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‘Reloving’ What You Own-Signature Style

January 18, 2022 By kimwheeler 27 Comments

It’s time for the first Signature Style post of 2022 with my compatriots, Cindy and Sarah and we decided to begin with a post that encourages you to look in your own closet before you buy anything this year. As Sarah, who came up with the idea, says can you ‘relove’ what you already own? I think we all need to try and on today’s blog are ideas on how.

A lot of us are addicted to shopping, to that high we get from a new item, but we can retrain ourselves to stop looking at stores and online ads for inspiration. We can look right in our own closets if we spend some time seeing what we own and what we can do with it.

I know I’ve said this before, but the best way to prevent yourself from buying what you don’t need is know your closet. That means spending a couple hours taking the closet apart every season, (that’s 4xs a year), clean it out, straighten and organize by type and then color. Try on every sweater and pair of jeans and shoes, dress and coat. Lay out the hanging pieces on your bed and then look at each and every one.

If you’re able and have the space, store some of your out of season clothes in another closet or space, so you can see only what you are able to wear now. A crammed closet isn’t conducive to shopping it, and I like my clothes to have space to breathe.

Think of your closet as your own personal boutique and make it appealing.

Start arranging your closet to be attractive and inspiring. Make it smell pretty with sachets or a candle (unlit). If you have the space hang cool art, wallpaper it or create an inspiration board. Then get it curated by season.

Go through your jewelry, shoes and accessories and select things that will work for that season.

Right now in winter, I like to have my sweaters folded neatly by color, and put coordinating accessories in same tones near them just as a shop would. What I see when I walk into my winter closet now is coats, jackets, leather bags, scarves and sweaters and boots. In spring and summer, I have blouses, sundresses, woven bags, sandals and short

If you can’t see things, you won’t wear them. You can’t have everything out at once, so each season pretend you’re a buyer for boutique and select accesories for this particular time of year. An example is my crystals and colored stone earrings have been on my tray for the holidays and in summer I’ll drape my Hawaiian pearls on a cord on my small mirror and have my vintage white Chanel enamel earrings and colorful clip ons from my grandmother on my tray.

I’ll pull out all my flat sandals and slides and put them in cute baskets in warm season. Now they are away and boots, sneakers and loafers are on the shelves. Another idea is to pull forgotten scarves out of a basket and pair each one with a jacket or coat by wrapping them around the hanger with it. You can do the same with necklaces if it helps you to remember to use them.

When you like an outfit, snap a photo and save it on your phone

Take a photo when you leave the house in something you like or in a look you’ve pulled together when going through the closet. Then group them on your phone as work outfits, date night, evening look, or weekend, travel, etc. You’d be surprised how you can forget pieces you own, and looks you’ve worn. When you’re feeling uninspired, look at that album.

For example this is one on my phone with outfits so I can remember what worked and what is in the closet.

Try new ways to wear what you own..

Take jeans and denim and update them by cutting the hem yourself with sharp scissors and chalk. There are many tutorials online. Hello new fringy cropped that look like expensive brands. Mending jeans and adding stitching and patches has become a look. This book is a good one for unique jean hacks.
Sweaters have so much potential. Turn a sweater backwards for a sexy back v neck. Wear one as a scarf around the neck, or draped on your shoulders as a pop of color or and tied around the waist of a dress. I also love layering my sweaters and try them with different blouses you own to see which ones work well together.
Dresses don’t need to sit out winter. Wear your dresses layered over jeans or leggings. Play around with the proportions and see which jeans work best. Try a sweater over your dresses or a long sleeve top under a spaghetti strap type. Add sneakers to dresses to update them, (preferably not the ones you hike or run in.)
Pull apart 2 piece outfits like a suit or a skirt and matching top and wear the pieces separately. You’ll have exponentially more outfits and looks.
Don’t let your evening wear be just for night and gather dust. Bring these fancy pieces down to earth by pairing them with everyday items. Try a sequin top for day with denim, chandelier earrings with a sweatshirt, a velvet dress over skinny jeans with flats, a black dress worn over leggings with a leather or denim jacket.
Dress down your ‘work’ or tailored pieces. Start wearing your blazers and jackets out as your daily topper. How many of us have beautiful jackets that never get worn? I use my jackets all the time and love them with a t-shirt or a sweatshirt to dress them down. I like them in winter with a big scarf wrapped over them for warmth and in summer over sundresses. Tailored skirts and slacks look fresh with a sweatshirt or a big oversized sweater, or white sneakers with and a t-shirt.
Use your bags in new ways. Straw bags tend to be summer things, but Jane Birkin wore her woven totes with fur (or faux preferably), and people like my friend Contessa use their all year long. Leather bags can be changed up by switching your straps. So many have removable straps, or options to add a shoulder strap so look at what can be converted to a cross-body if you want. Guitar style straps here at Madewell, and some of the coolest ones here on Etsy. Older bags are more chic now than new, as seen by the huge market for vintage bags. If you are so lucky to have saved older bags start wearing them again! Or as we talked about in this recent post, take a load off and start using a canvas tote you might already have, like all the cool kids.

Spend a few hours playing dress up.

For fun, I thought I’d show you what looks I created with a old Equipment dress that has been sitting in the closet for a few years. I love this dress, but don’t have many opportunities to wear it, so I thought I’d show you looks I pulled together using other closet pieces, over blue jeans, grey skinny jeans, with leggings and with different boots. I also I tried an oversized sweater over it, a velvet bomber, and a moto jacket. I used bags I’ve had and it was fun to see all the options I hadn’t even thought of.

For Inspiration go to Street Style Instagram accounts or Pinterest.

I still read magazines, but I don’t think I’ve found an outfit I wanted to copy from one of them in years. Everything is so fantasy driven now. I do however find a lot to inspire me on Instagram and specifically for me, street style accounts where real people are snapped in various cities of the world. These people will give you ideas on how to style what you already own. Screenshot looks and out them in an album on the phone to refer back to.

Some of my favorites are

Photos below from the Street Style Global Instagram..

Pinterest is another place to find looks to love and I have been saving my own favorites under Jeans Love, The California Look, Style, Fall and Winter Style, and Spring/Summer Wardrobe.

I also love the Parisian Chic Look Book which has tons of ideas of how to add style to your wardrobe basics…

Also inspiring is Classic Style and How Not to Wear Black. Love all three so much.

Another fun idea is to do a wardrobe swap party with a group of friends. Everyone brings 5 or so pieces that are nice that they no longer wear and they are hung or displayed on tables or racks. You draw numbers and everyone takes turns selecting pieces. It is a great way to keep clothes in the cycle, not the landfill and pass something nice onto another.

