Northern California Style

Northern California Style

Clare V.’s French Home and a California Book & Scarf Giveaway!

By 125 Comments

On this post, – Claire V.’s French home with her LA colors, Provençal Summer, and a California style book and scarf giveaway.

Welcome to the weekend meander where Elizabeth, Juliet and I share what’s new and on our radars!

This post is a bit shorter than usual. I am in Los Angeles visiting Jackson and Kristin in the new apartment they moved into last weekend. The flight down was delayed and then we sat on the runway for a long time and the plane had no wifi. Once we landed, we had issues parking the plane! We went straight to dinner and as I type this it is late at night. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I am already excited to share more of lovely Manhattan Beach where we went to dinner and more next week!

So Cal meets French History

I adore California designer Clare V. and was excited to see her home, a 19th-century manor in her husband’s hometown of Saint-Calais along the river Anille. It’s got beautiful French bones and she and her friend Kate Berry who edits the American version of Cabana magazine pulled the house together with a So Cal feel and pretty French details. Photos by Ambroise Tézenas. See all the rooms and the article on AD.

The rooms have lots of color and lighthearted details like her signature stripes and colors. The closet and the kitchen are my favorites. Look at all the lighting choices and wall colors too. The pottery and scalloped blinds are so good.

I love the pink bath and the tub with ball feet. I see a lot of her accessories in this small dressing area.

All her cute bags can be found here. I have one of her totes and her small honey pot I always take to Hawaii. This bag is on my wish list.

On My Radar- Provence Summer on my mind

I’ve been looking back at summer photos and I’ve been thinking of Provence style- specifically those block prints, straw bags, and espadrilles. I’ve taken out all my straw bags and hung them by the mud room. It makes me so happy just seeing them there! (I will share a photo next week.)

I love this Provence-inspired collection by Ann Mashburn and her post about the romance of French country fabrics. Her shift dress, the Sienna shirt dress, and the soft blue top are all so pretty! I also love this low espadrille and the blue-handled market tote she sells.

I could live in flat espadrilles. The key with an espadrille is to usually buy a 1/2 to 1 size larger as they cling to the foot. Always read the reviews. I’ve been living in some older ones and they are so comfy. My favorites this season are the pink and khaki from Burberry, the blue stripe by Sam Edelman, a pretty pink suede, and this yellow stripe from Land’s End. All super cute!

A blog giveaway!

I’ve been wanting to do a little giveaway and came across the Little Book of California Style which I thought was perfect.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learned so much about California’s role in so many trends. California was the birthplace of Levi’s as most of us know, but also was the forefront of knit fabrics and hence sportswear was really born here. We also used those same technologies to be on the cutting edge in swimwear and were at one time the biggest manufacturers of swimwear in the world with Cole of California and Catalina based here. We also pioneered sandals, flip flops, and later neoprene and surfboards. It’s fascinating to know how much of what we wear today was thanks to innovations that happened here in California!

Below is a page from the book, and a vintage I. Magnin ad from it, that targeted travelers coming west.

This book is packed with fascinating tidbits and photos. It’s one to add to your book collections if you are a California lover.

I’m also going to include a bandana scarf from Madewell. These are lovely for your handbag (I have one on my bag below), around a ponytail, or tied on the neck. I’ll have three winners and each will get a scarf and a book.

To enter: All you have to do is make sure you are subscribed to the blog, or following me on Instagram (or both), and leave me a comment below saying you would like to enter the contest or on Instagram comments type ‘contest’. I’ll do a random drawing of all the names, and announce the three winners next Friday!

Other Good Things

My favorite French brand Ba&sh is having a Pop-Up Sample Sale in Berkeley from now until Sunday! Thanks to my friend Rosalie for sharing this. I wish I could go.

The US Postal Service partnered with Ralph Lauren to create a page of stamps celebrating the nation’s 250th. You can get them online here or at your post office.

If you missed last week’s post, I shared purging the kitchen, wallpaper I want, good Father’s Day gift ideas, cake picnics and more.

Happy Weekend!

Kim

Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs for more good things…

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

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ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Mary Ann Pickett says

    How pretty are those checked Roman shades in Claire V’s dining room? Great post, Kim!

  7. Marisa Latham French says

    Thank you for adding an extra treat to my Saturday mornings! Please add me to your contest.

  9. Brenda says

    I’m not sure if Canadian followers can be in on your giveaway, but I would love to be included if possible!!

