#californiahomestyle

Spring Colors, White Jeans, and Skin Cleansers

January 28, 2023 By kimwheeler 45 Comments

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

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

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

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

White jeans to give your winter wardrobe a boost

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

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

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

2023 Spring Color Story

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spring Color Trends in Fashion..

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

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

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

Skincare Part II – Cleansers

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

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

The Sea Glass House

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

Kitchen in Carmel California beach house

Other things..

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

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

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

white and cream ensemble on Californian women, Wren.

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

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

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Kim

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

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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

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

Weekend Meanderings- Cozy Kitchen Lamps, Chanel Inspired Jackets, and the Best Hummus

November 4, 2022 By kimwheeler 31 Comments

On this Weekend Meanderings…cozy kitchen lamps for the dark months, the best hummus to make, a Thanksgiving guide book, Chanel style jackets, and Carmel homes to dream about..

How has your week been? With Halloween done, some people are already thinking about the holidays. I’m not quite there, but Max and I got our Thanksgiving book out and checked on what we cooked last year, and put our turkey order in and made a preliminary menu..

About December…I am not sure I am ready! I just want to enjoy November. Is everything rushed or am I just being lame and waiting too long to plan for the holidays? Maybe with our artificial stop at Thanksgiving that other countries don’t have, we are at a disadvantage and could be prepping and enjoying more of the holiday season? I am conflicted, which adds to my perennial procrastination and living on the edge as Max says I do.. Sounds cooler when you’re younger!

Foraging for decor..

Have you been foraging the yard for home decor? I trimmed my olive trees in the front and brought in a bunch of the branches in. I am loving this look for November with a few little pumpkins until Thanksgiving..I also do this closer to the holidays with branches with berries and conifers.

Go check out your yard for ideas!

Other November happenings…

Kitchen Counter Lamps

The dark season is upon us, a week or so ago, I realized the kitchen is especially dark in the mornings.. It’s that time of year when I put a counter lamp back up..

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of overhead can lights. We have a thousand as they are mandated in new homes and renovations. That doesn’t mean I use them. I like pretending my home is like a cozy inn, or a pub.. I reject the surgery center lighting! I’ve used it to look for lost items and clip the cat’s claws..and that is about it. I use some caps near the sink to wash dishes.

Anyone can use a little lamp on the counter, and I’ve gotten them for both of my son’s kitchens. It’s nice to wake up and switch on a soft little lamp while you greet the morning and make your first cup. ( Note look for lower wattages on these, not some bright LED, which defeats the purpose.) After the kitchen is cleaned up after dinner, I switch off the pendants and click on the lamp..It sort of signals the relax portion of the evening when we read our watch a show.

If you don’t have a kitchen lamp, I recommend a smaller size lamp, away from water if you can. A corner under a cabinet for the perfect spot..Here’s a few that stood out to me.. Links in photos..

The cute Como lamp with a scalloped raffia shade is darling for under a cabinet, in white, chartreuse and three other colors, this Faris Ceramic lamp is a bit bigger, the Carmen Lamp is smaller and comes in a lovely white grey or white glass that looks like stone. I love this Anthro Rattan lamp with a cool shape and also love this little one from Target.

If you are worried about hiding the cord, or have a very small spot like near the sink, consider a cordless version..They are quite popular now and you can see them at charming restaurants and bars.. Options are here from from Amazon, in a cute wood, and here in a white/wood look. These are great for outdoors as well, or place a couple in the center of a dining table for warm feel.

Sam Sifton’s Thanksgiving

If you are just taking over the Thanksgiving duties, or need to some inspiration, I recommend Sam Sifton’s Thanksgiving. This treasure is filled with great stories and recipes and even room for notes, so you can look back on what worked or didn’t. No matter what you think, you WON’T remember the details of previous years meal! Max always say, oh so glad you wrote notes afterwards.

Sam is the founder of the NYTimes cooking and this book goes from planning- up to how to clean up right. As someone in comments sad, ‘this is not the meal for innovation’, and I could not agree more. Not that these menus don’t have any cool variations, but Americans generally want the classic meal. We do our variations on green beans and the mashed potatoes and pies, but we try to keep it to the crowd pleasers and this book will inspire you as well as be enjoyable to read.

Easy Hummus

Max and I have been getting into a routine with our meals and the empty nesting thing. In an effort to eat better, we have been getting a bunch of veg -mainly carrots, celery and peppers, and cut them all up on Sunday and store them in containers for easy grabbing.

I have started making my own hummus to go with it, and we have snacks all week this way. I’ve experimented with different hummus recipes and this one from Love and Lemons is a hit. It is light and flavorful and is super addicting.

This is mine above, from Halloween night.

I make this in my Cuisinart, but you can use a blender too. I like that this calls for canned chickpeas and I find the Italian brands to be the best. I top mine with a drizzle of good olive oil and toasted pumpkin seeds and a bit of paprika. I also like a little extra fresh lemon juice in the place of one of the teaspoons of water. You add water at the end so take your time to make it fluffy, but not too watery. Once you get the hang of this, you’ll never go back to store bought!

Chanel Style Jackets at J.Crew

I’ve been jacket obsessed this season, and the Chanel look jackets are all over now and I adore them. I really like them dressed down in a modern way with denim. Throwaway chic if you will..

The Chanel style jacket is always collarless, sometimes with pockets, and often short, but some can be long. Tweeds are the traditional fabric they come in..I found that J.Crew has a lot to offer in this category and I thought I’d share. Other good places to look are your local consignment.

They call their version of this jacket ‘The Lady Jacket’ and they have offerings in quilted leather, in denim, in a black (and pink) boucle, and knit red (also cream and grey). All so cute!

There is also this casual puffer version and more… All their Lady Jackets are on this page. I also saw a lovely quilted faux leather version in Plus size.

California Homes of the Week for Sale..

There’s less homes on the market now, but I found this great Carmel thatched home that’s walking distance to the beach, and trails. Just as soon as I picked it, I saw it was pending!

I knew the price was pretty good for beach proximity, updated kitchen and baths, and it has a sunny location. It’s cute so I’m sharing it anyway. I LOVE this place and the size and proximity to Carmel River Beach.

If you want something more under the radar, check out this Big Sur cottage with it’s own potter’s studio nestled in the forest…

Speaking of California homes, have you seen this Mid-Century Gingerbread House at World Market? I have to admit it’s pretty cute.

This was also Signature Style week with Cindy and Sarah and our topic was, ‘Does Your Home Reflect Your Personal Style? It was fun to think about and you can read it here.

On that post, I got a few questions about my home pieces and my kitchen runner. I noticed along with other rugs at Serena & Lily, my runner is on sale and also another I love -the runner version of my Alamere rug I have in the dining room…

Juliet, Annie, Cindy, Mary Ann, and Sherri Silver all did an autumn progressive party themed post with so many great ideas. You can start at Juliet’s who did the Apple Cider Aperol Spritz cocktail..Doesn’t that sound perfect? I think it will be our Thanksgiving drink.

VOTE!

