The John Singer Sargent in Spain show at The Legion of Honor, more San Francisco Stairs to discover, early spring outfits and more
How was your Valentines week? For Valentine’s I made Max dinner using our bounty of lemons. He loves this Martha Stewart Chicken Piccata recipe, I have made forever. I also made the Nigella Madeira cake I have shared before here.. ( SO easy and fantastic.) I would have taken pics, but I was flustered making three courses and the dessert all at once.. This is my pic from summer time..
Max brought me these tulips and I’ve been enjoying the color with all my citrus..
Sargent in Spain at the Legion of Honor
For our Valentine date, Max for my took me to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco last Sunday to see Sargent in Spain. It documented American artist John Singer Sargent’s many visits to Spain over thirty years and his love for the art, architecture and culture.
Beside his works done in and inspired by Spain, it had mementos he collected and works of great Spanish artists he studied and emulated, beside his own. Two of those were El Greco, and Goya. The museum shared how this was part of Sargent’s ‘dynamic visual practice’ in which he expanded his repertoire to include so many diverse styles and mediums of art.
Sargent’s paintings of his sister and friend.. The two of them under mosquito nets they invented themselves.
We bought tickets to the exhibition ahead of time, and arrived around 11:30. We had an early lunch in the cafe, and wandered the Sargent rooms for an hour and a half. I thought it was a wonderful exhibition.
I loved this woman’s green coat and matching bag..so beautiful with her hair. Museums always seem to have the most stylish people! Her little bag is from the Super Mini Slouch bag from Anthro. My stylish pal Jeanne just bought it in orange. It includes a tiny zip pouch and comes in many colors and is a pop of color for your spring look for $46.
The Bowles Porcelains
Afterwards, I walked through the amazing Bowles porcelain collection. The collection was donated by Mrs Constance Bowles Peabody, who amassed a unique collection that spans countries and centuries. There are some exquisite pieces and the natural light of the beautiful all glass room really shows them to their advantage.
The story of Mrs Constance Bowles is interesting. She was a California native whose Irish immigrant father who worked the SF docks as a child and founded what became a huge global shipping enterprise. She married Henry Miller whose great-grandfather owned the largest amount of American land ever held. He was a rancher who once bragged he could drive his cattle from Mexico to the Oregon border without leaving his own property! Mrs Bowles family also donated two islands off the coast of Marin to the government that are now bird sanctuaries. More about Constance and these two California pioneer families in her obituary from 2016 here.
…. Those were just the two exhibits we took in that day. There is much more to see at the Legion. We also walked the grounds of lovely Lincoln Park and took in the sea views. The museum is perched over the ocean and though it was sunny, the fog was hugging the edge of the cliffs and the fog horns were sounding.
If you pay for entry to the exhibit, you can use the cost ($56 for two of us), toward a membership. I did that when I bought a few souvenir posts cards. The yearly membership is $119, so that shaves some cost off and you can revisit with a guest as much as you like to both The Legion and the De Young and also get invited to special previews and events etc..
The John Singer Sargent exhibition ends May 14, 2023, and moves on. This is it’s first stop !
More San Francisco Stairs
Afterwards, we found another of San Francisco’s famous stairs nearby. These are the Lincoln Park Steps and they are particularly pretty, and adjacent to Lincoln park, which leads to the museum.
At the museum bookshop I spotted this book which would be a good one for those who wish to explore more of San Francisco, Stairway Walks in San Francisco: The Joy of Urban Exploring. I just ordered one for Max. This staircase was on the cover!
New Jeans for Spring
While I was at the museum two people asked about my jeans. They are by Mother! I was shopping last weekend with my pal Jeanne at Stanford and saw them..I loved this new shape and that they have less stretch, but are very comfy.
They sold out of them already at Anthro, but they still have them here.. I also loved these Mother Jeans below right. Both slightly different. The one at the right has a bit more stretch and runs smaller.. I think both have an updated feel.. The wider pant being fresh and modern and the straight leg great for an everyday jean that will only get better over time. I try and buy these domestic made jeans. Mothers are made in California and though I do have inexpensive jeans too, these better made ones always seem to last me years and feel so good on.
