On this Weekend Meanderings..my trip to Georgia, a great casual dress you need, my favorite new pajamas and more..
I’m back with Elizabeth and Juliet. I hope your week has been good. Last week I was away at the Haven Conference in Atlanta, Georgia and it was really a great time in a new place and I learned so much..
Georgia
This was my first visit to Georgia and it exceeded expectations! I truly have never encountered so many nice folks. I also was wowed by the food, and how green and pretty it is there ..Very different from our golden hills here in summer. Our view flying into Atlanta below. I marveled at the huge lawns..
The plan was for Juliet and I to meet up with our friends and fellow bloggers, Annie and Mary Ann at the conference. Juliet got Covid, a few days prior and then Annie also came down with it the next day! I felt so bad for both of them. Mary Ann and I debated about still going and then she said, ‘Let’s do it!’, so I knew then I had to get it together and travel alone without Juliet, but I made it and it was great.
Our stylish Atlanta pal, interior designer Sherry Hart ,took us to the best Restaurant, South City Kitchen where we had fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, trout, cornbread, biscuits and we ended with a peach sundae! I wish I could take Max, who is from Kentucky. He would have been over the moon. This is a fabulous spot if you are in Atlanta..
Sherry with Mary Ann and I ..If you are not following Sherry you are missing one of the best interior design accounts! She is so funny and real and I adore her.
We loved our pretty hotel, The Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. My room had a fantastic view of the city and the green beyond. Mary Ann had a double room with a window in the bath that was so lovely.. They also had peach everything and we tried the peach flatbread and peach spritzer, so delicious!
The conference was good and we learned a lot of new things so we can stay relevant blogging and on social media..i.e. Instagram. We also met many cool people, many influencers doing DIY accounts, and some gifted women flipping (refinishing) furniture or couples flipping homes. Lots of future Chip and Joanna Gaines were in attendance and so darn talented. I will try and share some of those accounts on my Instagram stories this week in case you want to follow them!
What helped me going alone on this trip was to not overthink it. I just packed, and went. Uber was the scariest thing to me, a bit of an unknown, but I wandered the airport, found the pickup spot, clicked the phone and my driver, whisked me to the hotel. We even had a good chat about politics and next thing I knew, I made it!
If I can do it, anyone can. It’s good for us to get out of our comfort zones and I definitely need to do this more.
I have this on my pinboard and look at it when I need encouragement..
I come from a mom who had a huge fear of flying. I know in my brain flying is safer than driving around the corner to the grocery store! Still, every time I ever took a flight my mom was like, ‘You’ve been a great daughter..’ Seriously! So it’s taken me time to get okay with flying.
Traveling alone was not bad either.. In fact, it might even be preferable. You can check out, read, rest and binge shows with no guilt. I LOVED it. I read my whole book, The Guncle and binged the best show, Hotel Portofino. I adored both.
What I packed..
I bought a few summer dresses for the trip and I will share the two of the dresses this Tuesday as we are doing a linen post on Signature Style.
The other dress was this new one from Pilcro..
This Anthropologie dress is a good choice for travel and humid climates. It’s made of a heavyish cotton/linen blend and though feels light, it holds its shape, never needed ironing, even after the suitcase, needs no slip and..has pockets! It has a pretty, but casual vibe..
I loved the rough hem and white stitching that gives it an almost denim feel.
It also comes in a soft pink and a pretty orange floral and in Plus and Petite sizing… This is a dress that will flatter a lot of figures. I bought a small and I an 5’4 and 135ish.
New Pajamas!
I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I like to have something nice to sleep in and you never know who will want to pop by for coffee or chat in the room when going with pals right? While at Bloomingdales last week, I saw these uber soft and cute summer pjs by Kate Spade and bought a set.
I like that they have pockets and cute piping on the pant bottoms. I bought the colorful dots, but I’m thinking I want them in the black now too. They ran slightly large and I bought XS. I am in love with these!
My latest vase obsession
I fell in love with another vase from CB2. I had my eye on this Voir vase at the Santana Row store, and when I went back this week, I noticed they have just a few left and it’s marked down, so I grabbed it for $39. I am loving it with protea, but it’s even pretty empty.
I think it would be gorgeous with white flowers. Each piece is unique as they are hand blown.. Right now CB2 has their summer sale with 30% off many things and 40% off their outdoor, so a good time to get pieces for the outside!
A day out in Palo Alto – lunch and some consignment shopping..
A great day out with a friend is Town & Country in Palo Alto. I love all the shops there and met my friend April- ( she used to write the Ms B in the bay Area blog) this week. I love Cafe Douce France, a charming little bakery started by two friends from the Alsace region of France, it has the flakiest croissants and wonderful lunch and coffee. .
Afterwards, I love to stop at my favorite consignment Fillmore & 5th to see what is new. This is a great place to go if you aren’t used to consignment or shopping vintage. They have clothes and accessories from some of the nicest parts of the Peninsula, so you can always find a gem or two. This time I found a ‘new with tags’ Frank & Eileen button up for $37.
