On this post..spring colors that are trending in home and fashion, white jeans to add a lift to your winter staples, skin cleansers you might need and more..
Well this has been a sad in California with two terrible shootings. So many innocent people living their lives, dancing with their friends, celebrating, and others just trying to make ends meet. All were at the mercy of unhappy or unstable people with access to guns.
The need for the assault weapon ban is urgent. When we let the assault weapon ban expire, mass shooting rose 245% in America. I don’t give up hope we can do this and it’s going to take reeducating our nation and pointing out that the majority of countries in this world, live with sane gun regulations and have gun deaths in the single digits each year. We need to prioritize human lives over guns. It’s that simple.
Gabrielle Blair, has written some common sense posts it, and I recommend her thoughts. We must imagine and do the hard work to create a life in America with less guns because if we keep going as we are, we are doomed.
White jeans to give your winter wardrobe a boost
I found my basket of white jeans on the closet floor this week and thought I’d start wearing them with chunky sweaters and jackets. Just about now, white jeans are a mood lifter and just what we need to give the warm winter staples a punch. You’ll find adding a white jean to your black sweaters super chic and neutrals like greys, camels, and beiges looks very luxe and transitional for the seasons.
Get your white denim out and try mixing it up. I’ve seen very cute looks with white jeans, winter boots and puffer jackets too..
When I shared the photo on Instagram, a few people wanted suggestions for good white jeans. I suggest a thicker cotton and straight leg, not a skinny. Mine are these (very few left), but another option with zip fly are these from J.Crew . Other options are these from Paige, these from Mother always rated highly, and these from AGOLDE, and these in off-white, and these Gap jeans are a great price.
2023 Spring Color Story
This week on our Instagram LIVE with Juliet, we discussed the 2023 color trends, and for spring the colors are most definitely skewing towards pastels, think Easter colors, with a twist. Pinks have a purply or magenta hue, there is a lot of lavender, soft pistachio greens ( you could call it celery if you prefer) and baby duck yellows. This seems to be the case with interiors as well as clothes. You will see these tones in home decor, usually as a punctuating factor in a neutral rooms and with bits of dark blues, Kelly greens, and magenta thrown in there.
This is just a sampling of the this trend in my mail this week..
I am noticing a lot of yellow+magneta ( kind of fresh), baby blue+mauve ( the 80’s forever ), and the celery thrown in with all these tones..(Max once dubbed this color ‘Shamrock Shake’ which forever wrecked the way I felt about a Sage wall, but I digress.)
I have added a few pieces in pastel to my neutral coffee table with a book, a box for my remotes, and a pretty candle..
Spring Color Trends in Fashion..
This color story continues with retailers. J. Crew got on this trend tout sweet and has many pretty options and even t-shirts, should you only wish to dip your toe in this pastel kaliedescope. Did you know the term, ‘tout sweet’ evolved from American soldiers mangling the French ‘tout de suite’, which means immediately, during WWI? Sort of interesting! …AND back to the subject.
I made a collage of these trending tones and the point isn’t to wear them all together, well you could, but more to inspire you to add a piece in these shades to your spring look..It just takes a new shoe, a top or a bag to mix with what you already own..and if you own any of these colors, get them back out!
I love the Lady jacket in denim, Nicole Wittenberg Sweet William T-shirt, and this stripe shirt is giving me vintage Esprit vibes, pink loafers, pink cashmere sweater (wonderful to wear as a scarf too), Tevas in sherbert tones, jeans from J. Crew, Gucci Violet Sunglasses, and the prettiest spring green crossbody bucket from Tory Burch.
Skincare Part II – Cleansers
Last week I shares my skincare faves and neglected to share my cleansing routine, which is really the most important thing and can improve your skin perhaps more than any cream. I have to be honest, I get lazy during the cold months and sometimes don’t wash efficiently at night. After the holidays I stepped up my cleansing by adding this organic Klorane micellular cleanser which removes all my makeup easily before my regular cleanser. It also helps my cleanser be more effective.
