Northern California Style

Northern California Style

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Weekend- The New Evereve Store in Nor Cal, Toile Pieces for Spring, and Woven Bags

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On this post, checking out the first Evereve store in Northern Cal, a vegan restaurant, toile pieces for spring, some beautiful woven bags, a book on J.Crew’s history, and more..

How’s your week been? I returned from a sunny three day getaway in the desert to see tennis at Indian Wells with friends and its was like being in summertime after this dark winter! We loved the two days and nights of tennis and even managed to sneak in a morning and lunch at the La Quinta Spa before we flew out on Saturday afternoon.. I updated my BNP blog with all the details if you want to know more about this tournament, the wonderful spa (like paradise), plus pics of some cute spectators we spotted with great style too.

I hated to leave and not to be negative, but time change has been a real bummer. Anyone else feeling the same? Both my husband and I said we felt a bit tired and off all week.. I do like the lighter nights though!

I noticed on one of those ‘On this day’ things that my wisteria was in full bloom this week last year. This year- not even a bloom! That never happens. I also usually have baby daffodils in my grandmother’s tureen in March and I couldn’t even find them anywhere. Settling for a green hosta plant for now.

My buried cabin!

You are all probably wondering why I never post about our Tahoe cabin, but sadly this year we haven’t had one weekend to go up there, that didn’t have the potential to be stuck up there with highway 80 closed. Another storm is coming Sunday. I am worried about the cabin, but we have two cameras and neighbors who live there full time that we are in touch with.

This is a photo on right, that the young guy Austin, who is digging the cabin out this week sent us. This is the front – you can barely see the top. .and we have at least 20 feet of snow and he is standing in the front yard.. And a previous year below left!

New places to check out in Palo Alto

On Thursday I met my pal Jeanne at Town & Country Palo Alto where we had lunch at a new vegan restaurant Wildseeds. It’s lovely inside and has a unique menu. We shared a mezze platter and I had a salad. She had the burger… A wonderful spot to try if you want to eat plant based beautiful food and drink. There is also one in San Francisco. This took the place of the Mayfield Cafe at T&C.

Afterward we checked out a new retail chain called Evereve. I had heard they have an eclectic collection of casual contemporary brands. This is their first outpost in Northern California and they have a huge emphasis on customer service and it shows. All the ladies there were wonderful and they have the prettiest changing rooms ever. If you are near Town & Country it’s worth checking them out!

They also have some of their own brand and I bought this white sweatshirt with the cutest sleeves…

I love sweatshirts so much lately. They are not as hot as sweaters, yet comfy and can be dressed up too. Evereve has quite the selection, which goes with their casual vibe. I also have my eye on this one and this one.

On my radar..

This COS toile dress popped up this week in an email and I clicked right away to COS which has a mini toile collection here. I love everything toile am glad to see it is having a resurgence. There are also shirts and a shirt dress and black toile pieces as well.

I just got Kingdom of Prep this week and was sucked in right away with the J. Crew’s origin story of how this small campus outfitter run by a father and daughter, became the first company to sell a lifestyle through its catalogue. In it are the stories of the struggles, backstories, and also the company’s visionaries like Jenna Lyons. Not forgotten are its phases through 90’s minimalism to outfitting Mrs. Obama to now. Really enjoying it! On that note, if you are a J.Crew fan going way back you might enjoy the Lost J.Crew Instagram, which is great inspiration from the company catalog 1983-1997, pre-internet age. I love it! Everything was simpler and looked so good.

Madewell has a gorgeous new woven leather bag collection. The green tote is a stunner and the perfect shade and the crossbody is a great piece, with a retro 80’s vibe in the blue and an assortment of other colors including the green. They are both 25% off now.

I love the brand Kule and they have a trench that is so darn cute -classic with a modern twist. Love the stripes on the belt and cuffs. With all the rain this year, I could use a trench coat that can stand up to the wet and look good thrown over jeans and a t-shirt. This is a bit of an investment, but a beautiful piece. Everyone needs a good trench. I also like this khaki classic single breasted look.

