On this weekend post -cool readers, spring things, rustic scones, J Crew’s new direction, a little about my mom and more..
Hope your week was good. We had more snow and rain and the cold just keeps on coming here. I do believe this has been the coldest winter in California.
We haven’t been able to get back up to Tahoe as every weekend, some sort of bad storm has been either on or imminent! I thought you might like to see the current state of the cabin which I have already had cleared and dug out twice this year.. I’m hoping it’s still under there ..and maybe the igloo our kids built too..
That is the driveway view and right the porch camera. Another storm on way this weekend!
We did get some sun this week and had sunshine streaming in the front window..
On my radar this week
I am obsessed with this Cocojune coconut milk yogurt. It feels like eating whipped cream and is so yummy even plain. If I add a smidge of honey, walnuts it feels like a treat. This has all the probiotics and they are the first certified plastic neutral yogurt company in the U.S.-no plastic containers- all organic. More about them here. I buy mine at Whole Foods and you can get them here too.
Anthropologie has lovely new hand washes with the softest scents. ( I smell tested them all for you in person.) I LOVE the glass bottles which I would reuse afterwards. They make a sweet gift and I just bought the violet one for a friend’s birthday. A nice luxury for $24 . The Violet and Lily scents were my favorite and they also have the prettiest matching candles in a tortoiseshell glass.
I just got Colorscience Total Eye Renewal Therapy with SPF 35 for my sensitive eyes. I have the fair color which brightens the eye area and applicator helps with puffiness. I am going to a tennis tournament next week and need sunscreen -which can make my eyes water, and this does not. I am linking to the Dermstore because it’s 20% off there now ( and 20% off sitewide if you need skin things it’s a good time to buy.)
Ballet flats are having a big comeback and I think the look of a feminine flat is especially good contrasted with the bigger and wider jeans and pants. I have had my eye on this metallic pair- Sea by Chloe, love the look and the buckle. I envision a pretty white blouse and jeans with them.
Tangelos are in season and my dad’s tree is having it’s best year yet. I love them for the sweet/tangy taste and they are amazing in a Gin & Tonic, which I made last weekend ( took pic almost after the fact.) They also are great just a big wedge in fizzy water or as a snack with dark chocolate. We need all the Vitamin C we can get this cold winter!
I have Caddis frames and love them, but these aviators readers look a bit lighter in weight than their usual lenses and pretty in the slight blue and pink versions.
The Piazza small shoulder bag in Sandy Shore is a great light bag for spring, a nice update and alternative to the crossbody bag. Such a luxe color too.
J Crew’s New Designer Olympia Gayot
I loved reading this article in Bazaar about J. Crew’s new head of design Olympia. She has really has brought back some of the best of the older J. Crew and put her spin on things. She posts selfies of how she wears a lot of the clothes on her own Instagram which is fun to follow and includes vintage Crew catalog inspo as well.
Some of her best ideas have been the lady jacket that she has brought out in all sorts of versions and like this pink above with the white jeans, socks and loafers.. This look below is also so good. Olympia’s picks of the month are on this page.
Lemon almond scones
I was craving a scone and tea on one of the darker rainy afternoons this week and modified my favorite scone recipe from Rose Bakery in Paris by adding Meyer Lemons and almonds. This is the recipe, taken from their wonderful Breakfast Lunch Tea book. To this I add the zest and juice of one large or two smallish lemons and also one cup of sliced almonds. I also have a Instagram post with it.
A little about my mom Suzanne…
February is a bittersweet month for me as my mom passed away 8 years ago and she was also a February baby born on Leap Year. I recently found some of her high school pics. She was always telling me high school would be the best years of my life. While I liked high school, it wasn’t the same for me as it was for her!
My mom went to West Milwaukee High School, which no longer exists. She was a sporty person, playing volleyball, was the star of many of the school aquacades ( synchronized swimming, but they called it water ballet), and was on all the homecoming courts and prom things. These pics were from her senior year book.
Mom played on a night volleyball league with friends when we were kids. We had a pool and she tried hard to teach me her synchronized swimming tricks like dolphins and dives. I was never as good as my mom at holding my breath. She always wore nose plugs and could go for a long time under water. Both my parents were water people, my dad a water polo player and a lifeguard.. Neither my brother nor I became as sporty as them.
