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#holidaygifts

Make a Basic Wreath Look Upscale, Trader’s Pink Poinsettias, a Tahoe Outfit & Last Minute Gifts

December 16, 2022 By kimwheeler 44 Comments

On this weekend meander.. last minute gifts for friends and neighbors from the grocery store, make a basic wreath cool with cuttings from your yard, and an outfit for Tahoe.

Trader Joe’s Pink Poinsettias..

Right now the cutest gift for a neighbor or friend – or just for your holiday table is the pink poinsettias in these nice pots that you can use later for $8! The pots alone are worth the price. I loved the two different pinks and they work with the green of my runner. I moved my wooden bowl to my island and kept the plants here. Hopefully these won’t sell out. It’s rare to see such pretty pinks and who wouldn’t love one of these for a gift?

The world needs more pink poinsettias, if you ask me!

More Last Minute Gift Ideas- from the grocery store..

Sometimes finding a gift is as easy as dropping by your local grocery. Some of the things I like to give from the grocery are tea, candy, and baked goods. Our local stores like Lunardis and Whole foods have piles of Italian cakes, and gourmet chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company and Lake Champlain. They also carry special hot chocolate mix in glass bottles, high end teas from places like Tea Pigs, and others in pretty tins. I like to tuck tea into a bag with some home made cookies or scones or just bottle of local wine, or preserves.

Food is a very appreciated gift and I would say greener as it its more likely locally made, and actually consumed. Older folks really appreciate these little goodies at the holidays. Nice for neighbors too.

At Homegoods and TJMaxx, you can find bunches of cute tea towels inexpensively. Buy a few and wrap them around loaf of banana or cranberry bread, scones or cookies with a pretty bow. Not a baker? Then pair them with a nice box of tea from the grocery or World Market! ( World Market is a fantastic place to get nice teas in pretty tins, German stollen, and chocolates.)

Some of my favorites from WM below. All their teas can be found here online.

Get a custom look with a grocery store wreath and yard cuttings..

This year I decided to save some money and get a basic grocery store wreath for $19 and zhuzh it up with succulents and cuttings from the yard.. I’m hoping it lasts for a while.

I started with the basic noble fir wreath with a few pinecones and juniper already on it…

I was lucky to have a plant with dried hydrangea balls that was perfect to tuck in here. I went around the yard a snipped bits of succulents, then wired or worked them in.

I ordered this ribbon from Amazon and I am surprised how much I like it. Took me about 15 minutes total.

On my French doors, I always buy two small advent candle ring wreath from Trader Joes to hang on the doors. Love the small size and kept it simple with orange ribbon that was leftover from a Hudson Grace gift. I use command hooks and black string to hang which sort of camouflages against the black trimmed doors.

A Tahoe/ Ski Holiday Look

I am excited to get up to our small cabin during the break and we just got 48 inches of snow! A lot of you get to the mountains or Tahoe at this holiday break and I thought I’d do a ski/winter look with some of the darling pieces I have noticed lately..

Madewell had me at this beautiful sage green parka made by Halfdays. If you want a longer jacket, there is also this adorable jacket and this even longer one.

These booties have a toasty lining and water and snow proof suede upper, but are cute enough to wear here in California in the cooler months (so are these.) The cold weather fleece tights will work for hikes and days out and even some skiing with a second layer( these with Stirrups are also cool.) Love the Barbour Sweater, also here, which nearly sold out as soon as I made this collage, but there are more fair isle options here and here . I’m kind of crazy for them now. I also love this cozy one for Tahoe and it’s a good price, as is this one. The shearling tote is now 40% off and this one is also cute.

Lastly, the new Mega Wayfarers are on my wish list and this green is especially pretty.

People are often asking what to pack and wear for Tahoe, so I did add clothing options for colder months and ski trips on my Lake Tahoe Cabin Style page, which is on the drop-down under Home & Decor at the top of the blog. I’ll keep adding to it.

