Fashion

How to Style White Denim!

May 11, 2023 By kimwheeler 40 Comments

Today on the blog, styling white denim, some shopping tips and current trends. White jeans are something we all have in the closet, but some pairs are more flattering than others. Let’s talk about what works..and how to wear them.

I am excited to join some friends today …and we are all chatting about white denim! I’m a huge lover of white jeans. I like white denim in summer and spring with pretty blouses, strappy flat sandals, and also with solid basics like grey, camel, navy and black.

Michael Kors often talks about how to look wealthy ( or how to fake it he says), and one of his pieces in Bazaar called, ‘How to Look Like a Million Bucks,’ involved a stack of fresh little black t-shirts every season and white jeans ala- Jackie O. I keep that image in my mind when I think of how I want to look in white jeans. I love the slightly cropped straight white pant she was wearing here. That’s a very current and flattering look.. Grazing the ankle. Frank & Eileen has a similar trouser jean here I’ve been wanting. It’s pricey, but their things are really nicely made and tailored..

For flattering white jeans..

Buy a thicker material. You do not want your jeans to be see-through.
Go for a straight leg, not a jegging or skinny fit!
Consider where they fall. Just above ankle can look great with most shoes. Much shorter and you risk wearing capris, which isn’t as flattering. A longer flare can work with a heel.
Look at the material. You want a tiny percentage of synthetic with the cotton for comfort. If you get 100% cotton they will be stiffer, but they also won’t lose their shape at all. Some of the baggier new styles are all cotton.

Here’s a few ways I’ve been wearing my white denim lately.. I’ve been wearing a lot of gold colors, tans and black in this transitional season..Short jackets like this cropped trench is another I love with my white jeans.. I added a slim jacket with the baggier jeans on left.

This Rails Steffi Jacket above has been a great piece I have worn with so much..

The little denim jacket is always a good partner too….This one was a great price.

Below, my favorites and some current options that are intriguing…All are linked on photos..

These mid-rise come in petite, tall, regular and plus sizing.

Some styling ideas…

White jeans with white blouses is one of my favorite looks. I have a collection of white blouses and I like to pair them with white denim.. This is a baggier pair by Mother in the middle, and the J Crew straight vintage on the left.

White jeans and black..and tan or grey..Always a classic- winter or summer. And yes you should wear white jeans in winter with sweaters and jackets like I did this year… It feels resort-ish in the middle of dreary weather..

Baggier white jeans and skinnier tops and jackets.. This is a modern look and pairing the bigger pant with a more fitted top half will prevent you from looking blocky. Balance the wider pant with a longer slim jacket, or top and a more feminine shoe like a pretty sandal, heel, or a flat with a pointed toe will help..

White denim and blue shirts is another favorite look..The middle one from Rails is the Camille top and I love the style and it comes in a pretty white and rose.

I also love a white blazer and white jeans and it looks so good on Olympia Gayot of J. Crew..A good white denim jacket is a must have as well in the closet! J. Crew has a white denim version of their lady jacket which is fun…

A few other jacket options…links on photos.

I hope this gave you some ideas for styling your white denim! Remember think Jackie O when you choose them and style them. Go for classic looks. You can also follow me on Pinterest and my board White Jeans Forever!

Now check out what ideas and tips my friends have for you white denim..

Most Lovely Things

Cindy Hattersley Design

Classic Casual Home

Design Indulgence

La Vie on Grand

Thanks for stopping by,

Kim

If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Weekend- The New Evereve Store in Nor Cal, Toile Pieces for Spring, and Woven Bags

March 17, 2023 By kimwheeler 24 Comments

On this post, checking out the first Evereve store in Northern Cal, a vegan restaurant, toile pieces for spring, some beautiful woven bags, a book on J.Crew’s history, and more..

How’s your week been? I returned from a sunny three day getaway in the desert to see tennis at Indian Wells with friends and its was like being in summertime after this dark winter! We loved the two days and nights of tennis and even managed to sneak in a morning and lunch at the La Quinta Spa before we flew out on Saturday afternoon.. I updated my BNP blog with all the details if you want to know more about this tournament, the wonderful spa (like paradise), plus pics of some cute spectators we spotted with great style too.

I hated to leave and not to be negative, but time change has been a real bummer. Anyone else feeling the same? Both my husband and I said we felt a bit tired and off all week.. I do like the lighter nights though!

I noticed on one of those ‘On this day’ things that my wisteria was in full bloom this week last year. This year- not even a bloom! That never happens. I also usually have baby daffodils in my grandmother’s tureen in March and I couldn’t even find them anywhere. Settling for a green hosta plant for now.

My buried cabin!

You are all probably wondering why I never post about our Tahoe cabin, but sadly this year we haven’t had one weekend to go up there, that didn’t have the potential to be stuck up there with highway 80 closed. Another storm is coming Sunday. I am worried about the cabin, but we have two cameras and neighbors who live there full time that we are in touch with.

This is a photo on right, that the young guy Austin, who is digging the cabin out this week sent us. This is the front – you can barely see the top. .and we have at least 20 feet of snow and he is standing in the front yard.. And a previous year below left!

New places to check out in Palo Alto

On Thursday I met my pal Jeanne at Town & Country Palo Alto where we had lunch at a new vegan restaurant Wildseeds. It’s lovely inside and has a unique menu. We shared a mezze platter and I had a salad. She had the burger… A wonderful spot to try if you want to eat plant based beautiful food and drink. There is also one in San Francisco. This took the place of the Mayfield Cafe at T&C.

Afterward we checked out a new retail chain called Evereve. I had heard they have an eclectic collection of casual contemporary brands. This is their first outpost in Northern California and they have a huge emphasis on customer service and it shows. All the ladies there were wonderful and they have the prettiest changing rooms ever. If you are near Town & Country it’s worth checking them out!

They also have some of their own brand and I bought this white sweatshirt with the cutest sleeves…

I love sweatshirts so much lately. They are not as hot as sweaters, yet comfy and can be dressed up too. Evereve has quite the selection, which goes with their casual vibe. I also have my eye on this one and this one.

On my radar..

This COS toile dress popped up this week in an email and I clicked right away to COS which has a mini toile collection here. I love everything toile am glad to see it is having a resurgence. There are also shirts and a shirt dress and black toile pieces as well.

I just got Kingdom of Prep this week and was sucked in right away with the J. Crew’s origin story of how this small campus outfitter run by a father and daughter, became the first company to sell a lifestyle through its catalogue. In it are the stories of the struggles, backstories, and also the company’s visionaries like Jenna Lyons. Not forgotten are its phases through 90’s minimalism to outfitting Mrs. Obama to now. Really enjoying it! On that note, if you are a J.Crew fan going way back you might enjoy the Lost J.Crew Instagram, which is great inspiration from the company catalog 1983-1997, pre-internet age. I love it! Everything was simpler and looked so good.

Madewell has a gorgeous new woven leather bag collection. The green tote is a stunner and the perfect shade and the crossbody is a great piece, with a retro 80’s vibe in the blue and an assortment of other colors including the green. They are both 25% off now.

I love the brand Kule and they have a trench that is so darn cute -classic with a modern twist. Love the stripes on the belt and cuffs. With all the rain this year, I could use a trench coat that can stand up to the wet and look good thrown over jeans and a t-shirt. This is a bit of an investment, but a beautiful piece. Everyone needs a good trench. I also like this khaki classic single breasted look.