When I look at the photos I think of all the friends my mom had back in Milwaukee and how she gave them up and said goodbye to her family, (she was one of eight kids), to come west. She drove out here with girlfriends to see California, got a job working at a lab at Stanford, and never went back except to visit a few times. She was adventurous and wanted to join the Peace Corp..
She met my dad who lived in the apartment below she shared with her friend Karen in San Jose. Dad lived with his cousin, and they both married the boys downstairs!
Mom below and with Griffy when he was small..
We only went back a few times as a kid to visit Wisconsin. Travel was expensive and that was the 70’s. It was rare for people to fly places. We went twice on a train and later twice made the trip across country driving. I wished we had been able to see Wisconsin when we were older with her and know more about her time growing up there. She wasn’t one to dwell on the past though, and loved her life in California. She missed her family very much though.
I just had to share this little bit about her on her birthday. Hope you don’t mind.
……
Next week I have Signature Style on Tuesday with Cindy, so check back in for some ideas on resort and travel dressing… I am leaving Wednesday to go to the BNP Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells, so I hope to have some cool things to share! If anyone you know if going – this post has tips.
On last weekend’s post, I shared home books that are inspiring me, a pretty spring blouse, a rattan lamp, a foundation you will love..and better options for your purged clothes.
Wishing you a great weekend !
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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It was lovely to read about your mom. I so enjoy your blog and Instagram account. You have a wonderful way of combining a joy for life and family, a sense of humanity, beautiful photographs of nature, with an appreciation of fashion, home decor and good food – I think your mom would be proud!
Wini wow what a sweet note. Thank you so much for that. I sometimes really wish she was here to read the blog.
You made my day.
I agree- it’s an excellent combination and you do it well!
Nicole thanks so much. x
Kim, I loved reading about your mom Suzanne. She sounds like a vivacious and wonderful woman! She must have been amazing to have such a lovely daughter as you! Thank you for sharing from your heart. On another note, the scones look absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Ginger thank you. She was a really neat person and I wanted to share a little. You are very kind.
Let me know what you think about the scones. Love this recipe and it’s adaptable to other things like chocolate chips, walnuts, etc.
xo
Thank you for telling us more about your mom, Kim. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Great post this week. Love seeing Olympia’s style. What scents did you like of the hand washes from Anthro? I did buy the Paris bakery book and will try the scones recipe. Thanks for all that you do!
Hi Sally! Aw thank you. I just feel like it would be fun to share a bit about mom.
I loved the violet and the lily hand washes..but all four were very nice! They have matching candles too in the prettiest jars that look like glass tortoise shell..
Have fun with the scones!
Kim,
Happy Birthday to your mom! I love seeing the photos of her and learning more about her. She sounds like an amazing lady and a wonderful mom. I love Wisconsin and grew up in Milwaukee as you know. One day you should go back and see all of the changes in Milwaukee, it is a beautiful city.
I am going to try this yogurt, it sounds delicious!
Love ballet flats, I never knew they were out of fashion. There are so many great options out there in every price point so something for everyone.
J Crew like Banana Republic seems to me to be going back to its “roots.” I love the classic styles with a bit of edge and color.
Cannot wait to try your scones!
I hope your cabin is ok, that is a lot of snow. Hopefully soon we will see the end of this crazy weather!
Have a wonderful weekend Kim!
xo Elizabeth
Elizabeth, I knew you were a Milwaukee girl! I really want to go to Milwaukee and spend some time with my mom’s family and see where she grew up. I know it’s a beautiful spot and a vibrant city.
I think ballet flats were sort of sidelined for a while with all those chunky shoes. They are having a resurgence and so many cute styles all over which is nice. Love that BR and J Crew are going back to their roots..
I know ready for regular spring weather! xo
Thanks for sharing your mother’s life. She sounds so interesting and wonderful. I love scones and will try to make these. It will be so nice to welcome Spring after such a rainy season. Enough rain, please. Enjoy the tennis tournament. Thanks for the post.
Hi Sheila, Thank you for that about mom. She was fun.
I so agree with you, spring is going to be really appreciated this year!