Donate a coat

This has been one of the coldest winters in California, and elsewhere in many years. Many of us have a closet full of coats that we rarely wear. This is one of those years, where shedding a few might really help others. One Warm Coat is one of my favorite charities and such an easy one to help. You can find a local drop-off place where your coat or jackets will be distributed to nearby charity. It’s also easy and simple to hold your own coat drive. Directions how here.I did one with my kids when they were younger. You simply put out a box, either at your home, or it can even be at your kid’s school, or a library or public spot for a stated time, and then pick one of several local charities to deliver them to after.

#Blingit

Our #BLINGIT hashtag is still going strong and so many of you are sharing your lovely family heirlooms and brooches you have collected! Keep sharing them in Instagram, just tag us and we will share on our stories. It’s been a treat every day. More than a few have said getting these pins out really brought back so many special memories of their moms and grandmothers, and holidays past. That is kind of what I was hoping for! It makes me so happy to hear. It’s great to see those special pieces get a little day in the sun and out of the drawer, and remember those who once wore them at this time of year…

Just some of what you all have shared from Dana, Contessa, and Kathy, and so many others. I consolidate them daily on my BlingIt Instagram Story Bubble if you missed it!

Thank You Guys!

This is my last blog for the year and Juliet and I will be taking time off until the 7th of January. It’s been a great for me to do the Weekend Meandering with Elizabeth and Juliet and I can hardly believe we have done it every weekend since beginning in February! I’m hoping taking time off to recharge will be good and we can come back with more fresh ideas for the new year.

I also want to say thank you for being here and the kind comments and feedback! It’s truly the best part of the blog for me and I so appreciate you taking time to stop here. I feel like this is a circle of friends and I am so grateful.

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season and wonderful New Year. Hugs to you all.

See you in 2023!

Kim

Please stop over at Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If your missed last weekend’s post, I shared my neutral Christmas Decor, holiday nights at Santana Row, vintage holiday pins, cute runners and napkins, an easy Christmas cookie to make 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.

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Filed Under: Lake Tahoe Tagged With: #holidaygifts, #pinkchristmas, #tahoeoutfit, #tahoetravel, #wreaths

Gift Ideas for Her

December 5, 2021 By kimwheeler 11 Comments

Well December is here and I wanted to get a gifts for the gals post out as soon as I could. Honestly this was a lot of fun, and I could have written ten more of these, but it’s been a busy time and it takes a lot of hours to sit and pull it all together. I know many who are concerned with things running out have already done their shopping! I’m not there at all, but I have gotten a few good things from the Gifts for Guys post. One thing that helped me this time was to think of some of my favorite things, not unlike Oprah, and what would I love to receive too…

I am a Johnny Was fan and this California company never disappoints with their beautiful designs and quality. Their wonderfully soft blankets in a bag with two designs, make a wonderful gift for anyone to cuddle up with on the couch, or on the bed! Great for all ages. So many designs. I love this one below, but all the choices here..20% off now with the code COZYUP until 12/15.

Do you know someone who would love to be in slippers all the time (me)? These Timberlands are on sale now and so cute in grey or tan. This is a nice bridge between the UGG and the sneaker, with a bit of style.

I am currently obsessed with this brand Leatherology that makes some beautiful bags with custom imprinted initials. The cross body and train cases are TDF and though this process takes about three weeks should be a lovely gift. They also have quicker options. All the offerings are wonderful and there are many gifts that will arrive before Christmas if ordered by December 17th.

I love Mark & Graham and their trays are adorable and you can still get a monogrammed one if you order now. Check the site for the exact item and date. Looks like many are still available.

I love this Snowy Day Pillow. Sweet for anyone who digs holiday home decor or just loves the snow.

The paperclip necklaces are very popular and Bauble Bar has them in this Hera one -the perfect size too and can ship immediately..

I also love the needlepoint pillows from Furbish.. Adore the Apres pillow and all their cute holiday ones found here.

For someone who appreciates a pretty table or entertaining, these Linen Napkins from Serena & Lily are now on sale in sets and four gorgeous napkins are $38. They come in eight colors including this chartreuse.

If she is is into jewelry, Anthropologie has the prettiest charm necklaces that are by by birthstone. Love!

