Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Elizabeth and Kim, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
What a week. Current events aside, it’s been a stressful time over at the Folly. There are some areas of the design I need to reevaluate in order to bring costs more closely in line with the budget. Or, more accurately, not quite so far over budget. Ha. I won’t bore you with the details, I think it’s best to gain some time and perspective before shooting off my mouth. What I will say is that, based on past experience, changes made mid-project – budget related or otherwise – tend to work out and become the things we congratulate ourselves on for being brilliant moves and favorite features. Stay tuned.
I don’t like to brag, but it’s been spring-like the past few days. Yesterday was well into the 70’s and it looks like we’re headed the same direction today. Al fresco dining is back, baby. Not that it ever went away, thank goodness for a mild climate and space heaters.
We celebrated Kyle’s birthday this week at favorite restaurant, Va Da Vi. We didn’t eat outside, but could have. Kyle and Melody will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks, I shared their wedding in the Santa Cruz mountains here. They’re expecting a baby girl this summer!
As we were leaving the restaurant we heard music coming from above and decided to investigate. It was coming from Calicraft Upstairs, a new rooftop cocktail bar in downtown Walnut Creek (from Calicraft Brewing Co.), right next to, and above, Va Da Vi. We climbed three flights of stairs (don’t worry, there’s an elevator) and were warmly greeted by the manager (maybe owner) and after explaining that we were lookie loos, he generously put glasses of bubbles into our hands (non-alcoholic for Melody) and invited us to look around. The place was hopping on a Thursday night and it couldn’t have been a prettier evening to sip bubbles on a downtown rooftop.
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Girls just want to have fun – and avoid reality for short bursts of time – and that’s just what Kim and I did on Wednesday when we met up in Palo Alto for a quick stroll through Pottery Barn followed by lunch at the RH Gallery … and a lot of laughs.
As usual Kim nailed her ladies-who-lunch-when-they-should-be-writing-blog-posts look of casual jeans, a cute cropped sweater, and casually chic flats. That bag of hers is adorable and I think she highlighted it on her blog last year. And she wouldn’t be Kim if she didn’t accessorize with flair … isn’t her neck scarf très chic?
I’m wearing head to toe (shoulder to ankle?) Frank & Eileen. I bought their Limerick pant in the softest twill last year at Flaunt’s Fall Styling Event. I have them in blue too and they go with everything. Speaking of going with everything, their popover henley is an ideal base layer for everything from blazers (I’m wearing their sweatshirt blazer), to pullovers, and as a stand-alone. Of course, I can’t stop, won’t stop wearing my new Tom’s platform espadrilles. And you’re sick of hearing me extol the virtues of LL Beans’s canvas mini-tote with monogram or fun acronym.
We met up at Pottery Barn where Kim was perusing the PB x Kravtz collection which I shared here last month. She bought a couple of cute things and I’ll leave it to her to share them. The Garden Floral Ikat reversible duvet cover, and coordinating accoutrements, is speaking my language.
Shop PB x Kravet Garden Floral ~
And then we were off to RH.
We had a balanced lunch of French fries, Chinese chicken salad, iced tea, and a chocolate chip cookie.
After lunch we availed ourselves of the gallery’s ginormous – hotel lobby sized – sofas. And we took a spin in their cute upholstered – and caster wheeled – dining chairs. I’ve been considering chairs like this for the new house and many of you have alerted me to the dangers of casters, particularly after a spritzer or two. I’m taking your concerns under advisement.
We couldn’t resist the gorgeous patio furniture. Miraculously, we were not escorted from the premises.
In other shopping news, later in the week I stopped by Madewell to pick up these drapey twill pants I ordered online. I decided to try a few things on and bought this boxy dropped t-shirt. I love the longer sleeve length, which can be rolled up, and it’s a really nice heavier weight cotton. White t-shirts and jeans make up the majority of my wardrobe, they’re my essential basics, and I’m starting to work on a basic white tee roundup. If you have a favorite white tee you think I should try, please tell me about it in the comments.
