Today on Weekend Meanderings, a tote for all seasons, books to order now, take two on our foyer refresh, and a Martha Stewart docuseries.
Happy Weekend Friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
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Did you watch the Super Bowl?
I understand it was the most watched television program in history.
Second only to the moon landing.
Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs and fans.
Although their jubilation didn’t last long.
What a tragedy that their celebratory parade ended in another senseless mass shooting.
I have a lot of thoughts around this, but I try to steer clear of hot button issues here on the blog.
So let’s move on to today’s frivolities.
QUINCE EUROPEAN LINEN BEDDING
Last weekend I promised to love bomb you with blog posts this week … on my new favorite bedding and our Ritz Carlton cruise adventure. Well, I batted .500. The bedding post made it, and the cruise post is coming this week … and this time I mean it. Let’s not dwell on setbacks, but celebrate successes. Last year I discovered the Quince brand and fell hard for their $50 cashmere sweaters … and this oversize cable cardigan. I guess you loved them too because many were purchased. And let me just take a minute to thank you for shopping from the blog. Producing blog content is a lot of work, fun work that I’m grateful to be able to do, and I truly appreciate your support. Apparently Quince noticed too and reached out to see if I’d like to try something from their home line. Bedding maybe? I’ve been curious, but hesitant, about linen sheets. They’re so popular and raved about … and this was a perfect opportunity to give them a try. Long story short, I fell in love with Quince’s European linen sheets and already bought more. If you missed my Quince linen bedding review (I had the poor judgement to post it on Valentine’s Day) you can catch up here.
Embracing the Luxury and Comfort of Linen Sheets without Breaking the Bank
WHAT’S IN MY BOOK PRE-ORDER QUEUE
Yesterday I checked the status of my book pre-orders and was delighted to see several books I’ve been looking forward to are nearing their publication date. I also caught two double orders. Oops. A danger of pre-ordering, but easily fixed.
Fiction ~
In fiction I’m excited about Ruth Reichl’s, The Paris Novel (April 23).
A dazzling, heartfelt adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris—from the New York Timesbestselling author of Save Me the Plums and Delicious!
And Kirsty Woodson Harvey’s, A Happier Life (June 25).
With “her signature warmth and Southern charm” (E! Online), the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds and the Peachtree Bluff series presents a tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.
Cooking & Gardening ~
Lidey Heuck’s first cookbook, Cooking in Real Life: Delicious and Doable Recipes for Everyday (March 12), with forward by Ina Garten, is another I’ve been anxiously anticipating. Lidey worked as one of Ina’s assistants right out of college (what a dream job!) and made an occasional appearance on Ina’s Barefoot Contessa TV show.
“Lidey subscribes to the same theory of home cooking that I do. We all want recipes that have ingredients you can buy in almost any grocery store, recipes that are easy enough to make without breaking a sweat that will be delicious and satisfying for either an ordinary weekday dinner or for a special occasion.” —Ina Garten, from the Foreword
Stefani Bittner’s Homestead Design Collective will be installing new irrigation and plantings at Snowberry in the coming months. Her third book, with Alethea Harampolis, The Fragrant Flower Garden: Growing, Arranging & Preserving Natural Scents is also coming very soon (March 5).
Make your garden and home look and smell heavenly with this accessible gardening guide that explains how to grow fragrant flowers outdoors and bring natural scents indoors by creating floral arrangements, scented beauty products, and more.
Coffee Table ~
Counting down the days for Gil Schafer III’s Home at Last: Enduring Design for the New American House (February 27).
Bestselling author and popular American architect Gil Schafer returns with the final installment in his trilogy on the rewards of living in the American house.
Also expected next month, Nora Murphy’s Country House Living: Celebrating the Beauty of Life at Home (March 12). And, guess what, favorite blogger Molly in Maine’s home will be featured!
Following her success with Nora Murphy’s Country House Style, Murphy celebrates a selection of homes and their homeowners, each exemplifying a different style.
Recap ~
NAGHEDI ST. BARTHS TOTE
Last year I raved about the woven bag I bought on Amazon. Not only is it fabulous, but you can’t beat the price. I think it’s indestructible and I’ll be carrying it for many years to come. Nevertheless I couldn’t resist the allure of Naghedi’s St. Barths Tote. I’ve mentioned it in passing in prior dispatches. In January I bought the St. Barth’s tote in the medium size and cashmere color. Or so I thought. Apparently I pressed buy on the bronze graphic ombre. Once I got over the surprise, I decided I liked it and opted not to exchange. Looks like I made the right decision, I’ve been using it everyday and have received several love-your-bag-where’d-you-get-it compliments.
St. Barth’s Medium Tote | Graphic Ombre Bronze
The St. Barth’s tote is offered in four sizes … petite, small, medium and large … and many colors and patterns. The petite and small totes also have a crossbody strap that I love. The medium and large totes fit over the shoulder. And all sizes come with a zippered pouch. The totes are handwoven neoprene which is durable and easy to clean.
