On this post, the cropped trench, some ideas for refreshing the patio, and Mother’s Day thoughts..
How’s your week been? We are finally getting nice California days and it’s lovely..After all this bad weather the one thing I am thinking of right now is getting my yard pretty so I can finally enjoy it. I think next week I’m putting in my tomato garden. For this Mother’s Day weekend I really want to be able to sit outside and enjoy my yard with a book! I need fresh outdoor pillows and a few pretty plants in the back and front to get it looking spiffy.
On My Radar
Mark D Sikes.. I talk a lot about his garden, but it’s so pretty and I am always using it for my inspiration since I have an old crumbling brick patio that can’t be replaced.. His use of creeping fig, boxwood, and topiary is so good..
I often tell myself I’m just a few garden stools and terracotta pots away from Mark perfection .. LOL. Well, a girl can dream.. Here’s a few affordable ideas to get the look..
I just found these outdoor pillows in the stripe. They aren’t garish like so many outdoor pillows can be. I think the white with brown stripe and the navy are very Ralph Lauren, and a decent price for a pair that will withstand the sun and water. Stripes are always a classic.
I also like this IKAT pillow in pretty blues. Could be a good foil for the stripes..
I love the shape and design of these garden stools . The price is good and wouldn’t these be cute flanking a front door or on the patio between chairs-or just placed in the garden along a path? There is also this one, this cool green, this creamy modern one and a pretty deeper blue.
These scalloped terracotta pots from Pottery Barn would be adorable in a few sizes on a table with herbs, or a larger one with hydrangeas or geraniums. If you want to go even more affordable, get the basic ones from a garden center and paint them with a little yogurt… leave them outside for a few days and they form that green white aged look.
I have told you guys I do not recommend furniture at Homegoods, but this outdoor tray table is an exception from Caribbean Joe ( clearly a Tommy Bahama wanna-be), and was one of my favorite little purchases last year. I folded it up and took the tray off during the winter to store it in the garage. After last summer in the sun, it looks just as good now as it did when I bought it. Very nice for cute plants or to hold drinks and food.. Would be chic indoors too.
The cropped trench
By now you know I am a jacket fan, and a lot of you are too… I just shared how flattering a short jacket can be on the summer wish list post. Another darling is the cropped trench. I saw a friend wearing one the other day and on the same day another stylish girl was in one- and suddenly I was thinking how do I not have this item?
I ordered this Anthro one in the tan in a small petite and got it in two days, surprisingly.. It runs slightly big.
The Anthro cute option comes in a mint and a tan ( also standard, petite and plus)and I am in love with the ties on the cuffs.
Here are a few other options I sourced if you like this trend, which I think is just right for summer and especially good for travel.
Many are on markdown like this BCBG one a great price at The Rack.. and this by Bagatelle...in black or tan
Banana has a new one in black linen and this Club Monaco classic is still available in a few sizes on Amazon..
Mother’s Day
My women friends have been like family and I am so grateful for their presence in my life. When I think of Mother’s Day, so many of my friends are like moms. Women tend to be the carers in life and deserve appreciation and thanks- biological moms or not. My husband’s sister has been wonderful to my sons.. and so has his step-mother. So has my close friend Ani. So many wonderful people.
I believe in the U.K. they have Mothering Sunday and I love the sound of that. It seems more like an appreciation of nurturers, which this holiday should be! So if you have friends that are like a mother, let them know how much they are appreciated too..
And if you are a mom, for goodness sakes, give yourself the day you really want. For me it’s chilling at home- in the yard. I will be reading a book and I told Max I would love him to make home made pizzas in his oven. It took me way too many years to say what I really want in life. When my kids were small I rarely had a day to do just what I wanted and if I could go back, I would have done that a lot more. We need to be more attuned to what we want and ask for it! It makes you a happier mom and wife too.
My Mom
How are you all celebrating Mother’s Day? To me, it’s a bittersweet time because I think about my own mom and how much I wish she was here still! It’s been 8 years since my mom Suzanne passed away, and I feel like she missed so much. She was the best mom and took every opportunity to let us know how much she loved us… That unconditional mom love stays with you, even when they are gone, but sometimes I just wish she was still here to call on the phone..