Having too much is as bad as not enough. If you’ve paid a lot for something, and have a hard time parting with it, but will never wear it, as Marie Kondo says, be thankful for it and pass it on to another who can enjoy it. Don’t let things sit when others could be using them. Dress for Success in San Jose is a great place to help women who are trying to succeed in the world and can use those items that are gathering dust.

When you are ready to shop again, get to know consignment and thrift stores near you. It’s a great place to sell some of what you no longer want and also find unique and better quality things for a song. Make a commitment to bring only better quality items into your wardrobe this year. Save for the good stuff as I talked about in this post, or find them through thrift and consignment. Stop going for the quick high at places like Target if you can. I’ve yet to have a cheap item stand the test of time – trend wise or wear wise, but I’ve been grateful I saved for better items that still look good, even cooler, year after year and give whole wardrobe an upgrade.

If you find a consignment shop you like, the best thing to do is be a regular. That way you see when the better things come in and can grab them. In the Bay Area, my favorites are Crossroads Trading (the Blossom Hill location) and Filmore & Fifth in Palo Alto. Other options abound online too now.

I can’t wait to read Cindy and Sarah’s blogs today about shopping the closet. Stop by their blogs at:

Cindy Hattersley

Sarah London Style

Thanks for reading and please share below your thoughts on shopping your closet.

Kim

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Quality Items to Spend Your Holiday Gift Money On

January 11, 2022 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

Every January I write a post on quality items to spend your holiday cash or gift cards on. This is the time to think a little before blowing it all. As kids, my mom would say as soon as we got some cash in a card, it would burn a hole in our pockets. My brother would run off to Radio Shack to get some kind of circuit board kit and I would be off to Contempo Casuals at the mall. Anyone who is near my age and grew up in California will remember that trendy spot of colorful edgy clothes!

After I bought myself an angora sweater or a glittery blouse, I was always wishing I had saved for something better and one year I did. I drove myself up to the city -San Francisco, and marched into the Gucci store and bought myself a small oval bag for the prize sum of $400, which was a lot of money back then for a twenty something. This is the same exact bag- now being sold for $500 online and some want $1,000 for it!

I wore that bag until it gave out. It upgraded all my less expensive items and got so many compliments over the years. I felt chic and didn’t need other bags, just that one. Not sure where it ended up, but that taught me a lot about how a quality item would be a smarter investment than several less expensive purses. My grandmother always said buy nice shoes and bags and everything will look expensive. My mother and dad always believed in buying better things for the home as well.

I still get a Christmas card with money (thanks dad) and as I’ve gotten older I tell my sons to hold onto it and buy one nice thing. You can blow $100 on three okay things, or buy a good pair of shoes to elevate all you own. Now it’s more likely closer to $200, but you get my thought process here. If you’re so fortunate to have a little wad of cash from the holidays, think about buying things that have long-term payback. Think about things you wouldn’t normally get yourself.

Think quality over quantity. Think long-term over what you want right now. Ask yourself will you want this in five years?”

This is a good mantra to keep in mind as we enter a new year- and when you’re shopping.

Good Things To Consider Spending Your Holiday Money On..

Number one to me is always a house item. How many of you still have rugs and lamps that have been bought when you first got married? When you got your first apartment? I rest my case. Rugs and lamps are the work horses of the home and yet how often do we upgrade or replace? They don’t usually break down and so we continue on with just okay items that could make a BIG difference in your space and quality of life!

Rugs are the biggest bang for your buck and a beautiful place to get rugs is Serena & Lily. This is not a cheap place, but it’s an excellent place. The rugs are beautiful and fantastic quality. My Stella Rug is wool and it has been excellent and shows little wear. I recently moved it to my main living space and I am still love how pretty it is as well as soft. Just this rug alone gave the whole space a luxe look.

I prefer wool rugs for long wear and maintenance, but I also have one of their Seaview runner in polypropylene in the kitchen, below left, and a one of their recycled denim rugs, right, in my den/office (similar here.)

Both have been wearing well! I also like their Carlsbad Rug, which is a soft blue in geometric pattern.

Pottery Barn also has excellent rugs and their wool ones have yet to wear out for me. I’m currently obsessing on this lovely Gena Rug which is hand loomed and think it is elegant for a bedroom!

I also like this wool Gabrielle Handtufted Wool Rug and the Capitola Rug

Lamps are another fantastic investment! I finally replaced my Pottery Barn dark gold bedside lamps after having them 26 years. They still work and are now off doing duty with my sons. Talk about money well spent!

One of my goals in 2022 is to finally replace my bed and get some lamps that are as good as the ones I just passed to the kids. I’m kind of in love with these Dauphine Lamp that would be a lovely paired on a bedside. This lamp also comes in a lovely floor lamp if you have a space that needs some elegant illumination..

I also love this Tinsley lamp which could work in so many spaces – an entry table, bedroom or the family room. It’s cute and adds a nice whimsical touch to an area.

How great are these Faris Ceramic Lamps from Pottery Barn? They come in an ivory or black, in large or small sizes.

Another pretty option from PB for the bedside or in a living room is this cool Bennett Recycled Glass Lamp.

New towels are a good way to start the year. Get rid of your old nasty towels. I have bought these towels and they are wearing so well, I just got another set -and they are on sale now.

Sheets are also a good idea and linen sheets are worth the splurge. They are so comfortable and warm in the winter, I forget they are also a dream to sleep in, in the summer. I have two sets of these.

Probably my most favorite home purchase last year was this Celeste Coverlet from Crate & Barrel. It’s the most beautiful looking layer and it feels like a dream. I have this over the sheets and in the winter it’s our blanket under the duvet too. It provides a soft layer and smoothing this over the sheets in the morning and folding the comforter at the end makes the bed look effortlessly pretty.

Coats are another smart use of your money and that if bought well, should last many years of wear. Coats give you instant style and I think a wardrobe needs a decent trench, a good wool coat, and a puffer to start. Look at my last post for some good long puffers to keep you cozy and stylish in the colder months.

A well made black wool coat is something that will feel great every time you put it on and a good one won’t be too heavy and have nice details like this Rails Bristol Wool Coat. I especially love the back details.

J.Crew has been a great go-to for coats as they use special mills in Italy to craft beautiful and long-wearing wools and my J.Crew Cocoon Coat is still excellent shape after almost 10 years! They have had this coat since 2006 and this year it’s in different colors, but same great styling.

They also have another version with a higher collar and buttons in a forest green and black. Love!

And if you’re ready for a truly beautiful piece this reversible coat by Armani gives a wardrobe so much versatility.

