On this post, blues for the home, a great book on beautiful Inns for design and travel lovers, SF art week, my new kitchen rug, and cool happenings to commemorate MLK.
Thanks for popping by the Weekend Meander where Elizabeth, Juliet and I share what is on our radars and new and happening.
It is official. Our house is finally de-Christmased. I had to add a few things to brighten it up. I found a this runner from West Elm with an Hawaii vibe which really makes me happy. My dad’s tangelos are brightening things too. The big bowl I found at the Serena & Lily in Palo Alto a year ago. They aren’t online, but they occasionally have individual pieces for sale by the kitchen area.
Griffin finally came back from his travels and it was nice to have him home. He’s off again to Los Angeles to visit a friend and left me with a small head cold! Typical!
He did bring me a lovely silk covered Moleskine diary from Germany and a tote bag from the V&A, that he carried back. Very thoughtful.
Have you added any bulbs to your home? I just got a few baby daffodils from Trader Joes.. These are last years. I love watching them each day. A little bit of spring coming up!
By the way, I also noticed this tulipiere at West Elm. I think this is such a cool design! It comes in two sizes and perfect for springtime tables- and all year long for flowers and clippings.
I am hoping this weekend to get a small hike in since it is going to be sunny this three day MLK weekend. The Stanford Dish is on my list, or maybe just a tootle over to the coast. One thing I like to do is have lunch out or bring a picnic. Don’t you love day trips? Even going to a nearby town can be good for our brains. Getting out of the rut of the same places feels like a mini vacation. Is there a town you haven’t explored in a while- or ever? Take a trip to have lunch and walk around! We did that in Los Altos in November and it was so fun. We have so many cute towns in California! Why not make a list of day trip ideas and tick them off in 2026?
On My Radar – Blue things
I always love adding blues to the home in January with little pops of yellow and citrus. When I bought my runner at the Campbell West Elm, I noticed a lot of pretty blues. They even have a pillow in the same Hawaiian vibe fabric as my runner. I am thinking of adding one to my bedroom mix.
I bought this soft grey blue runner for my kitchen from Pottery Barn. It is a great price $199 for a wool rug. I like the soft warmth underfoot too on these cold days. Thick and nicely made.
More cool blue things that caught my eye from those two spots on my Beautiful Blue collection page below and on my ShopMy store.
Sweaters to Love
Sorry this is a shorter post. I spent a lot of my week working on Friday’s fashion post!
If you missed that, Cindy and I started off our 2026 Signature Style series with sweaters to love. I shared some of my favorites and great basics and styling ideas. Cindy shared her faves along with tips on what sorts of sweaters flatter by body type – and as usual great styling from her. My post is here and find Cindy’s post here.
Other cool things
It is MLK weekend!This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks the first year the federal holiday is not included on the list of entrance fee-free days to national parks, a choice made by the Trump administration. (He also took away Juneteenth as a free entry day, and added his own birthday. Hmm not prejudice at all.) Despite this, there are many great events happening in the Bay Area to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Go here and here . There is a march in Oakland on Monday, and concerts, and community service events going on!
I love this beautiful graphic I shared on my Instagram last year by Mina Sun of SVNYC.
Did you know SF Art Week kicks off today? What it is, and what to know before you go here. One of my favorite art places in SF is something I stumbled across on the way to a picnic on the far side of Golden Gate Park. Avenue 12 Gallery on Lake Street is small, but has a great collection. I’ve bought pottery there (my bowl below), and still want to add some art from them to my home.
Are you familiar with Gucci Westman? She is a famous makeup artist with what I think is the nicest makeup line, Westman Atelier. I love her bronzers and contour sticks, which I use as eye makeup too. Her website has a Daily Guide with makeup tutorials that I always think are fun to watch. I learn a lot about makeup, and she tends towards natural which I like. Even her gluten free apple pie recipe looks good.