      • M C Galloway-Davis says

        Please add me to your giveaway list. And, thank you for writing my favorite of all blogs.
        I really look forward to reading it! XO

  10. Deborah Robinson says

    Those espadrilles are divine!! Please add me to the contest.
    Ciao,
    Deborah

  13. joanne brulet says

    Hi Kim – love your post.
    Years ago I saw you (I thought it was you) coming into TJ Maxx store on Hillsdale, but was star struck and was too shy to go up to you and introduce myself. All those years I regretted not meeting you.
    Anyway I really enjoy your blog and so relate to much of what you write.
    Enjoy your time in LA. Please add my name to the contest. Thanks.

    • kimwheeler says

      Joanne my usual haunt! I am laughing as I am there too much.
      Well I hope we bump into each other some other time! Please bother me if we end up there together again! xo

  17. Sylvia says

    Definitely enjoy your posts even though I am quite a bit older than you. I would like to participate in the contest and you are very sweet to do it. Thanks

  20. Choral Trettevik says

    You brighten my Saturday mornings! Please add me to the contest list- what a fun collection!

  23. Linda Henderson says

    I would like to enter the book and scarf contest. I remember Catalina swimsuits. I had a couple when I was a youngster. Good quality with the California mystique. Love Cali. I have been considering some espadrilles and a summer tote. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.

  24. Linda Salazar says

    I would love to be added to the contest list! Have a great weekend with the kids!

  26. cindy says

    Love Claire V’s Home! And I am obsessed with Cabana magazine! Great giveaway perfect for you!

  28. Sherri O says

    You’ve convinced me to get espadrilles!! They bring back such great memories of wearing them all spring and summer in my twenties.
    Please add me to the contest list!
    Blessings!

  34. Kim says

    Have a fabulous weekend with your family! Thanks for mentioning the stamps, I love them. I’d love to see a pic of your straw bags hung up. I have a straw market bag hung at our back door for a little storage as we don’t have a closet right there. Would love to be entered in the contest. I was born in California (moved to Mich when I was 2) and enjoy learning about it. Thanks!

  36. Christine says

    Oooo, I’m a huge Ralph Lauren Americana fan —- must grab several sheets of those stamps! I was *just* at the PO yesterday and didn’t see them there, so I think I’ll order them online.

    Contest!

  37. Pat a Samson says

    I really like your effortless low key style. Please enter me in your contest.
    Thank you,

    Pat

  38. Tammy Casatico says

    Please add me to the contest !
    P. S. This is such a serendipity! I ran into Juliet Thursday night at an event, introduced myself and confessed that I have been reading both of your blogs for a long time but sadly never comment!
    I look forward to Saturday mornings and reading your blog, thanks for inspiring me to stop being so shy and finally leave a comment!

  40. Carrolyn Kamrath says

    Please enter me into your contest, I look forward to your blog every week and I love California ❤️

  43. Francesca B says

    Hi Kim,
    Love Clare V and I so adore that house. Thank you for the post I will look at the AD article. My English parents lived in France for 15 years by Toulouse and I so remember those idyllic summers and the sound of the cicadas at night. Love Ann Mashburn. Thank you for the giveaway please add me to the list. Happy weekend xo

  44. Molly says

    Hi Kim — I love the French provencal look too. Do you remember the Anne Marie clothing line? They used all French fabrics. A friend and I made the trip from Maryland to their factory store in North Carolina a couple times. I am on the hunt for some espadrilles with some cushioning for my bad knees. Don’t know if they exist… Have a wonderful visit!

  45. stephanie lovette says

    Hi Kim, I love spending Saturday with you. Love your local content and also the thoughtful political posts. I missed the Ralph Lauren stamps, so thank you. Please enter me into your contest. LA was also a huge furniture manufacturing hub.

  47. Wren says

    Please count me in for the giveaway!
    Besides that, I find it interesting that Clare and I have very similar niches in our kitchens. I also have one that is 4 shelves with 3 pitchers on each, collected from my travels all over the world. As well, I have decorative plates on my walls.
    One thing I will add about espadrilles, look for a pair that has leather, or at least patches of leather, where your foot touches on the inside. If it is only the raw jute (or whatever it’s made from), it can be a little rough and irritating.

  48. kb says

    It’s my 72nd birthday today — thank you for all the many ideas and smiles, and for the chance to win!!

  50. Leslie Lord says

    Please pop my name in the giveaway…the book sounds really cool!
    Oh and those Clare V bags are swoon worthy.

    Waving from sunny Victoria BC 🇨🇦
    Leslie

  52. Deanna says

    Please add me to the contest list. Though I currently live in Illinois, I’m a California Gal in my heart.