Serena & Lily makes the best alpaca throws and this one is my all time favorite. We have two we keep at out cabin on the sofa and they are warmer than anything and so very soft and comes in five colors.

I bought these slippers on a whim a month or so ago at Anthro and they are now my go to. I can’t wait to put them on when I get home. The run S/M/L and I am an 8 and bought Medium.

My favorite pajamas are Roller Rabbit Pima Cotton PJs. Mine are two years old now and still look new and feel soft. I like that they aren’t tight, but aren’t baggy either- so they don’t bunch on you in the night. A really nice gift to give or get.

My second favorite PJs are my Serena & Lily Positano Linen ones. I have two pairs and wear them all year long with a white tank and wear the top as a jacket. Love the white (reminds me of Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give) and the sky blue! They just get softer and softer. I wash them on gentle and air dry and they stay very nice.

There is also a beautiful flannel in gingham and a linen in gingham. All the Serena & Lily Pajamas here.

I love that Mersea is selling this lovely Sea Change Soap. It is made in America, without any toxic substances, and every purchase of one of a Sea Change product will provide two years of drinking water to someone in need, a partnership with Water.org an international non-profit that works on the water crisis. Beautiful -and helping make a difference! The whole Sea Change collection here.

Note- Mersea is a great site for gifts with many lovely things like the stretchy and super soft Chalet Sweater and the Sea Pines Felt Candles.

Scrabble has created a special edition Scrabble for Anthropologie. It’s very cute and on sale now..as is their Monopoly Edition..

Books are may favorite thing to give and get and I especially love Mandy’s Gourmet Salads, which has so much more than just salads- wonderful bowls, so many amazing ideas, dressings and desserts too. Great for anyone who wants more fresh ideas for eating well.

Johnny Was also has a beautiful silk oversized T- shirt pajama set which would be a dream to sleep in. The pink one and the darker version are still available and able to ship before Christmas.

I love this upcycled denim bag made by ADIFF/Lands End. Each one is unique and the interior has a handy 6 interior packets. What a cool gift for the earthy friend in your life.

Another fun idea is to customize a market tote for family members or a girlfriend with a beloved city or cities, names or initials. The Apolis Bags last forever come in many sizes and colors I have two I adore. This cute style here.

For the California girl- or someone with tastes that tend to run towards the natural, Jenni Kayne has some beautiful candles. I like the Topanga, that has a California essence, Santa Ynez has a warm scent, and all her candles and home scents here.

RMS Beauty has a great gift set with their mascara, lip balm, and famous luminizer for just $28!

For someone special like your mom, or yourself, these Tory Burch Lilac Salad Plates are beautiful.

These Liberty London PJ sets sets are marked more than half off at J. Crew. Very cute for those young girls in shorts all the time- and never seem to be cold! I am tempted to save a pair for myself for the warmer months because they are lovely.

For $28 these Pave Pisa Bracelets from Bauble Bar look so good and would be fun to stack with a watch or any bracelets. Fun to give a group of friends or family members.

For the puzzle girls, J Crew has Liberty Puzzles that are two-sided.

They also have a Liberty Sleep Set with a beautiful pillowcase and matching sleep mask. On sale this weekend along with the puzzle and most things on site.

Since most of us are wearing boot and booties so much, a set of boot socks in a super soft, but warm material like this set from Anthro is always a welcome gift. I just gave a group of friends all a set of boot socks and I think everyone seemed to want and need them!

Another fun idea for the bakers in your life..Cookies: The New Classics.

Our family are big fans of Jennifer Segel’s recipes from her Once Upon a Chef blog, so when I saw she had a cookbook, Weeknight/Weekend, I knew it would be good. I can guarantee you’re going to adore her food.

This also looks good and is in my cart! Rustic cooking..Maman The Cookbook.

This Lululemon Belt Bag comes in so many colors and is a little luxury at a great price, Everyone needs one for hikes and travel -just so nice to have!

I love the Travel Jewelry Cases from Mark & Graham that can be monogrammed. Such a luxury, useful and a good price on sale this weekend.

Mark & Graham also has the Essential Crossbody in many colors and ways to personalize for $99..

