On this post, a summer day in Half Moon Bay, the Esprit Costco sweatshirt craze, some things I’ve been wearing and more.
Welcome to the Weekend Meander where we share what’s going on and what we are thinking about. It’s been a hot week, but we are finally cooling down. Thanks to everyone who voted last week on the plates! I think I am going with the right lineup. I will share soon!
In other wall news- my wallpaper arrived – and the lady who will put it up came by yesterday. It’s really happening. I’ve saved for it and procrastinated almost 7 years in choosing it, purchasing it, and calling the wallpaper woman. Isn’t that pathetic? Proof that you can overcome your own mind games. I’m kind of excited.
A day in Half Moon Bay
Have you been to HMB lately? It had been a while since Max and I had been and we took a chance this week to take a walk on the beach and check out the downtown and get lunch. We visited a beach we had never been to – Frances Beach, part of the Half Moon Bay State Beach coast. The cost is $10 to park, unless you have a state park pass. This is a gorgeous long beach and you can walk miles. This beach also is a habitat for the pretty western Snowy Plover, an endangered bird that has protected nests here. We were lucky to see some Whimbrels (they don’t let you get too close), and squadrons of pelicans. This beach has a campground and from the parking lot, easy access to the beach. There can be riptides here, so you need to watch the waves; it also gets very deep fast at this beach.
We were lucky to have a sunny day. It can be foggy here much of the time. Below is my glam method/look for protecting my ears from cold winds.
Later it warmed up quite a bit. There are several bathrooms here. We saw very few people for a July day!
There are also other beaches all along here and an 11-mile trail for walkers, bikes or scooters that connects all the beaches. If you park at Frances Beach you can head north and turn around at Miramar Beach Restaurant for a 5-mile round trip. As you walk north you can see the swells farther out of the world famous Mavericks Surf Spot. This part of the coast is always windswept and often cold, so pack layers!
Downtown Half Moon Bay
We headed to Half Moon Bay’s charming downtown for lunch and to have a walkabout. We were recommended lunch at It’s Italia by our son Jackson, who used to live in San Mateo and went there often for lunch paninis. We were offered a cozy spot in their protected back patio. I loved this cute space where many of the tables had their own fireplaces! The music was good and so was the service.
Lunch was two bowls of their delicious farm to table minestrone with the best focaccia bread we’ve ever had in our lives. You can see it in a huge block freshly baked in the restaurant. We also tried their hazelnut and honey burrata on toasted rustic bread…again SO good. Highly recommend this spot.
Afterwards we walked the charming street with flower baskets and shady benches. I never noticed before how many fantastic murals are in the downtown. They take great care of this downtown.
There are loads of small independent shops in HMB which we are losing in so many places. (Looking at you, Los Gatos). You could spend a good chunk of time in the small boutiques here.
A few HMB places of note:
There are so many more shops than I can list, but some I like…
Hometown Mercantile + Cornershop– two shops with great home goods and accessories. I bought a beautiful market basket here and at the cornershop, my favorite German brushes for dishes. Both shops are excellent.
P. Cottontail & Co.– unique clothing, gifts, accessories and shoes for boys and girls and babies.
Gulino Gelato– handmade in small batches by a French owner who studied in Italy.
Vessel Vintage and Thrift – a nice collection of vinyl, posters and art and curated clothes. I found an original L.L.Bean Fisherman sweater.
Johnny’s Half Moon Bay – cute diner with a retro vibe serving American comfort food for breakfast and lunch.
The Fish Wife Sweets Shop – a spot for cookies, cupcakes, cakes and other baked goods and other cute items.
Other places of note, not downtown...
Half Moon Bay Nursery – a must stop. I always find a plant or beautiful pot. Come October they have wonderful pumpkins.
Sam’s Chowder House -A famous spot to get the best lobster rolls with a beach view. Go early for a table or after the lunch crowd.
The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay – Just south of the beaches, this is a stunning resort. You can also just pop by for a lunch, a drink, or drinks overlooking the sea.
The Visit Half Moon Bay website is one of the few well-done town websites with links to all the shops, restaurants, and inns – and beaches that encompass this wonderful seaside city. Refer to it for loads more activities and beaches.
The Esprit sweatshirt and Revisiting Our Gen X Selves
Last week I got sucked into the internet as you do and swept away on a nostalgic wave of Esprit sweatshirts posted on Threads. This all began from a Costco special of Esprit logo sweatshirts. Apparently, Esprit has now licensed their brand and reissued a version of their original sweatshirt in OG colors. After seeing many women my age go gaga over them, I had to get to Costco myself.
