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Spring Colors, White Jeans, and Skin Cleansers

January 28, 2023 By kimwheeler 45 Comments

On this post..spring colors that are trending in home and fashion, white jeans to add a lift to your winter staples, skin cleansers you might need and more..

Well this has been a sad in California with two terrible shootings. So many innocent people living their lives, dancing with their friends, celebrating, and others just trying to make ends meet. All were at the mercy of unhappy or unstable people with access to guns.

The need for the assault weapon ban is urgent. When we let the assault weapon ban expire, mass shooting rose 245% in America. I don’t give up hope we can do this and it’s going to take reeducating our nation and pointing out that the majority of countries in this world, live with sane gun regulations and have gun deaths in the single digits each year. We need to prioritize human lives over guns. It’s that simple.

Gabrielle Blair, has written some common sense posts it, and I recommend her thoughts. We must imagine and do the hard work to create a life in America with less guns because if we keep going as we are, we are doomed.

White jeans to give your winter wardrobe a boost

I found my basket of white jeans on the closet floor this week and thought I’d start wearing them with chunky sweaters and jackets. Just about now, white jeans are a mood lifter and just what we need to give the warm winter staples a punch. You’ll find adding a white jean to your black sweaters super chic and neutrals like greys, camels, and beiges looks very luxe and transitional for the seasons.

Get your white denim out and try mixing it up. I’ve seen very cute looks with white jeans, winter boots and puffer jackets too..

When I shared the photo on Instagram, a few people wanted suggestions for good white jeans. I suggest a thicker cotton and straight leg, not a skinny. Mine are these (very few left), but another option with zip fly are these from J.Crew . Other options are these from Paige, these from Mother always rated highly, and these from AGOLDE, and these in off-white, and these Gap jeans are a great price.

2023 Spring Color Story

This week on our Instagram LIVE with Juliet, we discussed the 2023 color trends, and for spring the colors are most definitely skewing towards pastels, think Easter colors, with a twist. Pinks have a purply or magenta hue, there is a lot of lavender, soft pistachio greens ( you could call it celery if you prefer) and baby duck yellows. This seems to be the case with interiors as well as clothes. You will see these tones in home decor, usually as a punctuating factor in a neutral rooms and with bits of dark blues, Kelly greens, and magenta thrown in there.

This is just a sampling of the this trend in my mail this week..

2023 color story — By the way, I loved the Mothers & Sons article and photos in Town & Country and Viola Davis’s home AD is beautiful..as is she. Love the yellow on her! Yes I still subscribe to a few magazines!

I am noticing a lot of yellow+magneta ( kind of fresh), baby blue+mauve ( the 80’s forever ), and the celery thrown in with all these tones..(Max once dubbed this color ‘Shamrock Shake’ which forever wrecked the way I felt about a Sage wall, but I digress.)

I have added a few pieces in pastel to my neutral coffee table with a book, a box for my remotes, and a pretty candle..

coffee table styling with Serena & Lily tray and grasscloth box — The tray from Serena & Lily on sale now. Box and pot found recently at Homegoods. Book is Vibrant interiors

Spring Color Trends in Fashion..

This color story continues with retailers. J. Crew got on this trend tout sweet and has many pretty options and even t-shirts, should you only wish to dip your toe in this pastel kaliedescope. Did you know the term, ‘tout sweet’ evolved from American soldiers mangling the French ‘tout de suite’, which means immediately, during WWI? Sort of interesting! …AND back to the subject.

I made a collage of these trending tones and the point isn’t to wear them all together, well you could, but more to inspire you to add a piece in these shades to your spring look..It just takes a new shoe, a top or a bag to mix with what you already own..and if you own any of these colors, get them back out!

I love the Lady jacket in denim, Nicole Wittenberg Sweet William T-shirt, and this stripe shirt is giving me vintage Esprit vibes, pink loafers, pink cashmere sweater (wonderful to wear as a scarf too), Tevas in sherbert tones, jeans from J. Crew, Gucci Violet Sunglasses, and the prettiest spring green crossbody bucket from Tory Burch.

Skincare Part II – Cleansers

Last week I shares my skincare faves and neglected to share my cleansing routine, which is really the most important thing and can improve your skin perhaps more than any cream. I have to be honest, I get lazy during the cold months and sometimes don’t wash efficiently at night. After the holidays I stepped up my cleansing by adding this organic Klorane micellular cleanser which removes all my makeup easily before my regular cleanser. It also helps my cleanser be more effective.

I clean with this gel to oil cleanser which I love for these drier months, from Shiseido’s Clean and natural Waso line. I also added a toner. I’ve been sans toner for a long time, but I kept reading how important this step is to remove the residue and set the skin up for your night routine. I choose this Indie Lee Toner with Co-q10 and hyaluronic acid, which is also clean with no toxic ingredients.. Just the addition of these two steps improved my skin visibly in less than a week! My skin looks clearer and much brighter. Step up your cleansing and you will see changes. A good habit to begin in the new year.