This next week’s election is so important. I hope you all will vote and help those in your family – the younger ones especially, get to the polls. I also think it’s kind to check with older neighbors who might need a ride or help filling out their ballots. I made sure both my sons did their ballots this year, even though they are distracted and busy. We need those young people more than ever, so please engage and encourage them. In 2020, half of all young people 18-24 voted, a marked increase from previous years, so it’s improving.

It’s great to sit down with the younger people and talk about the options. If you don’t know what to vote on something, it’s okay to leave it blank. My sons did not know that..

If you live in California, you can register to vote up until election day! You can even walk into the polling place the last hour if that is what you need to do. They will give you a provisional ballot, that they will verify later. I love that. Everyone can get their vote in ! I sent ours via the mail and already got a confirmation it was counted last week.

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

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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

Kim

On last week’s meanderings, ideas for persimmon season, autumn napkins, two fall casual outfits, and a untouched 1973 Aptos home for sale that’s a gem..

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

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

Signature Style- Does Your Personal Style Reflect Your Home?

November 2, 2022 By kimwheeler 40 Comments

Hi friends. It’s time for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. On this Signature Style, we ask- does your wardrobe reflect your home, and does your home looks like your favorites clothes?

The home and your closet are more similar than you realize, and thinking about what your ‘style’ is can help you make better choices for both of them!

Only just in the past years have come to realize I have a casual California style and the home does too. Doing our remodel helped me better focus on what I really like and what my own style is.

When we were remodeling this home three years ago, my wish list had open spaces, big windows, natural materials, and skylights. Colorwise, I wanted shades of white and beiges, neutrals and soft grey and blues with black accents.

I opted for things with texture to warm it all up and make this open home feel inviting and cozy. I dreamed of beautiful wood floors, soft wool rugs, big couches, cozy throws and pillows in nubby fabrics. So it would not look too bland, I wanted to add touches of black and different woods, brass, and stone, which are slightly masculine elements.

I also like graphic art. I love plants and trees, rattan and bamboo and baskets. Other elements in the mix are my vintage glasses and dishes found and handed down, my books, a black steel table, vintage textiles and throws.

I made this all work by keeping the color palette to neutrals with black accents and a little blues and soft greys to keep it cohesive and calm, with so many different elements.

My wardrobe, begins with jeans and many white shirts, and in the house- my white couch and wood floors are the same sort of base

I wear mostly neutral colors with blue shirts, and black, but mostly solids. I wear silver jewelry most of the time.

Does my wardrobe and my house seem alike? I think so..

A few photos that illustrate the point that I am sort of wearing my house!

Think about your home and your closet in relation. This can help you see what your style is and- maybe you’d love your home more, if it felt like your closet?

This can also help you can choose clothes that feel more you, if they reflect your home style.

(My Headlands pendants are on sale now.. Mine are size small).

My friend Jen and I always say we are either home or wardrobe focused at the moment.. Do you go through periods like that?

casual home look track pants and sweater

The bar is probably my most glitzy part of the house with it’s mirrored backsplash. It’s sort of my silver jewelry.

The rest could be called casual Californian I suppose, and the same for my clothes..

Going back to our thought process…If you have a classic house that’s preppy and east coast traditional, you will probably appreciate the classics like Ralph Lauren and plaid jackets. If you adore monograms and anything navy, green, cable knits and stripes, you will like the same look in your home. People who are in the art world dress very creatively..and their homes always look the part. Try and think of your home as another extension of you, and it can be much more fun and an outlet for your personal passions.

Recognizing your style will help you solidify your vision of how you want to live and dress.

It can give you a lot more confidence in what you choose as you know if something is you when you shop or isn’t. You know what is your look or your vibe, if you will.

Once you recognize your home and personal style…

Think about things in your house and wardrobe you can discard, as they don’t or never have felt like you.
Consider making a wish list of what kind of feel you want for your home and what things you might do like paint, wallpaper, add plants, move furniture around, or items to buy or save for get to that look.
Make an inspiration board for your own enjoyment and to keep yourself on track when shopping and building the home and closet that is perfect for you.

A few things from my California home and closet and similar styles.. Links on photos or description below..

Headlands Pendant Light, Alamere rug -on sale now, Beaufort tray, jeans, cream jacket, herringbone throw, marble lamp, chunky throw, beachcomber placemats, textured pot/utinsel holder (in my case), white cotton shirt, willow wall art, silver branch bangle, cobble hill pillow (on sale), cable knit sweater.

Do you think your home and wardrobe are similar in style? Do you love one more than the other or think one needs more attention? Let me know your thoughts..

…And don’t forget to pop over to see what Cindy and Sarah have today about our homes and wardrobes reflecting each other..

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

October’s Signature Style was our new season wishlists and if you missed it read it here.

If you want to save this post you can pin this graphic below on Pinterest, where you can follow me for more ideas.

Signature style do your home and wardrobe match?

Weekend Meanderings-Folding Screens, Puffy Purses, and How to Get the Vote Out

October 7, 2022 By kimwheeler 29 Comments

On this weekend meander.. some new things I’ve added to the house this season, folding screens, puffy purses, a gorgeous book on home, and a way to help more people vote.

It’s our Saturday round-up of good things with Juliet and Elizabeth! Thanks for being here with us. I’m super excited because my college son, Griffin has a week off and is coming home this weekend. I’ve already made a batch of cookies!

Fall Home Additions

So since a week ago, I’ve added a few little pumpkins to my table along with my rattan one and my new candlesticks. I kind of like this low-key look ..

By the way, my Alamere Rug and the Malibu chandelier are 20% off right now at Serena & Lily’s Fall Home Event- use code HOMELOVE until 10/18.

I may add some gourds and mini pumpkins to my wooden bowl on the island like I did last year..

I love looking back and seeing what I did last year.. That is one nice thing about blogging.

In 2021, this was the front porch look for October.. I will change it this year..hopefully this weekend. Max is determined to put his HUGE spider out hanging from the roof! I try and get him to hold off until we are closer to Halloween. I prefer less out there..

Room dividers/screens

Have you ever used a room divider or folding screen? I think they can be so beautiful and some are stunning. It reminds me of the story Anderson Cooper told in his Vanderbilt book about his mom Gloria asking him to buy her a $50,000 folding screen for her when he got his first paycheck at CNN! I can’t even imagine. Anyhow, this isn’t that kind of screen.

I bought a simple cane and rattan screen for the front entrance, which I’m pretty excited about. I love having an all glass front door and the light from it-and we live on a small court that is pretty private. Occasionally when we are away, I would still love to have a little screen over the opening…So I thought I’d give this a try.

I found ours on Wayfair and I am digging the look, the texture and color it’s adding to the space, even pushed aside it adds a little something…

These screens are also good for a big room if you want a bit more definition or privacy to an area.

I also loved this screen from West Elm and may order it to use it in another space like my office… These just give a nice architectural feel and fill up a blank wall space nicely..

Urban Outfitters has this cute offering..

Other options for glass door people are to have a panel curtain to one side that you can pull over. So far, we haven’t needed anything like that. In Texas where a lot of people have gone to all glass front doors, many do this.

