On this post, some holiday movies, cute festive tops from Anthropologie, books to gift, our Rails event and more..
It’s our Weekend Meandering time with Juliet and Elizabeth!
How’s things going? I hope you are taking the time to find a few sweet spots in the craziness. I Finally got a wreath up after my wreath I made at the fun workshop disintegrated. I’m just awful at crafts. I finally bought a basic wreath at my local Bunches florist and had them add this plaid ribbon..
I got my pink tree up finally and enjoying it! Marlo loves it too. I call it her tree and put little cat toys under the tree skirt for her to find.
This weekend, Griffin comes home for winter break from Utah! I am so excited..
Willow Glen
I realized I haven’t had a drive to see the lights in the beautiful Willow Glen neighborhood yet. That’s a favorite family tradition in a gorgeous old neighborhood of well loved homes. My grandparents lived on Cherry Avenue when I was growing up and my papa (dad’s dad), built a track of homes there in the 1960’s. I think that’s why it has a special place in my heart. Do you have a pretty neighborhood you like to visit? We have also walked through the streets night bundled up with hot chocolate too. You can see all the details of the lovely homes better!
If you are in Willow Glen stop by stores! I love shopping down there. My mom would always take the boys for a book at the wonderful Hicklebee’s Books and we would get them an ornament each year from one of the little shops.
My favorite clothing shop BellaJames is down there right across from Hicklebee’s and I love the pajamas, and pretty clothes. There is still time to get a look like this that they shared Friday of me in their pretty washable silk top and pull-on satin skirt! Contact them to have them send it to you or pop by the store.
Twelve Days of Christmas Fun!
My friend E, who I adore and often share here ( including with her pretty brooches), does a ‘Twelve days of Christmas’ every year and plans something fun every night -12 days in a row. It inspires me and I asked her to share a little how she and her husband Todd started this fun tradition..
‘It started the first year of Covid as we were looking for a way to celebrate the season without being able to see family or friends. Todd suggested that we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with each day doing something fun and festive.
Our favorite one has to be when we adopt a family. We team up with my sister and brother-in-law and are able to help a deserving family with rent, bills, clothes, car repairs, hygiene kits and of course gifts under a Christmas tree.
After that first year we were able to host people in person and that opened up new ideas like a hot chocolate bar with neighbors, spiked apple cider around the fire pit, jumping in a car to see holiday lights, gathering for the lighted boat parade in Santa Cruz.
No matter what we do, it fills our hearts with holiday spirit.’
I love how they worked in adopting a family, and surprising their neighbors with treats, into the fun.
Holiday Films…
I have a list of all my must watch Xmas films. I’d love to hear yours. My very favorite was always A Christmas Carol from 1984 with George C. Scott. I don’t know why that resonated with me, but even my brother said I got him hooked on it and he always watches it too. It’s so good. This is all the places you can stream it here.
This week, I saw a video on the the origin story of Scrooge, from Instagram creator, Scotland Unplugged. ( Scottish lovers might like following Robert’s account that shares Scottish history and scenery.)
Dickens was giving a lecture in 1841 in Edinburgh and on a stroll of the Royal Mile, he stopped at Cannongate Graveyard and noticed a tombstone reading ‘Here lies Ebeneezer Scroogie, a meal man’. Dickens misread it and thought it said ‘mean’ man. The truth was the actual man was famous for giving generous parties, but Dickens ran with the thought. He pondered how mean did you have to be to get it on your headstone? From that, his twist on the name and the man Scrooge was born.
After I shared his video, my Instagram pal Mary shared to a wonderful Christmas story that I somehow missed from 2017, starring Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as Dickens..and the wonderful Christopher Plummer as Scrooge. I am adding this new one to our family movie night! It says it’s on Prime for free.
Anthropologie’s pretty holiday tops..
I saw this little sweatshirt at Anthropologie and was smitten. It’s a fun piece to wear through winter with a pair of jeans or one of those satin skirts or over a slip dress. I bought a medium and wore it with jeans, chandelier earrings and my pink metallic Vans this week out to a holiday lunch with friends.
A few other cool pieces Anthropolgie has for the holidays or New Years and beyond… Links in pics. The velvet shirt comes in so many colors. I adore the rose metallic t (more colors), and the blue jacquard looking sweater is beautiful in person ..and I can’t resist the eyelash sweater..
Have you seen Katie Spade’s sling back with corks on the heels? Made for New Years!
Last Minute Gift Books..
if you need a good book these are some of my favorites from the last year.
Rails Holiday Event..
