It’s time for our Weekend Meanderings with Elizabeth and Juliet ! It’s been a week so this extra holiday weekend is much needed by all here in America I think.. We are heading to Tahoe for a few days and I hope we will to get some quality nature and family time in and if I’m lucky some reading by the lake..
A few good things this week..
Nancy Meyer’s Home Remodel in AD
I was very excited to hear Nancy Meyer’s own Provençal style Los Angeles home was going to be featured in Architectural Digest this month after my Instagram friend in the Netherlands alerted me. Thanks Sally!
This article delivered with many beautiful photos of the home and Nancy herself. In the article Nancy tells how once she was an empty nester in the house where she raised her daughters, she felt it was too large, so began building a smaller replica of her home next door. In the interim two years while it was being built, she had fun changing up the original with paint and little tweaks, and fell back in love with it, stayed and sold the new build. The California classicist, Mark D. Sikes did the design with her and there is more about how they worked together in the July issue of the magazine.
You could say her style is California elegant- lots of white, punctuated natural elements like rattan, a little black here and there, stacks of books, pretty pillows, lovely pieces of art, and fresh flowers. This is good living at it’s best and her interiors always look comfortable and inviting! I’m all for this kind of style that’s homey more than showy.
Are you a Nancy Meyer’s fan? If so I am interested to know what’s your favorite film or interior? My favorite is It’s Complicated, and the Santa Barbara home of the baker heroine played by Meryl Streep. The whole article and all the photos online here or in the July issue of AD.
Wimbledon Chat
Are you glued to the television like we are during Wimbledon? I have been trying to limit myself to one match a day, sometimes I record it and watch in the evening. I’m rooting for all the young players who are making it up the ranks. Emma Raducanu who won the French Open is one of my favorites.. How do you like her $37,000 worth of pearls and diamonds she is wearing? Apparently she is sponsored by Tiffany! I just wonder how much sun and sweat those kind of pearls can take?
Also loving Coco Gaufe and I am a fan of Tsitsipas only because he looks like my teen crush Bjorn Borg who adorned my teenager walls.
Vogue has a fun piece with the best on court looks at Wimbledon over the years. You know they are very strict still and you are supposed to wear white and only white, no exceptions, and no accents! They still ask people to change clothes. Some of my favorites from the article.
Lunch date in Danville
Last Friday I met Juliet for a working lunch and a little shopping. I hadn’t been to Danville in about twenty years and it has changed a lot. The little downtown is very charming and there are many sweet shops and restaurants. We stopped in two of them, Eye for Pretty a wonderful home shop, and Flaunt, that has home and beautiful clothing. Flaunt is owned by Ashley, who writes the fun blog, Modern Glam Home. Both are great shops and Juliet and I were dying over so many things..
Juliet at Eye for Pretty, above
Flaunt below .. I loved this dress on Juliet in the blue stripe with little lemons. It was made for our Ms Spritzer..and she looks good in everything !
Juliet made us reservations at the cutest restaurant, Locando Ravello, where I had caprese salad and she had a chicken parmigiana.. I highly recommend the very authentic and delicious Italian food here. Normally you’d want to sit outdoors in the cute patio, but that day was nearly 100, so we opted for inside.I plan on coming back here with Max some summer evening.
I loved the blue decor, which reminded me of Sorrento. The caprese dish was so delicious, it inspired me to recreate it in a small version on our Travel Inspired Appetizers, earlier this week, in case you missed it.
Serena & Lily Sale
I know I have mentioned Serena & Lily sales before, but I get a lot of inquiries about my house things like my Montara Mirror below, and I like to let people know when their things go on sale. Right now the entire site is 20% off – use code SPLASH.
It’s also a great time to get their towels which I love, and I am seriously considering three of these Headlands Pendants for above my kitchen island. My current ones are no longer functioning, and these have a pretty look and decent price too..
From the S&L website.. I kind of love this look..
The Serena & Lily sale ends on July 5th.
