Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
With the Olympics underway and Super Bowl food prep in full swing, there’s a lot going on so I’m going to keep today’s dispatch short. Let’s start with an update on my Creekside follies.
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Kitchen Rendering | Eye for Pretty
Over at the Creekside Folly it was another week of non-stop fun, and that signifies progress.
This week we had framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, HVAC guys and more on site … at the same time. Questions were flying at me right and left. Where would you like the vents, outlets, switches, fixtures, recessed lights, and on and on. My personal favorite, what height would you like this or that? I don’t know … the right height?
My head is exploding with what feels like death by 1000 decisions. Calling the new house the Folly feels more apt than ever.
Highlights of the week ~
- The flooring we chose a year ago was discontinued … this wasn’t discovered until it was time to order. After running around like a crazy person I found a new one I like just as much, if not more.
- I woke up in the middle of the night realizing I’d made the wrong interior door choice. The next morning I called Dolan Lumber to make the switcheroo. Last night I woke up panicked that that was the wrong choice.
- Pressure to choose interior trim and molding has been looming … I finally did it.
- I got a first look at our cabinetry and built-in drawings. Designer extraordinary, Ashley from Eye-for-Pretty, guided me through the process of fine tuning the design details. We’re waiting for revised drawings, and pricing … I’m braced for impact.
If I haven’t mentioned it before, the cost of materials, fixtures, appliances – everything – is twice as much as it was six years ago when we renovated Snowberry. I’m not exaggerating. We’ve purchased many of the same things – windows, fireplace, appliances – 2x the cost.
In less fraught Folly news, Bonnee from California Closets made her first site visit. I’m obsessed with California Closets. I’ll never forget the joy of our first California Closet in 2003. The closet was small, and the closet system doubled its usable space. I’ve been a convert since and this will be our sixth outing with them – they should sponsor me.
In the week ahead cement will be poured in the garage, front entry and covered patio and siding will start going up.
Jim tells me we’re two weeks away from sheet rock.
It may have taken a long time to get started, but now that we’re moving, we’re really moving. And I have to say that everyone working on the house is incredibly nice, hard-working and outstanding at their jobs … all my whining to the contrary.
This shot from the backyard really demonstrates how narrow the house is due to an unusually narrow lot. And before you ask what were we thinking, remember it’s all about location, location, location.
To take the edge off cope with all the excitement, I’ve succumbed to a pretzel addiction. Batch & Brine, a restaurant I can walk to from the pied-à-terre, makes an excellent pretzel with just the right amount of salt. They offer mustard and beer cheese dipping sauces, but I take my pretzels straight up.
Back to the Super Bowl, and food I shouldn’t be eating, I’ve procured my World Famous Bean Dip ingredients … and Ruffles. To offset the indulgence, I’ll also make a crudité platter, in other words I’ll chop some veggies, and make my aunt’s Truly Delicious Dip. If I’m feeling adventurous I’ll make these sticky baked chicken wings. That will be a game time decision.
I guess I should mention that the Super Bowl is here in the Bay Area. I feel like we just hosted, but it’s been 10 years. Reality is that while all the talk is about San Francisco, and all the pre-game activities are in the City, the actual game is in Santa Clara which is a ways down the road in the South Bay … closer to Kim. It couldn’t be nicer weather and I’ve been following the San Francisco mayor as he dashes from one fun event to the next. Last night there was a dance party in Union Square. I’m also enjoy listening to a number of men who like to mock our City blathering on about how awesome it is. Who knew? Eye roll. Yep, maybe visit a place before having an opinion about it.
In the midst of all the running around looking at flooring, molding, cabinets, and who knows what else, I managed to get to the dermatologist for my semi-annual skin check. I passed with flying colors. It’s been just over a year since my last skin cancer procedures. The one on my face – MOHs followed by plastic surgery – healed beautifully although I notice a slight pull from the bridge of my nose casting a dark spot under my eye. It could be a lot worse. And on that note, when was your last skin check?!
While at the derm I restocked two of my favorite skincare essentials … SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic and P-TIOX. Both are pricey, but effective. At least I think they are. They’re the only products I’m shelling out the big bucks for right now. My day and nighttime sunscreen and moisturizers are more reasonably priced.
We’re a week from Valentine’s Day which brings on my nostalgia for See’s Candy. When I was growing up my dad brought home their classic heart shaped box of nuts and chews for my mom on Valentine’s Day, and little heart boxes for me and my sister. It was such a treat and we were so excited. I need to get over to See’s this weekend and gather treats for the littles. I like to make Valentine cookies for them, but the pied-à-terre isn’t conducive to culinary adventuring + most of my baking stuff is in storage.
If you’re in need of Valentine’s treat ideas, you’ll find my favorite roll cookie and icing recipes here. Plus an easy and decadent chocolate dessert here. And, when all else fails, make Raspberry Kir Royale’s … appropriate for all winter holidays and celebrations. And especially fun – and easy – for a group.
If you’re looking for Valentine and Galentine gift ideas, my favorite boutique – Flaunt in Danville – is well stocked with cute things. Visit their online Valentine’s Day curation here. After See’s I’m going straight to Flaunt to pick out gifts for the nieces and the grands. A few things I have my eye on are this cozy blanket, these red and white stripped socks (the nieces think I’m obsessed with socks, and I am because my feet are always cold), these are cute too. Continuing my warm-feet obsession, these cozy heart slippers. I have these Jenny Bird earrings and wear them all. the. time. Being a sucker for candles, Flaunt always has something pretty and unique like this or this.
Salted Caramel Gift Set | Embroidered Sweatshirt | Heart Crew Neck
It’s come to my attention that I overuse the exclamation point. I’ve vowed to be vigilant against future abuse. That said, I didn’t make it through the first sentence – or is that a salutation – today so I’ve got work to do. My mom, pre-kids, was a middle school English teacher and tormented me by continually correcting my grammar. Last weekend marked 27 years since her passing and of course I’d give anything to have her here keeping me honest. She would have been a wonderful editor for the blog … whether I asked her or not. She’d also get a big kick out of it and when I sit down to write these weekly dispatches I often think about what topics of the week would be of interest to her.
Odds & Socks ~
Season two of The Night Manager is at the top of my watch list. It’s been ten years, so I’ll probably rewatch season one first, but not until after the Olympics. Obviously. If you’re into spy dramas, more to watch.
Nordstrom is having some sort of sale and I’m restocking my favorite unmentionables … this True & Co. bra.
If you’re planning a warm weather vacation (don’t rub it in), this Ann Mashburn long shirt-dress is an ideal piece that saves room in your suitcase by multitasking as a pool coverup, casual lunch and dinner dress.
Bad Bunny and Falling Iguanas this weekend.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. If you missed last week, we talked about the occasional need for retail therapy, you can catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.
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