On this post -my men’s gift guide, drapes over a glass entry door, the We Ain’t Buying It boycott and more…
I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. As much as I love Thanksgiving, I really appreciate the three days afterwards to decompress! We had ten for dinner with family and friends and it was nice. Later we had Jackson’s fiancee’s Kristin’s family stop by for dessert and some friends of the kids. It was a full house, but a lot of fun. I was so tired when I went to bed I couldn’t fall asleep. Does that ever happen to you?
Friday we had a beautiful day in Santa Cruz. We took family over to see the surfers along West Cliff and then popped over to downtown Santa Cruz to have lunch at old school Mexican El Palomar and everyone loved it. The street was bustling and it was great to see the small shops packed! The Santa Cruz Bookshop is always a favorite and my boys love Pacific Wave Surfshop that has two stories of clothes and cool things. Grif bought a few shirts. We grabbed coffees at Verve and checked out all the stores. This is a great place for your holiday shopping.
We could not have had a more perfect sunny winter day for guests to be visiting!
Thanksgiving
Max did a ton of the prep the day before like his sweet potato casserole. I also made Ina Garten’s spiced nuts, a recipe my pal Elaine makes, which is SO good. I think you don’t need a lot of appetizers on Thanksgiving. These are enough with a glass of bubbly! Isn’t the bowl cool? This was from Crate & Barrel and a similar one is here. We loved these nuts so much I added them to my green salad with persimmons. It made enough to munch on all weekend and even give some to family to take home.
I made my Brussel Sprouts recipe, our California Sourdough parmesan stuffing with artichoke hearts from Sunset Magazine, mashed potatoes, a harvest salad with persimmons, homemade cranberry sauce with walnuts and apples, and we had sourdough and brioche rolls. Max made the turkey on the Traeger. For dessert we had pies made by Max’s stepmama Marguerite, and pumpkin tart from Manresa.
I found two very nice Laura Ashley tablecloths for $14 at Homegoods. I had these pretty glass napkin rings from West Elm and used these mustardy taupe linen napkins and my bamboo flatware (mine was from Pottery Barn not available, but similar here. I also love this on sale.) I wasn’t sure about the centerpiece as the kittens eat everything, so I used fruit and mini gourds and added some small flowers just before we sat down to eat, but forgot to take a picture.
I made a dessert table for all our pies and treats. Since we set it the day before, I used an old trick of my grandmothers of putting a sheet over the tables in case the kittens jumped up there overnight. They were loving the commotion and into everything with the full house!
My new drapes!
My West Elm drapes came for the entry and we got them up before the guests came on Thursday. I love how they make this small entryway look taller and cozier. I do not know why I waited so long to get these. It took Max some hours to measure it all and get them just where I wanted in this space- not too low, and also be able to be fully pushed off the windows as well. I think these are going to make the house a lot warmer too.
I got the rods at Pottery Barn, which are heavy looking and classic black I have used in my other house and love them. The curtain is by West Elm in Elm color and a velvet cotton curtain. (On Black Friday sale.) What do you think? I had a folding screen before, but it didn’t bring warmth or as much privacy.
Men’s Gift Guide for 2025
I know gift guides are going away and people are over them, like Oprah’s Favorite Things. This is the year of less online buying. If there was ever a time to shop small and buy less or opt for experiences instead, this is it. (More below.) That said…shopping for the menfolk can be hard. Gift guides are always the same BBQ tools, whisky flasks, and golf related accessories. I never find them helpful!
Since I have all men in my family (two boys, the hubs, and my dad) and none of them like to shop, I’ve curated a few of the greatest hits from each year and what gets worn and used the most. This is heavy on clothes, but that is what they always want and need.
Working with California brand Rails in precious years I discovered they have great shirts for guys. Their Wade thermals are a splurge, but feel like a million dollars. They are thick and buttery soft and WARM! I bought each son one last year and they are still looking like new and a favorite of both. Their vintage Henley is on sale and a beautiful fabric too and a Rheese shirt was being picked up by Stef Curry last year when I was there. I got one for Max and he loves it. (The last two are on sale 30% off use code Code BFCM2025.)