  53. Cheryl says

    Always enjoy reading your well written blog! I love Clare V too, her home in France is fab! Please add me to the contest drawing. 💗

  54. Shon Valdry says

    contest! Please and thank you. I love your blog and have enjoyed reading it here for a while. We have several things in common, now our kids live in LA. Our oldest daughter graduated from USC and stayed on after graduation to work and live in LA. She loves it and has it honest as my husband was born and raised in LA. Fun fact I grew up in Houston but lived in San Francisco for a while when I was little and my mother worked for I. Magnin! I’m a 70’s baby if you are doing the math. LOL

    I hope you and your family have a lovely summer and all the best to your son and his girlfriend out in LA.

  61. Diane E Ruebel says

    Kim, Clare V’s entry garden and door make me swoon. The relaxed European feel says “come right in”.

    As the “queen of espadrilles” you’ve once again shared some amazing choices. The Blue and White stripe are calling my name.

    Please include me in the drawing and thank you for the opportunity.
    Diney on Mercer Island

  62. Anna G says

    Hi Kim!
    I always look forward to your Saturday morning posts (though rarely comment☺️) and love your Cali style and mix of topics❤️
    Please enter me in your contest.
    Happy weekend🌞

  63. Melissa Vanderlaan says

    Hi Kim,
    We met through Elizabeth in Orinda and I’ve been a follower since! Add me to your giveaway contest – how fun!

  64. Phyllis says

    Please add my name for the drawing, and thanks! (PS, I know who we both WON’T be thinking of tomorrow)

  65. Jessica says

    I enjoy your blog Kim and am a California lover also. Please enter me in your contest. Thank you!

  67. Katie says

    Hi Kim,
    I’d love to be added to your contest list.
    Total aside but I grew up in Manhattan Beach. One of my most favorite places. Such a happy childhood there.

  68. Betsy says

    Please add me to your giveaway list!

    I always appreciate your blog and style ! Thank you.

  69. Barb says

    Happy to enter the contest and I’d be even happier to win! I’m leaving for a Scandinavian cruise on Tuesday and purchased my first silk square to tie around my neck (it could be quite chilly) or my bag.

  71. Jeannine says

    Please add me to your list for the contest. Always enjoy learning new places to shop, eat, and visit!

  72. Cindy says

    Hi Kim,
    Please add me to your contest list. That book looks fabulous!
    Thanks so much,
    Cindy

  73. Jude says

    Your blog is always so inspiring. The style book looks lovely, and I adore the scarf with the tote bag, a summery style I think I may copy.
    The stamps are beautiful, my daughter has just arrived in Maine to work at a summer camp, I’m going to ask her to try and buy the stamps for me!

  78. Toni says

    I look forward to your blog every week…please include me in the contest..Thank you

  81. Ellaine says

    Hi Kim,
    Enter please, from Brooklyn, New York. Luv your blog, I’m always recreating your casual style here when the weather cooperates.

  82. Janet says

    Hi Kim,
    How nice to be visiting Jackson and Kristin in their new place. I’m sure they love hosting you. Just sorry that you had delays with travel. Being stuck waiting on the plane, and with no wifi to pass the time, is a big bummer. Enjoy the time with them!
    That French house – OMG it is beautiful! Thank you for sharing it.
    I love the book cover. With that orange cover and retro green palm trees, it says ‘California summer coffee-table book’ for sure! Please enter me in the book and scarf giveaway.
    I think we need a photo of your straw bags hanging in the mud room to share in your joy!
    Janet

  85. Michelle says

    How I love our beautiful state. I am so, SO grateful to call California home! Thank you for your narrative, and highlighting of what so many of us hold near and dear!

  86. Karla Mohrman says

    Hi Kim,
    Please add me to your contest! Enjoy your blog and the book and scarf are perfect for the start to summer!
    Karla

  88. Janet wayman says

    Plz add me to your contest. I always look forward to Sat morning coffee and seeing / reading your post.

  93. Leigh says

    Please enter me in your contest. Thank you. I love your blog and CA style. Would love to read more about the history of our CA style.

