On this post, an easy wall collage idea, glass pumpkins, and remembering Diane Feinstein.
It’s time for fun weekend things with Juliet and Elizabeth! Did you catch this week’s posts about quiet luxury by Juliet and I? We also talked about it also on our Thursday Instagram LIVE chat which was that and other sorta chit chat and you can still catch on Juliet’s Instagram here.
This ‘trend’ can relate to all parts of our lives- how we dress-think the classics, and also how we live. Juliet did a deep dive on that which I think you will enjoy very much and I touched on it too. I like to think of how you can change up things to create a more calmer and simpler life.
This a good passage from the Bazaar article , which we both referenced. It’s all about doing what’s good for you, having less and what feeds your soul….
When it comes to beauty and wellness, ‘quiet luxury’ is ultimately about looking after yourself. It’s high-maintenance, so that you can be low-maintenance: think regular facials for glowing skin; twice-monthly manicures and pedicures; whitened, straightened teeth (but not blindingly so); and a timeless haircut and colour (that, importantly, suits you), rather than what’s been seen on the runway. ‘Quiet luxury’ is having a skincare routine (it might even be an affordable French pharmacy brand you swear by) and doing regular exercise – whether that’s a top-tier Pilates class or running in the park. It’s taking care of your mental health by meditating, reading a book or listening to a podcast. It’s long, bracing dog walks and weekends with your family. After all, time is one of the greatest and hardest-won luxuries.
My pumpkins
I’m not a huge fall decor person, but I have a few pumpkins I love..
I have a few others I am slowly sprinkling about. Have you started adding pumpkins yet?
More cute glass pumpkins here at West Elm and here. …..and finally I was able to see the wonderful Sand & Fog hand soaps online I talked about at TJ Max.. You can’t search for them, but they have a good fall one here.. and below other options from the company pop up.
I also have my wicker pumpkin out from my friend Jill. This may be my favorite and they have them still at PB here and a new version here.
On My Radar…
This new Serena & Lily Table lamp caught my eye and I am wondering if it would be cute on the long table behind my couch. It has that California look and is a beautiful piece that would make the space.
I noticed Anthro has these pretties should you wish to add a glass pumpkin to your mix…
I love these charming block print napkins and wondering if I should grab these now for my Thanksgiving table and fall dinners..The PB napkins are always so nicely made and I like the 4/$40 price.
J. Crew can’t stop, won’t stop with the Lady Jackets and now this sherpa version has me asking myself could this be the perfect California winter jacket?
A wall collage as an anniversary present
Back in August, it was our anniversary and I wanted to do something different for Max. A few days before we were looking at photos of his morning bike rides he sends us all on our family group text.. I thought I’d make a collage using them on the blank wall in his office.
I hadn’t ordered photo prints for some time and it was happily so simple and inexpensive. I went on the CVS website and clicked the photo processing and it let me upload them right from the phone. I think Target does the same. I printed some large size 11 x 16, and a few 8 x 10, and also 5×7. I loved how well they looked printed.
Target has affordable and nice wall frames and I also bought a long shelf and placed it on the wall to break up the photos. On the shelf I added a few smaller pics and personal bits… It’s not done totally, but this is it right now.
I added a bench we had hanging around for his work bag and his jacket…I’ll add about four more photos here in the open spots..I tried to stay in the black and natural wood frames for continuity. They look crooked here, but they aren’t.. It’s hard to photograph straight on.
Max says he loves it, especially the photos of the boys and trips they have done. He says it makes him happy when he walks in the room. I’ll take more photos when it’s completed, but I wanted to share in case anyone needs to fill a wall! It took me less than a day to do it all.
Diane Feinstein
It was shocking to hear our Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away while still serving. She had a lot of detractors the last few years, angry at her refusal to retire, but I have to give her some tribute here as she was THE longest serving female senator ever…and a California girl.