The 83 Year old Irish Knitting Sensation…

If you missed it there was a wonderful article in the NYTimes about Irish knitter Delia Barry who knit the sweaters for Colin Farrell in the Oscar nominated film, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin.’ She began knitting as a child and more recently in 2010 after her husband died. She studied 1920’s Irish Fisherman style sweater photos with a magnifying glass and made each sweater in a week. She has become something of an internet sensation on TikTok with young people trying to replicate her knitting designs which she does without patterns!

Have you seen this film? I sort of want to see it just for the beautiful setting..

Home Tour to inspire..

I need to get back to my California home of the week..In the meantime I found this home shared on The Sunday Times Living With Style section. The owner presenter Laura Jackson has a very personal and pretty home. Her kitchen is what made me share this. It’s everything I love down to the plants and drawers full of jammed un-ironed linens. This is the kind of home I adore..

This week Cindy Hattersley and I had our Signature Style posts and this month was Resort Wear. If you have a sunny getaway in your future check our posts out!

If you missed last weekend’s meander, I shared a block print dress for spring and travel that will be a go-to, a lipstick that helps the endangered species and is also a beautiful treat, the best tote organizer, a fun podcast and more..

Thanks for stopping by and have a happy weekend!

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Early Spring Outfit, Sargent at The Legion, and More SF Stairs

February 17, 2023 By kimwheeler 26 Comments

The John Singer Sargent in Spain show at The Legion of Honor, more San Francisco Stairs to discover, early spring outfits and more

How was your Valentines week? For Valentine’s I made Max dinner using our bounty of lemons. He loves this Martha Stewart Chicken Piccata recipe, I have made forever. I also made the Nigella Madeira cake I have shared before here.. ( SO easy and fantastic.) I would have taken pics, but I was flustered making three courses and the dessert all at once.. This is my pic from summer time..

Max brought me these tulips and I’ve been enjoying the color with all my citrus..

Sargent in Spain at the Legion of Honor

For our Valentine date, Max for my took me to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco last Sunday to see Sargent in Spain. It documented American artist John Singer Sargent’s many visits to Spain over thirty years and his love for the art, architecture and culture.

Beside his works done in and inspired by Spain, it had mementos he collected and works of great Spanish artists he studied and emulated, beside his own. Two of those were El Greco, and Goya. The museum shared how this was part of Sargent’s ‘dynamic visual practice’ in which he expanded his repertoire to include so many diverse styles and mediums of art.

Sargent’s paintings of his sister and friend.. The two of them under mosquito nets they invented themselves.

We bought tickets to the exhibition ahead of time, and arrived around 11:30. We had an early lunch in the cafe, and wandered the Sargent rooms for an hour and a half. I thought it was a wonderful exhibition.

I loved this woman’s green coat and matching bag..so beautiful with her hair. Museums always seem to have the most stylish people! Her little bag is from the Super Mini Slouch bag from Anthro. My stylish pal Jeanne just bought it in orange. It includes a tiny zip pouch and comes in many colors and is a pop of color for your spring look for $46.

The Bowles Porcelains

Afterwards, I walked through the amazing Bowles porcelain collection. The collection was donated by Mrs Constance Bowles Peabody, who amassed a unique collection that spans countries and centuries. There are some exquisite pieces and the natural light of the beautiful all glass room really shows them to their advantage.

The story of Mrs Constance Bowles is interesting. She was a California native whose Irish immigrant father who worked the SF docks as a child and founded what became a huge global shipping enterprise. She married Henry Miller whose great-grandfather owned the largest amount of American land ever held. He was a rancher who once bragged he could drive his cattle from Mexico to the Oregon border without leaving his own property! Mrs Bowles family also donated two islands off the coast of Marin to the government that are now bird sanctuaries. More about Constance and these two California pioneer families in her obituary from 2016 here.

…. Those were just the two exhibits we took in that day. There is much more to see at the Legion. We also walked the grounds of lovely Lincoln Park and took in the sea views. The museum is perched over the ocean and though it was sunny, the fog was hugging the edge of the cliffs and the fog horns were sounding.

If you pay for entry to the exhibit, you can use the cost ($56 for two of us), toward a membership. I did that when I bought a few souvenir posts cards. The yearly membership is $119, so that shaves some cost off and you can revisit with a guest as much as you like to both The Legion and the De Young and also get invited to special previews and events etc..

The John Singer Sargent exhibition ends May 14, 2023, and moves on. This is it’s first stop !

More San Francisco Stairs

Afterwards, we found another of San Francisco’s famous stairs nearby. These are the Lincoln Park Steps and they are particularly pretty, and adjacent to Lincoln park, which leads to the museum.

At the museum bookshop I spotted this book which would be a good one for those who wish to explore more of San Francisco, Stairway Walks in San Francisco: The Joy of Urban Exploring. I just ordered one for Max. This staircase was on the cover!

New Jeans for Spring

While I was at the museum two people asked about my jeans. They are by Mother! I was shopping last weekend with my pal Jeanne at Stanford and saw them..I loved this new shape and that they have less stretch, but are very comfy.

They sold out of them already at Anthro, but they still have them here.. I also loved these Mother Jeans below right. Both slightly different. The one at the right has a bit more stretch and runs smaller.. I think both have an updated feel.. The wider pant being fresh and modern and the straight leg great for an everyday jean that will only get better over time. I try and buy these domestic made jeans. Mothers are made in California and though I do have inexpensive jeans too, these better made ones always seem to last me years and feel so good on.

After I bought the first pair, I went back and got the other. Since I am going for less in the closet and better, and had some money from selling clothes I had purged…I justifed both as a good 2023 wardrobe investment. Two pairs of jeans in different styles that fit and feel great will pay for themselves in amount of wears over time!

Closet Stories

Last week Max moved to Jackson’s old closet where he also has his office. It was his idea as he gets up at 5:30 many mornings to bike and it is hard to not turn on the lights, etc.

I was thrilled to have the whole remodeled closet to myself and instead of spreading out and taking up all the space, I decided this was a great time to truly purge and create a smaller wardrobe I have always wanted. I just want less and to make life simpler.

With more space I can really see what I have now. I have talked about closet cleanup many times before, so y’all probably don’t want another run down on that.. However, one thing that struck me as a good way to clean out is not to try on everything, but instead ask yourself this one question, ‘Will I choose this?’ I know with so many items in my closet the answer is ‘no.’

Let’s be honest, we all have things that we bought that still look great, were expensive, or still in style, but if you are bypassing them every time you get dressed, you should say goodbye to them. They are taking up space in you closet and your life! I think that has helped me this time more than ever.

We all have a lot of clothes and choices, and if we know we are going to choose something else, don’t hang into things just to have them. The less you have the better you dress. You also buy less. It’s quite freeing and I purged a lot.

What to do with those clothes? On my Instagram I shared my experience taking the clothes to the Crossroads Trading Company, which buys back your clothes and gives an immediate payout, unless you have something quite pricier, then they send you money when it’s sold. All the steps to do this are saved in my Closet Stories story highlights..You can also try The Real Real for selling designer items.

Early Spring Styling Ideas

After cleaning out the closet I have been thinking about what was missing and that was jeans that have a current look and straight leg and some long sleeve light tops for spring. I did a little collage with my two new pairs of jeans I linked to above..

