On this Weekend post- Earth Day, a new Ethos stores, the perfect spring and summer sandal, an empowering book, a charming San Diego beach house, and thoughts on the Brooke Shield’s documentary.
How has your week been? Some exciting news is my dad got a new cat! His sweet cat passed away a month or so ago and he’s been missing her. We’ve been sort of looking, but this week we went to the Humane SSV Shelter in Milpitas and came home with a new pal. So it’s been a busy week helping my dad and his new cat get acclimated.
The Humane Society of Silicon Valley
I didn’t know how beautiful our new shelter is and I was blown away by the beautiful space and the way the animals are treated. I was used to seeing animals in shelters in cages, and it is not like that there. The HSSV is the world’s first model shelter -attaining all the standards put forth by shelter vets. I loved seeing the big field for dogs to run and play outdoors. When you go in animals are in rooms with windows, not cages and also have other recreational spaces. There is so much natural light. This video shows more if you don’t know about how special it is..
Meet Herbie! Dad and I walked the cat area and we were walking back when we noticed Herb. He had a key outside his door which meant he as friendly and you could visit him, so we went in and found he’s a real sweetheart. He is five months old and is just getting used to dad’s home now. I will keep you all updated. If you’re looking for a new friend, shelters all over the country are full and reaching a crisis point this year.

A fun San Diego beach house
If you haven’t seen it, the king of beautiful blue interiors, Mark D. Sikes updated a long time family beach house on the San Diego coast that is French Normandy style and is as charming as you would expect.. See the whole house and story on AD online here and in the magazine this month..






Earth Day…
This weekend is Earth Day and it’s a great time to rethink ways we can all make a difference in our small habits. We don’t have to do everything, but small things add up. I also feel a responsibility as a blogger, as I recommend things to buy. I try hard to choose things that you will have for a long time in the closet and home. I’m very much advocating for building a wardrobe and home that you will love for years with quality things as the building blocks and occasional updated accessories.

It’s been a game changer for me thinking this way. I also want us all to look at what we already have and use it in new ways. Shopping vintage and resale sites is the way to fantastic way to get gorgeous pieces and have more style- with things that are already on the planet
This is my original 50th anniversary Earth Day post filled with the story of how Earth Day origins and all kinds of things you can do to make an impact in small ways.
More Earth Day Events around the Bay Area here, Golden Gate park’s big Earth Day event, and I also liked this on the origins of Earth Day.
Did you know that within five years of that first Earth Day we had the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act , the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and also the EPA put into place?
At the same time, the movement went after congress members who had the worst environmental offenses and voting records calling them the ‘dirty dozen’ and largely got them defeated on the next election. We could be doing so much more than we are now, if we were as motivated as the founders were.
Just looking at this photo of the original Earth Day is inspiring…

The New Ethos Stores- Just in Time for Earth Day!
Have you heard of Ethos stores? These stores are low-waste living shops that focus on curating refillable and reusable alternatives that minimize our impact on the planet. This is one in Capitola and we just got one in Los Gatos. I was super excited so I ran down there Thursday afternoon to check it out for you all. This is the store we have been waiting for..Finally a place where you can buy in bulk. You may bring your own containers or purchase there. No more plastic containers ! We need these shops everywhere.





Not only is it good for the earth, the products are nice quality and affordable. I took a walk through the store which has all the soaps and cleaning products you use, plus beauty things like shampoo, cleansers, body and face creams and sunscreens, hair treatments, and even tooth products. You can buy brushes and reusable towels, wraps, and cottons for your face.
There is so much good there! Please stop by and check them out. Even though I had no containers, I decided to buy a micellar water and a sprayer and a wool dryer ball.. The water cost me $3 and the container was about the same.. So the prices are good and the water worked well and smelled great. Next I plan to get some hand soap and dish detergent and counter cleaner… You can follow them on Instagram where they share what they are all about. Have you been to one of these bulk stores near you and what do you think?
On My Radar




I need new sneakers and I wanted something stylish and comfortable I can wear all day. These these Top Spin Sneakers by Cole Haan will be comfy, have a little heel and come in a pretty navy too. These would look great with so much -slacks, dresses. I just can’t decide what color. More options here.
I’m not a big H&M person, but occasionally I will cruise through and see what’s happening there. This cotton/linen shirt dress stood out is part of their greener initiative and is of recycled fabric. I loved the sleeves which make this dress stand out. The quality and sewing was nice and I bought a Medium which hit me right above the knee at 5’4. I think this will be a great dress for the beach and warm weather days with slides. The black and pink versions are nice too.
I also spotted these adorable sandals that have a modern feel and a bit of a retro 90’s vibe. I feel like I had a similar pair of these from J. Crew back then. I love the tube like straps which are comfy and the block heel. They have a nice foot bed and feel like a pricier shoe, and are a classic style that will last. I hate heels, so these are an option when flats are just not dressy enough. These feel so good on I am considering the beige/nude color too before they are gone.
The Brooke Shields Doc- What are your thoughts?
I just finished the Brooke documentary. So if you haven’t watched and plan you may want to skip this paragraph… Come back and let me know your thoughts if you are a woman of our age.

I was shocked watching the first part. It brings back the misogynistic culture we grew up with. Objectifying women and all that..
I remember hearing about the Pretty Baby film, but had forgotten the facts around it. Putting an 11 year old girl in that film, playing a prostitute make me feel ill, and those who allowed it to happen in the name of art and a famous director, were all culpable. That would never fly now- thank God. Same with Blue Lagoon and Endless Love. Those films! Of course I saw the Blue Lagoon.. we couldn’t wait my friends and I.
Brooke’s time in college helped her gain confidence to make her own decisions and get validation that she was more than her appearance. Later, how she jumps into a relationship with another controller, Andre Agassi. I had no idea about him..She also admits to being raped by a famous producer and yet has never revealed the creep. I wish she would…I had also forgotten how Tom Cruise shamed Brooke for talking about her postpartum depression and getting therapy and meds for it. Wow just mind blowing he did that. I commend her for writing a book about something so horrible to struggle with, and that many had little information about at the time.
A lot of what happened to Brooke, happened to a lot of women of our ages. Women were valued on their looks, no apologies. If we had forgotten that age, we are reminded on this show. It’s hard to watch the cringy commentary and questions from people like Mike Douglas and others.
Brooke beyond all odds has remained normal, well adjusted and down to earth. She still looks like herself and natural. You see her paddling around her house on this show, with glasses and yes wrinkles and spots and not trying to look like 30 year self, unlike others in her field.
Perhaps the most memorable is the discussion she has at the dinner table with her very normal daughters. They say the films she made as a child, would not be okay now. She agrees and then proffers that many young women are choosing to exploit themselves on TikTok and Instagram, exposing very much, while very young, for more likes and attention. Sadly true.
Will we one day look back one day at all that in the same way we now view what was done to Brooke?
I’d love to hear what you all think if you watched it. The documentary is on HULU and I had to subscribe, ( I did the cheaper option with a few commercials), and you can cancel after.
An Empowering Book
Speaking of women, I saw someone recommending Claim Your Confidence this week. I read the reviews and it’s supposed to be uplifting and a fun read with a lot of good stories of the author. This book is all about finding courage and building confidence in all parts of your life. Someone said make sure to share it with another woman afterwards. I just ordered mine.
On last weekend’s post, the best blueberry muffins ever, Tahoe, updating old cabins with paint, some new J. Crew winners and the Brooke Shield’s documentary.
I hope you all have a sunny weekend,
Kim
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