I hope this is helpful for your gift shopping! I will try and update and add more as I see good things, so check back, or save this post for later!

This Tuesday I’ll be doing Signature Style and we will be discussing holiday outfits for those who asked for ideas for events..I’ve found some cute things and I can’t wait to share them.

Kim

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.

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

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: #christmasgifts, #holidaygiftguide, #holidaygifts, #holidaygiftsforher

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Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

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  • A rare glimpse into how one of Boston's oldest and premier florists (and my favorite) gets ready for Valentine's Day.
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A January PSA- get in your closet and get those wh A January PSA- get in your closet and get those white jeans out! I found mine at the bottom of my closet today in a basket and thought -yes! I love the look of a classic white jean, paired with a chunky sweater or turtleneck in black, beige, tan, creams-  neutral colors always look fantastic. Today it was warm enough that I could go sockless and wear my Madewell loafers with them and a little jacket I have from Anthro. Get your white jeans out. it will give your winter wardrobe have a little kick. White jeans can be worn all year and they even look great with winter boots and coats. 

This is also a great time to look at your white Jean inventory. 🤍If you don’t have a pair that’s comfortable and straight leg, in a thicker material…this might be a good time to look. I’ll share some on the weekend blog as well.

if you missed our LIVE this morning, you can watch it on Juliet’s @makemineaspritzer Instagram and I’ll link to it on my stories ! Thank you everyone for tuning in in for the fun questions and comments. We love doing this with you all weekly! Let us know in comments if there are any other topics you want to hear about. Today we talked trending colors, exercise classes .. finding art and pillows and more..

#whitejeanseason #januaryclosetremix #winterwardrobehacks
I love the sunshine in the morning streaming throu I love the sunshine in the morning streaming through the kitchen.. My baby daffodils are blooming to make it even happier. This is one of my favorite things about the new year, the bulbs and daffodils and California poppies that hint spring it on the way.💛 If you don’t have a few blooms in the kitchen, maybe you can add a few?

Hope your having a beautiful week!

#kitchensun #californialife #januaryincalifornia
I love this of Liz Taylor at her first wedding to I love this of Liz Taylor at her first wedding to Richard Burton in 1965. She’s wearing a empire, knee length dress and orange blossoms in her hair, which must have smelled heavenly. I want yellow in my closet this spring!

This is the center of my spring vision board! 💛 Link to all Elizabeth’s wedding dresses on the weekend post -and a few yellow things I added to the house if you missed it! 

#yellow #yellowaesthetic #liztaylor #thebrideworeyellow #springfashion #spring2023 #vogue
Sunday beach trip… We made it to Santa Cruz to c Sunday beach trip… We made it to Santa Cruz to check out the coast after these rough last weeks. Aptos looks pretty good and poor Seacliff is terribly battered. So sad to see what people have lost. My heart goes out to them.

We had the beach to ourselves and the weather was winter perfect. ☀️Cold and sunny. We had a picnic of sandwiches from Zoccolis deli and took in the sun and sea air while watching surfers and birds.

This song just seemed to fit -and relatable as I could not sleep last night! No idea why. Isn’t it maddening? 

Hope you get a chance to take a winter beach walk.. They are the best. 

#santacruz #aptos #california #northerncalifornia #winterbeachwalks #seacliff #norcal #seascapebeach
Happy Sunday! The weekend post is up and I’m sha Happy Sunday! The weekend post is up and I’m sharing a few good ideas for a dining room refresh, pops of yellow, my favorite winter skin care essentials right now, a beautiful and unique San Francisco house in @archdigest, online yoga, and the story behind a historic San Francisco home I came upon last week.. Head to the blog for all the deets! 

I hope its a wonderful weekend.☀️

Don’t forget to visit Juliet and Elizabeth blogs ..links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#northerncalifornia #weekendpost #yellow #diningroomdecor #bernardmaybeck #sanfranciscohomes #architecturaldigest #potterybarn #serenaandlily #californiastyle
Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has been seriously sick and fortunately is back home now, but still struggling with pneumonia. If anyone wants to send her a snail mail note please dm me and I will share her address. She loves unique cards and pretty postcards you’ve saved from travel, so she would be thrilled to get a little note!