The Sea Glass House

I will be bringing back my house of the week soon, but real estate listings have been lean. I did notice one of my favorite houses on the scenic drive around Carmel Beach is up for sale. You can see all the details on Sea Glass here. Who wouldn’t mind living in this glass house?

Kitchen in Carmel California beach house

Other things..

First Lady Jill Biden’s beautiful inaugural ensembles were added to the Smithsonian’s First Ladies exhibit this week. I loved her dresses, especially the white by Gabriel Hurst. Included were all had custom masks, as it took place in the middle of the pandemic. She is the only First Lady to ever have those. I wonder what we will think when we look back one day…and what we lived through and are still emerging from..Read more about Dr Biden’s dresses and the ceremony here.

Without wading too much into the Prince Harry debate, as I know it’s quite charged, I listened to his memoir, and there are a million articles and opinion pieces on it all, but I felt this piece in NYTimes really said something none of the others did and I quite liked it.

Cindy had a very stylish California girl on her Ageless style this week. Wren is a friend I have made through Instagram, and a very sweet person who lives in SLO ( San Louis Obispo), and has fantastic casual chic. I think you’ll love this post on her!

white and cream ensemble on Californian women, Wren.

Next week I’ll be joining a few others on Thursday with fun Valentine’s Day ideas.. so if you aren’t subscribed, you can below!

If you missed last week’s post – I shared ideas for a dining room refresh, San Francisco houses, skincare I am loving, and more..

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s lovely 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!

Dining Room Refresh Ideas, San Francisco Homes, and Cosmetics I’m Loving Now

January 21, 2023 By kimwheeler 49 Comments

On this weekend post, San Francisco houses, skincare I am loving, ideas for a dining room refresh and more..

How’s your week been? We finally ended this week with sun and I feel so upbeat and happy!

While it was dreary, I found these yellow pillows on a Homegoods run and added them to my little office to give it some brightness. A little yellow seems to be the thing just now.

Found these pillows online there that are nearly exact as mine, but with matching piping instead of the dark on mine.

I also took my dear dad for an eye surgery this week. He’s 84 and his primary recommended he get Blepharoplasty where they lift excess skin from your eye so you can see better. His insurance covers it as it affects his vision. . He’s a very active person and having his peripheral sight diminished is not great.

Many older folks just get used to it, but did you know any impairment of your vision or hearing can contribute to cognitive decline and even dementia? I just wanted to share as many of us have this hereditary issue or our parents do, and this procedure can help keep vision clearer and in turn, you can stay more active.

I will do it if I need it when the time comes and thank my dad for being a good example of taking care of yourself! He still drives everywhere, cooks a ton and gardens and I am so proud of him. It’s been almost 8 years since my mom passed and it hasn’t been easy for him, but he inspires me so much to stay busy and interested in life!

A little Dining Room refresh

Starting the new year always gets me focusing on what changes I would like to make and I’m so not excited by my dining room. I need a change in there and I think it begins with new chairs..

I fell in love with this Mesa chair and thinking of getting two for the ends at my black dining table and if I like, switch them all out.. They will make it a it more airy than my skirted chairs, which have put in their time, and I will likely sell.

Other ideas on my inspiration board…

Love these two rugs, both on huge sale plus additional now…. The Larkin Rug has warmer tones and would be pretty with these accent pillows. The Glenwood rug I love mixed with the stripe pillow– a little casual with the floral. The blue and gold pillow is a beauty from OKA.

I’ve also been eyeing black cabinets for extra dishes, cookbooks and pretty things and the silhouette on this solid wood cabinet with the oak wood interior is beautiful. Of course I had to add two vases. The chambray vase comes in two sizes and is so springy- and the clear and lovely shape of the clear Pilar vase is a classic.

The cabinet is something I can really use and have thought about…Other options are the same cabinet is also in ‘drifted oak‘ below, this iron cabinet with drawers, and this large wood one.

If you are thinking of changing things up, Serena & Lily is having a fantastic sale, with 20-25% off depending what you spend and additional on many items already reduced, so if you had your eye on something, like a chair or rug, ( especially the rugs!) this is a good time to get it.

Skincare and cosmetics I am loving right now..

I’ve been loving this Skinceuticals Redness Neutralizer which was suggested at Blue Mercury and I can’t tell you how good this feels on -in this cold winter it truly helps with my redness.

My Blue Mercury SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer has been excellent and leaves a lovely look on the skin.

The Clarins Total Eye Lift I buy about once every 9 months to a year..My eyes can’t tolerate much else and this always feels so good and makes my eyes look less tired.

I’m crazy for Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara and gave it as a gift to a few friends. Once you try it, you will love it. Makes my fine straight lashes look lush. Dior Lip Addict Glow Balm in Mahogany is all I wear in winter. Love the moisture and color, which looks natural, but gives color that stays.

I was given this lovely Necessarie plant based body wash for Christmas which leaves my skin feeling clean and moist. I also now adore the lotion that has a creamy richness I so want in the winter months.

San Francisco Homes

I had to share this San Francisco home in AD this month.. very different and built for two tech execs and their family… More pics online.

Architect was John Maniscalco and design by The Archers. The gorgeous hand painted tiles are by artist Bruno Grizzo.

