#fashion

Signature Style- How French Women Wear Red

February 8, 2023 By kimwheeler 38 Comments

It’s time for the monthly style report with Cindy! Since it’s February we are talking about color -specifically red. Red can add some French chic to your look and brighten up your wardrobe this time of year…

Start by looking at your closet! I have red things, but I forget to wear them. If you get them all together you can look the options. What are other ways to wear these things? How can I use them to punch up my neutrals a bit? Can you use a sweater as a scarf? Can you layer a red dress with a sweater or over jeans? Even just a red t-shirt can add a little sass to you winter every day items.

For the sake of fashion science, I thought I’d play with my red pieces. I wore my red sweater as a scarf over a pink sweater and khaki pants (just bought these at Anthro), and pink Vans.. I also paired it with my camel coat for a day in San Francisco with the family.

When I think of red clothes, I always think of the French, Parisians most notably. The French use red as a sort of punctuation to their look with red scarves, shoes, hats, and coats. They love to go natural with makeup, but you will see them sport a red lip or a red nail.

I am always enchanted by how they use just one red item to really make an outfit. I tried it with a pair of poppy red suede heels that have been gathering dust the last few years… I put them with a pair of slightly baggy jeans with a casual cuff roll, then a black turtleneck and my dressier Veronica Beard jacket.

Just the addition of the shoe made this whole look feel Parisian. I will try this with jeans and a sweater too. You can do this with any heel, but the red just sort of look very on purpose and fashionable.

We all could use a red shoe in the closet!

Three Ways to Wear Red Like the French…

My favorite way- in a shoe. Walk anywhere in Paris and you will see looks popped with red shoes. Red boots with a neutral look is so chic. I love strappy flat red sandal with jeans. Red sneakers are always adorable, especially with a skirt. So many ways to have fun with red footwear..
Bring in red accessories like a cashmere scarf, a red handbag or backpack, a vintage red rhinestone pin or beads. I love a red beret or brimmed felt hat. Don’t forget red lipstick ( I like this and this) and a pretty red pedicure or manicure always looks chic.
A red coat – whether wool, a puffer or a trench, you see them all over France.

Colors to wear with red…

One of my favorite looks is red with tan or camel. Something about that combination is so classic and also why a leopard print can look fantastic paired with it.

Pink and lavender are unexpected partners for red and fun. So is orange.

Another lovely combination is aqua or teal with red.

A soft baby blue can also look great as does cream..

Let’s look at some sartorial red chic for inspiration…

Red pieces to consider..

I hope this post encourages you to add some red to your life! Be experimental and try some red pieces on next time you shop! Don’t overlook those red handbags and shoes as they can make your closet basics look way cooler and chic.

If you missed January’s Signature Style, it was all about on leisure and comfort wear. I shared my favorite workout pieces, cozy go-tos and pjs I love.

…Now please pop by Cindy’s blog to see what she is sharing…

Cindy Hattersley Design

Thanks for being here!

Kim

Photos via my Pinterest. You can follow my Seeing Red Board with links to all the images.

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!

Signature Style – What’s Your Cozy Wardrobe?

January 10, 2023 By kimwheeler 29 Comments

It’s time for the monthly style report with Cindy! It’s just Cindy and I for now and Sarah is very missed. To begin 2023, we are focusing on leisure and comfort wear. I’ll show my favorite workout pieces, cozy go-tos and pjs I love!

This has perhaps been the darkest, coldest and wettest winter we have ever had, and I feel like I’ve worn more comfy clothes than ever! The boundaries between leisure wear and athletic wear are getting more blurred and things that were once for working out are now what some choose to wear everyday. I still prefer a track pant over a legging for an all day outfit, but companies are offering things that are a bit of both..

I start to wonder are jeans going away in the future? The younger generation loves their leggings and sweats and when I see the local school let out it is rare to see a pair of jeans anymore on anyone! Once I started looking, it shocked me that no one had them on! How do you feel about the athleisure space? Are you a legging lover or sweats or do you live in pajamas?

I added a few new things to my ‘athleisure’ wardrobe this year and a some pjs too.

My pajamas are used so much during this winter months. I can stay in them for hours on a cold day! For Christmas Max gave me a pair from my favorite store, Liberty of London. They are the Floral Eve print and made of the smoothest and softest cotton. A nice surprise all the way from England!

