#falldishes Archives - Northern California Style

Well hello. I know it’s been too long. Got a little preoccupied the past month with things like looking out the window and complaining about the air quality, stuck indoors while getting little done. My youngest went to college and already came back for a week and is now off again. I don’t know what has been taking up my time, but I blinked and it’s been weeks since I posted so apologies..So much strife going on I thought let’s talk fun things today…

Fall clothes shopping is always my favorite, but with all the home time, I have begun thinking about what I truly need this year. I need very little with this pandemic, but these Sanctuary camo cargo pants popped into my radar on a quick Anthropologie visit. These work for home and for going out. The elastic drawstring waist which makes them a comfy alternative to sweats and leggings and everyone is dressing them up now too. Every wardrobe needs a little camo/khaki it’s a wonderful neutral and transcends the seasons.

I also have these satin cuff jeans in my cart as they are just so pretty and different.. I can see them with sweaters and loafers.

Speaking of sweaters, I am a sucker for ruffles and I bought this cutie at Madewell this week. I wandered down there after a lunch with my dear blogger pals took me out for a birthday lunch at Santana Row. I have not shopped there since the pandemic, but Mary Ann and I popped in there and this sweater just spoke to me. I will wear this with a moto jacket and a long floral skirt or those camo pants. I like the little feminine/ little rocker mix. Madewell is having a 20% off if you’re an insider or sign up. I bought a medium in this in the off white color. The red is also cute and the neckline is a bit more ruffly than shown. It’s very comfy on.

Here are my sweet friends. I could not be more grateful for them in this year of Covid. I have been fortunate to do a couple birthday things with friends this month and after not being together much this year it made me feel so happy. LOVE them so much and I have to show their cute outfits. I think right now any chance to dress up is exciting. Mary Ann and Cindy matched in the cutest black skirt from CP Shades and pretty white tops. Those CP Shades cotton silk skirts are gorgeous- made in Sausalito. CP Shades is a 40 year old California company and the quality of things are so nice. Cindy wears a lot of their cool things.

Elizabeth, aka Contessa wore one of her signature caftans and this stunning one was from Provence and she gave it the Elizabeth treatment with a paper flower, one of her woven bags, arms of bone colored bracelets and a big ring and gold espadrilles.

Her Instagram account was hacked and she is recovering it. Her dress is from Luxe Provence. More about that dress and the woman behind the company on Elizabeth’s post about her. She also just wrote about her new closet her husband built her that has space for all her caftans and woven bags. It is gorgeous!

If you follow my Instagram, I shared photos from an anniversary getaway to Carmel Valley. We stayed at my favorite spot, Bernardus Lodge. We had not the greatest air quality, but we still enjoyed being away and found their amazing gardens we hadn’t seen before. We also had some great meals at their Lucia restaurant.

We were so crazy about their potato leek soup we decided to try to replicate it at home. The best recipe I found is here from a cute blog, Once Upon a Chef with many yummy fall recipes. It is written by Jenn Segal, a former chef. The soup is easy and delicious. Did you know leeks are a super food with so many benefits? The French also believe they help you lose weight! Photo below from Jenn’s blog…

On the health subject, my friend Aimee recommended a great show Max and I have been watching every night, Down To Earth With Zac Efron. He travels the world with wellness expert Darin Olien. I have already learned what kind of water to drink, and what those who live the longest eat, and some other intriguing things. Each episode explores a country and the changes they are making to better on earth. The Iceland episode is stunning and the Paris episode- how they make the best drinking water and dispense it for free all over- is just amazing. Really fun show and motivating to do better things for your body and the planet!

On the way home from our Carmel trip we finally stopped at the new David Kinch restaurant in Aptos, Mentone . They are operating in their parking lot now, but it’s cute and the food is SO GOOD! They have pizzas, spritzes and salads – my kind of food. We split a radicchio Caesar salad that was incredible.. Very cute with a Euro vibe. A fun weekend lunch spot.

One other great discovery I have to share with you all is Olaplex No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner. One of my best friends gave me these U.K. gems as a birthday gift! I have always been curious about these products that have a patent and are supposed to repair the bonds of your hair and keep working even days after your shampoo. So far after a week of using both, I am totally a convert. My long fine hair feels thick and soft and I also think it looks a lot healthier. I didn’t have time to blow dry the other day, and ran out which would normally look really bad. I didn’t do a thing and had a few compliments on my hair which is crazy. You are supposed to use it each time you shampoo. You can find them at the Nordstrom link above and also at Sephora.

Lastly, this week has been a rough one. Losing RBG was like gut punch at this point in the election year.. The contentious atmosphere could not be worse. I loved this new post on Cup of Joe that shares a lot of ways we can still help in the upcoming election if we are feeling hopeless. We are not powerless. We still have a vote and our voices…

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and more coming soon on fall fashion and home.

xx Kim

Happy weekend! We had a great day at our Trina Turk event and I’ve posted pictures on the Northern Cal Style Facebook page with all the gals who came by and kindly modeled for us! More about Trina’s fall styles and link to her site on my previous post. I felt so lucky to do this event and Suzanne and I had a lot of fun.

It looks like fall in my yard! It’s warm, but the leaves are turning amazing colors this week.