A San Francisco Story…

When we walked through San Francisco’s Presidio Heights last week, I came across this amazing home being renovated…On the photos I shared, a friend Linda remarked on the Maybeck Houses there. That intrigued me, so I did a deep dive on Bernard Maybeck, architect of many San Francisco homes and the Palace of Fine Arts. Maybeck was an instructor at UC Berkeley after studying at Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He was a mentor to Julia Morgan and most of his projects were in San Francisco.

This home we snapped was his most famous SF home, The Roos House, which was a sold in 2018 for 11 million.. It was built in 1909 for the nineteen year old daughter of an Orpheum Theatre partner as a wedding gift. Elizabeth Meyerfield choose Maybeck for his theatrical style, and the architect had free rein while she and Leon Roos, of the Roos clothiers empire, (later Roos-Atkins) took a European honeymoon. How very Downton Abbey!

The home is constructed of redwood and has twenty foot ceilings in the back portion.

At 9,000 sq feet, with little changes over the years, and in the same family until the recent sale, it’s an architectural gem. I couldn’t help fawning over the 2018 real estate photos and wondering what renovations the new owners are making. The home has views over the Presidio and to Marin and the Golden Gate.

If you want to know more about Maybeck’s homes this book looks like a good one. More interesting SF history on this article about the Roos family, immigrants, who who began as clothing suppliers in Virginia City during the Gold Rush and later set up shop in San Francisco and ‘carried the largest inventory of ready-made clothing in the world, employing 70 men, including six tailors’ at the peak of their success..More about the Roos House here and real estate photos here.

Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding gowns

I loved this revisit of Elizabeth’s eight weddings and unique gowns. How gorgeous is this yellow she wore to her first wedding to Richard Burton in 1964? I think I’m yellow obsessed right now.

My grandfather actually attended her first wedding to Conrad Hilton, above. My dad’s father worked in the frozen food industry, and was the head of American sales for Minute Maid when frozen orange juice was first invented in the early 50’s when they lived in Fullerton. He was a friend of Conrad Hilton Sr., who was an investor in the business and was invited! More of Elizabeth’s beautiful gowns on Vogue here.

Yoga With Adriene

I started back on yoga this week with Yoga With Adriene’s 30 Day Start and I think anyone could do it. She begins slowly and with 20 + minute daily videos, you gain some basic skills, strength and flexibility. Even by day three, I can feel a difference.. It’s free and so why not give it a go?

If you missed it, Juliet and I did our first Live of 2023 on Thursday. We chatted about couches, popovers, the Prince Harry book and more and you can still watch it here. We plan on trying to do this each Thursday at 9 am Pacific time, if you want to catch the next one! Thanks everyone who left comments and chimed in!

If you missed last weekend’s post I shared a California spin on the chocolate chip cookie, day trip to SF’s Laurel Village and Presidio Heights, the winter coat you may be missing and more..

Have a good weekend and I hope you enjoy some sunshine!

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!

Asian Noodles & Other Main Dish Salads

May 11, 2022 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

Today I’m excited to join five others to bring you ‘Main Dish Salads’ just in time for Memorial Day, end of school year gatherings, and summer entertaining! The main dish salad is a great go-to that you can bring anywhere, and especially perfect for those alfresco nights when you want unfussy dishes to enjoy with friends and pretty sunsets!

My dish is a noodle salad and I have shared a version of this before on the blog. It’s reliable for potlucks, parties and especially warm weather gatherings. It’s a cold salad, but can be at room temp safely. To make this more of a main dish, I add shredded chicken from one whole roasted grocery store chicken. (When you do that, it does need to stay cold.)

This noodle salad has its origins from my Aunt Wendy, a great entertainer who lives on Discovery Bay. She knows how to throw a warm weather bash on her deck or out on a boat with friends. This is her recipe and it works so well and it makes a LOT! My aunt, just like my grandmother, does not believe anyone should ever go home hungry and is an effortless hostess. Her dish is a crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t like noodles? The nice thing is this can stay on a deck, patio or boat all day without spoiling ( sans the chicken obviously, if you go with that.)

Since I was experimenting, I made a few modifications to the recipe for current times by removing half the oil, removing the additional salt ( as it already has soy sauce), and using less honey and a gluten-free reduced sodium soy sauce. You could also use gluten-free angel hair pasta. I love the corn/rice mix versions of those pastas, which have the taste and texture that are nearly the same to me.

Max was my taste tester and he said he couldn’t tell any taste difference with the healthier recipe. Also we both noted that this salad is always better after a day in the refrigerator when the flavors really soak into the noodles more, so for best results, make it the day prior. That makes its a perfect make ahead dish.