Have a good weekend!
Hi, Kim —
This is such a nice tribute to your mom. You must’ve had a special relationship. I’m surprised no one has said that you look SO MUCH like her!
I’m a big fan of your blog, and I bet your mother would’ve been, too!
I must say I love the lady jacket look, and it goes so well with the looser pant silhouette.
It’s been ages since I made scones, and this recipe looks tempting! Thanks for sharing.
Have a lovely weekend —
Julia
Aw thanks so much Julia. It’s funny I see now how much my kids look like my mom too and that brings me a little ray of joy when I notice it..and I see her in the mirror of course!
Isn’t the lady jacket look great? I’m a fan and yes just what we need to pair with those loser pants which feel great, but we need to get the proportion right.
The scones are good for a rainy day.
Thank you about the blog too. x
Loved reading about your Mom and you really look like her. I want to make your scones. Could you substitute almond milk for the milk? Thanks.
Carole, Thank you so much. Yes absolutely you can use any kind of milk. I have used almond and oat as a substitute!
Hi Kim,
Thank you for sharing the beautiful life of your mother and the pictures of your parents. I love the truth of “marrying the boy’s downstairs” and the “reception in your grandparents’ back yard” it sounds so perfect and so right! Gorgeous to read about her swimming and to see her lovely face thank you, and you look so like her! Such courage to move across the States. Sending you a giant hug;missing loved ones is so hard. I find it helpful sometimes to talk aloud to mine, as if they are just there in the space listening to my chatter.
You are so right about the cold we keep thinking we must turn off the central heating but then at night we are freezing.Good news is the air quality is amazing after all this rain and l swear l hear more birdsong.
Take care and happy weekend Kim!
Hi Francesca,
Woe thank you for those nice words about mom and her life. You have me tearing up. Thank you will take the hug! I do talk to her especially when I see a flower or a butterfly or something that feels like her..It is helpful.
Oh my goodness the heating. I don’t think the heating has been on so much ever. Our bill is going to be scary. Sometimes we just really needed it. So funny I also noticed birds singing this morning which means spring can’t be far off can it?
Hope you enjoy the weekend. I am going to grab some of that fresh air. xo
I so appreciate the beautifully simple way you curate this list weekly. The portion about your mom was beautiful and touching. I lost my mom 1 month ago and this was just the positive tribute I needed to say to focus on the amazing things about my mom, not just the sadness.
Julia, I am so sorry this was so recent. You must still be struggling. There is nothing to compare losing your mom. You feel adrift no matter what the circumstances. I hope you are taking care. I do think trying to focus on the things that made my mom so happy – the little daily things about her life, and all she did- help me feel she had a good life..and that sort of makes me feel happy. Remember all those amazing things about your mom are living on in you in some way. Keep those thoughts in your heart.
Sending you big hugs.
Thanks too about the blog.
x Kim
May I ask where you bought your dinning chair covers or did you have them made?
Hi Barbara, The slipcovers came on the chairs which I bought in a little shop in Ojai way back about six years ago that closed. I love the heavy linen slips that clean really well. I searched for the brand stamped on the chair and found the exact ones..
They are here and say on sale now on Perigold! I am excited because I had non luck finding them before.. I can say they are great chairs well made. I think the covers just come made for the chairs which are a dark navy fabric underneath..
https://rstyle.me/+X3w3qUVlT85VCdX30CMxzQ
x Kim
Thanks for sharing about your Mum’s life… inspirational lady! I love reading personal insights in a blog- it makes you feel more connected as we are all going through the same stuff in reality.
The weather in the Bay has been unbelievably cold hasn’t it ! The silver lining is I’ve been able to wear all my wool coats I brought over from New Zealand!
Love the daffodils on your table…. If I remember rightly Union Square is going to be filled with free tulips this weekend… maybe a trip to the City!
Thanks so much Fiona, I am always not sure about sharing, but I feel the same and love to know more about the people I follow!
Oh my gosh good thing you had those coats.. We truly needed them this year. I mean I really can’t believe the cold winds. Not normal at all.
