#anthropologie

A Few Things…

May 14, 2020 By kimwheeler 8 Comments

How is your week going? After the Mother’s Day chill, it was back to the routine for me. I had a few errands and one was Whole Foods for a few family must haves. I dread the line, the shopping and I do my best to fly through and avoid aisles where there are people. I sometimes struggle to see my list through my mask and I was head down when a sweet woman, I think she was European, chatted me up by the liquid soap. My first thought was to back off a few feet, but she told me the French hand soap I was buying was very good in the orange scent and that it doubled as body wash nicely. I took a breath and I thanked her for the tip and she added, ‘You know we have to do what we can and improvise now.’ I responded, ‘It’s not so bad is it?’ She lamented about her out of control curly hair, which I thought was beautiful, and we both agreed that this pandemic has taught us what we really need and what we can live without.

I walked out of the store with a good feeling after that. I’ve rarely exchanged with anyone shopping since we’ve been doing this social distance thing and it felt nice. I like how we concurred on what we truly need now and what we don’t. It’s not by choice, but right now is a trial of sorts. Maybe we don’t have to get our nails, hair, eyelashes, fillers and all that done so frequently to look beautiful. We get a chance to see the real us for a bit, something we can’t when we regularly get colored, manicured, etc. In seeing the results we may be horrified- OR we may see more natural lovely version of ourselves and lose some of those high maintenance habits. Maybe we don’t need as much polish as we think?

I get frustrated with this pandemic and then try hard to look at the lessons it is teaching me. Maybe less is sometimes more. Natural is good. Did we need to shop that much and were we sometimes just shopping to shop? I know I did, but now I have found time for things like gardening and reading instead. Life was too convenient, too frantic and was lacking quality of another kind. That quality is only what can be found at home, with ourselves and our family. It’s everything the slow movement embodies and we are all getting a taste of it. You are either a fan of it at this point or you aren’t and though I miss many things about my previously busy life, there is a lot right now that is good.

Last week I noticed two things I have experienced in Europe only. First, there have been a nice amount of people reading and picnicking in our neighborhood park. In most European towns and cities you can find people reading the newspaper or books in the parks and in any green space and it always makes me appreciate their ‘slow’ kind of life. More than a few days I saw people stretched out with books or leaned against a tree with them. I also saw families on blankets having picnics. It was a nice to see and yes they were distanced from others.

Photos from Sorrento and England I snapped during past vacations of people enjoying slower pursuits.

Max and I have also noticed during the dinner dishes, the clinking sound we only hear in France when it’s dinner time. We have rented apartments in France and always noticed the wonderful sound of dishes and flatware clinking during the dinner hour that you don’t hear any place else. It means people are cooking and taking time to enjoy their lives and food and I love that. I’ll admit it can be a slog and some nights I am burnt out with it all, but most of the time the four of us share in the cooking and clean up and that has made it enjoyable along with the conversation -another unexpected gift. If this pandemic hadn’t happened we wouldn’t have had these leisurely dinners. The guys always had homework and Max was many times exhausted from his commute to San Francisco, or home quite late. Everything here has moved to the 1970’s kind of pace of my childhood and it is nice. Has anyone else felt the quality of life go up with slowing of things?

How are you managing shopping with the mask? I have a few good ones and still I struggle to breathe sometimes while doing errands. My neighbor Abby, who is a talented sewer and junior in high school made me a custom one from vintage fabric I gave her to use for donation masks and I love it…

I also found Lime Tree Designs, from a friend so bought a few there and I can highly recommend them as they arrived quickly, look, feel and fit terrific- and have a place for a filter or paper towel if you want added protection.

I thought this was a very hopeful article this week about the powerful impact of wearing masks when 80% of us comply. This study was based on Japan’s high compliance and they have a tightly crowded society and have not done quarantine. They have had a very low death rate that is just 2% of the U.S. with just 577 deaths to our almost 80,000.

If we want to get back out, we should get used to wearing them for the protection of others and for ourselves all the times we are out doing errand or interacting with others. Exercising in the open may be the exception. We need to stop worrying about what we look like and just make it what we do. The first step is having a few masks that you like wearing and feel comfortable in. The cloth ones are much preferable to paper I can tell you that having had both.

Anthropologie has the biggest collection and choices I have seen. They carry these below by Sanctuary that are 3 for $24 which are cute, have an adjustable nose bridge and a removable polypropylene filter. Antho will donate $5 (the cost of a mask) if you tag #sliceofhappy, @anthropologie, and @getusppe each post to GetUsPPE. Founded by physicians and medical researchers, GetUsPPE works with communities to get PPE to the healthcare workers on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic. I think that is a win-win purchase.

They also carry this bunch by Sanctuary that include a few my guys would wear..

Anthropologie has huge choice of masks from many companies with beautiful fabrics- so you can find your own style here.