The Inn Crowd is a book with a lot of buzz and great reviews. it’s all about beautiful inns of the world and the inn keepers who created them. Supposed to be beautiful as well as a great read about the lives of these folks. You can find it at B&N or maybe your local bookshop!
PBS & NPR stepping up and Liberal Women
If you consider NPR a reliable, but boring news source, it’s been anything but that in 2026. Lately, they seem to be the last network that hasn’t folded to become a muted and watered down version of itself, rarely reporting the raw facts of what is happening by this administration.
This week, NPR and PBS stepped up in a big way to publish multiple reports and videos of January 6th. All the facts, all the video, and none of it is pretty. They did not shy away from drawing a direct line to Trump, in fact used Sharpie. They put out a special report reviewing the whole day and the words and lies by Trump. They shared no less than 7 posts that day dedicated to resharing the images and the facts. They aren’t going to let this get swept under the rug. Many of those pardoned are now working for ICE.
Max and I both gave to PBS this week. I wanted to do it through his work, which matches and that goes to our local San Francisco station KQED. If you have some spare change, this is a great place to spread a bit of it in 2026. This is a link to give to a station near you . I think it would be fun to do a fundraiser for them.
If you missed it, this piece is sparking a lot of talk, The Right is Furious With Liberal White Women, (gift link here), in the NYTimes by Michelle Goldberg. When Fox News warns about “organized gangs of wine moms” against ICE, you know we are doing something right! The right wants women to be in their place, polite, and back in aprons. The fact that Renee Good and her wife had opinions, and were not intimidated by these ICE thugs, angers them so much. They now will try and use it as a justification for shooting this mom three times in the face at close range. Trump says she ‘disrespected’ him. Last time I checked that wasn’t grounds for murder.
Let’s be frank, women are largely visible in this anti-ice movement and are inspiring others by not being quiet. I know I am seeing my sisters in the trenches posting, speaking out, being present, and it is inspiring. We see it in Iran too, where women are leading the rebellion. I feel like this is going to be the year of the strong woman. Let’s make it happen.
Keep going! There is much crud happening, and yet we are winning in many ways despite all we are going through. For more positivity, Amanda’s Mild Takes on Instagram updates on good things and wins for democracy.
If you missed last week’s post, I shared re-setting for the new year, some pretty shoes, Cath Kidstone’s bright home, and more good things.
Happy weekend and thanks for being here,
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs for more good things…
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
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Good morning Kim, happy weekend.
So happy to hear the Griffin is home safe, I am sure that he had lots of stories to share of his adventures. Sorry that you have a cold, thankfully I have managed to avoid one this winter(for now).
Blue is a beautiful color and looks both moody and cherry in your space Kim. The new runner and your bowl look fabulous, especially with the oranges from your dad.
Both you and Cindy are so talented and stylish, your sweater post was one of my favorites that you have done.
Thank you for the tip about Gucci Westmans journal, I will check it out. Her makeup is great!
I read about The Inn Crowd, it sounds like a great book. Did you get it?
Have a wonderful weekend Kim, I hope that you are able to get out for a long walk or two.
xo
Hi,
Just a reminder that daffodils and many other bulb type flowers are toxic to cats.
You may already know and have them in a safe spot.
Linda thank you so much! I will make sure they are outside now. I had no idea.
Dear Kim,
We also gave to Alliance of Rural Public Media.They support PBS production in rural areas where there may be news deserts or just Sinclair Group.
After watching the vile and disturbing videos of ICE agents behaving badly, I ‘jokingly’ said to my husband that they’re probably pardoned Jan. 6 rioters. As a 73 yr. old white woman who drinks wine, I guess I’m now the worst of the worst. America in 2026?
Hi Kim
You always find the most interesting stuff. I like Gucci Weistman products too, but my favorite blush is still Milk. My skin is still a bit oily in my old age, and I find it stays on so much better than any others I have tried. Happy Saturday! It is going to be a beautiful day!!
I find the Gucci blush stick very, very drying.