As I mentioned above a good quality pair of shoes is always something I think about when I want to splurge a little and tall boots are something I bought a few years ago and am still loving so much. I bought a flat, lug sole riding type boot and they create chic outfits paired with leggings and sweaters, jeans and blouses, and casual dresses. For the cost my pair has had hundreds of wears and has many years still left in them. If you don’t own a nice pair, they are something to consider.

I found a similar pair also made by Tory Burch and if you prefer more classic styling she also has this version on the right..

One thing I’ve bought myself is a better jewelry when I have extra dollars. It’s smart to invest in some good pieces when you can, that will last you years. Ippolita is an Italian American designer who I wrote about on a blog post here. I adore her beautiful pieces that are made to fit the female body and are like art pieces you can collect.

She says 99% of her sales are from women buying the jewelry for themselves! That says a lot. So if it’s time to give yourself a lovely piece of jewelry her silver pieces are an affordable way to began like I did with the Jet Set Earrings. Last year I also bought myself this simple bangle I pair with my watch. I also love her lollipop necklaces like this one below. Her whole collection gold and stones as well as silver here.

A wonderful cashmere or wool sweater is something you can appreciate for years. AllSaints makes lovely ones and I’ve managed to add one of their sweaters to my wardrobe almost every year. My favorite is many years old and is nearly identical to this asymmetrical one and is a mix of wool and yak and doesn’t pill. I also love this Arvid Cable Knit Sweater in grey. Many of their excellent sweaters are marked down too. The whole collection here.

Brochu Walker is another brand with gorgeous sweaters and I’ve had the short sleeve off the shoulder sweater and the long sleeve, the cardigans with the built in collars and hem on my wish list for a while. Who wouldn’t agree these are gorgeous and could give you so many fun wardrobe options!

Lastly, a good bag, as my grandmother told me, can last you decades. Styles change, but I find the older bags I have spent some money on, still look good and are even cooler than new. That said, if you are in the market for a quality bag that isn’t thousands, I like London based Demille, . They make excellent hand crafted bags in Spain and have a charity called, A Bag, A Life, which funds lifesaving vaccines and medical treatment for children in SOS Villages.

It’s no wonder so many people feel proud to carry these bags which I think are fairly priced for a luxury bag and helping the world at the same time. I would prefer to see these kinds of bags become the ‘it’ thing to carry versus the extremely expensive designer bags.

The Santa Monica with Chain above, is darling (many colors) as is The Los Angeles (in white here) and The Marrakesh Crossbody in tan.

Other ideas for spending your holiday cash..

A photo shoot of your family by a professional done outdoors. So many great ones you can find locally now on places like Instagram.
A piece of unique art by a local artist or one you’ve been following. I think original art is one of the best ways to give your home a personal look and feel.
Use your money to by a series of classes – cooking ( Sur La Table is always a good one), a new language, dance or painting. Do something challenging you haven’t tried before.

I hope this was a fun post and though I know a lot of these items are expensive, what I want tis for people to think about is buying less, buying better and like Europeans, think of purchases as investments to last a long time. Sticker shock is something Americans have an issue with. They have no problem coming out of a department store with $200 worth of clothes, but will balk at a pair of shoes costing the same. The result is a lot of inexpensive items that don’t last and end being donated or in landfills. The new year is a great time to reset our spending habits and shop less and shop better when we do.

If you can’t even go there with these higher cost things, second hand is what everyone is doing now and the best way to shop for these better pieces. I will share my sources for great second hand finds and chat about shopping your closet on our upcoming Signature Style on January 18th so stay tuned!

Kim

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2022 Goals, House Updates & Cozy Coats

January 7, 2022 By kimwheeler 21 Comments

How are you all? I don’t know why, but this year December seemed long to me and even so I didn’t get all I meant to done. November was busy and I blinked and people were posting their Christmas trees on Instagram. it gave me anxiety and then I stopped to think- wait, it isn’t even December. Why the race?

Again I am trying to remind myself to slow the rush through life, beginning with this new year. Sitting by the fire, making soups and taking rainy day walks and reassessing the house and life is what I’ve been doing. Also picking our loads of lemons we are getting just now..

The massive amount of rain here and snow at the cabin (125 inches in one week!) has kept us indoors except for a daily rainy day neighborhood hikes. Tennis has been rained out for almost 4 weeks for me. We did venture to dinner with friends at a restaurant, but with the new spike of Covid, we feel like it’s a good time to lay low and haven’t done much socially.

We went from no snow a week a half before…

to this…Crazy right?

Since we couldn’t get up to the cabin and roads were closed, my college son informed me during the break he wanted to sell his queen bed and get a smaller twin to have more space for a larger desk. He wants a more dedicated study space for when he comes home and the big bed sucked up a lot of his small bedroom.

He ordered a new twin XL bed and mattress and got in within 3 days. This is the beginning of what we have for his room with the new bed and a fun side table found at Homegoods. I’m hoping to share the whole room when his desk and rug gets chosen. The checked duvet is from IKEA.

His quick decisions inspired me to finally pull the trigger and order a daybed and wallpaper for Max’s office/guest room. I’ve been thinking about doing this since our oldest son moved out last spring. I’ll admit making decisions isn’t my strong suit, but I did it!

The daybed is from Wayfair and so is the mattress. I love the clean lines and linen of the daybed and it’s small profile fit perfect in the room that also has to hold a large desk.

The room still needs art. I’m going to do a group of bird pictures in here for my bird loving husband. I have not figured out the pillows and things yet, but threw these on there and a grey cotton coverlet. The bed is surprisingly comfy! I also added this rug to warm up the space I found at Home by Ling Interiors, a new shop in Los Gatos. If you can’t get to Ling’s wonderful collection, a similar one is here.

I was so excited to get that room together that I also ordered a real desk for myself and a proper chair.. They will go in the media room which will be my office. It’s taken almost 3 years of living in this new space to realize that the size of that room is perfect for an office and it’s not really much use for anything else.

This is the desk and the chair.. I plan to place them in front of my Serena & Lily bookcase.

Moving into the new year, I’ve been reminded by my husband I need to start putting myself first for my health and happiness. How many of you can relate? The Christmas season made that even more apparent when I skipped my morning yoga practices and walks a few weeks in a row trying to knock things off my to do list.

My husband has figured out how to work full time and also make time into his schedule every day for stretching, workout and reading his books. He says I can do that too, and I plan to try harder. Friends of mine are blowing through novels and I barely made it through half of my stack. Home things will just have to wait- dishes, laundry and errands while I prioritize myself and do things I usually consider leisure. When do we stop worrying about everyone else and start thinking about ourselves- putting us on the priority list? We need more moments of joy.

There’s a life balance many of us are missing and pleasing others is part of the problem. I saw this new journal that goes along with Glennon Doyle’s great book and it may be a good way for some of us to start this in the new year..