Madewell has a pack of three that uses their fabric leftovers and comes with a filter. They are backordered until June 3 right now. Madewell and it’s partner J. Crew have donated 75,000 single use masks to Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

Masks can be found at every price point like these made of vintage Hermes scarves. All 100% of the proceeds go to buy an assistance dog for a diabetic child. You can also send in your own Hermes scarves as a donation and she will make you two masks and keep the rest to sell to raise money.

There are also these very cute Liberty of London fabric masks.

And this version..

You can find a page full of Liberty of London fabric versions on Etsy.

Some of you have made your own and some are wearing scarves. Whatever you do make it easy and something you will get in the habit of wearing. Everyone in your family needs their own designated masks and it is good to have more than one -you need them for the car, your purse, at the front door, so you can always grab it or have it with you.

Finally, have you been finding some good shows and books to chill with? I am wondering if anyone has watched this series, based on the very popular My Brilliant Friend – aka Neopolitan Novels which follow two friends in Naples throughout their lives. I never finished the books, but this looks very good. This is the trailer for the second season..

I love it for the backdrop of Southern Italy. If we can’t travel now maybe we can do it virtually?

On that Italian note, I have it on good authority (thank you Contessa), that this book, The Mother-in-Law’s Cure, is a good escape and funny so and I have just ordered it.

My all time favorite film, which always makes me dream of Italy and travel is Room with a View. If you haven’t seen it or just haven’t in a few decades, it’s one to watch again with the family or all alone absorbing its beauty. Just look how young Maggie Smith and Judy Dench were – mere babes, and Helena Bonham Carter? We played some of the soundtrack for my wedding. Dreaming of Italy…

Ciao for now

Kim

Photo on top from Vanity Fair article linked above. Some links on this post may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Wallpaper Dreams

January 22, 2020 By kimwheeler 4 Comments

I just got my February issue of AD and am in love with this cover home, a gorgeous California gem in Altadena, California. The whole thing is stunning- the yard and every detail ( cat included.) It renewed my interest in wallpaper and choosing it for the house.

I’ve always planned to wallpaper after the remodel and even had some walls prepped for it. When we first moved in I was all ready and then I got overwhelmed with all the final choices and I just had to put the breaks on making one more decision. I just couldn’t go there with the holidays coming and all. Now that I’ve finished the last bathroom, we are about to get the media room started and I’m feeling ready. I’ve even had dreams about putting it up and not getting it to stay up. Is that a bad omen?

Oh man there are so many choices, too many. I know I want something fun with punch in the new entry, something neutral on the long wall leading into the house that wraps around the dining room, and something floral and romantic in the bedroom. A few choices I’m considering below…

Love this Wave Wallpaper from Anthro.

I think this Lattice Paper is nice for the bedroom- the mint would be pretty with an all white bed, no?

Serena & Lily has many choices and one favorite is the Granada Wallpaper in the Fog/Smoke color. I can see it on my long wall with these tones. Fun, but in this color, a bit chill.

I also adore their Palm Wallpaper which would be cool in the black/ white in the entry and make a statement.

Alternatively in the white/sand for the bedroom..

The other thing Serena & Lily has is grasscloth and I have always loved the look of that. My mother had our living room covered in cocoa colored seagrass growing up and it was very pretty. Just coming back from Hawaii, It’s been on my mind, especially for the entry and long wall. I also like the ability to hang things wherever and not worry too much about wall marks and holes, as I change decor up a lot. Fixing the walls makes my husband nuts, so that’s a plus. Just a few of the pretty grasscloth they offer..

Anthro also carries Farrow & Ball and I’ve had a crush on this Helleborus from Farrow & Ball for a long time. I think in the bedroom this would be so pretty..

Silvergate by F&B is so cool. Would I get sick of this dark color on a long wall or would it be the pop of color this house needs and some fun? It could go only in the entry as another idea.

Truth is I want my house to have that English country house feel – AND a California look. Maybe I’m asking too much!

Obviously I am hiring a pro for this. I am not good with this kind of thing- precision has never been my strong suit.

I have to ask you all- have you done wallpaper and how are you liking it?

Kim

P.S. In that new year, home refresh thing..come back tomorrow for a fun pantry organization collaboration with some friends!

Links on this post and others may sometimes generate commission. Thank you kindly for supporting the blog.

Brocade Baby.. & Other Cool Holiday Fashions

November 24, 2019 By kimwheeler 6 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another pretty brocade skirt – love the colors!

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

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

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

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

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

They also made them in the prettiest pink..

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

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

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

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

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

Accessories are always the most fun part of holiday dressing!