After I bought the first pair, I went back and got the other. Since I am going for less in the closet and better, and had some money from selling clothes I had purged…I justifed both as a good 2023 wardrobe investment. Two pairs of jeans in different styles that fit and feel great will pay for themselves in amount of wears over time!
Closet Stories
Last week Max moved to Jackson’s old closet where he also has his office. It was his idea as he gets up at 5:30 many mornings to bike and it is hard to not turn on the lights, etc.
I was thrilled to have the whole remodeled closet to myself and instead of spreading out and taking up all the space, I decided this was a great time to truly purge and create a smaller wardrobe I have always wanted. I just want less and to make life simpler.
With more space I can really see what I have now. I have talked about closet cleanup many times before, so y’all probably don’t want another run down on that.. However, one thing that struck me as a good way to clean out is not to try on everything, but instead ask yourself this one question, ‘Will I choose this?’ I know with so many items in my closet the answer is ‘no.’
Let’s be honest, we all have things that we bought that still look great, were expensive, or still in style, but if you are bypassing them every time you get dressed, you should say goodbye to them. They are taking up space in you closet and your life! I think that has helped me this time more than ever.
We all have a lot of clothes and choices, and if we know we are going to choose something else, don’t hang into things just to have them. The less you have the better you dress. You also buy less. It’s quite freeing and I purged a lot.
What to do with those clothes? On my Instagram I shared my experience taking the clothes to the Crossroads Trading Company, which buys back your clothes and gives an immediate payout, unless you have something quite pricier, then they send you money when it’s sold. All the steps to do this are saved in my Closet Stories story highlights..You can also try The Real Real for selling designer items.
Early Spring Styling Ideas
After cleaning out the closet I have been thinking about what was missing and that was jeans that have a current look and straight leg and some long sleeve light tops for spring. I did a little collage with my two new pairs of jeans I linked to above..
I love this gauze cotton blouse from J. Crew which comes in pretty colors, but I like the black and white especially. The COS top has a super cute modern shape and bell sleeves I want it in white, black, but this blue would be fun with the tiny Anthro bag in green. The Chanel look sandals in a tweed and the leather slides from Madewell are great additions to update my shoe wardrobe for spring… and the small COS black shoulder bag is coolest shape to tuck under the arm or carry by its strap.
Houses of the Week- Pacific Grove
This week I wanted to highlight the charming and under the radar small town of Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove is located between Monterey and Carmel and famous for its Monarch butterflies. Steinbeck lived here for some time and most of its homes are walking distance to the rocky beaches and coast. It has a tiny downtown and homes feel more old Cape Cod than glam beach house.
The two homes I picked to share went on the market this week and darn it, both are already contingent, but I am keeping them on here anyway..
This home is surrounded by oaks and faces a pretty park..Beautifully updated.
The other is a cottage and I love the charm of this home and especially the Dutch door, the kitchen and the shelves in the only bedroom. It also faces a park…How clever is the wineglasses stored in the chandelier? The kitchen is darling!
You can peruse more Pacific Grove listings here.
If you missed last weekend’s post I shared a San Francisco brunch spot and hike, some new books, cute khaki pants, my new porch flowers and more..
Wishing you a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Another great post Kim! I Love John Singer Sargent, especially “Smoke of Ambergris”. His portraits may be what he is known for but his landscapes are divine too. How great is SF with all its galleries and those stairs! Gosh, would love to see them sometime. Adding Chicken Picatta to this week’s menu and will try the cake. My lemon tree is still bent over with fruit waiting for harvest.
Have a great week and be well….xox
Holly I love him too. That Smoke portrait is wonderful. I looked it up and had never seen it. There was a similar one of a woman in Spain… so beautiful! I also love his of the girls in the garden with the lanterns- Lily, Rose, Carnation, I think it is called. I didn’t know he used so many mediums and painted in so many styles besides portraits.
SF is so fun. it could take years to get to all the stairs! The Chicken Piccata is a winner..and the cake. Both simple and so good. Oh gosh the lemons! You too? We could be a small farm here. I plan to cut some today and out out in bags on the sidewalk!
Enjoy your weekend! xx
Kim, I could not agree with you more about the closet, in fact we DM about it. It is actually exhausting for me to walk into my closet, there is TOO TOO much stuff. My current closet is 1/2 the size of my last closet which was actually a room, but I digress. When we moved I got rid of lots of stuff but hung on to a lot as well. Since COVID let’s face it priorities change, not to mention getting older too. I am purging the closet this week and am going to try your new suggestion.
