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#tablecloths

Weekend Meanderings- Table Throws, Earth Day, Woven Market Totes, a Fish Taco Recipe & More

April 22, 2022 By kimwheeler 22 Comments

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’m on the mend from Covid, which I came down with on Easter.. Thankfully I tested before my dad popped over for Easter Brunch. I thought I had allergies! It’s smart to do a test if you’re gathering and feel as thought you have seasonal allergies..You never know right now.

Have you used table throws?

I was sad to take down my Easter table, but I had bought this Marrrakesh Embroidered Table Throw from Pottery Barn a few weeks ago, and was excited to use it. I love how the clementines and the wood bowl warm it up. Having a black table is nice, but sometimes I feel like a pop of bright.

Have you used table throws? I kind of like that they show some of the dining table and have a more casual feel than a full tablecloth. I can use them on my outside table too as they can go on any size which is convenient. Pottery Barn seems to have the best collection and about 18 of them here.

I really like the lovely embroidery on this one.

Earth Day

I love Earth Day and also this yearly reminder to try harder to do the right thing for the planet.

On 2020, I wrote a blog about the history of Earth Day on it’s 50th anniversary and its founder Gaylord Nelson, who has connections to my alma mater, San Jose State, and Wisconsin.

Read all about Earth Day, it’s history and more small ways to make a difference each day on my post here!

You can join in this weekend’s Earth Day events that are happening all over the Bay Area! I wish I could get to the Earth Day Festival in SF. This weekend there are clean up days, talks, fairs and celebrations here all detailed here.

If you can’t get to one, grab a bag pick up trash on your local beach or walk, start using your own shopping bags, water bottle and coffee mugs and say no to straws and plastic bags and bottles as much as you can! It’s the little things done by us all that make a difference. Buy used and upcycled and less and better quality when you shop.

Straw Totes

In the Earth Day mindset, I though sharing a few great woven market totes might be in order. During the pandemic a lot of us fell out of our wonderful habit of carrying reusable bags to shop. People got weird about it, and frankly there never was a lot of proof that Covid was carried by bags at all, but at the beginning we didn’t know did we? Can we all please go back to bringing our bags? That made a HUGE impact on the earth.

A great idea is to use a cute market bag as your purse. I did this all last summer with this inexpensive woven tote, just like the French women do. I lined the bottom of it with a few of my favorite nylon shopping bags folded up, and voila, I always have shopping options. If the tote can’t fit all my groceries, the bags in the bottom will.

I use mine for travel, tennis and as my handbag. Great for a day out at the Farmer’s Market too. They come in so many sizes. Choose a one that will work for your budget, but also that you feel comfy to carry on a daily basis.

The straw bag has style cred and the girls carrying one that costs $20 are as equally chic as Gucci logo one in my opinion. Have fun and personalize it with a scarf or a tassel if you want. For the big open totes, I throw my wallet and keys in a zipper pouch and toss in. Some of these have pouches that come with them or fabric inserts that tie on top if you like…

Here’s a few that I thought were lovely..

Palm Leaf Tote $99
Monogram Tote $89
Stripe Seagrass Bag $109
Leather Handle Circle Bag $99
AllSaints Straw Bag $129
Alohas Woven bag $195
Jackson’s Jute Tote $128
Staud Mercado Tote $395
Ulla Johnson Surfside Tote $495
Vanessa Bruno Sequin Raffia Tote $340
Double Handled Moroccan Etsy tote $30
Mango Raffia Tote $119
Trina Turk Parisian Market Tote $128
Mango Jute Shopper $59
Mersea Medina Totes $68-$88

Just like my collection of white shirts, I think it’s kind of nice to also have a little collection of straw bags. Look at this great display of my Instagram pal, La Dolfina’s home. She has a vintage shelf ( maybe from a department store) and her bag collection! Some gems in there. She’s one of my favorite antique hunter/collectors and her account is here.

And don’t forget our friend Contessa and her fab collection of totes that go with her caftans we shared on this post. By the way, she’s in the caftan business now and is selling beautiful monogrammed ones! Go check out her site and see before they are gone on this post.

White Shirt Foundations..

