On this post, a few October styling ideas, India Hick’s x Tuckernuck collaboration, a Madewell weekend capsule wardrobe, and more.
How are you all? It’s time for our weekend roundup with good things ! This is a quick post. I took off on my small California trip Friday and can’t wait to share it all with you next week.
October home styling ideas
Are you having fun with pumpkins and things? October just brings me so much joy with the pretty fall decor. These are a few ways I have styled my porch the past years. I change things a bit every year. I thought I’d share the different looks… I miss my kitty girl Marlo. She always went so well with the Halloween decor. What I did this year on the porch on this post.
Look at this a cool idea from an Instagram account called I’mFixintoblog. Meghan is in North Carolina and has a lovely blog too. I may copy her VOTE pumpkins idea!
Inside..
A few pics from my past tables. One runner from last year, and a fall table from a collaboration a couple of years ago. I loved that table and got the flowers at my local florist Bunches. They lasted for ages.
I adore persimmons and they make great decor in October just sitting in a cute bowl!
India Hicks x Tuckernuck Collection
I adore India Hicks and was excited to hear she had a collection with Tuckernuck. There are some good classics for the closet like leopard scarves and leopard jacket, and toile dresses. The whole collection here . Click on photos for the link.
The photo shoot for this collection was lovely and done in Portugal with her daughter Domino and family friends.
I just wrote about India’s mother memoir, Lady Pamela, that they collaborated on. That book is a really a fun read, and some humorous stories. India also wrote another great book, An Entertaining Story on entertaining and food.
A special home on Lake Michigan in AD
I fell in love with this renovated home on Lake Michigan in my new AD magazine. I think you will love the unique architecture and every room has some charm and color. It was built in the 1970’s and the original cedar planks were painted over in the 80s. The new owners restored the planks and gave it a bright feel for a family with five children. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a cool beach house.
I have a soft spot for these diagonal planks. They remind me of ski places we rented in the 70’s in Tahoe..
I love this unexpected green for the couch and the chair! Isn’t this pop of yellow great in the kitchen?
Photos by Marta Xochilt Perez and designer was Lily Dierkes.. Find more details and the whole article here.
The Madewell Sale
October is when Madewell has it’s fall sale and I typically get a great shoe or a sweater for my closet. I was thinking about packing for this weekend, and thought these sale pieces could be a great mini capsule weekend wardrobe. I am loving deep blues right now and you could go with just this pair of jeans (cute front pockets), the tank, cardi, and the stripe sweater and you’d have several looks. The cardi or the sweater are great for tying over the shoulder too. I love this small cinched bag and the penny loafer is perfect. Madewell makes the best loafers and I love this pair (not on sale), but on the carousel below, I added a pair that is. I want a tan loafer too.
Shop all the pieces and a few others here:
Getting the vote out!
I cannot lie, this election has gotten me stressed. My dear friend April sent me a great podcast episode this week from Fast Politics by Molly Jong-Fast. It was with the Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Both were positive which I needed -and I recommend you listen to it on your phone too if you are stressing about things. Listen here or on your phone.
One thing we can do is not let ourselves get sucked into the negativity. One candidate especially is counting on that and for people to get so discouraged they won’t vote. Believe it or not, this is a strategy. Stay strong, stay positive and get your voice heard. Share positive messages!
Another thing we can do is vote NOW. It takes a lot of pressure off of the system if we go early, and in California you get a text or can check online to see if your ballot was received and counted. Mine already was and it makes me feel good knowing it has not gone astray.
NEXT, ask your friends and family if they’ve voted yet. I had a chat with my hairdresser who had been getting the absentee ballot we send out in California, but had no idea she could just drop it at a local drop box or the mail without lining up. I have even asked people at the grocery store who have remarked on my Kamala shirt if they have voted yet? I told my deli guy it is so easy this year with not too many propositions, that I got it done quickly. He seemed to be glad to hear that – so you never know if your gentle reminder could be the difference of someone skipping it, or getting their ballot out!