I clean with this gel to oil cleanser which I love for these drier months, from Shiseido’s Clean and natural Waso line. I also added a toner. I’ve been sans toner for a long time, but I kept reading how important this step is to remove the residue and set the skin up for your night routine. I choose this Indie Lee Toner with Co-q10 and hyaluronic acid, which is also clean with no toxic ingredients.. Just the addition of these two steps improved my skin visibly in less than a week! My skin looks clearer and much brighter. Step up your cleansing and you will see changes. A good habit to begin in the new year.
The Sea Glass House
I will be bringing back my house of the week soon, but real estate listings have been lean. I did notice one of my favorite houses on the scenic drive around Carmel Beach is up for sale. You can see all the details on Sea Glass here. Who wouldn’t mind living in this glass house?
Other things..
First Lady Jill Biden’s beautiful inaugural ensembles were added to the Smithsonian’s First Ladies exhibit this week. I loved her dresses, especially the white by Gabriel Hurst. Included were all had custom masks, as it took place in the middle of the pandemic. She is the only First Lady to ever have those. I wonder what we will think when we look back one day…and what we lived through and are still emerging from..Read more about Dr Biden’s dresses and the ceremony here.
Without wading too much into the Prince Harry debate, as I know it’s quite charged, I listened to his memoir, and there are a million articles and opinion pieces on it all, but I felt this piece in NYTimes really said something none of the others did and I quite liked it.
Cindy had a very stylish California girl on her Ageless style this week. Wren is a friend I have made through Instagram, and a very sweet person who lives in SLO ( San Louis Obispo), and has fantastic casual chic. I think you’ll love this post on her!
Next week I’ll be joining a few others on Thursday with fun Valentine’s Day ideas.. so if you aren’t subscribed, you can below!
If you missed last week’s post – I shared ideas for a dining room refresh, San Francisco houses, skincare I am loving, and more..
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s lovely blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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All sounds so Fresh and Spring like!
I hear we will have SUN today♥️
Xxx
I know so excited!! Enjoy the sun and your weekend.xo
Hello, Kim,
I’ve enjoyed your posts and I’ve shared your blog w friends!
I am looking for a pair of comfortable- black loafers and was wondering which ones you are wearing in the white jean/ shacket photo- so cute! Thanks for sharing!
I live in Colorado so a good sole is most helpful too!
Trish
Hi Trish! Thank you so much for reading – and for sharing! So nice of you. I hear you about a good sole, especially in winter!
I just got these loafers in the fall and they are super comfy from Madewell..
https://rstyle.me/+I-k6Ox2kg4rmMsAZ9ov74Q
Also I love these that they just got in..a bit more heel..
https://rstyle.me/+4cIy14OzPJ0plDxx-G6o6g
And if you want a lug sole they even have a Mary Jane so cute with one..
https://rstyle.me/+schqtOiqt-J1P_acHvSNHQ
Hope that helps!
Happy weekend.
Thanks, Kim, I’ll check them out !
I just ordered a pair of tan Aldo w similar sole so I’ll compare the two.
Hi Kim,
As always I appreciate your passion for activism to move our country in a more humane direction. Your idea to resurrect the white jean now to lift our spirit will be my mission today.
Thank you for the great white jean resources.
Rosalie
Rosalie, Thanks I just can’t write without mentioning what happened this week here. I am also heartbroken about the young man that was beaten. So much change we need and we can do it. I am so hopeful.
Have fun getting the white jeans out. xo
Kim, that lip gloss essay (Harry’s memoir) IS really lovely and a new perspective. Thanks.
Lisa, So glad you liked it too.
Kim, I agree with your opinion on banning assault weapons . It definitely saves lives. I appreciate you mentioning it. I live in Texas (DFW area) and we are 30 years behind in forward thinking. Maybe someday people will learn what “Bearing arms” means.
Hope the massive flooding has subsided in California. I am one Texan who loves visiting your state. Have a wonderful week!
Hi Marcia, Thanks so much for your feedback here. Glad to hear others feel the same. We did it one and can do it again. I feel for Texans as you all have also had some terrible gun violence. I know so many good Texans who want change too. Let’s hope we are on the cusp of a sea change soon.. We can’t keep living this way!
Thankfully it’s sunny this week and we are dry finally here.
Hope you have a wonderful week too.
Hi Kim,
Nice post, so much to absorb. I’ve never been a pastel girl but I have a few accessories that might work to bring in the spring!