If you haven’t shopped vintage you need to start. All the cool kids do and it’s so much better for the planet..I just met a new friend in tennis class and we were all gawking at this gorgeous Prada bag she had. I’d never seen one like it. She said she only does vintage and collects things others don’t have..
She is going to give me tips, so stay tuned. I may be sharing soon. Make it a goal to get to one of these stores if you haven’t. If it helps you feel more comfortable, bring a friend like I did!
Well that is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Thank you for being here!
Kim
If you missed my last Weekend Meanderings, I did a special travel themed post with a beautiful resort fashion book, links to trips to London, Hawaii, Bora Bora, packing tips, and advice for taking kids to travel abroad, like we did for many years!
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Kim, you look darling in that dress. I love anything with a rough hem. You and Mary Ann are so lucky that you can still wear shorter dresses and look great in them! That vase is fabulous. Glad you had such a fun time in Atlanta. You have to go sometime when you can go to Scotts. I am sure Sherry told you all about it. It is almost as much fun as round up
Cindy, Thanks I think it’s flattering to everyone..I would love to get to any places that Sherry goes to! We should get to the design influencers conference again. I had a great time with you ladies there. xx
Oh my goodness…that Frank and Eileen shirt!
Hi Kim! I’m so glad you went and had a great time! I enjoyed this post and seeing that you got together with our mutual friend April. Looks like good times all around. Thanks for the share and stay adventurous and well <3
Hi Bita! I hope you can go to the next conference. It was great seeing April! We all have to get together sometime soon! I just had your latest post about your daughter! So cool! xo
My father was a gunner in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He flew on more than 30 missions. Once he was back in the States he had more than $400 in flight pay coming, a lot of money in those days. All he needed to do was go up on a military plane that would circle and land. He couldn’t do it and didn’t board another plane for fifty years, when my brother flew Dad and Mom to visit him in Hawaii. I can certainly relate to your inherited anxiety! I’m not a confident traveler by any means, but like you I try not to let it stop me.
How great that you and Mary Ann spent time with Sherry Hart! That would have been a fun dinner conversation!
Wow what a story about your father.. He was an amazing person doing 30 missions. I can see why he couldn’t go back. He must have been traumatized hugely. Nice he got to go to Hawaii later on. I know I do think it’s all what we allow in our heads right? I just try very hard to not let my thoughts take over and enjoy the views! Good for you too. We have to see the world and not be tethered to just what we know.
I honesty think this is a real American thing. So many other nations get kids out traveling early and programs abroad. I think we all need more of it!
Thanks Sherry was a blast and Mary Ann too!
HOW STUNNING THE HOMES AND GRASS WERE FLYING IN………….
I WILL NOT BRING UP WHAT I JUST READ ABOUT LAWNS!!!WHO KNEW NOT ME!!
I DO NOT SEE HOW YOU GET OUT SO MUCH WITH FRIENDS AND DO WHAT YOU DO!
TOSS TENNIS IN THERE TOO!
XXX
I know and apparently people don’t water there? At least that is what someone said as it’s so damp and humid? All I could think is that they need riding mowers! It does look like I am busy.. But just a few things here and there. I love tennis! Usually just twice a week…
xo
Hi Kim,
It looks and sounds like you had a great time in Georgia. It’s too bad Annie and Juliet caught Covid and had to cancel the trip. I’m sure you learned lots. You girls looked cute together. Always look fashionable.
I so relate to your inherited fear that you have had to work on and overcome. Thank you for
sharing your story. I so relate to feeling anxious about certain circumstances. I was raised the same way. I’m much older than you, and it’s still present in my life. That being said I loved the Georgia O’Keeffe sentiment. It’s an excellent reminder. I admire that you moved forward to travel by yourself. You “go girl.” Hotel Portofino
looks really good, PBS is always so good.
HI Katherine! Aww thank you! It helps to hear that others feel some of the same sort of anxiety.. I guess many of us carry a little of that inherited fear..I hate to blame my mother, but sadly she had it, so I know I could be giving the same to my kids! I am always trying to evolve and be my better self and not miss out on life! I suppose I will always working on it! Georgia and her words will be on my pin board!
Yes you must get into Hotel Portofino. It’s only 6 episodes, but so addicting and a great escape! xoxo
Kim! My FOMO continues … although now it’s past tense FOMO. What do we call that?! Everything about the trip … the hotel, restaurants, your wardrobe, Mary Ann, Sherry … everyone and everything looks amazing and I’m still crying into my cocoa over missing it. That said, you’ve done a beautiful job documenting it and I have such a great sense of what it must have been like. I too have a little bit of travel apprehension. My mom was scared of doing a lot of things too … and a lot of that stuck with me. I’m so proud of you for pushing through to triumph. And there is something to be said for traveling alone. Not worrying about what someone else is doing, wanting, thinking. Uber intimidates me too … but it’s so easy, right? All and all I feel a little bit like I was there with you guys. Thank you. This vintage shop looks awesome and I need to go. I do love vintage shopping and don’t do it enough. We have some really good shops around here too. Frank & Eileen is a new brand to me and I love it. What a find! Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start. xo
You know this would have been much more fun with you and Annie. We will do this over. I amazing glad I’m not the only one with travel anxiety. It’s pretty common I think. Yes, after traveling with family for 20 years, it’s a treat to be alone!! I’m glad you are better Juliet and honestly I would not have gone to this without you, so thank you. xoxo
P.S. Maybe we need a field trip to consignment shops!