I’ve been loving all the browns in fashion and in home decor and was excited when my dear friends gifted me these beautiful tortoiseshell glasses. I’ve always been a big fan of this tortoise look and love the pop of brown in the bar as it adds some richness to the mix for autumn.

They are from Hudson Grace and they also have similar ones here.

I also got this darling rattan ice bucket that Juliet had first. I had wanted a very expensive one from OKA, but them Juliet told me hers was from Amazon. Love the quality for the price.

I shared on Instagram that I changed out my wire utensil holder for a planter from Anthropologie.

I love the texture and look of it on the counter. I got the idea from my friend Bari who has a huge collection of cooking spoons and tools in a very large planter on her counter. That was the only thing she could find to hold them all and it looks so cool. Consider using a planter for your kitchen spoons and things for a unique look!

The Mood book

I always read Canadian House & Home and designer Anne Hepfer was their designer of the year 2021.. When I saw she had a book out, I ordered it right away..

Mood is such a fun book. Anne grew up in Connecticut, but is now a Canadian who has traveled the world and it informs her design.

This book is a kind of mood board with recipes, playlists, and a wide selection of design styles in her beautiful spaces. If you’re a design lover, this book is for you.

A kitchen by Anne and a few pages from her book …

Puffy Purse Show Season 2

Puffy purse 2.0 is here. Well yay for that because I bought one last season and still love it. Now it seems to be even a bigger trend. So for those who waited, there are cute pieces to be had, and more options and price points.

I like these bags for their zero weight, and also the feel..They are soft and nice to hold. A sort of therapy purse if you will…

My friend Jeanne, who notices everything cool, said Gap had nice ones. I stopped by my local, but none were left. Looks like they are online here..in five colors, but the black and cream look the best to me.

I love an easy chic bag like this that you can take for travel, a day out and not worry about it- and it still has some serious style cred. You can tie a scarf on it, or a pin and make it unique, without breaking the bank. I will always love Gap. They still do style for the masses well with the occasional piece you’ll hold onto for 20 years!

Looks like my tote from last year is no longer at Bloomies, but there is this adorable shoulder bag from AllSaints.. and this bucket bag version too.

all saints quilted shoulder bag in black

Other soft options are this tote, this crossbody, and this pretty chocolate one at Anthro , this iridescent version and this tote that reverses to sherpa on the other side…which is the best of both trends…

Getting out the vote

I’m sure all of you all agree this upcoming November election is more important than ever. We need every American who is able to vote to do so! The 2020 election had the highest voter turnout ever and hopefully that is a trend. A friend shared a great organization begun in 2017 in Alabama called Vote Forward. Their mission is to empower grassroots volunteers to encourage their fellow citizens in underrepresented communities to vote.

They’ve got studies that back up the evidence that these handwritten letters work. On their last big push in 2020, 200,000 volunteers sent over 17 million letters to voters across 21 states. This time I believe they are aiming even higher.

It’s easy to write a few sentences on the partially filled forms they provide and you stay anonymous except for your first name. You can also make the envelopes personal and fun.. The notes stay non-partisan and are not political at all…

letters to voters on Vote Forward website

Max and I are going to write five a night and see how many we can get out before the end of October deadline.. More about this great organization and how to participate here... and follow along with everyone else doing it on their Vote Forward Instagram.

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Other Stuff

A reader reached out to me to ask for the link to my sheet and bedding post.. I wrote this pre-pandemic and recently updated it if you’re in the market for new bedding essentials or need a refresh.. All my favorites are there!

If you missed it, Cindy, Sarah and I shared our fall wishlists for our monthly Signature Style this week and I shared some fall looks I would love to recreate…

And Juliet shared a sneak peak of HGTV’s Urban Oasis in Nashville, which is really fun…

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

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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

Kim

If you missed last weekend’s post I share my day out in San Francisco’s cute Hayes Valley, cleaning cosmetics drawers up, Bobbi Brown’s Jones Road makeup, the fun California brand Claire V., and an easy pasta to try with your last tomatoes of summer!

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

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

Weekend Meanderings- Outdoor Throws, Makeup Tips and a Chanel Inspired Cardigan

August 5, 2022 By kimwheeler 28 Comments

On this Weekend Meanderings..Some outdoor updates with a solar sail, the perfect outdoor throws to cozy up with, a beautiful book on creating a memorable table, the best makeup tips, and a transitional summer to fall cardigan I am obsessed with…

It’s that time again for all the good things that popped up on our radars this week with Elizabeth and Juliet.

Hard to believe it’s already August and kids are starting back to school in a few weeks. Where did the summer go? Time to go out and grab those fleeting summer pleasures before fall sneaks up on us. Have you been to the beach lately? Have you had an evening ice cream cone or taken a picnic to the woods? Have you set out a chair and watched the stars at night with your family or enjoyed a summer gathering with neighbors? If not, get to it!

Backyard Update

Well before summer is over, we are finally getting a few things in the yard done.. Better late than winter right? That is so us!

We have an oddly shaped yard with a pool with a lap lane, that wraps around the house. Our patio, right off our main space, is almost like an island, surrounded by water. It’s an Ipe wood deck and while I love it, it can be hard to get all the furniture on it and also have a space for an umbrella…and with multiple ones it’s lame and crowded..

Earlier this year, I looked into a cantilevered umbrella, so we wouldn’t have the umbrella underfoot, but the walkway where it would go, isn’t wide enough. Max came up with the idea of a solar sail. I wasn’t sure, as it has to be stretched across the pool and anchored on a fence..

It came Saturday, and he put it up on Sunday! I am pleasantly surprised how much we love it. My only complaint is I would have preferred white, but he though neutral was a good color and ordered it without spousal approval.. Ahem.

We may order another in white. These sails are from Amazon and make the patio feel like an outdoor room, and gives us much more space, without the umbrellas underfoot.

We are enjoying it in the mornings more now out here as things don’t get so dewy. Max on his lunch hour…

I’ll try to get a whole yard photo, but you can kind of see how it’s working…

Amazon solar sail on over patio in beige

Throws and folding table at TJMaxx’s /Homegoods

Each year I seem to want to change up the throws outside. They get pretty beat. That said I also don’t want them to be too pricey. I think I may have found the best compromise at Homegoods (aka TJ Max), with these 100% cotton throws from Portugal…

Serena & Lily Pacifica Sofa and outdoor pillow

I love the slightly nubby weave on them, and the variety of designs in soft grey and blues. I have a few on the backs of the couch and more in a basket. Everyone likes wrapping themselves up them in the morning sipping coffee or at night. I like that they are from Portugal, where they have a lot of high quality textiles.

Also I found this Panama Jack brand folding wicker/wood outdoor table and I love it. It’s not online, but I noticed there are still a lot of them left in stores and they are $49!

Serena & Lily Pacifica Sofa in Driftwood — Our sofa is the Pacifica Sofa in Driftwood from Serena & Lily. It’s actually $1100 off now.. It’s a good time to get any outdoor items!

