On this post, a bit of fall decor, sweater shopping at the Rack, a pretty fall shoe, getting nicer storage things, and Claire McCardell.
Hello lovely friends! Happy October. How’s things in your neck of the woods? The repairman was back and Rico hid out with his favorite emery boards, (he’s goofy like that), while Alfie was oblivious….
We had a lovely dinner out Thursday in Campbell. The fall skies were so pretty.
I also got to catch up with longtime pals this week and my friend Jill hosted and made a lovely spread for us. My friend Aimee made eggplant flatbreads using the Trader Joe’s sauce and they were also delicious.
Well summer has finally come to California and as usual it’s in October when we are about ready to get our pumpkins and mums on, and our sweaters out of the deep freeze. Why does that always seem to happen? Even as a kid I remember sweating to death walking home in my new fall clothes and knee highs in October. Once I had my own boys I didn’t even bother buying them school clothes until late October.
Temperatures be damned, let’s bring on fall anyway.
I ran to Trader Joe’s Friday for a hit of autumn endorphins.
Nothing like a good early fall trip there to gawk at all the pumpkin themed foods and treats. I always love the pumpkin chips, and pumpkin bread mix, the autumn squash marinara, and pumpkin cranberry crisps. They also have great maple and pumpkin butter! I threw in a few pumpkins and two mums in my cart and felt a little excitement for our change of seasons!
Back at home, I got straight to work on my October porch. Yes, I know it’s going to be in the 90’s the next 7 days, but can we not let reality tamper our enthusiasm here? (I may move the mums to the back shade for a week. Another approach is to keep them in water while the heat wave happens.) I’ll see how many weeks I can get out of them. The nice part about the pumpkins is mine usually last until Thanksgiving. Hopefully I will find my orange fall wreath with petrified leaves somewhere in the garage!
Nordstrom Rack Fall FInds
This week I went out to Nordstrom Rack to return something and was distracted by a rack of Nordstrom cashmere which I discovered is quite nice. I bought three V necks after not being able to decide. I can justify them for my wardrobe refresh. Plus I have a big bag of older sweaters heading to resale/donation.
These are well-made for $59. I bought a brown heather, beige hummus and an orange in the crewneck style. I also liked this olive color and the grey heather.
In their collection is a cashmere hoodie for $89 that’s a bit thicker and lovely. I picked up this lightweight tweed Sanctuary jacket too. I bought Medium in all sweaters and jackets.
The jacket is a good option for California fall without being too heavy. I love the idea of layering the hoodie under jackets as it gets cooler. It reminds me of this look I have always adored on Diana.
On My Radar
I ran into my chic pal Pia (yes she’s Swiss!) at Trader Joe’s and she had on the CUTEST flats ever from Margaux. She said they feel great, but size down a half size. (Ex. you are an 8= that’s a 38, so choose a 37 1/2.) Apparently these shoes have padding and the brand is known for their comfort as the reviews attest!
Her flats matched her Claire V. bag and played well with her tangerine cardigan and jeans. I wanted to copy it all.
I also spotted these adorable clutches by CV and have one on my wishlist. I had a clutch like this in the 80’s and took it everywhere.
Three cosmetic things I am loving now – the Make Waves vegan mascara sent to me by Tower Beauty, this Sugar Treat Lip Oil that I just finished that feels so good and healing on dry lips. I also love these Ilia eye pencils that last in lovely colors.
Lunch date Falafel’s Drive-In and The Container Store
This week was not so exciting, but I did entice Max to The Container Store with a promise of lunch beforehand at the famous Falafel’s Drive-In. If you haven’t been, it’s the freshest falafel you’ll ever have. It was featured on Drive-ins and Diners and has been a San Jose institution since 1966. They are also famous for their banana shake which comes with the falafel special. You can eat in the old school drive-in patio tables. It’s not fancy, but that is part of its charm. They also have great onion rings! I get the small falafel and it’s huge.
The Container Store
Conveniently, Santana Row was just down the street where the Container Store resides. I needed Max as I had ordered a rolling rack to use for future clothing posts. I want it to keep extra clothes aside in our spare room, and it’s good to have for travel packing, for house guests, or drying clothes. This particular one is from Juliet who shared it on this post, and it’s on sale now. Max put it together quickly and it’s sturdy and also folds down flat easily. I bought mine online and had it waiting to pick up.