I love this gauze cotton blouse from J. Crew which comes in pretty colors, but I like the black and white especially. The COS top has a super cute modern shape and bell sleeves I want it in white, black, but this blue would be fun with the tiny Anthro bag in green. The Chanel look sandals in a tweed and the leather slides from Madewell are great additions to update my shoe wardrobe for spring… and the small COS black shoulder bag is coolest shape to tuck under the arm or carry by its strap.

Houses of the Week- Pacific Grove

This week I wanted to highlight the charming and under the radar small town of Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove is located between Monterey and Carmel and famous for its Monarch butterflies. Steinbeck lived here for some time and most of its homes are walking distance to the rocky beaches and coast. It has a tiny downtown and homes feel more old Cape Cod than glam beach house.

The two homes I picked to share went on the market this week and darn it, both are already contingent, but I am keeping them on here anyway..

This home is surrounded by oaks and faces a pretty park..Beautifully updated.

The other is a cottage and I love the charm of this home and especially the Dutch door, the kitchen and the shelves in the only bedroom. It also faces a park…How clever is the wineglasses stored in the chandelier? The kitchen is darling!

You can peruse more Pacific Grove listings here.

If you missed last weekend’s post I shared a San Francisco brunch spot and hike, some new books, cute khaki pants, my new porch flowers and more..

Wishing you a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Signature Style – Holiday Dressing Strategies

December 6, 2022 By kimwheeler 38 Comments

It’s time for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. For December’s Signature Style, we are naturally talking about festive attire. I have some easy strategies for you to use what you have to create a fresh and fun looks for all your holiday events!

Well the past few years have put a damper on holiday gatherings, and I think the shiny bits that live in the recesses of the closet have gotten few outings..So any chance I get to fly my glitter flag, I relish! I try and use treasures like my mom’s Christmas pins, and crystal bracelets, and my grandma’s sparkly clip earrings with everyday things in the month of December and if you have such things you should too! You don’t need the excuse of a holiday party. Nothing is cuter than holiday pin on your coat or vintage earrings with a sweatshirt..Get those pretties out and about this month!

Before you think about buying ANYTHING…go to the closet and survey. I know I have said this before, but you forget what you have. It’s way cooler to be creative with your wardrobe and mix in older pieces and it is certainly more stylish than buying all new.

If you own no velvet, satin, shiny or vintage jewelry, then maybe it’s time you added a few of these pieces to your closet!

Strategy 1- Throw a furry jacket or coat over nice jeans or black pants.. This is instant glam. I have a few of these affordable jackets. Nothing makes you feel more old movie star than one of these. Add a holiday pin or earrings, and shoes according to event. Don’t be afraid to wear your coat/ furry jacket as the top.. This is a particularly fun and casual look for the holiday coffee, or out to lunch or dinner with girlfriends for a gift exchange. I just bought this Chanel shaped faux shearling number on sale and added my grandmother’s pin. Love it with a camisole and zipped up as a top.

Strategy 2- Top a sequin or satiny dress or skirt with a soft sweater. Maybe with hair up or pinned back and a cocktail ring and cute clutch? Dress it up or dress it down with a small heel or a bootie..

I paired an older sequin slip dress with a cashmere turtleneck, kitten slingbacks and a patent clutch. All items sitting in the closet. With a heel it’s perfect for a holiday dinner or cocktail shindig. I like sparkly hoops with turtlenecks. Last year I did the same with a satin bias cute skirt and short boots..and vintage drop pearls. ( My slingback pumps here only now in suede and patent but just as cute.)

Strategy 3- Wear a sparkly or velvet top – this is the simplest over denim or slim pants. Make it easy and pull your hair up, add a statement earring or bracelet and go. Last year, below – I wore a sequin top with these AYR jeans to a party. I loved it. I found this cute sequin top and this one at if you don’t own one! They’re great to have for New Year’s Eve too. I also have a few velvet T-shirts that I love.

Strategy 4- Go for plaid, gingham, or taffeta. A skirt or top in this sort of fabric or print paired with a white blouse, sweater can be holiday enough!

I love this wool skirt I bought last year on Amazon. I’d been searching for a long one that reminded me of ones my mother wore win the 70’s. The holidays are a perfect time to wear it. My Veronica Beard blazer gives over a black silky t-shirt gives it some edge vs a sweater..and I added black leather sneakers because it’s more like me.

Strategy 5- Go with a luxe one color monochrome look with sparkly accessories. Black is the easiest way to pull this look off. The same goes for a soft grey or cream or taupe. All one tone looks luxe, just add a pretty vintage pin, a vintage bag and it’s enough.

I went for a Prada feel with a pleated skirt and my Vince sweater (one of my most favorite things.) Shoes are newer and have a ballerina/classic look and hey- shout out to my 30+ year old vintage Furla bag that mimics a new Khaite bag they want $2,000 for! This is a very Olsen sister look. (The almost exact pull-on skirt as mine, is now 50% off at J Crew here.

If you’re missing some pieces from your holiday closet these are good additions to consider..

-This Vince sweater I have received for Christmas gifts in two colors, and they truly are the BEST thickest most luxe cashmere sweater ever. They are boiled cashmere, and I want to live in them in winter and they are on sale now here. A good gift to ask for yourself.

I you’re missing a clutch with some sparkle this option at Anthro comes in 7 colors and has a chain too.

Quince has affordable silk bias cut skirts in 7 colors.. These Jane flats will make any outfit and update what you have..so darn cute.

For those who asked.. this pleated J.Crew pull on skirt which is nearly identical to mine.. and 50% off.. and the slingbacks below..

And and if I had a special party to attend and needed a frock..these two would be in contention. This Vince velvet mock neck is elegant and modern.

This Rails pleated dress is gorgeous in person and body skimming- not hugging at all! A medium was too big on me. It’s a flattering dress and a fantastic addition to the closet… I am considering getting it for the future. Rails also offers the pleats look in a top and this satin cowl which is a lovely great piece and on sale

This Shine Top at Anthro is adorbs and comes in a pretty green and black also..These pave earrings are a fun option also if you need sparkle.

I hope you found some inspiration to glam up a little for the holidays, even if it’s just for yourself! Get festive and make the most of this time where glitter, velvet and shine is welcome.

I also wanted to say this is Sarah’s last post with us. She is taking time to be with her family and move to the seaside this year, so she has a lot happening, and I get that..Blogging takes a lot of your life. This collaboration has been wonderful to do with someone from another part of the globe. Love the perspective and insights always from Sarah. She is stylish smart and grounded, something you don’t always find on blogs. It won’t be the same without her and I wish her well and look forward to following Sarah on Instagram still….

…Now please stop by Cindy and Sarah’s posts and to get their takes on holiday style!

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Thanks for stopping by!

Kim

November’s Signature Style was ‘Does Your Home Reflect Your Personal Style?

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Weekend Meanderings- A Day out in Hayes Valley, Cosmetics Clean Up, Jones Road Beauty, Claire V. Bags, Roasted Tomato Pasta & More…

September 30, 2022 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

On this Weekend’s Meanderings..A day out in San Francisco’s cute Hayes Valley, cleaning your cosmetics drawers up, Bobbi Brown’s Jones Road makeup, the fun California brand Claire V., and an easy pasta to try with your last tomatoes of summer..