Our rights…
Thanks to all who read and left messages, many very personal about the overturning of Roe last week. I was so moved by the comments and some private messages, which I will share on stories. I am collecting them all. Women amaze me, what we go through in our lives with pregnancies, births, and also those living with the trauma of sexual assault..
More of us than not, have had struggles with all of these things and yet we are stoic. So many move through life and others don’t even know what scars we are carrying. It blows me away the bravery and toughness of women and the selflessness. That’s one reason why taking the right to decide what happens to our own bodies and consequently, our lives, for half the nation is beyond cruel.
This article about the participants of a years long landmark study was a shocking and sad comparison of what the lives were like in later years for the women who were denied abortion, compared to those who were not.
Amy Odell’s Back Row ( an excellent blog) this week, exposed the hypocrisy by some companies who say they’ll support women needing abortion help, and yet have money going to PACs that support lawmakers who have be vocally opposed to Roe.
An article we all need to read on Global Citizen- ‘What happens in nations where abortion is banned? Lessons from around the world.’
This page has all the abortion funds in the United States by area, so you can choose to help a fund near to your home, or perhaps one that needs more support.
Well that’s my meanderings for this week. Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs and see what’s on their minds this week..
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Thank you for being here.
Kim
If you missed last weeks meanderings, living like an Italian, California casual dresses, a day trip in Aptos, a cite Santa Cruz cottage for sale and more here.
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Kim! I just started subscribing to AD again…it was the tote bag and now I can’t wait to get my July issue! It’s the 2nd, where the heck is it? I adore her home. It’s the little touches that I love! It’s Complicated and then the one with her daughter…the homes are just so good! I watch over and over!
We have been watching Wimbledon every night! We love it! I did notice Emma’s pearls and thought how appropriate to wear white pearls…had no idea Tiffany’s was sponsoring her!
Annie what is the deal with the subscriptions?? I am the same.. It’s Complicated is just a fun escape. I should watch it again I need the laugh. I haven’t seen her daughter’s film..
Yes isn’t that interesting about the pearls? They do look pretty with her white! xx
Kim, really enjoyed your post today . I meant to comment last week about Roe but I think at that time I was so busy with what I could do to protest this egregious SC decision. I am 71 yrs old now and I remember when abortion was illegal before 1973. It was terrible. Women jailed, women suppressed, women committing suicide or attempting to self abort.
I worked in a hospital in Houston in 1970-1971 where wealthy women often would be admitted for an overnight stay in the general surgery wing where they had a “D&C “ the next morning , then they went home. Yes, wealthy women could get abortions. Yet, Texas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the US.
I know a 15 yr old who was raped by her dad every day for a year. She was put into the foster system when he was caught. She stayed there until his trial. He was convicted, and is now in prison. She lives with her mom. I do not know if the girl ever became pregnant and I did not ask. But how terrible for her!
I too was sexually abused by a family member at age 10 thru 12. Girls who suffer thru that just live with it daily. I blocked my experience. My childhood was traumatic.
I became pregnant at age 42 and my Dr told me it was not viable and the fetus/ embryo was “ sloughing off body parts” after an ultrasound was performed. He advised me to get an abortion to avoid infection. Now that would be illegal .
Oh so much more but I will stop my ranting now. Thanks for letting me vent!
Now that I am older , I can dwell on more pleasant things! Like shopping!
Have a great 4th !
Marcia, Thank you so much for taking the time to share this here. Gosh how many women (many children) are living with the trauma of sexual assault? I have had so many women telling me their stories, those who are living with it… The numbers have to be in the millions in this country. Yet we want to compound that suffering by insisting these same women must carry any of these pregnancies that come as a result to term? What life does that benefit? Not the mother and surely not the child who is a result..
I aim sorry for your miscarriage, but that gives a picture to those who don’t understand a later term abortion, which is almost always for the health of the mother or abnormality of the fetus. This is a health choice. The wealthy women getting abortions does not surprise me. Texas of all the states should be looking into the health of the mothers with their horrific mortality rate.
Women also have heartbeats, but they don’t seem to care about those lives.
Stories of women who have been through the history of this country and seen both sides are so needed now. Thank you so so much for your voice.
