On this post, a fantastic new home book, cool pant options for fall, the cutest cozy jacket and fall porch stuff..
I hope your week has been good. I have been busy getting a few things spiffed up here for fall..and bought myself a new cozy jacket!
Instagram Jail
On another weird note, I was banned from Instagram for a few days for ‘commenting on too many posts.’ That was an eye-opener to me. I had fortunately paid for the little blue check as Juliet told me I’d get no help with my account if it was ever hacked. She was right, and thanks to my check I was able to chat with a real person and find out why I was locked out of my account, but the reason made no sense!
Apparently Instagram has an algorithm and if you trigger it, like I apparently did sitting on the couch the other night looking at other’s accounts, you’re shut out. You can even like too many posts too quickly.. SO beware. That is ‘bot-like’ behavior according to them, and you’ll get restricted.
On the bright side I had time to finish my book and begin another ..and start changing the things up in the house for fall.
My oldest son Jackson came over last weekend and tried to hug me and lift me at the same time and my ribs made thwack sound.. Not good. I’m also out of commission for a while from that.. I told him no more bear hugs from grown sons.. I don’t think he realizes we are older. I love the hugs I couldn’t say too much.. The problem of being small with big sons!
Thoughts on Worry..
I’ve been trying to share the quotes and things that keep me inspired and going on Fridays on my Instagram and this week I shared this quote I saved long ago.. It really helps me as I can be a catastrophic thinker..
This is what I wrote on the post.. maybe it’ll help someone else who struggles with worry like I do…
Our mindset is everything and I was inadvertently raised to worry about things. My mom was one of eight kids and her mom warned them about the dangers of everything to keep them safe and alive in her mind. ( To my grandma’s defense her mom died when she was small.) I think that was seeped into my dear mom’s bones and passed onto us..by no fault of hers.
My brain defaults to worry and I have worked hard to stop that sort of internal monologue.
Remember worrying never kept anyone safer. We don’t care more about someone by being a worrier. We just need to expect good things will happen.
Being a person who always worrying is not good for those around you either. It hurts your family and their one feelings of well being and security. The more I realized this, the more I feel compelled to reassure, not stress, and trust all will work out… It might even be fantastic!
Fall Porch
Max and I did a deep clean of the porch from the summer… ejected the spider webs, cleaned the windows and the house lights and it felt fresh. I added some cute mums to the front porch as you do -when fall happens and you notice your summer plants look like scorched earth I got a few at Ace and others at Trader Joes.. I grabbed a few pumpkins there too.
I was excited to see these multi-colored mums at TJ’s. I bought these a few years back and hadn’t seen since, so snagged them. The best way to keep mums alive is set them in a plastic tray and water them from the bottom, so they don’t dry out in our hot fall afternoons.
The baskets are from Target and have lasted from last year. They have them back in stock! These are another option. I would get a plastic tray for the inside at a garden center.
I have my mom’s bench still out there and a wreath of petrified leaves I bought last year at our local Bunches florist. Amazingly it survived the garage storage. I added a few smaller mums from Ace hardware to the other pots in the front..
Pant Talk..
Can we talk about pants? I was excited to finally be wearing my white jeans from Mother ( this is also similar) the other day with my early ‘fall’ shoe which are suede Birkenstocks...
Someone asked about my toe polish and it’s a good fall nail color by OPI – Taupeless Beach!
My friend Bari and I were having lunch outdoors the other day and kept spotting women with cute pants on. I asked a few of them about their outfits and where did they get their pants?
Here in California, pants were not an option the past few months.. and I really missed them. I’m in the market for more good pants. I’ll share the ones these ladies had on..and a few others..
On My Radar Pants Edition..
I loved this ‘flight’ pant in black cotton that we saw one gal in. She styled it with cute slides and a feminine blouse. With the gathered cuff these look modern and bridge the gap between a sweat pant and a jean. They are by L’Agence and can be found here and here. I think it would be a good pant for travel as well.
The other stylish gal had a mid-rise jean with a cuff and this Pilcro jean looks as similar as I can find. Hers was no longer available. This jean is adorably cuffed and will show off ballet flats or whatever is your shoe vibe in fall. This jean comes in regular, tall, petite, and plus options.
I also saw a gal walk in with a carpenter type jean and a pair of small heels -so, so cute and this pair has the same feel.
The Yaya Jean by Anthro is one of their most popular and I’ve been meaning to try it. This blue pair calls itself a mid-rise crop, but looks classic and has a 27 inch inseam which can work for a lot of people. I like this dark blue, but it also comes in light and other options like corduroy and in black and in others sizes options, and this pair with a Paris map on it!