My pal Jeanne and I had our Rails event this week and had a great afternoon with all the ladies that stopped by! The men’s clothes and ladies coats, were very popular. Our friend Minh came by and bought the gorgeous green Lore Coat, which looked amazing on her.
I loved this checked version of the coat and bought it too! It is kind of a statement piece and those are may favorite kind of coats you can just pop over a top and pant and you have a look.
Jeanne bought this darling Esme cardi with a removable faux fur collar, and this beautiful Liam sweater with whipstitch details. Love it with this slip skirt or jeans.
Rails also has pjs that are so soft. I loved this tie-dye set, and there are 10 more color options, if you are looking for a nice set to gift to treat yourself to.
If you can, make a point to stop by Rails shops in SF’s Hayes Valley or at Stanford Shopping Center. I love this California company and you really need to see the clothes in person. They are beautiful, well-made and fun! The details always make their pieces stand out.
Other Stuff..
If you missed last weekend’s post I shared my holiday decor and a gift list for the guys that I have added to this week.
I’ll be taking a break from the blog for a few weeks. I hope to spend some downtime with the family and come back with some great ideas for the new year for you all. Elizabeth will still be blogging and I think Juliet may take a break too. I will still post on Instagram occasionally.
I just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you who open this blog every week ! I so appreciate the comments and all your thoughts. Connecting with you all is truly my favorite part of it all!
Here’s to a beautiful holiday and a great 2024. I’ll see you all back here in a few weeks.
Love you guys!
Kim
Please stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you so much Rita! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Merry Christmas Kim. Enjoy the holidays with your beautiful family. Your blog is such a treat. Love following along.
Sarah
Aw thank you so much Sarah! Wishing you a lovely Christmas too. xo
So much fun! I ordered the Anthro top in gold as they were out of the pink… I always love your finds. Merry Christmas!!
Darn that was cute. Thanks for letting me know Mary Ann! I changed it to the gold one.
Merry Christmas! x
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Thanks for all the fun, fashion, travel and decor inspiration you share all year long with just a smidge of compassionate social commentary. Love your blog!
Hi Penelope! Thank you so much. So sweet of you.
Hope you have a great holiday season. xo
Happy Holidays Kim! Thank you for the video suggestions! We love Christmas movies and watch every night during the season. Love the eyelash sweater too!
Happy Holidays Vikki! We try and watch them at night too! Isn’t that the cutest sweater?
Thanks for an interesting and fun year following your life and travels! Love the Anthro eyelash sweater with the unexpected scoop back with tie. My favorite classic Christmas movie is the Bishop’s Wife, Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young, funny and sweet.
Thanks Carol! I thought that was such a darling sweater. I will look for the Bishops’s Wife! I love the classics.
Happy holidays. x
Kim
Love that pink top on you! Thanks for the tip on the Scrooge movie! So many fun things in your post this week! One day I will make it to one of your Rails evnts!
Thank you Cindy! The Scrooge film is the best ! I hope you can come to one of the Rails events.xo
I’m so glad to hear that someone else loves the George C. Scott version of “A Christmas Carol.” It’s my favorite, too, and I have a hard time finding it — thank you for listing the streaming options. Your blog is such an inspiration. Thank you for all you do.
Laura, I am glad there are others who love that George C. Scott version ! He was really such a good Scrooge!
Aw thank you so much. Wishing you a happy holidays. xo
Merry Christmas Kim and thank you for all your input and reviews . I appreciate your honest advice on sizes , styles and quality.
Hi Jo! Thank you. I’m so glad it’s helpful..Wishing you a great Christmas too. x
Happy Holidays! Just a quick question… what size did you take in the silver pleated skirt? We are of similar build and I will need to order it because I can’t find it locally. Thanks!
Hi Lisa ! No problem ..In the silver skirt that is linked to the one at Dillards, I took a small. I am 5’4 and around 135.
Happy Holidays! x
Great post as usual. I am so jealous of all the coats and sweaters! I miss cold
weather this time of year. We are lucky if we can wear our North Face vests! LOL
Happy Holidays to you and your family. Look forward to 2024 and your blog!
Charlene, I do love our cold months and the sweaters and coats!
happy Holidays to you too. Thank you so much. xo
Kim! Those heels with the cork! Love. And, yes, perfect for New Year’s Eve. So fun. Rails has so many wonderful things and their coats are really good. I love the plaid, great choice. Also love that Anthro sweatshirt on you. And your holiday skirt and blouse from BellaJames. You look amazing in anything and everything. Driving around to take in Christmas lights is such a fun tradition … your dad’s neighborhood looks so festive. As for festive, Marlo’s tree! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and some well deserved downtime. I’ll see you back here in the New Year! xoxo
Juliet are they super cute or what? If I had a NYE party I might have to get them.