I was lucky to get lovely pjs as a gift from a friend as well, also from England, so I feel like my pajama drawer is set! I love a pretty set of pjs and you should have some nice ones in your drawer to begin the new year if you don’t already. I love seeing a drawer with fresh pajamas to wear!

These from Papinelle are cute gingham… and the linen ones from Serena & Lily are also faves and I have two sets of them. The blue gingham is on sale and they also have a tan which I love.

These pjs from Barefoot Dreams make for the softest loungers in three colors..and you can totally wear these pieces out too..

Recently track pants have been my thing for working and hanging out at home. I mentioned these Tory Burch track pants on the last post. I think they are perfect for travel, a comfy look that’s not sloppy and can be dressed up with a soft sweater and under a coat, or just with a sweatshirt at home. They flatter and feel great, and don’t wrinkle! Everyone needs a pair of these in the wardrobe and if you dislike leggings, these are a good compromise.

My sweater was bought on sale from Rails – it’s 40% off now here. ( Rails is having a markdown sale now here .)

Vuori is another company that has come onto my radar this past year. They are California based and have sort of a cult status around here. Everyone loves this brand for its softness. The fabrics are made of a recycled polyester and I was swayed by them too when I popped in the store to buy my men some things for Christmas.

I came home with these cute Sedona Sweatpants in the nicest stone color. ( Looks white on the website.) I took them to Hawaii and love wearing these with my OluKai black flip-flops and a Tail black jacket I’ve had forever.. I also like them with sneakers and a sweater. Many people also love Vuori’s jogger pant for a day-to day go to.

My go-to for workouts is a pair of Lululemon black leggings with side pockets. I think mine are nearly 4 years old and going strong. This tank is my favorite as it covers the backside. While at Vuori I bought this uber soft Jacket in a cantaloupe color to pair with it. It also comes in black and I like it so much I am thinking of getting it also. It feels feather light and soft and is like a hug! This isn’t a jacket for the elements, but rather after or on the way to a workout, for travel or for springtime! You won’t want to take this jacket off.

I can never have enough black tanks like this Zella on left, and also fun is this by Sweaty Betty..

Well that’s my take on athleisure dressing.. I hope you got some new ideas or thoughts on what’s out there and what you might need to up your look in the new year.

…Now please pop by Cindy’s blog to see what she is sharing!

Cindy Hattersley Design

Happy New Year!

Kim

December’s Signature Style was Holiday Dressing Strategies with ideas on how to use what you have to create some festive looks and some lovely pieces you may want to add to your closet.

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

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- A Day out in Hayes Valley, Cosmetics Clean Up, Jones Road Beauty, Claire V. Bags, Roasted Tomato Pasta & More…

September 30, 2022 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

On this Weekend’s Meanderings..A day out in San Francisco’s cute Hayes Valley, cleaning your 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..

It’s time for our weekend chat and good things with Elizabeth and Juliet. This week flew by, so I barely got this post pulled together.. I have been watching the hurricane coverage all week and my heart goes out to everyone. I have cousins who live on the West Coast of Florida and they were lucky not to have damage. If you want to help this article on USA Today has many great agencies on the ground helping. Juliet also mentioned World Central Kitchen which is wonderful and on the list too.

We were in Tahoe last weekend attending to the cabin, working on new doors, and trees that needed removing.. A lot to share and all of that is on my Instagram and if you missed it, stored under my Tahoe story bubble. I’m hoping to show you the new doors soon!

I so recommend this early fall time in Tahoe. It’s just beautiful in the 70’s and empty of crowds. We did some walks and did a nice kayak through the West Shore..had drinks at Sunnyside. All in all, very relaxing- except for the to do list!

We came back Monday, and I started the week a bit behind the eight ball..

Beauty Clean Out

I should have written this post earlier, but Thursday the universe told me to clean out my makeup drawer and when that happens I listen….as the last time was in 2020. Yikes.

I am not as good keeping up with the beauty drawers as I am with the closet. I bought a few new items and that was my motivator to do a deep clean. I wiped out all the drawers with the Method Lavender cleaning spray which made everything smell so fresh. I also repurposed a few trays from other places and ordered a couple of these Madesmart Beauty trays.

This is a great thing to do as we enter fall.. and actually in theory, each season. Get a big bag and toss anything that is crumbling, old, and taking up space…out of date!!

I used to sell cosmetics at Nordstrom, so I know a little about the shelf life. Generally, things have an expiry date. For skincare, they just lose their effectiveness. Color cosmetics can go off and it’s just a good idea to let go of things that you’ve had longer than a year or so..

