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My New Office, Puffy Purses & Weekend Meanderings

February 18, 2022 By kimwheeler 31 Comments

Hello and happy weekend. It’s our weekend round-up time with Juliet and Elizabeth and I’m sharing a few things that popped on my radar this week..

My little office space is finally done and thought I’d share. After a wait, my desk chair arrived and the whole thing came together pretty easily once I made the decision to make this small space my own. I had originally wanted this space, which was our former kitchen, to be a small conversation or game spot for my kids, but that really didn’t happen. Since it’s been sitting here kind of unused, except for when I popped in here and read, it really became the perfect spot for a small study. My friend April suggested it, and once it was in my brain, it took off from there.

It kind of began with the rattan bookshelf from Serena & Lily which fit in a small niche here, and then this rug, ordered last year, seemed perfect and whimsical. After Christmas, I finally went for it and bought a desk and a chair. All my personal favorite furniture pieces are in here -a cool piece of art, a couple of swivel chairs, a white lamp I love, and a rattan chair with a cozy throw so my co-worker, Ms Cat, can snuggle nearby. I have a little succulent plant in a white pot, a vase that holds my pencils and pens, and a tray for odds and ends. My shelf has some of my Domino magazine collection, rope baskets to hold cords, etc, and some of my favorite design books. I also have a pouf to rest my feet up on if I want!

My glass desk I chose to keep the area light and as it’s in front of my French doors. I wanted this one from Williams Sonoma, but after seeing the reviews and photos of this one from Living Spaces, I chose it for the slightly smaller size and quite a price difference. They also have a nearly identical one on Wayfair in two sizes. I was very happy with the heavy glass and sturdy frame. My desk chair was also pretty affordable and on sale now and I liked the sherpa look in here with my mix. It’s adjustable height and for me is perfect for support and sitting working many hours.

These are some of the pieces that I used in my office and I tried to add similar choices in other price points..

Clockwise from top left: Love this white lamp , white rope baskets (on sale), Serena & Lily denim rug (similar to mine), and this denim rug, another flatweave denim option, my Balboa bookshelf, this cane bookshelf, and this Pacific Bookcase, Studio McGee boucle pillow, and swivel chair (similar), Anthro vase/pencil cup.

It seems like this week flew by… and our kayak trip to Sausalito last weekend turned out to be a lot of fun. We just kind of meandered along the harbor and went down the house boat ‘streets’ which was great house gawking. Only a sea lion came near and most boats were out in the boat lane. Afterwards we had lunch at a darling spot called Le Garage right at the harbor and it was French bistro food with very a fun vibe, views of the boats, great music and people watching.

After lunch, we drove through Sausalito and it was bustling on a sunny February day. We vowed to go back soon and check out all the little spots with views of the city. If you haven’t been to Sausalito in a while, this is a lovely time of year to go. You can combine it with a kayak or a stroll across the Golden Gate and make a day of it. More photos are on my Instagram.

A story of a local Eichler remodel made its way into Elle Decor this week and this home is a beauty. Built in 1971 for a Stanford professor who was a friend of Eichler, it’s been updated by a new family with four young girls using the spaces in new ways, fresh colors and a mix of patterns and textures. It is so uplifting!

I think this sort of happy, eclectic interior is something we will be seeing a lot more of. People are in their homes much more now and we want light, bright and joyful, don’t you think? I’m sure the kids growing up here are loving it. The mom also sounds very cool and someone who just got a more unisex shoe- the ballet flat, added to the Emoji spectrum, so it’s not just a stiletto for women. I applaud that. The whole story and photos here. The interior was done by the talented Jessica Davis. You can follow her also on Instagram here.

As for fashion, I’ve been obsessing now on puffy bags-quilted ones particularly. I found this quilted tote at Bloomingdales and loved the shape and lightness. I didn’t know it was a dupe of a very expensive Khaite bag! Here I am wearing it -(used my son’s room.)