Naghedi was founded about eight years ago by Sara Naghedi, an accessories designer, who set out to create a timeless bag to be worn year after year, through all seasons. I think she nailed it. In addition to the St. Barths, there are many other bag styles … I really like the Jetsetter, Tulum and Havana Beach totes, and the Laguna Crossbody. I also love the bag’s fun names! You can learn more about the brand story, sustainability practices and more at their website.
FOYER UPDATE – TAKE II
It’s been nearly two years since I scored a Blake console table (currently on major sale) at the Serena & Lily outlet for our foyer. Only to have our cat Abby confuse it with a scratching post. Wah, wah, wah. The table relocated to the safety of niece Shelby’s apartment and my foyer project was back to square one. Fast forward two years and I’d thrown in the towel on my search for a just-right (style and size) table for our small, narrow entrance. I re-embraced the RH placeholder bench and decided to design around it. By design I mean, add a mirror over the bench and call it a day. And find an appropriate sized rug … no easy task as the front door cannot open over even the thinnest of rugs.
As often happens when we give up on something, the right thing suddenly falls into our laps. And that’s exactly what occurred a few weeks ago when a 1stDibs email landed in my mailbox featuring a bamboo console table. I hemmed and hawed a bit over making the purchase. The price wasn’t outrageous, but the cost of shipping (from the East Coast) was. Ultimately the price of the table plus shipping was within the range I’d budgeted for the just-right piece and I purchased it. This week it arrived.
Vintage Coastal Bamboo Console Table on 1stDibs
Alli Bentz of TCB Style suggested this round, scalloped mirror from Ballard Designs that she’s recently used in another clients home. The mirror is/was on sale and after running it by Jim I ordered it along with this lamp, also from Ballard. It probably deserves a better lampshade. Maybe an ivory linen or even something a little snazzier. We’ll see. I’m also considering this adorable dome lamp that I fell in love with a couple of weeks ago when visiting our new Crate & Barrel … sitting atop a couple of books. The rug continues to be an issue and I’m on the lookout for a catch all to place on top of the books. And perhaps some greenery in the ginger jar. I’ll share more when it all comes together.
Don’t worry about the RH bench, it found a home in our great room.
THE MANY LIVES OF MARTHA STEWART
Love her or hate her (I’m in the love camp) you can’t deny that Martha Stewart is a force. Have you seen CNN’s 4-part docuseries The Many Lives of Martha Stewart? For my fellow Martha lovers it will take you on a walk down memory lane. From Martha’s early years as a young, married mother and stock broker to the publication of her blockbuster book Entertaining, her first television show filmed at Turkey Hill, the creation of Martha Stewart Living magazine, her shocking trial and prison sentence, and the rebuild and rebound of her brand. With her Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, podcast and endorsement deals, Martha at 82 is as bigger deal than ever.
Odds & Socks ~
Last week I expressed frustration over my inability to keep a Maidenhair fern alive. Reader Cynthia shared some enlightening information in the comments section and I want to share it with you. I know I’m not the only one who loves, and struggles, with beautiful Maidenhairs. This week I experimented with putting mine outside for a bit during the day. Thanks, Cynthia, for your insight and tips!
“I live in No. California too but in a much warmer location and grow maidenhair fern both in the ground and in pots. They do not like to be in the house for more than a few days. I keep my pots outside and bring them in for special occasions then out they go again. They get morning sun and afternoon shade. They love water, and it is a plant you can’t overwater. I fertilize when I think about it, but not very often. If your plant shrivels up or looks like it is dead, just cut it back and in about a week or so, new growth will pop up. Each Spring, I cut back the patch in the ground and it comes back so beautifully. I hope these tips help you. It seems like a lot of work bringing the pots in and out, but so worth it.”
Last week I mentioned this quilted jacket that niece Shelby wore and I wasted no time ordering. It arrived and is so good. Light weight but cozy and the sleeves are generous so there’s plenty of room for bulky sweaters underneath. I’ve been wearing it all week. It’s on final sale, and I’m not sure it’s still available. I ordered a small, and could easily have sized down.
Kim and Cindy devoted their monthly Signature Style series to denim and bringing us up-to-speed on current denim trends. Many newer styles remind me of my heyday, especially high waist wide leg jeans. This pair from Madewell is my current favorite. I love Kim in her new barrel style jeans, a look I’d previously been on the fence about. And Cindy’s wide leg jean and blazer combo … tres chic.
Denim Trends and Jean Brands that Work | Northern California Style
The Absolute Best Ways to Wear Denim Over 50 and Feel Confident | Cindy Hattersley Design
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today.
Look for my review of our Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection Caribbean cruise next week.
Now let’s visit Kim and Elizabeth to see what’s inspiring them.
If you missed last weekend’s post, you can catch up here.
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Until next time, cheers from Snowberry!
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