While we were there, I bought a few of these acrylic shirt hangers and pant hangers. I also bought a few of these grasscloth storage boxes. I was going to use them for my new storage cabinet, but they look so nice I may get more for my closet. Rico had to get in them of course!
Everything is 25% off now at CS and when you sign up for email receipts and all that, you get $15 off a purchase of $50 or more. I felt like I got some really nice things for great prices. Love that place.
Cornell
My heart broke this week hearing about the Cornell rape. I know it was a tough week for many just hearing about it. I am so sorry. I had two friends on social media reply to a post that they were assaulted by men who went on to be doctors, and presidents of companies. Sure feels like after hearing so many stories this week, there are no consequences for more men than we even imagined.
I too was assaulted at college at San Jose State, on a stairwell leaving a parking garage. I was able to finally catch my breath and scream to people on the ground who came to my rescue while the man ran and left. I will never know who did it, but it could have been much worse for me.
It’s sickening to know that 80% of all sexual assaults go unreported. In fact, the numbers are so low- only around 23 percent of survivors report, that the Brennan Center for Justice, declines to analyze trends in these assaults. The number one reason they are not reported is shame.
Yet we have a culture of men in this nation, who feel none of that. One thing that has to change is the punishments for young people who do this must be known widely and fully enforced. As someone online said, you don’t see college students stealing cars as they know they would go to prison. Somehow there is a belief, backed up by stats, that men can get away with this. In America, our own president, a supreme court justice, and the head of the military all have records of SA abuse and yet 30% or more of us, voted for and condone such a person. Then we ponder how it’s an epidemic in America.
I appreciate this article in The Guardian, ‘After rape allegations at Cornell University, why are women again being urged to talk to their sons? Why not men?‘ Exactly.
Other Bits…
I adore this home in Washington! Lacy Edward’s farmhouse with beautiful gardens and some fun festive decor will inspire you…
Did you know the best way to wash your cashmere sweaters is to do it in the sink with cold water and shampoo? Cashmere is like human hair and this is supposed to make your sweater soft, bouncy, and wonderful. I’ll be trying it.
I’ve just begun reading Claire McCardell The Designer Who Set Women Free. More than any other designer, Claire changed the way modern women dress. If you like ballet flats, pockets, leggings, hoodies, and wrap dresses, you have Claire to thank. She was the beginning of women’s sportswear and was instrumental in freeing women from corsets, girdles and other restrictive clothing. Her life was fascinating and this book has won so many awards I can’t wait to dive in and learn more.
Did you missed our fall fashion post? find it here…
I’ll be hosting a Ba&sh shopping event at Valley Fair’s Bloomingdales, 3-5 on October 15th! I hope some of you can join. We’ll be showing the latest looks from this truly beautiful line with my friend Leslie who runs the Ba&sh there. We’ll have treats and a little prize, so bring a friend and make a day of it, or just come and see this wonderful brand up close and try a few things on. I’d love to meet some of you ladies in person!
On last week’s post -two days in Carmel at the Highlands Inn, a Carmel beach hike, and what I packed, and also a peek into Juliet’s lovely new home.
Take care,
Kim
Please stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs for more good things.
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Happy October, Kim 🍂. Just wish our hot weather would get the message! Pumpkins will be displayed no matter . You have oodles of good finds in this dispatch, and I’ve just reserved the fashion book at the library. That appetizer display is gorgeous and looked delish! Xx
Happy October! Yes we have to get our pumpkins on.
Yay for reserving the book. It’s a good one. Hope you have a great week.x
Kim, I an so very sorry to read about the incident you experienced at school. It’s been a shock to me to learn how prevalent this still is. We deserve better.
Hi, thank you for this post! Could you share the fillings used in the romaine and radicchio in the appetizer platter. I would love to replicate for Thanksgiving!
Mary I and asking to confirm and will report back.x
Kim, I too went to TJ’s to get my pumpkin fix and was so lucky to bump into you, my friend and favorite blogger! Always wonderful catching up with you! 🤎🍁🍂🎃
Pia always so fun!! You really inspired me and this post with your style.
Hope you are having fun in Tahoe. xx
I have those Margaux and you’ve reminded me to pack them for L.A. this week. Going to be so hot!
Love your front porch and the spread you had with friends!