I didn’t know about the tulips! Thank you for sharing that. Maybe a good weekend to bundle up and go to SF!
xo
Hi Kim
I loved reading about your Mom Suzanne! How cool that she was a leap year baby. Did she celebrate on 2/28 or 3/1? She was a beautiful lady and that is a precious pic with your son. It is so hard losing one’s Mom. So great that you still have your Dad and that he lives nearby.
I am planning on making those scones this weekend. Dave loves scones and I am always looking for new variations on my standby recipe. I have to say Kim I so love your Dining room. The chairs are beautiful and I can see why you love your new rug- it looks perfect there. Marlo is a beauty – does she try to scratch the rug? I have 3 cats and I have to be careful with rugs and furniture that have a lot of texture.
Enjoy the weekend and I guess we are in for lots more rain so we will need to enjoy whatever sun we can get in between!
Michele thank you.. She always said she was born the last day of February, so if it wasn’t a leap year and you waited until the 1st, she was not happy. LOL. I know you understand and I loved the photo of your lovely mom too- was she also a Pisces?
Let me know about these scones.. Still the best recipe to me, but it is good to have feedback. This version isn’t super sweet. and I don’t like glazed baked goods. It’s very light and airy though and so yummy with tea.
I am going to tell you a secret about this rug.. it’s cat proof. It’s part jute I think or something because it has some texture to it. The cat loves to rub on it and can’t damage it which is nice. She had pulled up pieces on my others.. This one seems indestructible!
Ugh the rain.. Hope we get sun soon. Enjoy the weekend. x
I loved reading about your mom and seeing the old photos! You do look so much like her and I think you carry her spirit too! I have also written about how much I miss my mom. Those scones look amazing! I will have to give them a try! And wow, I can’t believe the snow at your Tahoe place! Do you know how much snow you have gotten there? It is snowing here today — but not to that extent! Have a good week!
Molly loved the post about your mom too.
So far this year we had 41 feet of snow, but that was early last week and we got at least two more feet and more coming!!
xo
I love reading about your mom, Kim. Birthday’s and other significant dates bring memories flooding back … no matter how many years have past. It’s wonderful to have these photos and other memorabilia to understand and appreciate our parents. Sometimes when we’re younger we just aren’t able to fully do so … it’s a shame. Your mom’s wedding dress is stunning … and she is stunning. your dad’s so handsome. What a fun wedding it must have been. Things have changed so much in our lifetimes. Where travel across country was rare and more than likely by car or train. Now we fly everywhere without giving it much thought. Anyway, I love how your parents met … what a great story. I’m so glad you shared. Looks like we both have ballet flats on our minds. I do love the gold pair you’re eyeing. J.Crew has made a quick a turn around, back to their roots. I can’t wait to read this article, it’s one of my favorite stores. Hope you’re able to get back to your cabin soon, certainly doesn’t look like it will be this week. Good thing you’re escaping to sunny skies. Sunscreen migrates and gets into my eye too … ouch. What’s up with that? Good to know about the ColorScience. No sunscreen needed today though. Ugh. Hope you have a nice weekend cozy inside by the fire … again! xo
Juliet, You’re so right, we just don’t appreciate it all and what they did when we are young.. You know too.
We were so only the same wavelength with the flats..Love the ones you shared…
Hope you had a good weekend and stayed warm! xx
Hi! I love seeing that you made the Scones from the Rose Bakery cookbook! I love that Bakery, especially for lunch. And I love the cookbook. So many great recipes. The quiche options are wonderful! I wish I could find those little square tins they serve them in! Thank you for sharing. A great reminder!
Carla, I love that you know that bakery too. Isn’t the book great too? Oh I know the square tins! I will keep my eye out for them too.. x
Dearest Kim,
I want to start out with the most beautiful and heart felt tribute you shared with your beautiful mother Sue. What an accomplished lady she was and so gifted at everything she engaged in. I thought “she the heart’s light hand of friendship.” is so telling and speaks volumes about her spirit and soul. I find it was so courageous of her and her girlfriends to pack up and venture out to California. That takes a strong and brave person to do that. Her parents your grandparents must have been excellent roll models. To raise 8 kids is a huge undertaking and responsibility. I love ❤️ 💕 ❤️ how your parents met and how both girls married the boys downstairs. That is a story in its self. Kim look at YOU how you turned out. Your “dear dad” and mom are so proud of you for everything you are. Oh and one more thing the picture of Sue and Griffy is priceless and very touching. Griffy what a beautiful little baby.