My guys also love brightly colored pieces. Griffin likes the pullovers like this fun mountain one from Marine Layer (on sale), and Jackson likes the Marine Layer sweaters like this retro looking striped one (also on sale.)
This is a cool shirt to wear open with a t-shirt, and this Rails fleece jacket is so good and on sale.
Max and my dad love the feel of the Tommy Bahama shirts and this quarter-zip is a great price for a nice weight shirt. The Quarter Zip from Travis Matthews ones are a bit more money, but this is Max’s favorite shirt and nice enough for work too. They come in many colors.
A few other good ideas here. I will add more this weekend too.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Every year we are compelled to shop and overspend on this holiday weekend in the name of bargains. American consumers spend billions on this one weekend. Yes there are some sales to be had, but we need to realize how much power our purchasing holds and how we spend creates what we live. Let’s help contribute to a better country, by skipping Amazon, Target and Home Depot- all companies that help support and get this administration in office. This article details the ways they are complicit, if you need to know more. The ‘We Ain’t Buying It’ is a boycott of these retailers and encouragement to shop small.
“The boycott campaign, which extends from November 27 to December 1, asks participants not to purchase anything from three major retailers in a “full black out.” It encourages people to “skip the companies undermining democracy. Shop small, local, or with businesses affirming our humanity.”
I have been making the effort to find small businesses and buy my gifts there. Contrary to what we may think, even small shops have good deals and sales. Let’s reprogram ourselves to get off big box retailers and also stop supporting Amazon, a company that is not only undermining our democratic system, but also wiping out our small storefronts and the charm of our main streets. Be the change you want to see in the world. I much prefer a charming downtown area than more super stores and big box strip malls, but we can’t have change until we ourselves stop shopping these places. We also need to think about buying less and these big stores encourage overbuying. I am trying to do experiences with friends and family in some cases, instead of gifts.
Love to hear your thoughts on this. Today is Small Business Saturday! Get out there and give some local businesses some love! I will try and share some of my favorite small businesses to shop next week. Please add your favorites to the comments if you have some.
If you missed last week’s post, I shared the Manet and Morisot exhibit in San Francisco, great sweaters with a message, and more.
I am behind answering last week’s kind comments with such a busy week, but and will get to them today! xo
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs for more good things…
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
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Hello, Kim,
Love your velvet drapes, very British. Why does anyone shop at those three horrible stores? Poor quality, worse service, and shoddy maintenance. Wake up, America, you’re contributing to your own demise.
Your drapes look wonderful! Nice cozy feel for the cooler months.
I agree completely with your comments about the boycott. Sadly we are in an economy where major retail chain stores are the only employment opportunities for many even if one does not like the politics or the low paying salaries. Large chains and Amazon have forced small businesses to close and now the felon’s tariffs will do the same. Shopping in areas with Wonderful small business lined streets are harder to find. Where I live we are snowed in this weekend so I may Christmas shop online but not Amazon, Target and Walmart.
Carolina thank you for bringing up a point about people’s livelihoods. I get that and I feel for so many of these people especially those working at Walmart and Amazon who are underpaid, but still need these jobs.
The tariffs are absolutely harming small businesses. They can’t send things overseas and they can’t get pieces they need. This administration never thought about any of that or they just didn’t care.
Hi Susan! Well that is a nice compliment about my drapes. If only I had a little British style..
I really think people have forgotten the charm and joy of real stores, not big boxes.
I find them joyless and awful and I race through if I must go to one.
We are absolutely contributing to the demise of our own towns with our dollars spent at these places and online.
Hello Kim,
Love this article and the focus on small, local businesses. Thank you! Are you able to share the recipe you mentioned from Sunset magazine with artichokes? It sounds amazing.
Have a great weekend and thanks!
Karyn
Karyn I loved it too.
Yes find the stuffing recipe, which I should have linked to here:
https://www.sunset.com/recipe/artichoke-parmesan-sourdough-stuffing
It’s so good this is the third year we have made it!
Hope you have a great weekend too. x
Happy post-thanksgiving! Do you have a link please to the sweater vest you are wearing over your thanksgiving dress? I bought the same dress last year based on your recommendation and love this vibe! I look forward to my Saturday mornings with reading your wonderful postings w my coffee!