It feels great to open the drawers and see everything looking fresh. Piles of powdery cosmetics that are smudged and smeared is not a good way to live. Take it all out and wipe the drawers and wash the trays with soap and water.. If your drawers are beat, line them with pretty paper.

Your brushes need to be attended to as well, an it is important for your skin. Toss hard brushes that feel sharp, and ones that are not holding up. There are so many good ones that can be found affordably. Ecotools has excellent brushes and they are sold at Whole Foods and here..

Wash your brushes with shampoo. Lather them and rinse until the water runs clear. Gently squeeze your brushes out and lay the brushes flat to dry, not upright -as the water can loosen the hairs from the handle and rot it.

I lay mine on a towel and give them about 24 hours to dry. Occasionally you can condition the brushes lightly just as you would your hair. I learned all this being a makeup artist for a few years during college and after. We had to wash our brushes every night so I got really good at it.

Bobbi Brown’s New Jones Road Makeup & Credo

If you’re on social media at all, you may have been inundated with ads for Bobbi Brown’s new makeup line, Jones Road. She sold her old line years ago to Estee Lauder and is back with a line that is totally clean, cruelty free and has been streamlined into the minimal amount of products a person needs. Many are multi functional and I love that.

On day out in Hayes Valley in San Francisco, my friend and style guru, Jeanne and I popped into Credo, a chain that calls itself, ‘The cleanest beauty store in the world’. They have very high standards and lines they carry must be made with clean products and be cruelty free as well as ethical.

Jones Road is carried exclusively at Credo, so if you want to try in person, they have two stores in SF and one in Los Angeles, and in a few other states.

I bought The Face Pencil, in shade 3, which is a great concealer that can get in the corner of eyes and is the perfect consistency. It easily blends in and stays and is in 25 shades.

I also bought the Lip and Cheek Stick, which is a great idea in Mauve. They recommend tapping it in or using a brush. I love this color and for a soft neutral lip too.

Also popular and on my next time list.. is the foundation called What the Foundation which is a balm and a foundation in one…and Miracle Balm, which is comes in blush colors, highlighters and also in bronze tones.

Credo also carries my favorite mascara, Limitless Lash by Ilia. It’s hard to believe it’s a clean mascara as it wears beautifully, easy to remove and lasts all day. I love it.. and it also comes in a small travel size too.

All of Bobbi’s Jones Road line is here at Credo as well as all the other clean beauty brands and their mission and standards.

A day out in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley is one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco. It has a park that is a great gathering spot with businesses that are run out of containers and other improvised structures. The surrounding streets have some of the coolest shops, many small and independent and also some good smaller brands. My friend Jeanne and I did a little jaunt up to check out the shops and have a bite.

First up we made a beeline for the Claire V. boutique. It’s off the park down a cute half closed street.

Claire V.

Claire V. is a smaller handbag and accessories line that has its roots in California, but with a French flair. It’s really become the bag of the coolest girls and is a nice alternative to so many pricey labels. I love the colors, the stripes, the unique patterns and textures and options. Creative types can totally customize a bag to your own look..And if you’re a Francophile there is so many sweatshirts and hats and things with cheeky French phrases..

Jeanne got this tortoise resin strap for the Mirabel black crossbody. I forgot to take a picture, but the black with tortoise together is lovely for fall.

You can also get monograms. Most bags come with straps and these are extra add-on straps. Here are some other color options in her same bag combo…

I bought this strap for my Claire V. tote, but they say try it on other bags, so I’ve been using it on a smaller black bag for some flair.

All the Claire V. straps here.

I own the Simple Tote in a green leopard, which was a special edition, but they have it in so many cool combinations, it would be hard to choose. I do love this army color with the stripes.. and this grey with gold studs...

We also both bought this Resistance scarf, that is cool tied around a bag, a pony tail or under a blouse..and is very timely. 30% of all proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.

I also bought her fragrance Angie I fell in love with! It is the name Claire V. is known by to her family and has notes from the places she has lived- green notes from France, bright citrus from Italy and a hint of California chaparral. It’s very unique!

Next we hit the darling kid’s shop Fiddlesticks. I have never been in a cuter boutique. They have the tiniest things and adorable clothes as well as toys and books…

Jeanne has a new grandbaby so we had to get Kyler some cool stuff. He is set with a knit beanie and some shirts.. I bought the sweetest Halloween book about a kitten for some little friends.. Yes we spent too long in there.

