink and was made to flatter a redhead, which she and her designer, Claire Thomas are both. I thought it was lovely and fun you can see more of it on AD this month here… How do you all feel about pink decor? Is it growing on us more?
Sorry if this post seems short. I had a busy blog week and also wrote a Signature Style post about the latest lipsticks I am loving here and also a Five Ways to Bring a Summer Feel to Your Home for Project Design.. So if you aren’t sick of me yet, you can click on those for more! LOL.
Well that’s my meanderings for this week. Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs too see what’s on their radars this week…
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Thank you for being here. Have a lovely weekend,
Kim
If you missed last week’s blog, I shared Jubilee fun, Father’s Day Gifts, ( still adding to those), pretty summer tops, an outdoor lantern I love and more.
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Kim, I love seeing Microsoft’s workspace! It’s so cool!
Your book recommendation sounds very interesting!
xx
Annie wasn’t it cool? If you come here we should visit. I am excited to get into this book more! xo
I loved this book, a real interesting read.
Oh so glad to hear!! Thanks Gayle.
Wondering how the Madewell dress fits?
Julie I am ordering today.. and so far no reviews. Wondering if they have it in store? If I get it or get to stop by the store, I’ll update! xx
Many thanks!!! I ordered the Tommy Bahama jacket so cute and love your recs.
Julie, Let me know what you think!xx
Kim – you just have the best recommendations – shorts are in order and I I hope they would look half as good on me as they do for you. As as hobbyist photographer- I I love Frank Lloyd Wright designs so book recommendation is on spot. Maybe I need to put all my ‘Kim recommends’ to one post 🙂
Leena, Aww thank you! Just hoping to share a few good things! Thank you for the kind note! Have a great weekend. xo
Who wouldn’t enjoy working in those spaces? Beautiful. So great about it being earth friendly. Love the Madewell dress!
Mary Ann
Thanks Mary Ann! It reminded me a little of the J Crew one you have. I wanted that one..no more sizes. So cute.
Loved seeing the Microsoft offices. I’ve been to Google offices in SF, my niece works for Google. These trailblazing workspaces are so interesting and vibrant.
Aren’t they? Here we have some great innovators oof work space around here. I loved how Google has the bikes!
Kim, I enjoyed all three posts this week … keep them coming. More Kim is a good thing. The Microsoft campus is amazing. Makes me want to go back to work in an office … can you imagine the look on HR’s face if I showed up resume in hand? Ok, just that sentence make it obvious I’m a dinosaur and unemployable. But back to the campus … wow. And I love the recycled water … I think that all new home construction should require the same thing. I mean, seriously. Ok, this jacket is fabulous and I want it. Should I get it? Probably, yes. And the shorts. I wear shorts at home but never in public because … my legs. Dreadful. I’m going to check out the 6″ length. I order larger too … I like my shorts loose and a little baggie. But not falling off. Obviously. Always love your beauty recommendations. Great info and inspo as usual. You must be exhausted. Rest! xo
Juliet… You are making me laugh.. I cannot. I am barely keeping up! I know I want to work at Microsoft, but they’d probably send me to the dishes area..I sometimes think about how it would be to be back in the office. I worked last in advertising at the old Mercury News building before they tore it down. It smelled like ink, Salisbury steak (cafeteria in the center) and the hum of fluorescent lights never left me.. Pneumatic tubes and xerox machines.. Oh so much has changed!
Heath shorts are great. I don’t know about the longer version, but the 6 inch has some length to them.. LOVE the jacket so much. Probably one of my most worn items ever. Loved your post today. I am all ready for a wedding and the Target jeans and top.. So cute!! So glad you are back. x
Hi Kim,
Oh wow, I so enjoyed seeing and reading all about Microsoft’s workspace that was created for them. The vision of the entire environment is so impressive. What a beautiful place to work in. They thought of everything. Leave it to CA to think of all the thoughtful detail.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Katherine! I know I thought it was amazing. As someone who likes fresh air and natural environments I was in love with the whole idea. I hope it serves as a good model for others. I know I love California. We are very lucky here. xo
Thanks for giving us a little tour of Microsoft’s new digs. I love architecture and design. The book recommendation looks very interesting, although there are mixed reviews on Good Reads. Stay cool during this heat wave!
Thanks Karen! I was recommended by two friends, and I did read it had great accolades, so I will report back! x
I love this Tommy Bahama jacket! I have the natural color and the white. The white is very sheer, FYI. I think I may get the olive also. A great jacket for our hot summers here in North Carolina.