She was a huge advocate for gun control and she alone was the reason the assault weapons ban was put into place in 1994. Sadly it had an expiration date and when it expired, the senate had been changed so much by the NRA influence, there was no chance of getting it reinstated -even after she tried hard to revive it after Sandy Hook. I wonder how many lives were saved with the assault weapons ban? Gun massacres rose 183% afterwards and we know that number has only increased.
She was just about to quit politics when she became mayor of San Francisco after the mayor and supervisor were tragically gunned down, so she had first hand experience with gun violence. She went on later to win two more terms. After running for governor and losing she was elected Senator in 1992.
She was the first female Senator from California, first Jewish woman senator, first woman to serve in the Intelligence Committee, and chair both the Senate Rules and Intelligence Committees.. and many more firsts.
She was a champion of women’s rights, the environment, and much more. The glass ceilings she shattered and the crap she had to endure, as a first woman in so many things, she rarely talked about. We have had so many strong women senators from California and Dianne was the first to lead the way and I give kudos to this woman and thanks for a lifetime of service. The NYTimes had a great story of her life here.
……..
In fluffier news, I finished the four part Supermodels on Apple and it’s very good. I think it portrays these 50 somethings in a more real light than the Vogue magazine did. You learn more about the struggles and it wasn’t all money and fame… there was spousal abuse, health issues and other problems. All that makes these women more relatable and real.
My dad got me to tune into the ‘Golden Bachelor’ and so far it is interesting. I would say the 72 year old bachelor does not look his age..Not sure if I’ll stick with it, as I do not watch the Bachelor anymore, but this was something different. I think it might be more fun with 80 somethings! Jimmy Kimmel’s 80 year old aunt made an appearance and she was cute.
Have you been reading Elizabeth’s Friday Favorites posts? They are always chock full of great books, recipes and a cute outfit… I sit and read them on Saturday with a cup of tea..I love this look she shared this week and want it all
If you missed my Quiet Luxury post it is here...
Last weekend I shared a fantastic new home book, cool pant options for fall, the cutest cozy jacket and fall porch stuff..
Have a beautiful weekend!
Kim
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Hi Kim,
Thanks for another interesting post. I’m belatedly learning about Dianne Feinstein and her contribution to SF/California. A remarkable woman. What a sweet idea to make that collage wall for Max… we have a very drab computer “closet” that could do with something like that. Great inspo! It still doesn’t feel autumnal in the Bay despite the arrival of pumpkin decor and PSL…… but it did rain last night… after 6 months or so without a drop… I hope you got some of that rejuvenating rain out your way….. I went past Los Gatos last weekend as moved daughter into UCSC… joined the empty nesters. Will have a bit more time to do some projects like your collage wall… here’s hoping! Wishing you a happy week!
Fiona how exciting your daughter started UCSC! I think it’s just one of the coolest campuses and schools ever. I wish her the best. Yes we are on the way there! Maybe we need to meet for a cappuccino in LG sometime.
Being an empty nester is such a transition. The first semester or so is hard, but I do love having more time for things I never did and you will too hopefully! The collage would be cute in a computer closet. Loving the small bit of rain too. Hope your weekend is great. xo
I’ve watched the Bachelor since the first episode and haven’t missed one yet .😉
Who was your favorite? I still remember Trista and Ryan ( I think that’s right?).. They were so cute.
Hi Kim,
Thank you for honoring, and acknowledging
Senator Dianne Feinstein and all her remarkable accomplishments she achieved. She will always be one of the most powerful ladies in my mind that moved heaven and earth to make things happen. We can’t thank her enough for all her years of service. She is and will always be a giant in my mind and heart.
The wall collage you created for Max for your wedding anniversary is such an excellent idea.
You put so much love into the whole thing. It’s going to bring him endless amounts of smiles and joy every time he looks at it.
The glass pumpkins are stunning, and the wicker one too or whatever material it’s made out of.
Happy Fall.
Katherine wasn’t she an incredible person? I just hate the last few years that her legacy of all the good she has done was overshadowed by her illness. There was so much she did for all of us, I think we need to remember the good!
Thanks I was so glad the wall collage came out okay. It wasn’t perfect yet, but I’m still tweaking it..