Get Untamed: The Journal (How to Quit Pleasing and Start Living)

I ordered one for myself.

Another way to change habits is to look at someone who is doing what you would like to. Do you know a friend who takes time for herself? Treats herself well? Often you can ask yourself, would X do this? Would X … I know I have done the same and instead of envying such people, take a page out of their book and start treating yourself as well as they do.

Get a new planner for 2022 and pencil in weekends, trips and daily walks and time for just you. We need this more than ever in the pandemic life.

On another note, I’ve been noticing all the very chic choices now in long puffer coats. With the wet and cold weather, there is nothing better than one of these cozy long jackets for a walk or a winter day out. I hate being cold and in these you can’t! Some of the best ones below..

I’m loving this box quilt look, this lovely iridescent blue look, and this modern water resistant one at Nordys.

Athleta has this Boulevard Coat, marked $100 off now, now, in black and red..

I also noticed this Puffer Wrap Coat from J. Crew in black and a light grey..

I am working on my annual post, ‘What to spend your Christmas dollars on’. It’s a post with things that have long term pay back. I have always tried to pool my Christmas or birthday money and buy one nice thing that I will enjoy for a long time. That post will be such things… so stay tuned.

Have a great weekend and stay cozy!

Kim

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A Holiday Table and Menu Idea for You

December 24, 2021 By kimwheeler 15 Comments

Hello and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! I hope everyone is able to enjoy the holidays and take a break from the day to day and be with those you love. Cooking, eating and just being with my family is my favorite part of the holiday and I can’t wait to have my guys all here. We do Christmas Eve dinner and then sit by the fire after and exchange gifts with my father.

I think I’ve written about this before, but my family has a tradition my mom began which is staying in our own homes in our pajamas on actual Christmas. The hardest thing this time of year is thinking about my mom and missing her, but my dad and I started a new tradition where we exchange food after Christmas Eve dinner here. He gives my his famous cinnamon rolls to have for Christmas morning and I give him a lasagna to cook on Christmas day. We’ve done it now 6 years and it makes for a very relaxing day and so nice after all the rush. My dad’s cinnamon rolls are amazing and we pop them in the oven when the kids first get up and we only let them open stockings. Then we sit down to have rolls and juice and coffee. No presents until we have cozy breakfast with candles at the table!

Tonight we are trying something a little different for the Christmas Eve meal. My husband has always loved cheese fondue, but it’s a lot of bread and cheese and I often feel like it’s a bit much with all the Christmas treats. A week or so ago we had some friends over for a dinner exchange we do and we tried out a new menu and set a Christmas themed table. It was the same night I tried out this holiday cocktail on this post that was a hit with my friends. The dinner was so easy and had something for everyone, non meat people also, so we are replicating it tonight and I will set the same table.

If you need some ideas for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve menu and festive table this is what we did..

The Table

I had just put up a pink tree in my little den and liked the idea of continuing the theme in the table with pink bulbs scattered on juniper and evergreen branches that I laid out in the center. I added clear votives and a mix of the pink Christmas bulbs I had on hand, small and large and different tones. I found the branches at the grocery store in the floral department, but you can look in your yard or trim your own Christmas tree if you have a live one. I also added pinecones to this mix, which looks great, but I forgot to photograph it.

I don’t have red napkins, so I used some black and pink napkins I bought at Pottery Barn and with the black table, some pretty vintage glassware from my friend Elizabeth, my new plates from Anthro and a cute San Francisco made gourmet chocolate bar as a little gift on each place setting.

The napkins are here-now on sale and these red and green paisley ones would also be cute for a holiday table. I love the idea of taking regular napkins and making them work with the just the addition of matching bulbs in the same colors- so shop your tree (literally) and don’t limit Christmas to just red and green! I used these mini wreaths I found at Joanne’s as napkin rings and tucked a cutting of greenery in each.

The Menu

Ginger Marinated Chicken Breasts Sliced and plattered (we do both meats on the grill.) A recipe here.
Tri-tip with a rub. We often buy it already rubbed at the store, but this California recipe looks good.
Butter lettuce, pear, persimmon and toasted pecan salad. I whisk together a vinaigrette of 1/4 C olive oil,1 T pomegranate or any fruit vinegar and 1 T maple syrup and a squeeze of any citrus plus sale to taste.
Julia Reeds’s Gratin de Macaroni (a fancy and so easy take on baked mac and cheese everyone will love.)
Dessert is Christmas cookies and chocolates we have received on a pretty platter.

As we lost the wonderful Julia Reed in 2020, it’s hard to fins her recipes online and she never had a website. The book I take this from is called Julia Reed’s South and it’s a beautiful book filled with her actual dinner parties and great inspiration. It was a gift from my pal and fellow blogger Juliet who writes Make Mine a Spritzer.

I am copying this directly from the book with her own words to describe. I will never make the usual mac n’ cheese again as this is so much easier than the roux route. Also, if you want to eat lighter, you can change out the whole milk for a lighter fat content and when I made it, I used a whole box of penne (1 pound) and just 1 cup of creme fraiche and it was still super yummy..

Julia Reed’s Gratin de Macaroni

Butter for greasing the
gratin dish
½ pound penne pasta
1½ cups crème fraîche
1½ cups whole milk
1 cup grated Gruyère
cheese
¼ cup finely chopped
Italian parsley leaves
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black
pepper
2 tablespoons grated
Parmesan cheese

“My mother used to make a noodle casserole with egg noodles,
butter, sour cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Neither of us
can find that exact recipe, but I discovered something similar
in-of all places- an out-of-print book on French bistros. This is much
lighter and far speedier than a proper macaroni and cheese made with a
béchamel sauce, and I prefer it, especially with daubes and stews. Feel free
to get creative with the cheeses. I like the way the Parmesan browns on
the top, but I’ve substituted everything from Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
to Thomasville tomme (a buttery Pyrenees-style cow’-milk cheese from
Georgia’s Sweet Grass Dairy) for the Gruyère.
170
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Butter a shallow glass or earthenware gratin dish
or casserole.
Cook the penne in boiling salted water according to the directions on
the box. Drain and place in a large bowl. Fold in the crème fraîche, milk, and
Gruyère. Stir in the parsley, salt, and pepper, and taste for seasonings.
Spread the mixture in the prepared dish and sprinkle with the Parmesan.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is browned on top and the liquid has
been completely absorbed. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.”
from Julia Reed’s South cookbook.

I also wanted to take the time to say thank you to everyone who subscribes and visits. I truly appreciate you reading and being here and it’s what keeps me going on this blogging journey of almost 11 years! The connection with you all, and the community that comes from doing this is everything to me. I have finally had more time to devote to this with my sons on their own and I hope it will be more fun and interesting to read in the coming year..