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

They also come in a magical purple..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kim

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

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

Fall Transition Pieces You Need Now

October 24, 2019 By kimwheeler 6 Comments

It was almost 90 degrees in parts of Northern Cal today, and yet last week I had my fireplace on and wore jackets! Fall clothes are especially my thing. I cannot wait for sweaters, scarves and boots, and to prep I cleared out my closet last week. For the first time ever, I stored my summer clothing to make more space and I highly recommend trying it. It’s easy to see my fall faves and to shop what I already own. I organized by color on some shelves..

I was all ready to kill it with my jackets, boots and wraps, then California decides to have a late Summer. Shakespeare actually refers to something called Halloween Summer, meaning the warm time when late October gives way to November. Clothing drawbacks aside, it’s a magical time that makes you want to get outside and capture some of those rays while you still can. It feels like a last chance at summer which I love, but what to wear? I can’t possibly wear boots or a sweater. I’d die by lunchtime on these kind of days at my age, I’m already warm.

So today I did this…Black denim and a plaid blouse-with leather sandals.

This blouse is an Anthro one from years back, still in the closet. For fall, my go-to will be these black Cali Denim from Madewell. I’m in love with the fabric of these jeans and the high waist works with all the shorter boxier tops, and with longer blouses you can try a half-tuck like I’m doing here. To me, they hold you in without feeling tight. I also like the baby flare and ankle length with my slides, sandals and mules. Another similar cute pair is these Everlane Cheeky Straight Jeans in Washed Black.

It’s warm enough that I will probably wear these Everlane sandals another few weeks off and on. In black leather, they feel more back-to-schoolish, if you will, and have been nice with the black denim and my other fall closet staple- grey jeans.

I’m loving the return of black and grey and that almost 90’s monochromatic look to fashion. The grey and black jeans work with so much. I bought this Paige pair for my London trip and they’ve been perfect for now. I paired them with a Grayson white button-up and the same sandals again on a warm day in Pebble Beach.

Something about these Paige brand Transcend denim jeans helps hold their shape better than regular denim and make them very comfortable. They don’t get baggy. They also do the grey Transcend denim in this style as well.

When you aren’t ready for boots, but it’s too cool for sandals, mules are the perfect transitional shoe. I’ve had my eye out for a good suede pair, including these from Jenni Kayne, but at The Rack the other day I found these below that looked good and felt well made for the cost.

Sometimes I can’t wait to wear my new sweaters. If it’s too hot, use it as a accessory! I bought this camo sweater back in August, but I wrapped it loosely around my waist. I also have on the shoulders in the photo above. I love the blue in this sweater which makes it kind of different and it’s also very soft. Sometimes I just have my sweater tucked in my bag, hanging out a bit for color. The if the weather changes, or your out for the evening, your set!

If you can’t do a full jacket try a sweater jacket with shorter sleeves. This Anthro sweater jacket was a find thanks to a meet up with my blogger pals, Mary Ann and Cindy last week at Stanford. (Photos on my Instagram. )

It’s bell sleeves and soft material made me like it right away. It’s also the perfect transition piece for California fall days and evenings. You can let longer sleeves peek out for a different look. Most of all, it’s just super cute on everyone- who tried it. Below I wore it with some of the same pieces for dinner out.

The top is also an Anthro top I bought more than a year ago, but they still carry, now with flutter sleeves. It’s a nice gold/silver tone that everyone comments on and is a fun piece to have in the closet for evenings and when you’re feeling festive.

My earrings are my Ippolita Jet Set earrings I bought at her show last year. I don’t own a lot of earrings, but these dress up anything and can work day or night. I pretty much wear these or my small diamond studs now. I’m trying to simplify and got rid of a lot in the last year with the two moves. It feels good to have less and just a few nice pieces that look good with most everything.

Lastly, Anthro brought back the most worn item I’ve ever owned. I originally bought the Colette Silk Cami, in a deep green version years ago for under a jacket at the holidays. Since then, it’s become something I love to sleep in and it feels amazing against your skin, under sweaters or blouses. I often regretted not buying others and then this year they brought it back in taupe, opaque white and black. I am tempted to get more than one color.

If you buy this, I promise it will be a wardrobe staple and for $68 it more than pays for itself. I am usually a 6-8 and bought a size medium which is very flattering the way it skims the body. It’s the perfect thing under a small cardigan or jacket when it is autumn! I just wear a regular bra with pretty straps with it and let them show if I remove a jacket or cardigan.

Two other very ‘fall’ items that popped up on my feed today and would work now…

Loving this plaid popover at Madewell, reminds me of my Anthro top I keep bringing out each fall, and you could dress this up with boots and a skirt beautifully.

How sweet is this Sydney Lace Blouse for any fall gatherings? I am a sucker for these autumnal colors. I noticed they paired this with black jeans also.

Looks like black jeans are big for fall!

I’ve really missed doing fashion posts with all the house stuff. This is how I’ve felt the last few months…