Hi Ann! Gosh thank you so much!
Isn’t that a great dress? I am so glad you are enjoying it.The sweater vest is from Sezane and you can get it here in a few colors. I am wearing a small as it runs a little big…
https://go.shopmy.us/p-33541886
I love that it has other colors too. This was my first time trying it with a dress and it was great for a bit of warmth!
xo
Hello!
I love the velvet curtains at your front door. What a great idea! I couldn’t agree more about shopping small, and making the extra effort to avoid the big three. Your Thanksgiving looked like a wonderful family celebration.
Thanks Gail! I am loving them.
Yay for shopping small. I hope you had a good one too. xo
Hey Kim, always look forward to your posts and wonderful ideas! Wish I lived closer to those beautiful costal shops looks so fun. That dress you’re wearing under the beige vest , is that Ba-sh and is it still available? And that green purse from Madewell! Love love! Thx for all you do! ❤️
Hi Janet! Yes it’s a BA&SH dress and it was last season, and sadly I cannot find it online anywhere even preowned!
I love that green purse too. The vest is from Sezane and it is here:
https://go.shopmy.us/p-33541886
Aw thanks so much Janet! x
Love the velvet drapes in your vestibule and can imagine how cozy it looks, drawn after dark.
I’m also honoring the shopping boycott against those that kowtow to the President and hope the result hits them where it hurts.
Barb thank you! Yes after dark they look so much cozier.
I am with you hoping this boycott makes some impression ! x
Happy Thanksgiving Kim! The more the merrier on Thanksgiving for me and I love seeing your entire family plus more with you. That’s a wonder picture of you and yours. Thanksgiving is wonderful because you do have 3 days to recover afterwards and maybe doing so with family that may have lingered and not rushed home. Your menu looked fabulous and delicious!
I’m all about shopping small which is such a fun more delightful experience. Nothing better than celebrating the holidays with your fellow man. Cheers, Kim!
PS. I love and appreciate all your posts whether here or on IG and LoudDaughters
Hi Pam! You are right, the crowded house was just right. It is all about being with others isn’t it? I am so thankful.
I love the lingering family and days after to hang with them.
You know shopping small is partly selfish on my part because it is SO much more fun! Wish we could all see it that way. Today when I was at a small shop, everyone was chatting- the customers to each other and the folks working. It was nice to be out and in the holiday spirit with others! Much better than shopping alone on my couch.
Aw thanks so much Pam! Happiest holidays and thanks for the support! x
I love the new entryway drapes. Such a cozy, inviting look! Looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Yes to the too tired to sleep dilemma.
Deanna thank you so much. We had a great one.
Glad I am not the only one who gets too tired to sleep! xo
Your Thanksgiving looks a lot like mine, kind of hectic but essential for keeping us all together. The view of autumn trees through your front door is just the right touch. Thank you
for the timely shopping boycott reminders and suggestions for husbands and sons. Our downtown is just a shadow of what it was before the corporate invasion. I’m going to buy less but buy better this year.
Donna the truth! Fun in hindsight, a little crazy too. Aw thanks we have the best trees on our street. I love the fall vibe they give.
Thank you for caring about the boycott and shopping small. Yes all we have to do is look at our downtowns to see how our online shopping had contributed to what was once more thriving small shops. I am with you, fewer things and better. x
Good evening Kim,
You Thanksgiving table looks beautiful and your dinner sounds scrumptious! How wonderful to have most of the family there for the day and to have both boys home. How did the kitties like all of the guests?
Are gifts guides on the way out? Who knew. When we stop making them they will be in again.
I love seeing other people favorite brands and things they own and use, it is like reading a brand review but better because it is from someone that I trust.
I feel like the best deals were before Black Friday, but every day there is something new so who knows. I shopped a little and only bought a few gifts and a few things for me.
Your new curtains look fabulous! I love that they do this all over Europe to keep the drafts out. Hopefully this will keep your house warm? Forgive my ignorance but how cold does it get in the winter months?