While I was at Madewell I tried on a few things including this pull on track-style pant. And this smocked boatneck tank. The tank comes in several colors, and I’m drawn to the pineapple and botanical green, but white is probably the most versatile for my closet, or the white and beige subtle stripe. Oh, and this cropped denim button up is really good.
I wore the twill pants with a several-years-old ribbed white tee to Kyle’ b-day dinner, topped with my new cropped twill trench. The weather is so nice I didn’t really need a coat, but I couldn’t wait to take it out for a spin. I don’t know if my leopard flats (similar and this mule style is fun) qualify as the ‘wrong’ shoe, but they felt right for this casual outfit.
Exciting news, I’ve finally found a good eye cream. I used Le Mer Eye Balm for years, but it’s pricey and I could no longer justify the cost unless it worked a miracle. It didn’t. I’ve been in search of a new, reasonably priced replacement for some time. I’ve tried a bunch, but nothing I loved enough to buy rebuy. To make matters more urgent I’ve noticed a hallowing under my eyes. Quel horreur. Not that I’m deluded enough to think an eye cream, at any price, is going to eradicate this lovely new feature of aging. For that I’d need the full Kris Jenner but that’s not going to happen.
Back to the eye cream … in my obsessive scouring of Substack beauty newsletters, two products were being referenced repeatedly … enough for me to take notice and take the plunge.
I bought both to see if I like either, or one more than the other. I’m happy to report that both are wonderful … so far. They glide on without any pulling or tugging and absorb quickly with no greasiness. They feel really nice on my skin. I’m also concerned about how they smell. By that, I mean they should not smell – no thank you to fragrance or medicinal scents. And, it goes without saying, they must be clean products from responsible brands.
For day, Versed Brightening Eye Gel. It contains niacinamide, a brightener, and Vitamin C + caffeine so theoretically it brightens, tightens, and firms. Does it really? Who knows. It’s a light gel that goes on with a roller and feels really good on my skin and I swear I feel my under eye area tightening up. Even better, it’s cost friendly. I was first introduced to Versed when they sent me their Rich Barrier Cream and I’ve repurchased it multiple of times. What’s not to love about a good product that’s incredibly wallet friendly.
For night, I’m loving U Beauty’s The Return Eye Concentrate. Ok, it’s pricey – not as pricey as Le Mer – but I really like it. It feels good, goes on easily, absorbs quickly, has no fragrance. I’m not against splurging on products – hello SkinCeuticals – as long as I find a good high low balance.
While we’re talking skincare, might as well bring up makeup. I gave in and ordered Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal eye liner. It’s been on my mind for a while … thank you Substack and Instagram. Anyway, did you watch her documentary on Netflix? I enjoyed it and it confirmed the newfound respect I gained for her after watching her husband’s documentary.
I’m partial to navy eye liner so that’s what I ordered. It hasn’t arrived yet, and when it does I’ll report back.
Always a sucker for the upsell, I also ordered her Lid Luster shimmering eyeshadow pot in honey. Its very pretty and looks fun for an evening out. Not that I have many evenings out, but as my dad’s wife advised, always have an up-to-date passport because you never know. Same principle applies here.
A word on eye shadow. I’ve used Urban Decay’s Naked2 Basics Matte Eye Shadow Palette for a long, long time. The bummer is I only use the first three of the six colors. They’re an ideal neutral eye combination and I’ve tried – and can’t – find another combination I like as well. Occasionally I use one of the darker colors, but I go through the first three shades and end up reordering and tossing the unused colors. What a waste. The shadow colors can’t be purchased individually. What’s the deal with that?
And, finally a quick follow up. In January I mentioned purchasing Rare Beauty’s lip liner and lipstick in a matching color and I’m liking them very much. I’ll definitely reorder.
To my local friends, I want to mention I’ll be attending Tony Hick’s book signing at Barnes & Noble Walnut Creek this afternoon. It’s from 2-4pm – or maybe 2-3pm – anyway, I’ll be there on the earlier side. If you’re there too, be sure to say hello.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. Last week I shared Vol. 2 of things I’m eyeing and buying for the new house, catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Elizabeth and Kim.
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