Thank you and I wish you a wonderful holiday season and let’s hope an even better and healthier 2022 for all of us.

Much love and happy wishes from my little spot here in Northern California,

Kim

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Last Minute Books and Other Good Things

December 21, 2021 By kimwheeler 3 Comments

I know I am still sending a few last minute things that fell off my radar … I was surprised how many books can still be delivered before December 25 if you order today. I thought I’d do a roundup of my faves and a few new good ones that I want too!

Also, if you’ve got your head down and missed it, today is the last day for the additional 15% off the Sale items at Serena & Lily and two things I love are on it, this Tivoli Pillow Cover, just $79 plus the additional, and the Norfolk Bath Towels, which are beautiful quality and now $14-$29 and additional discount..Other good things to grab are the Cobble Hill Pillow and my Blake Console is too. Use the code CELEBRATE If you order by today you can get this FEDEX’ by the 24th, but I suspect most people would be buying for themselves.

Now onto the books.. I’m trying this boutique widget to make it easier for you to just click on the item. Let me know how this goes. And please below add any good book recommendations you have loved this year. I’ve added a lot of cookbooks as they are my favorites..

I hope things are going well this week. I’m running out to grab a few last things before rain begins here for a while.

I’ll be back soon with a Christmas or New Year’s dinner post idea for you!

Have a great day,

Kim

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A Granola to Gift and Other Easy Presents

December 20, 2021 By kimwheeler 9 Comments

Well we are in the home stretch to Christmas and this is the week I try and get to all the neighbors and others who I’d like to give a little holiday treat to. For those people, I usually bake cookies or we give something made locally that we buy multiples of.

I’m trying very hard to think of things that aren’t wasteful, that are useful, as we all have so much already. Every year I try to buy less.

This year, my husband Max was experimenting making his own granola and it came out so good we decided to send it to a friend group he bikes with and also all our neighbors.

Our version of granola is all the nuts we love and coconut. We didn’t add any dried fruit. You could add what you like to make your own version, but this mix works well so together. I’ve already had a few rave reviews from neighbors. We love it with plain yogurt, a drizzle of honey and this on top. It’s also just super yummy as a snack if you leave it in the chunks that form as it comes out of the oven.

We used cellophane bags and wired gingham ribbon and printed the ingrediants on card stock, in case anyone has allergies they will know exactly what is in it.

I had some juniper branches and clipped a little bit for each package and tucked it in the ribbon.

I think anything you gift looks extra special when you wrap it pretty.

Wheeler Family Granola

4 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (gluten-free) most are, but check
1 1/2 Cups of nuts -( we used a mix of halved walnuts, pepitas, sliced almonds and whole roasted almonds.)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of maple syrup
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup of coconut flakes
Preheat oven to 350, prepare a baking sheet with parchment. Mix all dry ingredients except coconut flakes, together in a large bowl. Pour over apple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla. Mix until all are well coated and spread on prepared pan with a wooden spoon. Cool 20-22 minutes, stopping to stir at the 11 minute mark and add coconut flakes, so they do not burn. Let stand and cool about 30 minutes before touching. For chunkier granola, press down the mix in the pan more at the halfway point of baking. Recipe adapted and changed from this one on Cookie + Kate.

I hope you try it if you like granola. We are hooked and will never buy granola again. It’s just that much better!

Another cute gift you could easily pull together for a hostess, friend or neighbor is this adorable succulent mix made festive by the addition of a bottle brush tree and some holiday baubles.

My talented friend Jeanne saw something similar and much pricier at Terrain and made her own version for a friend. I loved this so much- and after the holidays it’s a cool plant for the home that can last years by just removing the little decorations!

Plants are such a good idea and aren’t more plastic. I was reading this great article from a friend about how much of Christmas involves plastic and it’s making me think a lot more about my choices this year.

Cindy Hattersley also had a this great post with the prettiest paper whites in a galvinized tin to give.

I also wanted to mention a great book to give..I am especially crazy about this new one, Apres All Day which has some delicious recipes and ski and mountain living ideas. You don’t need a cabin to appreciate this darling book. I literally want to try every recipe and that is rare.

Max and I made the cheddar breakfast muffins while at the cabin and they taste as good as they look. This book would make a nice gift wrapped with a pair of mittens or a knit hat for a friend going to the mountains or who lives there, or who appreciates winter foods and fun.

Just a few things on my radar, that might help with your gifting. Hope you are having a chance to enjoy the season too.

Kim

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Drink Station Ideas for the Holidays

December 16, 2021 By kimwheeler 8 Comments

Today I am excited to join the most fun group to share our own ideas for holiday drink stations.

Some of us are back to entertaining in a small way and some of us are just doing close family with us. Either way, having a drink station is such a smart idea.

Reasons to love drinks stations:

They take the pressure off you to serve others.
They add a festive atmosphere and fun.
They let guests create drinks their way.
It lets you move people out of the kitchen and to other spots in the home.

I personally get excited when someone has a drinks bar, as I usually am picky about what I drink, and I like making things my own way. I also think it puts guests at ease right away and lets them move about the home when many times gatherings tend to congregate toward the kitchen or another spot. Having a drinks bar on another wall, or in another room, is a great way to get more flow going at your gatherings.

Obviously thanks to Covid, we aren’t having any Christmas party. Our last big party we had was Christmas 2019, our first back in this home. We set up our bar with a special drink and instructions so people could serve themselves. We had other options waters, wines, etc, to the side, but having a drink and the fixings for it, seemed to be a real hit. People like to try a new drink and a holiday cocktail feels festive!

This year, I had the opportunity to try out a Winter Spritz Bar when we hosted a small dinner party for two couples we do dinners with occasionally at each other’s homes. I feel like I have to mention that we are all vaxxed and boosted and are all very careful, so it felt safe to do this indoors

I am a huge fan of Aperol Spritz’s and have been since I first had one in Venice many years before they became popular here. I used to try very hard to find it in shops and now it seems to be THE drink. The Spritz has a bitter orange flavor about it which grows on you. The Winter Spritz is slightly sweeter with the addition of Vermouth which gives it an almost Manhattan taste, but a little brighter. This drink is a little ode to my mom who loved a good Manhattan and I so wish she was still here and could have one of these with me.

The fun part is having a different choice of an herbal Italian liqueur, called amaros, which to change them up. Amaro means bitter in Italian and these are light in alcohol and are considered digestives, which are good before or after dinner. Averna has a chocolate licorice and orange taste and the addition of sweet vermouth changes the Spritz drink to something more deep and wintery. Add a Luxardo Cherry and it’s the perfect winter sip. More about the interesting history of amaro or amaris and what they are here.