It’s time for our weekend chat and good things with Elizabeth and Juliet. This week flew by, so I barely got this post pulled together.. I have been watching the hurricane coverage all week and my heart goes out to everyone. I have cousins who live on the West Coast of Florida and they were lucky not to have damage. If you want to help this article on USA Today has many great agencies on the ground helping. Juliet also mentioned World Central Kitchen which is wonderful and on the list too.

We were in Tahoe last weekend attending to the cabin, working on new doors, and trees that needed removing.. A lot to share and all of that is on my Instagram and if you missed it, stored under my Tahoe story bubble. I’m hoping to show you the new doors soon!

I so recommend this early fall time in Tahoe. It’s just beautiful in the 70’s and empty of crowds. We did some walks and did a nice kayak through the West Shore..had drinks at Sunnyside. All in all, very relaxing- except for the to do list!

We came back Monday, and I started the week a bit behind the eight ball..

Beauty Clean Out

I should have written this post earlier, but Thursday the universe told me to clean out my makeup drawer and when that happens I listen….as the last time was in 2020. Yikes.

I am not as good keeping up with the beauty drawers as I am with the closet. I bought a few new items and that was my motivator to do a deep clean. I wiped out all the drawers with the Method Lavender cleaning spray which made everything smell so fresh. I also repurposed a few trays from other places and ordered a couple of these Madesmart Beauty trays.

This is a great thing to do as we enter fall.. and actually in theory, each season. Get a big bag and toss anything that is crumbling, old, and taking up space…out of date!!

I used to sell cosmetics at Nordstrom, so I know a little about the shelf life. Generally, things have an expiry date. For skincare, they just lose their effectiveness. Color cosmetics can go off and it’s just a good idea to let go of things that you’ve had longer than a year or so..

It feels great to open the drawers and see everything looking fresh. Piles of powdery cosmetics that are smudged and smeared is not a good way to live. Take it all out and wipe the drawers and wash the trays with soap and water.. If your drawers are beat, line them with pretty paper.

Your brushes need to be attended to as well, an it is important for your skin. Toss hard brushes that feel sharp, and ones that are not holding up. There are so many good ones that can be found affordably. Ecotools has excellent brushes and they are sold at Whole Foods and here..

Wash your brushes with shampoo. Lather them and rinse until the water runs clear. Gently squeeze your brushes out and lay the brushes flat to dry, not upright -as the water can loosen the hairs from the handle and rot it.

I lay mine on a towel and give them about 24 hours to dry. Occasionally you can condition the brushes lightly just as you would your hair. I learned all this being a makeup artist for a few years during college and after. We had to wash our brushes every night so I got really good at it.

Bobbi Brown’s New Jones Road Makeup & Credo

If you’re on social media at all, you may have been inundated with ads for Bobbi Brown’s new makeup line, Jones Road. She sold her old line years ago to Estee Lauder and is back with a line that is totally clean, cruelty free and has been streamlined into the minimal amount of products a person needs. Many are multi functional and I love that.

On day out in Hayes Valley in San Francisco, my friend and style guru, Jeanne and I popped into Credo, a chain that calls itself, ‘The cleanest beauty store in the world’. They have very high standards and lines they carry must be made with clean products and be cruelty free as well as ethical.

Jones Road is carried exclusively at Credo, so if you want to try in person, they have two stores in SF and one in Los Angeles, and in a few other states.

I bought The Face Pencil, in shade 3, which is a great concealer that can get in the corner of eyes and is the perfect consistency. It easily blends in and stays and is in 25 shades.

I also bought the Lip and Cheek Stick, which is a great idea in Mauve. They recommend tapping it in or using a brush. I love this color and for a soft neutral lip too.

Also popular and on my next time list.. is the foundation called What the Foundation which is a balm and a foundation in one…and Miracle Balm, which is comes in blush colors, highlighters and also in bronze tones.

Credo also carries my favorite mascara, Limitless Lash by Ilia. It’s hard to believe it’s a clean mascara as it wears beautifully, easy to remove and lasts all day. I love it.. and it also comes in a small travel size too.

All of Bobbi’s Jones Road line is here at Credo as well as all the other clean beauty brands and their mission and standards.

A day out in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco. It has a park that is a great gathering spot with businesses that are run out of containers and other improvised structures. The surrounding streets have some of the coolest shops, many small and independent and also some good smaller brands. My friend Jeanne and I did a little jaunt up to check out the shops and have a bite.

First up we made a beeline for the Claire V. boutique. It’s off the park down a cute half closed street.

Claire V.

Claire V. is a smaller handbag and accessories line that has its roots in California, but with a French flair. It’s really become the bag of the coolest girls and is a nice alternative to so many pricey labels. I love the colors, the stripes, the unique patterns and textures and options. Creative types can totally customize a bag to your own look..And if you’re a Francophile there is so many sweatshirts and hats and things with cheeky French phrases..

Jeanne got this tortoise resin strap for the Mirabel black crossbody. I forgot to take a picture, but the black with tortoise together is lovely for fall.

You can also get monograms. Most bags come with straps and these are extra add-on straps. Here are some other color options in her same bag combo…

I bought this strap for my Claire V. tote, but they say try it on other bags, so I’ve been using it on a smaller black bag for some flair.

All the Claire V. straps here.

I own the Simple Tote in a green leopard, which was a special edition, but they have it in so many cool combinations, it would be hard to choose. I do love this army color with the stripes.. and this grey with gold studs...

We also both bought this Resistance scarf, that is cool tied around a bag, a pony tail or under a blouse..and is very timely. 30% of all proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.

I also bought her fragrance Angie I fell in love with! It is the name Claire V. is known by to her family and has notes from the places she has lived- green notes from France, bright citrus from Italy and a hint of California chaparral. It’s very unique!

Next we hit the darling kid’s shop Fiddlesticks. I have never been in a cuter boutique. They have the tiniest things and adorable clothes as well as toys and books…

Jeanne has a new grandbaby so we had to get Kyler some cool stuff. He is set with a knit beanie and some shirts.. I bought the sweetest Halloween book about a kitten for some little friends.. Yes we spent too long in there.

They even wrap it with bags that have the SF skyline!!

Next up we were getting hungry so we had an alfresco Italian lunch at A Mano which was perfect. We shared a margarita pizza and burrata that was TDF, and the cauliflower bagna cauda. This is a nice place right in the center of the action and kitty corner from the park. You can easily find one of many seats outdoors or inside..

A Mano restaurant Hayes Valley San Francisco

burrata at A Mano restaurant Hayes Valley San Francisco

Lastly, we went to Rails, another California company and one of our favorites. They have very few boutiques, but they are opening a new one soon in Palo Alto!

This is a beautiful store with the nicest people and we bought a few pieces for fall..Since this post is already so long, I will save Rails and what we chose for next week..

If you go to Hayes Valley, there is a good parking at The Performing Arts Garage on the corner of Gough and Fulton, just a few blocks off the green space. I just touched on a few things, but other good places are MAC clothing, Absinthe Brasserie, Miette Patisserie, many other bakeries, chocolate shops and sushi spots.. and clothing places. Definitely a fun day out and much more to explore than you can ever get to in one day..

Roasted Tomato Pasta

My garden was slow to start this year and in the last month I stopped watering it and dry farmed. Still I got many more cherry tomatoes and we could never eat them all, so I decided to finally try roasting them and serving them over fresh pasta. We did this last week and it was delicious.