My mom was born in Milwaukee and came to California in her 20’s. She loved it here and never left except for a few visits back when we were kids.. She hated travel, but loved her beautiful house and all the small things that make up your day. She loved her cats, cookbooks, and music. We grew up listening to the best albums – all the great 1960’s and 70’s soul, and also Barbara Streisand, and Carly Simon. My mom loved the color yellow, daffodils, and Charlie perfume…
Most of all, she was a huge cheerleader to all of us. When I would call her to stress about school or child problems, she would always say, honey they are going to be fine. ‘They are good boys, these things will be nothing some day. All will work out. You’re doing a great job’… It was always so calming. She didn’t sweat the small stuff. In her obit, we said mom believed the little things were the big things- like sunshine, morning coffee and phone chats. I miss her hugely.
Mom’s Demand Rallies this weekend
This weekend so much is happening, but as you know, I’ve been following and trying to participate in the Moms Demand Action grassroots group. Right now, they are trying to support an assault weapons ban. This weekend they are joining Students Demand and Everytown for protests and days of action in Mountain View, Palo Alto, also in Golden Gate Park, in Walnut Creek, and in the San Jose Rose Gardens. All around 10-1 this Saturday. More details here for events all over the nation. Please share and join if you want change to the way people are living with so much gun violence in America. These events are for everyone- men, kids and families too.
Meet me at my Rails event..
If you missed it- this Saturday I am also going to be at the new Rails at Stanford Shopping Center! They are having a special Mother’s Day Event with 20% off and a gift with purchase all day.. I adore this store and the beautiful California clothes. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a great time to pop by and check out the offerings for men and women. I will be there 11-12:30 today, Saturday the 13th. Please come by and say hi! It is a good time to get something for summer or a Mother’s Day gift for you! Hope to see some of you there.. You can check out the collection here online too.
If you missed this week’s white denim post, I joined a chic group with ideas and good ideas for styling white jeans and some good options out there for this season.
On the last weekend post, I shared inspiration from Bunny Mellon, and a special On My Radar with Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.
Have a lovely weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s, grandma’s, aunties, and friends…and all those who mother and nurture in this world! You are awesome.
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Your mother sounds like such a wonderful person! Great photo of your family, and fun to see you from years ago, you have clearly always been stylish! Hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day!
Thanks Nancy she was the sweetest. I sort of love that photo though it’s pretty beat up.
Wishing you a lovely weekend too.
Kim I love reading about your wonderful mom Suzanne and how you honor mothering. My mom Pauline was the nicest person Ive ever known and I miss her so much. Wishing you a peaceful Mother’s Day.
Aww Ginger thank you. I bet you are a lot like your mom Pauline.. You are also so nice. So many of us are missing our moms. Big hugs to you.
Kim,
I am drooling over Mark Skies’ courtyard! It is truly an outdoor room to live in from Spring to Fall.
I, too, am in the process of sprucing my tiny courtyard and hope to spend many hours lounging and reading there.
This will be my first Mother’s Day without my mom as she passed away two weeks ago. I have been looking at pictures and remembering all the good times we shared. I love what you said about honoring mother figures as well.
ME
Mary Ellen I am so very sorry! This is a rough Mother’s Day for you.. Sending you hugs and hoping you find some solace in the memories of your dear mom.
I forgot to say good luck with the courtyard. I know Mark is inspiring! I just want to live in his yard.
Thank you for sharing your memories of your Mom. It was so sweet. I miss my Mom too. Everyday.
Thanks Linda. It’s hard on these Mother’s Days isn’t it? xo
Mini you in the 1980’s!!!
What a wonderful photo!
I think you have a wooden house?No creeping fig on the wooden houses!That will cause problems down the road but sure looks GOOD!
Have a Lovely weekend!
Xoxo
Hi Kim,
Your family photo is adorable! What a sweet memory to cherish. Clearly your mom was such an inspiration to you. Have a wonderful time enjoying this fabulous weather and reading your book. Happy Mother’s Day!
P.S – My mom is from Steven’s Point! Right after mom and dad had me in their 20s, we moved to San Francisco and ultimately Walnut Creek. Dad was originally from Iowa. They never went back except to visit the many family members still in Wisconsin.
