Hello ! This month has flown by and so much has happened. It feels like life is slightly coming back to some kind of normal a little. All of us in the fam, are a few weeks past our second vaccines so we have been slowly venturing out and there’s that unexpected feeling of safety which is nice.
Last night I took a walk without a mask and it felt good and the air was so fresh. I was having a moment. I felt grateful and emotional. So much has happened to us all the past year..A lot has changed. I took a little picture of the yard in the moonlight. It has grown too…We spent a few days weeding this month and it paid off. We have to do that about this time every year. A lot of people commented on the lights when I posted this photo- and I did a post about the dark sky compliant lighting which is so good for the earth and ecosystem, on this post last year.
Our oldest, Jackson has moved out into his own apartment, his first space on his own as a working adult, post college and it’s been a big deal. Jack lived and worked in his bedroom the past year, finishing school, looking for a job for months and then beginning one last fall. It hasn’t always been ideal, and he has sometimes struggled being with us all the time. He finally saved enough to get his own apartment in Sunnyvale, moved his bedroom things and beloved plants and bought a sectional from Ikea with his savings. We gave him a few hand me downs like an ottoman and two lamps, and some rugs to throw in his mix.
He’s pretty thrilled to have his own space. I laughed when he said, ‘Mom it’s so great to have a space to work and not have to sleep in that same room!’ He is appreciating the little things after the past year. Below a few pics of his place, which has a nice sunset view and a patio. Also a cute pic of he and his sweet girlfriend Kristin who helped him – including putting together the IKEA couch!
For us, it’s a big change as the youngest, Griffin is still at his first year of college in Utah, so for them being we are empty nesters. He also just moved into his first apartment for the next year. He and his two friends have been creative finding things on Facebook marketplace, some discounted furniture and free skis for wall decor, etc. They are cultivating their own succulents and cooking and baking.
It is funny both to have both guys beginning the whole adulting process at the same time, but also so good for them after this past year. Some of Grif’s place which he is very proud of below.. Love their cereal dispenser, plant pillows and kitchen lighting.
It’s hard to believe it all happened so fast and a year ago I don’t think I would have believed the guys would be out and independent. It is fun to hear about it all, and I am secretly happy when they ask my advice about a few things.
Grif will be home in a few weeks to start his summer job, but right now it is oddly quiet. Jackson’s room is now Max’s office. He’s still home for a few more months. It was so echoey, I layered rugs in there one of my Mattituck Serena & Lily chairs and a plant for now…
My plan is to wallpaper this space and buy a pretty upholstered daybed in there for when we have house guests. Today I am moving some of my seasonal clothes in the closet! I’m reaping the benefit of having California Closets install organizers in the guy’s rooms when we renovated.
For this room, I am considering something like this daybed from a recommended Etsy shop that the Erin Gates the Elements of Style gal uses. I always thought daybeds look great and are so versatile for the occasional house guest without making a whole room designated as a guest space. Look at the cool options..
They have a ton of customizable and pretty styles on their shop site. These products are made in CALIFORNIA, love that.
I also love their custom beds and headboards.. I need a new bed too.
Other options I am looking at -this woven Sorrento Daybed at Williams-Sonoma.
The Shelter Daybed from West Elm is modern and rich looking and comes in a load of customizable fabrics and colors. This velvet is especially chic.
This Veda Daybed by Arhaus is another one to consider..
In the home accessory space, looking for Jackson’s place and the new office I did a quick run over to Homegoods and they have a promo on now called ‘Villa Capri’. I love when they do these events, as their buyers shop from unique places. This may be the closest we get to Southern Italy for a while..
I found some gorgeous beach towels from Greece made of Athens cotton, (whatever that is it’s fab), pottery from Italy and Portugal, a lot of pillows and ottomans to check out for an ‘al fresco’ summer. The areas are fairly well organized, as much as it ever is at Homegoods, which I consider more of a bazaar. Here’s a peek at a few of the things that stood out from your intrepid reporter in the field…Go soon if you are in need of outdoor zhuzhing. (That’s a real word. Thank you Carson Kressley.)
Inspired by all the pretty pillows, I decided to change the backyard space to a blue theme. I moved my black and white cushions to the front patio. I will add a few blue pots out here and will see if I can get that summer in Sorrento feeling..
This center pillow was a Celerie Kemble and a nice find for $19. Any of her pillows go for closer to $200. If you cannot get to Homegoods (they have no online store), you can shop at TJMaxx, which is the same store and has small online site. Here is some of the Capri collection to peruse. I won’t link to any one thing, as stuff goes pretty fast, but you can see some of the poufs, Trina Turk outdoor glasses and outdoor rugs, pillows if you scroll through while they last. They also have the coolest collection of new cookbooks and home books I haven’t seen in other places. Below my space. I haven’t added my outdoor rug yet as we have had a few rainy days..
I still love my Pacifica sofa and chairs from Serena & Lily – and they have worn well almost 2 years on. I dig the driftwood color which is just very pretty and the whole Pacifica Collection is elegant.
They now have sconces for your outdoor areas, hanging pendants, planters, a bar and more. I personally would like to add a few of the chaise lounges to the yard if I can save for them. (My husband reminded me the old black ones we have will last a few more decades.) :/ The material these Pacifica products is made of is fantastically indestructible. My chairs and couch are like new and not one unwound strand and they were out all winter- no cover. ( Pillows stored inside.)
Love all the items..Serena & Lily is having free shipping promo now -ends today. They have some beautiful outdoor rugs and the prettiest umbrellas too.
One more thing, I got a few inquires about these sandals from Tory Burch. These are the Miller Cloud Sandals and I could live in them. More comfy than my Birkenstocks with the added cushion and support, and I love the pretty colors.
These just came out with a special edition in a luxe suede this week.. I am going to order before they are gone.
What are your weekend plans? Are you post-vaccine and feeling as we are and starting to get out among the human race more? I am visiting a friend Saturday to have some lunch with her and then we might do a dinner outdoors at a local restaurant with my son. I am excited to dress up a little and enjoy being out among people.
I am also mindful as things are looking up for us, in other places, I know people are hurting. My husband has a team that works with him in India and we personally know many families there that are suffering with Covid and have lost loved ones. The numbers sound bad in India, but the truth is the government is likely not able to report all of them and there are so many who just are too poor to see doctors and or even seek treatment. We are donating to help and this article in the NYTimes has some worthy places that are vetted to donate to in this crisis if you can.
Thanks so much. Happy weekend.
x Kim
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