If you grew up in the 80’s you might remember this whimsical and bright brand that began in San Francisco. It had a hardcore fan base and the ultimate cool thing was a trip to the big Esprit outlet in SF. Esprit was not inexpensive, and many of us only had a tote or a t-shirt. I never had a sweatshirt, but always wanted one, and adored the catalogs and cute models. The Gen Xers on Threads posted so much about these sweatshirts, that it became a bonding moment with those of our generation. Sometimes we forget how much we all have in common! One poster, Rachelle (who kindly let me share), told how this brand represented a world she didn’t live in and now the sweatshirt is a reminder of what she wished for…
Did Esprit know what it represented to Gen Xers? I think it was nonconformity in a colorfully punk way. We all wanted to be that girl in the pink and blue and crazy prints back then, and sometimes a t-shirt was all we could afford, but it felt like a way to be part of it. Who knew 60-year-old me would be excited to find an Esprit sweatshirt again?
I was lucky there was a tableful at my Almaden Costco. They were great quality too. I couldn’t decide as I loved the cream, but also the original green, and the pretty deep blue. Medium was a perfect roomy fit for me. I bought one for a friend and came home with one of each shade at $16.99, I may give one away, but I know I’ll wear them! If you want one, go soon as they seem to be selling fast and if you want some feel good posts and you’re a Gen Xer who this resonates with, check out the Threads posts on this sweatshirt! Maybe the Esprit women need to unite and fix this country!
What I’m wearing this week
I was lucky to be gifted this cute shift top from Frank & Eileen. I don’t think I’ve liked an item so much in a while. I’m not embarrassed to say I’ve worn it three times this week already. It’s just the perfect warm weather top for me. Love how it looks so retro cute. (Reminds me of shift tops my mom wore in the 60’s). I am going to try it tomorrow with a white gauze skirt. This is an indispensable piece and I am now considering buying a white or black one. It has the F&E signature distressing on the sides its denim pieces have and three cute buttons on the back. It’s great with these J. Crew pants and a long necklace. (I am wearing a M in the top. Xs in pant.)
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
I have mixed feelings about this sale. I am annoyed that there are tiers and some get to shop way before others. (Why are those who spend less not allowed to shop until many good things are gone? Not speaking for me, but others.) This year I waited until it was my tier’s (the lowest) time to shop and saw what was left before I selected things. (Hope they are still available.) To me this isn’t a sale to go bonkers at, but rather find a nice item for fall, or stock up on something you always wear or use.
The Lizzie Fortunado jewelry has been on my wish list and I was surprised to see it here. The Frank & Eileen jacket is a good buy as I wear mine to pieces.The two trenches are the sort of thing I adore with a chunky winter sweater and the ballet flats in leather are lovely. Oh, the scalloped towels too! Shop the links in my carousel or on my Shop My page.
Below are 22 good things to consider…
Other Good Things
This Ohio home of creative Tina Thompson is so good! Love her style.
Did you know the Bayeux Tapestry is now at the British Museum until July 2027? I am fascinated by this tapestry from 1066 that tells the story of the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings. I was lucky to see it when we took our kids to Normandy about a decade ago and stayed in the charming town of Bayeux. It usually sits in a special darkened room where you can walk the 226+ foot length and listen to a headset that tells the story as you walk. In those times- the Middle Ages – only about 10% of the population could read, so it told the story for them and also memorialized it. More about it here.
Elizabeth and Cindy have begun a monthly Seasonal Table series. This month Elizabeth made a watermelon arugula salad and Cindy made a peach and watermelon salad. I cannot wait to try both of these!
If you’re feeling fed up and despondent about the things going on, I loved this Instagram post by Clint Harp who used to be on the Chip and Joanne Gaines show. He’s a sweetheart and is always posting things to encourage…and laugh a bit.
If you missed last weekend’s post, I shared a walk on Santa Cruz’s redone West Cliff with a lunch spot, a Quince find and Wimbledon.
Happy weekend!
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth’s blogs for more good things. Juliet is taking a few weeks away.
PINECONES AND ACORNS
To get Northern California Style by email, subscribe to the blog here for a free newsletter in your inbox every Saturday and I would love it if you followed me on Instagram where I post more often.
Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much!
Good morning Kim,
I love traveling to parts of California that I have heard about but have not visited yet along with you and Max. HMB looks like a lovely place to spend the day and then lunch and a walkabout.
Your ear covering is perfect!