If you caught post this week about my love for white shirts, someone asked what to wear under them. A good skin-toned bra is ideal and is okay if it shows a little, depending on your comfort. Getting a bra as close to your natural skin is the best and my favorite that has support, and a lot of comfort and a nice smoothing back is this Wacoal Bra, below. This option by Chantelle is also highly rated for under t-shirts and things and this by Spanx has more skin tone colors.

If your white shirt is extra light and sheer, you can opt for a silky camisole, or a thin white tank or in something like a slub cotton for comfort and breathability. They are an important wardrobe staple you can layer. This from Banana Republic is the softest tank, not tight, and just the right length and weight for layering under something and comes in more colors. Hanro also makes excellent pieces and has this cotton seamless tank and this cotton v-neck camisole. All three below…

A new fish taco recipe

Looking for something fresh to cook? Well this week Max has done all the cooking and always loves trying new things. Today he made the best fish tacos from Once Upon a Chef, one of our go-to cookbooks. This recipe is totally different to us. He made a delicious crema for it and also pickled his own onions for it, which made it outstanding. He bought fresh cod and we thought this is one for our regular rotation – and so colorful!

The recipe is not on her site, so I am sharing here. Find the recipe in her book, Weeknight/Weekend.

Many more wonderful recipes on her website.

National Parks on Netflix

Have you seen the new Netflix series, Our Great National Parks? It’s produced and narrated by former President Obama and the first episode takes place in Indonesia, where Obama’s mother moved them for a few years the he was young. It’s so good and I can’t recommend it enough. Our world is unbelievable.

Guncle

If you’re looking for a new book that’s funny as well as heartwarming, read The Guncle! It’s the story of a gay uncle who is a former sitcom star living in Palm Springs who ends up caring full time for his young niece and nephew. The dialogue is hilarious and he is a fantastic character. I really am enjoying it.

I’ve been on the mend from Covid, but improving every day. I just feel fortunate to have not gotten this for almost two years, and now with the vaccine and booster it’s bearable. I have had three days where I took Advil for aches and fever and sore throat. I drank many mugs of tea with fresh yard lemons and honey and lots of chicken soup. I also sat in the sun as much as I could. I hope you are all staying well!

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 those two!

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 Mark D. Sikes collaboration with Anthro, Liberty x J. Crew home collection and a great California playlist, and more- find 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!

Filed Under: weekend meanderings Tagged With: #earthday, #fishtacos, #markettotes, #obamanationalparks, #onceuponachef, #potterybarn, #Strawtotes, #tablecloths, #thegunclebook, #weekendmeanderings, #wovenbags

Weekend Meanderings – Spring Table Ideas, Hawaii Travel Essentials and More..

April 1, 2022 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some good things that have come to our attention this week! I hope yours has been good. Here’s what’s been on my brain..

Spring Table Ideas

Have you been thinking about Spring tables and gathering? Easter and Passover are on the same weekend this year and I am trying to plan my Easter brunch table setting ahead of time for once. I’m usually rummaging for my bunnies and tablecloths the day before… How old am I? I am still attempting to adult better at my age!

The last two years, we have been in the yard, but I think we can safely be inside with our small family, so in an effort to better adult, I just bought this lovely tablecloth from a great site called Furbish. They have many fun choices in tablecloths, and the quality is very good. How cute is this print for summer alfresco dinners as well?

I am still playing around with the mix of napkins and plates and thinking along the lines of soft pink and spring green colors using my mom’s pink Spode dishes she bought for Easter many years ago at Horchow. I will be thinking of her when I use them. I may add another one plate on top or green napkins.

They also have napkins and placemats in the same fabric. Check out Furbish for darling home things and spring table items! I love their whole site. Right now they have a 20% off all tabletop with code SPRINGREADY.

Also on my radar for Easter- the new gingham tablecloths from Serena & Lily. I love the baby blue and spring green colors. In case you missed them they are lovely. When I was a girl one Easter in the 70’s, I had a long pink gingham dress and I will always associate gingham with springtime!

Two years ago, at Easter, I used a vintage fabric remnant of my grandmother’s for the table with eggs, tulips and moss for the centerpiece.

I’m noodling the centerpiece, but loving the look right now of massed glasses or containers of flowers and plants..