Sun is shining, but it’s so cold. Not ready to give up my socks yet but I copied your outfit from the other day and wore my white jeans, black oversized turtleneck sweater and black booties yesterday. I felt very chic! And, I didn’t get my jeans dirty which was a plus in my book!
Have a good weekend,
Heidi
Heidi I am back to socks today! I bet your white jeans and black looked great… I know so hard keeping the white jeans unscathed!
Hope you have a good weekend!xo
Hi Kim, I’m going to unsubscribe from your blog. I have enjoyed many of your posts, and tried to ignore when you get political, but, I think I’m done. I read blogs like your’s to relax. We are bombarded with politics from every direction, and, I need a break. Fortunately, there are many talented, interesting bloggers who don’t share their political views. That is certainly your right, and I don’t mean to be critical, just going to move on.
Susan that is your choice. I couldn’t let this week in California go by without mentioning this. Making this nation safer by having less lethal weapons should NEVER be political. I want to go to the movies and to the farmer’s market and not have worry about safety. I don’t want to stress about my dad getting gunned down at his grocery store, or my children being taken out by an unhappy individual. We cannot make this change if we bury our heads in the sand and call it ‘politics.’
This is human rights and safety. Lives need to prioritized over guns.
Guns should never be political – if one cares about saving humanity. What a sorry state of affairs when guns mean more than people… I enjoyed reading about your cleansing routine. At 79, my own is shameful – a squeeze of liquid soap on a paper towel. Sigh. I tried finding Wren Mean on Instagram since I’m a gray pixie gal, but nothing came up. Could you share?
Thanks Lynn ..so agree it is only about lives! I don’t understand how people would ever choose guns over their loved ones. You know Lynn, you cleaning routine sounds like my grandmothers..She was all about paper towels and she said they exfoliated better! She had great skin.
Isn’t Wren great? I will see if she has a public Instagram! xo
Kim, so good of you to voice your obvious concerns. The latest news has been very distressing. As a Canadian, we too have some terrible times with unstable people taking peoples’ lives. We just had the anniversary of a horrible shooting at a mosque in Quebec. Guns are out there, perhaps not to the extent of the USA, and sadly now we learn that they can be produced with a computer with no traceable origin.
On a more upbeat subject, you have me thinking about purchasing my first pair of white jeans! I have successfully trimmed down by consistent ( fun) exercise, and feel rather confident that I can wear white jeans at age 72+! I like the black sweater combo, and especially tan for a top / shoes.
As for my skin care, I am booked at the esthetician next to my Pilates studio for a facial next week…special on for February 👍…trying for three a year. Lise Watier is a Canadian brand that I use every evening with good results.
Hi Cath, I agree so scary about guns that people can make .. I remember that terrible tragedy in Quebec.
Yay you and you will have fun with the white jeans and black/tan look! So nice you are treating yourself. I need to do that facial package kind of thing. I will look up Lisa Water. Thank you!
Lise Watier , Kim… out of Montreal. C🐞
Got it! Love that it is Canadian.
PS reading Celeste Ng… OUR MISSING HEARTS …chilling.
author of Little Fires Everywhere, which was excellent.
Okay marking that one too..xx
Try LISE WATIER , Kim
Catherine 🐞
Thanks Catherine!! Looking now.
Kim, I enjoyed our chat on new color trends … and I do mean color. I always appreciate your more educated and refined perspective. Your collage!!! I pinned it and want every single piece you included. When I walked through Nordstrom this week I was really struck by how our color story has changed. So glad you mentioned white jeans, I’m looking for a pair of winter white as well. Thrilled to toss my white skinnies … and look forward to finding a pair with a looser fit (straight leg) and heavier fabric. You’ve offered so many great suggestions … and I love the pair you’re wearing. Thanks for speaking out again on gun violence. Another week we’ve been bombarded with multiple incidents of unnecessary violence and death. We seem headed in a not great direction and I’ve given up on the idea of things turning around. I want to be wrong but I’m pessimistic in this moment. Sigh. On a happier note, the sun is out, although it’s very cold and I feel a little spring in the air. Hope your weekend is off to a nice start … great post today. xo
You did a fantastic job on the color front.. Love all the inspiration! I just ordered another white jean.. They don’t last too long unlike blue ones. I am always looking for the perfect fit!