Betsy thanks for the feedback here, good for people to know the white is sheer because the natural isn’t at all..I love the olive too! I agree the linen just works well in all climates. xx
Kim I have such fun reading your blog posts! Thank you for sharing the Microsoft work space–just gorgeous and very innovative. I wanted to comment about pink, and how do we love it or not. I used to think I hated pink because it was such a trope. I admit that currently I’m smitten. But instead of pink made from warm or cool reds plus white (although both are beautiful), I’m using pink made from burnt Sienna and white (in my abstract paintings). It’s a lovely soft brownish pink (also good for redheads). If I wear pink, it has to be Rosewood (similar to the burnt Sienna + titanium white) –it reads as a neutral. Thanks for all you do!
Hi Sally, Wow you’ve got me thinking about pinks now. The idea of a rosewood, and a pink of a sienna base and white sounds lovely! I would love to see more of those colors..
Thanks I just thought the Microsoft thing was the future.. well hopefully.
Thanks for your kind note! So appreciated. xo
Loving Frank is now in my Kindle library, thanks! If you enjoy historical fiction, you might try Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, a beautifully written novel about Shakespeare’s wife, their children, his career, and living during the plague.
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much! I have that now on my list. It totally sounds like something I would like. x
Hi Kim, I love your recommendations too. I ordered the Glossier lipstick you recommended last week. Looking at ordering the Tommy Bahama jacket too. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks so much.
Hi Janet! I hope you like it,it’s my all time favorite. The jacket is great and it runs slightly large so I bought a small. Thank you so much for the kind note! xx
Never “sick” of reading you. Bon jour from Paris!
Aww Wren hope you’re having a fantastic time! xo
I never wear shorts outside the house if I can help it. My legs are very blah and need some serious toning. I found a nice pair of linen shorts last week from a store called Kiabi. I generally only buy shorts whenever we come to the US because you can find them in all sorts of styles, lengths and colours. My husband and son will be visiting my in laws in July but I have to stay at home because I have to fill in for my manager but I’m considering a trip to London with my son at the end of August. Haven’t planned anything yet though.
I enjoyed reading your suggestions for summer. Have a wonderful week.
Linen is so comfy too Lorna.. I have a pair and I love them. Funny the U.S. is more into shorts than other places, but I believe it. When you travel abroad, you generally don’t see women in shorts that much and mostly dresses and skirts in warm weather. For that reason, I don’t take my shorts traveling unless it’s an active trip. Oh I hope you get to London. It’s my favorite city!! xo
This was an excellent pOST to me!
You know Frank built a house a block away from me?!!
It has a gold ceiling in an area!!
I gave up shorts long ago!!As I did bathing suits!
I seemed to be way a head of the curve😆
Then again I’m much older then most of you!!
Your husbands office is FANTASTIC♥️
So much thought put into it!!
Xxx
You have a Frank house nearby? How cool! Yes I love shorts still in some occasions.. You aren’t much older! I wish I was tall and could wear caftans like you. I feel a bit swamped in them. You can wear anything! xo
Kim, the jack is so cute! Sadly it is so hot and humid here we stopped wearing jackets in April. Love the shorts, they look so comfortable.
Sunscreen is a must. As is a yearly skin/mole check. It is amazing how many people never do that and to really dose not matter wear you life, sunny or cloudy you should still have it done.
The Microsoft office tour sounds amazing! I love the idea of your husband looking out at such serene and beautiful things. What a wonderful idea.
I agree with all of the other comments, more Kim is always a great idea! I love hearing and seeing what you are up too! Have a wonderful week my friend.
Wow I was wondering about that. I know you don’t have cool nights. What about in Air-conditioning? You re reminding me I need to go for my yearly mole check. My dad who was in the Coast Guard goes every three months! It is so important. I know Max is lucky to work in such a calming environment! \
You are so sweet! Have a great week. xo
Hi Kim,
S it too late to comment? Well I will byway. Loved the peek inside Microsoft’s fab new digs! They have the money, glad they used it to build something sustainable, green and good looking! I’m to would be so much more comfortable to work in a building designed this way. I hated fluorescent lighting and all those stupid cubicles. To think I had to design them bleach awful. I was against them then and see people are finally figuring out that humans need better spaces to work in.
I wear my linen jacket from LL bean (that looks almost identical to yours) all the time. It’s lightweight and the color goes with everything.I’ve had it forever, like 10 years, and even patched it up after one of my daughters borrowed it and returned it with a hole! I like ve it when I buy something that turns out to be a “forever” piece.
You’ve been busy keeping us entertained and informed.I thank you!
Xo Heidi
Omg sorry about all the typos, I’m using the on screen keyboard and it’s impossible!
H
Heidi, I know more workplaces need light and air and less cubes and air conditioning..Yes we have out matching jackets! Love yours too. It’s a wonderful piece that will always look good. We all need an easy summer linen jacket. xo