My son Jackson and I sat down when he was home last weekend and we quickly hashed out the propositions and kind of knew who we wanted for most things. We looked up a few things. We found the CalMatters propostions page really helpful. It’s non-partisan and when you click on a prop, it tells you why it is on the ballot, what would it do, who is funding it, and who is for and who is against. Those things can be eye-opening and helpful. It’s great to do ballots as a family or with friends and get them dropped off!
Lastly, this may be my last election shirt! I have so many now. I saw this on Ted Lasso’s star and good human, Jason Sudeikas at an WNBA game and had to get one. I bought mine here, but it runs small and I should have gotten large. I also noticed you can get it in a sweatshirt or hoodie here.
A few weeks ago, Max and I caught this special called Firing Line -Counting the Vote by Margaret Hoover. After all the rhetoric that happened with the last few elections, this is an excellent and in depth show on what states, particularly those that were called into question, have done this year to protect our voting system to insure elections are fair, well counted and not messed with.
We found this hugely reassuring – and I would send it to anyone who has doubts about this election. We have SO MANY good humans that put this nation above party that work our polls and serve as election officials. I am hugely grateful to them. Watch it or send it to a friend or family member who has doubts.
I recommend everyone watch and see how much work and effort has gone into our elections. She is excellent and I think this will win win an award. It is also here on PBS.
If you missed last weekend’s post on part two of the Closet Cleanout, my fall fashion inspiration board, a fun idea for an October get-together and good things to watch, catch it here.
Please stop by Elizabeth’s blog where she has more cool weekend things.
Juliet will be back next week, but if you missed her October tablescape post you can read it here:
Thank you for being here and happy weekend,
Kim
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I hope you’re having a great time on your trip! My state’s early voting opens on Monday, and my husband and I are hoping to vote early in the week. Our Republican dominated legislature has made early voting in our state more difficult by limiting hours, days, and cutting it down to only 2 weeks (& no options for Sundays because they don’t want churches organizing groups to go vote after services). It’s incredibly frustrating. Our son is still waiting to receive his absentee ballot, and we really aren’t sure if it will even get to him in time to vote. That’s another thing our Republican dominated legislature has done here—made absentee voting more difficult. It’s hard here, but there are blue dots here who keep trying to make things better. It’s planting seeds for trees that we may not get to see grow very much.
Michelle, I keep hearing this! So frustrating. Voting should be made easier, not harder! Why do we want anyone left out? It does seem to be the strategy with Republicans to have less people vote! We have been doing absentee ballot for a long time here because it gives you options to do it early, and drop early either in a box by town – or the mail with no stamp.
In 2020, our governor Newsom, decided that everyone registered will get them, and so we all do. We can still choose to go to a polling place, but it’s great that everyone automatically gets one. I believe Oregon does the same.
Keep fighting, and I am hopeful one day all this nonsense and those who don’t want us to vote, will go away.
I think about the planting seeds thing all the time! Thank you for caring! I hope we see progress in our lifetimes.
xo
Hi Kim! Your posts are always so great with such good detail. I follow through your suggestions with happy results.
I love your closet clean out series. I am making a start on mine this weekend. It desperately needs it. It is large enough that I just move things around seasonally. I needed your encouragement. Wish you were here to help me!!!
Thank you so much Sue! Good luck with the closet.. I wish I could help you too.
You’re going to feel so great when you get it all done! Absolutely worth doing. x
Hi, Kim –
Love all of this. I hosted book club last week which was a good push for me to boost the fall decor on the front porch. I love that it can last right through Thanksgiving, although I may need to replace the mums. The Madewell pieces are great. Reminds me of some black loafers I had in my youth. My older sister told me to put a dime in them instead of a penny, so I’d always have it for a phone call, as in from a phone booth! Yikes. I have some brown loafers I don’t wear often enough.