Love Sargent, this looks like a wonderful exhibit. And the plates! Bliss and so beautiful!
Your Valentine’s Day date, dinner and adventure looks and sounds wonderful!
Have a beautiful weekend Kim!
Elizabeth, It is stressful to have too much in the house and the closet. Good luck with the purge! it feels good and if you have nice things put them in a bag to sell besides donate. I also just love the idea of passing things on to the another to love instead of just hanging in my house being unworn.
The exhibit was great and it’s moving in May I think so you may get to see it..
Hope you have a lovely weekend too!
Kim, I envy you the entire closet! How awesome is that?! Love that you did a major clean out and went straight to the resale shop. How great that they offer an immediate payout. I may have to investigate. Your travels in San Francisco are always so much fun. I’d love to see that exhibit … wonder when it ends. And the stairs! It’s on my list to climb all the famous stairs … so I ordered the book. Who knew there was a book?! You’ve got us covered. Sounds like you two had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and I’m sure your three-course dinner was magnificent. Hope you have a fun long weekend! xo
Juliet, I never thought I would have all of it, and it’s kind of nice. Previously I had the tiny closet in here and Max was in the fourth bedroom we took out, also a small closet. I never thought we’d have the kid’s closets too, so I am glad I put organizers in them! I love this whole closet and maybe I can wallpaper and make it more girly! I just don’t want to clutter it up.
I should have said the Sargent exhibition ends May 14 this year… so go see it!
Hope you have a lovely weekend too.xx
Hi Kim! Always love the outfits your share! Both those jeans are great! But before buying for spring, I really should purge like you did. When we moved to Maine, I got rid of so many clothes. I find it hard now to let go of some things that remind me of my “previous life” even though I don’t wear them much anymore, if at all. Just not ready yet to let go of everything, I guess. I had no idea the stairs were decorated like that. How beautiful! Have a great week!
Thanks Molly! I know the purge is good before you buy! It took me a long time to get rid of the things from my work years.. Try starting small and get rid of some and more the next time. Or you can do as I told another person, move them to another place out of the closet for a couple months before you give away, and see if you can live without them! That makes the separation easier and you can see how nice the closet is with less.
Have a good week!
Hi Kim,
It looks and sounds like you out did yourself on Valentine’s Day cooking and baking. What a love, the tulips are pretty. I love having fresh flowers on the table. I can see ours from our small sized great room so they bring me constant joy. When I don’t have fresh I use silk, it’s not the same but better than nothing right?
The John Singer Sargent in Spain show looked so good. The Bowles Porcelains are beautiful. What a wonderful way to spend Saturday with Max , a date out spending it together.
I’m familiar with the Lincoln Park Steps. My forever friend has walked most of all these type of steps all over SF and these too. I find them all fascinating. You have to have strong legs and knees that are in good shape to conquer all those steps. You “go girl.”
How awesome and congratulations that you cleaned out your closet. What a great feeling.
That job is haunting me.
You looked cute in your new jeans. Having a great friend that has excellent taste and in the know about fashion stuff makes it fun,
Katherine, Flowers are such a mood lifter aren’t they? Silk can look so good now.. Why not use them too?
I know those steps would keep you in some amazing shape.. I get so many steps in on these jaunts.
Yeah closets can be in intimidating.. That is why I had to do it over a week.. I hate that but I couldn’t do it in a day.
Aw thanks so much. Hope you have a good week! xx
Hi Kim,
Sounds like you had a great Valentine’s outing in San Francisco! Loving those stairs. We postponed our Valentine’s to this weekend…making a lemon pasta dish and a chocolate carrot cake. I tripped and fell on our walk this morning so I have some minor injuries (could have been so much worse) but I am powering through and the cake is almost finished. The dishes though…😟The Martha Stewart chicken piccata is very similar to my Barefoot Contessa one. I make it when our lemon tree is full and I also make a grilled lemon chicken of Ina’s with a peanut sauce. Lemons bars too…I made some from America’s Test Kitchen for my daughter’s baby shower and everyone loved them.
