On this weekend’s post..a California spin on the chocolate chip cookie, day trip to SF’s Laurel Village and Presidio Heights, the winter coat you may be missing and more..
How are you all? It’s been another record week of rain and storms here and so many have been without power and roads have washed away. I’m sure many of you have seen it on the news, but the coast has been it hard, especially by Santa Cruz, and more big waves are coming this weekend for them. Our street has power down on half, with two live wires sitting on roofs and yards. One of our power poles is tilted and they finally got to some of it yesterday, but power cannot be restored they say for many days, so we are thinking of everyone, because we are some of the lucky ones and do have power.
Scalloped placemats
My first purchase for the house this year is this scalloped placemats. I’ve had them on my radar for a bit, and saw them after Christmas and got six. I just love how pretty they are and I hope they will make any tables this year look festive and fresh. I found the exact same placemats afterwards on Etsy for a fraction of what I paid and a set of four for $32, so I if you like them, grab them on there!
Anthro has this darling scalloped serving board.. I adore all the scalloped items out now!
A day out in San Francisco’s Laurel Village and Presidio Heights…
We had a dry day this Thursday and it seemed like a miracle! We took the chance to go to a section of San Francisco we hadn’t explored yet- Laurel Village and Presidio Heights, which border the Presidio. What we usually do is first check out the shops, have a bite, and them explore on foot.
There’s a Michelin starred restaurant called Spruce to have lunch or for a casual local and organic spot – Proposition Chicken. We were in a bit of a rush so we opted to try Proposition, which was new to us and the chicken salad is excellent. You have vegan and gluten free options and they make everything from scratch.. There is a small new outpost in Los Gatos too, which I will be visiting.
For shops, in Laurel Village there is the new Emily Joubert, a beautifully curated home store. which does not disappoint. It’s gorgeous and three times the size of the Woodside location. I was excited to see this adorable Austrian china that they carry which I bought on a trip some years ago.
On Sacramento Street, there is fun boutique with gorgeous frocks, bags and jewels called Betty Lin, and it’s partner shop Mr Lin, right next door..
After lunch we opted to walk toward the Presidio and this is just a few of the homes and their curb appeal. Every home was manicured and polished and there were so many tiny gardens and pretty plants giving them great charm..
This is our path from Laurel Village…
At the top, you front the Presidio Park which you can see the beautiful woods and open space and the Golden Gate beyond. You can walk through the Presidio Gates and then right up a trail and back up towards the neighborhood again to get to the top of the Lyon Street Stairs…
Before we left we drove a few blocks to get croissants from Arsicault Bakery. This unassuming little spot was voted best bakery in America a few years back by Bon Appetit, and became a sensation.
The owner grew up in Paris, and after years of being unable to find the croissants he knew and loved, went to baking school and opened up his own outpost, named for his grandparent’s namesake in France.
If you have more time, I recommend a walk through The Presidio. There is so much to see there like the Andrew Goldsworthy Wood line and more.. ( That’s me a few years ago…)
Did you know you can live in some of the old officer’s historic housing at the Presidio? They have a special link to all those available in the park, including some unique places like Pilot’s Row right next to the Golden Gate! I love seeing these historic residences, some over 100 years still used.
You can see more of thhe homes on my Instagram account under my Bay Area story bubble and on this little Reel I made of the day trip !
The winter coat you didn’t know you needed..
It’s been extra cold in a lot of places this year. You may be asking yourself, do I have the right outerwear? We Californians can get by with minimal jackets many years, but this year is different. I have worn a long puffer jacket ( my sleeping bag coat), most days in December and January.
It keeps me warm, dry and insulated like a fragile fruit! If you don’t have one of these in your closet, and hate being cold, you might consider getting one before they are gone, and some are marked down..They can be chic and I have seen a lot of stylish people with them. Most of all, they can’t be beat for keeping you cozy.
Here’s a few to consider..
This with side zips from Mango in black is classic.. and I love the green version and white..
This Hobbs London Puffer at Bloomies comes in a pretty wine color and charcoal and has a terrific wind collar so you don’t even need a scarf for those cold day walks.
I like this pretty one by Barbour that also comes in black…
Save The Duck has mindful coats of no feathers and makes some stylish options like this classic on left… I also love this stylish Eileen Fisher version on right..