Here’s my version of Aunt Wendy’s recipe…

Asian Noodle Salad

Kim Wheeler

An easy noodle recipe for a warm weather gatherings and big groups.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course, Salad

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 10

Ingredients

1 LB box angel hair pasta
1/4 C oil
1/4 C sesame oil
1/2 t crushed red pepper You can go up to 2T depending how spicy you like it.
1/4 C honey
1/4 C soy sauce Tamari low sodium, gluten-free brands like San-J work well too.
1/2 C chopped peanuts
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
2-3 T toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Cook pasta, ( careful not to overcook with the usual 2 minute time), drain and rinse well with cold water, pulling the strands apart so they do not stick in lumps.
Using the same warm pot, stir together oils and crushed red pepper over medium heat briefly.
Remove from heat and stir in soy and honey while warm, add to pasta and distribute well.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to serve, add in sesame seeds, peanuts and cilantro. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Serve using tongs.
If making this a main course, add the shredded white meat from one roast chicken. You can also do this the night before.

Keyword salad, summer noodles, main salads, dishes for a large group,

My pictures show the meat free version as we were having this as a side with grilled salmon and a green salad the other night. Someone used the last of my crushed peppers without telling me, so those aren’t in here, but it does give it a kick of heat and is nice with the honey.

The best part about this recipe, is it comes together fast, cooks quick and you can feed a crowd. I would say you can feed 8-10 with this and if you double the recipe as my aunt often does, you can feed the masses! You need one of those huge industrial aluminum bowls if you double it, as my aunt has (linked below).

A few things you may need..

Bamboo Tongs/PB French Grain Sack Towels/WS White Pasta Serving Bowl/San-J Gluten-Free Low Sodium Soy Sauce/ Metal Tong Set/ Large 20 Inch Stainless Bowl/

Please visit these blogs for more delicious main dish salads!

I can’t wait to see what new ideas these ladies have…

Most Lovely Things

Classic Casual Home

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sheri Silver

Make Mine A Spritzer

Thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed it, another fun post is last year’s Summer Picnic Ideas, with a pasta salad and pink lady apple and turkey baguettes, you can find here. You can also follow my Pinterest Board, Alfresco for more fun summer entertaining ideas and recipes.

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.

Some links may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Loving Rattan and Serena & Lily

June 29, 2021 By kimwheeler 10 Comments

I am resharing this post from last fall… If you’re just popping by now in May 2022, use the code GOFORIT with any of these links for the Serena & Lily Sale until 5/31/2022. It’s a great time to get their beautiful things.

I just ordered the Balboa Bookshelf I’ve been dreaming about from Serena & Lily . I won’t get it for a while, but I’m excited to add another rattan piece to my home. I realized I’ve collected many beautiful pieces from Serena & Lily and most of them are rattan!

I can’t wait to style this bookshelf which is going in a niche in my media room, off our our pool deck. I think this has a California feel and will be perfect for the space don’t you?

What makes rattan so appealing?

To me, rattan has a resort feel and a California vibe. The rattan pieces we own have added that fun touch to the house and been durable and versatile. I do love changing things up in the house occasionally and they are easy to move, and work in all my rooms too.

For more rattan beauty, look no further than this fabulous book..I just bought and inhaled Rattan ,about the longevity and charm of rattan furniture and the craft of it. Rattan is a wonderful sustainable product that is actually a vine. It has always been synonymous with resorts and far-flung travel. It has also been in many country homes and estates, especially in Britain. When you choose a rattan piece, it won’t be something that has to decompose or be thrown out. The world is full of rattan pieces that have stood the test of time and still look beautiful.

Inspired by this book, I thought I’d share the rattan pieces I own from Serena & Lily and a few others I think are fantastic. I’ll start with what I have in my home..

The Balboa Counter Stool is rattan built on a mahogany frame with brass accents. Ours are going on two years and with boys and a lot of use, not a strand has even been loose on them. They are comfy and I love the light grey in my home as a contrast to the wood tones.

I also love it in the natural color in a white kitchen like below..

Rattan chairs for the family or living room are a nice way to add some style and also lightness to a room of upholstered furniture. We have two Edgewater Lounge Chairs in my main living space across from our sectional. They are comfy and inviting and everyone wants them when we watch shows. I feel like they add instant style to this room, which was a bit bland before.

We also love the Mattituck Armchair which strikes a more elegant note with it’s brass details and caned back… (Our cat Marlo agrees and so I let her stay in the picture!)

This is the room where my new bookshelf will go. I think with the chairs and the rug it will be a beachy feel. ( My denim rug is from another season, but this is close and also denim.

Serena & Lily has a lot of lovely choices in rattan chairs. Let’s look at my current favorites..

How cool is their Nest Chair made with hand bent rattan? Sweet for reading time with small ones or just to cozy up yourself with an ice tea and a great book? It has that instant relax vibe for a bedroom or family space.

And then there is this Venice Rattan Chair which is most affordable of the chairs and so cute in a pair..

The Yarmouth Swivel Chair is the newest chair and it’s a beauty.. Like the classics in the Rattan book, you can see some serious craftsmanship in this..

Another idea -consider one of Serena & Lily’s coffee tables. to give an oceanside vibe to your home.

Clockwise from top left..the Anguilla Coffee Table, the South Seas Coffee Table, the Balboa Coffee Table, and the Cape Coffee Table . Oh the styling possibilities!

Other lovelies in rattan to consider..