Wish I had room in my closet for more jeans! But that top from COS is super cute. 🤔How nice of Max to move his clothes! Extra room in the closet is a double edged sword lol.
Have a great weekend!
Linda
Linda that sounds delicious – lemon pasta and chocolate carrot cake! Wow. It’s a lot of work. Oh no I hope you are feeling okay?
I will check out the Barefoot recipe and see how it compares! Those all sound like delicious lemon recipes..I need to make lemon bars for my dad. Great idea for the shower. I know love that top.. and just ordered. You’re right about the extra room.. Happy weekend!
I was at the Sargent exhibit this past Thursday, took myself on a date. I loved the exhibit and will go back to absorb it again. My memberships to the Museums of SF and the MOMA make it so easy and affordable. Darn it the cafe at the museum closed before I could get something to eat. But it worked out great as I had a wonderful late lunch at the Beach Chalet and enjoyed a delicious salad and the magnificent views of the ocean. Such a nice afternoon. I just wish the city were a little bit closer! Traffic is starting to pick up again and I always get stuck.
I like those jeans, I just picked a few pairs new to me at my favorite resale store. I never leave there empty handed! I cull things from my closet on a regular basis, it’s a great feeling but I think I need to do a major clean out again!
Xo Heidi
Heidi I am sure you must have loved it! The Beach Chalet is a nice option too.
Isn’t it great to have a good resale store? The key I think is visiting often to snag those gems. xo
I like your suggestions regarding clothing that you think you might love… but continue to pass by for other things…so , time to purge and get some money for the quality pieces.
That works for me , and the money earned going to garments that I know will work… or to my travel fund… finally have some better wardrobe wisdom? Made nearly $1000 CAD since last summer.
We both love San Francisco, having been there twice, for a week each time. I will keep your info regarding walking tours for a future trip. Rather envious of your proximity.
A bit of a trip for us , living up here on Vancouver Island, but an option sometime when long haul flights are no longer appealing for us 70+ year olds.
Hey Cath, That is super! Saving the money selling these things you can do so much with. I love the idea of a travel fund.
Oh how nice a week in SF must have been! I hear you those long flights are a lot. Vancouver isn’t too far from us. I need to get up there too!
More on the mosquito netting please!They invented it?
Xxx
Well that is what the description is under the waiting called ‘Mosquito Nets.’ The description says,
“Mosquito Nets” from 1908 shows Sargent’s sister Emily Sargent and friend Eliza Wedgwood (of the china family) reclining under black hoops while on vacation in Valldemossa.
Apparently they fashioned these sort of mosquito nets out of hoops, maybe originally for the skirts.. so they could read, etc.
I loved all the portraits in this exhibition!
Kim,
What a lovely Valentine’s Day at the museum! I love that woman’s style with the green coat! And I adore all your walks and hikes! The steps are so cool!
LOVE your jeans kim! You look stunning as always!
xx
Wasn’t she chic in the green? Aw thanks Annie! xo
This makes me miss SF! Now I am inspired to organize my closet!!! Thanks, Kim!
I know you were so lucky to live there Mary Ann! Miss you.
Hi Kim
I really need to closet purge. I have been meaning to get back into ebay! That exhibit looks wonderful!
Ebay is a great place to sell! xx
A closet clean-out is something I definitely need to do. I hand on to things for sentimental reasons and it makes no sense. Only this morning I put on a pair of pants and decided they didn’t look flattering on me but a part of me wants to keep them because they remind me of this and that. One reason why it’s so hard to get rid of clothes is because it’s very difficult to re-sell them here. Vintage shops are popping up but we still don’t have many people shopping for used or vintage. Most people think that only people who can’t afford mush do it. Anyhow, I’ll try and think of something but some items definitely have to go.
As always, I enjoyed reading this post. I have a huge problem with my blog because MailChimp isn’t working properly and no notifications are being sent whenever I share something 🙁
Have a great week.
Loran, I totally get that.. We have an emotional attachment to our clothes! I have the same feelings… Oh shoot that is too and there aren’t resale places. You could definitely try doing Poshmark or even Etsy? How popular are those there? I can’t say for Malta, but here very popular way to sell things..
Gosh so sorry about the blog! Isn’t it frustrating? I will stop by! Don’t get new started about MailChimp. I have real problems and may switch .. Will send you a note about it.
xo