I too noticed the excitement over the Esprit sweatshirt. It is the little things in life my friend, so many happy memories of this 90s’ day encapsulated in a colorful sweatshirt. I love the green on you. And the Frank & Eileen shirt. I saw this every week but you always look so stylish. That shirt looks fabulous on you.
Thank you for sharing The Seasonal Table, Cindy and I are excited to share soups and salads in season over the coming months.
Have a wonderful weekend Kim!
xo
Hi Elizabeth! You would love Half Moon Bay! It’s like Scotland in California. Exactly happy memories rolled into a bright sweatshirt!
You are very kind.
So excited for your series. You both are so good at beautiful presentation and delicious food.
Happy weekend. x
Half Moon Bay is so pretty! We went a few years back and stayed at the Ritz. It was cloudy and cool but we loved it nonetheless. I wish I had called you about where to go in the little town – we didn’t see any of that!
Also love reading about the tapestry – we are planning a trip to Normandy next year, so this was interesting to read about!
Gray it is! How lovely to stay at the Ritz! It’s been a few years and I’d love to go back for a night.
If you get down in the Bay always let me know- I have some good ideas for you. If you didn’t know the town can be missed- and it is so good!
If you get to Normandy I recommend staying in Bayeux. it’s an easy drive to all the WWII sites and small and charming. We loved it! We also added a stop at Mont-Saint-Michel and I wish we had gotten to Brittany! x
Good morning Kim! I meant to comment back last week about the plate wall but it looks like the consensus was three plates which was my choice as well.
I have never stopped to explore Half Moon Bay although we have driven through there. Plan on taking more trips to Northern California so will need to check it out someday.
I had to remind myself when the early access was at the Nordstrom sale. I still remember back in the 80’s my girlfriend and I used to call in sick to go the first day. I jumped on it Thursday morning and ordered a pair of Tory Burch loafers. Hope they fit…I ordered a similar pair prior to the sale just to try on for size and they ran a little large. I don’t buy too many clothing pieces outside of Banana Republic anymore because of the rewards I earn but I still might check out a Summer top or two. I laughed when you said you wore the same top 3 times in one week. I usually run errands twice a week and many times I wear the same outfit both days because then I don’t have to think about it!
Have a great weekend!
Linda
Good morning Linda! Aw thanks I will share that plate wall as soon as I get it up.
You should check out HMB next time you are down this way. It’s a special part of the coast!
The Tory items have been some of the better finds over the years. I have yet to part with a Tory Burch shoe or bag. They do last! The loafers are cute! Good choice.
BR has such good things now and I like the rewards there too- and at Athleta.
Ha! Exactly that about rewearing a ‘look.’ It feels good and you’ve got things to do. Why not?
Happy weekend ! x
Omg, ESPRIT! Now, I want a sweatshirt too. 🤣 I definitely never owned an item from them in the 80s — at the time, it seemed other-worldly expensive. (I’m the youngest of 6….) Somehow, I did get a McClintock dress in pale green with little flowers for my 8th grade graduation where I also wore my first pair of heels.
Christine, It was expensive! I remember working at Bullocks in college and saving a long time for one of their sweater and mini skirt pink and blue
outfits.
I had a Gunne Sax – Jessica McClintock dress for my 9th grade graduation too! Your first heels! Great memories!
So much good stuff today, Kim! Where do I even start? I have also been following Tina and adore her style, both in fashion and home. And Clint …he popped up, and I immediately started following. Love that his mom or grandmother (I can’t remember) worked for Jimmy Carter!
I have not been to Half Moon Bay in ages, but it sure sounds lovely. Wide open beaches, the town…and $10 for parking seems like a great deal!
I’m sooooooo excited about the Esprit sweatshirt!!!!!!!
xoxox
annie
Thank you Annie! Tina is the coolest- reminds me of you!
Wow Clint’s grandma worked for Jimmy? No wonder I love him.
I think $10 is worth it and it goes to the state parks.
I can’t wait and I hope you like the sweatshirt. xo
Totally bummed that Costco didn’t have the Esprit sweatshirts in Canada! We loved them here too! When I was in grade 10, I bought an Esprit winter coat – It was a navy duffel coat with a big hood. Somehow I convinced my parents to buy it for me and I slowly paid them back with babysitting money. I wore that coat well into University, it never went out of style and it was built to last. Whenever I see a navy duffel coat I think of that one and I wish I still had it! Lol!
Brenda I can just imagine how cute that duffle coat was! Love that you wore it all through University too. I still love that style.