I’m proud of you for continuing to bring up the election. Did you see the clip of Dave Bautista on Jimmy Kimmel?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGxwn_N9DtE
My daughter in Chicago has already voted, as has my sister who lives on Vancouver Island (BC). I just received my ballot yesterday. All of Oregon is vote by mail, which makes it so convenient. I will copy your idea of encouraging others to drop off or mail in their ballots. I’m volunteering at the local county Dems office this week. Where’s my Kamala shirt? I may need that one you found…
Hope you have a great trip!
Julia, How fun. I know sometimes having people over really kicks me in the butt to get things done. My mums have not done well this year. I think I’m going to need a replacement.:( They look torched.
Aren’t the loafers good? A dime was a great idea!! Gosh my mom always told us to carry a dime too.. She would wrap it in a tissue and give it to me for my schoolbag or purse.
Thank you for sending this. Love Jimmy Kimmel! Yay for you guys voting early and for you helping with this election. You are awesome.
xo
Your front porch is great! I want to do more on mine. Real pumpkins won’t last long here but it has been cooling off.
Thanks for the stay positive message. I’m going to find out how to vote early right now!
Yay Mary Ann. Thank you for early voting. I hear you about pumpkins with the heat.. Babs had a natural spray you can make to keep them fresh and bug free. I will link to it on the top.
xo
Hi Kim — Love all your pumpkin decor! I have mine out too. And I am starting to plan my Thanksgiving table. I am totally into black and blue for fall clothes this year. I am trying to be more intentional in what I buy this year and in paring back what I have. I brought two huge bags of clothes to Goodwill this week. It was hard to part with some old favorites that I just don’t wear anymore, but I feel better when I walk into my closet. Still more to go through! I am feeling so stressed about the election these days, so thank you for the podcast recommendation. I voted this week since I will be out of town until the day before election day. I didn’t want to miss it somehow. I really can’t believe this is where we are, but there you have it. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend away!
Hi Molly! I love your pumpkins and your decor so much. The orange is so lovely with your blues.
Good for you being intentional about what you add to the closet. You will be glad.
I hear you about dropping things off that you have loved. If you are no longer wearing them, they are merely dust gathering so good job. The space and less will give you more happiness than hanging onto them.
Yay you for early voting since you are away! Let’s think positive and get our friends and family to the polls. xo
Good morning!
Thank you for sharing I’m Fixin To. She has a lovely blog and IG account—almost as good as yours!
Thank you for the voter information. I join a group of friends, mostly widows, each election year to go over ballot issues, as CA always seems to have so many. We stay away from discussing candidates, we differ on who and why too much. We want to remain friends after all! We turn to The League of Women’s Voters and I will take the CAL/Matters site along for input. In this senior community, everyone is dialed into the election as we know the weight our choices carry this year. It is TIME TO STAND UP and VOTE!
Be well and as always, thank you for every post. xo-holly
Holly, Wow how nice you all have a group to do this. I think that is so great and you can be together when when you don’t agree. We need more groups like this.
I really appreciate the Cal Matters site so much. Very handy.
Yes we have to vote!
Thank you for your note and for being here and your conversation. So appreciate you.
Have a good weekend. xo
election stress is crazy… then you add that narcissisticElon Musk and his California shaming to the mix and you have to just step back and breathe. I sometimes forget that California is the 5 largest economy in the world, it is open and green and the weather is gorgeous almost 12 months a year. Elon Musk is a self serving idiot and he fits perfectly next Trump and Vance. enough of that.
Happily, Autumn is sort of almost here, the days are shorter, Halloween decor is cheery and fun and the election is almost done. And yes, everyone get out there, read, educate yourself and Vote! VOTE!
Dianne, It is so maddening that we gave Musk billions in breaks for setting his businesses up in California and he bad mouths California, but we are leading the way, as always for others and he has yet to get many people to want to move to Texas, where workers get less. He’s kind of a joke.
Let’s hope after the election we won’t have to hear from him as much. Yes read vote and let’s get this election over. xo
Hi Kim,
Your porch looks very nice – nothing like real pumpkins and mums to dress it up for fall!