Lovely tribute to your sweet mom! She’s so cute in that photo.
My daughter is a firm believer in asking for what she wants. It sometimes surprises me, but it also makes me proud, as that was always hard for me to do. She and I just had a lovely brunch together in Ojai as an early MD gift to ourselves. She told her husband “For Mother’s Day all I want is some me time and some Moo time.” (Moo is her name for me.)
Kim, first, I wish I loved closer, I would have loved to support you at Rails. I am so excited for you and cannot wait to hear all about it.
Second, I love this tribute to you beautiful mom Suzanne. She sounds like a wonderful mom. I cannot remember, what school did you say that she went to in Milwaukee? As you know my family is from Milwaukee and I have 9 aunts and uncles so maybe one of them knew your mom!
You always were a fashionista! This is such a wonderful photo of your family. I don’t know that you had a brother! I always thought you were an only child.
As for your garden/back yard, it is already amazing from what I have seen in photos. But you are so right Mark Sikes’ courtyard is amazing. We planted creeping fig last year on a wall of our house, sadly it froze this winter and dies, now it is inching its way up the house…slowly, too slow for my patience. I think it would be a great addition to your house.
That jacket looks beautiful on you. I do not wear many jackets here, it is either too hot or freezing cold. I am off to check out all of your links, I might just find something I did not know that I needed.
Happy Mother’s Day Kim! I hope that you are able to be with your boys as well as find solace in the memories of your amazing mom.
xo Elizabeth
Hi Kim,
I so enjoyed reading the tribute to your wonderful mother Suzanne. I feel like I knew her so well. The photo that you shared is wonderful. Suzanne was so pretty, but the most wonderful thing you shared is the close nurturing relationship. A great mom is always there for you to give you the boost you need to know whatever you are going through it’s not the end of the world. You are blessed to have your “dear dad.”
I am hosting a birthday party gathering for our Precious Petunias next month. My girlfriends mother will be turning 97. Mary is just adorable, I admire her so much. She still walks and is with it mentally. Mary lives with my friend her daughter and husband. They have a casita all built around her needs and comforts. Yes they are wonderful care givers. I will send a picture to you so you can see how adorable she is.
Happy Mother’s Day to you, to an exceptional mother. The boys are so fortunate to have you as their mama.
I was thinking about you at Rails today. Hope the day was a success.
Happy Mother’s Day, Kim! I always enjoy hearing about your mom … she sounds amazing. Just like you! And I see the resemblance between you … love your family photo. I’ll bet the Rails event was a huge hit and I’m sorry I couldn’t come to support you and try on cute clothes. You know how I feel about all the good things falling on the same day and wishing I could be two … or three … places at once. Hopefully you got your wish to spend today enjoying the good weather in your garden. And as for gardens … Mark D. Sikes! His gardens inspire me too … now you’ve got me thinking about getting our back patio in shape and making it feel more like his. Your cropped trench is adorable. It’s so you … and I love the color you chose. This is the week I plant tomatoes. I hope. Well probably next weekend. Tell me what you’re planting! xo
Hi Kim! Love that cute cropped trench! What fun your Rails event must have been! I enjoyed the stories you shared on IG! I miss my mom too — it doesn’t really get easier, does it? Beautiful Mike D Sikes patio ideas! Have a great week!
A little late commenting here….what a nice photo of your family! Rockin’ that red lipstick. 😊
I think Mark D. Sikes garden is my all time favorite…I haven’t seen the green cushion update until now, a nice change but I loved the blue as well. I added more boxwood and geraniums to my yard and patio over the last year. I love the look but also they do well in the heat and I don’t have to keep replanting. I wonder how many gardeners Mark employs to trim all that creeping fig and boxwood. It would be a full time job!
I ordered the Madewell Kick Out Crop jeans, I hope they fit. I did get two sizes just in case.
Linda
Linda, No worries thank you always for the comments!! Aw I know I used to wear a lot more makeup.. I adore all Mark does too.. I know the green cushions are from some new fabric thing.. I personally like the blue. Yes I am thinking that is what the boxwoods and geraniums are so good.. Low maintenance! Did you see his gardening crew? They look like a team!
Let me know how the kick out crop fits! I want to order them too! x