They even wrap it with bags that have the SF skyline!!

Next up we were getting hungry so we had an alfresco Italian lunch at A Mano which was perfect. We shared a margarita pizza and burrata that was TDF, and the cauliflower bagna cauda. This is a nice place right in the center of the action and kitty corner from the park. You can easily find one of many seats outdoors or inside..

A Mano restaurant Hayes Valley San Francisco

burrata at A Mano restaurant Hayes Valley San Francisco

Lastly, we went to Rails, another California company and one of our favorites. They have very few boutiques, but they are opening a new one soon in Palo Alto!

This is a beautiful store with the nicest people and we bought a few pieces for fall..Since this post is already so long, I will save Rails and what we chose for next week..

If you go to Hayes Valley, there is a good parking at The Performing Arts Garage on the corner of Gough and Fulton, just a few blocks off the green space. I just touched on a few things, but other good places are MAC clothing, Absinthe Brasserie, Miette Patisserie, many other bakeries, chocolate shops and sushi spots.. and clothing places. Definitely a fun day out and much more to explore than you can ever get to in one day..

Roasted Tomato Pasta

My garden was slow to start this year and in the last month I stopped watering it and dry farmed. Still I got many more cherry tomatoes and we could never eat them all, so I decided to finally try roasting them and serving them over fresh pasta. We did this last week and it was delicious.

I cut them in half, tossed in olive oil and added sea salt and pepper and roasted at about 400 for around 20 minutes. After cooking fresh fettuccine, I added the tomatoes and all the juice and oil to the pasta. I gently tossed, added more olive oil and some fresh basil. You can add more salt if you wish. We just added fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano.. If you have some of these late tomatoes and are running out of ideas, it’s so good – and simple.

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

On last week’s meanderings I shared skirts for your fall closet, skirted tables for home, a fascinating book on skirts in history, easy pumpkin noodles, and a drought tolerant yard update..all 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 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- Skirts for Fall, Easy Pumpkin Noodles & More..

September 23, 2022 By kimwheeler 34 Comments

On this Weekend’s Meanderings..Skirts for your fall closet, skirted tables for home, a fascinating book on skirts in history, easy pumpkin noodles, and a drought tolerant yard update..

It’s time for our weekend chat and sharing of good things with my friends Elizabeth and Juliet.. We had some days of rain here this week in Northern Cal, which were wonderful and I even did some baking.. Now this weekend, we are back to the heat and though I wore pants and a jacket on Wednesday, by Thursday that was a mistake.

…So it’s a typical California Fall! Hold off on wearing those new sweaters yet friends unless you want to pass out..As my mom used to say, ‘layers and peel’ for a while yet.

In my SLOW fall rollout, I added one of the pretty pumpkins from PB thanks to my sweet friend Jill who gave me the cutest one.. They look great next to my candlesticks from Juliet!

I also love these woven frames from PB that just went on sale.. and would look cute next to these.

I’ve had skirts on the mind..of all flavors..

The Skirts Book

My friend Linda told me about Skirts by Kimberly Crisman Campbell, thinking I may enjoy it ! I ordered it straightaway and it’s so fun and interesting. If you like history, and fashion, you will really get into this engrossing book that touches on the skirt and fashion’s part in politics, sports, and women’s rights..

Suzanne and Queen Mary- National Portrait Gallery

I especially enjoyed the chapter on Suzanne Lenglen, the French tennis player who brought the short skirts, sport shoes( a forerunner to a sneaker), and sleeveless tops to tennis around 1920. Called a streetwalker by some for her unencumbered and chic attire she developed with the help of Jean Patou, she inspired a generation of women to dress more modernly and take up tennis. So many fascinating stories in this book! You can buy it here at Target or on Amazon or check a local bookseller!

Skirts on my Fall Edit..

I am thinking of adding a skirt or two to the closet for fall. This zebra stripe from J. Crew has been on my radar. Love the pleats and it’s an extra 50% off this weekend.

I also have been wanting a longer denim skirt with some flair that can be worn sort of slouchy with a sweater and sneakers and this Joe’s Jeans version is on sale now (extra 25% too ),

Other lovelies to add versatility to your mix are this Mother vegan wrap skirt, and this version by Joe’s Jeans…

..Also this denim maxi by Rag & Bone, this Veronica Beard Mini, and black denim by Wash Lab.