I cut them in half, tossed in olive oil and added sea salt and pepper and roasted at about 400 for around 20 minutes. After cooking fresh fettuccine, I added the tomatoes and all the juice and oil to the pasta. I gently tossed, added more olive oil and some fresh basil. You can add more salt if you wish. We just added fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano.. If you have some of these late tomatoes and are running out of ideas, it’s so good – and simple.

Well that is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

Thank you for being here and I hope your weekend is great!

Kim

On last week’s meanderings I shared skirts for your fall closet, skirted tables for home, a fascinating book on skirts in history, easy pumpkin noodles, and a drought tolerant yard update..all here.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Weekend Meanderings- Army Jackets, Hawaiian Banana Bread, British House Tours & More

August 26, 2022 By kimwheeler 40 Comments

On this Weekend Meanderings.. why an army green utility jacket can give a cool edge to all your closet staples, a Hawaiian twist on banana bread, British home tours to binge and more..

It’s that time again for all the good things that we want to share with Elizabeth and Juliet.

Hi friends, how was your week? Well believe it or not, a day after I returned from Utah and wrote that self-care post (HA), I came down with some weird virus and literally have been feeling awful for nearly a week. Yesterday was my first normal day and I am thankful. No doubt I picked up something while traveling. I’m so glad to be normal today. Nothing like being unwell to appreciate the status quo right? I’ve been playing disco music and acting like I’ve won the lottery around here!

The army green utility jacket

Onto something more interesting, specifically fall clothes! I am a jacket nut, and today I’m focusing on the utility jacket.. often known as an army jacket. I have four and I am always looking at others.. These jackets give you an instant cool girl cred and just work with so much. They’re the piece you’re going to take on the trip, throw in the car and toss on when the night start turning bit cooler. They don’t need maintenance, rarely show dirt or wrinkles..They work over a white feminine dress in summer and over that chunky fall sweater you can’t wait to wear. Know this, it’s one piece that will pay for itself over and over again in your casual chic closet!

About a month ago when I was shopping for the conference with summer dresses on the brain, this cutie by Paige was next to the dresses and I grabbed it. I can’t resist a utility jacket in a new shape and I knew this might be gone next time I came.

Paige Pacey Utility Jacket in Vintage Ivy Green

I think I already shared that I wore this on the plane trips to Utah and Georgia..This jacket has some stretch which made it instantly comfortable. I also like the length, updated feminine shoulders, and cool buttons. The cuff has more buttons that can be undone and rolled back.

Some inspiration on how to style these from Kate Moss who has been wearing army/utility jackets from her early days and still is.. She shows the versatility of these jackets..I think it doesn’t hurt to have a casual version of this jacket and a more tailored one in your closet! I like how she goes to black as a foil for it. Truthfully though, this khaki green works with so many colors..

Naomi Watts in a casual look.. and Kate dressing it up..

And maybe my favorite is Victoria Beckham’s look..

I remember buying these at the army surplus stores in the 80’s.. Now seems everyone has some version of this.. What used to be the jacket of anarchists, Sex Pistols and Blondie is now mainstream!

Other offerings out there are this by Anthro (cute crop style with embellishments), and at right this more classic, Marrakech Ari Utility Jacket..

Liverpool Los Angeles has a pretty tailored look below left, and I love the vibe of this soft linen version from Michael Stars, right..

I also like this fun jacket with embroidered daisies and this blazer version by Free People.

khaki shirt jacket with daisy embroidery

One with unique embroidery by Sundance.. and below right an Army coat with that vibe, by Emerson Fry, that’s on my fall wish list. I love their coats!

And another I am adding here thanks to a reader Theresa, with a good eye..This cute and classic jacket is at Nordstrom and in a few colors. I like the details here and price.

So keep your eye out for these jackets when you start planning you fall closet edit. They can be found in all price points.. and online upcycled too at The RealReal, Thredup and other spots.

My stylish California pal, Cindy Hattersley had a fantastic post this week about jackets and had some good choices for cargo jackets so don’t miss her blog!

Hawaiian Banana Bread

I was really craving some banana bread the other day after pics popped up of the Hawaiian version I tried to replicate after our last trip to the islands.. It’s a riff on a simple, but excellent banana muffin recipe originally from Gourmet Magazine. We just leave the bananas a bit chunkier and add coconut flakes. Other variations are to add a few extra banana slices to the top, and to my version here I added walnut and chocolate chips. To make it more Hawaiian, add macadamia nuts in place of the walnuts and omit the chocolate..

Hawaiian Banana Bread

Kim Wheeler

A Hawaiian twist on the traditional banana bread..

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 C Flour
2/3 C Sugar
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 C mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
1 large egg
1/2 C=1 stick melted butter
1/4 C milk of your choosing
3/4 C coconut flakes for sprinkling top
3/4 C chocolate chips (optional)
3/4 C macadamia nuts or walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, sugar baking powder and salt in a large bowl with a whisk. In another bowl, mash bananas lightly with fork, mix in egg, milk and melted butter. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients just until blended and stir in nuts and chips if using.
Pour into a prepared bread loaf pan (9 x 5 ish), bake 50-55 minutes. For muffins bake 32 minutes.

Keyword Hawaiian Banana Bread

British House & Garden Home Tours

One of my favorite things is to watch house tours on Youtube and British House & Garden magazine has the best ones. I also appreciate the way British people live in their homes. They are so personal, comfortable and inviting. Americans could take a few cues from them about things being less precious and more enjoyed. This tour of former Vogue editor Lucinda Chamber’s home is a great example and a fun one to watch..

Loot

My latest television obsession is Loot, with Maya Rudolf. I began while I was sick, and though I wasn’t crazy about the cast at first they really grew on me and this show was just heartwarming. It’s a good escape as well as feel good and I needed both last week.

-Also this weekend Serena & Lily is having 30% off rugs, so those who asked about my rugs, the new one in the dining room, Alamere and my living room Stella, as well as the kitchen runner – this is a good time to get them, if you want them arriving before the holidays- and on sale!

-For those who asked, I finally set up a more complete shop on my Liktoknowit , or now LTK and you can shop on that site’s app if you prefer here! You can always shop the tabs at the top of the blog as well.

Well that is my weekend meanderings for this week.. Please check out Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what good things they are sharing…

MAKE MINE A SPRITZ E R

PINECONES AND ACORNS

Thank you for being here! Hope your weekend is wonderful.

Kim

If you missed last week’s Meandering’s post, I talked about making yourself a priority, skincare tips, improving your sleep, Salt Lake City, a book on moving to the French countryside and more.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

If you want to save this post, you can pin it Pinterest below..

Signature Style- Chic Linen Pieces You Need

August 2, 2022 By kimwheeler 41 Comments

It’s time again for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah and we are talking about linen. Linen pieces are a chic choice to upgrade your closet, last for years, and feel good too.

Linen is one of those fabrics that looks luxe on the hottest days and even when wrinkled. I love the look of a linen button up on women and men. Nothing looks as Katherine Hepburn, or Diane Keaton (aka Coastal Grandma) as linen shirts, and white linen suits, linen pants..

Diane Keaton in white linen suit in Something's Gotta Give.

Diane Keaton in white turtleneck and jeans in Something's Gotta Give.