Hello Kim,
Gorgeous front porch!! I bought those flower containers you use and they are so perfect for Fall! Love your new plaid jacket and sweaters! Happy weekend!
That falafel place looks so fun and sounds so yummy. We had a similar place where we used to live and we often crave it. It was very brave to share that story. More women than we realize have dealt with such things. I worked at a pizza place in high school for a short while where male coworkers would slap my butt. If my daughter had to deal with something like that, I’d show up and share a piece of my mind. Men need to be held to better standards and have better role models. It is not prudish to expect a certain level of decency. Good manners are sexy and lead men down the path the path to romance and yet so many feel like it’s okay to be brutish or worse. Men blame so many things on the male loneliness crisis, etc… yet so many refuse to look inward. We have an EQ crisis in our country. The plaid jacket is fun fall addition. Take good care.
Kim Frat boys believe they can do anything and. to be accountable…who is raising these fellow? Often ‘mixers’ at college living areas slightly off campus encourage major drinking; girls are invited. Genuine young men do not agree and stay away from these or make an appearance and leave; this has been my experience…but that was ages ago. Decency is forever.. I hope this leads to exposure of the cover ups that have happened. On another topic it is 104 degrees in San Diego. My poor mums wilted yesterday slightly; I had planted them in semi-shade a week ago. I’ll water a lot to keep them going this next week although this ‘Dome ‘weather may last another 2-3 weeks. Awful! and I was just going through Winter sweaters and other cooler items..some to Goodwill already. Thank you for this post and clothing selections
Hi Kim,
I love your front porch, you always create warmth, it’s a Kim thing. Your front door mat always brings big smiles.
Me too, Trader Joe’s has to best seasonal goodies. I like and buy mostly at what you do. You might like to check out the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds. I snack on them, great on top of a salad maybe too. The Kringle is so good, it’s not a health food. If you don’t have time to bake all the things that you want. It’s a hot item at Trader Joe’s, I guy mine in all slices and freeze them. Yummy with my morning coffee for a sweetie.
Gloria Steinem was and will always be a lady that I admired. We have so much to thank her for.
Me too, The Container store is fabulous. Rico (QT) has to of course make the grasscloth storage box welcomed to his home. Cute!!!
Falafel looks like fun!
Your Swiss pal, Pia has fabulous taste. Maybe if’s s good idea that my feet have to live mostly in sneaks. Thanks running years. You don’t know till it hits you in the face.
Thank you Claire McCardell.
YES!!! It made my blood boil about that poor girl being raped by those horrid despicable creeps. Kim, I am sorry for your experience and happy you were not harmed physically. The mental part never leaves you. I too had way too many frightening sexual experiences. Thank goodness he was jailed for I think a year. The sad part for me as a youngster I was afraid when he came out he would try to track me down. I thought he did one night looking up into my bedroom. So many more bad things. The last one I had hoped to prosecute that attacked me on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale. The police met me there at 5:30am in the morning and he did not appear that morning. He always carried really heavy hand weights I think because he could not keep his hands off women.
Well, look who is in our office, he sexually assaults women. Don’t get me started.
I want to end my response on an uplifting note.
Take TLC and stay safe out there.
You are one of my gifts.
Sending you an over joyed day.
Katherine, Thank you.
Oh my goodness, I am so very sorry. A year?! Not enough.
I know you’ve been a runner and hiker and been out there on the paths.
We never fully recover from these events, just carry more fears. Camelback? God and that is remote in places. I hope he was one day prosecuted.
I keep looking for those spiced pumpkin seeds! I hope mine get them again. The Kringle is a great one too!
You are a gift and always spreading kindness. Thank you for sharing this. Many hugs.
Your purse in the background of the Falafel picture is cute! Link! I love your posts! 🙂 I like your point about Dad need to be talking to their sons, not just their Moms.
Elizabeth thank you! It’s a woven bag I got a few years back in the Big Island. I love the size too. I’ll see if I can find online.
I know right? Why is everything on the women- including pressing charges! UGH.
Kim, the Cornell story was beyond horrific. I’m so sorry that you had such a frightening experience.