The 83 Year old Irish Knitting Sensation…

If you missed it there was a wonderful article in the NYTimes about Irish knitter Delia Barry who knit the sweaters for Colin Farrell in the Oscar nominated film, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin.’ She began knitting as a child and more recently in 2010 after her husband died. She studied 1920’s Irish Fisherman style sweater photos with a magnifying glass and made each sweater in a week. She has become something of an internet sensation on TikTok with young people trying to replicate her knitting designs which she does without patterns!

Have you seen this film? I sort of want to see it just for the beautiful setting..

Home Tour to inspire..

I need to get back to my California home of the week..In the meantime I found this home shared on The Sunday Times Living With Style section. The owner presenter Laura Jackson has a very personal and pretty home. Her kitchen is what made me share this. It’s everything I love down to the plants and drawers full of jammed un-ironed linens. This is the kind of home I adore..

This week Cindy Hattersley and I had our Signature Style posts and this month was Resort Wear. If you have a sunny getaway in your future check our posts out!

If you missed last weekend’s meander, I shared a block print dress for spring and travel that will be a go-to, a lipstick that helps the endangered species and is also a beautiful treat, the best tote organizer, a fun podcast and more..

Thanks for stopping by and have a happy weekend!

Kim

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

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

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Weekend Meanderings- Thanksgiving Outfits & a Great Moisturizer

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On this Weekend Meanderings…savoring November, Thanksgiving outfits, a Pennsylvania mom and her farm, a Seacliff Beach home for sale, and a moisturizer you need!

How has your week been?  My dear dad turned 83 this week and our oldest Jackson will be 24 today. We have been doing their birthdays together for a long time and tonight we are going out to dinner. A few years back they went to Las Vegas with all the guys in the family and celebrated turning 80 and 21! I love that they are so close and enjoy celebrating together.

The time change kind of had me dragging this week and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten more carbs! Anyone else feel that way? I felt like I needed comfort food with the rainy days, the election, the dark afternoons..and we also got our Covid and flu shots.

Gosh I am glad we are moving on from this mid-term election cycle. I am so ready to think about other things. I need a good book, a show, and to check out a bit. I began White Lotus season 2 and it’s pretty fun. I will start The Crown this weekend I hope.

The best news to come out of this election is that the youth vote turnout was huge and in some states-350% more than normal. This is so exciting to know the younger generation is getting involved in democracy and not getting complacent. It bodes well for the future. More on this article.

Novembering

I stopped over at Pottery Barn this week to check out the Christmas decor, but came home with the white ceramic vase instead… I love this and popped a fern in it. In a few weeks I will put pine branches with pinecones in it..My heart is still in November right now.

I love the leaves and the crisp air now. It’s perfect for walks. This is a good month for making soups and for sorting out your sweaters, indulging in a new pair of slippers and pjs and curling up on the couch with a soft throw and a good book.

I did manage to clean out the linen closet, purge old sheets and bedding and pillows. I wiped everything with a nice lavender spray and what I didn’t wash, I ran through the dryer and refolded. I put some sachets in with it all. I also washed and folded all our summer throws. Everything is organized and fresh. I was a good use of a rainy day.. and I wanted to get off Instagram for a while.

To be honest, I was feeling some anxiety seeing so many people having trees and decorations for Christmas up already. I’m not there yet and am really thinking about Thanksgiving..

Thanksgiving/ Fall &Winter Casual Dresses

This is about the time I start thinking about what I want to wear to Thanksgiving..Even though I am hosting, I do want to look nice.

I choose this sweater dress because it looks comfortable and pretty. This is a very California Thanksgiving vibe. I would absolutely wear this dress with the clogs or loafers and later on with cute sneakers…. I love the chain on this bag (extra 30% now), and the hoops. Another look would be to pair this with a plaid jacket and boots for a polished daytime feel. There is also this cute sweater dress I considered.

I love autumn shade dresses for fall and this is lovely. I would pair it with booties or tall boots. It can transition to everyday with slides or Birks and a big sweater on top. I liked these black earrings with it as they picked up the black on the sherpa bag strap. You could add a big black wrap over it for a night out. The peasant look of the dress together with the bag, gives it a bit of a Boho feel…. These boots look flattering, are marked down and extra 50% off with code SALEONSALE. I can see them being a great closet staple.