A bench in the entry of your home is not only stylish, but smart for getting your shoes on and holding packages and bags for yourself or visitors. I have one outside my door and one in my entry. The rattan Shore Bench is such a pretty design and has possibilities like the end of a bed or in a den too..

And with entries, you always need a mirror to check yourself!! There are a lot of rattan mirrors at S&L here. My Montara Mirror in our pool bath/powder room can also work in a bedroom or hallway.. I love the nautical feel of this one particularly. Montara also comes in a cute white or with navy accents and in three sizes. Mine here is a medium in natural…

How about a chic table for living room, hallway or bedside? I am very obsessed with the Scallop Side Table.

The Flynn Wall Sconce also adds charm to a bedside or a reading spot.

I have been cyber stalking the Santa Barbara Taper Pendant for my kitchen island. This is pedant comes in two sizes and I do love it next to a bedside as they show.

And the Westbrooke Pendant with a rattan ring on the pretty chain is another appealing option.

Then there are so many lovely basics like the Riviera Counter Stool that would look great indoors or even in a patio bar and is on the lower end price point.

The Freeport Lamp is another classic of theirs I want to add to our guest bedroom/office.

If you only just start with some pretty baskets, you can still beach house feeling. The Summerwood Basket is especially lovely for extra towels or to hold a plant.

The Rattan Magazine Holder is a cool item. I could really use this. My mother had one back in the 70’s and I haven’t seen such a cute one until now..

One more adorable thing in rattan are the Carmel Candlesticks.. I just think these are so perfect for a summer dining table or on a fireplace mantel.

I hope you were inspired a little to add in some rattan to your home. I do love it’s beauty and how sustainable it is. I know that the that the rattan pieces are beautifully made from Serena & Lily and some will likely be collectibles too.

Kim

Some links will generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Fun Kitchen Styling Tips!

February 10, 2021 By kimwheeler 33 Comments

Today I am joining a talented group to share some ideas for styling your kitchen space. Most of us have had a LOT of time at home and the new year is a great time to change things up. Have you had the same things on the counter for the last month, years- or more? Well maybe it’s time for a lift…

My Top Tips for Styling the Kitchen..

Declutter. You need visual calm and that means less. Store oils, spices, etc out of sight if you can.
Choose 2-3 colors and repeat them in the accessories in this space.
If you’re going to have a lot of things- i.e plants, cookbooks- try to group them together.
Use unusual and pretty catchalls or baskets to bring a little style to utilitarian items.
Replace kitchen towels often, and try to stay in a color way or two.
Add a piece of art to the kitchen to bring a homey feel, less scullery.
A small counter lamp adds a warmth and an ambiance to the kitchen overhead lights just can’t.

First of all, do you have a lot of clutter? Things that you use daily, but you have them on the counter? Try putting some of them away for a while, for some visual calm. Yes I use my olive oils and salts daily, but they are in the cabinet. Less clutter means more zen and less to manage/dust too. If you need those within reach, maybe rearrange cabinets and drawers? The new year is a good time to clean each drawer out, throw away things that haven’t been used in the past few years, (egg slicer I’m looking at you,) and generally rethink the space usage in your kitchen. There are no musts, only possibilities. We get stuck in ruts. Break out and reconfigure the kitchen drawers. You can change!

Start with what inspires you and add it to the kitchen. Maybe it starts with something pretty you see you adore. I fell in love with this vase, brought it home then searched my cabinets and pulled out a cheese board with grey-blue tones, towels in the same color and a pitcher with blue to give the kitchen some cohesiveness. The vase gave me my starting point and got me excited to change things up.

Cookbooks are great and I have a lot, but I usually have just a few out I am currently into. They are good to give height to things with open shelving too. You can place a bowl on them like I did here with an easy air plant, or lemons or a clipping from your yard.

I have a big serving board that is hard to store, so my solution is to keep it on the island. It makes the plant and a bowl with some citrus have more impact and height. The ceramic bowl is a special gift from a dear friend. I think styling the center of an island is tricky. People tend to have large things in the center, but as we eat on here a lot, I like to have something that’s moveable.

I like plants for the natural element.This asparagus fern is what I have now with a pot from my local OSH store. Below I had a plant from a shop in Santa Cruz previously.

I have my utensils corralled in this container from Target. Many of these are olive wood spoons from trips in France and are dear to me. I think finding a unique crock is a way to show some flair in the kitchen. Last year I was using a large black lantern from Crate & Barrel. I have also used pots from the garden section, baskets, garden urns and silver pieces. Whatever holds what you’ve got and works with your decor. I have even seen small waste baskets that could work too. Get creative!

On the open shelving I have plates from the Joanna Gaines collection from Target in black and off white and a set of nested baskets I use frequently for serving bread, etc. The plant picture I think keeps the California feel.

I just added the faux plant to fill in space at the top left where nothing else would work. I am generally not a faux plant person, and intended to rip the plant out and just keep the pot, but it seems to look kind of cute here so I left it. Faux plants are great in those spots with little sun and are hard to reach.

My corner sink has a space for plants and they love the light here and extra splashes of water! I tried to keep them in white and light colored pots to unify the space and make it visually cleaner.