In the throws, I have this denim blue one , below and this stripe and this chevron one. They have some great ones in store that are similar with a small stripe. It’s a great time to grab these cotton ones as I see they are beginning to make way for the heavier fall and winter throws already!

Recovering Outdoor Furniture Pieces

I’ve had a furniture set for many years outside my office door that needs new cushions. I decided to recover them in new Sunbrella fabric and have the stuffing redone as well. It’s one of those things I’ve been meaning to do for two years. Isn’t that terrible?

Do you ever have a project like that and it just sits and for some reason you never do it? Well this week I did it! I’m so happy and I will have a nice little sitting area just for me, outside my office doors..

This is the sad state currently..

I found a local shop, Krupps Upholstery in Campbell, a family owned business with father and his son, a veteran that just did 8 years in Iraq, and is now studying business at San Francisco State. Super knowledgeable and kind people.

I loved their service and help with my set and I choose this Sunbrella Sailcloth Salt fabric, below left, for my three pieces- two chairs and an ottoman…

I also have them making two, 24 x 24 pillows in this Sunbrella fabric, above right , called Fretwork in Pewter.

Stay tuned and I will share the results. I just wanted to mention them in case anyone is thinking of reupholstering, especially older outdoor cushions.

A Loving Table book for entertaining inspo..

I’ve been meaning to share A Loving Table: Creating Memorable Gatherings , a gorgeous book I bought myself a month for so ago. It’s all about entertaining and creating a beautiful table. There’s a a wide range of styles in here and all are a feast for the eyes..

The book includes fantastic looking recipes as well. This is a great gift for a friend or anyone who enjoys entertaining and living well.

I keep meaning to take a cup of tea and grab a corner to indulge in every story and plan a few special meals.

My Mersea bag

I know summer is almost over, but I finally ordered one more woven bag for myself that was on my radar. I also spied a very chic blogger at our conference, carrying one, so I finally clicked and bought the medium Medina Market basket with the off white handles…

I love it and of course put my tassel on it. I mentioned this on the linen post too, but someone just asked so I’m sharing it again.

The small size is darling for a dinner date, the medium for an everyday tote, and the large for a travel bag or the beach or some people use it as a file holder on their desk. I love the saffron color and there is also a jade, indigo and black handle versions.

By the way, if you still want one of these cute tassels, they have them in fall colors as well. I am thinking of getting a new color for my fall bags..

Instagram Makeup Pointers ..

My new obsession on Instagram is Kate Albert, who has the best makeup tutorials that are simple for a pretty, not heavy makeup look.

Did you know you are supposed to press your foundation into your skin, not rub it or sponge it? Already using her tips, my skin looks so much more natural..

A Summer to Fall Piece to consider..

This hoodie/Chanel inspired sweater has made it’s way onto my radar and I’m thinking it could be my first purchase for my fall wardrobe edit. Could this be the sweater Coco would create had she lived in California today? I’m loving it. It would be pretty now over a black tank dress, and later on with white jeans, and come fall with black denim…

Anthropologie Maeve zip up Chanel inspired Cardigan

This week was also time for our monthly Signature Style -and if you missed it, it was all about linen clothes and chic pieces to add to your wardrobe.

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

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed my last Weekend Meanderings, I did a recap of my jaunt to Georgia, shared a great summer dress, my favorite new vase that looks like an art piece for $39, and my favorite kind of day out in Palo Alto for consignment shopping and lunch!

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

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

Weekend Meaderings- Summer Whites, Kitchen Pendants, a Sunscreen You’ll Love & More

July 15, 2022 By kimwheeler 25 Comments

It’s time for our Weekend Meanderings with Elizabeth and Juliet. I hope your week has been good. Mine flew by, but there’s a few new things around here so let’s get to it..

My New Pendants!

I wrote the week before last about finally making a decision for new kitchen pendants and these Serena & Lily small Headlands Bell Pendants seemed like a fun choice and the price was great (still on sale for $278). They came quickly and Max was able to put them up for me one night this week! I wasn’t sure if they would be too beachy, but I actually LOVE them. I’m very happy with the look and they kind of soften up the kitchen which has a lot of sharp angles. At night they give off a pretty look to the ceiling too.

If you’re looking for pendants or a light for a room, they come in a few different sizes and shapes also in a black and the quality is very nice for the price!

Summer bath refresh..

I recently added a few new things to our main bath and one was this little ladder towel bar and a vase from Target.

Serena & Lily has one of these ladders, but they can also be found here at Anthro, here and here. Mine was a Homegoods find.

They no longer have this vase (or not online that I can find), but this is a similar one I also have from Target and I love the texture. Since this is under a skylight, and get a lot of sun, I added a dried faux eucalyptus branch in the little vase..

Easy summer white dresses

I am getting ready to go to a conference in Atlanta next week with blogging pals, Juliet, Annie and Mary Ann and was trying to find light dresses to take. I know it’s going to be very warm and humid..I was forced to do the mall thing and actually fell in love with two dresses, this unique shirt dress by Club Monaco with pretty stitching, a unique gather in the back and cool pockets.

I also found this Rail’s Jasmine dress. I am normally not a fan of these elasticized waists, but this dress has a relaxed fit and the prettiest details and a built in slip on the bottom.

Below, I’m in the Rails dress…and a bit sweaty and wrinkled..I had just gotten back from an outdoor lunch when Max snapped this, but you can see the length. It’s a nice run about dress and to take for travel. The skirt has a built in slip. I bought a small. but I’m usually a medium. I’m 5’3 and 135. I’m wearing my favorite Tory Burch espadrille slides I bought a year ago. They no longer have them, but I am considering these which are this year’s version of her espadrille slides..so cute!

White accent for the home

This shorter version of a garden stool popped up on Amazon and reminded me of my grandma’s 1960’s home. I like the shorter look and how nice to pop a plant on, or have two flanking an entry door, or to hold a pile of towels in a bathroom, or maybe two under a console table? Just a few ideas for this cutie.

A pretty San Francisco Townhouse in Frederic magazine

I love Frederic magazine by Schumacher and they always have inspiring homes. This 1920’s San Francisco townhouse in the Presidio Heights neighborhood by SF designer Allison Caccoma and updated by architect Andrew Skurman is one of them!

The owner is a lifelong collector of unique pieces and had Pinterest boards of how she wanted every room. With the most gorgeous arched windows and pretty terraces, it’s a dream. I’m crazy for the terrace above, with its the brick laid on the side in a zig-zag pattern and the beautiful doors. The owner has a mix of things from all periods and styles, which is very modern and personal.

The cutest summer totes

If you aren’t familiar with Mersea and their Moroccan totes, they are worth checking out. They are beautifully made and come in three sizes and a few colors and designs.. I love the white versions of their Medina Market basket. The small is perfect for a little handbag, the medium for a tote to hold more for a day out or a trip and the large is great even for storage and many use it for files! Love the cute details on the leather tab too..

