On this post, the cropped trench, some ideas for refreshing the patio, and Mother’s Day thoughts..
How’s your week been? We are finally getting nice California days and it’s lovely..After all this bad weather the one thing I am thinking of right now is getting my yard pretty so I can finally enjoy it. I think next week I’m putting in my tomato garden. For this Mother’s Day weekend I really want to be able to sit outside and enjoy my yard with a book! I need fresh outdoor pillows and a few pretty plants in the back and front to get it looking spiffy.
On My Radar
Mark D Sikes.. I talk a lot about his garden, but it’s so pretty and I am always using it for my inspiration since I have an old crumbling brick patio that can’t be replaced.. His use of creeping fig, boxwood, and topiary is so good..
I often tell myself I’m just a few garden stools and terracotta pots away from Mark perfection .. LOL. Well, a girl can dream.. Here’s a few affordable ideas to get the look..
I just found these outdoor pillows in the stripe. They aren’t garish like so many outdoor pillows can be. I think the white with brown stripe and the navy are very Ralph Lauren, and a decent price for a pair that will withstand the sun and water. Stripes are always a classic.
I also like this IKAT pillow in pretty blues. Could be a good foil for the stripes..
I love the shape and design of these garden stools . The price is good and wouldn’t these be cute flanking a front door or on the patio between chairs-or just placed in the garden along a path? There is also this one, this cool green, this creamy modern one and a pretty deeper blue.
These scalloped terracotta pots from Pottery Barn would be adorable in a few sizes on a table with herbs, or a larger one with hydrangeas or geraniums. If you want to go even more affordable, get the basic ones from a garden center and paint them with a little yogurt… leave them outside for a few days and they form that green white aged look.
I have told you guys I do not recommend furniture at Homegoods, but this outdoor tray table is an exception from Caribbean Joe ( clearly a Tommy Bahama wanna-be), and was one of my favorite little purchases last year. I folded it up and took the tray off during the winter to store it in the garage. After last summer in the sun, it looks just as good now as it did when I bought it. Very nice for cute plants or to hold drinks and food.. Would be chic indoors too.
The cropped trench
By now you know I am a jacket fan, and a lot of you are too… I just shared how flattering a short jacket can be on the summer wish list post. Another darling is the cropped trench. I saw a friend wearing one the other day and on the same day another stylish girl was in one- and suddenly I was thinking how do I not have this item?
I ordered this Anthro one in the tan in a small petite and got it in two days, surprisingly.. It runs slightly big.
The Anthro cute option comes in a mint and a tan ( also standard, petite and plus)and I am in love with the ties on the cuffs.
Here are a few other options I sourced if you like this trend, which I think is just right for summer and especially good for travel.
Many are on markdown like this BCBG one a great price at The Rack.. and this by Bagatelle...in black or tan
Banana has a new one in black linen and this Club Monaco classic is still available in a few sizes on Amazon..
Mother’s Day
My women friends have been like family and I am so grateful for their presence in my life. When I think of Mother’s Day, so many of my friends are like moms. Women tend to be the carers in life and deserve appreciation and thanks- biological moms or not. My husband’s sister has been wonderful to my sons.. and so has his step-mother. So has my close friend Ani. So many wonderful people.
I believe in the U.K. they have Mothering Sunday and I love the sound of that. It seems more like an appreciation of nurturers, which this holiday should be! So if you have friends that are like a mother, let them know how much they are appreciated too..
And if you are a mom, for goodness sakes, give yourself the day you really want. For me it’s chilling at home- in the yard. I will be reading a book and I told Max I would love him to make home made pizzas in his oven. It took me way too many years to say what I really want in life. When my kids were small I rarely had a day to do just what I wanted and if I could go back, I would have done that a lot more. We need to be more attuned to what we want and ask for it! It makes you a happier mom and wife too.
My Mom
How are you all celebrating Mother’s Day? To me, it’s a bittersweet time because I think about my own mom and how much I wish she was here still! It’s been 8 years since my mom Suzanne passed away, and I feel like she missed so much. She was the best mom and took every opportunity to let us know how much she loved us… That unconditional mom love stays with you, even when they are gone, but sometimes I just wish she was still here to call on the phone..
My mom was born in Milwaukee and came to California in her 20’s. She loved it here and never left except for a few visits back when we were kids.. She hated travel, but loved her beautiful house and all the small things that make up your day. She loved her cats, cookbooks, and music. We grew up listening to the best albums – all the great 1960’s and 70’s soul, and also Barbara Streisand, and Carly Simon. My mom loved the color yellow, daffodils, and Charlie perfume…
Most of all, she was a huge cheerleader to all of us. When I would call her to stress about school or child problems, she would always say, honey they are going to be fine. ‘They are good boys, these things will be nothing some day. All will work out. You’re doing a great job’… It was always so calming. She didn’t sweat the small stuff. In her obit, we said mom believed the little things were the big things- like sunshine, morning coffee and phone chats. I miss her hugely.
Mom’s Demand Rallies this weekend
This weekend so much is happening, but as you know, I’ve been following and trying to participate in the Moms Demand Action grassroots group. Right now, they are trying to support an assault weapons ban. This weekend they are joining Students Demand and Everytown for protests and days of action in Mountain View, Palo Alto, also in Golden Gate Park, in Walnut Creek, and in the San Jose Rose Gardens. All around 10-1 this Saturday. More details here for events all over the nation. Please share and join if you want change to the way people are living with so much gun violence in America. These events are for everyone- men, kids and families too.
Meet me at my Rails event..
If you missed it- this Saturday I am also going to be at the new Rails at Stanford Shopping Center! They are having a special Mother’s Day Event with 20% off and a gift with purchase all day.. I adore this store and the beautiful California clothes. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a great time to pop by and check out the offerings for men and women. I will be there 11-12:30 today, Saturday the 13th. Please come by and say hi! It is a good time to get something for summer or a Mother’s Day gift for you! Hope to see some of you there.. You can check out the collection here online too.
If you missed this week’s white denim post, I joined a chic group with ideas and good ideas for styling white jeans and some good options out there for this season.
On the last weekend post, I shared inspiration from Bunny Mellon, and a special On My Radar with Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.
Have a lovely weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s, grandma’s, aunties, and friends…and all those who mother and nurture in this world! You are awesome.
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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