Also cool..this Chevron Style with a drawstring, this Madewell classic on sale, and this Old Navy Maxi in black denim.

Table skirts are back

Remember when table skirts were all the rage and everyone had one near the end of their couch with pictures and books? My mom had one made to match our chintz rose couch pillows (along with pink stripe couches of course), back in the late 80’s, and I have always liked them.

I have one right now in my office that I created using a table someone on our street was giving away for free. I wasn’t sure how well the wood worked in the house, so I threw one of my Pottery Barn table throws on it and it looks pretty, and I store more books under it too. As a nod to my mom, I added an ivy as she always had, and a few of my favorite books and a frame with my sons on a holiday..

I’m obsessed with entry skirted tables and I love the look and I am thinking of adding one in my large open space in the center of your home. You can make any round table of a smaller dimension become a skirted table by using a tablecloth or even any kind of throw or smaller blanket.

Pottery Barn has a nice selection and I have this one as well and I like this French Stripe version, this Suzani one. For one similar to mine, these on Etsy are very close. Mine was an older season from PB.

An inspiring and pretty home in AD

Well right away this Hampton’s home of photographer Mimi Ritzen Crawford in AD by Studio Riga had me with the darling entry and skirted table..Isn’t this beautiful? Love the trim especially..

I think what drew me to this home is the mix of patterns, unique objects, natural woven objects and overall light happy atmosphere.. You can follow the designer, Jenny Vorhoff on Instagram.

Love this pale pink dining room, these Serena & Lily beds in a fun bedroom.

I’m obsessed with the yellow gingham in the beautiful dining space!

More of the beautiful home here.

Our drought tolerant yard update…

So many people have been changing their yards up this year due to the heat, drought and climate change that is only getting worse. If you have been following the blog for a few years, you may have read how we changed our lawn to a drought tolerant landscape almost three years ago. It’s truly been the best decision and so easy to maintain.

Now three years on, a few of the plants need replacing, have grown too large and others need some big time cutting back. We are embarking on a small refresh this month and adding more of the DG (decomposed granite) ground cover… I thought I’d share it again as we have people every week stopping by by taking photos and asking about the plants, especially the past month! More about the journey and how a few of our neighbors also rebuilt their front yards during the pandemic on this post.

At first people were telling me it looked like an Arizona landscape, but it didn’t take long for the bushes to fill in..

before and at the start..

drought tolerant yard with decomposed granite

We use no pesticides or weed killers, trim it about every three months, sometimes less, and use minimal water. Since Max works from home most days, he’s got a full time bird and butterfly show out there. The small birds love the bushes and we added a birdhouse and a feeder on his office window so it’s a constant entertainment and a lot of fun.

Max has this bird feeder and getting fresh black sunflower seeds from our local bird shop really brought all the birds.

Pumpkin noodles

A few years ago my friend Debbie shared a wonderful pumpkin pasta recipe that crazy easy and a lot of fun and I thought if you tried our home made pasta from last week’s blog, you may want to try this as we are slowly.. getting around to pumpkin season!

The recipe is from food blog Wholefully…

The recipe is simply pumpkin puree (I used the Whole Foods one with only pure pumpkin), and flour, mixed by hand, turned out and cut into thin strips. You can let them dry a bit and pop them in a pot of boiling, well salted water until they float.

There is an accompanying recipe for sage browned butter which is exactly what you want on this plus a little fresh grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano. It’s the perfect fall dinner and total comfort food. To make it totally vegan leave off the cheese and use butter substitutes she recommends for the sauce. Full recipe and details here. My lower-tech version, without rolling cutter or drying rack above…. Still came out wonderful. I just forgot to take pictures!

…….

It’s been such a busy week, but I hoped you didn’t miss this gorgeous post about the Allure of Green Kitchens by Juliet! It made me want one!

Max and I have been watching the new Ken Burn’s documentary, The U.S. and the Holocaust. It’s excellent and while we thought we knew what happened, we really didn’t. I would encourage everyone to watch it. As with all his projects, so engrossing and well done.

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! Hope your weekend is wonderful,

Kim

On my last Weekend Meanderings I shared Homemade pasta noodles, inspiration bulletin boards, a great book with some unexpected charcuterie ideas, and Madewell sale pieces you’ll want to add to the closet..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!

Signature Style- Chic Linen Pieces You Need

August 2, 2022 By kimwheeler 41 Comments

It’s time again for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah and we are talking about linen. Linen pieces are a chic choice to upgrade your closet, last for years, and feel good too.