Sue Bond and her tablescapes

The most gorgeous and inspiring tablescapes can be found on South African designer Sue Bond’s account. I found her through Cindy Hattersley, who had a great post here about her. Sue just moved to London and her house and tables are stunning. There really isn’t anyone comparable who has such fantastic style. More is more with Sue and it works. This is her Mother’s Day table in the U.K., but I think it could work for spring and Easter in a similar version of sorts.

You could do white vessels and vases, many small daisies or greens in pots. I love her bunny too and all the shades of green. It’s a lovely mix, not perfectly matched and how beautiful it is! Follow Sue’s gorgeous account and homes on her Instagram.

We just got back from a quick four night trip to the Big Island of Hawaii to celebrate Max’s 55th birthday. We really are so lucky to be so close in California and we arrived at 9:30 a.m. on a Friday after leaving here around 7:30 a.m. ,and the days there felt really long. It was just the right size getaway for two. We did a lot of reading, relaxing and just soaking up all the beauty there. I am still so thrilled with the flowers, the scents, and the amazing birds and nature every time we go.

I wrote more about what to pack for a trip to Hawaii last year when we did a larger family trip here, but on this kind of small jaunt, you just need some good basics- swimsuits, a couple of coverups, a hat a few sundresses and you’re set!

My essentials for short Hawaii trip..

Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40 sunscreen for the face is my new thing! This is all you need on an island getaway. I just gather my hair into a bun and wear just sunscreen most days. The aesthetician who did my facial in Hawaii, said she loves it for the glow, no white pallor and good ingredients.

Kai eau de Perfume, a cult classic and created to evoke the scent of creator Gaye Staza’s childhood in Hawaii, it has a tropical and gardenia scent and I love it for a trip there.

I ended up getting in this swimsuit from J. Crew, in Safari and is now on sale for $69 -(I’m tempted to get the peach too.) This suit is beautifully made and holds you in, but still looks sleek.

This BloqUV Sunblanket is something I use so much! It can be a pareo or laid it over my legs while I’m under an umbrella, or wrapped around my neck and shoulders when the sun gets too much. It has a cooling feeling and the SPF 50 blocks 98% of the UVA/UVB rays. I go nowhere in the sun without this. It folds up very small and can always be in your handbag too. There’s an array of colors to chose from.

Last year I bought a black Banana Republic hat that I have worn everywhere and now they have a new version. These hats are so nice and don’t crush with travel.

My little woven Pot du Miel from Claire V. is my favorite for nights out and I bring a strap if I want to take it on a day of exploring. It’s back in stock and this cutie comes in a couple new colors. It’s the perfect spring/summer evening bag and travel buddy. I pack my hat in my carry-on upside down and put this guy in the crown and stuff it with socks and small things, so they both keep their shapes.

A long white gauzy dress is a perfect item for coverup and evenings too. I like the new longer coverups and I noticed so many younger women are opting for long versions and larger hats too. I can’t find the same white one I have, but this J. Crew one is close and comes with a slip, or wear it without the slip and it’s a coverup- and it’s 50% off with code SPRING.

Eberjay has the prettiest nighties and one of these would be comfy and easy to pack and perfect for a warm destination.

Right before I left I was excited to get a mani/pedi for the trip in Ole Caliente from Essie! A fresh manicure was so nice after rarely getting them in the past couple years.

A great new show

I have just begun, As We See It, is about Jack, Violet and Harrison, three twenty somethings on the autism spectrum trying to figure out life, jobs and love. It’s funny and uplifting and the three main characters are played by autistic actors which I think lends to the authenticity of this show which has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and can be found on Amazon Prime here.

Well that’s my meandering for this week now please pop over and see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you…

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!

Kim

If you missed the last Weekend Meanderings, on melon colors, a Magnolia Home for Target finds, a great blondie recipe and more, you can read the full 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!

Filed Under: weekend meanderings Tagged With: #californiahomestyle, #californialiving, #eastertable, #furbish, #gingham, #pinkandgreen, #serenaandlily, #springtableideas, #suebond, #tablecloths, #weekendmeanderings

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Still have my rain boots out, as more rain is comi Still have my rain boots out, as more rain is coming next Tuesday, but the sun is shining and it’s a Friday! ☀️( What is it about Tuesdays this year?) 