It also comes in a cream and a smaller cross-body version and other colors. I don’t know how to describe why it’s so appealing, but it has something of a generic chicness to it that I dig and I am tempted to get another.

This is the Khaite bag, nearly identical except it’s leather and this is vegan ‘leather.’

It’s also $2,300 vs $98.

I also noticed Frances Valentine has a version of a quilted ‘puffer’ bag too, and it’s quite cute.

I think these lightweight and easy bags will get even more popular as they feel like nothing to carry and a kind of label-less which I think people want more and more as the designer bag market is so over saturated.

Do you watch Vogue’s Beauty Videos? I love them and was excited to see Brooke Shields, who is also 56, on this week. She’s very real and it’s nice seeing people without their makeup. I can feel better about all my spots and blotches and I like her tips ..

I worked for 6 years in cosmetics at Nordstrom back when I was going to school and I still am a bit obsessed with skincare and makeup. I’m wondering if you all would be interested in some of my favorite skincare and makeup things if I do a post? I eventually left that job to do an advertising position, but continued to freelance and do makeup for weddings and a few events for a while. It was a fun time in my 20’s and I met so many cool people and learned loads about skincare and makeup… Perhaps more stories for another day!

Now please go see what great ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..

PINECONES AND ACORNS

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Have a beautiful weekend!

x Kim

You might also like : Signature Style: Leopard in the Wardrobe, our Signature Style post for the month was last Tuesday and a lot of fun.

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.

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Filed Under: weekend meanderings Tagged With: #californiahomestyle, #californialiving, #eichler, #elledecor, #homeoffice, #midcenturymodern, #officedecor, #puffybags, #sausalito, #serenaandlily, #voguebeauty, #weekendmeanderings

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It’s weekend meandering time with my pals Juliet It’s weekend meandering time with my pals Juliet and Elizabeth..

I am finally sharing my packing list from the UK trip. The last part of our Edinburgh stop is also on the post along with a lovely Tahoe remodel.

If you need the post messaged to you comment links!

Pop in by our blogs for more good things..links in bios:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#whattopackuk #whattopackscotland #uktravel #edinburghpacking
If you missed it, Juliet, Elizabeth and I are doin If you missed it, Juliet, Elizabeth and I are doing a virtual holiday sparkle party !✨ 

Tomorrow is December and we would love to see your beautiful holiday pins and brooches. If you have some lovelies that you’d like to wear, we’d love if you’d tag us and also use the tag with #ShowUsYourBling or #christmaspin and  we will share your pretties on our stories.

December gives us a chance to fly our sparkle flags and get those special pieces you may have inherited out and wear them. 

I have more ideas on my blog on how to style them and also some pretty vintage pieces  and others if you need to start your own little collection!! They are little pieces of art. 

Tag us and #showusyourbling  #christmaspin 

More on our blogs .. Links in bio
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#broochthesubject #holidaysparkle #vintagebling #vintagechristmas #weissbrooch
I’m super excited because today Juliet and Eliza I’m super excited because today Juliet and Elizabeth and I are starting a virtual brooch/holiday pin party for December and we want you to join us! ✨

I know many of you probably have some lovely little sparkles that are sitting in a drawer or box from your mom or grandma, or perhaps just ones that you haven’t worn for a long time.  Get those lovelies out and let’s see them. 

During the month of December, tag us with #showusyourbling or #christmaspin  and we will share your pretty pins on our stories.

This is another way to get creative with your outfits during this festive month ! It also sparks so many nice comments and conversations. I’ve been chatted up by so many people wearing my mom or grandma’s brooches and I  enjoyed hearing about theirs as well. 

It’s a way to keep those who we inherited them from, close to our hearts at this time of the year . 🥰 I always think my mom or grandma would be so thrilled to know I’m wearing their special brooches. 

Men are wearing brooches now too! So we’d love for the guys to join in as well.