I was living alone at 22 when, one night just after going to bed, I heard a knock on my bedroom window. I thought it was my boyfriend fooling around, so I opened the shade, and then started to raise the window. As the man moved his hand toward the window screen I realized I had no idea who it was. I slammed the window shut. Without my glasses I fumbled my way through the tiny house to my kitchen, where the phone was. By that time he was at the kitchen window, one with no screen. He lifted the window and I screamed at him, phone in hand. I’ve never forgotten the way he looked at me, with a smirk of contempt, as if weighing whether or not it was worth the effort, before he let the window drop and he disappeared into the night. He never touched me physically. The facts that he was long gone by the time the police arrived, that he had clearly been watching my house and probably lived nearby, and that I had no idea exactly what he looked like or where I could possibly run into him all took their toll. I had to move to a new place—with roommates. I couldn’t sleep in a house alone, without fear and sleeplessness, for at least two years. I felt vulnerable and ashamed. I was already an anxious person, and an a-hole male co-worker told me that I had “willed” this thing to happen to me because I worried too much.
Teach your children well, everyone.
Sarah Oh my god!! What a nightmare and so traumatic. I am very sorry.
Goodness anyone would have ptsd from that maybe always. I am glad you got roommates, but what a way to take away confidence.
Wow your co-worker sounds like part of the problem.
Gosh I wish I could give you a hug Sarah. Thank you for sharing.
Take care of yourself. x
❤️❤️❤️thank you, Kim.
Something else I thought of: I couldn’t tell you the date this happened to me or even the time of year it occurred. Was I age 22 or 23? I’m not entirely sure. But the event itself is still with me 50 years later. Do you remember the cynicism and accusations levied against E. Jean Carroll and Christine Blasey Ford because they could not point to a specific date on a calendar, as if SA is something to commemorate in one’s scrapbook?
I do believe you because I am the same. I know mine happened at college and that is it. No idea what year even.
The Christine Blasey Ford thing makes me so so so angry even more now.
Of course we are going to try and wipe that out of our brains. xo
Exactly!!!!
Kim,
I am so sorry! I had no idea that you had been assulted at university. I cannot even imagine where your mind is going each time you hear about the Cornell 7. I actually had to stop reading and listening to stories. As I mentioned in my own post, something horriffic happened to a family member and every time I hear the Cornell 7 story I can remember her telling me her story. I still cannot get it out of my mind, the same person who assulted my family member(and was reported, nothing done) assulted another person that committed suicide, also because nothing was done. That guy is out living his best life with many other people left in his wake.
I love your fall sweaters! I am going to order the orange one, I love orange, it is such a happy color. And that jacket! I looks exactly like the Dianna look. You are going to look amazing as always.
Your Fall porch is lovely. I have to be honest, mums are not my favorite. They just do not do well for me in theis heat. As for the pumpkins, I can never get enough!
Thank Goodness I do not live close to trader joes! Pumpkin anything(except latte) is my favorite flavor.
Just ordered that book! I had no idea, thank goodness for a woman that wants to dress is comfortably, stylishly and beautifully.
Have a wonderful week my friend.
xo
Elizabeth I don’t even give my event much credence if that is the right word, because it feels so minuscule compared to what others have had to experience. I was lucky my assailant ran off before he could do much to me thanks to the people on the ground I screamed to who ran up the stairs. I just have fear of stairwells and parking garages alone. My mother had even warned me to park under lights and be aware of my surroundings before I came out of a car. I was vigilant and had heard footsteps behind me and started walking faster and so did he.
Oh my I am so sorry for your family member and it’s sickening the school did nothing.. and he went on to hurt another who took her life. That is tragic. School seemed to have their reputations as priority and not women for sure. HORRENDOUS he’s still out there.
I love the orange sweater! Aw thanks. Take care and have a good week too. xo
Hi Kim, your friend Pia sounds like such a Chic Role Model (I have a favourites folder on my laptop called that, you’re in there too!). And your cute jacket from The Rack definitely harkens back to Diana’s honeymoon country suit – I loved that outfit, I wonder what happened to it?
Yes, the Cornell story is infuriating – and Trump bemoaned the fact that Leticia James will be investigating. That tracks. However, I’ve read about the loophole in NY state law that says if the victim got drunk willingly, basically all bets are off – that’s disgraceful. That Guardian article is excellent, I saw it yesterday but hadn’t got around to reading it yet, so thanks for linking. I’m sorry to hear of your experience, but glad you were able to call for help.
What a world we are living in, eh?
Patricia, Pia really is! Aw gosh thank you.