I’ve been using this basket for our paper towels since the day one accidentally fell in there and fit perfectly!

On the other perimeter counter I have a Serena & Lily tray with towels and lemons, a bust planter from Anthropologie and my lamp. I sometimes move this tray to the top of the stove.. It’s another space we don’t utilize and it can look cute with a tray and a vase of flowers even. Just remember not to use them on a warm stove!

UPDATE: I found a source for these cute towels that were a gift from Ireland. They are by Ulster Weavers and can be bought in the U.S. at British Importer, The Bee’s Knees . Ulster Weavers has a shop on Amazon, but currently the towels are not in stock, yet they have a matching tea cozy.

A small counter lamp adds warmth to the kitchen. When the cooking and cleanup are done, this light is on and the overheads are off. I can’t stand the surgery bright cap lights on, and they destroy any ambiance in the house in the evening too. They are great for tasks and that’s about it. In the early mornings it’s nice to have the warm light and in these dark afternoons as well.. Look for a one that can fit on the counter and find a lower warm wattage bulb to bring a cozy feel to your space. Lots of great small lamps here.

I have tried to generally stay in the same blue-grey and chartreuse type tones with the kitchen towels. I go with the Marie Kondo stacking method when I am motivated!

My two rugs are the hardworking Serena & Lily Seaview Runners in grey. I just ordered the second one for the other side of the island. They clean so easily and take a lot of wear.

One other thing that makes things look cleaner is hiding outlet covers. I do so using vases, cutting boards, etc like below…

This was fun and I hope I didn’t drone on about the kitchen. I’m never sure if I am sharing too much or not enough! I am no expert, but I do enjoy making the space look nice. I am working on a separate page with all the house materials from the remodel coming soon to the blog!

If you have questions about today’s post, here a few of the things I used or are similar to my kitchen…

Lillian Medium Vase, Grey Seaview Runner, Spinnaker Tray, Balboa Counter Stools, Caravan Linen Tea Towels, Gold Utensil Holder, Stonewear Dinner Plates, Bust Planter, Amara Table Lamp , Footed planter ,Teak Spatula and Spoon Set, Ceramic Stoneware Bowl, Braided Handwoven Bread Basket,

More ideas for styling your kitchen today on these wonderful blogs..

CINDY HATTERSLEY DESIGN

Kim

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Tennis Style -Your Guide to the BNP & Indian Wells

March 16, 2018 By kimwheeler 9 Comments

This is the guide you need to help you navigate the fun BNP Indian Wells tennis tournament. I’ll share my strategy what to pack, what to wear, the best places to stay, and what tickets you need.

This tournament has grown hugely in the past few years and is now called the ‘fifth slam’ by many. Indian Wells has the second largest tennis stadium in the world, plus another stadium that holds 8,000 and 29 other courts thanks to the patronage of Oracle and Larry Ellison.

It’s a magnificent spot comprising 88 acres of gardens, food spots and champagne bars as well as and swanky restaurants and pop-up tennis shops. It’s sort of a Disneyland for the tennis lover and it’s hard to leave once you get there.

They have created places to have a fun day and evening out- restaurants and bars like Nobu and others, to take in the desert sunset, and enjoy live music in the evenings. We enjoyed the excellent Bryan Brother’s band while dining alfresco at one of the restaurants and there was John McEnroe’s band too.

Years ago I looked all over the internet for ideas on what to wear, pack and to expect, but found very little. I thought I’d write a small guide for those who are heading there and what I learned that was helpful to me and hopefully anyone else who has never been..

Federer practicing serves with the beautiful mountain backdrop.

Buying Tickets

Day passes ( $40-$50), are a great thing to do and you get to wander the grounds and especially in the first week, catch so many of the top players practicing and many terrific doubles and singles matches. That can be a lot of fun and you can take breaks to eat in the gardens, sip champagne, or shop at some of the shops filled with everything you can want tennis related.

Serena in her first match back after having her baby.

I recommend getting a day pass and then seeing which highlight matches you could get tickets for in the evening. Usually the matches in Court 1 are all the top players. However, if you stick around you can grab seats in Court 2, with your day pass, which is sometimes as good or better.

Getting There and Where to Stay

We flew into Palm Spring airport from San Jose on Southwest which was a great experience. The flight is slightly over and hour and we Ubered.

We ended up staying at a hotel that was walking distance to the tennis gardens. You need to book very far in advance!

My pals Elaine and Bari strategizing our day at the gardens and what matches to see at our free breakfast..

Our hotel had a free expanded breakfast every morning They print out the order of play each morning and have the tennis going on a big tv in the main space while you have breakfast, and chat with other tennis fanatics.

Another year we flew from San Jose to Ontario and drove to Palm Springs. ( An hour plus drive.) We stopped at the Cabazon Outlets on the way back to Ontario. That alone could be a whole day as it’s huge and probably the best outlets from designer goods in the United States. We bought things from Burberry there. and Tory Burch. There is also a fantastic Gucci and Prada if that is your thing worth a stop.