Take care.
I have already devoured that architectural digest issue. Everything Nancy Meyers does is so good! And the new home or should I say the new old home is no exception. I lived in Danville for 35 years. It is such a charming town and I certainly miss it for Fourth of July when we have our fantastic parade. I always look forward to going back and shopping in the sweet little shops. I guess after living in Danville for all those years, I still consider it my town!!
Have a wonderful fourth.
Martha
Martha, I’m still waiting for my issue. I can’t wait! I remember that Danville home. Weren’t you in Better Homes?? It sure is a charming town and I love a good July fourth parade. Next time you are up here we all have to meet there. Have a great fourth Martha. xo
Excellent, excellent blog this week-such a pleasure to read and so full of information. You are so thorough in your writings and research, much appreciated, and I always look forward to the next posting. Thank you and happy 4th of July!
Thank you so much Pam for that. Means a lot. Wishing you a goof fourth too.
Good morning, Kim! We’re thinking along the same lines today. Nancy’s home is magnificent and everything you’d expect from her … and the amazing Mr. Sikes. Love your love of tennis and Wimbledon in particular. My dad was an avid tennis player and fan and I remember having a little crush on Bjorn too. I love to see what everyone’s wearing and how they try to push the envelope with the strict dress codes. So excited about the Serena & Lily sale … I can’t get enough of their things and that discount is a big help. On a less great note, I’m devastated by the continued stripping away of rights by the court in this session. I fear it will only get worse and we must continue to be informed and do what we can to support efforts to fight back against this destructive turn our country is taking. Sigh. On that note, I hope you and Max have a lovely time in Tahoe … the lake, the mountains, all of nature should be a wonderful mood lifter. xo
P.S. Our lunch date, blog research and planning session was so much fun!!! xo
We need more working lunches! xo
HI Juliet. I guess all three of us were excited about Nancy Meyers! Wasn’t Bjorn a handsome guy? He was alawwwasys such a gentlemen too . I love when he is at these tournaments. He’s still cute!
The nice part about S&L things is they are excellent quality and really last, but I do try and wait for the sales like now!
I am very worried about rights for everyone – and what its coming next from this court.
Have a beautiful weekend too! xx
Hi Kim,
I’m a fan of all Nancy Meyers movies but It’s Complicated is my number one. I often quote it when I walk by mirrors these days (“Is that what I look like?” 😅) I enjoyed your day in Danville – I will have to check out the shops and restaurant you mentioned next time I am down there visiting my sister. It’s been 20 years since I lived there and feel like most of the shops have changed hands. Looks like it’s still a fun outing, though.
Wendy I love that the best too. I forgot that line.. I feel it!!
Yes check out Danville.. I need to go back. So much to get to there I didn’t even mention!
Kim, oh my goodness. I told Juliet that great minds think alike…so fun that we are all drawn to the same things and that Nancy Meyer made it on all of our blogs today! Her house is perfection as are all of the movie houses. I love the house in the Holiday, actually the little cottage and her brothers fabulous house.
I’ve not watched any of Wimbledon but I have been keeping up on the action. So many amazing players. I think Venus and Serena were instrumental in changing the tennis whites and pushing the boundary of what people considered acceptable.
Roe vs Wade has been on my mind, one of the things among many is the amount of people that are “trolling” influencers to try to make them take a stand or make a statement. I’ve said this before, I really do not care of people make a “one times” statement, if you are an influencer and you want to influence people you cannot make one statement and then go back to pushing Amazon clothes and waist trainers, or you can and then your “activism” is useless. I am not saying that people need to talk about the issues all of the time but if this is something that you are passionate about than keep us updated on your thoughts and what we can do.
BY You, I mean everyone, I am not just signaling you out Kim.
You have an engaged following and I believe we are all like minded and would love to hear more from your followers, you and any interest articles, etc you find.
Have a wonderful weekend Kim! xo
Elizabeth I have to laugh about us all doing the same…I have to watch The Holiday again! Serena & Venus have been leaders and Venus is directly responsible for equal pay for men and women on the court too!