Ruth McKeaney

This week I really enjoyed Ruth McKeaney, and her home Hillside Farm, on Homeworthy. Ruth and her husband flipped many homes when they were young and learned as they went and did the same with their beautiful historic property, a 305 year old farm in Pennsylvania.. Ruth has also raised five children and her story is about creating a space that is cozy and uniquely yours, with salvaged and found objects and personal art. I love her pretty and personal look in her home…

She also has a book called Hungry for Home that I just ordered. It has so many great reviews and perhaps the best said ‘Ruth reminds us that your own home is the most amazing place to be.’ That is lovely. You can also follow Ruth’s Instagram here.

The perfect winter moisturizer

My skin has been feeling dry and not so great since the heat has begun coming on and the cold weather has descended on us. A friend recommended the Hydraboost Moisturizer from Blue Mercury when we were there last week and I can’t believe how much I love it. It feels so soothing and leaves a nice look to my skin. I love having a local Blue Mercury and their in house brand M-61 is very good. I’ve been happy with all have tried.

House for Sale of the Week – at Seacliff Beach

I saw this beach house above Seacliff Beach and I knew it had to be my house for sale of the week. Look at those views and windows and light! I love seeing the fog and the hills right outside. The plants in this place look pretty happy too.

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

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

Kim

On last weekend’s meanderings..cozy kitchen lamps for the dark months, the best hummus to make, a Thanksgiving guide book, Chanel style jackets, and Carmel homes to dream about..read that 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- the New CB2 at Santana Row, a Little Black Dress, Healthy Pasta & More

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

The new CB2 at Santana Row

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eating Better

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

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

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

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

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

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

A healthier pasta

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

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

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

The Perfect Little Dress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Santa Cruz Charmer

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

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

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

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend.

Thank you for being here!

Kim

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

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

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

Friday Fun Things

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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

A Few Things…

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How is your week going? After the Mother’s Day chill, it was back to the routine for me. I had a few errands and one was Whole Foods for a few family must haves. I dread the line, the shopping and I do my best to fly through and avoid aisles where there are people. I sometimes struggle to see my list through my mask and I was head down when a sweet woman, I think she was European, chatted me up by the liquid soap. My first thought was to back off a few feet, but she told me the French hand soap I was buying was very good in the orange scent and that it doubled as body wash nicely. I took a breath and I thanked her for the tip and she added, ‘You know we have to do what we can and improvise now.’ I responded, ‘It’s not so bad is it?’ She lamented about her out of control curly hair, which I thought was beautiful, and we both agreed that this pandemic has taught us what we really need and what we can live without.

I walked out of the store with a good feeling after that. I’ve rarely exchanged with anyone shopping since we’ve been doing this social distance thing and it felt nice. I like how we concurred on what we truly need now and what we don’t. It’s not by choice, but right now is a trial of sorts. Maybe we don’t have to get our nails, hair, eyelashes, fillers and all that done so frequently to look beautiful. We get a chance to see the real us for a bit, something we can’t when we regularly get colored, manicured, etc. In seeing the results we may be horrified- OR we may see more natural lovely version of ourselves and lose some of those high maintenance habits. Maybe we don’t need as much polish as we think?

I get frustrated with this pandemic and then try hard to look at the lessons it is teaching me. Maybe less is sometimes more. Natural is good. Did we need to shop that much and were we sometimes just shopping to shop? I know I did, but now I have found time for things like gardening and reading instead. Life was too convenient, too frantic and was lacking quality of another kind. That quality is only what can be found at home, with ourselves and our family. It’s everything the slow movement embodies and we are all getting a taste of it. You are either a fan of it at this point or you aren’t and though I miss many things about my previously busy life, there is a lot right now that is good.

Last week I noticed two things I have experienced in Europe only. First, there have been a nice amount of people reading and picnicking in our neighborhood park. In most European towns and cities you can find people reading the newspaper or books in the parks and in any green space and it always makes me appreciate their ‘slow’ kind of life. More than a few days I saw people stretched out with books or leaned against a tree with them. I also saw families on blankets having picnics. It was a nice to see and yes they were distanced from others.

Photos from Sorrento and England I snapped during past vacations of people enjoying slower pursuits.

Max and I have also noticed during the dinner dishes, the clinking sound we only hear in France when it’s dinner time. We have rented apartments in France and always noticed the wonderful sound of dishes and flatware clinking during the dinner hour that you don’t hear any place else. It means people are cooking and taking time to enjoy their lives and food and I love that. I’ll admit it can be a slog and some nights I am burnt out with it all, but most of the time the four of us share in the cooking and clean up and that has made it enjoyable along with the conversation -another unexpected gift. If this pandemic hadn’t happened we wouldn’t have had these leisurely dinners. The guys always had homework and Max was many times exhausted from his commute to San Francisco, or home quite late. Everything here has moved to the 1970’s kind of pace of my childhood and it is nice. Has anyone else felt the quality of life go up with slowing of things?

How are you managing shopping with the mask? I have a few good ones and still I struggle to breathe sometimes while doing errands. My neighbor Abby, who is a talented sewer and junior in high school made me a custom one from vintage fabric I gave her to use for donation masks and I love it…

I also found Lime Tree Designs, from a friend so bought a few there and I can highly recommend them as they arrived quickly, look, feel and fit terrific- and have a place for a filter or paper towel if you want added protection.

I thought this was a very hopeful article this week about the powerful impact of wearing masks when 80% of us comply. This study was based on Japan’s high compliance and they have a tightly crowded society and have not done quarantine. They have had a very low death rate that is just 2% of the U.S. with just 577 deaths to our almost 80,000.

If we want to get back out, we should get used to wearing them for the protection of others and for ourselves all the times we are out doing errand or interacting with others. Exercising in the open may be the exception. We need to stop worrying about what we look like and just make it what we do. The first step is having a few masks that you like wearing and feel comfortable in. The cloth ones are much preferable to paper I can tell you that having had both.

Anthropologie has the biggest collection and choices I have seen. They carry these below by Sanctuary that are 3 for $24 which are cute, have an adjustable nose bridge and a removable polypropylene filter. Antho will donate $5  (the cost of a mask) if you tag #sliceofhappy, @anthropologie, and @getusppe each post to GetUsPPE. Founded by physicians and medical researchers, GetUsPPE works with communities to get PPE to the healthcare workers on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic. I think that is a win-win purchase.

They also carry this bunch by Sanctuary that include a few my guys would wear..

Anthropologie has huge choice of masks from many companies with beautiful fabrics- so you can find your own style here.

Madewell has a pack of three that uses their fabric leftovers and comes with a filter. They are backordered until June 3 right now. Madewell and it’s partner J. Crew have donated 75,000 single use masks to Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

Masks can be found at every price point like these made of vintage Hermes scarves. All 100% of the proceeds go to buy an assistance dog for a diabetic child. You can also send in your own Hermes scarves as a donation and she will make you two masks and keep the rest to sell to raise money.

There are also these very cute Liberty of London fabric masks.

And this version..

You can find a page full of Liberty of London fabric versions on Etsy.

Some of you have made your own and some are wearing scarves. Whatever you do make it easy and something you will get in the habit of wearing. Everyone in your family needs their own designated masks and it is good to have more than one -you need them for the car, your purse, at the front door, so you can always grab it or have it with you.

Finally, have you been finding some good shows and books to chill with? I am wondering if anyone has watched this series, based on the very popular My Brilliant Friend – aka Neopolitan Novels which follow two friends in Naples throughout their lives. I never finished the books, but this looks very good. This is the trailer for the second season..

I love it for the backdrop of Southern Italy. If we can’t travel now maybe we can do it virtually?

On that Italian note, I have it on good authority (thank you Contessa), that this book, The Mother-in-Law’s Cure, is a good escape and funny so and I have just ordered it.

My all time favorite film, which always makes me dream of Italy and travel is Room with a View. If you haven’t seen it or just haven’t in a few decades, it’s one to watch again with the family or all alone absorbing its beauty. Just look how young Maggie Smith and Judy Dench were – mere babes, and Helena Bonham Carter? We played some of the soundtrack for my wedding. Dreaming of Italy…

Ciao for now

xo

Kim

Photo on top from Vanity Fair article linked above. Some links on this post may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

My 2019 Favorites

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Wow the holidays flew by! I hope you are enjoying a break before the new year. Hard to believe it’s a new decade. I love this time of year and the downtime to clean up, put away and reassess before the new year starts. Of course there are always many after holiday sales, but I thought it would be good to start with a post on my favorite things of 2019. This is things I have used, loved and would buy again!! It’s also a good reminder to myself to think how many things I purchased the past year I can say I still love, still work and were worth every cent. In the new decade I’m going to try and think hard when shopping and ask myself if the item will fall into this category, and if not, reconsider. Micro-resolutions! That’s the mantra apparently… Things you can actually do.

Here’s my list of things I would buy again and I will be enjoying into the new decade and were worth every penny!

My white Grayson Cozy Cotton Shirt is probably the most worn item in my closet and spans the seasons as a perfect layering piece for now as well as my go to shirt for spring and even summer paired with shorts. I love this brand Grayson which I discovered this year and I now own the white as well as a cool striped number. What makes these shirts so nice is the fit and the open collar that is flattering. Beautifully made they always feel good and look great on. In the new year I need more items like this in my closet that work for so much and make everything look good!

My Serena & Lily Carson Backless Bench has been a bright spot in our entry and a welcoming spot for everyone coming or going to stop and gather their things or put on shoes. It get used so much, I don’t know how I lived without a bench before. It also sets a pretty tone for our small entry and gets a lot of compliments with its lovely weave and design. I like to change the pillows often and this is my January look! The grey pillow is one of my favorite S&L pillows and there are many new ones like this Auckland Cover, I love the fringe on this Avalis Pillow , and this cute pompom and look of the new Perennials Texture Loop Pillow.

My Serena & Lily Balboa Barstools are probably the most used and also my most favorite item I have added to our remodel. They still look terrific after lots of wear from the boys and the pets. The white Perennials basketweave cushions are still repelling stains and are brush away spots easy and still look like new! The Marin-based Serena & Lily whose mantra is, living well begins at home, were all over a friend Angela’s beautiful new remodel I got a peek of at a recent holiday gathering. What really caught my eye were her pretty Riviera Backless Stools I snapped a photo of in her gorgeous kitchen. So fresh and California chic. Her runner looked like this Seaview rug I have in Earth color.

Other favorites from Serena & Lily are my Malibu Chandelier in my dining room and my Capiz Scalloped Chandelier pendant in the entry that so many have asked about and set the California look I like so much in the house! Right now they are having their Winter Tent Sale, so it’s a nice time to pick up something for the home with your holiday money. Always a better long term investment over clothes.. but speaking of clothing..

Another wonderful item I added to my closet this year and have worn too many times to admit is my Everlane Cashmere Square Turtleneck. I have the black and I would love the light oatmeal. It’s the perfect modern shape and so well made it still looks fresh after a zillion wearings. Everything at Everlane, a San Francisco based company, is produced ethically. Read more about how they track and monitor every step of a garment’s evolution from the thread to the shipping, to stores, something they call radical transparency.

You can feel good when you shop there and I would rather have one of their beautiful sweaters than multiple lesser made items. Once you have one of their coveted items, you’ll understand why they are so loved. Lucky for us in Northern Cal, they recently opened a store in Stanford Shopping Center.

This Bissell ICONpet Cordless Stick Vacuum was an idea of my husband’s and my first reaction was I already have a Miele Canister I love and I don’t need it. I can now say this vacuum is a brilliant idea. It’s a combo handheld and stick vacuum. I use it many times a day to pick up cat sand, kitchen crumbs and dust bunnies you cannot otherwise see without its powerful light. The light is a real innovation and vacuuming in the evening with this thing is even better than day. You have never seen the true state of your floors until you have a light like this attached to your vacuum. I am using the wood floor attachment so I love it for my new hardwood, which will preserve it even longer. Still, the best part about this vacuum is thew ability to scoot around the house with no cord and do a fast house cleaning on one charge. Ours is mounted on the garage wall and the boys like using the handheld part to clean their cars. It’s life and house changing!

Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection 45 and Primer is the loveliest skincare discovery I have made this year. I was talked into it when I bought the Future Skin Gel Foundation (also excellent), but I think this actually made the biggest difference in my skin appearance – i.e. my pores, vibrance and dark spots- and it’s good SPF is not heavy, but is a daily essential in California! I’m not going to lie, this stuff isn’t cheap. I wish it came in industrial size, but fair warning you will love it and see a difference in your skin.

I am also obsessed with this Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Longwear Concealer. It has a light texture, is easily blended and works not just under the eyes, but all over the face to conceal and brighten without feeling heavy. I love how it seems invisible, but it’s definitely working.

One more in the beauty column, but can’t go unmentioned, is Glossier’s Lash Slick Mascara, which is amazing at making my small, stick straight lashes look lifted and pretty all day without flaking, dark shadows or weighing them down. So many of the new ‘false’ lash formulas are heavy and goopy and make brittle older lashes like mine just flat and clumped. Glossier has perfected this product and nothing else comes as close in my book for wearability and ease of removal too. You can also layer it for more dramatic lashes. I also am crazy for their eye creme called Bubblewrap, which you can buy as a duo with the mascara right now for $34! I love so many of Glossier’s simple and brilliant products.

Something I reach for every day is jeans and the ones I’ve worn more than anything this year and have replaced most of my others, are these Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in different washes. They aren’t too high waisted, flattering and look cute with heels to sneakers. I love the quality of the denim they use, and my black pair feels like satin on!

I’d love to hear what items made your 2019 favorites list! Please share things that were great finds and that you can’t live without in the comments!

Before we start the new year, I wanted to say It’s been almost a decade since I began blogging and many of you have been here all along and many new friends have popped on by too. I so value your comments, your friendship and your feedback as this blog has evolved! Thank you for all of it and here’s to a new and exciting year and decade! May it be the best ever and I hope to share more new discoveries, travels, cool people and journeys with you all. I have changed and evolved and so have you. You guys inspire me and you are the reason I am still plodding on in my small corner of the world. Keep sharing your thoughts and feedback – many of it coming on my Instagram and some on my Facebook page. Thank you friends!

Happy New Year and decade to you,

Kim

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Black Friday Picks

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Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We have family visiting and it was so nice to host now that the remodel is done. The day after we always go for a family hike or walk and never shopping. I do like to peruse the deals on Black Friday online though and last year actually got a few great things and a jump start on my Christmas shopping which was nice.

Many retailers began their sales early this year, so I’m linking to a few of my favorites and some of the best buys I like. These sale prices are varying- all are on Friday, some longer. My recommendation is to not hesitate if you like something, as things go pretty fast.

J.Crew is having a blow out 50% off most things on site. This jeweled button popover is just one of a ton of darling things at this fantastic sale.

This ruffle neck sweater (so many colors) is another cute item. Use code FRIDAY at checkout. The men’s area is loaded with cute sweaters for gifting too. Many cute J.Crew items from this post may be on the sale.

Serena & Lily is having their Thank You Event and on this blog post I shared some of the best things and my own purchases.

I have my eyes on is their gorgeous pillows– especially this Bayview Pillow.

Lamps are a good home investment and they have the prettiest collection. I’m loving this Bari Lamp so much!

Other good buys on this sale from them are (below from left), the Seaview Rug, the Henley Wool Throw, the Dalton Flannel Robe the Healdsburg Bath Towels and the darling Bedford Tray– all these and everything you love from Serena & Lily is 25% off with code Thankful right now!

Madewell is having 30% off your purchase with code GIFTWELL. This Mercer sweater is darling in all its shades- a best seller.

It’s a great chance to pick up a pair of their amazing denim! The Cali-demi boot jeans are so flattering.

Trina Turk is also having 25% off on Black Friday. I’m loving this Boscage leatherette dress.

Trina Turk is a super place to get a special occasion holiday dress or top during the sale. Check out their collection of cocktail looks.

Neimans has a few gems, especially in the handbags…

This Tory Burch clutch is so chic for evenings and for travel. It’s marked down to $166 for Black Friday Sale and for every $200 spent you get $50 off including beauty items, so you could add a fragrance or a regular item you buy during this time and get another $50 off!!

This Coach 1941 bag is $120 off at $375. Love the style and the crossbody strap.

This Rebecca Minkoff Suede Tote is the prettiest blue and $203.

Neiman’s Mens Black Friday Sale here.

Nordstrom has some terrific buys on their sale:

This Avec La Filles Moto Coat is adorable with the details and a nice closet addition for $219- 30% off.

This Barbour Plaid Scarf is 50% off at $34! So cute for a guy or gal.

I think Ugg Slippers are one of the nicest gifts that last forever and right now this cute style is 30% off at $69 and comes in tan also.

This pink is pretty cute too, especially for young gals you might need to buy for, and it comes in an orange version also.

This Soft & Cozy Pj set comes in a bunch of cute colors for $49.

Love this Madewell sweater in all its colors- regular $98 it is $58 right now..Cute for a sister, mom or friend.

These Ugg Jogging pants are nice for hibernating at home this winter. Love this color and they are $52 – 40% off.

Gorjana Necklaces are nice and this pendant is 50% off at $34.

Something about this Ted Baker Stripe Sweater is really attractive and it’s marked down 40% to $92.

Love this Baja Poncho Hoodie for the special beach bum in your life by the wonderful brand Faherty, now marked down to $112 from $188.

For the young guys in your life this RVCA Packaway II Hooded Anorak is perfect for throwing in a backpack, but ready to repel rain and wind and is just $39 right now marked down 40%.

I like to get my husband a Bonobos Shirt every Christmas as they fit him so well and he likes the whimsical designs. This Slim Fit Dinosaur Shirt is 30% off at $54 and that is a great price for the quality of these shirts.

Bonobos also makes this slim fit t-shirt with ski jumpers $40, 30% off. I know my sons would love it.

This Vince Classic Fit Stripe T is also a good deal at $65 it’s a 40% savings.

More of the Black Friday and Cyber Sale at Nordstrom here.

Nordstrom is also having their Buy 3 get 1 Free Mascara Event on Saturday the 30th. Pick any 3 mascara, any brands and get the third one deducted off the bill. All the Mascaras here.

Another approach to Black Friday is where a company decides to give to a charity instead of give you a price break. I love that Everlane is giving $10 for every purchase on Black Friday. Since 2014, Everlane has raised over $800,000 for initiatives that help improve the lives of factory workers and clean up the environment. This year they are donating to Oceana to help end single use plastic.

Their Square Silk Shirt is a classic and beautifully made.

I also love this lightweight jacket which comes in many pretty colors. The unique pockets and oversize design is nice.

Their Mac Coat is another great item in other pretty colors as well as this fun blue check.

Go to Everlane’s site to read more about their giving. Their men’s gift guide has sustainable cashmere and jackets as well.

I hope these give you a few ideas and a head start on your holiday shopping! I know things can go fast, so I’ll check back and make sure items are still available. Most of these sales, are for the weekend, but some are just Friday, so check that.

I’ll be back with Cyber Monday post and a Thanksgiving recap! Wishing you some quality time this weekend with nature, family and friends.

Kim

Fall Style Inspiration from Katie Holmes

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I am going to try for a weekly fashion post as you all seem to like them. Today I thought I’d kick it off with someone who has been killing it right now in the style department, Katie Holmes. The girl recently split from her longtime boyfriend Jamie Foxx and she’s been upping her game big time. They say looking good is the best revenge, etc. Just check out this outfit above! I love the plaid, the t-shirt, long coat and messy updo. If you look at photos of her from a year ago, it’s like she’s a different person. Her skin and hair look luminous and she just looks chic and confident. Maybe she hired a stylist, but she’s always had an eye for fashion. Let’s check out some looks we can get pointers from..

I love this cinnamon blazer for fall and the off white flare jeans with the mules are a nice fall transition… The cute bun and glasses give it that throwaway chic look. Everlane just came out with a cinnamon coat in a similar color and Madewell has a modern car coat and this double breasted version. Try adding a coat or blazer with a color this fall to your rotation. This is a super daytime outfit. 

I find New Yorkers the most relatable when it comes to everyday style to emulate. It may be that they get photographed frequently doing everyday things, not just for events.

Katie has a great way of mixing current fashion into her very achievable look. Again case in point here -cool boots, cute small bag – the rest is basic, but see how those two things elevate the whole picture?

Recently, she blew up the internet wearing a sweater set with a matching cashmere bra.

Sweater she’s wearing here from Khaite. I think I need those mules, especially here in California. These are Acne slide which are impossible to find now, but I see similar ones on sale now Nordys and also at Trina Turk in suede and these, a Frye version, which may be the closest to hers and are 40% off. I just ordered the Nordstrom mules to replace my sandals as it’s getting cooler her in Northern Cal!

Katie throws a little twist into basics with cool bags, unique shoes and chic sunglasses which make her stand out. She also has a new sexiness with her longer hair which looks great on her tall frame. As it’s already pretty chilly in New York, there’s a lot of good looks here to get fall inspiration from and a few items that could update what you already own such as..

She adds a cashmere poncho/sweater to a pleated skirt. A pleated skirt is a fun and easy piece to pick up and add a sweater to. A close version here at Zara.

Leather leggings or faux ones can be a luxe look for evenings out this fall and winter. This brand is supposed to be the closest to leather looking and I love these by Emerson Fry.

As I mentioned in the last blog, a pair of high waisted jeans, like they have perfected at Madewell, is worth investing in. I especially love this vintage pair and I own these and these are similar to Katie’s. They look great with a tucked blouse or swingy cropped top or sweater. Once you try a pair, you’ll see they hold the tummy in and make your butt look good too. They give you a nice defined waist. You just have to get used to wearing structured pants in the tummy. It does make you conscious of what you are eating, I’ll say that.

Long coats, dusters, and plaid. Houndstooth is having a moment. Here she uses a basic T, and evening heels to change it up. Plaid oversized coats are so cute and remind me one I had in the 80s. A fun version here, here at Nordstrom and a cute Topshop look.

Basic straight leg jean, sweatshirt and a cool bag to give it some flair. Some cute oxfords like this here

Add a double-breasted jacket to your fall look over a basic t-shirt. Extra points for camel color which always has a rich girl look. Pop on a pair of pumps with your basic denim jeans when you go out. Pretty simple, but looks like you’ve got style.

Think about adding a trench to your wardrobe. I have three and wish I had more. Nothing looks so Audrey Hepburn and you can throw it over anything. The little bag and leopard loafers with the hair back are perfect, but converse would be just as cute. Katie’s trench is Burberry’s classic Kensington Trench and this is a more moderate Sam Edelman version.

PHOTO: 
JAWAD ELATAB/BACKGRID

Another simple look, longer distressed jeans, sweatshirt and these are Zara pumps. The white pumps are a rock n’ roll addition and I love the little shoulder bag which is a Phillip Lim Alix bag. A little high, little low here.

Weekend in New York look. Try any long jeans in your closet paired with heeled boots, and a slightly sexy oversized sweater, again the glasses, the bun-perfection!

LOVE this look for the ballet. Prada suit with ostrich feathers. It’s fun and feminine. For a holiday party, consider a suit and jacket with nothing under it, add strappy heels and some feather embellishment, you’re done. So French and very hot.

A pretty short evening dress look with the dotted stockings. I wore these in the 90’s. This looks elegant and a bit more demure than the bare leg for a holiday party, still super sexy and cool. I think these are the same tights.

I love her modern mix of necklaces here. She wears a lot of dainty jewelry. Try a mix of fragile looking pieces and dangly earrings. Her makeup is basic eyeliner, bareish face, bronzer and a neutral lip. Simple chic.

If you don’t have necklaces like this you can find layered necklaces here, and tiny ones here and here and many choices at Madewell. These Kendra Scott earrings and these are similar drops.

You can get more Katie inspiration from her fun Instagram..

Hope you liked this fashion post! Let me know your thoughts and any other candidates I should feature. Kerry Russell is another one to emulate that I’d like to share.

Kim

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