It is hard not to get discouraged with these awful shootings. I am hoping we have a sea change and people start to realize other nations are living better lives, safer lives and the only difference is sane gun laws.
Kim l applaud you for writing about guns. Thank you. My husband and l were up late into the night talking about it. It is terrifying how easy it is to get a weapon and equally terrifying how vulnerable law abiding citizens are dealing with the lack of gun laws. Mental illness is up big time everyone, Modern day stress and social isolation Is all around. An elementary child shot his teacher. I worry all the time now about being in crowded spaces and l get anxious going to a movie theatre, we should not live like this. And most of all l worry for all American children and the teachers and my future grandchildren when the schools are so vulnerable for shootings. Honestly l find it so defeating this apathy. Thank you Kim for bringing this up. BTW l like the Anthropology jacket with the white jeans…🥰Have a safe weekend.
Hi Francesca, I am feeling as you are after this past week. You sometimes feel safe in a state with strict gun laws, but the facts are we are only as safe as our neighbor’s laws. We are surrounded by states that won’t step up and regulate and allow carry and selling, so unless we had a wall, we are at the mercy of their laws! I think about my kids at college and work and everyone, and you just never know. I can’t give up hoping for change! There are more people who agree with regulation and sane laws than not, and we only have to look to Australia, Canada and New Zealand to see how they made change.
Thanks about the Anthro jacket! I was going to link, but it’s sold out.
Take care and happy weekend. xo
Hi Kim,
Thank you for sharing your concerns and comments on gun violence in the U.S. . I enjoyed reading what Gabrielle Blair has to say. I so agree on her comment about this being “human violence and the horrible feeling that so many of of us carry from perhaps past experiences and the lack of freedom to feel safe. Human life seems to be nothing to people that are off the tracks and off in general. The gun lobbies are a big part of the problem. To walk into our local grocery store and see s person displaying their gun on their belt is so unnecessary and worse yet to go with a friend to have a coffee to have to sit in the patio with a man displaying his gun. Of course I feel frightened. That is the intention and the right to bare arms. Oh brother that law needs to be revised.
I too feel concerned when I’m out and about and my friends and loved ones that they in safe surroundings.
I so enjoy hearing your opinions and thank goodness we don’t all see things the same way.
It creates for interesting conversation. I’m so glad you are with it and speak your mind.
Hi Katherine, Thanks I appreciate Gabrielle’s post and refuting the arguments used here why we need to have so many guns, unlike other nations.
I know you are in Arizona, and my son is now there a lot visiting his girlfriend in med school and they were excited to go to the Farmer’s Market. I said send photos as I wanted to see what they are selling now – same as California or different.. Sadly they sent me a photo of kiosks of people selling purses for open carry. I have to say I was shocked. I think they were too. No way does that feel safer. I feel sad because I adore Arizona.
I hope that can change!
Love hearing everyone’s thoughts and won’t shut anyone down here. Thanks always for your comments!! xo
Hi Kim
Thank you so much for mentioning my interview with Wren. She is such an inspiration. I need to check out some of your white jean sources. I found a pair of wide legs that I like, now I need another pair that does not make me look like a sausage!!
Isn’t she darling? You both are stylish inspiration!
Kim, the world is indeed a scary place. But one person can make a change. I applaud you for taking a stand.
White jeans are my favorite, I wear them all year long. I don’t really go for trends or the rules of fashion. I wear whatever I like. As for the bright happy colors, magenta is a beautiful “neutral”, you can pair it with black, white, add a pop of the color with a scarf or jewelry. So many great options.
A few weeks ago I noticed both J. Crew and Boden were both on this color train.
You always looks very stylish, that jacket looks beautiful with your white jeans.
As for the glass house, I would live in it! So beautiful.
Skin care, can I be honest. I am just not that into make-up or skin products. I use a mask once a week, then every other day I alternate between a scrub and a moisturizing wash. As for moisturizing cream, I don’t like it. I have the greasy feeling but I do use L’oreal regenerist a few days a week. And I recently ordered Cerave because like many my dermatologist recommended it.