Linen is one of those fabrics that looks luxe on the hottest days and even when wrinkled. I love the look of a linen button up on women and men. Nothing looks as Katherine Hepburn, or Diane Keaton (aka Coastal Grandma) as linen shirts, and white linen suits, linen pants..

Diane Keaton in white linen suit in Something's Gotta Give.

Diane Keaton in white turtleneck and jeans in Something's Gotta Give.

Once you begin wearing more linen or linen blends, it’s hard to wear synthetics. I just love the feel of a linen t-shirt in summer. I even sleep in one in winter as they breathe and get softer with each wash. Linen dresses and pants are also the most cool and breathable.

Linen is better for the planet

If you want to build a wardrobe that is more sustainable, long lasting and looks luxe, linen is a fantastic choice!

Did you know linen comes from the flax plant and has been around since ancient Egyptian times and perhaps longer? The nice thing about linen is it uses less water and pesticides than cotton does in the growth process. It’s much better for the planet and it is fast dying. The best way to care for it is to wash in cool water with a gentle detergent and never use a fabric softener on it which will coat the fibers ( It’s generally good to never use fabric softeners anyway.) If you care for your linen it will last and get better over time!

Why linen may have a bad rap..

Did you wear linen the 80’s? Some of us remember it had a big heyday then, and particularly in oversized linen pleated pants and blazers. The linen look back then was ironed and starched within an inch of its life. It was a lot of work and the minute you wore it, it looked bad. That turned a lot of people off linen, including me, a person who hates ironing…The linen of now is worn softer, slightly if at all ironed, and has a casual vibe.

I started collecting linen pieces again the last time we were in the south of France. I noticed all the women wore linen tunics and tops and bottoms there were tons of it in the shops and big stalls of linen dresses at the Provencal markets..

I bought a white dress and the man there told me never to iron, or bleach, wash gently and smooth dry with your hands and lay flat to prevent it from yellowing and to keep the linen fibers soft. I try not to iron and if I do, just lightly without starches.. The soft slightly wrinkled look is modern and feels better too.

I snapped a photo of this chic lady in a linen ensemble at Isle Sur la Sorgue..our favorite market..And next to it my dress from the same market with my guys in 2018..

What pieces do you need?

Pieces I use over and over again in my closet..

A linen blazer

(mine bought at consignment, but similar here and here and here.)

Linen t-shirts.

My latest is this by Tahari. I have a few and they all hang beautifully and look great. A perfect layering piece and for travel!

I will be wearing this with my new Paige jacket I bought for fall and white jeans.

I found a few similar t-shirts here at Eileen Fisher on sale.

Majestic Filatures is also a great brand that has some fantastic linen pieces. This layered white t-shirt is on my list..and Banana has this nice one in many colors..

Majestic Filatures Linen layered t-shirt

Banana Republic Black Linen scoop neck t- shirt

I also like linen tanks for layering and J. Crew has this and Banana Republic has this with a scoop neck.

Linen pants..

I have these Maeve linen blend pants, ( above with the white blazer) and they are my favorite pant this summer. They can be casual or dressed up. They come in a few different colors and they have a bit of cotton/vicose in them too which makes them feel light.

Madewell also has a relaxed linen/cotton trouser here, and this popular Frank & Eileen pair is on my wish list and comes in 6 colors.. The blouse on the left is also a linen blend from Madewell ( runs large fyi- I bought xs.)

Linen is also in many drawstring and relaxed elasticized type of jogger/lounge pants. My favorite plant to travel in are these Camo linen pants by Sanctuary, which are still being carried by Nordstrom. I have had mine for years and they’re super comfy and show no dirt which is nice on a trip, and look cool for a day exploring with a sweater or a tank top, depending on the time of year..

These also caught my eye at Anthro.. Pull on surf pants in linen blend..

Linen button ups

It’s hard to find a linen button-up that is a classic and regular proportioned, but this Tommy Bahama one is about as close as I can find to a perfect linen button-up. It comes in 7 colors and I think I may order the sand color, but there are a lot of lovely colors to choose from.

Anthro also has this linen button up with a cool ruched sleeve detail in eight colors by Maeve..

Rails also has a nice selection of linen button ups in stripes and I also like this Jocelyn top..

And thanks to a reader, Laura, I almost forgot to mention J. Crew’s Irish linen shirts, which come from one of the best makers of linen in Ireland are now marked down! It’s a good time to grab a nice one for the wardrobe..