I do love that planked house in the AD issue. And you’re right, it IS reminiscent of Tahoe ski homes back in the day. I don’t ski anymore, but it was so much fun to spend a few days up there in a cozy cabin.
Thank you for the calmatters.org link. This is very helpful. Our family will be sitting down tomorrow to do our ballots and then turn them in Monday. I’m feeling the same as you, stressed, but we need to stay positive and make sure we all vote!
Enjoy your weekend. I’m going to check out the blog you mentioned.
Thank you so much Janet! Isn’t that a cool house?
Good luck with the ballot. Great to sit down with the family.
Yes stay positive and let’s do this!! xo
Hi Kim,
How nice you are on a road trip with your Honey. That means I (we) get to go along with you guys on your fun journey. Looking forward to you sharing. I realize this just not just magically happen, so thanking you in advance.
I 🧡🧡🧡your front porch, it looks so warm and inviting. Your front door is so very special.
This may shock you, it kind of does me because I’m a big fruit eater and I don’t think I have ever eaten a persimmon. I see them in produce. I better get with the program.
I will take a listen to your links soon.
We voted last Saturday. Mailed in our ballots on Tuesday morning, they were both received and on Wednesday or Thursday they were received and counted. Such a good feeling and felt a small burden lifted off my shoulders. I’m still feeling edgy and highly concerned about the outcome. Trying hard to think positive and knowing the polls are not always accurate. I 💖💃💖 your
Harris & Walz & Joy & Liberty tee, colors are great on you. Sorry it’s a bit snug. When I ordered my Childless Cat Lady in navy I did check out the size chart and thought I should order a medium. It was gigantic, not crazy about returning things. I kept it and took it in with a rubber band.
Katherine, Thank you… We are trying not to kill each other! LOL.
Thanks so much about the front door!!
Yay for you voting and already counted.
Try the persimmons that are small like pumpkins. They taste like an apple!
Love your cat lady t-shirt. xo
Good morning Kim!
I hope that you are having a wonderful trip! I am looking forward to hearing all about it.
Love your front porch! Simple, elegant and beautiful.
We voted on Friday, our state has early voting and we will be busy on Election Day with other appointments. Everyone needs to vote, there is more at stake then just the presidency. Our local and state election are very important too and sometimes people forget that.
Madewell always has some great classic, pieces. I will have to check them out.
Great minds think alike, I posted about INDIA HICKS too. She is such an interesting lady as is the rest of her family.
Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.
xo
Elizabeth,
Yay for you guys voting early. Thank you about the porch!
Agree the local and state races matter so much too. I loved your post this week! SO many fun things. Isn’t India a cool gal? Love all she does and all she has done for Ukraine. Hope you have a wonderful week too. xo
You inspired me to sit down, and complete my ballot. My husband as well. We talked through all of the measures, and looked into all of the judges.
Occasionally my husband and I don’t agree. Good for me to hear other opinions sometimes I guess.
Here in Colorado, we have either mail in, or drop boxes. We put them in, then went out to lunch!
There was an interesting opinion piece in the New York Times this morning. It was originally written in 2021.
Quiz: If America Had Six Parties, Which Would You Belong To?
There were 20 questions. I ended up being closest to “The New Liberal Party”.
The parties range from The Christian Conservative Party on the right, to the Progressive Party on the left.
Here’s what how my imaginary party is described:
“The New Liberal Party is the professional-class establishment wing of the Democratic Party. Members are cosmopolitan in their social and racial views but more pro-business and more likely to see the wealthy as innovators.
Its potential leaders include Pete Buttigieg, Cory Booker, Eric Garcetti and Beto O’Rourke. Based on data from the Democracy Fund’s VOTER survey, this party would be the best fit for about 26 percent of the voters “
Interesting! I liked thinking about all of the questions, if you can access the New York Times, give it a try! I log in using my Library membership. Libraries often subscribe, and make it available to their users.
HI Lisa! I know Max and I don’t always vote the same either.. Nice to do it and then lunch out!