Creating a Winter Spritz Bar

You’ll need:

Italian herbal amaros like Apero, Averna, Campari, Bruto Americano or others like St Germain

Sweet Vermouth. We like this one.

Prosecco (it’s nice to stay with the Italian theme, but any decent champagne or sparkling wine can work.)

For garnish:

Luxardo Cherries

Sliced oranges or clementines

Tools:

Ice Bucket

Champagne coupes (similar to mine here) or low cocktail glasses

A slate board like mine for instructions and chalk pen.

It helps to have the instructions written on a slate near the glasses and ingrediants in their order of adding, think assembly line if you have the room.

To Make a Winter Spritz

1 Jigger Amaro (herbal liqueur)

1 Jigger Sweet Vermouth

add ice

top the glass off with a generous amount of prosecco

add garnish of your choice -Luxardo cherries and/or orange slices

Make it Festive

I like to make a drinks bar festive with holiday music, and some decor. I used battery operated strands of fairy lights, a vintage jewelry Christmas tree from my grandmother and a nutcracker and a few Christmas ornaments here and there. Keep the lighting pretty and low and sparkle factor high. If you have any vintage silver or crystal pieces, this is the time to trot them out! Have a tray of pretty glasses ready and the ice bucket full. It’s nice to have cocktail napkins near and a towel in case someone spills a little. I like toothpicks or wooden forks for the garnish and straws for mixing.

A few photos from our drinks bar at the dinner party..My cute friends Bari and E. The husbands got no photos!

A few things you might need for the bar..

Waterfall Coupes, Slate Chalkboard Sign, Lustered Coupes, Rattan Ice Bucket, Graham Bar Tools, Red Zebras Cocktail Napkins , Battery Operated Fairy Lights, I Believe in Cocktails Napkins,

Please visit these brilliant blogs for more drink station ideas..

Cindy Hattersley Design
Classic Casual Home
Most Lovely Things
Make Mine a Spritzer

You can pin this graphic below to save it to Pinterest

Thanks for being here!

Kim

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Gift Ideas for Her

December 5, 2021 By kimwheeler 11 Comments

Well December is here and I wanted to get a gifts for the gals post out as soon as I could. Honestly this was a lot of fun, and I could have written ten more of these, but it’s been a busy time and it takes a lot of hours to sit and pull it all together. I know many who are concerned with things running out have already done their shopping! I’m not there at all, but I have gotten a few good things from the Gifts for Guys post. One thing that helped me this time was to think of some of my favorite things, not unlike Oprah, and what would I love to receive too…

I am a Johnny Was fan and this California company never disappoints with their beautiful designs and quality. Their wonderfully soft blankets in a bag with two designs, make a wonderful gift for anyone to cuddle up with on the couch, or on the bed! Great for all ages. So many designs. I love this one below, but all the choices here..20% off now with the code COZYUP until 12/15.

Do you know someone who would love to be in slippers all the time (me)? These Timberlands are on sale now and so cute in grey or tan. This is a nice bridge between the UGG and the sneaker, with a bit of style.

I am currently obsessed with this brand Leatherology that makes some beautiful bags with custom imprinted initials. The cross body and train cases are TDF and though this process takes about three weeks should be a lovely gift. They also have quicker options. All the offerings are wonderful and there are many gifts that will arrive before Christmas if ordered by December 17th.

I love Mark & Graham and their trays are adorable and you can still get a monogrammed one if you order now. Check the site for the exact item and date. Looks like many are still available.

I love this Snowy Day Pillow. Sweet for anyone who digs holiday home decor or just loves the snow.

The paperclip necklaces are very popular and Bauble Bar has them in this Hera one -the perfect size too and can ship immediately..

I also love the needlepoint pillows from Furbish.. Adore the Apres pillow and all their cute holiday ones found here.

For someone who appreciates a pretty table or entertaining, these Linen Napkins from Serena & Lily are now on sale in sets and four gorgeous napkins are $38. They come in eight colors including this chartreuse.

If she is is into jewelry, Anthropologie has the prettiest charm necklaces that are by by birthstone. Love!

Serena & Lily makes the best alpaca throws and this one is my all time favorite. We have two we keep at out cabin on the sofa and they are warmer than anything and so very soft and comes in five colors.

I bought these slippers on a whim a month or so ago at Anthro and they are now my go to. I can’t wait to put them on when I get home. The run S/M/L and I am an 8 and bought Medium.

My favorite pajamas are Roller Rabbit Pima Cotton PJs. Mine are two years old now and still look new and feel soft. I like that they aren’t tight, but aren’t baggy either- so they don’t bunch on you in the night. A really nice gift to give or get.

My second favorite PJs are my Serena & Lily Positano Linen ones. I have two pairs and wear them all year long with a white tank and wear the top as a jacket. Love the white (reminds me of Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give) and the sky blue! They just get softer and softer. I wash them on gentle and air dry and they stay very nice.

There is also a beautiful flannel in gingham and a linen in gingham. All the Serena & Lily Pajamas here.

I love that Mersea is selling this lovely Sea Change Soap. It is made in America, without any toxic substances, and every purchase of one of a Sea Change product will provide two years of drinking water to someone in need, a partnership with Water.org an international non-profit that works on the water crisis. Beautiful -and helping make a difference! The whole Sea Change collection here.

Note- Mersea is a great site for gifts with many lovely things like the stretchy and super soft Chalet Sweater and the Sea Pines Felt Candles.

Scrabble has created a special edition Scrabble for Anthropologie. It’s very cute and on sale now..as is their Monopoly Edition..

Books are may favorite thing to give and get and I especially love Mandy’s Gourmet Salads, which has so much more than just salads- wonderful bowls, so many amazing ideas, dressings and desserts too. Great for anyone who wants more fresh ideas for eating well.

Johnny Was also has a beautiful silk oversized T- shirt pajama set which would be a dream to sleep in. The pink one and the darker version are still available and able to ship before Christmas.

I love this upcycled denim bag made by ADIFF/Lands End. Each one is unique and the interior has a handy 6 interior packets. What a cool gift for the earthy friend in your life.

Another fun idea is to customize a market tote for family members or a girlfriend with a beloved city or cities, names or initials. The Apolis Bags last forever come in many sizes and colors I have two I adore. This cute style here.

For the California girl- or someone with tastes that tend to run towards the natural, Jenni Kayne has some beautiful candles. I like the Topanga, that has a California essence, Santa Ynez has a warm scent, and all her candles and home scents here.

RMS Beauty has a great gift set with their mascara, lip balm, and famous luminizer for just $28!

For someone special like your mom, or yourself, these Tory Burch Lilac Salad Plates are beautiful.

These Liberty London PJ sets sets are marked more than half off at J. Crew. Very cute for those young girls in shorts all the time- and never seem to be cold! I am tempted to save a pair for myself for the warmer months because they are lovely.