UPDATE: Note parking is now free at the venue, but plan accordingly… People said it was a nightmare and one woman told me it took her two hours from parking to get to the stadium.. Get dropped off maybe or walk if you are able, or get there early.

Entering Tennis Paradise with Cindy and Elaine which was a pretty good description.

The practice court at the beautiful La Quinta resort.

A hotel that is particularly close and beautiful is the historic La Quinta, (above) where many of the players stay and practice. They also have a terrific spa which I highly recommend.

One fun thing is you get to meet a lot of fellow tennis fans like this sweet group of women also at our hotel from Houston who have been playing tennis and traveling the world together to see tournaments for over 40 years! Some of the ladies are in their 70s and 80s, but they look amazing and were so friendly.

Some people plan a year or more in advance and always book a particular condo or Airbnb for the whole tournament. We did this in 2020, and sadly did not get to go as the tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic. Getting our money back was not easy and took a year for what was a partial refund.

What to Pack and Wear

As I mentioned before, the days run long there is so much to do and see. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bring layers that can take you from very warm days – close to 100 sometimes, to chilly evenings when the desert sun goes down. Crushable puffer jackets are a smart option if you plan to stay through the night sessions and easy to carry.

I wore a dress the first day and so did one of my friends, and while we were cool enough, you get sweaty legs sitting in the stadiums. If you plan a day of sitting the best choice may be longer shorts or short light pants.

The longer shorts look stylish, but more importantly your legs don’t sweat and chafe in the heat. Comfortable shoes are a must because there is a LOT of distance from where you enter the park and between each venue. Sneakers worked for many, but if it’s near 90, like we had, you may be cooler in a comfortable sandal or a sneaker with mesh or ventilation.

Some other items that are musts:

A hat of some sort. Find something comfortable that you can wear all day and in most courts you WILL be in the direct sun. The clothing shop sells some nice choices if you forget. I still wear my hat from the Montecristi Panama hat shop in Yountville. Similar one here at J. Crew and also this , and more options here.

A lightweight scarf to drape over your shoulders, legs, etc when you are in the direct sun. So many women had these and what a great way to keep more sun off of you. I bought a SPF 50 large wrap/scarf at the clothing shop made by BloqUV used it during the day on my shoulders and at night for warmth with my jacket. It’s easy to throw a scarf in your bag and you will be so glad you have it. It feels cooling in the heat too! One of my best purchases ever.

Cindy with a sheer jacket and Bari with a scarf deflecting some of the sun off their shoulders.

Sunscreen. Obviously. Don’t forget to reapply and remember the physical block are the best and don’t break down in the sun as much. I like Goop’s Play SPF 50 for body which goes on easily, feels great and isn’t whiteish…..and for my face ELTA Spf 46 and also Goop Glow Screen SPF 40.
A see through tote for lugging sunscreen, a scarf, snacks, a water bottle and a lightweight jacket for evening. Since 2020 Indian Wells has required bags be see through plastic. Many affordable and cute choices here.
A jacket of some sort. I love this linen jacket that always bring for over tops or dresses. Those crushable lightweight down puffers seem to be a smart choice and a scarf. I loved this scarf from Tommy Bahama and brought it in a similar pattern.
A refillable water bottle. There are kiosks all over to fill your bottle as much as you like for free. You have to bring your bottle in the stadium empty as a security precaution, but can fill it throughout the day after you are in. I also brought these Nuun electrolyte tablets I like for hot days. They help me from feeling lightheaded and getting dehydrated in the extreme temps
A backup phone charger as the coverage can be sketchy out there and if you stay all day into the night and also use your phone as a camera you will need a battery backup!
Snacks like a granola bar, nuts or an apple or banana are great to have on hand. There are many choices of where to eat, but it’s nice to have something if lines are long and you’re in a stadium.
An umbrella -for both sun and rain. If it is sunny you can use an umbrella if you are in the last row and you are not blocking others. Some people actually prefer to set up camp towards the top of the stands on some of the smaller courts with their umbrellas and watch in the shade. I have this compact umbrella and it also blocks 98% of UV

Inspiring Spectator Style

Thanks to my friends we were having fun looking for a few folk who looked especially nice during our days at the tournament that we could share on the blog. There were so many stylish people!

A look at some of the best…

Darling Susan Charady is a model and an Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. She is married to French tennis player Jeremy Chardy

What we wore a few years ago on a much hotter tournament..

Many opted for skirts like these from Athleta and especially this one.

More hats and dresses at the Moet champagne garden. This is a good way to spend the afternoon when it gets just too unbearable in the stands.

The first day were were there 2023 we wore light jackets and shorts and pants..

Another year below, we were much hotter we did shorts, tanks and scarves to keep off the sun.

Here we are waiting for the night match with Simona Halep to begin.

Add a Spa Day to Your Trip

On our third day we had a flight out that evening, (by the way Saturday flight out is cheaper and empty-so much room) so we decided to book treatments at the La Quinta Spa. It was a great choice as we all suffered from sore feet and dried out skin after two days of desert heat. The day of your treatment you can come early or stay after and partake of the lovely garden, outdoor fireplace and jacuzzi.