It seems like just yesterday we were in her gorgeous yard taking photos for my Californians at Home series. It’s still one of my favorite photo shoots and if you want to read it again -or missed it I will link to it in my bio today. She’s one of a kind, so let’s get her well soon and bolster her spirits!!💛💛

#californiacontessa #californiansathome
I have to share a snippet of just some of the wisd I have to share a snippet of just some of the wisdom that was Martin Luther King. He will always be one of my biggest heroes and ten years ago I wrote a small post highlighting some of his very meaningful words and quotes that we could all use as a life guide. Link to the post in my bio and more on my stories. 

Do you know he is the only American to have a holiday for him that hasn’t been a president? He also had a low approval rating when he died. That has changed. Now people around the world use his teachings of living in peace and the fight for justice as a model we can strive for. I find his words so very needed in a world that is polarized more than ever. ❤️

#mlkday #mlkquotes #whatareyoudoingforothers
It’s still raining here! In an effort to use som It’s still raining here! In an effort to use some beautiful citrus and boost morale, I made these chocolate chips with a California twist. They have orange and walnuts -and for fun I added macadamias from my Hawaii trip and coconut flakes. I also switched out brown sugar for moscavado which is less refined and had more depth and flavor. So far response has been thumbs up from the home crew! 
The recipe and all the weekend fun- along with some cozy coats for this weather, and a recap of our SF meander are on the weekend blog. Juliet and Elizabeth also have great ideas this weekend.. links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 
Have a great weekend !

#californiacookie #californialiving #californiachocolatechipcookie #weekendpost #chocolateandorange
Just a little peek at some of the homes in San Fra Just a little peek at some of the homes in San Francisco’s Laurel Heights and a little walk through the Presidio to the Lyon Street Steps. We had an unbelievably beautiful day after so much rain and darkness. I highly recommend walking through this neighborhood, through The Presidio and grabbing lunch and checking out the lovely shops like the new Emily Joubert! The views are amazing all the way to the Golden Gate, and I am in love with all the beautiful homes of San Francisco. ❤️

#sanfranciscolove #presidioheights #lyonstreetsteps #sanfranciscowalks #housesofsf #visitcalifornia #ourgoldenstate #sanfranciscomansions #citybythebay #prettycity
Unearthed my Hunter’s and dusted them up! Bring Unearthed my Hunter’s and dusted them up! Bring it on, I am ready. I’m getting used to the rain, but this California girl is struggling with the gloom. How do people do it in the Pacific Northwest? Getting out for rainy day walks seems to help. Anyone else feel the same? I feel guilty for even mentioning it, with all the flooding and struggles so many are dealing with. 
Today is good -as we have power, internet and for now, just drizzles. 

#northerncalgal #californiastorm #hunterbootslove
It’s time for our first Signature Style of 2023 It’s time for our first Signature Style of 2023 and Cindy and I are talking cozy clothes, workout outfits and athleisure! And actually what else are we wearing right now?  If you’re not trying to workout, you’re likely staying cozy so we have all kinds of good things for you. 
Hope you’re staying dry and safe if you’re in California. 💛We had the craziest night yet with wind and rain last evening. We began with no power and internet so I was a bit slow getting this out..Sending good thoughts to everyone.

Stop on by our blogs..
As always links are in our bios and stories..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley

#athleisurestyle #workoutstyle #cozycore #pajamastyle #signaturestyle
The Weekend post is back with my pals Juliet and E The Weekend post is back with my pals Juliet and Elizabeth! Here’s to starting 2023 with a little palette cleanser.. I’ve got some chic basics like white shirts and good jeans,  the perfect track pant, brightening the house with our California bounty of citrus, inspiration from the fab Sylvie from Emily in Paris, a show and a book and more.. 

Here’s to a fresh start! 
Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#freshstart #californiahome #losgatos #chicbasics #whiteshirts #jeansfor2023 #weekendblog #emilyinparis #sylvieemilyinparis #phillipineleroybeaulieu

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