This option at Madewell comes in green and a camel and black and I like the contrast zipper…
This is a pretty iridescent.. a darling wrap version
Chocolate Chip Cookies with winter orange…
I’ve been trying not to bake after the holidays, but this week with the rain, I needed a little treat and I decided to experiment with my regular chocolate chip recipe and use the beautiful oranges from the Sisters Market, a kind gift from Juliet. I remember someone adding orange zest to cookies and thought I’d use some in my cookies along with macadamia nuts I brought back from Hawaii, coconut and walnuts.
Max thought they were the best cookies I have made yet, so that was a good as he can be picky. I lowered the amount of white sugar, and also used Muscavado Sugar instead of brown, which is unrefined sugar with molasses and has more depth and flavor than brown. I am remembering a neighbor who told me to play with your recipes and change them up and so if you want a California spin on traditional chocolate chips, give this a try.
California Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 C unsalted butter
- 1/4 C granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 C Muscovado sugar or brown sugar if you can't find this.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/2 C all purpose flour
- 1/2 pkg dark chocolate chips I like Guittard super cookie chips
- 1 1/2 C walnuts roughly chopped
- 1 orange zest of one orange and 1/4 c of juice
- 1 C macadamia or other nuts
- 1 C organic coconut flakes love the 'Let's Do Organic' brand
Instructions
- Mix the softened butter, sugars and baking soda on medium. Scrape sides and add in eggs, one at a time and vanilla and juice of orange. Beat in flour, careful not to over mix, and then chips, nuts, flakes and orange zest. Scoop onto parchment in rounded tablespoon size and bake 8-10 minutes until edges brown, but tops still look soft. Makes about 24 cookies.
Other notes..
Juliet did a great review of HGTV’s Dream House and I always love her reviews and posts as she is so detailed and leaves nothing out. This year’s home was a mountain house in Colorado and you can read her fun post here.
This week was the first Signature Style post of 2023 and Cindy and I talked about athleisure and cozy clothes and you can read my post and Cindy’s here.
I also just LOVED this deep dive post by Joni of Cote de Texas about this historic Vanderbilt home.
And if you missed it, Annie, Mary Ann and Cindy, Carla and others talked about Design Trends for 2023 and you can start reading the link on Annie’s beautiful post about brown interiors and more..
On last weekend’s post– thoughts on starting 2023, adding citrus tones to the home, stylish jeans and white shirts, inspiration from Sylvie of Emily in Paris, and more..
Have a good weekend and I hope everyone stays safe in this storm,
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Good morning Kim 😊 it’s lovely to wake up on a relaxed Saturday morning and have the opportunity to wander through the week with you!
The walk through San Francisco was particularly special as the area was “new” to me. I remember reading about the Officers houses in the Presidio years ago and thinking what a lovely area they were built in. It’s a great opportunity for me to explore these areas of the city through your eyes as San Francisco is my favourite US city and we haven’t visited for ages. Also I feel it’s getting such negative press recently that it’s good to read about areas from your perspective and to see your beautiful pictures. I feel saddened by all the negativity as it’s a city that I’ve always felt happy and safe in, although I realise like all cities it has areas where you need to be cautious.
It must be wonderful to live so close that you can visit for a day!
I often wonder how we managed before puffa coats 😂 They’re simply everywhere! I remember starting to notice them in European cities especially the Scandinavian ones. It seems rare to see anyone in a smart wool coat anymore especially out of the cities.
There’s so many more stylish ones now I think, that look good as well as being practical. I have three full length, in black, a great shade of dark green and cream … which looks nice but is anything but practical colour wise!
I’m pretty sure that’s I’d agree with Max about the cookies … I must try them! Although like you I’m trying to cut back on “treats” at the moment. Especially with all the rich cheesy Swiss dishes that I simply can’t resist! 😂
As always I’m enjoying all your excellent posts Kim … I look forward to them so much!
Rosemary xxx
ps such a great picture of you jumping off or over the log!
Morning Rosemary! I am so glad to show our city by the bay and it’s beauty. Sure there are parts that need help. I guess that is most big cities. I noticed it when I stayed there last fall and even though it’s been getting better there are still need for improvement on the homeless issue. I do hate when they bash ‘liberal cities’ as Fox calls them, of the west. Our new DA and the mayor seem to be working on the homeless problem. I’d love to see them look to other cities where it has worked with the collaboration of multiple agencies because no city should have to be that way, especially in a wealthy nation and area. If others can fix it, we can too… That said I never feel scared in SF and there are so many great areas to see and explore, it hasn’t changed that. I’m so glad you love it too.
I would love to see your coat closet! The cream is stylish so of course you need it too…I am ordering one of those long puffers as my brown one is starting to fall apart after 8 years. I rarely see a wool coat here – except in SF I did see a few!