Once you begin wearing more linen or linen blends, it’s hard to wear synthetics. I just love the feel of a linen t-shirt in summer. I even sleep in one in winter as they breathe and get softer with each wash. Linen dresses and pants are also the most cool and breathable.

Linen is better for the planet

If you want to build a wardrobe that is more sustainable, long lasting and looks luxe, linen is a fantastic choice!

Did you know linen comes from the flax plant and has been around since ancient Egyptian times and perhaps longer? The nice thing about linen is it uses less water and pesticides than cotton does in the growth process. It’s much better for the planet and it is fast dying. The best way to care for it is to wash in cool water with a gentle detergent and never use a fabric softener on it which will coat the fibers ( It’s generally good to never use fabric softeners anyway.) If you care for your linen it will last and get better over time!

Why linen may have a bad rap..

Did you wear linen the 80’s? Some of us remember it had a big heyday then, and particularly in oversized linen pleated pants and blazers. The linen look back then was ironed and starched within an inch of its life. It was a lot of work and the minute you wore it, it looked bad. That turned a lot of people off linen, including me, a person who hates ironing…The linen of now is worn softer, slightly if at all ironed, and has a casual vibe.

I started collecting linen pieces again the last time we were in the south of France. I noticed all the women wore linen tunics and tops and bottoms there were tons of it in the shops and big stalls of linen dresses at the Provencal markets..

I bought a white dress and the man there told me never to iron, or bleach, wash gently and smooth dry with your hands and lay flat to prevent it from yellowing and to keep the linen fibers soft. I try not to iron and if I do, just lightly without starches.. The soft slightly wrinkled look is modern and feels better too.

I snapped a photo of this chic lady in a linen ensemble at Isle Sur la Sorgue..our favorite market..And next to it my dress from the same market with my guys in 2018..

What pieces do you need?

Pieces I use over and over again in my closet..

A linen blazer

(mine bought at consignment, but similar here and here and here.)

Linen t-shirts.

My latest is this by Tahari. I have a few and they all hang beautifully and look great. A perfect layering piece and for travel!

I will be wearing this with my new Paige jacket I bought for fall and white jeans.

I found a few similar t-shirts here at Eileen Fisher on sale.

Majestic Filatures is also a great brand that has some fantastic linen pieces. This layered white t-shirt is on my list..and Banana has this nice one in many colors..

Majestic Filatures Linen layered t-shirt

Banana Republic Black Linen scoop neck t- shirt

I also like linen tanks for layering and J. Crew has this and Banana Republic has this with a scoop neck.

Linen pants..

I have these Maeve linen blend pants, ( above with the white blazer) and they are my favorite pant this summer. They can be casual or dressed up. They come in a few different colors and they have a bit of cotton/vicose in them too which makes them feel light.

Madewell also has a relaxed linen/cotton trouser here, and this popular Frank & Eileen pair is on my wish list and comes in 6 colors.. The blouse on the left is also a linen blend from Madewell ( runs large fyi- I bought xs.)

Linen is also in many drawstring and relaxed elasticized type of jogger/lounge pants. My favorite plant to travel in are these Camo linen pants by Sanctuary, which are still being carried by Nordstrom. I have had mine for years and they’re super comfy and show no dirt which is nice on a trip, and look cool for a day exploring with a sweater or a tank top, depending on the time of year..

These also caught my eye at Anthro.. Pull on surf pants in linen blend..

Linen button ups

It’s hard to find a linen button-up that is a classic and regular proportioned, but this Tommy Bahama one is about as close as I can find to a perfect linen button-up. It comes in 7 colors and I think I may order the sand color, but there are a lot of lovely colors to choose from.

Anthro also has this linen button up with a cool ruched sleeve detail in eight colors by Maeve..

Rails also has a nice selection of linen button ups in stripes and I also like this Jocelyn top..

And thanks to a reader, Laura, I almost forgot to mention J. Crew’s Irish linen shirts, which come from one of the best makers of linen in Ireland are now marked down! It’s a good time to grab a nice one for the wardrobe..

A linen or linen blend dress..

I have added two linen dresses in the past month to my closet that are turning out to be great additions that feel good and kind of bridge that gap between dressy and California casual..

This Angelina Dress from Rails ( love this California company), is easy, feels light and look polished for anything.. I’ve worn it just to do errands as well as a day out like last weekend when we stopped by the big art show at Filoli to see my friend Heidi and view her art for sale..

I topped it with a white denim jacket when it got windy. ( I just received my new market basket from Mersea and added my tassel.)

Really nice about the Rails pieces, you don’t need a slip with most of their dresses as they have a lining in the bottom half or a double layer of fabric like this dress does.. It doesn’t wrinkle, and has a soft feel that I LOVE! It’s a great piece to travel with and I am taking it to Carmel next week too. I bought this in a Medium and it is longer on me at 5’4 than the model here..

I also have this Rails Jasmine dress with a longer sleeve. Similar fit and love the comfort.

I tried their Tara dress in the black and I wish I bought it. It’s super flattering, with a bit of stretch, and feels great. All of these pieces work for so many different kind of occasions..

Another option in linen dresses is this Jenni Kayne t-shirt dress I’ve been eyeing for a while. I like that it’s linen which is less clingy than a typical t-shirt dress..You could do so much with this.. layer and wear it in fall with an unbuttoned white blouse, or with a sweater over the top..

Etsy is a fantastic source for linen pieces and many are made in Lithuania or like this account Simply Grey, which its out of Slovakia.. How cute is this dress and beautiful blouse? The account is SimplyGreyLife.

Some of the items mentioned in this post..

I’d love to hear your thoughts on linen! Do you have a brand you love or pieces that are your favorites?

If you like this post you can pin this photo on Pinterest..

Signature Style- chic linen pieces you need in your wardrobe

Now please pop over to see what Cindy and Sarah have to say about linen…

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

You might also like July’s Signature Style on packing and travel.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month! Thank you so much, as Bloglovin seems to have stopped working and I no longer post as much on Facebook and plan to do less there.

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Signature Style- Holiday Outfit Ideas

December 7, 2021 By kimwheeler 15 Comments

This month we are doing Signature Style early as it is all about festive outfits for the holiday season. I’ve had more than a few people ask for ideas for Christmas parties. I have some pretty things I wanted to share and Sarah and Cindy do too.

I have always loved any opportunity to don a sequin or two and sparkly jewels. As a child, I was fascinated with what my mother would pull together for my father’s big company Christmas party each year. In the 1960’s, my grandmother made her a sleeveless dark pink velvet swing dress with a large bow above a cut out in the back. She had a big crystal flexible bracelet, chandelier earrings and brooch that matched. Each year my mother meticulously planned her look from the shoes, to the jewels, shoes and even lipstick. Another year we went to the very hip Joseph Magnin and she bought black velvet hot pants with a matching long sleeve top with white lace cuffs and collar- ala the Partridge Family! I thought all of it was TDF and I couldn’t wait to grow up and dress up for fancy parties

Fast forward to the life I live now, and fancy parties are rare. Companies don’t have those Mad Men era holiday shebangs much anymore- and when they do, they are less dressy, well at least here on the West Coast. In this pandemic age, many of us are choosing smaller gatherings, and many are entertaining at home. We need options for it all, so here’s a few fun things I have found and what works for me..