The Sense of Place Book
I arrived home yesterday to get my Sense of Place book I’ve been waiting on by San Franciscans Caitlin Flemming and her mother Julie Goebel. It did not disappoint!
Inside there are inspiring homes from all over the world . What I love about this book is the gorgeous photos by Stephanie Russo and also the interviews. Each home owner is such an interesting person and has their own way of living authentically and uniquely. This book includes tips on how to add personal touches in your mix at home and a great shopping resource at the end.
Of all the home books I have bought in the past year, ( and there has been a lot), this may be the most inspiring. I quickly read it as soon as it arrived and plan to sit down and inhale it all again with a nice cup of tea on this cool fall weekend.
The cover is a bit monotone, but the homes inside run the gamut from earthy to extravagant and colorful as do their interesting occupants. Some of the best were stories of Penny Morrison..who lives in Wales, Lily Resenfeld of Larkspur, and Malene Birger in Mallorca…
My favorite home may be of the author herself, Caitlin Flemming who lives in SF’s Marina neighborhood in a white walled home of pretty textiles, wood furniture with cool finds and sentimental treasures. Love it! ( photos here and above from the book.)
If you buy one home book this year, this is the one to get!
Cozy, Cute and California Casual..
I visited my pals over at Rails in Palo Alto this week and they sneakily had this Denver Jacket hanging up in the fitting room when I went in to try a sweater.. I was instantly smitten with the soft material and denim! After I tried it on I abandoned the sweater and walked out with this cozy and cute jacket that I know will be a great piece all fall and winter here in California..
It’s also on sale for a time right now here.
I also bought a coat, ( I have an outerwear addiction), but I’ll save more about that as next week Juliet and I are doing a little fun post on the ‘quiet luxury’ trend. We have talked about this for months and finally are doing it.
House of the Week
Sorry I’ve lagged on the real estate thing, but this Carmel cottage popped up and I had to include it.. They had me at the Dutch Door, fence and the name- Rose Cottage!
I love the window seats at the table and the stone fireplaces..
This one is also a cutie in the Carmel area and this Monterey Craftsman.
If you missed last weekend, I shared the Chanel it shoe of the season-and the best dupes, a pretty Newport Beach home, and the J. Crew 40th Anniversary book..
Have a beautiful weekend,
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Great post! Happy Fall Kim. You’ve motivated me to get some Mums!
Thanks Vikki! I know they feel like fall don’t they? xo
Happy Fall, Kim! First of all, I think we need to move to Carmel? Or maybe have second homes there after our first (your second) in San Mateo. So if you recommend it I do it and Sense of Place is on its way to Snowberry. The way Amazon works now it will probably be there when I arrive home tomorrow. Yay. I’m glad you mentioned of QL post, I’m spending the day working on it … Headsburg is a great place to get into the QL headspace. But back to you … and fall. Your porch is adorable. So happy that beautiful wreath held up over the winter. It’s spectacular. So are those gorgeous trim-color mums. I’m going in search of something similar this week. You porch is autumn perfection. I’m going to take a deeper dive into the pants options you’re sharing … at first glance I love them all. There’a a chill in the morning and evening air and I’m ready for some new cool weather pant options. Have the best first fall weekend. xoxo
Juliet I believe we need t get homes there.. Can you inform Max and Jim? LOL.. Oh yes we need the San Mateo homes too.
I hope you enjoyed Healdsburg. It’s one of my favorite towns! Can’t wait to read more about it. Thanks I am grateful Max didn’t kick my wreath to the curb or crush it while in storage..
Happy week! xo
Those pants are all gorgeous. And I think that the book would make interesting reading.
Your mum’s look so nice and colourful. I’d like to get some to brighten up our front door too. Have a good week.
Thanks Lorna! I know I want all the pants…I have to decide what I really need.
Do you have mums all over there too? Hope it’s a lovely fall on your island. x
Hello Kim,
Love your front porch, so pretty with the mum’s and after reading l bought two of the Target wicker baskets you recommended so that will be my lovely Sunday while my hubby soaks up all the football, decorating. We have two dear friends coming next week to us from Australia- my old next door neighbors-(❤️💃🌟) and we shared kids and work, life and holidays, so very special. Wow your poor ribs! I can completely relate, our son all 6ft 6 was “play” wrestling with my husband and my poor man had to try and save his dignity and get out of it quick as the tide had turned, and my son was far too strong and quick. He was aching for days:( But just told me about it!
Have a beautiful weekend xo
Francesca, I hope you enjoy the baskets! They really are nice for the price! How fun to have friends visit from so far. They sound like special friends. Enjoy!