I did try and start eating anti-inflammatory after Xmas and still am, but by gosh after so many days of rain, I thought I’d try this twist on cookies so I’d have something with my tea.
I bet Switzerland was wonderful! Looks like we have traded climates as I may need a small boat to get out today.. Raining cats and dogs again.
Happy weekend! xoxo
Love the local recommendations of places to check out … would much rather do that then go into SF. We stayed in Tiburon in 2018 and had daily outings to as many places as we could in our week stay. Really love the area. I am pretty sure we got an ice cream in Presidio. Really want to live in Tiburon lol gorgeous and so convenient with the ferry into SF and Angel Island. Good coffee place right by the ferry and some shops. They had a farmers market one day and I literally ate a quart of blackberries by myself they were so heavenly. I live in the NE and STILL don’t own a serious winter parka. As a kid it was always shorter LLBean ski jackets for sleigh riding and skating. In my 20s it was pea coats and thrifted mens overcoats and probably an old ski jacket. Since then it’s been a hodgepodge but now after many clean outs I get by with a lightweight Patagonia jacket or vest and a longer length liner style from Athleta. I have longer dressier coats but I am always eyeballing those long heavy duty parkas. They can get very expensive so you want to pick the right one…and catch it on sale. Someday the stars will align. I just received the lulu top you recommended recently …love it…perfect for yoga and running so thank you. Stay safe and hope those lights stay on.
Good morning Kim,
The weather has been terrible in your area, thankfully you have power. How frustrating for the people on the other side of the street who don’t. Hopefully the sun will be shining soon. Until then be safe!
You had me at cookie! Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite ever! I have not tried them with orange zest, now I will!
Puffer jackets are always on rotation at my house. They are perfect for cold morning walks and going on errands. I have one similar to the one you are wearing and it keeps me snug as a bug in a rug. I also have a shorter version and wear that on walks.
Your outing looks beautiful! I cannot wait to do a deep dive into all of these houses. I am interested in the houses on Pilots Row and the history. Such a beautiful area.
Your placemats look beautiful! And I love the toile napkins too!
Off to check out the links I may have missed.
Have a wonderful weekend! xoElizabeth
Hi Kim,
So nice you and Max took time out to head up to the most beautiful city in the world. I have not traveled as extensively as you both have. Many years back my old boyfriend’s mother had the opportunity to travel all over the world and she said SF and Marin County are the most beautiful cities in the world. I believed her.
I just loved seeing the Lyon Street Stairs and the Presidio Gates. The picture of you both and the view is so special.
Wow, Arsicauh Bakery sounds fabulous. Nice you stopped in to treat yourselves.
The chocolate chip cookies sound delish. Thank you for sharing. You must have been thrilled when Max gave his approval. It always makes me so happy when my Bear loves what I bake. I don’t bake much anymore.
I lived in Pacific Heights close to Union Street and the Marina. That was so long ago.
I must say the SF post really tugged at my heart, it’s okay the treasured memories will always be present.
I hope your power stays on and home and you guys stay safe. Send some rain to us please.
Katherine, I didn’t know you lived in SF! How nice to be in PH and close to Union Street – another great place! I love that your old boyfriend’s mom traveled the world and said SF and Marin are the most beautiful. I may be biased, but I think she was right. Aren’t the steps pretty and I am crazy about the Presidio. Arsicaule Bakery is so good too. Wish I could send you a few croissants.
Have a lovely weekend in AZ! hopefully sunny there. xo
Hi Kim! Always enjoy all that you write about here! My parents lived for a few years near the Presidio, and we visited a few times. Such a beautiful area! Living in Maine, I have several sleeping bag coats, but I haven’t really needed them this year. I save those for the really really cold days! I am definitely going to give those cookies a try. The addition of the orange sounds delicious. I am so obsessed with orange these days! Have a good one!
Molly bow wonderful your parents were near The Presidio! Looks like we have colder weather than you this year.. or maybe being wimpy Californians we seem to need them more. Orange is so good in these.. Let me know what you think! xo
Looks like a beautiful hike Kim thanks for sharing. Lovely picture of you and Max:)
SF always brings me joy when l visit.
It is pouring here too and we have the buckets out as we have some water damage happening, but thankfully we have power. I think your cookies sound incredible but l have to say no and keep to the post Christmas plan although honestly in this winter gloom, it sounds perfect. Stay safe and dry. I am reading a lot of fictional crime thrillers by Lucy Foley, and Louise Candlish “Those People”and “The Heights” are perfect for these times and anything written by Jane Harper.Great escapism.