I did hear from a friend that people are asking some of the larger influencers to weigh in where they stand. Many I think they are remaining quiet while abortion became completely banned now in Utah, and other places. It’s hard to know what each person should do, but with this being a human right, I personally feel like those who have a platform, and sell a ‘perfect’ lifestyle.. could advocate for women, or be frank about their position. The thing is they don’t want to lose all those women buying their things do they? One person who has spoken out is Erin Gates, Element of Style, who has struggled being a mom. I appreciate her voice and it feels authentic and needed right now.
For me, I can’t see mentioning something once and then never bringing it up again. This is not going away, and if I can, I’ll keep up the ways we can help others and personally rage about this. I’m truly horrified and to me, we can’t live a beautiful life, while looking the other way about it all..But that’s just me.
xo
Suppose legislation was introduced that required men who fathered a child “out of wedlock” to have a mandatory vasectomy? Imagine the uproar that would ensue about robbing men of their agency in such a way. I attended a year of high school in a small town in Arizona that was heavily populated by members of a very conservative religion. If a girl got pregnant, she AND the boy were suspended from school. It was hardly equitable, but at least it was evenly inequitable.
Years ago I happened to be listening to talk radio while waiting to pick up my daughter from school. The conservative commentator was droning on about the ills of “loose morals.” I have never forgotten one of his comments: “Society has always relied on the woman to say no.” Dwell on that for a moment. In other words, if you’re a “yes” girl, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. (That is, until you have married, at which point you damn well better be a yes girl and perform your wifely duties.)
I realize I’m all over the place on this topic, but my scattered thoughts are in direct correlation to its basic INSANITY.
Sarah I’ve thought this week a few times about how men have no restrictions on their bodies, can they even imagine how that would be?
There must be more accountability for the men who are half responsible for these pregnancies, and it needs to be written in legislation, but so far I see no movement from anyone, especially those who demand women give birth. Maybe women need to work and get that into law.
That commentator sounds like someone from the dark ages, but increasingly those kind of thoughts are bubbling up from past decades. Let’s not go backwards. I have even had conservative members of our family send me notes. In places like Kentucky and other religious pockets, people actually think that way.
It is insanity, and the rest of the world is horrified. We must not stay quiet! xo
I’m a day late here to comment, but I will say that your blog Kim is my favorite to read. You always seem to hit all the things that I like ie. Interiors, day trips and travel, architecture, cooking, casual fashion,, and good books. Your comments and opinions on current events are always welcomed by me, and I think it creates an avenue for healthy and stimulating discussion. Keep up the great blog work!!
Thank you Karen! What a nice thing to say. It’s all the things I am interested in, so we must have similar tastes. I know the current events are just hard to ignore right now. All of us women need to weigh in and I so appreciate the comments and thoughts of everyone. Thanks for being here..It’s the best part about doing this! x
Hi Kim,
I enjoyed the articles you shared on companies and their positions on abortion. No surprise, it sure makes you wonder. I hope this is not the beginning of America going backwards.
It looks like you had a fun working day in Danville.
Hope you are having a relaxing time at your home in Tahoe and had some quiet time to read.
Thanks so much Katherine. It’s upsetting to see the same companies who want to do well, then giving money on back channels to those overturning our rights and a lot of other shady stuff. These big companies need to stop. They can’t have it both ways. Thanks Tahoe was good! hope you had a relaxing weekend too.
Hi Kim
LOVE Nancy Meyers and everything she does. I have been meaning to post about it so now I don’t need to !! Roe V Wade…shocking…disarming…I don’t even know what to say. Danville is such a cute town isn’t it? It is in my daughter’s hood but I rarely check out the cute places because we are doing Summer stuff!
I know wouldn’t you love to just hang out with her? She seems fun and normal.. I love Danville and need to go back. You should check out some of those cute shops and great restaurants. take summer to ice cream there. Juliet and I enjoyed it.
The overturning of Roe is horrific and we need a groundswell movement with all of those who support it voting, marching and speaking out. x