In 2023 I had a facial with Nicole who was amazing and the treatment room had French doors with pretty grapefruit trees in the view.. Was maybe one of the best facials I ever had. My skin looked amazing after too, which never happens to me.

We liked being there so much we ordered room service lunch in the garden and the four of us ate by the fire after relaxing on lounge chairs and enjoying the outdoor jacuzzi. It ended up being a cooler day so it was perfect. If you have the time this is a good way to end your trip. The spa facilities are first rate and the resort itself is beautiful surrounded by mountains and bougainvillea.

Many of you are veterans of this tournament. Can you add any tips below in the comments to help others plan a trip? Any great places to stay or strategies you use to get tickets or plan your days here?

Thanks so much!

Kim

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My Favorite Sheets, Duvets & More- Refreshing Your Bed

January 12, 2018 By kimwheeler 4 Comments

This post is all my favorite bedding.. I wrote this pre-pandemic, but I keep it updated as we are all always looking for good sheets and better sleep quality! We spend so many hours asleep, nicer bedding is one of the best investments in your quality of life.

Cleaning out the linen closet is something to do at least once a year and for me it’s usually around the fall, or the new year when things slow down and I notice the bedding needs some perking up. I did it in October this year when it started to turn cool and was time to put our down comforter back on the bed. I noticed our white sheets (I love white), looking a little sad and our comforter was also in bad shape. We had it at least a decade and it wasn’t so warm.

Love this idea on Pinterest with no link. I tried to do the same with my armoire. Don’t you love the pinboard on the doors too?

I also had my eye on a yummy duvet cover made by Pine Cone Hill that was on display at a local furniture shop. It was white and soft and had a nubby texture. I am all about making my bed more cozy and this felt amazing. I found it online and it’s called the Montauk Duvet Cover.

They had me at the name! After I finally decided to go for it the next thing was to get a better comforter or duvet insert itself. Pine Cone Hill had duvets in three weights- summer, fall and winter. I had no idea what would be best for Northern California and there was not much information about that in the reviews. I decided to go for the fall weight Savasana Duvet and it has been perfect. It’s light and yet this is the first winter we haven’t needed a blanket on the bed at all and it has been cold!

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this new Montauk cover and the comforter and I am wished I did it sooner. You are in your bed so many hours of your life, this is one place money is well spent. A good night’s sleep is everything!

If you read my post about the lovely Ojai home I stayed in, I may have mentioned the sheets. The beds were wonderful in that home and the owner had terrific sheets. When I returned home I started looking for percale sheet reviews online and based on the glowing reviews I ordered this percale set from Parachute..

I also got something similar to these Cloud Shams at Pottery Barn ( my original nearly identical and no longer available.)

They also have a matching Cloud Duvet Cover in many soft colors and it’s a bit more affordable than the Montauk.

Some of the other pretty colors of the PB Cloud..

Parachute also has a Cloud Cover Duvet set with shams…

Two years ago I splurged and bought Serena & Lily Linen sheets. We love them so much I bought another last year when they were 20% off. I find them so soft and especially warm in winter, though a lot of people love them for summer. They just get better with every wash. I lightly dry mine on medium and take out and smooth before they are fully dry and they look beautiful. These are my all time favorites.

For pillows I use two down alternative king size pillows for myself from Pottery Barn. I do wash them, but they need to be changed out after about 2 years or so.

During summer I replace the duvet with a light soft quilt over the sheets. I love it so much I leave it on the bed in winter now under the our duvet comforter in place of a blanket as it’s so soft.. It also makes it easy to make the bed- just smooth this over the sheets and it all looks perfect. This PB one is nearly identical to mine..

Going through the linen closet I realized we had sets of twin sheets for kids beds we do not have anymore and extra king sets that have seen better days. I donated several of the nice sets. Did you know blankets and towels are also welcome by most animal rescues and shelters? Some pet stores have a box to drop them in. Fabric can also be put in the recycling bin if too worn to donate.

Paring down the linen closet, wiping it clean with a natural lavender cleaning spray (I like this Mrs Meyers or the Method one) and then stacking the sheets by sizes and wrapping the sets together the Martha Stewart way with the cases over the sets makes it look and smell pretty.

It is nice to put soaps on the shelf or small lavender sachets in there. I also like pretty papers on the shelves. If your linen closet is jammed like mine was and you have no room, you might try using an armoire for your bedding or an extra chest. I did this a while back with an armoire that used to house a television. It has been a great space for the linens and I feel fancy when I open the doors and it smells dreamy.

About a year and a half ago we got a new Aireloom mattress which is from California, and we love it. They are often on sale at Bloomies as I linked above..It has helped my husband with his back issues so much and I rarely wake up sore anymore.

I can’t wait to jump into bed at night now with my comforter and sheets I feel like I’m sleeping on a cloud.

Do you have certain bed sheets or things you need to sleep well? I also have to have things totally dark and never ever run the heat at night…I also have to read before bed on my side and I usually conk out after a few paragraphs. I try to stay away from screens once I’m in bed.

Happy weekend,

Kim

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