Francesca, Thanks for the book recs!! I know so good to get to SF again. I hear you about eating better now! This was a small infraction.. an did have citrus! I froze mine to have one a day. Gosh hope you are doing okay today. This rain just won’t quit. Same here. Take care.xo
I think it’s great how you and Max take days off to go check out new to you neighborhoods. I lived in Oakland for 6 years and we would think nothing of crossing the bridge to go shopping or dinner in the City. At one time, I would have thought it was blasphemous to add orange to chocolate chip anything but I have to say, those cookies look amazing. Macadamia nuts will make anything better! I’m sitting here in another downpour and my poor house is having some problems. However, I have power, a roof over my head and heat so no complaining from me! Let’s hope much of this water is being captured. Happy week, Kim.
Hi Wren, I give Max credit, he always loves to go see new things. I am a homebody, and always so glad when I go. Oakland is such a great location to get to so much! Ha I know orange does not seem to go with baked good, but it pairs well with the walnuts and yes what isn’t made better with Mac nuts??
Wren you have lived so many cool places! Hawaii, Oakland, and now SLO… Thinking of you and hoping the house fares alright. I hear you, we are all having some issue with this incredible amount of rain. xo
Great info! Okay so I’ve ordered the rug and the great placemats on Etsy! I was looking for both so great timing.
Once there is another break I the weather I’m goin g to re create your trip to Sf. Love those areas and I haven’t been in awhile
Thanks for cheering up another rainy day!
Aww thanks Cathy! Hope you get to do the trip soon! Happy weekend.
I love the placemats…so cute!! Oka is having a great sale and I bought a few things at 70% off that I probably didn’t need. (well maybe one thing)
Thanks for the info on San Francisco. We are overdue for a visit there. It was one of the first places my husband took me when we were dating. Have been back a few times since but things change so much over the years so it’s nice to have updated info.
Hope you guys dry out soon and don’t lose power!
Linda thanks for the heads up about OKA. Love them! I think SF is romantic! Hope you get back soon. We woke up to more rain today and more tomorrow.. I hear by middle of next week we may be done, so we are hoping. xo
The last day of the sale is today so don’t delay!! I forgot to mention that I want to try your cookie recipe once we are over this stupid Covid. ☹️
Oh Linda take care! I’m so sorry. xo Thanks about the sale.
Kim, your cookies look amazing and if Max says they’re the best then I’m sold. Great advice to play with recipes … it’s time for me to overcome my fear of culinary failure and do a little experimenting. Love all these sleeping bag coat options. So cozy and toasty. I didn’t know you could rent homes in the Presidio. How cool is that? Love your travels in the City … places I’ve never been. Thanks for the map … I pinned and printed. Totally love the scallop placemats … that that board is so cool. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I adore your blue and white napkins. Looks like we have a few more days of rain ahead … hoping your neighbors have power restored soon. I can’t imagine. Anyhoo … hope you’re enjoying a cozy weekend. xo
Let me know what you think of them! I know we get used to following the recipes and it’s good to think out of the box isn’t it? Yes the homes are for long term rental..I love the scalloped placemats too and am ordering more. I’ve had those napkins for ten years..a gift from a friend!
Oops, forgot to rate your recipe which looks so good and I’m going to make!
xoxo
Those long puffer jackets are the best. I have one with a fleecy interior and I absolutely love it for very cold days. It’s still quite mild here so not sure I’ll wear it this year. Those cookies look awesome. I will have to try them. My husband loves anything with citrus and I love chocolate 🙂
Lorna, So crazy how mild your weather has been this year.. It’s like we flipped weather. Ours has been brutal! I know this is global warming and wonder how much will change.. I love orange and chocolate. let me know what you think! xx
Chocolate chip cookies with orange and molasses flavors AND lounge wear? You’re speaking my favorite language, that of staying home in comfort:)
Lisa they are a match made in heaven! Aww thanks .
Kim! Thank you so much for the mention! Your California chocolate chip cookies sound delicious! I’ll be trying those for sure!
That French bakery!! How fun! I wonder if Mary Ann knew about it!!
I hope the rain stops soon! Thank goodness you have power!!
Xx
Thanks Annie! Loved your inspiring post.. SO much to love.
Jenna lived in Presidio Heights before she moved to Walnut Creek and that was such a fun area to explore. Sadly we have not been back since! There were so many fun stores on Filmore as well. Thanks for the updated tour!
That must have been so fun to visit her! Yes so many good little neighborhoods!