Late Spring Cleaning, Wallpaper and Father’s Day Gift Ideas

On this post, – purging the kitchen, wallpaper I want, good Father’s Day gift ideas, cake picnics and more.

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

It feels like summer has arrived. Well, maybe not officially on the calendar, but the neighborhood kids are out of school, the peaches and apricots are ready, and I can start every morning with my windows wide open. Don’t you love hearing the birds at that time? My furry boys are loving watching the action from a bird nest nestled in a mini cypress tree just outside the front window. Mama bird built it quite low and we have a front seat to the action all day long. Alfie is learning how to chatter like Rico. It’s pretty cute…

What I’m wearing this week

I’ve been wearing my new J. Crew Coastal Chino shorts with a cute rope tie belt (on sale) that just arrived. Surprisingly they match with this cute stripe top by Claire V. I scored 60% off Nordstrom Rack. The top is so good made and with beautiful cotton. Online photos are not doing it justice. I bought a small as they run a bit roomy. These shorts are on the short side for me, but I feel they look balanced with a bigger top. The stripe in the top matches the pink and I added Juliet’s boat tote she gave me with a little scarf. My Birkenstock sandals here.

Stay tuned…Next week I’ll have a giveaway with this scarf another scarf and a few books!

(Very) Late Spring Cleaning

After a week of sitting for many hours at the computer last week for the blog, I got antsy on Saturday. What began as getting some new drinking glasses (got these in two sizes- and on sale and stackable), and cleaning out a drawer of mismatched pieces, became a full on kitchen purge and a reshuffling of the drawers.

I was in the midst of changing one drawer around when Max remarked how terrible our use of space had become. I agreed and over time it had gotten worse with some spacious drawers being truly wasted with a motley assortment of odds and rarely used pieces. I started by taking everything out and wiping the drawers clean. I had a helper who wanted to sit on things. I relocated and reordered the cookbooks.

These things just sort of creep up on you. You jam something into a space, and others join. I hadn’t found the time, nor the will to do something about until this week. Once I got going, I was taking no prisoners and things that were unused and sometimes unidentifiable (‘what IS this thing?’) were history. I swapped drawers, and kicked storage containers and water bottles that had been lying fallow for the last decade to curb-aka recycle bin.

In the bags for Goodwill were cloth napkins. A person who rarely entertains does not need 30 sets, even if you love them. Also in the bags were random never used bowls, any dishes and serving pieces with chips, and many mugs that were never used but had been ‘in residence’ for a decade. All were sent packing!

We also did the bar area. How many wine glasses do we need and we barely drink anymore! Many glasses and extra placemats, and more bits than I can list, are all now gone. In their place are fresh drawers tightly ordered with just what we use -in convenient spots. I have to admit dipping into a drawer now gives me a little endorphin hit. Now I need to tackle the other spaces, but none were as bad as the kitchen.

Merely sharing this as it could be a nice project that makes you feel better than scrolling on the internet -especially lately.

Wallpaper for my main room and bedroom

I am almost embarrassed to post this as I’ve already shared wallpaper on previous post and prepped the walls in 2019 during the remodel, and well here we are. I am a professional at overthinking.

I finally found someone to do it and it wasn’t that easy. Those good at their craft seem to stay under the radar and ply their trade largely by word of mouth! One woman shares her deets via yellow post it notes only. Another only uses an old school phone and message machine! Nevertheless, I have secured possible real people! So, now this week I geeked out on wallpapers.

One thing I didn’t realize is how outrageous good wallpaper is. My only experience so far has been peel and stick, which is dramatically less expensive. I did get up to Serena & Lily in Palo Alto to grab some samples and found their papers to be lovely. Some are made by York, an American institution, on 19th Century presses and hand done. I may need to wait for their next sale, as the design team up there gave me an estimate. I’ve been saving my money for it, but 20% off could make a big difference.

I also compared the faux grasscloth and the real thing. You cannot tell at a distance, but up close, you certainly see the more luxe look of the real thing – below on the right. (I’d choose the faux for a well trafficked or kid friendly space.)

I’ve had a love of grasscloth forever. It begin with my mother Suzanne, who did our mid-70’s living room in a cocoa brown grass and accented it with tropical floral print couches covered in a nubby print. As a kid I found both scratchy, :D, but I was drawn to the look of textures. Any room with grasscloth feels cozy and chic to me. I love the kaleidoscope of colors that are options now.