A linen or linen blend dress..

I have added two linen dresses in the past month to my closet that are turning out to be great additions that feel good and kind of bridge that gap between dressy and California casual..

This Angelina Dress from Rails ( love this California company), is easy, feels light and look polished for anything.. I’ve worn it just to do errands as well as a day out like last weekend when we stopped by the big art show at Filoli to see my friend Heidi and view her art for sale..

I topped it with a white denim jacket when it got windy. ( I just received my new market basket from Mersea and added my tassel.)

Really nice about the Rails pieces, you don’t need a slip with most of their dresses as they have a lining in the bottom half or a double layer of fabric like this dress does.. It doesn’t wrinkle, and has a soft feel that I LOVE! It’s a great piece to travel with and I am taking it to Carmel next week too. I bought this in a Medium and it is longer on me at 5’4 than the model here..

I also have this Rails Jasmine dress with a longer sleeve. Similar fit and love the comfort.

I tried their Tara dress in the black and I wish I bought it. It’s super flattering, with a bit of stretch, and feels great. All of these pieces work for so many different kind of occasions..

Another option in linen dresses is this Jenni Kayne t-shirt dress I’ve been eyeing for a while. I like that it’s linen which is less clingy than a typical t-shirt dress..You could do so much with this.. layer and wear it in fall with an unbuttoned white blouse, or with a sweater over the top..

Etsy is a fantastic source for linen pieces and many are made in Lithuania or like this account Simply Grey, which its out of Slovakia.. How cute is this dress and beautiful blouse? The account is SimplyGreyLife.

Some of the items mentioned in this post..

I’d love to hear your thoughts on linen! Do you have a brand you love or pieces that are your favorites?

If you like this post you can pin this photo on Pinterest..

Signature Style- chic linen pieces you need in your wardrobe

Now please pop over to see what Cindy and Sarah have to say about linen…

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

You might also like July’s Signature Style on packing and travel.

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Holiday Fashion Edit- Join Me and 6 Others for Ideas

November 14, 2019 By kimwheeler 22 Comments

Today I’m excited to participate in a collaboration with six other bloggers on holiday looks. We’re kicking it off to get you in the mindset for festive dressing. There is always some event you’re going to want to get a bit more fancy for. Today I put together three different looks that you can shop your closet for, or just add a few key pieces and pull a chic look together!

First apologies for the photos. I had a busy week and I had no photographer, but I hope you get some idea of what you can use in your own closet or what standout piece you might need to add that you can use multiple ways for dressier occasions….

Look 1- Casual Luxe Appropriate for the casual holiday lunch, Christmas open house, your kid’s holiday concert, holiday brunch with girlfriends, the class party, etc.

You are a step-up from the usual. This look I combined my favorite black Madewell jeans, a Rag & Bone Velvet top I have had for a few years, suede mules and dangly earrings.

Recipe- Add velvet, silk, angora or any luxe fabric to a black jean, plus a suede shoe or boot, and festive earrings with a hint of sparkle and you are good to go. This is why I keep two velvet shirts in my closet even though they get worn about once a year. I can rely on them to add that spark of elegance.

Look 2- The Evening Suit– Appropriate for holiday work dinner, cocktails, holiday dinners out, and even some fancier holiday parties.

Recipe – This look is simply black pants and any dark blazer you own. A silk camisole like I mentioned in this recent post is perfect for underneath or you can button the jacket up and wear a dark bra, something I did a lot in the 90s, and it’s pretty sexy. I added some sling-backs here that were in the closet, but any pump will look great. Again I’d go for some sort of drop earring and a clutch or flat bag with a chain.

If you don’t own a black or navy blazer you should. Mine is a dark navy and I have these simple Zara cropped pants . We underestimate how elegant this look can be, especially if you once wore a suit for work all the time, but it’s a matter of fit here, these pieces should skim the body and it’s okay to show a little lace and skin.

Look 3 – Retro Evening – or I call it, Nancy Sinatra at the Sands- appropriate for hosting your own holiday shindig at home, your neighborhood progressive dinner, tickets to the Nutcracker, Rosh Hashana or New Year’s at the home of friends.

Recipe –Vintage look cropped Jacket that I wrote about that has a collar that can be slightly rolled off the shoulder, add a shimmery top, the same black crops, vintage costume jewelry or brocade touches and sandals with stones like these Steve Madden ones.