Have a wonderful weekend, stay warm.
xox
Thanks Elizabeth. It’s been hard with the violence in our state this week.. We aren’t used to this kind of stuff and unless we get nationwide gun change, we aren’t any more protected.
I love magenta ..One of my favorite colors. I have to check out Boden. Haven’t stopped there for a while.
You probably have naturally great skin! Nice not to feel dry. My husband is the same.
Hope you have a lovely Sunday. xx
Hi Kim,
I love the look of white jeans with neutrals, and yours look really great with that taupe jacket. But it just gets too messy here, maybe in springtime, i.e. by May!
I really like oil cleansers for my first cleanse – I’m using a Japanese one right now – and the Avène cleansing lotion afterwards. I use a hot cloth to take it all off and it feels good.
We have also been so sad (and frustrated and angry) about the shootings and the police brutality that have been such a big part of the news this week. We are going to a family wedding in Portland, Oregon at the end of May. We’ll be there from the Friday to the Monday and then wanted to spend a few days driving along the coast and back up to Vancouver (we’re flying from Ottawa to Vancouver then driving down, to hopefully minimize luggage loss), but now I’m thinking that we might just head straight back to BC after the wedding. It’s such a shame, I would love to see the Pacific coast, but I just don’t see the US as a great place to visit right now.
It sounds like that excerpt from the Harry book took you right back to your teen years, and that’s nice – but it’s a hard no from me! Sorry! 😊
Oh – I put a note in my calendar about your live with Juliet last Thursday, then I went for my morning walk and it was such hard going trudging through the snow that I totally forgot about it when I got home all sweaty and out of breath! I did start watching towards the end and will go back and watch it all. I’ll try to do better this week!
Hi Patricia,
I know with rain, and must white jeans can be upkeep. I have these Tide wipes I have that I take in my purse, but in snowy weather.. it’s quite muddy.
I am in love with oil cleaners..The Japanese and Korean companies seem to make the best skincare.
Wishing you a lovely trip to Oregon. I have to say gun violence is rare along the Pacific coast. I hope this is a rare time. We are at the mercy of these other areas with loose gun regulation. We need nationwide change! I can understand how you feel. I love Trudeau and all the changes he has made in regards to gun safety in Canada.
Try and join the live if you can! Thanks so much Patricia. Happy weekend.xo
Hi Kim — Bravo to you for taking a stand here against guns. I agree with you completely. In addition to the tragic and senseless loss of life, it is just an embarrassment for our country. Love the idea of white jeans, but not sure I can pull it off here in Maine in the winter…. Though really, I can wear whatever I want, right?! Also not sure I am totally ready for those new pastels, but a t-shirt might be fun! I do like to add some pops of yellow in my kitchen/dining area in the spring! Have a wonderful week!
Thanks so much Molly. It’s something I am really frustrated we can’t do what other nations are. I know if more of us were calling for this, we could.
Our country should be a model, but we no longer are.
I love the pops of yellow now too! I hear you about white in the snowy season. xo
Hi Kim,
Do you know if the Farmers Market was located in Glendale? I know parts of communities in Arizona pretty well. In certain areas guns are more prevalent and the politics of these areas sometimes match up. To see a kiosk market and selling purses for open carry does not surprise me at all. Yes very disappointing but in being nice all I will say, “is welcome to Arizona.” You would not probably ever find this in Scottsdale, Sedona. Prescott, Cave Creek, and the East and parts of the West Valley would be no surprise.
Well I still love Arizona. It’s just like here we have certain regions and communities that have a lot more gun owners.. I think it was in Glendale.
Kim! Your posts never disappoint! I heard Gabrielle Blair speak last October, she really breaks it all down! It’s hard to imagine that everyone isn’t in agreement on the subject of gun control! It’s outrageous!
Anyway… your idea of wearing white jeans in the winter with a heavy shirt…jacket…love!! You always look amazing! Your skin too!!
Xx
Thanks Annie! She’s an amazing woman. Love white jeans when you style them too! xo
Kim, LOVE that fashion collage. It really looks fresh. Whenever I’m in a crowded situation I worry about some nut with an assault weapon. It’s not right.
Well, looking forward to your take on Valentines Day.
Thanks Mary Ann.. I loved all those colors too.
I know I feel the same. I want us to have a safer life in this country. xo