For $28 these Pave Pisa Bracelets from Bauble Bar look so good and would be fun to stack with a watch or any bracelets. Fun to give a group of friends or family members.

For the puzzle girls, J Crew has Liberty Puzzles that are two-sided.

They also have a Liberty Sleep Set with a beautiful pillowcase and matching sleep mask. On sale this weekend along with the puzzle and most things on site.

Since most of us are wearing boot and booties so much, a set of boot socks in a super soft, but warm material like this set from Anthro is always a welcome gift. I just gave a group of friends all a set of boot socks and I think everyone seemed to want and need them!

Another fun idea for the bakers in your life..Cookies: The New Classics.

Our family are big fans of Jennifer Segel’s recipes from her Once Upon a Chef blog, so when I saw she had a cookbook, Weeknight/Weekend, I knew it would be good. I can guarantee you’re going to adore her food.

This also looks good and is in my cart! Rustic cooking..Maman The Cookbook.

This Lululemon Belt Bag comes in so many colors and is a little luxury at a great price, Everyone needs one for hikes and travel -just so nice to have!

I love the Travel Jewelry Cases from Mark & Graham that can be monogrammed. Such a luxury, useful and a good price on sale this weekend.

Mark & Graham also has the Essential Crossbody in many colors and ways to personalize for $99..

I hope this is helpful for your gift shopping! I will try and update and add more as I see good things, so check back, or save this post for later!

This Tuesday I’ll be doing Signature Style and we will be discussing holiday outfits for those who asked for ideas for events..I’ve found some cute things and I can’t wait to share them.

Kim

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Gifts for the Guys

November 24, 2021 By kimwheeler 4 Comments

Just a quick post with some great gift ideas for the season. As I have mostly men to buy for in my family- hubs, sons, dad, brother and nephews, I’ve had a few things up my sleeve. I thought the men on your list would like this something from this variety. I’ll update this list as we move through the season and take off thing that sell out fast… Please leave a comment on any other good ideas!

This Crewneck Patchwork Sweatshirt in cotton and terry caught my eye for the unique look. Comes in blue and this nice tan. A good price and look for the brother, son or husband on your list..

This stretchy featherweight flannel from Faherty is the similar to a shirt I gifted everyone in the family last year and it’s still everyone’s favorite shirt a year later. The stretch makes it so comfy and a go-to of all the shirts.

My Utah son loves the sherpa type pullovers as it’s very cold there and my dad does too as he is a morning walker. This Nordstrom BP Pullover is definitely on the list for my son and maybe for the hubs too who gets cold working at home on his desk this time of year..

I love Fair Isle Sweaters and J.Crew has many styles. One of my guys who is a sweater person who is getting one of these..and I think I would even buy one for myself with the beautiful assortment of designs. Use the CYBER code for 40% off Monday.

Jack Black has a good gift set to start your favorite guy out on skincare regimen. Jack Black is fragrance-free, colorant-free, cruelty-free, sulfate-free and dermatologist-tested. These are generously sized for $49 and right now comes with a gift with purchase while supplies last. Men should start early on skincare!

How cute are these Nordic Socks for the guy who likes to ski or just loves the mountains? They are a wool blend for comfort and warmth- and 40% off this weekend, with the SHOPEARLY code. I always like to get a pair or two of nice socks for my men’s Christmas stockings.

Love these J.Crew Brushed Twill Shirts for my younger guy- and the hubs as they are slim and untucked. On sale now Monday with code CYBER and in many handsome prints. I’m thinking a good gift for our older one who is now a working stiff and needs clothes for the casual office.

This great Cotton Stitch Sweater comes in four fun colors and I know this will sell out fast with the 40% off sale using the CYBER code on Monday. Comments say it runs slightly small so order accordingly.

Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, is a nice gift book. I listened the other day to this author on NPR which was so good. I think it’s a book everyone can appreciate, men or women.

Two years ago, I bought all the men in our family UGGs and they all still love and use them- and they are still looking great. For the price and warmth, you cannot beat UGGs for slippers and they are a gift surely to be used and loved so many days- and years! These UGG Scuffs are Max’s favorite as they are so easy to slide on. They come in a range of colors..

The Vuori Joggers are having a moment and if anyone you know has them, this is all they talk about. As the guys in my life are all about comfort, these would be a welcome gift. I like the camo color too. A good one for your dad or hubs.

My guys dig the brand RVCA for the styles and comfort and I like they are a well-made brand. Right now, while they last, Nordy’s has this super soft Fleece Hoodie in sand and in a Balsam green for $39. A quality gift for nephews ( I hope mine aren’t reading), and the younger crowd. Very soft inside!

For those gadgety types this Wireless Charger and UV Cleaner for the phone is kind of fun and smart.

These Rumpl Puffy Blankets are a super idea for those who like the outdoors, camping, ball games, or just for out by the fire pit. They come in a nice carry sack and in unique designs and are 20% off now..

Malin + Goetz Bergamot Body Wash is a super soft scent and feels amazing on the skin. A luxury for the bar soap guy to try, or anyone!

For anyone working from home, or a student, this Coffee Mug Warmer with auto shut-off is so affordable and in our house, used every day! My husband stole the one my son bought for me, so I think we may upgrade to this nicer version.

Max has this UGG Robinson Robe and he likes it as it’s not so heavy, but very warm and soft. This is a gift that will last years also..

For the guy who like fragrances, this Sunset Riot by AllSaints is a unisex fragrance and much talked about as it is similar to Maison Francis-Baccarat Rouge 540 for much less. It’s also a great price now to add to someone’s stocking (or for yourself.)

I bought my college kid this Billabong Quarter Zip Pullover when he was home in October and he says he wears it non-stop. It was a little pricier than the usual fleece, but it’s very thick and soft. He got the Moon color, center, but there are many fun patterns…

I spotted this Esquire Dress Code book at Books Inc., the other day and it’s a must have for any guy who may have some interest in style, but needs a little help. It has guidance for all ages and events. Such a treasure trove and I am getting this for both my sons.

This may not be a very glamorous gift, but it sure is handy, a radiator for a room, like an office or bedroom. We have a few of these DeLonghi heaters in our log cabin and they work so well, and make zero noise we bought one for the cold back room where Max has been working. It heats the space amazingly well and bonus-the cat loves it too! It’s nice not having to run the heater all the time. Could be great for the garage or for an older person, a college kid or anyone who needs a bit more coziness this Christmas.

Lastly, this Elf Monopoly a fun one for the whole family! We got this for the Thanksgiving weekend when everyone is here!

I hope this small list is helpful in kicking off your shopping. I’m working on another post for the women as well.