I am looking for that quiz now. I have a NYTimes account. Sounds interesting. I may be the same as you and I love all those guys..especially Pete!
Hi Kim, sorry I’m a day late … hope you’re having a ball on your adventures. Your past fall tables are so pretty. Our heat went on for the first time this morning. A surprise, but a pleasant one. We dropped off our ballots last week … it feels good to have it done, and to get a text that they’ve been received and counted. I am nervous going into these final couple of weeks. I adore Molly’s Fast Politics and Rick Wilson is a treasure. It’s the Pods these days that are providing me with some reassurance like Molly, and Kara Swisher’s Pivot and On … they do a great job interviewing interesting, thoughtful and smart people. It’s reassuring to know that despite the chaos and discord that some want us to get caught up in, we have a ton of capable leaders in our country and I’m so ready to turn the page on this exhausting chapter. Thanks for always sharing your passion for what’s right and providing us with resources and information. It’s hard to speak out politics in a public forum and I think you’re incredibly courageous … in addition to being super smart and fabulous. xo
Juliet thanks! I loved yours SO much. Wow the heat. It is hot down here in SO Cal! Good for you guys getting those ballots done.
I agree about the podcasts! Kara Swisher is another great one!! She is fantastic.
We have some wonderful and caring people in this nation who are so smart and so dedicated. All we have heard is the hate and the obsurd. I hope we are almost done with this chapter also.
Aw you are the best. I appreciate you sharing the podcast last week and about climate change! We are all doing our little part I hope.
Xoxo
Another great post, Kim! As always, I so admire your bravery in discussing election stuff. Thanks for the great tee idea and I love the idea of just reminding people to vote. I will do that when I’m out and about!
Jenny, Thank you so much- and for doing that too! xo
Hi Kim,
You might be home or on your way now. I’m always late reading the weekend posts. I’m looking forward to hearing about your trip.
Anyway, I always find all the good stuff here!
My vote is going in the mail today. It was easy and I’m so grateful to have the privilege.
You always find the cutest clothing! I realized I have something similar to almost everything you showed above, in my closet. I’m making great strides clearing out the stuff I don’t wear and made an appointment with my resale shop to sell some of it.
Might get my pumpkins today. Going to check out having inserts installed in our fireplaces, to use as actual heat sources. Propane is so expensive the bill nearly knocks me out during the cold months. And the heater went on this morning for the first time because I was shivering while doing my morning yoga!
Hope we can get together soon, and wear our fall clothing!
Xo Heidi
Heidi you are so right that we are lucky to vote and I hope more of us vote than ever this time, especially our young people!
Yay for the closet cleanout. Good luck and bring fall things it helps.
We love our fireplacee insert, but it is gas. Maybe you can get an electric one? I think they are the future and I would change mine out if I could now.
We need to get together and wear out fall looks! xo
Mailed my 200 postcards last week! Just had to #DoSomething. Enjoy all your posts and proud of your bravery on the blog!
Missi you are awesome! Thank you so much. I am going to send some letter out this week for Vote Forward.
You are so kind.I just know we are doing all we can! x
Kim I have been so tempted to try those Madewell loafers! Love the look of them if my foot would fit into the toebox!! Such a great post this week. I love India Hicks style wish that dress wasn’t polyester…so goo looking!
Cindy, I was surprised to see that too about the polyester. I think you should stop by Madewell and try those shoes in person.. x
Hi Kim,
I have just got back from London seeing family and friends and the next day I sent off my ballot vote, very relieved now it is in, “done and dusted”. I then sent out a text to my adult kids to get voting. I am going to try and not get stressed with all the election news. Highly recommend a podcast called The Newsagents USA on Spotify, with John Sopel who was the BBC North America editor and Emily Mathis who is terrific, and was recently in the news for being the interviewer with Prince Andrew in that famous exchange. Their reporting is so on point and their political guests are always insightful.
Happy week Kim, be well!
Francesca, Hope your London trip was good. I will check out Newsagents! I really appreciate good reporting now..
Take care. xx