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation

In summer I really don’t want to much makeup on and I am also lazy. I found this light compact foundation that also has decent coverage and makes my skin look so nice. I just puff it on quickly with the sponge and use a fingertip for areas I want a bit more coverage. It’s a water-based foundation formula with smoothing and anti-pollution skincare ingredients that blur imperfections. It also comes with one refill for the compact. I have been using the Vanilla color. This is the perfect summer foundation! For each cushion compact or refill sold, a bottle of milk for a baby elephant is bought at the wildlife refuge Chantecaille supports -another lovely thing!

Supergoop family size pump

My friend Stacy who I play tennis with, always knows the latest and greatest and told me about this wonderful sunscreen by Goop Play Sunscreen SPF 50, which is so good and comes in a family size pump. It’s a fast-absorbing, non-greasy, water and sweat-resistant, and broad-spectrum SPF 50 lotion for the face and body.

I now have it in the pool bath/mudroom space where everyone uses it on the way out. I love how it feels on, not sticky or thick and is easy to rub in. It smells good, doesn’t leave a white residue, and everyone seems to like it. So important because I want us all to use more sunscreen here in California!

The Lady Di Look Book

This isn’t in the white theme, but I had to share this new release which looks very good..

This new release, The Lady Di Look Book: What Diana Was Trying To Tell Us Through Her Clothes, by Eloise Moran looks to be a really fun read.. and a must for any anglophile and Diana fan. It takes a deeper drive into Diana’s clothes and finds the meanings she was trying to convey, plus many interesting tidbits about her life we didn’t know before, added in with beautiful photos. There is a sample on the Amazon link and it looks great. I’ve already pre-ordered. It comes out next week!

Micro Weddings

Are you a fan of small weddings? The last pandemic years have encouraged so many to go small instead of the usual big overblown and pricey bashes. I personally love an intimate wedding and we had one too. This year especially a lot of people have chose to go small thanks to date and venue shortages, and they are just tired of waiting. I think you can have a stylish and smart wedding with all your dream details for a small group. Micro weddings are the latest things and Juliet is on it! Her niece just had a very chic and sweet ceremony and reception for twenty with so many good ideas that Juliet wrote about it this week. Cute Sophie and Chad, below..

Well that’s my meanderings. Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs and see what’s on their minds this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed last week, I shared designer Ulla Johnson’s beautiful Montauk home and her fashions, Wimbledon spectator style, Tahoe hikes to try, and more!

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

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

Weekend Meanderings- Ulla Johnson’s home, Tahoe Hikes, Wimbledon Spectator Style & More.

July 8, 2022 By kimwheeler 19 Comments

It’s time for our Weekend Meanderings with Elizabeth and Juliet. I hope this holiday week has been a break and you’ve found some downtime. We were away for a few days up at our tiny cabin in Tahoe. I’ll share a little about that and a few other good things that popped in my head, so let’s start..

Ulla Johnson in AD

I know I shared Nancy Meyer’s California remodel from Architectural Digest last week (like everyone), but I wanted to recommend the July/August issue of the magazine as it has got so many unique and fun homes! This is a keeper issue if you can find it…Even the cover is so cute.

Ulla Johnson is one of my favorite designers and her Montauk home is lovely. She has collected cool objects from her world travels that figure prominently. Part of that comes from being the daughter of archeologists, and her mom also painted and collected folk costumes which influenced her. The house has a very Californian feel to me. I like the mix of natural elements and blending of light earth tones…

She used fabrics remnants from her 2022 collection for the outdoor cushions. I am digging the overgrown look and told my husband I’d like to do this ..Max just rolled his eyes..
AD Photo

Ulla in one of her dresses. All the photos and more on the AD article.

Ulla’s clothing is gorgeous. Her shapes, details, and fabrics are especially pretty and unique. I own a blouse, but I have my eye on a few other things.

Some pieces of Ulla’s I love.. this blue blouse, Samara Dress, Cari Beach Dress, Nerissa Tunic and Sea View Straw Tote. More of her collection here. I know they are pricey, but they are gorgeous and I just had to share. I would splurge on one of these for a special event. You can also find her things on consignment occasionally or upcycled online!

Tahoe

We spent a few days at our little cabin in the west shore. Our cabin is small and in a very under the radar neighborhood which we love. It’s an old Tahoe kit cabin as are most of the cabins and there is a lot of open space and nature. It’s just good for the soul to get back to being in nature. I feel a big sigh when I’m up there breathing fresh air and having my coffee looking over the forest.

Our cabin needs some things and slowly we are getting to them. A big tree is dying and needs removing and we ordered new doors a few months ago. I can’t wait to have doors with half windows which will bring light in and update it. I also pitched some old rugs this weekend and added my Liberty bedding from the J. Crew x Liberty of London collection to our bedroom. I also simplified the kitchen open shelving, keeping only what we use.

I’m seriously considering painting the log walls of this cabin a soft white and keeping the ceilings and accents their natural wood. It would be an undertaking, but could brighten and update it a lot. Something like this.. ( Sorry can’t remember where this photo came from!)

We also want to move a hot tub, add a fire-pit and update windows, so stay tuned. We are doing this slowly and the more we use it, the more we know what we want there.

Tahoe Hikes

If you’re in Tahoe, there are so many trails to explore. My husband is a big hiker and last weekend we did two new ones with Jackson and his girlfriend Kristin. Though it was a holiday weekend neither trail had hardly anyone on them. Hiking is a great way to avoid crowds if you’re up there at a busy time.

The Gnome Trail is a fairly easy trail that starts from west shore. We brought snacks from the West Shore Market and had a tailgate lunch before setting off. We walked about a mile in until we got to the area with a little stream where the gnomes were all over, hanging from trees, tucked in branches and even a gnome wedding on the valley floor. A few kids were there and delighted to discover them all. You could spend some time finding all the gnomes!

The hike also passes through a beautiful meadow and some of the prettiest wildflowers are here.

Chickadee Ridge is less of a hike, more of a destination, but on the drive up the road you’ll pass some amazing panoramic overlooks to see the lake. If you park at the marked spot, you need to have downloaded the map to use GPS to walk up the hill in an unmarked trail to a ridge spot about a mile up where chickadees feed out of your hand. We brought bird seed from CVS, as that is all we had, but they prefer black seeds that are in the hull. Wear shoes that can take dirt and some to change into after.. We met a family that did this during the winter by snowshoeing in. It’s a popular spot to feed them in winter. Wouldn’t that be a fun winter day out and picnic idea?

Max promised me lunch afterwards at one of the best spots on the lake, Gar Woods. We usually make an online reservation in the morning the day we want to go as it can be a real scene in the summer. You can sit on the deck overlooking the lake, but it’s less crazy if you ask to sit upstairs where the views are better and it’s less crowded. It’s a quintessential Lake Tahoe experience and view and the food is good too. I loved watching the little boats from here. Many people boat over here for lunch from other spots on the lake…

You can see there was still some snow on the surrounding peaks..