If you want an Esprit sweatshirt- let me know. I can see about sending you one. I’ll try and go back. I’m hoping though they see how viral this went and produce more! xo
Hi Kim,
When we were in Australia in 1998 Esprit was really buzzing and I found many gorgeous things there. Really well made jackets and the prices were right! used to go to their store on Oxford Street with my paycheck just ‘to have a look”!! Have a lovely weekend!
Francesca, I love that! Oh I wish we still had the stores… I think they did a few pop-ups years back, but they need to rethink that brand and make sure the GenXers are part of the target audience. I guess we should be looking for preloved items from them.
The amount of browsing I did as a young person…
Hope you have a lovely weekend too! x
Hi Kim,
Oh wow you did it again with your Half Moon Bay pics. I just loved this beach and the vibe back in the late 1970. In fact we were thinking of taking our year off sabbatical there, we wound up deciding on Stinson Beach because I already lived in Sausalito and Bear in Larkspur. If I recall correctly I had one client in HMB. You guys do the coolest things together. The restaurants look great.
I’m excited for you and the wall paper about to be put up. It’s a big investment and I’m sure it will look wonderful. You have such good taste.
Shucks! The Esprit seat shirts are all gone. I remember them all to well. I live cuddling up in a nice sweatshirt. I guess I will not be the coolest Kitty Kat on the block. I will get over it by next year hopefully. 😮
How are the kitties doing? Doing double trouble lately??? They are so cute, grow up way too fast.
Take TLC of yourselves and stay safe out there.
Hi lovely Katherine! I love HMB – but Stinson Beach is pretty amazing too. I think of it as like California’s Martha’s Vineyard. How wonderful you did that!
It sure is an investment.. Now I see why everyone isn’t doing it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think it cost what it does now- when my mom wallpapered in the 80’s.This is why I saved for it – and waited for a sale to buy it. The labor is worth paying for though too.
I can get you a sweatshirt if I go again! Let me know…
Kitties are thriving and Rico is getting into so much mischief. Is it an orange cat thing? He’s like a dog and doesn’t nap so much. Alfie is a love and talks a lot.
They have been so fun.
I hope you are managing with the heat and cooling down a little. Sending you hugs.
I, too, love Tina’s home. So rich with ideas, which inspired me to do some vintage shopping on Etsy. Then you pointed me in the right direction to help me rise from the blue funk I have been in lately with the state of everything in the news (except the World Cup) … Clint Harp is truly a joy. Three Things to Get Us Through. Boom! Thanks Kim and have a great week!
Holly isn’t she brilliant? Full of inspiration and good tips.
I am going to out local charity shop this weekend with new ideas.
Isn’t he a sweetheart ? Love the man.
Hope you have a great week too.
That shirt looks cute on you! I have a similar one from a store you would frown to hear the name of! Haha! Yours looks much more flowy and cute with buttons though. I love the Esprit sweatshirt! Some of my favorite wardrobe items for myself and the kids over the years have been vintage Esprit finds. For kids too, I love a good vintage Oshkosh find! Anyway- forget those boring teirs at Nordstrom- that sale has become so overrated. Every year I see people post about it and I rarely see anything that would make me want to blow a crazy amount of money other than what you mentioned- a great price on a staple or one fun or special thing. With the way prices have been even at some big box stores it pays to be more discerning, but maybe that isn’t a terrible thing- to be more discerning? Nordstrom isn’t exactly a purveyor of cheap, fast fashion, but they aren’t exactly innocent either. That town looks lovely. I have seen the Bayeux Tapestry with a very fussy toddler in tow- so I was more distracted than I should have been, but it is very cool and my mind kept wandering to visions of it being created and the discussions folks had about what to include/portray. Take good care!
-Nicole
Nicole aw thanks. Please don’t think I’d judge anyone by what they buy. Everyone does their part and it’s not so black and white to me.
Yay for finding the vintage finds- even better! OSH Kosh! My kids wore so much of that. They lasted too.
I 1000% agree with you on Nordstrom. We have to be discerning…There is a lot out there that is fast fashion masquerading as better!
Here’s my issue with the tiers…. Those who spend the most get to shop early and grab the best deals. They are ‘rewarded’ by Nordstrom for spending more- so I get that. HOWEVER, it sets us up to have more of a society with classes. Those who get shut out and spend less, and who possibly need those sales more, are left out. (I am not talking about myself, even though I’m low on the totem pole at Nordy’s so to speak.) I’m for equal for all.
Anyway the Bayuex tapestry is wonderful. I’ve traveled with small ones- and needed a redo for things too!