For the bedroom I wanted something not too busy, or dark, but with a classic feel. I chose the lower one- Kimbe a soft blue coral paper for the bedroom (it has some charm I think), and Stone color grasscloth for our main room and hallway. I’m ready to have some change from the white walls everywhere.

The paper on the top above, and below – Palmetto is beautiful in person and one of those made by York. I may do that later in my office (if I can find the funds) or our small entrance. If I choose the entry- I may go for the fun green. What do you all think?

You may also like this post on Serena & Lily pieces in my house.

They are having an Outdoor Event right now with 30% off. I bought our Pacifica sofa and chairs after our remodel when they had the outdoor sale.

Have a Cake Picnic!

Are you a cake lover? This book will make you crave one. San Franciscan Elisa Sunga is the brainchild behind the cake picnic movement. This picnic at the Legion of Honor made news all over the world and inspired others. Now Elisa has a gorgeous new book out with ideas for gatherings and recipes that look wonderful. Her book here and get on this list for a Cake Picnic near you – or have your own with friends!

Father’s Day Ideas – Max’s Favorites and a few other ideas.

It’s not that Max is some style maven, but he does live like an Italian with a very minimal closet. I do most of the shopping for him, but he wants only things he will wear a lot and feel good. He’s got just a few great pairs of shorts that last him years, pants and favorite shirts. You should see him pack. He’s done in four minutes.

Since it’s Dad’s day I thought I’d share a few of his faves that have lasted years (sometimes too long), like these super comfy jeans, his favorite soft half zip, workout/everyday shorts, Theory polo shirts (bought him 3 last year for France). comfy t’s, and his OluKai flip flops – a Californian staple. I also added in the latest David Sedaris book, because we love him, and José Andrés new cookbook.

*I am also adding in a new deodorant that Griffin LOVES from Vermont’s Ursa Major it’s natural. He is in airplanes and hot climates and he was shocked how good it was. I also like their face wash and Max uses it too and some face things from Jack Black.

Our town finally has a Pride flag!

Los Gatos my small town is a bit behind. Twenty Five years ago San Jose began flying the Pride flag, and of 15 cities in Santa Clara County, we were still one of four who still had not adopted it. During the pandemic, our town mayor had a crosswalk painted a rainbow stripe, and it set off a group of people who came to the town council meeting raging about it. (How dare we be inclusive?) It got so bad, that our town came together and did a march against hate in 2021…

I was so proud of the thousands who showed up that day.

The resolution to have the flag raised was brought up by our mayor and would not have passed without the work of one local young person who gathered others who shared stories of bullying, exclusion, and self harm. After their testimonies at the council meetings, the flag resolution passed. There are still three communities that don’t fly the flag in the Bay Area- Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and Los Altos Hills.

Why does this matter? In a nation where Trump and his party are daily using their platforms and power to direct hatred and division towards these groups, and actively working to remove their civil rights, a new Gallup poll shows the GOP has chipped away at public support for LGTBQ people. In 2022, 55% of Republicans said they favored legal same-sex marriage, but today, the figure is shockingly 37%. Their party is going backwards.

It’s important to remember these are among the most maligned and targeted groups, and the GOP has used them as a tool to rile people’s prejudices up. If you can hate on a group of people, you won’t notice while the Republicans and the president do nefarious things they can direct your attentions away from, and use your tax dollars for. As long as ya’ll hate the same folks.

Other Good Things

Betsy Deiseroth found a neglected Pittsburgh farmhouse 30 years ago and transformed it slowly over years. Her home with treasured pieces and finds collected over time, is my favorite kind of house tour. She has a great eye and a husband that collects antique ship art, and is a caterer, which makes for an interesting space. She shares tips like using affordable mattress ticking for drapes, and adding mirrors and incredible faux paint to transform her dining room. I was in love with all the greens in this home- especially the dining room.

–Elizabeth shared a delicious looking recipe for No Churn Cookies and Cream ice cream and a nostalgic post on the joys of summertime ice cream! I too am looking forward to the little summertime rituals.

-Reminder next Sunday, June 14th the day of Trump’s birthday celebration to himself, is a special NO King’s Democracy day. It’s being called a ‘night to build community’ with Jane Fonda and Bette Midler taking part with others. Find a rally or event near you here.

–If you missed last weekend’s post on Part 2 of Kona Village in the Big Island-catch it here.

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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