I bought some tulips for myself at Trader Joe’s last night and looking forward to a day out in SF on Saturday for Max’s birthday, which is today.❤️ 

More on The Weekend blog tomorrow -and Juliet @makemineaspritzer and I did a LIVE yesterday which is up on her Reels page if you missed it. 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts on the gun problem in this nation. Both Juliet and I am just sick about it. 
I don’t plan to shut up about it until we get some change. Our kids don’t need to live this way.. 
Being quiet about it isn’t helping us. So many, many good people out yesterday calling for action and demanding change and it’s giving me hope. ❤️

This Sunday there is a @momsdemand meeting nearby and if you are local I can send you the link. Leave me a comment below. I am going with my husband and anyone who wants can join. I’ll share it on stories too. 💪🏻
Another dark morning, but trying to brighten the k Another dark morning, but trying to brighten the kitchen up with some blues and greens!  I think we need to bring the sunshine in ourselves. I did a little field trip and braved the heavy rain yesterday with my friend Elaine to visit the new @westelm in Campbell. It’s nice having a home store you can drive up to and park nearby. I bought a few new glasses for my shelves and a pretty decanter. Will share more about this new shop on my stories. 

Stay cozy today. ☔️

#kitchendecor #kitchenremodel #openshelving #westelm
Here we are again. More families destroyed by the Here we are again. More families destroyed by the inability of our nation to take a stand against the gun lobby, manufacturers and politicians supporting them.  Little children and their teachers gone. I don’t want to hear about freedoms.. Those are faux freedoms gun culture enables. 

What about the freedom to go to school and feel safe without being gunned down? The freedom to go to the grocery store, the movies, a festival or a concert, a nightclub without fear of being killed? We all are in danger in all places. States with strong gun laws are at the mercy of the states with the weakest laws, as we have no walls between us. 

We don’t need to live this way. We just need to get together and stop the madness. NO OTHER first world nation lives lives this way with guns and weapons meant for war, easily had by anyone who wants them.  People are afraid to vacation here. It’s only a matter of time before every one of us is touched by this unrestricted gun culture. Let’s stop being complacent.  We must absolutely demand our politicians use their power to change this. The Tennessee Representative for this district sent out a holiday card with his family holding automatic weapons…like it’s some kind of joke. These are children’s lives. And what about those who are left behind losing a loved one or experiencing this horror and surviving? 

This photo from @shannonrwatts - please follow her. This is a child today being brought to a reunification center for parents awaiting news. ☹️

I know some of you only want happy posts, but can we agree we aren’t doing enough here and we all need to take part? 

Other accounts trying to make change:
@momsdemand 
@everytown 
@changetheref 
@march_fourth_ 
@giffordscourage 

Call and donate to your local politicians who take a stand on gun control. Know where all of them stand on guns and share it. If you can, donate to those in other states who are fighting the good fight and need the support. ❤️

I love this country and I really want change. 

#gunreformnow #shannonwatts #momsdemandaction
On the weekend meanderings… More tips on shoppin On the weekend meanderings… More tips on shopping Homegoods plus my finds from there I added to give little pop of spring color to this room. I’m also sharing some good white jeans, a new book to inspire, a wonderful face, lotion, and more! 

 Juliet and Elizabeth’s have good spring things on their posts too!
Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 
Hope you all have a sunny weekend!
Well after all this weather, and so much indoor ti Well after all this weather, and so much indoor time, I’m officially sick of everything and I am ready to give the home a little refresh. Homegoods and TJMaxx have some great spring items and a promotion with items from France, Italy, etc. They can be a good source for outdoor pots, new pillows, rugs and decorative bits. It’s good time to find a ‘few’ emphasis on few, new things for the home. They carry unique items, many one offs, but you have to be a discerning shopper.. What to look for and what to avoid on this little clip. 

I’ll be taking more about how to shop smart at these sort of places on the upcoming blog as well. What’s been your experience at these stores? I have had good luck and bad and I think you have to be smart about what you choose and don’t fill a home with these things. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on shopping there. More tips from my last trip there on stories and saved on shopping tips. 