Glad you went and things went smoothly.
I follow Sherrie—love her blog —she is also funny.
Sheila isn’t she funny? I not only love Sherry’s style and design, but she cracks me up. She’s like that in person- and beautiful too. She looks about 20 years younger than she is and so natural.
Wasn’t ‘The Guncle’ a great book? I sent the suggestion to Mary Ann and she said she listened to the audio book. And the cool thing is all the locations from the book are really here-in Palm Springs! Another fun but a little wackier is ‘A Star is Bored’, written by the husband of the ‘Guncle’s’ author. Doesn’t everyone love a book about love? And not mushy love but family love, best friend love and a tiny bit of romantic love.
Loved that book and I hear there are making a movie which would be so good. I actually was crying reading it and laughing out loud on the plane! I know I was thinking about PS and that I needs a trip back there. Ooh thank you I am going now to check that one out too. Sounds fun! Thanks Laura.
Wow, Kim, BRAVO to you for conquering your fears and coming! I love that Anthro dress. You looked so darling in it.
You should definitely take Max to that restaurant someday…so delicious.
I’m so tempted to buy that pretty vase!
Thanks Mary Ann. Your enthusiasm rubbed off on me and I am so glad we went! I adore you. xo
Those pyjamas are adorable. I love them and I also love the vase. It is so pretty. I am trying hard to only shop for things I need but I need to get some linen things as I need to get rid of all synthetic fibres from my wardrobe. Our summer’s seem to be getting older or synthetic fibres no longer agree with me ( a side effect of getting older?) so I am mostly trying to wear dotting and linen.
That was meant to be cotton not dotting!!
I knew! xx
Lorna linen is so good right? I feel like my linen pieces last forever and have two sets of linen pjs also. They just have been a little hot for now.. I am doing a post Tuesday on linen with Cindy and Sarah, so check it out and let us know your feedback on linen.. xo
I just love your blog, and always look forward to reading up on your wonderful finds – and treat myself to them too at times! I just purchased the vase, so thank you for mentioning it’s on sale. Do you have a link to your rattan pendants please, that are over the vase? And good on you for traveling solo. I think so many have a fear of flying, me included. But go figure – my husband is a commercial airline pilot!
Hi Ann! Thank you so much for saying that! I love that vase so much. And thank you, glad to know others feel the same about flying! Wow I guess you go on a lot of trips with a pilot husband? Still we can’t help a little of that feeling right? Even if you travel a lot..
My rattan pendants are from Serena & Lily Headlands pendants in natural and in the small size. I just got them and am really happy with them. They are on sale right now too..
The link is here:
https://rstyle.me/+zf2D59Thfh4BU3VupQHcLA
Thank you for the kind note!
Kim, I came back here to add something to my previous comment and I don’t even see it. I don’t know what happened. Let me start again, I am so happy that you had a safe, adventurous and interesting trip to GA. IT is a beautiful place, How wonderful to meet Sherry, she is an incredible designer. The Thistlewood group has so many friendly ladies that I am sure you were surrounded by smiling friendly faces they whole weekend.
I love your outfits, so many beautiful dresses. I LOVE dresses and I as soon as this comment goes through I am off to check them out. And the jammies too.
I concur with the Contessa, how do you do it all? Tennis, house, Tahoe, blog and fun lunch dates, adventures with your friends?
I have Guncle on my iPad, it’s my next book to read. Thank you for the Hotel Portifini suggestion.
Have a wonderful week, looking forward to chatting with you.
Elizabeth, no worries..Yes Sherry Hart is such a cool woman and so talented. The Thistlewood people are all SO nice. I don’t know if I am dong it all very well, ha. You guys are nice. I’m usually behind deadline and a mess! You also are the same remodeling and making amazing desserts and finding a zillion fun links!!
I hope you like The Guncle!! And Hotel P is a pure joy and escape!! I wish it had more episodes. xo
Oh, Kim, I knew you were hesitant about solo travel, but I had no idea it stemmed from your mom worrying about you flying! I can’t imagine the thoughts racing through your mind at the slightest bit of turbulence thinking of your mom’s words. I just watched the Portofino trailer… the perfect distraction! I think I’ll save that for my flight to Paris next month!
I sure missed seeing you and Mary Ann in Atlanta!
xx
Annie I know, I guess these things stay with you, but I am overcoming it! I’ve even been getting okay with turbulants! The Portofino show will be perfect for your Paris trip!! We missed you so much in Atlanta..xo