Stop by our blogs today for more ways to wear your pins and links to some good ones if you’re wanting to start your own little collection like I have!

Use the hashtags #showusyourbling #christmaspin 

Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@pineconesandacorns 
@makemineaspritzer 

#broochthesubject #christmaspin #vintagechristmaspin #vintagechristmas #holidaydressing #holidaysparkle
I just had to put this out as I’ve already had s I just had to put this out as I’ve already had several friends saying they are stressed about not doing anything for the holidays yet -and  it’s not even December!!

Then yesterday my dad said he felt some anxiety because all his neighbors had their Christmas lights up and he hasn’t done his. 
That really made me upset. My 84 year old dad! 

This is not a race. 

The person with the most things done is not the winner in fact, that person may not be enjoying the season as much as somebody else who’s taking it slowly and going at their own pace, and doing less.

Remind yourself to enjoy the little things this season that matter to you. Also say no to things . You don’t need to do all you think you do. Let things go that aren’t bringing you joy. 

This holiday season shouldn’t be about stress! 

That’s the end of this PSA from a person who has bought two gifts and still has Thanksgiving decor up! 

Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed?

Tell me below, have you made the season better by doing less?  Are you a late shopper or card writer? That is okay. 

Do you know people used to shop and decorate the tree in the days before Christmas just a few decades ago?? 

#holidaymadness #simplechristmas #holidayzen
Hope you’ve had a great long weekend! If you mi Hope you’ve had a great long weekend!  If you missed the Weekend Meanderings with Juliet and Elizabeth pop on by for some good holiday ideas!
On my weekend post…
-A Thanksgiving table hack
-Pretty wrap from California
-Beauty gift ideas on sale
- J. Crew silver holiday looks
-Part I of my Edinburgh trip 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Including Holyrood Palace and @thebalmoral hotel, in Edinburgh.

It’s all on the our blogs -links in bio:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#weekend #edinburgh #edinburghtravel #holyroodpalace #balmoralhotel #roccofortehotels #scotland_insta #scotland
Finally got my table together ! I added some flowe Finally got my table together ! I added some flowers from Trader Joe’s after picking up Griffin from SFO this afternoon. I found these green napkins at @worldmarket and added some velvet ribbon I had with our @anthropologie dishes… and my favorite candlesticks from my pal Juliet! 

I have my mom’s tureen and my grandma’s platter out and the recipe binder is open to my mom’s beautifully written instructions on how to cook a turkey made for me and other tips. 💛

It will be me and all my guys including dad, but I’ll be thinking of mom and grandma and all the Thanksgivings they did. I am missing them especially at this time of year. I know a lot of you feel the same. 

I’m thankful to all of you sweet friends here on Instagram too.  It’s been a joy to connect with so many kind people. 

Now I am off to trim Brussels sprouts!😅

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!

#thanksgivingtable #thanksgivingtablescape #thanksgivingtableideas  #californiathanksgiving
It’s the weekend blog time and I’m sharing the It’s the weekend blog time and I’m sharing the fourth part of our travel to the UK with our visits to Chatsworth House, Bakewell and the medieval walled city of York! I loved this area and if you are a Jane Austen fan, you know 500 year old Chatsworth was her inspiration for Mr Darcy’s Pemberley and in many of the films. It’s amazing it’s been in the same family for 16 generations and you can have the best day there walking the house and grounds and lunch..

October was a magical time to visit these places with foggy days and fall weather! We absolutely loved it and York has to be one of my favorite cities now. The walls were so fun to walk and we stayed at the most charming hotel..@grayscourtyork 

More on the blog ! 

Please visit Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs too! 
Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#uktravel #visitbritain #york #chatsworthhouse #bakewell #falltravel #prideandprejudice #pemberley #grayscourtyork
It’s November’s Signature Style so Cindy and I It’s November’s Signature Style so Cindy and I are sharing great coats and outerwear!  We’ve got fun ideas on how to wear your coats and jackets and the coolest options out there!