The Rails coats are so nicely made. Something about the plaid coat!
Willow Glen is a beautiful neighborhood you would love too.
Hope you have a great holiday Juliet! xo
Hi Kim, and happy holidays! Thanks for your movie suggestions. My favorites include Little Women, The Holiday, and A Christmas Story. I’ve been a little too busy to watch them but I will get a chance this week. Glad to hear that you are giving yourself a break to spend time with family. Enjoy the special moments making memories. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🎄xo Karen
Hi Karen, Little Women is a great suggestion to watch! I also like The Holiday and The Christmas Story…
Good I hope you get to enjoy some downtime too.. It is about all those little moments!
Merry Christmas!! xo
Good evening Kim,
I am sorry about your wreath falling apart. Crafting is not my strong suit either. But your new wreath with the plaid ribbon looks fabulous!
As do you in your new plaid coat, and fuzzy cosy sweatshirt.
I love the idea of 12 days of Christmas and doing good deeds. We celebrate our 12 days of Christmas from December 25th to January 5th(the Ephinay) and do much the same. Our church has a giving tree, as does the cooking group that I am in(for women in bad situations). We pick cards or families to help out. I am partial to the elderly on the tree.
Maybe you could do something like that with your boys when they are home.
I love that movie, The Man Who Invested Christmas, the book is excellent too! As much as I love the Christmas carol! Holiday movies are so fun to watch, they remind me of happy times with family.
YOU are a natural model Kim, you make every look effortless and beautiful!
Have a wonderful holiday and time off with your family! I will be blogging per usual but will look forward to seeing you in the NEW YEAR.
Sending you love and hugs for an amazing and happy holiday.
xo Elizabeth
Elizabeth, I was so grateful to find a wreath! By time I went looking they were all nearly gone all over. That’s a nice idea to do it during epiphany too. I would love to hear more about the women’s cooking group for those in need. Sounds wonderful. I have a soft spot for older folks too. Our family helps a group nearby for women and families. My guys have helped run the holiday fair and pick out gifts for them.
I’m so glad you like that movie. I can’t wait for us all to watch it.
I hope you get to relax and enjoy the season. xo
Merry Christmas Kim to you and your family and very best wishes for 2024. I have so enjoyed reading your blog this year and are grateful for all the work you put into writing it! It is always a fun read and I have gleaned many tips from it. I am determined we shall meet up in the new year!
Stay safe and healthy,
Cheers! Julia
Julia Merry Christmas! Thank you so sweet.
Yes love to get together soon. Enjoy the holidays with your family! xo
Hi Kim, I read you this morning but didn’t have time to respond. I really enjoy your collection of subjects each Saturday morning. You always manage to find topics that I find interesting and being kind of in your area, can often relate. My daughter lived in Willow Glen for a few years while working in Los Gatos and I loved walking in her neighborhood to see the homes and yards. I know you are thrilled to have all of your “boys” home at Christmas and I wish you a wonderful season.
Wren, Thank you so much. I’m so glad you like the topics and things!
Isn’t Willow Glen special? Yes I’m super excited to spend time with the guys.
I hope you have great Christmas and New Year! xx
Kim, thank YOU for the many wonderful blog posts and great finds that you share with us. Here’s wishing you and the whole family a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. P.S. Will definitely be checking out the YouTube channel with the interesting videos about Scotland!
Thanks so much Patricia! I think you’ll like the Scotland videos.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year. xo
Kim, I look forward to reading your blog every week. You invest so much time creating and curating so many interesting posts. You have such a great eye for all things beautiful whether it’s home decor or fashion and I am always inspired. Enjoy your well deserved down time.
Elaine aw thanks so much.
Thank you for letting me share your fun tradition of the 12 days! You inspire me. xo
Kim,
In 2023, thank you for a great minestrone recipe which I have used for my family multiple times and the idea to pair a somewhat oversized sweater with a satin skirt. I have worn that combo a few times for 2023 holiday events and I always feel comfortable (very important), but put together. Still need to shed a few lbs after baby, but not putting any pressure on myself this time- just trying to enjoy life which you always make sure to remind your readers and I love that! I am looking forward to 2024 and hope you have a great one too!
Best,
Nicole
Nicole, Thank you for this kind note! You are sweet. I love that soup recipe too.
The oversized sweater and satin skirt is such an easy go too isn’t it? Looks comfy yet pulled together!
Wishing you happy holidays ! xo
Merry Christmas! I enjoy your posts and look forward to them. Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season!
Thank you so much Barb! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!