Wishing you a joyful and relaxing Thanksgiving!

Kim

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Ideas for Thanksgiving Tables and Outfits

November 16, 2021 By kimwheeler 19 Comments

While everyone seems to be full stop headed for Christmas, I am still in a Thanksgiving mindset and thought I’d share here some of the cutest finds I’ve seen for your Thanksgiving table. I also found some adorable dresses and tops if you’re looking for something to wear whether you’re hosting or a guest.

Let’s begin with tabletop shall we? This is always my favorite part of Thanksgiving hosting. I came from a mom and grandmother who both loved creating a unique table. My grandmother, (dad’s mom), was very old school in her love of classic tables with china, silver and all the special pieces. My mom was more of a casual elegant type, using a lot of natural materials and plants always in her tablescapes. I appreciate both approaches and love beautiful plates and glasses and also adding in natural elements to give a California vibe to our table.

Below a few of the tables over the years..

I think it’s good to forage through your cabinets and see what you can pull together for your Thanksgiving table a few weeks prior. That way you can see what looks good, what has seen better days and can be pitched, and also what vintage things from family can be mixed in with the newer. I did this one year with silver flatware from my grandmother and modern white plates and glasses. Pears and olive branch clippings were my natural bit that year.

Other times we have just foraged the yard for clippings and water tumblers have often made the best vases like these tortoiseshell ones with yard berries and mums, we used one year.

Another year short clear glasses worked well with small hydrangea clippings.

Another thing you can do is try throws, quilts and fabric remnants as tablecloths. I can’t sew well, but I know how to go to the fabric store and make a piece of cloth work on the table. Many times I’ve just folded the ends or ironed them down and it looks great. The important thing is to get creative and find what inspires you.

The tablecloth below was an old remnant of my grandmother’s. I saved it because she made herself a dress of this same fabric in the 70’s that I remember her wearing. It was a last minute idea for a tablecloth and it worked! Grandma would have loved it.

I love pulling a fresh mix of plates and glasses together each year and usually add one new element of some kind. Last year it was water glasses, which are no longer available, but I am obsessed with these beauties from William-Sonoma. These Vintage Etched Water Goblets come in sets of four and are a very good price. They have four colorways, but I am loving the clear and the pink especially. These would be a gorgeous addition to anyone’s tabletop collection!

I do appreciate good flatware. A few years ago, we finally got a new set after 25 years of living with the wedding service that was looking pretty beat. With boys doing the dishes and spoons going in lunch bags that never made their way home again, it was time. A year later, I bought another set. The cost of a flatware set is pennies if you think about all the days, and years they are used! Currently, I am obsessed with the brand Fortessa which seems to have the perfect weight and feel to their pieces and modern styles. I have had the bamboo looking Royal Pacific set on my radar for a while..

I also love the classically mod Arezzo Pattern in a chic black, a burnished gold, or silver.

Don’t you like the fun way these napkins are tied with the flatware above? Another idea!

If you need a whole lot more flatware- Williams-Sonoma also has this pretty set for 12 with a caddy at a good price.

How’s your plate game? Mine consists of a mix of stoneware and my original English pattern strawberry white that is no longer made. I’ve loved this Glenna Pattern that my stylish friend Cindy Hattersley has and it’s been discontinued until recently when it miraculously showed up again at Anthropologie. It’s in my cart as we speak. It’s simply lovely and has an organic feel and look that I really like.

Anthro also has some nice napkin sets that aren’t crazy expensive.. I like this Crossweave Napkin that comes in sets of four, in rust and this olive green which strikes an elegant, but Boho feel..

This is a pretty jacquard Target offering..

Serena & Lily has some of the nicest linen napkins and the price is good for linen, at about $11 a napkin if you buy in multiples. Love the color choices..

Serena & Lily are having their Tent Sale on now with a lot of good things like linen sheets, my favorite linen pjs, the cute wooden step stools, and so much more good things marked down! its a great time to get a few home items.

Target also has a new Stoneware Glazed Plate in their Magnolia collection..

Are you looking for fun plates? I love this stoneware by Jen Hewett Brown at World Market. You can use them all year and they would be perfect with a natural table look.

These Buffalo Check Napkins at WM would be pretty on a white plate or a black dish. Lot’s of options with it.

I dig a cotton smock and this is perfect for over your nice clothes on cooking day and comes in many colors. I can see customizing this with some trim and gifting it to all those cooking that day.. or for a hostess gift!

While we are talking about World Market, I love this dining chair, so stinking cute and has good reviews too. Sometimes all you need is new chairs to freshen things up, not a whole new dining set.

Another find is this Aldo Napkin with colorful gourds by Pottery Barn and it is on sale now..

The Braided Charger/placemat is also cool and would add texture to your table.

Crate & Barrel has much for Thanksgiving and I really these Mercer Dinner Plates that come in sets of eight. A good buy at $45.

And how about these Grateful Napkin Rings? I’d add a little sprig of some greenery like a cutting from an olive tree or rosemary tucked in with it.

These Forest Walk Plates by Juliska are the thing if you want something fun and fall feeling. I can see layering these with some other plates for an eclectic mix!

And these pheasant salad plates would give a Ralph Lauren look on top of a vintage larger plate…

The Cane Napkin Ring is a good choice for Thanksgiving and all year..

Now let’s talk Thanksgiving day outfits. Some people like a relaxed Thanksgiving, and other dress up..I like something that looks nice and feels comfortable.

I like this Mocha Stripe Dress, which can be dressed up or down and would be cute with boots.

This Tiger Mod Dress is fab and has a retro feel..

This Frances Dress from Tuckernuck is another great one in the olive color!

Hosting at home? This J. Crew Relaxed Sweater Dress is adorable and Iooks so comfortable. That’s my kind of Thanksgiving look. And it’s on sale now with code FRIENDS.

They have this version of a sweater dress too.. Both are highly rated and are a nice choice for casual chic holidays.

Other options.. This tiered mini dress.. It could do double duty as a tunic.

This is a great patchwork maxi dress..

Target also has a version of the sweater dress in cream, grey and this autumn color…

This maxi dress with owls and fall florals is lovely!

A few cute tops that could work on Thanksgiving…

This poncho is so cool and I love how they mixed it here with a lace t shirt.

This Fringe Sweater is a fun one for the season..

I just think this Reindeer knit is adorable.

And lastly this Tinsel cardigan is a fun piece that could be worn many ways- and comes in a dark navy also.

Hope this gave you a few ideas to run with!

I love Thanksgiving. Enjoy November and this season.

Kim

P.s. This Burnt Bamboo Flatware, I have had for years and use in the summer and in winter, is on sale now at Horchow at a great price. Another one to consider..