I snapped a few pictures of people in the UK in their coats, and I’m sharing a little inspiration from the trip..

Stop on by our blogs if you need a fresh look or maybe a new coat for this year! We are finally getting some real weather, and I love it! 

You can comment LINKS to be sent the post by DM or find the posts in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley 

#winterstyle #coatinspo #coatseason
Did you get to read my post on the Cotswolds? I’ Did you get to read my post on the Cotswolds? I’m absolutely in love with this part of England that includes Oxford University where we began, Stow on the Wold, and Stratford-Upon-Avon! 

All three are places of incredible history and charm! We even did a little side trip to the teeny village of Lower Slaughter.. More about all of it, and the sweet shops and restaurants and our cute hotel on the weekend post..

If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds save this reel..
On this clip-
@oxford_uni 
@thesheepstow 
@cutterbrooksshop 
@lucystearoomstow 

Link to my full blog on this in bio
@northerncalstyle 

#stowonthewold #cotswolds #cotswoldstravel #oxforduniversity #stratforduponavon #uktravel 

@lambsrestaurant
Today I joined my blogging friends to share cozy b Today I joined my blogging friends to share cozy bedroom ideas and inspiration for the season. 

Do you have a  bedroom that could use some cozy?  Mine needed help.. I used fuzzy rugs, plaid throws, velvet pillows, plus a touch of black to give my own room some depth and warmth during these darker months!  I added a faux wreath above the bed for a festive feel. ✨It feels like a little retreat now and I’ve been reading and having my tea here.

All of us have unique bedroom ideas for this collaboration, so stop on by our blogs!

@northerncalstyle 
@classiccasualhome 
@cindyhattersley 
@most_lovely_things 
@mysweetsavannah 

#cozybedroom #cozyroom #wintervibes #holidayhouse
If you missed this weekend’s post, with Juliet a If you missed this weekend’s post, with Juliet and Elizabeth, I shared my favorite things to do in London in fall and winter! 

I’m breaking my UK/Scotland trip into regions, and this week is all about London, where we stayed, some good spots to eat, my favorite museums, and shops. I also shared a few good things I bought, and the boots I wore everywhere that were fairly inexpensive and very comfortable .

The link to this post is in my bio or you can comment below for it and I’ll DM you. 

On this Reel:
-Our beautiful hotel @hamyard_hotel in Soho
- My favorite museum the @vamuseum which is having the Chanel exhibit until Feb. and don’t miss the gift shop totes! 
- The best place for tea and beautiful tins of it to take home @fortnums 
- The historic and coolest department store in the world, @libertylondon. Must do!
- Max’s favorite museum @thebritishmuseum 
- I always find something at @hmhome 
- Two Italian spots we love @circolopopolare and @_boccadilupo &gelato @gelupogelato 
MORE on the blog!

Save this post if you’re planning a trip.

More on the blog! 
@northerncalstyle 

Please visit Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs for more fun too:
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#london #londontips #londontravel #londoninthefall #prettycitylondon
I haven’t posted much as we’re on a trip in th I haven’t posted much as we’re on a trip in the UK! 🇬🇧❤️ 

I’ve been trying to share everything on my stories, and saving some of them in my highlights in case any of you are planning a trip! 

I’ve been so overwhelmed with the pictures,  I actually let Instagram make this Reel from the highlights of London and Oxford.. 

I just did a little postcard post on the weekend blog with a few fun pics and details, especially about our stop to visit my friend Rosie who lives in Stratford Upon Avon,  which was so lovely.

You can follow along on my stories, or if you’ve missed any, look at the highlights ! I’m trying to categorize by area.

Please visit Juliet and Elizabeth blogs too. I know they had a great weekend posts!!

 Our links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#uktravel #uktraveltips #londontravel #oxfordtravel #visitbritain

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