I used a brocade Trina Turk clutch I own and my mom’s crystal bracelet and earrings from the 1960’s that I love.

I’m not very good with hair, but a twist or half-up bouffant sort of look really works with this along with the sparkly slides. It feels like you need to swan around with a vintage champagne coupe, yet it’s still comfortable.

Thanks for suffering through with my grainy photos, but I hope this will give you some ideas for making outfits of your own. Personally, I hate going to the store right before an event and trying on dresses. I almost always end up with something I usually wear once. By browsing your closet you can come up with something more unique. You may need to add some holiday go-tos, like the black crop trousers, velvet tops, blazer or jacket, and suede or sparkly shoes if you don’t already own them. These are things you don’t need to wear all the time, but they make for a well-rounded wardrobe of options when you have them in there!

Cool things you can add that will make you chic during this season are vintage costume or family jewelry. I love standout earrings, pins on lapels (that’s back again), and cocktail rings. Vintage clutches or bags with some sparkle are cool. Don’t forget a swipe of a pretty lip color and a little glimmer on the cheek and collarbones!

Just fun this season, and don’t overthink it!

Now pop on over to these other blogs and see what fashion ideas they have conjured up for the holidays! I’m honored to be included with these talented women…

The Gardener’s Cottage

Kim

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Trina Turk Spring 2018

March 17, 2018 By kimwheeler 8 Comments

All of you who read this blog regularly know I am so fortunate to occasionally be asked to do an event in collaboration with California designer Trina Turk. Trina has the most lovely clothing and her beautiful modernist boutique in Burlingame is probably my most favorite spot to shop. I love the people there and I always find something unique to add to the cherished pieces of my closet. I am a bit of a collector when it comes to her things.

This coming Thursday I am honored to host a special spring shopping and styling event at the boutique in Burlingame. The time is 10:30-1, and anyone who pops in will get 20% off of all regular merchandise. I am also excited because I am doing this in conjunction with Suzanne Bell, a very stylish local blogger.

Suzanne writes AskSuzanneBell where she shares all the cool places she shops as well as great finds and terrific style ideas. I have been following her a long time on Instagram and found so many cute things thanks to her great eye. She’s also a local realtor with her husband and a mom and is a lot of fun. Come join us! We will have refreshments and Suzanne and myself will be on hand to help you find a special piece that is just right for you or for an upcoming event or holiday you may have on the calendar.

A few weeks ago Suzanne and I went up to the Trina store in Burlingame and see the latest collection. We had a ball trying things on and taking photos. One thing about the Trina store is the longer you are there, the more you find. Some things that you have to try on before you see how good they look and feel. I love that they get many many collections throughout a season, so there is always something new in store. Trina creates her own fabrics, which makes her clothes so different from many others and they are designed and mostly made in California. When you go to a Trina Turk Boutique you’ll find bags, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, resort wear and so many other cool pieces she chooses to compliment the clothes. That is why it is an old school boutique experience to me and rare to find now a days. You have to visit even if you cannot get to our event!

Here is a just a small preview of what is now in store at Trina Turk…

Some beautiful floral silks right now with hand painted design. I am in love with these!

The Cattleya dress is even more beautiful in person. This is a stretch silk! The wrap belt was added.

A great pairing here!

Some great sandals, hats and totes for your next getaway!

The lunchbag clutches are fun.

Another great floral in the Amando dress and cool bag. A nice wedding guest look or dinner out dress.

These chambray wrap Odette pants are so comfy and the tank is darling too.

Suzanne loved this Boho dress with gold accents with gold slides.

More vacation essentials.

The Arboretum dress was perfect for Easter and upcoming holidays.

The Springey dress felt great on in silk georgette and is another great getaway dress.

Suzanne, helped by Dana the store manager looked adorable in the Tamika top and palazzo pant!

In the same fabric I loved the Bonita dress which also comes in a dark navy with this floral. This dress looks great on everyone with it’s neckline and sleeves.

I also thought Suzanne looked great in this Anissa stripe and floral dress which could go from pool to cocktails.

This Cayson dress is super casual, but stylish and would be a summer go-to for me.

Another look at the Odette pant which looked great with the Bree top which is the same as the dress above.

I also like the ease of this Kaiko dress in the snapdragon color. So easy to throw on with cute sandals or put the sleeves down and add a boot in cooler weather. It reminds me so much of a early 70s dress my mom had.