My Go-To Looks for the Holidays

Sparkly top + cute jeans and pretty sandals
Silky bias type skirt (or dress) topped with a fluffy soft sweater
Black blazer with a camisole and a fitted pant with big sparkle earrings to make it holiday.
Black dress that you can dress up with heels or make hip with boots or booties.

Always start with shopping your closet, and see what you own before you buy! Sometimes the coolest things are already in your closet. I also think consignment stores are a treasure of unique pieces.

Istart by laying all my potential outfits on the bed and then try looks with different shoes and accessories in front of a big mirror. Anything with a sequin or velvet should be a candidate, as well as shoes, bags, and costume jewelry with sparkle. Vintage pieces are especially cool. I have things from my mom and grandma that I use every year – beaded clutches and brocade bags and those Christmas pins as well.

The Bias Cut Skirt or Dress with a Sweater

How lovely is this look on Meghan Markle?

For an occasion that takes places daytime or an evening that is an early cocktail party or dinner with friends, a soft sweater over a silky bottom paired with a dramatic earring strikes a comfy, but still chic feeling.

I love that look and comfortable feel and tried it with a bias cut skirt I have and a new super soft cashmere sweater (on sale now and amazing quality), some kitten heeled booties and long pearl earrings that are vintage and a gold and patent clutch bag. I’d probably add some chunky crystal bracelet instead of the watch here..

Try the same look with a slip dress or satiny skirt and a soft sweater that has that fluffy holiday look.

If you don’t have that, the brilliant AllSaints has created a 2 in 1 dress, the Darla Tiana – a 90’s look slip dress with a wool/yak sweater to top it off when you want. It comes in three colors- a black, red/rust and a soft grey. Brilliant!

They also make this Rosetta dress with a bit more sparkle and a shorter sweater in gold and silver..

And Nordstrom has it’s own version of the AllSaints dress and it’s on sale now too..SO pretty. I love the versatility of these 2 in 1 dresses.

AllSaints has over twenty versions of the 2 in 1 Dress , another below, The Maren, and all are great for this kind of occasion! Just use accessories to make it elegant or casual wear for everyday. The options with these make them a good investment for your wardrobe.

If you already own a soft pretty sweater, Anthro has a few good bias slip dresses here in a pretty copper, and a leopard print.

More inspiration from the cute account Street Style Global on Instagram…

Other sources for satin skirts are Shopbop, which has a pretty bias cut skirt. and J.Crew has one also here.

The Sparkly Top + Jeans and Pretty Sandals or Heels

Do you have a Christmas exchange party with friends, or a holiday lunch out or maybe you’re inviting few friends over? Right now we are all trying to keep gathering small and when hosting at home, the easiest holiday look is a sequin top. Everyone should have one in their closet! This year I grabbed this one shoulder number that caught my eye. I paired it with jeans and my sparkly slides. This is a very California Christmas look as you all know we are so casual here. I paired it with my Valentino slides that have some sparkle.

I can’t find the exact same top anymore, but this below middle is similar same brand.. You can get these shirts for a song at Marshalls and similar places. The $300 ones aren’t that different and for the amount of wears, it makes sense to get a more affordable one. Buy one and you’ll always have something fun to wear when the occasion happens. At the very least you can feel cute at home while you watch the ball drop on TV on NYE. (That’s usually what happens here !) Below left they also have a pretty version in plus size and this one right from Marshalls is adorbs too.

The denim I am wearing is by AYR and made in LA, a very small company. You can choose your inseam and finishes and I LOVE how they feel and fit. They hold you in a bit, but aren’t too tight. They have to be the most flattering pair of jeans I have ever had. Being short, I like that I could choose the length and I chose the 25 at 5’4. They are called The Pop and have a raggedy edge in the Bomba wash I bought. Other options and finished hems are available. I want a white pair next!

The Black Suit or Jacket with a Bare Look Underneath + Fab Earrings

Another look I wore all through the 1990’s was a black jacket with a camisole or just buttoned up with no top under and skinny pants. It’s almost a suit look, but you add great earrings, or a cool pin and voila you are up for drinks, dinner (or dancing-as if that was happening anymore.) I think this look is uber chic.

I wore some dark plaid trousers, my hair up, chandelier earrings and matte black booties here..

Do you have some chandelier or dangly earrings? I have many pairs I have bought over the years and honestly some are 30 plus years old like the pearl drops that I bought in college and wear on the to pic. They were YSL and $20 on sale. Still my favorites! I love these Waterfall Sparklers, left , the Sparkle Drops middle that come in three colors, and both the baguette drops – all J.Crew.

If you don’t have a black blazer J.Crew has this wonderful stretch velvet option..And the classic, Regent Blazer.

Some slim fit trousers here.

I couldn’t find dark plaid pants, but I did find a source for a plaid circle wool skirt, which reminds me of my mom 1974 Christmas..I was so inspired by this look from Instagrammer Benedetta Magri? This is fun and chic…

The Black Dress + Your Own Cool Spin

Lastly when you have a more formal event, something for work that’s pretty upscale or party where you just aren’t sure what to do, the black dress is ALWAYS a good idea! I have three that I adore and have worn over. One is a silk shirt dress from L’Agence, another is an Elizabeth & James black A line in crepe, and a black silk sheath from Ramy Brook. All three dresses were an initial investment of around $300+ but they still look new and stylish and are the stalwarts of my closet. If you don’t have at least one flattering and well made black dress, and you have an event, this is the time to get one!

Below I’m in my favorite crepe dress left (so forgiving) and my Ramy Brook silk which can go all seasons.

I love black crepe as it is usually lined and skims the body. Ralph Lauren makes this classic left, and this one from Caroline Rose is a modern take on the classic.

Other classics sure to last are this Emporio Armani Drape Waist Knit Dress and this Theory Crepe Sheath.

The nice thing about the black dress is you can put your own spin on it with large earrings, elegant chains or a cocktail ring. Try a rhinestone pin in your hair and add a bag in a bright color or with stones. The possibilities are endless and you will always look smart. Don’t discount black booties which can make a simple black dress feel a bit more punk and cool. If you need black clothes inspiration, watch the Cruella movie. It’s amazing and fun.

Whatever you do, enjoy dressing up. After the past years, any chance to seems like a treat to me! Add some flair and think of this..which my grandmother would agree..

I kind of love that..Please go see what the style genius’s Cindy and Sarah have on their blogs..

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Are you going to any work parties? Here in California, I know those things are largely not happening during this pandemic. I have a few plans with small groups of vaccinated pals and some meet ups with close friends for coffee and catch up outside. What about you?

Kim

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Brocade Baby.. & Other Cool Holiday Fashions

November 24, 2019 By kimwheeler 6 Comments

I saw these J. Crew pants and memories came rushing to me of watching my mom getting dressed for dad’s holiday work parties! It was always a big thing to my mother and I loved when she dressed up. I noticed there are many darling vintage looks out for the holiday season and just had to squeeze a post in about it. I am crazy for these brocades, jacquards and other fabrics that are woven with gilt threads. At some point in my life, I want to wear something beautiful like this to a holiday party!

These jacquard pants are so 1968 I can’t stand it. My mom would have completed this look with her big crystal bracelet, teased hair (thank you Aqua Net),and frosted pale coral lipstick back then. Why not recreate that fun this holiday season with some of the cute offerings right now in the way of brocade, jacquards and other lovely pieces that give a retro feel to holiday looks? I feel like these are things you can keep and wear in many ways year after year for the holidays, New Year’s Eve and other times you want to kick it up a notch.