Wimbledon

Well, things certainly have shaken out differently this year with the Wimbledon play, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the change the last two weeks and will be sad when it’s over. My favorite match so far was Thursday’s women’s semi-final between Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur and Germany’s Tatjana Maria. They played some of the most exciting tennis I’ve seen in years with a lot of net play and crazy points. It’s notable that both these women are remarkable. Tatjana is the first mother of two since Margaret Court in 1975, to reach the semis here. She is also 34 years old and one of only a few to reach it at that age. She gave birth to her second daughter in April last year is ranked 103 in the world.

She was beat by the number two Ons who is known for her kindness and is the first Arab woman, and first from Africa to reach a final at Wimbledon. After the match she made sure her friend got recognition for her Cinderella sweep to the semis. Both women are so inspiring and show kindness and toughness can go hand in hand. The message this week from Wimbledon is it’s never too late to see your dreams come true! I can’t wait for Saturday’s final with the adorable Ons, below right.

Wimbledon Spectator Style

I couldn’t let a year of Wimbledon pass without some mention of the spectator style which is almost as fun to watch as the matches. People dress so lovely and it’s fun to see the fashions- many preppy and tennis inspired, but mostly classic and lovely.

Princess Beatrice has my vote for favorite dress and Kate looked amazing in her blue polka dot and today in the final in a stunning yellow..

Some of the other celeb looks I liked..

Other cool things..

Vogue’s photographic diary of this year’s Wimbledon has some beautiful photos.

If you missed it, I did a post on travel and packing yesterday for this month’s Signature Style.

I bought this Serena & Lily gingham linen robe, on sale now, for summer and loving it ! Perfect weight and for travel and I love the pockets. they are also having their summer tent sale which is a green time to grab a lot of summer themed pieces for the home.

I loved Annie’s home office and she’s inspired me to print out all my favorite quotes for my own pin board!

I also thought Mary Ann’s office and Cindy’s were beautiful work spaces!

This 1973 t-shirt shows your support for Roe and five dollars is donated for each shirt sold to National Institute for Reproductive Health.

Well that’s my meanderings for this week. Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs and see what’s on their minds this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank you for being here.

Kim

If you missed last week’s meanderings I shared Nancy Meyer’s home remodel, a day out in Danville, tennis fashions at Wimbledon and more.

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

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

Weekend Meanderings- the New CB2 at Santana Row, a Little Black Dress, Healthy Pasta & More

April 29, 2022 By kimwheeler 32 Comments

It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some cool things that have come to our attention this week! I hope your week has been good. I finally am back out after my Covid bout and safely able to leave the house. That felt so good after after more than 10 days in.

The new CB2 at Santana Row

One of my first adventures out was to the new CB2, at Santana Row. For those unfamiliar, CB2 is Crate & Barrel’s sister store and a bit more modern. It carries generally the same things minus the appliances and has a more design centered merchandise with a bit of fun.

Prices are similar. I had a blast exploring this beautiful new outpost where the former Z Gallery was. It’s been beautifully redone and I can’t believe it’s the same store. I left with two white vases, but took a ton of photos and am considering a rug, pillow and a few other things from them.

If you are into plants and vases, they are your go-to with a huge offering of options. I bought this Tier Vase for $17 ( on sale now) and grabbed these tulips at the grocery. SO much impact from a $17 purchase. They made my tulips look like an art piece!

I also kind of fell in love with this little guy, the Celia White Vase. Isn’t the shape fun? Something about it was really appealing. I think this would be cute on a bedside table or with a rose in the bath on a tray. All their white vases here. I have a little drop-in faux fern in it, above.

Then the tabletop/bar area .. You must go! Beautiful serving bowls, dishes and how about this pretty china? I LOVE this Chelsea dinnerware, a collaboration between Goop and CB2. Did Gwyneth have something to do with this?

As my hubs is a bird person, I may get some the pieces! I just think it’s quite pretty. I’d love to have some of these plates for a ladies’s luncheon. See all of CB2 merchandise here! They have great outdoor furniture, sheets, bedding and towels, beautiful rugs and more.

Eating Better

Max and I have been trying to eat better and not diet, but change habits and get rid of things like chips and having afternoon ‘treats’ or evening snacks. It’s not been easy, but we are doing pretty good. One of the things we do it buy a ton of veggies on Sunday-celery, radishes, big bunches of colorful carrots, and cut them all up. It make two big containers to munch on for the week and we’ve been loving this hummus..Sicilian Lemon. I also love Justin’s peanut butter with the celery.

We also buy a giant box of dark greens and that I add handfuls of to everything – sandwiches, pastas, whatever. We also get a roasted chicken and shread it on Sunday and boil eggs. Having the shreaded chicken and boiled eggs on hand to make easy lunches like a green salad with chicken, or an egg and avocados in a salad is so easy and good

My typical lunch is a green salad with a handful of shredded chicken, walnuts and I sprinkle hemp, flax and chia on it along with sunflower seeds. For dressing I squeeze a clementine or lemon or whatever citrus is in the garden and a drizzle of olive oil and a little Maldon salt. That’s it.

Somedays I’ll have avocado toast with a pile of salad on top.

For snack we have clementines and a piece of dark chocolate. We’ve been liking these healthier chocolate chips from Guittard.

We pretty much drink water all the time, but will occasionally have a drink on the weekend. We are trying to incorporate this, and more densely nutrient meals as our regular thing. Dinners are grilled fish, salad and the occasional pasta.

A healthier pasta

When we do make pasta, this is my favorite old recipe I used to make for my kids- white bean pasta. You get the feel of an Alfredo, but without the fat, and with fiber from the beans. I love the new Barilla gluten free rotelli made with corn and rice which I could not tell is gluten free, it’s so good. .

After I boil the pasta according to directions, I take a rinsed can or carton of cannellini beans and a couple a spoonfuls of milk ( I used oat), you can also use water, and whirl in a mini-prep or blender until creamy. I add a a good squeeze of a whole lemon, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, and a smallish 1/4 c of fresh parmesan cheese grated. Add this to the hot pasta and stir and top with a 1/4 c julienned basil, a 1/2 to 3/4 cup of walnuts roughly chopped, drizzle olive oil and more parmesan cheese and serve. It’s really yummy. You can add the zest of the lemon if you like too.

Speaking of cooking has anyone began the Julia show? I had no idea it was the first cooking show ever on television and the crazy logistics that went into figuring it all out. How they were going to cook something that took two hours in 20 minutes and all that! It’s a great show, great acting and I can’t recommend it enough.

The Perfect Little Dress

Just reviewing my closet while I was home, I realized the things I’ve been wearing in warm months the most are easy dresses. This Brightside Dress from Madewell, is exactly that and the perfect dress to pack for a weekend away or vacation. ( Dress also here at Nordstrom if sizes are out at Madewell.)

It’s totally versatile! With the ruffle on the bottom, it’s a little more frilly than your usual tank dress and feels updated and feminine, yet casual in material (mostly cotton with some polyester which will be prevent fading and wrinkles.)

I’m showing two ways you can make this dress work. A day look…add comfy flats or slides, a woven tote or crossbody, and hoops. ( By the way did you know hoops are back? Think the gold and silver ones our mom’s wore in the 80’s.)