This has been my favorite post so far. Thank you so much for sharing part of Sue’s life with us.
Sending a warm gentle hug your way during this time.
Your little cabin got smothered in way too much snow. The pic took me back, I hope your home is okay and the igloo too.
Have fun at the tennis tournament next week. I expect big things from you Missy.
I always enjoy seeing Marlo in your photos. I’m a cat person, so pretty with those green eyes.
The Cocojune coconut yogurt sounds really yummy. I went on their site to check them out. I like that it’s dairy free. I hope to buy some next time I’m in town at Whole Foods and just maybe Sprouts stocks it. They are like a Whole Foods kind of.
Have a wonderful week and bring home the gold if you are participating.
Katherine you are just so sweet. Thank you… I know I marvel when I think of my mom coming out here and never haven gone anywhere before. Aw you just are the nicest..
Can you believe that snow -and you guys in Arizona got it too! This year has been nuts. I am seriously getting concerned about the cabin.NOt much we can do though when we can’t even get up there.
I am just a spectator at the tournament and I hope I’ll get some sun and warm weather..Going with a few tennis pals.
Yes I bet you can find the yogurt at Sprouts.
Hope you have a wonderful week too. xoxo
Kim,
A nice tribute to your mom…you resemble her so much. She sounds a lot like my mom (minus the athletic part). She was one of 12 kids and moved out west with some girlfriends from Chicago. She eventually got a job up in Alaska where she met my dad. (he was from Idaho) After they got married they came back to San Diego. Three of her sisters ended up in Arizona. Guess they all wanted warmer weather.
The scones sound so yummy. I have mostly made Ina Garten’s maple oatmeal scones, usually for Christmas or a brunch. My husband has been wanting me to try a triple ginger chocolate scone recipe from Milk Street ever since he saw them on PBS a couple years ago. Guess it’s time to get around to it. At least scones freeze well so we don’t have a bunch to eat all at once.
All the snow at Tahoe is crazy and the rest of the state too. This is the coldest winter I remember having in a long time. We don’t run the heat during the night but I bundle up for bed. I have even been wearing my robe to bed and long underwear under my pjs.
I need to get a new blanket for our bed. So cold!
Have fun at your tennis tournament. Playing or going as a spectator?
Linda
Linda thank you. Wow your mom was one of 12 and from Chicago? She was brave and adventurer- Alaska! I bet she had some great stories. That is neat she net your dad and stayed and her sisters came too. I think a lot of young people went west then!
Hey I have not heard of Ina’s oatmeal scones and they sound good…so does ginger chocolate. I should have frozen some of these- that is a smart idea.
Isn’t this winter something? The cold just keeps on and I am like you bundling up too! I have been heating up this little bean bag thing in the microwave to warm my bed at night. It helps!
I am going to watch the BNP tournament. It’s got all the big names and kind of fun in the desert… I am hoping warmer! xo Stay warm Linda.
I had your Mom’s haircut at one point in school!
She was interested in so many things!!
Just like YOU!
You covered a lot of topics here let me see the ballerina flat I never really wore !!Which is strange as I was a dancer for years!I think I thought it was “stupid” to take a dancers slippers and make them fashion!I did get the Chanel at one point much later in life and found them to be VERY uncomfortable !
Tangelo Tree sounds marvelous in a G&T!
Xoxo
You did? I can see that on you must have been so cute. I also had a pixie when I was small .. My mother loved Audrey Hepburn and that short hair.
Interesting to know the Chanel flat isn’t so comfy!
Yes tangelo G&Ts so good. xo
Hi Kim, it was so lovely to learn a little bit about your mum in her birthday month. The way she and your dad met could be a rom-com! I love their wedding photo – everyone looks so chic.
I absolutely love a good scone – our daughter-in-law used to manage a small café that specialised in scones, so she would bring some over whenever they visited. However, she recently changed jobs and now works for a non-profit – and I really daren’t get into the habit of baking scones at home!
I’ve been hearing a lot about the unusual weather in California. We are very lucky here in that our street gets ploughed quickly, sidewalks included, and then after a week or so, depending on how much snow we’ve had, diggers and trucks come by and scoop up all the snow that has accumulated on the side of the road. For years I was the one shovelling our various driveways since my husband always had to leave for work very early, then finally a few years ago we got a snow blower, and, of course, now he loves going out and clearing the driveway. (Boys and their toys!) 😊
Patricia thanks so much. Isn’t that a cute story? I never know that they both married the boys downstairs until later in life! I adore the wedding pic too. Wow I would have loved the perks of the scones! Yess baking them.. you need to be able to give some away. Hey that’s pretty nice they take away the snow and don’t let it pile up.
I am afraid that is the situation around here and Tahoe is getting pretty bad! More is coming this week.. I love that your husband is having fun with the snowblower. Max wants to get a small one for Tahoe.. By time he went to get one in fall they were all gone. Right now it’s gonna be like chipping away at an iceberg! Definitely a guy toy! xo
Your mom sounds brave and spirited! Lovely memories! My mom also had a February birthday, and we lost her in 2015. That we talk and laugh and share about our mothers after they are gone is what keeps them wonderfully alive.💗
Sarah, So sorry about your mom too. She was a February girl too. Wow.. You lost your mom the same year as we did. You are so right talking and sharing and thinking of them keeps them in our hearts. xo
Kim,
So much good stuff packed into this post, Kim! I was not up to date on J.Crew, so happy to learn more about that. Love “The Lady Sweater!”
I saw your rustic scones on Instagram! They look amazing!
Kim, I always think about you in February, remembering it would be your mom’s birthday. What a fun fact tht she was a leap year baby! I know you must miss your mom so much!
xx
Annie love those Lady Jackets too.
Aw you are so nice remembering my mom’s birthday. Thank you sweet Annie
Loved hearing about your mom, meeting the boy downstairs! The pictures are a delight!
Thanks Elizabeth! x
Hi Kim, I just have to tell you how much I enjoyed this post about your lovely momma. Oh how much you must miss her! Thank you for sharing her story and photos. She was so talented, smart, and quite courageous. She would have been very proud of you, as I think you are gifted with many talents. You have an art at being able to curate an amazing blog. I always look forward to seeing your post. Hope you are able to get to your cabin before too long. I know we are all missing some good sunny weather here in CA. Wish you could send me some of those delicious looking scones! Xo Karen
Karen thank you so much. So nice of you to say that about mom.
I know hope I get up to Tahoe soon too!
I should start shipping scones- I need to not have them in the house. xo
Just a word of caution about the coconut yogurt: Yes, it’s dairy-free, but it has a lot of saturated fat per serving.
Thanks Anne for that. Appreciate that.. I do know coconut oil is pretty heavy in that too. I try and eat small amount with a lot of fruit.
Hi Kim … sorry I’m so late here. Busy transition back from our trip!
As always such a well written, fun and interesting post … I’d echo what Wini said so perfectly.
So lovely to hear more about your mum. ( my mum was a February baby too! ) How adventurous she was and obviously such a loving mum and grandma. Beautiful and stylish too … you’re so very much like her. How romantic the way she and your dad met … serendipity ❤️
I was literally contemplating letting some of my ballet flats go … but I’ll hang on to them a little longer and see if I wear them this year lol… remembering as you said, to think “ would I choose these?”
So excited for you as you set off on your tennis trip with friends … it sounds as though you’ll have a wonderful time together. Hope there’s some great matches too! Safe travels and thanks again for another lovely post.
Rosemary xxx
Hi Rosemary! Do not worry. Your trip looked so fun. Thank you about mom. So interesting a lot of friends have February born moms. I know love that story about the boys. ( My dad now says they were upstairs, so I have to correct!)
Yes you know I hadn’t worn my ballet flats for a along while too. I have two pairs..See how they look this spring and if you will choose them! xo
Happy weekend!
Hi Kim,
Thanks so much for sharing the sweet post about your dear mom. What a lovely, adventurous woman. May her memory be a blessing forever.
I really enjoy reading your blog. I always learn something new.
Blessings, Sherri
Hi Sherri, Aw thank you so much for that about mom – and the blog. xo