Have a lovely weekend friend.
xo
Hi Elizabeth! Was fun and the kitties we loving the commotion and being in the thick of things. I had to put them in my bedroom for a few hours when we had a lot of folks here. I didn’t want them to escape in the hustle of it all.
I think people are over the whole buy and consumption that gift guides represent, but they can be helpful when you have no clue what to get someone. I agree if you like the person’s taste, I enjoy seeing their favorites.
Yes it is a British thing I think with the door drapes. Our house stays fairly warm as it was remodeled 8 years ago, but in the deep winter you can feel the cold near the doors and windows still. I find drawing all the window coverings at night really does help the house stay warmer. What about you? Today it was 47 degrees at 11 am so it’s pretty cold now. Yesterday in was 63 in Santa Cruz, so we really fluctuate here in Northern Cal!
Hope you had a nice weekend! xo
Gosh, our Thanksgiving was simply chaotic! We just had our children and their families. Four Grandchildren keep things lively – 7, 5, 5, and 3. We decided to combine two traditions- a simple Thanksgiving dinner, and our annual big batch of green chile. Turkey and tamales with green chile anyone?!
We all ended up with about a dozen freezer containers of green chile each, for the season. Just the thing for wintertime!
Love your drapes. I’m reminded of a local restaurant with a drafty front entrance. The building was historic, so no structural changes were allowed. They created a vestibule with velvet drapes. It did the trick!
Have you considered adding metal curtain hold backs on either side? You can find them on Etsy – some metal forged – some whimsical brass ones. We have drapes on a big sliding door, and just loop them in the tie backs every day. Keeps them neat and out of the way.
Hi Lisa! How lovely and fun with all the kiddos. Wow I love that you make green chili for everyone to go home with. The tamales sound delicious too. I am all for adding in fresh traditions as so many of the younger generations aren’t keen on turkey. It’s all about being together!
I love that the drapes are so good for drafts. Cute idea for that restaurant. You know I once had the metal tiebacks with my velvet drapes at my last house and loved how neat they looked. I am going to see if I can fit them in here with the door moulding. Thank you for the suggestion of Ebay too.
Great idea! x
What a coincidence! I’ve made that very same artichoke stuffing for Thanksgiving for several years. Love that recipe!
Marianne it is good isn’t it? I have so many good Sunset magazine recipes.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving !
Your Thanksgiving menu oozed absolutely delicious and the velvet curtains (drapes) a touch of glam, yet very practical. My American family spend 6months here in OZ, so Thanksgiving has become a bit of tradition well for the past 3 years). There are around 30 family members, including 7 children under the age of 10. It is really a lovely evening, with beautiful food, total chaos (once the kids find the hidden Coca Cola and other soft drinks), topped off with a little concert – last night it was violin from the 7 year old. I totally agree about supporting small businesses and try to do what I can, but their returns policies can be a barrier. Plus, because of our small population , we don’t have the sheer range of goods to select from as you do in the USA, so online shopping has become hugely popular here. Our small businesses are under siege from power prices and wages – $46/hr on a weekend and $60/hr on a public holiday and that applies to anyone running a cafe as well. Full time employees earn a bit less, but their wage includes, 4 weeks paid holidays a year, 12 sick days or carers leave, superannuation, bereavement leave, long service leave, domestic violence leave (govt workers), 2 days for moving homes……..It is a losing battle for many small businesses owners.
Hi Susan. Aw thank you so much. What fun you have a Thanksgiving in Australia… So love the chaos and violin! That is the best.
I have been looking for places with good return policies and most are pretty fair.
Wow I cannot imagine people being paid those wages. How great to make things more equitable. We do not have fair wages here, and people work in states where the nation minimum wage is used like Utah which is $9.50 an hour. My son just lived there for 5 years. It’s what I was paid at my college job 40 years ago.
In California we have small businesses hurt here by exorbitant rents and of course now tariffs…
I’m thinking this year we do more experiences than gifts to combat it all!