Madewell Brightside Dress/ Bembien Margot Tote/ Charley Double Strap Slide Sandal/ Hoop earrings

Here’s the same dress ready to go out for dinner or a party with a darling clutch, (I’m in love with this bag), earrings and a heel. The nice thing about this dress is your accessories can shine…

Madewell Dress/Loeffler Randall Willa Clutch/Intentionally Blank Kamika Sandals/Goddess Earrings

The dress would be cute with a wrap or jacket over it for cooler times. Just a good design with a lot of posssibilities.

I can’t believe Mother’s Day is next weekend! I haven’t had a chance to pull together gift ideas, but Anthropologie has a nice collection as always here. I always tell my kids just time with them is what I want- and sometimes new pajamas! I’m coveting these right now and these..

A Santa Cruz Charmer

This darling home caught my attention this week. I occasionally peek at the listings in Santa Cruz and this gem was so charming I had to share. The price is good for here, under $600,000, and while not super close to the beach it’s not too far. It’s in the woods, but look at this.. the ivy, the windows and crunchy gravel yard!

Can you imagine having this as your snug home for gardening and having dinners with friends in the garden? It’s something right out of a Ralph Lauren dream. It needs a little updating, but what doesn’t? The whole listing here on Zillow..

Well that’s my meanderings for this week now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you…I’m always learning so much from both of them!

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.

Thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed last week’s post with the table throws, market tote bags, earth day, a great fish taco recipe and more you can read that post here.

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

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Weekend Meanderings – Spring Table Ideas, Hawaii Travel Essentials and More..

April 1, 2022 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some good things that have come to our attention this week! I hope yours has been good. Here’s what’s been on my brain..

Spring Table Ideas

Have you been thinking about Spring tables and gathering? Easter and Passover are on the same weekend this year and I am trying to plan my Easter brunch table setting ahead of time for once. I’m usually rummaging for my bunnies and tablecloths the day before… How old am I? I am still attempting to adult better at my age!

The last two years, we have been in the yard, but I think we can safely be inside with our small family, so in an effort to better adult, I just bought this lovely tablecloth from a great site called Furbish. They have many fun choices in tablecloths, and the quality is very good. How cute is this print for summer alfresco dinners as well?

I am still playing around with the mix of napkins and plates and thinking along the lines of soft pink and spring green colors using my mom’s pink Spode dishes she bought for Easter many years ago at Horchow. I will be thinking of her when I use them. I may add another one plate on top or green napkins.

They also have napkins and placemats in the same fabric. Check out Furbish for darling home things and spring table items! I love their whole site. Right now they have a 20% off all tabletop with code SPRINGREADY.

Also on my radar for Easter- the new gingham tablecloths from Serena & Lily. I love the baby blue and spring green colors. In case you missed them they are lovely. When I was a girl one Easter in the 70’s, I had a long pink gingham dress and I will always associate gingham with springtime!

Two years ago, at Easter, I used a vintage fabric remnant of my grandmother’s for the table with eggs, tulips and moss for the centerpiece.

I’m noodling the centerpiece, but loving the look right now of massed glasses or containers of flowers and plants..

Sue Bond and her tablescapes

The most gorgeous and inspiring tablescapes can be found on South African designer Sue Bond’s account. I found her through Cindy Hattersley, who had a great post here about her. Sue just moved to London and her house and tables are stunning. There really isn’t anyone comparable who has such fantastic style. More is more with Sue and it works. This is her Mother’s Day table in the U.K., but I think it could work for spring and Easter in a similar version of sorts.

You could do white vessels and vases, many small daisies or greens in pots. I love her bunny too and all the shades of green. It’s a lovely mix, not perfectly matched and how beautiful it is! Follow Sue’s gorgeous account and homes on her Instagram.

We just got back from a quick four night trip to the Big Island of Hawaii to celebrate Max’s 55th birthday. We really are so lucky to be so close in California and we arrived at 9:30 a.m. on a Friday after leaving here around 7:30 a.m. ,and the days there felt really long. It was just the right size getaway for two. We did a lot of reading, relaxing and just soaking up all the beauty there. I am still so thrilled with the flowers, the scents, and the amazing birds and nature every time we go.

I wrote more about what to pack for a trip to Hawaii last year when we did a larger family trip here, but on this kind of small jaunt, you just need some good basics- swimsuits, a couple of coverups, a hat a few sundresses and you’re set!

My essentials for short Hawaii trip..

Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40 sunscreen for the face is my new thing! This is all you need on an island getaway. I just gather my hair into a bun and wear just sunscreen most days. The aesthetician who did my facial in Hawaii, said she loves it for the glow, no white pallor and good ingredients.

Kai eau de Perfume, a cult classic and created to evoke the scent of creator Gaye Staza’s childhood in Hawaii, it has a tropical and gardenia scent and I love it for a trip there.

I ended up getting in this swimsuit from J. Crew, in Safari and is now on sale for $69 -(I’m tempted to get the peach too.) This suit is beautifully made and holds you in, but still looks sleek.

This BloqUV Sunblanket is something I use so much! It can be a pareo or laid it over my legs while I’m under an umbrella, or wrapped around my neck and shoulders when the sun gets too much. It has a cooling feeling and the SPF 50 blocks 98% of the UVA/UVB rays. I go nowhere in the sun without this. It folds up very small and can always be in your handbag too. There’s an array of colors to chose from.

Last year I bought a black Banana Republic hat that I have worn everywhere and now they have a new version. These hats are so nice and don’t crush with travel.

My little woven Pot du Miel from Claire V. is my favorite for nights out and I bring a strap if I want to take it on a day of exploring. It’s back in stock and this cutie comes in a couple new colors. It’s the perfect spring/summer evening bag and travel buddy. I pack my hat in my carry-on upside down and put this guy in the crown and stuff it with socks and small things, so they both keep their shapes.

A long white gauzy dress is a perfect item for coverup and evenings too. I like the new longer coverups and I noticed so many younger women are opting for long versions and larger hats too. I can’t find the same white one I have, but this J. Crew one is close and comes with a slip, or wear it without the slip and it’s a coverup- and it’s 50% off with code SPRING.

Eberjay has the prettiest nighties and one of these would be comfy and easy to pack and perfect for a warm destination.

Right before I left I was excited to get a mani/pedi for the trip in Ole Caliente from Essie! A fresh manicure was so nice after rarely getting them in the past couple years.

A great new show

I have just begun, As We See It, is about Jack, Violet and Harrison, three twenty somethings on the autism spectrum trying to figure out life, jobs and love. It’s funny and uplifting and the three main characters are played by autistic actors which I think lends to the authenticity of this show which has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and can be found on Amazon Prime here.

Well that’s my meandering for this week now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you…

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed the last Weekend Meanderings, on melon colors, a Magnolia Home for Target finds, a great blondie recipe and more, you can read the full post here.

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

Weekend Meanderings, Gallery Walls, A Pretty Tote & More..

March 18, 2022 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some cool things that have crossed our radars this week! Thank you for being here. I feel like I blink and we are here again and this week with the time change..WHY? But on to business..