These cigarette pants are 30% off now with code BRRR. I love them with the sweater for a casual chic look and some big crystal earrings or..

…the whole look! With the gold top, it is the best holiday hostess look ever in my book..

This gold jacquard comes also in a strapless dress, and a pencil skirt.

This cherry blossom top is also ADORABLE and cute whether it’s paired with jeans and drop earrings like here..

Or with the pencil skirt plus a faux fur chubby in a wonderful color!

Something about this little coat I really love and this color spicy jade! What a great name. I’d wear this with jeans more than anything.

The pretty buckle detail of these J Crew sandals is so fun.

The satin slip skirt is back from the 90’s and it’s as flattering and versatile as ever. The J Crew version is on my list especially this adobe color…

The nice thing about these skirts is they can go from easy daytime to night with just the change of a top. The vintage burgundy color is also a great look. These have an elastic pull on waist and are so easy to wear. All the colors here.

They also make a full length version of this skirt and I love it with the turtleneck. Isn’t this a gorgeous color?

The cute retro vibe of this daisy jacquard skirt is another one you could wear so many ways. The zipper is everything.

Another pretty brocade skirt – love the colors!

This Anthro multi-colored mini is fun. You can wear it with a silk blouse to a sweater and always feel festive.

I’m in love with the flowers and colors on this maxi dress from Anthro.

Anthro also offers this swing dress with brocade accents. I love that they have a large amount of its dresses in petite to plus sizes.

Anthropolgie has some darling brocade heels like these with the cutest flowers..

I am in love with these two strap Mary Janes..

They also made them in the prettiest pink..

This navy and gold swing dress would flatter a lot of shapes.

How about this cute gold blouse that has the same 60’s vibe? I’d pair it with cropped pants and flats.

If you want to play it casual, but still look holiday, these gorgeous jacquard pants with tiniest sequins fit the bill. The pattern and color are TDF and this could go with a soft sweater or a simple white button up and big vintage earrings…SO PRETTY!

Trina Turk always does beautiful jacquard and this pant outfit does not disappoint with its graphic design. Top here and pants and there is even a matching clutch! Trina is always a great destination for holiday looks. My brocade clutch I adore and use year after year, is also from Trina.

Madewell has their own version of the gold holiday pant in their signature crop and high waist. It could be very chic with a boxy cashmere sweater.

Accessories are always the most fun part of holiday dressing!

These Jeffery Campbell slides look like something from Dynasty- love it!

They also come in a magical purple..

If you need a higher heel these Jeffery Campbell sandals are Vegas fabulous..

They also come in a lower heel and other pretty colors..

Anthro also has these velvet mini clutches with a pretty chain for $58 if you need a evening bag. It comes in many colors.

Everyone needs a good drop earring for the holidays and it is nice to have a few of these in your jewelry wardrobe. These are $48.

And these hoops , at $38 are a little more on the modern side..

Another wardrobe basic is the sexy, strappy evening sandal. These Jeffery Campbells (he is clearly killing it in the festive shoe category), come in black...

and gold of course…Make sure your pedicure is pretty with these!

Try mixing these looks with vintage costume pieces if you are lucky to have them. This is a great time to add a brooch to a shoulder of a jacket or a top.

This year the holiday season is shorter, so it helps to be thinking what you might need and if you shop early, and pull a look together, you may be able to use it for multiple occasions.

Have fun mixing it up and look to vintage photos for inspiration if it helps! I love these.

Kim

P.S. If you missed the recent holiday dressing post, a group of us shared holiday look ideas with a lot of different looks and thoughts. Links on that blog post for more inspiration!

Some links on this post may generate commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Holiday Fashion Edit- Join Me and 6 Others for Ideas

November 14, 2019 By kimwheeler 22 Comments

Today I’m excited to participate in a collaboration with six other bloggers on holiday looks. We’re kicking it off to get you in the mindset for festive dressing. There is always some event you’re going to want to get a bit more fancy for. Today I put together three different looks that you can shop your closet for, or just add a few key pieces and pull a chic look together!

First apologies for the photos. I had a busy week and I had no photographer, but I hope you get some idea of what you can use in your own closet or what standout piece you might need to add that you can use multiple ways for dressier occasions….

Look 1- Casual Luxe Appropriate for the casual holiday lunch, Christmas open house, your kid’s holiday concert, holiday brunch with girlfriends, the class party, etc.

You are a step-up from the usual. This look I combined my favorite black Madewell jeans, a Rag & Bone Velvet top I have had for a few years, suede mules and dangly earrings.

Recipe- Add velvet, silk, angora or any luxe fabric to a black jean, plus a suede shoe or boot, and festive earrings with a hint of sparkle and you are good to go. This is why I keep two velvet shirts in my closet even though they get worn about once a year. I can rely on them to add that spark of elegance.

Look 2- The Evening Suit– Appropriate for holiday work dinner, cocktails, holiday dinners out, and even some fancier holiday parties.

Recipe – This look is simply black pants and any dark blazer you own. A silk camisole like I mentioned in this recent post is perfect for underneath or you can button the jacket up and wear a dark bra, something I did a lot in the 90s, and it’s pretty sexy. I added some sling-backs here that were in the closet, but any pump will look great. Again I’d go for some sort of drop earring and a clutch or flat bag with a chain.

If you don’t own a black or navy blazer you should. Mine is a dark navy and I have these simple Zara cropped pants . We underestimate how elegant this look can be, especially if you once wore a suit for work all the time, but it’s a matter of fit here, these pieces should skim the body and it’s okay to show a little lace and skin.

Look 3 – Retro Evening – or I call it, Nancy Sinatra at the Sands- appropriate for hosting your own holiday shindig at home, your neighborhood progressive dinner, tickets to the Nutcracker, Rosh Hashana or New Year’s at the home of friends.

Recipe –Vintage look cropped Jacket that I wrote about that has a collar that can be slightly rolled off the shoulder, add a shimmery top, the same black crops, vintage costume jewelry or brocade touches and sandals with stones like these Steve Madden ones.

I used a brocade Trina Turk clutch I own and my mom’s crystal bracelet and earrings from the 1960’s that I love.

I’m not very good with hair, but a twist or half-up bouffant sort of look really works with this along with the sparkly slides. It feels like you need to swan around with a vintage champagne coupe, yet it’s still comfortable.

Thanks for suffering through with my grainy photos, but I hope this will give you some ideas for making outfits of your own. Personally, I hate going to the store right before an event and trying on dresses. I almost always end up with something I usually wear once. By browsing your closet you can come up with something more unique. You may need to add some holiday go-tos, like the black crop trousers, velvet tops, blazer or jacket, and suede or sparkly shoes if you don’t already own them. These are things you don’t need to wear all the time, but they make for a well-rounded wardrobe of options when you have them in there!

Cool things you can add that will make you chic during this season are vintage costume or family jewelry. I love standout earrings, pins on lapels (that’s back again), and cocktail rings. Vintage clutches or bags with some sparkle are cool. Don’t forget a swipe of a pretty lip color and a little glimmer on the cheek and collarbones!

Just fun this season, and don’t overthink it!

Now pop on over to these other blogs and see what fashion ideas they have conjured up for the holidays! I’m honored to be included with these talented women…

The Gardener’s Cottage

Kim

Some links on this post may generate commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.