Take care of yourself too. Hope you are enjoying the summer.xo
It’s okay, Kim! The honest truth is much of what I buy in the thick of family life comes from *rhymes with Haulmart*, there would have been a time when I would have frowned too, but IDK, they have done some good things and improved their selection and beat Target in so many ways now- though I still shop there- can’t beat their hassle free, no minimum order picknup when kids are sick or the ability to grab a coffee along with shopping on a rough day! We have a little Nordy money, but we aren’t ballers and I actually like to funnel that money elsewhere like the bazillion low spend, but plentiful home improvement projects we can do here! I look at people’s hearts, not their wallets and I don’t care where people shop and I relate to everyone and over the years of visiting this blog which I first found when researching a trip to Northern California I see that you have alot of heart- sure you’re fancier than me, but I like what you post and am happy in my own life too! A love of good food, good conversation and beauty is universal and you write about those things. I hope next year there’s no Nordy tears or teirs- lol!
You are a smart mama and I would be doing the same…Love the pickup options now! Wish I had that when my boys were small.
Aw gosh I feel the same way. It’s not where you shop, but how you do and it can be random places, but it’s the things that work and speak to you! The coolest people don’t care about brands to be honest. It’s the thrill of finding what appeals.
You made my day. Thank you for your fun messages and feedback…It means a lot. All I hope for here is to connect with others of a similar mind. So glad you are here Nicole! x
Hi Kim. Just love your posts! Curious if you have lodging recommendations for us out of town in Half Moon Bay?
Hi Maureen!
A few hotels I know of. I have only stayed at the Ritz a few years back. It was nice. I’ve always wanted to get to the Seal Cove Inn.
The Seal Cove Inn- https://www.sealcoveinn.com
The Beach House Hotel- https://go.shopmy.us/p-72922084
The Ritz Carlton – https://go.shopmy.us/p-72924429
Hope that helps! x Kim
You are AMZING! You have no problem enjoying, and showcasing, an elite private shopping event at Sezane, “where they rolled out the kindest welcome for you , with a beautiful French breakfast treats and cookies.”
Yet regarding Nordstrom decades old, free to join! annual sales event. You find if fitting to “I have mixed feeling about this sale. I am annoyed that there are tiers and some get to shop way before others.”
You don’t need to be annoyed. You can always change your status with Nordstrom! Not just anyone goes to private elite events at Sezane.
HI ANYONE…NOT You
The Nordstrom tiers are by how much you spend per year. So someone who doesn’t have much money gets to shop last and likely miss out on the better sale items. To me that seems unfair to those who might need or could use those sales the most.
The Sezane, ‘private event’ was an event for people who write blogs. We did not get a discount, but we did get a bag and a candle…The public could buy exactly what we got for the same price we paid.
I fail to see how an event for my job, was relevant to the ‘Tiers’ shoppers have to adhere to at a Nordstrom sale. Sephora also does this. The more you spend the bigger discount you get. It’s a world of have and have nots, and increasingly those with less are getting shut out. The same with a visit to Disney- if you can’t pay for extra elevated experience, you’ll be stuck in long lines, while those of privilege and money speed past you.
What I want is a more equal world, and less elitist separations.
Do you understand where I am coming from?
Yes, I do understand where you’re coming from. Thank you for the clarificaiton and confirmation.
p.s. I don’t need to listen a song to understand anything.
Thanks for listening.
Always. I appreciate your insights very much. So, thanks to you!
Thank you for chatting here! x
Dude, this cimmenter needs to listen to “Biscuits” by Kacey Musgraves and get a life! 😂😂😂 Kim, don’t even defend yourself. Life is full of teirs- maybe class when it comes to money, maybe class when it comes to manners. For the latter- whoever took the time to leave a negative comment will always belong to the lowest teir!
Ha! I love you Nicole! Thank you. x
I enjoyed your feature on Half Moon
bay. I need a return visit. Thank you for sharing Clint Harp. We need more like him.
Linda I adore him! What a good man. We need more of him for sure.
Kim loved your story about Espírit-I remember standing in the line w my girls… it was such a popular style also shopping w them at Jessica McClintock. Many times buying prom dresses. Your right the sweatshirts are sold out.
Half Moon Bay such an adorable place and I go often… love the shop Abode. And many places to enjoy food.
Enjoy your day and keep up your great posts….
Sheila, It was a thing the Esprit outlet wasn’t it? I had forgotten Jessica had an outlet too. I had a few of those dresses!
Gosh Abode was also wonderful and I saw they had some beautiful chairs in their window. I should add it to the list here. They really have some wonderful shops don’t they?
Aw thanks and nice to hear from you. Happy summer! xo