  96. Julia K. says

    Gosh, I had pale blue and pale lavender espadrilles just like those Ann Mashburn ones, with the ribbons up the ankle. Whatever happened to those? I bought them on clearance at Meier & Frank (when they existed…), and wore the heck out of them. That’s what! Now I need some of those cute flat ones, but I wear an elusive narrow size..
    Thanks for taking the time to post even when you are traveling and hanging out with the young adults! I do so look forward to your blog each week. 🙂
    Wasn’t there supposed to be a protest today? Here in Portland, we’re expecting mid to upper 90s so it’s too hot anyway… But still!!
    Please enter me for the prize drawing. I will put the book on my TBR list, in the unlikely event I don’t win! Haha. xo

  98. Heidi says

    Hi Kim,
    Glad you were able to see the kids in LA. I hope their transition to a new place wasn’t too difficult or stressful.
    Chloe’ and I went on a mission to check out handbags at the Claire V store in Montecito last summer, so many nice items! Chloe’ has several, and our visit to the shop helped her decide what to get next.
    The stamps are great, hope my post office has some!
    I guess it will be Summer soon, it kind of snuck up on me.
    Consider me entered in your CONTEST!
    Xo Heidi

  100. Lawra.duy@gmail.com says

    Love the style and miss CA living every day! Please add me to the contest…

  101. Annemarie says

    Hi Kim,
    Please enter me in the contest. Love those blue stripe espadrilles! My son and DIL also live in LA but I’m much farther away on the East coast.

  102. Joan says

    Hi Kim! I’ve been trying to resist that black rattan weave bateau bag by Clare V that’s on your wish list— maybe I shouldn’t!
    The photo of you two w/ your kids in SoCal is so sweet.
    We enjoyed setting up our small Northern Italy apartment in April (husband’s from there; no, it does not remind me of Clare V’s home;-} but we found some special Liberty (Art Nouveau) and other antique pieces and vintage Murano fixtures to add to our contemporary furnishings. Fun to see that Clare V has the same Lacanche Cluny range that I had when we lived in inland SoCal — I hope it is still going strong. One of the more fun trips we did, way back in 2006, was to visit Burgundy (Bourgogne) to visit the Lacanche factory and visit vineyards in Beaune.
    I did not plan to enter your CONTEST, but since I AM a proud CALIFORNIA girl, I must!

  104. Lisa says

    Please add me to the contest drawing! I read your blog posts weekly and adore them. Living a California life vicariously through you, via Indiana 🙂

  105. Cyndi says

    Hi Kim,
    Thanks for your hard work bringing us content.
    I so appreciate that you do NOT insert ads. I have stopped reading many blogs because they have five background ads running and it is jarring and not fun to read them.
    Please enter me in the contest, and thanks for offering it!
    Cyndi

    • kimwheeler says

      Thanks Cyndi. I can’t stand them either. I feel like it takes away from reading and jumps all over the content.
      I have resisted and tried to make it on the affiliate links!
      Entering you in the contest. x

  106. Annie Diamond says

    Kim, for a shorter than usual post, it’s packed with inspiration! I cannot wait to see a photo of your mud room with all your straw bags!! And that book! I love the cover, can’t wait to read!
    Xannie
    P.S. how was I not on your email list??

  110. Jane Schubert says

    I love your blog, and look forward to it every Saturday! Thank you for taking the time to do it. Will you add me to your contest? Thank you.

  112. Sharon Maybaum says

    Kim,
    FYI cats love grasscloth! Your adorable kittens may destroy your grass cloth wallpaper. You might want to rethink that idea:)
    Sharon

    • kimwheeler says

      Sharon, I had not thought of that. We had cats as kids and they never touched it.
      Yikes. Well it is already on order. I may have to mitigate that. Thank you for the tip.

  113. TAG says

    I would love to be entered in your contest. I enjoy your blog posts as well as the other bloggers you share. I have been a follower of your Instagram and Blog for awhile. I also appreciate that you use your platforms to share your concern for our country.

    • kimwheeler says

      Thank you so much for that. Means a lot. Thanks for following too. You are entered! x

  114. Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says

    Kim, I apologize for commenting so late. IT has been so busy here with the graduation and the guests, this is the first time I feel like I have come up for air.
    I hope that you had a wonderful time in LA. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip. I am sure that it is a relief to have them settled and relatively close by and together again.
    I love a house tour and this one is fabulous! I think I may need a new bag now too.
    Espadrilles are one of my summer staples and you have picked some beautiful once. The stripes are perfect.
    Ann Mashburn has so many wonderful pieces this season.
    Have a great week Kim!
    xo

    • kimwheeler says

      Elizabeth, this is a crazy time. DO not feel you have to comment.
      Aw thanks. Love that house- and espadrilles too. The Clare V bags are some of my favorites. x

  115. Monica Steinisch says

    Despite being a native San Franciscan, I had no idea California was the birthplace of so many indispensable fashion innovations…super interesting. Please drop my name into the hat for the drawing…thanks!

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