I’ve been obsessing on a few things like cashmere ponchos-I bought a small cashmere topper at a boutique in Los Gatos and I just have worn it non-stop this week. The boutique is called Kismet (isn’t that cute?) and they’ve been in business 16 years. Nice people and if you cannot get to their shop, I looked for the same thing online to share here. I haven’t had much luck finding the same chambray like color and small sized topper.

I did however notice this similar style right now at Nordstrom in many colors. Ponchos seem flattering to everyone and why is it a gal with one of these on always look so chic? I especially love them in fall with jeans and boots, especially here in California where they can be just right for autumn temps.

Speaking of cashmere, I had an opportunity to check out the Cashmere Sale pop up while I was in Burlingame this week. It’s a few blocks off the avenue and runs until December 10. It’s a great place to get some wonderful pieces like new versions of your winter staple- the cashmere pullover, in some darling designs. I came back with this fun oversized stripe version I will wear a ton this winter.

They also have gorgeous capes, wraps, scarves and ponchos and even track suits! I was drooling at all the fabulous choices!!! We had fun meeting the lovely ladies who run it and they dressed us up – me in a wrap and Suzanne in a beautiful sweater coat. If you are in Burlingame, stop in and see what they have. It’s while supplies last so things are gone, they are gone, so go soon. More info on their Instagram account.

Keeping in that fall mindset, I made a dish last week that was a huge hit in our house and that doesn’t happen often. It’s Baked Penne With Butternut Squash and Sage. It’s perfect for right now as it’s comfort food and smells like fall. Bear with my feeble attempts at food photography..

This was before baking… and after, below paired with a fall spinach, kale, pear and pomegranate salad with toasted walnuts.

Everyone from my pickiest son to my dad loved it. It makes a great lunch the next day too! (Recipe at the end of this post.)

Pears are fantastic right now and often get overlooked. Go to your market and feel the top by the stems. If it gives slightly they are ripe and a pear adds so much to salads and cheese plates. If you don’t love pears, persimmons are another go-to for fall. I also am crazy for those big bags of organic kale. The curly bits make great soup toppers and a good addition to salads and smoothies. Do you make your own dressing? I always do and my favorite fall dressing is a good olive oil, champagne vinegar, a squeeze of lemon, a few turns of pepper, malden salt and a teaspoon of real maple syrup and some minced shallot if I have it.

On the subject of smoothies, I’ve never been a big fan, but I have to say I am now a convert. I succumbed to a headline about the Protein Packed Smoothie Jennifer Garner swears by. I was intrigued because first, I love Jennifer and the ingredients looked pretty good, especially the chocolate coconut collagen protein powder. I found it at Whole Foods…

It is $39, which seems pricey, but it makes the smoothie which tastes delicious without the strange aftertaste many protein shakes have. You only use a scoop in the smoothie which typically makes enough for 3 of us in the morning. My 16 year old loves it too and I honesty feel energetic and not at all hungry until after lunch if I drink this, possibly because of the mix of good fat, protein etc. My family like it with a banana added. Recipe here on Camilla Styles.
Are you ready for Halloween? I was in Bunches, my favorite floral place in town and I love to see their selection of special pumpkins. It’s hard not to buy a few for decorating the table or the porch. I always use mine until Thanksgiving, do you? I just love the look of them around the house.

I think on Halloween night we will make our usual a big pot of chili and a few piles of quesadillas in case kids bring their friends by or friends or neighbors stop in. We have had many a Halloween with parents crowded in the kitchen having a glass of red wine and a quick bowl of chili before running out to chase the kids, and goblins trying to jam a quesadilla in before heading out for treats! I love it.

Below is my recipe which was torn out of a magazine that looks pretty old. I have modified it and I honestly do not know where it came from originally so if anyone knows, I’d be happy to give credit. I was just searching through my recipe binder to look for recipes with butternut squash as my dad is harvesting a bunch of it now. The butternut squash is so easy to cook quickly when you slice it, peel it and place the 1 -2 inch cubes on a big tray tossed with olive oil. It cooks perfectly when baked at 400 for 20 minutes to add to the pasta.

Baked Penne With Butternut Squash and Sage

1 pound penne pasta

3 T fresh sage chopped

Olive oil

Salt & pepper

2 T flour

2 C milk

2 C of Italian Blend Cheeses (usually found in a bag shredded- Pecorino, Fontina, Parmesan, etc will work)

Bread Crumbs or coarse bread for crumbs

Parmesan for topping

Bake cubed squash tossed with olive oil, sage, salt and pepper on a sheet pan in oven at 400 F for about 20 minutes or until tender. Remove and set aside.

Cook penne according to directions for al dente, cool with ice water and toss with olive oil.

Make a roux – melt butter in sauce pan over low heat, slowly whisk in flour then milk. When it begins to simmer, add cheese while whisking continually to prevent lumps. When all is smooth, remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.

For the topping, grind 2-3 slices of bread to crumbs, mix in 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 tablespoon of sage and 1/3 c parmesan cheese.

Add cheese sauce to pasta and mix then transfer to a 9 x 13 baking dish or oval casserole dish. Sprinkle with topping and add sage leaves to decorate top. Bake at 400 F for 15 -20 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago!