Northern California Style

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My Summer Inspiration Board, Cute Coverups, a Comfy Strapless Bra and More..

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On this post, my June inspiration board, a comfy strapless bra, some great coverups and more..

I hope your week has been good. June is going fast and we are still enjoying pretty mild weather which is nice.. This is going to be a bit of a short post today as I am getting ready to leave on a short trip to Hawaii, just Max and I.

Our kids are all together this weekend as my oldest Jackson and his girlfriend flew to Salt Lake City to see our youngest Griffin who is staying at school and working there this summer. It makes me so happy to know they are spending time just the three of them having fun!

My dad and I did a trip to a garden center this week and a lunch at a Mexican restaurant, his favorite- for an early Father’s Day, as I won’t be with him.

Summer Inspiration Boards

I finally got my summer inspiration board done. I try and make one seasonally. The summer one is sort of wishful and I love looking at it in my office.. I used pictures from all the catalogs that come and a few magazines.. a leaf from Hawaii and a vintage necklace that was my grandmother’s.

My pinboard is from Ballard and I have this size. It was pricey, but this is my second one from them and honestly, I can’t find an equivalent quality one anywhere even on EBay, custom made they cost the same.

It’s a very creative thing to do! I love collage and I think as adults we stop doing fun things like this. It’s great to make for summer. I’ve done them with postcards, and also with family photos as well. A good project to do as a family! Everyone can make one with their summer wishes and dreams. You can use poster board and glue sticks and put them on display.

Tomato Progress

My tomatoes are already growing and I am following dad’s advice and only watering when they have a wilted look. I just caged them today and one already has a tiny tomatoes! By July we should be harvesting. If you missed my post with my dad’s tips on how to grow your own it’s here.

Strapless Bra Talk

Packing for our trip I knew one thing I needed was a strapless bra… Firsts let me just say, I abhor them and have had a few incidents where I thought I may be suffering a cardiac episode while wearing one…. Seriously, I actually had to leave my dinner and go to the restaurant bathroom and remove it.. Not a great look as you can imagine!

With my recent purchases of one shoulder tops and a dress, they are essential, but what are the options? I don’t want another restaurant episode! LOL. I won’t go back to the traditional tourniquet with a wire. Nor do I wish to be pushed up, but I realize that’s not everyone..I just want comfort.. Does anyone else feel this way?

I had been seeing new ‘bandeau bras’ with all the new shapewear lines. Could that be a solution I wondered- and what about for larger sizes?

In the name of research I made my way to Nordstrom where they sell Skims brand. Skims has one that’s very basic, no wires, etc and in VERY soft material, and in many skin tones. I tried a large. I pulled it on, feet first..and it was all I hoped for. It holds you in, minimizes a bit, and feels comfy not tight. This brand has a wide range of sizes and skin tones too.

I can see wearing this with tank tops as it feels great. I was so thrilled I bought two, the Mica color and the black. If you are loving the new one shoulder looks- this is just the thing. It’s called the Fits Everyone Bandeau Bralette and they go up to a size 4X.

This is a pic I snapped with it on in my bath with an Anthropologie top I’m bringing on my trip. I think the bra is pretty invisible- and I can breathe!

On My Radar

I don’t really need outdoor plates, but these are really darling and if I was going to consider adding a new set, this would be it and good price too.

I am excited to get the yard looking pretty and I really want some cute lanterns. These Coastal Lanterns West Elm caught my eye. I would love to get two for around the pool or two by the front door.

I ran into our local Pottery Barn and saw these cute napkins on sale. I just loved the blue and thought ‘alfresco dinner.’ Right now I have them on the island with a stack of plates and a rattan utensil holder for a quick serving.

Echo Design Group

Echo Design group makes more than beautiful scarves. They have pretty summer essentials and their short gauze butterfly caftan is a perfect coverup. I like this Rosewater color, but it comes in 7 other options. They also have this simple coverup dress in lavender I like and this in a charming seersucker in two shades…See their Beach & Resort Collection here.

If you missed it, on Thursday I joined my blog friends for a summer home refresh collaboration and you can find what I did to bring a summer vibe to the home- and links to the others.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

Kim

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

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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.

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Tips to Give Your Home a Summer Vibe

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Today I am joining friends to for a bit of summer home inspiration for you. I have tips to help you summerize your home, make it inviting and have that resort vibe!

I’m very excited to chat about ‘summerizing’ your home. To me that’s making it brighter, and lighter and the breezy feel of a vacation home. We may not be on holiday, but we can give the house that feeling, even if we are staycationing..

I love summer in Europe and always enjoyed how the store fronts really embrace it with summer themed windows with picnic baskets, throws, lots of seagrass, rattan and woven pieces. The clothing shops have loads of linen and basket purses. It was inspiration to get your summer on, and I noticed it from Amsterdam to Belgium, in Provence as well as Italy…

I snapped this photo of a young woman in Sorrento having a cold drink and reading her book outside a home store.. It just says summer to me with the wicker trunks, and her hair with a scarf and sunglasses… It’s still one of my favorite travel photos. Transporting! Let’s bring that feeling to our homes this summer.

Young woman reading in Summertime isn Sorrento.

How to give a Summer vibe to your home..

  • Add natural and woven materials like baskets, seagrass, wicker, burlap, and caning.
  • Swap out wool or heavy throws for linen and cottons.
  • Embrace the stripe, which brings a French or nautical feel. They can be in neutrals or blue and whites.
  • Lots of plants. I love a big ficus. A fern is great on the kitchen counter or coffee table.
  • Lighten colors with neutrals or go for sea glass colors with pillows and accessories.
  • A cute look is hats by the door, and a basket or two for flip flops and totes.
  • Bring out your souvenirs from a coastal holiday like shells, coral, books, tote bags, etc.
  • Change out your bedding. Remove heavy duvets and shams replace with light cotton coverlets and linen or cotton sheets.
  • Evoke that summer feel with candles and soaps or diffusers that have a light summertime scent..
  • Create an outdoor space with lanterns or hanging lights. Add a basket of throws for cool nights outside.

 

A few things I did to my own house…

I threw my hat on a large ginger jar by the back door.. ( Mostly so I remember to use it when I go to the garden, but it ended up looking cute.)

Ginger jar in grey

Changed out the pillow on the my entry bench..I have one of my Hawaiian baskets here for sandals.

Serena & Lily Carson bench in entry.

I moved a large ivy and wooden bowl by the front door.. I always have my vintage racquets out in summer in an umbrella stand..and a few burlap bags to grab for shopping.

entry with plexiglass table

I found a cute fern for this whimsical pot. I’ve added a few more soft blue pillows to my tan, blue and cream mix in the living room…I also brought out my wooden beads and a shell from Fiji.

beaufort tray on coffee table

I scattered some of my favorite blue and holiday books about..with a bowl of shells, an air plant and a very old photo of us all at the beach.

white living room with blue

My crazy mix … It looks like a lot of pillows, but this sectional is deep, so we kind of need them..

sectional with blue and cream pillows

I added more colorful pottery and woven pieces to my kitchen. I have a jar of olive wood spoons I have collected from trips. (Tip: When the wooden spoons start looking grayish, rub them with olive oil to get their wood grain look and nice tone back.)

My spoon container is this vase from Anthro.

My blue pottery is from a holiday in Positano and Sorrento.. Just having it out in the summertime transports me back to that trip!

I added a few little ottomans for putting our feet up with our rattan chairs and the one by the door for handbags and things. ..an Amazon find and nicely made. ( Marlo approves.).

In the mudroom/laundry, I added new rope baskets and a blue pillow, an air plant in a wooden bowl and moved this seaside vintage Vogue print in here..

 

On my bar, I added woven pieces.. some orange napkins to my drink tray, a burlap picture of my boys at the beach the they were small..

I love adding books here and a cup from Hawaii, a bowl of napkin rings in mixed materials, and vintage bar bits like a racquet bottle opener from my pal Erin.

The blue bowl was my grandma’s and it looks pretty with Pixies or tangerines.

Outdoors I just added these Pottery Barn pillows in stripe and the light blue with trim..

I am updating my bedroom and a bed is coming in a week! I also have been changing the yard a little. I’ll share more soon on the weekend blog!

A few summer things you might need- similar to mine..

A few cute things for your home.. Click on the images for link.

Rope baskets similar to mine in mudroom.
My outdoor pillow..
Pottery Barn always has a bag of shells each summer for decor.
These affordable throws from Portugal are so nice! I have a collection of them.
Rattan wrap handle pitcher.
My other outdoor pillow.
My coffee table tray on sale now.
Love these soaps..
These books are so fun on the coffee table.
A summer vibe in the kitchen.
On my counter with spoons.. Also a cute planter.
The tray on my bar. On sale now.
Love these with the fringe!
This is similar to my mirror in the entry..

 

Please stop by my friend’s blogs for more summer decor ideas…


CINDY HATTERSLEY DESIGN

CLASSIC CASUAL HOME

MOST LOVELY THINGS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank for stopping by!

Kim

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.

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Like this post? You can save it on Pinterest to refer back to..

 

My June Must List, Tomato Garden Tips, Pretty Slip Dresses and More

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On this post..My June must list, tomato garden tips from my dad, a charming California home refresh, pretty slip dresses, and my new bed I just ordered.

I had a busy week. It was so nice my youngest son Griffin was here for a while and now he’s off again back to Utah where he is working for the summer. I can’t believe it is already June. I just love the idea of summer.. and all the possibilities it brings! Do you feel the same?

I’m also working on my yard when my allergies aren’t killing me.. Anyone else suffering more this year with them? I also have the French Open on non-stop. I love it!

Things on my June list..

Start wearing a tinted moisturizer- or mix a bronzer into my moisturizer for a sunkissed look. (I have used this one which is also a sunscreen.)

Do a body and face scrub and hair mask one evening or weekend..

Wear my hair tied back with a silk scarf in a pony or a small bun with it wrapped around it. The warmer it gets, the less I want to blow dry. (Below with my new Rails top and a scarf.)

Add to my garden tomatoes (tips below), with herbs like basil and mint in patio pots.

Switch my bag out to a woven one. I finally ordered this that was on my list.

Buy a summer lipstick shade!

Start making sun tea every few days on the patio. (I love this Sport Tea Contessa got me hooked on.)

Commit to ice tea and a book in the yard at least a few times a week.

Plan to host at least one or two easy summer dinners.

After dinner walks or tennis and ice cream or gelato for dessert at least once a week!

Do you have any Summer musts? I look forward to summer like a kid and remember to make time to savor the little things that make it special. We can make it feel like vacation, even if we are home!

Tips for getting a tomato garden in..

To me nothing says summer like home grown tomatoes from the garden. Just the smell is enough to transport me. If you have never grown your own, give it a try. Even if you just have a container on the porch, you will enjoy summer much more with caprese or breakfast toast with your own bounty…

Dad and I got the tomato garden in about three weeks ago. My dad is a big gardener and he starts his own seeds from the heirlooms he grows the previous years. If he buys tomato plants, he is very picky. We only do organic gardening and once you get your plants in, it’s pretty easy going from there. Tomatoes are so easy.. and you will be eating them until October in California !

A few tips from my dad Ray…

  • Start with amending your beds and adding some compost and turn the dirt over.
  • Choose organic plants and give them space – like 2-3 feet to grow between plants and choose a place with at least 6 hours of sun a day.
  • Remove the lower stems and leaves up to about 5 inches and plant them up to about 4-6 inches deep.
  • Tamp down soil and create a little ‘moat’ around each plant to retain the water.
  • Water deeply the first day or two.. After that only water when the plants look wilted. Morning water at the base, not sprayed on leaves is best.
  • Stake the plants to keep them upright. After August you can dry farm them and stop watering. You will get some of the best tasting tomatoes that way at the end of the harvest.

On My Radar…

I bought a Jenni Kayne slipdress on Annie’s recommendations for a weekend in NYC and I love it so much I want another. I’m trying to choose between this Rio slip dress in bronze or charcoal or the chic striped versions in camel (above) or blue. . I love them under a blazer or small jacket or with a sweater tied over.

This tiered serving piece is something I spied at my local Pottery Barn. It has so many styling possibilities- for a kitchen counter or island, or kitchen table with a plant and also cute outside for alfresco entertaining with napkins, utinsels and such! This has such a summer feel. (A few people asked about the glasses on the photo and they are here.

We women have been raised to be pleasers, and to behave, and to feel guilty about the things we do for ourselves. I’m so over it… This book looks like a great read and inspiring and already has some terrific feedback. I’ll report back.

I just bought this little woven stool on Amazon for my bedroom makeover. I think it looks like a pricier brand… I was thinking under a console, or in the bath or even in my closet..or a corner!

A charming California home in House Beautiful

I loved how this house was left largely as it was, including the 1920’s built-in curtain rods and cool Moorish shapes of doors and fireplaces. I love the small prints mixed with soft palette in this thoughtful refresh. The interior design is by California designer Matthew D’Orisio and photos by Karyn Millet.

More about this charming Montecito home here or in the summer edition of House Beautiful…I especially love this banquette!

Printed floral banquette
California Living room soft colors
bedroom in soft colors
Blue aqua stripe chairs by fireplace in House Beautiful Montecito

Blue upholstery barstool in Montecito home in House Beautiful

Finally getting to my bedroom..

The soft palette above with pretty prints is inspiring me in fixing up my bedroom…

It’s been nearly four years since our remodel and I finally chose a new bed -and it’s coming soon! It’s from Bernhardt. It’s got my California casual vibe I love. It’s quite popular and well rated on several sites, but bought it on Wayfair as I am a ‘professional’ ( is that possible?), so I get free shipping and the price was the best..

It has a slipcovered look… but isn’t. I know it looks a little plain, but it lets me change things up..

Beds can be very pricey now. This one isn’t cheap either, but seemed reasonable for a Cal King and will give me more to spend on a pretty rug, side tables and lights, and hopefully wallpaper-which is so true and really the fun part.

I would so appreciate recommendations for local wallpaper people. I know what I want, but wondering do I do my whole bedroom, or just the one wall?

Anyone have thoughts on that? I am very much a white wall person, but ready to make some subtle changes. Next week I’ll share my inspiration board for the space.. I ran out of time to finish it this week..

And Just Like That Season 2 Coming this month..

Another good thing about June… A fun escape to stream. I love these ladies and I hear there may be a Samantha Jones appearance. I’m glad to hear Aiden is back. I always like him..

If you missed last week’s post I chatted about Carmel in bloom, Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, my Rails capsule wardrobe, a salad for Memorial Day gatherings, and more.

Juliet shared some darling ideas for a couples baby shower she just hosted here.

Mary Ann and Annie shared cute linen pieces and shared options in high/ low price points.

Coming Tuesday, Cindy and I will be sharing our summer sandal picks for June’s Signature Style, so make sure you are subscribed if you don’t want to miss it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely weekend.

Kim

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

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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!

Weekend Meanderings- Summer Essentials, An Easy Dress, a Great Read & More

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Hello it’s our Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet.  I hope your week’s been nice. Ours has been heating up and we even had humidity this week. There are some things I can’t live without during the heat and I thought I’d share a few..

Carve Shorts

I love dresses, but I live in shorts most days of summer, especially when I’m at home. I don’t know what it is about these Oahu shorts by Carve Design, but they are the most comfortable and flattering pair I own. They are the tiniest cord and never look or feel tight. Last year I bought them in the cement color and wore them tons. I just ordered them in this olive, another good neutral. The inseam here in 4 inches. I like my shorts slightly oversized and bought an 8 in these.

If you like a longer short they also have a 6 inch inseam version..

Chantecaille Ultra Sun SPF 45 Primer

I love this primer and sunblock in one and how it makes my skin look. I often wear it alone if I’m not going out. It is a bit pricey, but I find it lasts a long time and has excellent ingredients that actually improve your skin over time. It has a very light feel and a little goes a long way.

Body Lotion

I also tend to get drier legs and arms and use more body lotion in summer and this Fresh Seabury is hydrating, nourishing and soothing.

Stronger Sunblocks

For sunblock, we buy ELTA MD Face and Body lotions as everyone here is sensitive and can’t use many of the drugstore brands. We love both of these and have for years. I just noticed you can buy them as a bundled together now on Amazon for the summer and save $16!

Summer Jacket

Here in California, we always need some kind of light jacket for most evenings. Last summer I bought this Tommy Bahama Two Palms Jacket and it’s been a staple that goes with so much, is light, but cozy. It travels well and I love it with shorts and over dresses and the raw edges make it look cooler than normal. I keep wondering if I should get another, but the natural color is so good with everything. The white or olive would be my second choice.

Loving Frank Book

I love getting into a good book in summer and began a new novel this week on the recommendation of an Instagram pal. Loving Frank is based on the affair that Wright had in 1903 with the wife of a couple he was building a house for. It’s a blend of fact and fiction and won countless awards a few years back. This one description of it from reviews:

“Loving Frank is one of those novels that takes over your life. It’s mesmerizing and fascinating–filled with complex characters, deep passions, tactile descriptions of astonishing architecture, and the colorful immediacy of daily life a hundred years ago–all gathered into a story that unfolds with riveting urgency.”

Sounds like a great summer read..

An easy summer dress

When the high heat hits, all I want is an easy dress to wear with slides to stay cool. This pretty indigo number came onto my radar and it ticked all the boxes. Love the color, shape and length..and well, pockets! This is another great style from Madewell who does simple California chic so well!

Microsoft’s New Green Work Space

I was able to finally take a tour of my husband’s new Microsoft work digs which I’ve been wanting to see for a while, but you know pandemic and all… He’s been talking about it for a while since it’s not only a beautiful design, but it extremely green.

It’s a work space reimagined so everyone has gardens and open spaces they are looking at or able to work in. They even have windows that crank open, and walls open to the outside. They want employees to mostly use natural light when they can and all other power sources are all from their solar. They use no municipal water except sinks and drinking water. Everything is recycled stored and reused. They actively are storing extra rainwater from their living roofs to improve local Stevens Creek and restore the habitat of 30 species.

I had lunch at one of the many restaurants and then we took a wander to the smoothie bar. Everything is in regular dishes and glasses and coffee mugs instead of disposables. Smoothies were one thing that wasn’t.

It’s light, bright and truly open air, unlike most office buildings. Birds and butterflies were enjoying the space as were workers. Obviously Microsoft has money to do this, but they are innovating how we think about work places. If work spaces can feel less sterile, and more like a home (many living room type spaces like above left), how nice is that? Wandering outside the walls to work or just open the window, get fresh air and work by sunlight, are all things we need more of. All spaces are designed around courtyards, paths, rooftop gardens and walkways that bring the outside in. I loved seeing seeing artichokes, lemons, flowers and blackberries thriving next to Max’s desk area.

I thought it was pretty cool and that’s why I wanted to share it here. It’s truly visionary and it was designed by WRNS and more about it here.

Bryce Dallas Howard’s Home in AD

Bryce Dallas Howard, star of the both the Jurassic and Twilight series, and now a director in the footsteps of her father, Ron Howard, has had an interesting life and recently built a home to reflect her life in film. It also has a lot of pink and was made to flatter a redhead, which she and her designer, Claire Thomas are both. I thought it was lovely and fun you can see more of it on AD this month here… How do you all feel about pink decor? Is it growing on us more?

Sorry if this post seems short. I had a busy blog week and also wrote a Signature Style post about the latest lipsticks I am loving here and also a Five Ways to Bring a Summer Feel to Your Home for Project Design.. So if you aren’t sick of me yet, you can click on those for more! LOL.

Well that’s my meanderings for this week. Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs too see what’s on their radars this week…

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Thank you for being here. Have a lovely weekend,

Kim

If you missed last week’s blog, I shared Jubilee fun, Father’s Day Gifts, ( still adding to those), pretty summer tops, an outdoor lantern I love 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!

Summer Lists and Things

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Hello I haven’t written a weekend post for a while and I thought I’d share some fun things with you all. I hope you’re enjoying summer and the small pleasures that come with it. We just got back from spending a couple days at our little cabin in Tahoe and I really enjoyed the simplest things there like biking to the lake and making dinner and eating on our deck each evening.

Now that we are back home I’ve got a little list of things I want to do before summer is over.

My Summer List:

Bring a picnic to the beach

Badminton and ping-pong and night tennis!

Books..at least get through my stack on my bedside and preferably while lounging outdoors

Make ice cream,

Go fruit picking,

Watch the stars and make s’mores,

Camping

A road trip somewhere in California

Hike and lunch in Carmel

Museum visit and lunch in San Francisco..

I could add more, but those are on the top of my summer list! What is on yours?

One summer thing I’ve been enjoying is Wimbledon, after not having it last year. It really doesn’t feel like summer without Wimbledon. It’s been a different year with most of the big names out, but I’ve loved watching all the young kids coming up. In honor of the finals this weekend, I think we’ll make Pimm’s Cups. We have fresh cucumbers and berries, so why not? I haven’t made it for a while, but the best recipe and most authentic is from California girl, Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking.. It’s delicious refreshing and simple and you can make it light with less Pimm’s and more fruit and ginger ale for lightweights like me. ..

By the way, if you aren’t familiar with Gaby, I love her straightforward and delicious California cooking. I have this cookbook and have made so many recipes out of it- and the family are fans too. Right now, her house summer salad with peaches and avocados from her Instagram is my next one to try!

Back to Wimbledon, I honestly miss overseas travel and hope to get back to the U.K. next summer. Seeing everyone enjoying their drinks and the tennis, made me want to go even more. One of my favorite things about Wimbledon is seeing the audience and what everyone is wearing. Some of my favorites..

Gingham seems to popular still! I love the butterfly dress on Eddie Redmayne’s wife. And I didn’t know Pete Davidson is with the lead of Bridgerton, Phoebe Dynevor?? Interesting. More of the people and looks here on Bazaar.

Tennis has been making a comeback in popularity and especially last year it had a surge as it was one sanctioned sport that could be played pretty safely. I have noticed so many more retro tennis clothes and regular clothes with a tennis flavor. I love this terry set by Sundry..

And Free People has all kind of cute tennis/workout looks like this dress..

And I love this look for any sport with the black cap and sneakers.

While we are shopping, Anthropologie has a new promotion that’s a tribute to my all time favorite, Audrey Hepburn, with a lot of cute things that have a nod to Audrey’s iconic style.

I once sat next to her as a 20 year old getting a manicure at Elizabeth Arden in Beverly Hills. I was there on a vacation and decided it might be fun to get my nails done. I had no idea who was next to me until she began talking and her voice and mannerisms were unmistakable. She was sweet and kind to everyone and I wish I had the guts to say something to her, but I was young and very shy. She smiled at me and I was privy to her whole conversation about starting a film with Richard Wagner at the time.I thought she was wonderful and as she was my mother’s favorite, I can’t help thinking of my mom with anything Audrey!

Also reminding me of Audrey was this look from Frances Valentine..

If you missed my Instagram post about Darcy Miller, she is a great one to follow. I love her account, and she used to be Martha Stewart’s right hand. She is a genius at celebrations and right now is having a cute Camp Darcy, that has summer projects to try if you have kiddos at home, like these cute family herb pots.

And if you read my post last week on Serena & Lilly, you may be interested in their Summer Tent Sale which just began and is a great time to get some very cute things for the home at a discount! There are beach towels, outdoor pillows, cute napkins and trays and much more!

Right now I am trying to get through my stack of books and I am really enjoying Clothes.. and Other things That Matter by Alexandra Shulman about her life in fashion and being the editor of British Vogue for 25 years. If you’re close to my age you will enjoy the eras of fashion we lived through and how they correlate to her stories in the book.

And if you are missing travel as my husband and I are, we are binging the series, Travel Man on Prime. It’s a lot of fun as he does world cities in 48 hours. It’s a few seasons past, but there is a lot to watch and I think he’s goofy and hilarious. He teams up with a different comedian each episode to explore a city. So fun.

Have a great weekend and start knocking those books and things off your summer bucket list!

Kim

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Summer Things

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Just a short post to say hello! Hope your July is going well. With all the home time, I’ve been obsessing on trying to get my den/media room together to show you all. It’s taking more than usual time trying to shop and decorate from mostly home and online. Honestly, it’s not my bag, I’m usually a touchy feely person that has to see things, but I’m adapting. You’ll have to wait until the next post to see how it came together, but in the meantime there’s a some cute summer things I wanted to share with you before they are gone!

Dresses are my jam right now when I am not wearing those white shorts I shared about. This black gauze shift from Target has been THE find of the summer- easy to throw on, adaptable from house dress to going out. I love the lightness and pockets!! I wish it came in more colors- most are out of stock, but honestly I didn’t dig the other offerings them as much as the black.

I love the lightness of it and I think where the waist drops it flatters. Everyone else seems to look good in it also. My friend Elaine came by and surprise.. she also had bought it too and adorably styled it with a hat and sandals. This dress fills the need for something in the heat we can throw on, add cute sandals, a basket purse and go!

E also bought this Target dress ( in easy gauze-love the no ironing plus pockets) and wore it the other day- so, so pretty in the teal color, which is the only tone left.

Ray-Bans have always been my favorite sunglasses and the polarized version is a must here in California. I lost my last pair a year or so ago and ever since, nothing has been as good. I recently ordered myself a pair of the New Wayfarers in from their site as they are on sale and they came in a couple days and I have forgotten how cool they are! A classic that will always look good.

My woven bag at the top of the post was a Zara find from last summer. I just saw a nearly identical version at Nordstrom right now. I love the color and size of this bag.

How is your book reading going? I’m trying to spend at least one hour each afternoon in the yard with a book. I am determined to make it feel like vacation in some way this summer…

So I’m almost finished with this fun read that I wrote about ..recommended by the one and only Contessa of course!

And now today I got two more books I’m excited about in the mail…

The Warmth of Other Suns, chronicles the great migration from the early 1900’s to the 1970’s of black Americans from the south to the western and northern cities. The Mercury News called this the most underreported event of the 20th century. The writing is highly praised as are the stories of real families woven into the narrative.

Another book recommended by an Instagram friend and reader is the Ralph Lauren book, In His Own Fashion, which came out late last year and I finally ordered. It’s part picture book, part biography. So much to enjoy in this book, including its bookshelf appeal!

I’d love to hear what you’re all reading too..

I barely wear any jewelry being at home so much now, but I’ve been throwing elasticized bracelets on as they are easy. I know a few people asked about my bracelet stack from Instagram. I collect them from travels, etc.and mix a few, wear it for a week until I’m sick of that look and change it up again. Right now I am obsessed with this look from the Bauble Bar and am going to preorder this Turquoise Pisa Bracelet to add to my beads.

Right now all the Pisa Bracelets are another 15% off with code PISA15. These with the initials are fun too and inexpensive!

Is your mask game strong? If you need to upgrade or order more, Tory Burch finally got her cute styles back in stock and for $35 you receive 5 and 100% of the money goes to good causes. It’s nice to have multiples so you have choices. The more we make mask wearing what we do, the sooner we can get out of this pandemic!

It’s fig season and I’ve shared my favorite summer fig dish on my Instagram stories. If you’re not already, follow along on my Instagram where I post a little more frequently with recipes, shopping finds and more. I love to share some great finds and don’t always have time to blog about them, but I do there.

I’ll be back soon with my media room reveal and a few other things!

We are almost to the weekend!

Kim

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