Oh my gosh your son is 6’6! Poor husband. These kids don’t even know their strength I think! I am on the mend thankfully, but a little shy of hugs now.
Hope you have a great week! xo
Great post Kim. I hope you are feeling much better. I love that shot of your kitchen counter, the light is amazing. Your porch is so pretty, we are in Spring here in Australia, time to get my outdoors all spruced up. Have a great week.
Thank you Rira.. that was in the morning. Right now the light is so good. I love spring too.. So much ready to bloom.
Enjoy your week!
Hi Kim,
Great post! Thank you for the reminder to water mums from a tray at the bottom. You mentioned this last year and it worked! No more wilty mums on the warm front porch.
I love the Denver jacket. I must go and try it on. Thanks for sharing!
Karen it helps a lot as the mums dry out quickly! Oh let me know what you think of the jacket. I think it runs a bit big too.I bought a Small..
xo
Kim,
Sorry about your ribs. I hope that you are on the mend soon.
Your porch looks beautiful! I love the look of mums but never have any luck with them so this year I skipped them. I did get some white pumpkins and 2 mini orange ones from TJ. I love TJ, sadly the closest one to me is an hour away, so if I go I have to stock up and anything and everything.
I LOVE your new coat! I cannot wait to see it on you. I too have an outerwear problem. I just love coats and jackets and have a lot of them, in my defense I do wear them.
Quiet luxury is such an interesting topic, I look forward to reading your posts about it.
That little house is Carmel is so sweet. I love a dutch door and am trying to find a place for one, a bit of a challenge in this house.
Happy, happy Fall! Have a wonderful weekend.
xo
Elizabeth I bet the little pumpkins look great on your pretty porch. Shoot that is a long way for a TJs. They are sure nice to have nearby.
Yes I have coat issues, and I do wear them all! I did donate a while bunch to One Warm Coat also..
A Dutch door would be so cute on your house!
Have a great week!
xo
Oh no Kim ouch! I hope you do not have what I acquired as I have gotten older. For about the last 11-12 years any type of pressure to my chest will cause my ribs to “pop” causing a lot of pain. Depending on the severity it can take me up to 5 weeks to fully recover so I can lift weights again. I saw a Sports Medicine doctor years ago and although he couldn’t come up with a diagnosis I sort of did Dr. Google and think I may have “slipping rib syndrome”. The description sounds just like my condition. It usually affects the “false ribs”. (as in my case) One of the last episodes I had I was just leaning over the arm of the sofa watching my grandson and it was just enough pressure to pop a little and cause pain! You probably gave good advice to your son. 😊 If it happens again just make note of what you were doing at the time.
Your porch looks great! I bought a few mums too at Trader Joe’s last week.
My library has Sense of Place so I ordered a copy to check out. I definitely have an interior design book addiction. The last one I purchased was “The Allure of Charleston” I saw it when I was at Serena & Lily one day. Ended ordering it from Target because I know they have great prices on books.
I got my Covid booster yesterday and felt crappy all day today but still managed a 45 min walk with my husband this morning. I never used to get much of a reaction from Covid vaccines so I was not happy!
Hope your ribs feel better soon.
Linda
I forgot to mention I am a catastrophic thinker too. Love the quote! There was one years ago from Michael J. Fox, “if you worry about the worst case scenario and it does happen, you’ve lived it twice”.
Wow that’s a good one.. Thank you Linda. Going to remember it. I don’t need that!
Yikes Linda I am sorry that sounds painful. It’s so hard isn’t it? You are lifting weights and doing everything right and then these little things happen and you’re set back for a while right? Well sending good thoughts and hoping you don’t need to have this issue again!
Yes Target is a great place for books and I will often try and link to them instead of Amazon…Even nicer if you can get it at the library.
Last time I got the flu shot in one arm and the booster in the other with my dad and Max and none of us had any side effects. I did get Pfizer. My dad has had issue with Moderna. I have to go get mine too! Take care Linda!
Have a good week. xo
Hi Kim,
The front porch looks so pretty and welcoming. You always put so much thought and love into decorating.
So very sorry to hear about your rib. That must be highly painful. Jackson must be feeling badly.
I know what rib pain feels like. You remain in my
thoughts and well wishes.
Thank you for sharing the quote. I was raised in a home of WORRY. Till this day it haunts me. It can take up a large amount of space in your head. I wrote out the quote on a recipe card. ❤️
Katherine you are so sweet. Thank you. I know Jack feels badly and thankfully I am on the mend, but gosh ribs take a while to mend!
I feel like so many of us were raised with worry and you are right it occupies head space. I am adamant not to let myself live that way! We have to fill our heads with good thoughts and happy things… Hugs to you