Kim, your blog is such a welcome respite in the midst of all the horrible things happening. Thank you! I’ve usually got so much to say but no bandwidth today. Thank you for continuing to speak out.
Hi Kim,
It’s always great to hear from her. You must be a happy mama to have your son, Griffin back in his nest safe and sound from all his wonderful travels, now off to LA. Good for him, do it while he can. Too bad you now have his cold. Sweet Griffin brought you back a few things. Take TLC of yourself.
Love all your pretty blues, a peaceful color in your home. The pillow has your name on it.
I can’t chat too much about the 34 Felon, the ICE people are the worst, his people that he let out of jail when he got into office, that really makes my blood boil. My heart feels shattered for Renee Goods partner, three children and her family, and close friends. I’m sure because of her chosen life style made his reaction much worse. He is the president of only one thing, “I’m Club.”
PBS, is our living fave, we are giving more to them this year. Also big fans of 60 Minutes.
Great, that you are enjoying your walks it’s so good for you mentally and physically too.
I did look at your sweater blog it was wonderful, it was 80 degrees in Scottsdale, AZ on Thursday. With global warming we are concerned what’s to come. I have lots of sweaters I can hardly wear.
My heart is feeling sad, one of my dear friends father that I became good friends with through our correspondence passed away this morning. On this coming Thursday he would had turned 96 years young. I was trying to arrange a call with him. He is my hero. An incredible person, they don’t make honorable men like my friend anymore. He is in heaven resting in peace.
Have a lovely week, and stay safe out there.
Hi Kim,
Usually it’s the grandkids that get me sick but my husband brought the flu home from school. He is retiring this year but still plans on subbing a day or two a week. I told him DO NOT work the week before Christmas this year. I still get this weird coughing fit on occasion and it’s been almost a month. Glad to hear Griffin only gave you a head cold.
Your daffodils are so pretty. Where did you store the bulbs? All three of my Christmas amaryllis from Trader Joe’s had triple shoots, enjoying the second round right now. The tulipiere is very cool looking, although wondering how you dry the inside when you are done? I guess you could always just replace the flowers weekly but knowing me it wouldn’t happen.
I’m so sick of Fox News and the like. Ugh. Some much crud going on is right! My neighbor said with Trump it’s like Whac-A-Mole! Something every day. (sometimes more than one thing)
I think by now it’s been proven that the shooting of Rene Good was intentional and that the agent was not hit. I saw a really good breakdown of the video today. When the White House said Ross suffered internal injuries that is just another example of how much they lie and gaslight.
We finally started donating to PBS, and now we get Passport. I have been watching their Saturday afternoon line up on KPBS for probably almost 20 years. And of course Masterpiece on Sunday evenings.
I didn’t finish your sweater post but I am off the read the rest.
Linda
Thank you so much for talking about what is happening in your country, I’m reassured that along with all your wonderful information that you are a completely rounded person. I’m in Australia and am becoming more fearful by the day of where the US is headed. Thank you so much.
Hello Kim,
Love your take on blues and your rug looks so lovely! So nice to hear your son is home safe and what lovely presents!! Have a lovely week xo
Kim! Congratulations on getting Christmas packed away. Well done! Your blue table runner is gorgeous, and the combination of blue and orange is one of my favorite. It creates a moment of cheerfulness in a world that feels anything but. Proud to be a menacing ‘wine mom’ and PBS supporter. Tragic what’s become of CBS News … Walter Cronkite wouldn’t know what to make of it. Anyway, I’m glad Griffin’s home and bearing beautiful gifts. Hope you’re feeling better and were able to get out and about on this holiday weekend. Don’t get me started on the national park situation. Oof. xo
p.s. Can’t wait to watch the Gucci Westman tutorial you linked … I need a makeup update in the worst way.
Kim— what lovely gifts grifffin brought home for you from his travels. I love how you use blue and yellow, and bring in lots of citrus in your home! It’s those little seasonal changes that make a home so inviting and warm. And these days, we really need home to feel good….and safe with all that’s happening!
Xx