Hope you are getting some cooler weather there in Az!! Been thinking about you. xo
So many kudos to Diane Feinstein! We are so proud that she was our senator. I know that Adam Schiff wants the job but wouldn’t it be great if Katie Porter, another great, smart and strong California woman was appointed by the governor. And amazing t hat Diane cast a vote on Thursday and passed away on Friday. A trooper until the very end! Thanks for all of your articulate posting on the subjects here. Look forward to seeing what you have each time!
Thanks so much Nancy.. I know I couldn’t believe the Senator came and voted and then passed away that night. She really did work until her last day. I’m with you, I would love to see Katie Porter take the seat. I love the way she dismantles so much Washington rhetoric with her plain way of calling out facts! She’s would be super. xo
Hi Kim,
All of your photos, frames and the shelf look great! Sometimes I overthink a blank wall and it ends up bare for too long. This is inspiring and a run to Target for simple frames is on my list. The J. Crew Sherpa lady jacket is lovely! Like you, I have an addiction to outerwear. Not shoes or jewelry, but coats, jackets, etc! I think it’s a perfect California jacket. Thanks for another beautiful and thoughtful post. RIP Diane Feinstein. You are San Francisco!
Thanks Karen, I hope to add more. Gosh what is it about outerwear? I love that sherpa jacket! I don’t get the feels about other garments like I do coats. Glad to hear I am not alone! xo
Kim,
Thank you for sharing my Friday Favorites outfit. I too love it all, especially the sweater. I am trying to restrain myself from buying any more sweaters.
Diane Feinstein was an amazing lady. It was sad to see her decline over these last few months. Her dedication to her work was really amazing.
I loved both your and Juliets post on quiet luxury. I think it is something that you both excel at. I think anyone that reads the post will find beautiful outfits to wear for years to come.
Maxs’ birthday gallery wall is such a thoughtful gift. I can see why it makes him happy as he walks in. I think I am going to borrow this idea and make a gallery wall of some of my favorite photos!
As for Fall decor, I haven’t really done anything except buy some mini pumpkins. I love the little white ones and have them in a bowl in the kitchen. I have also foraged for Fall wildflowers and have a huge vase of them. Aside from that not much else this year. Although to be honest I do not do much decorating for Fall anyway.
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend Kim, thank you again for sharing!
xo
Elizabeth
I love the mini pumpkins too. I bet they look cute in your bowl..Fall wildflowers sound beautiful!
Thanks so much Elizabeth.The gallery needs more, but hopefully soon.
Love your glass pumpkin…looks like art.
I feel grateful to Dianne for all her hard work and service.
Have to tune into Supermodels…as a diversion from all the sports on now 🙂
Yess a good diversion during football time!
Kim! Your wall collage is wonderful … what a unique and thoughtful gift idea. And yes I have a wall (walls) that could use some zhushing up. Isn’t it funny how developing film and ordering additional, and larger prints, used to be a no brainer and now it seems so challenging. Glad to hear it’s still easy and simple and you’ve give me a great idea. Where did you get the wall shelf? You probably said, so I’ll go back and reread. My mom would have swooned over your glass pumpkin collection. So many pretties. I haven’t pulled out my pumpkins yet. Its time. RIP Senator Feinstein. A truly remarkable woman and a trailblazer. I know many feel the word has been overused in tributes to her … but I can’t think of one more descriptive or appropriate. I’m proud that we were the first state to be represented by two female senators and grateful to Senator Feinstein for her dedication addressing issues around gun violence. How much fun did we have with the quiet luxury posts this week? It’s a topic I find endlessly fascinating and I’m sure we’ll both have a lot more to say about adopting the principles of the Harper’s Bazaar article into our everyday lives. I finished The Super Models docuseries. Love it … and enjoyed looking back on that era with fresh eyes. Hope you’re having the best weekend! xo
Thanks Juliet! I know who knew developing was so simple.. I had forgotten. I need to do more. I think Di Fi was such a great woman. Loved all the tributes to her all week. xo