Isn’t that similar to the suit? Apparently Diana’s was custom made for her honeymoon in highlands by Bill Pashley and apparently there were two. Diana chose one with larger shoulders that was roomy. Bill donated the other to the Royal Palaces and it comes out for special exhibitions. I wonder where the original is?
I was glad to see Letitia on this case. That’s a horrible law! I had not heard that. If anyone can get these men to be held accountable it is her, so hoping there will be some justice.
Thank you I felt lucky to not be horribly harmed by my experience.
I know, this week has made me think there is so much more than we know that so many are living with.
xo
Kim! I love all your fall finds. Especially those v-necks … really like that they’re oversized and I may have to buy one or two. Of course, like you I’ve been sweating through the heatwave. We escaped to Maui and it’s unusually hot and muggy here too. I remember those early days of the school year when my new clothes said fall but the temperatures said mid-summer in the dessert. 🥵 I’m so excited to hit the local nursery for pumpkins at the new house and hopefully by the time we get back the temps will have cooled a bit. Curious to read your book recommendation and tour the Washington house which I’m going to do right now and procrastinate packing before we head over to the Big Island. Aloha! xo
Juliet, I am so glad you are in the Islands. I think you are better off as it is SO hot here. We are hiding in the house and thankful for the AC.
Have so much fun!! Can’t wait to hear more about it. xo
Hi Kim, such a great post as always! Those jumpers are lovely, especially the orange one. I love orange. Your porch looks so inviting. It is still so mild here in Scotland – 18 degrees centigrade yesterday – that I can’t wear all my lovely new Autumn knitwear yet! First world problems. I do have my pumpkins out though and some little touches of Autumn decor.
The dreadful assault at Cornell Uni has made the news over here too. The ongoing levels of violence against women is becoming truly sickening. It can be verbal too. I lost track long ago about the amount of cheeky/insulting/suggestive comments made to me about my looks, body, etc. by men, all in the name of ‘banter’. And if you didn’t laugh along, you were labelled boring or a prude. Yet it can stay with you for a lifetime and erode your confidence. What gives these men the right to think they can behave like this? I read that some of the perpetrators in the Cornell assault were given essays to write as ‘punishment’! Unbelievable.
Kim,
You made me get excited to go tonTJ’s and get some pumpkin treats and flowers. Your porch looks perfect Fallish. Love the freshness and simplicity with just the right amount of of decor.
Your pieces and purchases are always great. It made me take a look at Nordstrom rack and I took a risk and bought something in a smaller size because the reviews all said it ran large. Fingers crossed it fits. If it does I’ll share later! I was talk with a fr yesterday about my guest closet is full of clothes and pillow and decor so no room for guests clothing. The rack is a great idea!
Happy Fall to you my friend!💛🍁🤎
According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 3 women and girls (roughly 840 million individuals) have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both in their lifetimes. That means 840 MILLION MEN think it’s ok to assault a girl or woman. I was a young girl when I was assaulted by a neighbor, who was a retired Rr. Admiral in the Navy. When I made my parents aware of what happened, they asked this person to come to our house. Rather than admit his actions, this person parlayed his rank in the Navy and accused me of lying “because young girls are prone to hysterics.” Back in the 60’s, these subjects were never discussed or made public, so I had to tuck that experience deep into my 11 year old brain. Funny thing about childhood memories, they return when your brain is ready to comprehend the memory. I lived with that memory for 27 years before having the courage to go through trauma therapy. This type of therapy is not for the meek or mild, because you have to relive the trauma to reframe the memory. That said, the peace of mind one gains by reframing the trauma therapy is worth every minute.
Parents need to teach their sons that it is not OK to assault women. Colleges and Universities need to protect the victim, not the perpetrators. When a crime has been committed, young men need to be held accountable for their actions, not write a fucking essay!
Your post today encouraged me to at least get a wonderful pumpkin for our front entry (as we’ll be away for three weeks in latter October to mid-November, so no lovely mums this year). Falafal’s looks terrific — I look forward to trying it when I’m next home in the South Bay. I was happily surprised to find the sale yesterday at The Container Store!
Let’s encourage parents to prep their kids for independence AND self-responsibility before they leave home. When I traveled 3K miles from home at 18, I was careful not to over-indulge or lose control of my wits. One might still end up in a awful situation, but giving up one’s autonomy willingly is foolish and dangerous.