Thanks for sharing the difference in Australia. I have to share that!
xo
Your drapes (curtains in my neck of the woods!) look wonderful Kim. My mum always had heavy velvet curtains across the doors in our big, old draughty house as here in Scotland it really helped to keep the heat in and the bills down! Even when she downsized to a smaller home she always had the door curtains for the cosy feel and yours look lovely. I am also in the land of kitten rearing at the moment – Mabel is 5 months old and full of curiosity about the world around her so I have to be on my toes to make sure she doesn’t come to any harm but the kitten cuddles make up for it all 🙂
Lesley thank you. They really do remind of the beautiful heavy fabrics used in Scottish homes! Your mum was smart. Funny enough I can already feel a difference in the warmth in the morning and the evening and our house was remodeled in 2018, so they do help!
Oh my goodness congrats on your kittens. I think Mabel is the sweetest name. You are so right, they can get into harm easily at their age. So worth it all though isn’t it? I still am busy, busy with my two at almost 7 months old! Enjoy the cuddles!!
Hello Kim,
I love your velvet curtains so gorgeous and bold!! Love it! And your Thanksgiving looks like it was a lovely gathering. I used your brussel sprouts recipe and it was a great success thanks for that. We went away to Tennessee to my husband’s family and had a wonderful family time and now we are back home and i am so enjoying my two beautiful cats! Happy week Kim!
Francesca thank you! Loving my drapes. Oh so glad the brussels sprouts were good.
How fun to get to Tennessee! Enjoy your kitties in this cozy season. xx
Mom the drapes are such a. ice touch. Love focusing on small businesses. We have so many good ones in our area .
Thanks so much Cindy! You guys seem to have the best small businesses! x
Kim! Your family and friends Thanksgiving feast looks amazing! I agree, no need to heavy horse/oeuvres before Thanksgiving dinner. Spiced nuts are just the thing, I admit to overindulging in the cheese board this year and was already full when I plated up the main meal. Oops. Anyway, I recovered in time for dessert … there’s always room for that. Your dessert buffet is incredible. I’m sharing all your men’s gift ideas with Jim, all these shirts, pullovers, etc. are right up his alley … and he can pick out a few things. We’re both short of warm clothes having packed up for the apartment during the warm season … and didn’t think ahead. Ha! Love those entry drapes … and good job Max in hanging them just right. What a fun new addition and yes, it will keep your house warmer overnight and even chicer (if that’s possible) during the day. Proud to say I (unknowingly) participated in the we-aint’-having-it boycott. Enough already! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead … I can’t believe it’s December 1. Eek! xoxo
Oh gosh I have no control on a cheese board. I could eat it for dinner alone!
It has been such a cold season this year hasn’t it? I realized I need more thermal layer type things.
Yay for doing the boycott!
I know I am behind and since Thanksgiving was later this year, even more so. xo
Kim- For something fun please Google- “Shopping at Home Goods Be Like…” for a social media trend where people spot an absurd Home Goods find and then pretend to be looking for that exact thing. Some are better than others, but it really cracks me up. Another is where these 2 guys read the signs at Hobby Lobby… oh goodness. We all need laughs right now. I was mindful of doing some of our holiday spending at local businesses. So many around us have closed this past year. Take good care.
Nicole this was so funny. I had been sent a few of these by my friend… It is crazy the things at HG sometimes!!! I love the sign guys too.
Aw thank for shopping local! Hope you’re having a great season too. xo
Kim, do you mind sharing what size your sons wear in the Rails thermal shirt? Both my boys love thermal shirts and these would be a great gift!
Such a great photo of your family ( and the fiancé)…looks like one for the Christmas card😊
Karen, They both have medium because they ran quite large. I don’t know if it’s the same this year. They have been large in the other things…
Aw thank you! I think I am using that photo! xo
Hi Kim,
Love your entry drapes with the iron rod, very practical for warmth and privacy, plus a nice stylish touch! The Thanksgiving dishes and tabletop decor looked so inviting. I’m saving a couple of recipes for next year. And such a wonderful day in SC enjoying the weather with your company.
My family is quite small and we do enjoy a good TG meal, but keep it simple. I love a pretty tabletop with all the holiday decor! Thanks for sharing your holiday with us. 💗
Hi Cheryl! Thanks about the drapes! Now I just have to figure out the walls in there…
I just saved some recipes too for next year.
I love simple and small now the most. That sounds lovely. Yes the table has to be pretty for me too.
Hope you have a good week! x