#californiahomestyle #springhomedecor #homegoods #homegoodsfinds #homeaccesories #northerncalstyleblog
A little spring in the kitchen while another storm A little spring in the kitchen while another storm rages. Met a friend downtown and we had to dash as the storm hit and power was out minutes later. Stay safe everyone!
I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room today as my builder @mikemccloudconstruction shared it too. I still love the way it came out! I had saved many inspiration pictures of how I wanted this to look. I was lucky Mike helped me make this happen. A good builder who listens and has ideas as well, helps so much. I’m sharing some of  the extra details up close. 

I loved this blue sort of organic watery tile for a pool bath. I also knew I wanted an open shelf for all the pool towels so people could grab them on the way out the door. The @serenaandlily mirror definitely has that nautical almost porthole, sort of look and picked up the unfinished oak color. I used an RH pendant light and the sink is Victoria and Albert. The counter is from a slab of @vadaraquartz that I spilt and used in the laundry as well as the boy’s bath. I choose an inexpensive cement tile for this space and the connecting laundry/mud room which works with drippy pool feet!  It’s been almost four years and all still looking great! 

DM me if anyone wants details I left out! I thought I did a post on this, but maybe not! I need to do that with all the baths. 

Hope you all have a good week and get some nature in the first day of spring! 

#californiaremodel #poolbath #poolbathroom #powderroom #serenaandlily #mikemccloudconstruction #northerncalstyle #lunabaytile #vadaraquartz
On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore i On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore it and I am sharing some pretty toile pieces, beautiful woven leather bags in fun colors, cute sweatshirts, a trench coat that stands out, the new book about the story of J.Crew, and more! 

Juliet and Elizabeth have great things to dive into this weekend too…

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

Have a great weekend! Hope you got a little sun while it was out. ☀️

#weekendpost #bayareablogger #paloalto #evereve #toile #cos #madewell #jcrewbook #northerncalifornia #californiastyle #trenchcoat
Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and resort vacations? This month’s Signature Style is for you! Cindy and I are sharing our tips and favorite sources for warm weather looks.  You need a few good pieces like a great linen jacket, a swimsuit you love, a couple of coverups, and a pretty dress and you’re nearly ready. More ideas and suggestions on our blogs! 

Hope there is a sunny getaway in your future!☀️
As always links are in our bios and stories..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley

#resortwear #resortdress #resortpacking #whattowearresort
Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks se Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks seen at the @bnpparibasopen . I always love to see how people mix it up including the guys! Nice to see so many cute looks and cool hats. Loved the Day Glo brights and florals the best. Hope you get some ideas if you are going to this tournament or doing something fun in the sun soon! ☀️

Thank you to all the sweet people who kindly let me share their looks ! 

Also, due to weather..the Signature Style resort dressing post with Cindy is postponed until tomorrow. Sorry I had no Internet here in Los Gatos yesterday and 89 mile an hour winds so I have been unable to work! Back at it today. Hope you all are doing okay after yesterday’s storm! 

#bnp #bnpparibasopen #tennisparadise #whattowearbnp #tennis #tournamentlooks #indianwells #northerncalstyle
How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of lo How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of love in our actions.  This is a wonderful account and @yung_pueblo ‘s book ‘Lighter’ is top of the NYTimes list too. 

Happy Monday. 💛
Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got back from three whirlwind days with pals and we had a ball. It was so good to be in the sun and and warmth -with snow capped California mountains as a backdrop.  We went in the beginning part of the tournament which we always do, and got to see Andy Murray, Sabalenka, Zverev, Raducanu, and so many fantastic other players. We basically eat, slept and breathe tennis for two days straight and we loved it!  You can still catch play on the @tennischannel 🎾

I will share another Reel of all the stylish people.. Something about tennis brings out the sharpest dressers and there was excellent people watching. 

If you love tennis, this is a bucket list tournament. They call the fifth slam and it’s getting crazy popular so plan a year ahead of you want to go. We reserved our hotel that was walking distance a year ago. More tips on my BNP post that I update each year. 
Link in bio! 

#tennisparadise #bnpparibasopen #indianwellstennisgarden #bnp #bnptips  #andymurray #zverev #raducanu #sabalenka #tennis #californiatennis #discoverpage #tennislove #tennisgirl

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