Today I’m sharing a few tips on creating a gallery wall. When we did our home remodel, right before the pandemic, we removed the big interior wall to let more light flow from the front to the back of the house. Doing that left us with a long wall in the main living space. I wasn’t really sure how to deal with it, and for a good year or so, we left it blank. The idea of a gallery wall seemed to be a way to fill the long space with some personal pictures and art. My worry was how to make it look good?

Let me say I am slightly shy to share this as I am still tweaking it and filling the blank spaces, but I do think the overall tones and idea work for my white and earth toned house with black accents.

How to Create A Gallery Wall

-Find a statement piece for your center. I had a black and white art piece that was my focal point that I worked around.

-Gather other art or objects that can work with the main piece. For me, that was a San Francisco print of the Golden Gate, an ink drawing of a Victorian House, and a modern art print- all black and white and one with some tan.

-Choose 2-3 colors to go with to pull it all together. I kept it all black, white and tan or a light wood tones to unify these pieces.

-Add in family photos made to look arty. I had a cool vintage black and white photograph of my husband Max as a teen, taken by his mom for a photo class. Going with that cue, I used a photo of my boys as teens in a kind of surly (truly), pic from a vacation in France. It sort of looked like an album cover. I used the IPhone filter and changed it to black and white and did the same with photos of their faces. I cropped the pics to half their faces, and printed them all out on our regular printer. This is an easy trick and can make your photos look vintage and your wall will be unique and personal, but still look like ‘art.’

-Choose frames that pull it all together. Since all the photos were black and white, I went with a few in black, but mostly light wood frames from Target, to add an earthy, warmer feel and stay in our 3 color scheme.

-Collect your art and objects and lay them on the floor to find a harmonic look. I still felt the need for objects that were softer, so I added in a few woven discs . You could do this with round mirrors or anything that adds more texture and another shape to your grouping.

-Begin to replicate it on the wall starting with the largest object and work out from there. I used Command Strips for some things, but small nails for most, with my husband helping. Yes there were a few holes and pencil marks left, much trial and error to be honest.

-Remember this is a gallery look, so it doesn’t need to look perfect. Free form and and off-center is okay.. Perfectionists, this may not be the thing for you. It’s an organic look.

-Add to your gallery and change it up over time as your find new things. Just this past month I changed the main picture to this big black sea fan print. I also added in a new basket from World Market and removed another. I’m also going to enlarge some of the frames with the photos. Before the new pieces..

If you’re looking for wall baskets, Pottery Barn has this lovely collection, below.

I hope this helps! Have fun and give it a try.

My First Spring Dress Purchase

One thing I could use more for the warmer months is dresses that are easy and pretty. This FarmRio dress came in my email this week and I ordered it for a little getaway coming up. I loved the print and fortunately being 5’4 it didn’t swamp me and hit at ankle length in size small. It’s comfy and roomy and I think it will be a piece to wear for years to so much. The quality and fabric and pretty ties with beading, make it even more lovely in person.

A Pretty Tote

More pretty blues! I love the idea of a lightweight tote to take on vacation that can double as your day bag as well as at the beach. This H&M Jacquard tote fills the requirements, has a fun holiday vibe and isn’t some expensive bag that you need to worry about while you’re swimming, at the beach, or at the park with your kids. (It does kinda has the Dior vibe though!) I love the palm trees. I can see using this all spring and summer with sundresses and sandals and well everything.

OKA

Are you familiar with this wonderful British home decor site OKA? They have some beautiful things that would give your home some of that eclectic English vibe. I’m in love with this pouf, or floor cushion as they call it, in the prettiest pattern and lapis color. I just think it would be wonderful by the fire or just about anywhere you want to be able to put your feet up…

EXTRA STUFF..

I just bought this beautiful book, San Francisco Cocktails for the husband’s upcoming birthday. This is a beauty packed with history! Did you know San Francisco has a big connection with Lima, Peru, where most ships stopped coming through from the east around Cape Horn? The Ghiaradellis and others started there, and brought some traditions with them. This book has great photos and craft cocktails from the coolest SF restaurants and all the way down to the San Jose (yes you heard that right), and even Los Gatos. Definitely one for your bar or for that person who loves the Bay Area, San Francisco and it’s history.

I know a lot of you are Serena & Lilly fans and they just notified me that they extend their Spring Sale Event until next Tuesday, 3/22. You can get 20% off everything except sale. My friend just ordered this beautiful pendant for above her dining table.

I also have this version in my entry. A great time to get beautiful quality lighting or rugs.

If you’re in the market for pendants, Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home, wrote a great post this week,

13 Great Pendants to Update Your Kitchen. All of them are gorgeous, and she has some good advice as always!

Ukraine is on the top of my mind everyday and in Juliet’s post today she mentioned and linked to a Frontline documentary, Putin’s Road to War. I saw it this week and I can’t recommend it enough about the madman and how we got here. Please take the time to watch it. I also follow many Ukraine Accounts like Eyes on Ukraine with daily news on the situation from the ground, and the official account of Ukraine on Instagram, and NATO. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a 9 minute plea to Russians this week which we can only hope gets out to them, and I thought it was so good.

Thanks for being here. Please pop over and see what ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed the last Weekend Meanderings, on tennis clothes, entry rugs, a pretty home and more, you can read it here.

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

#californiahomestyle

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2023 Spring Color Story

Spring Color Trends in Fashion..

Skincare Part II – Cleansers

The Sea Glass House

Other things..

Foraging for decor..

Kitchen Counter Lamps

Sam Sifton’s Thanksgiving

Easy Hummus

Chanel Style Jackets at J.Crew

California Homes of the Week for Sale..

VOTE!

Think about your home and your closet in relation. This can help you see what your style is and- maybe you’d love your home more, if it felt like your closet?

Recognizing your style will help you solidify your vision of how you want to live and dress.

Once you recognize your home and personal style…

Fall Home Additions

Room dividers/screens

The Mood book

Puffy Purse Show Season 2

Getting out the vote

Other Stuff

Backyard Update

Throws and folding table at TJMaxx’s /Homegoods

Recovering Outdoor Furniture Pieces

A Loving Table book for entertaining inspo..

My Mersea bag

Instagram Makeup Pointers ..

A Summer to Fall Piece to consider..

My New Pendants!

Summer bath refresh..

Easy summer white dresses

White accent for the home

A pretty San Francisco Townhouse in Frederic magazine

The cutest summer totes

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation

Supergoop family size pump

The Lady Di Look Book

Micro Weddings

Ulla Johnson in AD

Tahoe

Tahoe Hikes

Wimbledon

Wimbledon Spectator Style

Other cool things..

The new CB2 at Santana Row

Eating Better

A healthier pasta

The Perfect Little Dress

A Santa Cruz Charmer

Spring Table Ideas

Sue Bond and her tablescapes

My essentials for short Hawaii trip..

A great new show

How to Create A Gallery Wall

My First Spring Dress Purchase

A Pretty Tote

OKA

EXTRA STUFF..

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