Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
It’s the 5th weekend of January, a month that just won’t end. For those partaking in dry, no buy January, the end is also near. Jim lasted ten days on the dry side and succumbed on the buy side last week. He bought a pair of grippy socks. Seriously.
I resisted Jim’s attempts to impose this ridiculousness on me. That said it was an unintentionally dry month, and my buys were minimal. We’ll get to that in a bit.
For those of you enduring severe winter storms, extreme cold and perhaps lack of power and displacement from your homes … my heart goes out to you. I know Nashville is particularly hard hit. My niece in Texas was fortunate not to lose power during last week’s snowstorm. Her three kiddos enjoyed some days off of school, but they’re back in class and their parents are relieved. They were fortunate. Elizabeth tells me another Arctic blast was expected last night. I hope everyone is safe and sound.
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Before we get on with my meaningless drivel, which I hope is a respite from weightier matters of the day, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the pain and suffering of our neighbors in Minnesota – and other states – who continue to endure an assault on their civil liberties.
This is not and will not become a platform for political commentary, not because I don’t have strong feelings and opinions, I most certainly do. But articulating those feelings and opinions in an educated and informed manner is a heavy responsibility and beyond the scope of my abilities and purpose of this blog. That said, I will to link articles, essays, books, pods that resonate with me and that I think may be of interest to you. If not, as with any other topic I address that’s not up your alley, just scroll on.
Retail Therapy
We had a few big issues at the Folly this week and my anxiety level was through the roof so I decided to take a break and do something I haven’t done in a long time, I went shopping.
As I reached for my keys to head for Broadway Plaza, Jim walked through the door and I tricked him into accompanying me by promising lunch. So our first stop was the Nordstrom Cafe where I ordered their delicious cilantro lime & grilled chicken salad and a cup of tomato soup. Yum.
Jim had a club sandwich and we shared a heavenly slice of coconut lemon cake.
After lunch we took a cursory stroll around the store to take in what’s new. This cardigan caught my eye. I know, I’m a creature of habit.
I love shopping in late January. Holiday merch is gone, sales merch is cleared away, and everything feels uncluttered and streamlined, sort of like our homes after the holiday frou frou is packed away. And, spring merch is starting to arrive so it feels fresh and optimistic for warmer days ahead.
We headed for Lululemon so Jim could check out their workout pants. Since retiring Jim wears his Lulu’s nearly everyday. I guess we can say he’s a man of athleisure.
Back to Jim’s Lulu pants. He’s been unhappy with their newer styles – he hates elastic at the ankles – and wanted to see if he could find something to his liking. The Zeroed in Pant and Pace Breaker Jogger (ankle zippers override the elastic objection) styles met his criteria and they come in graphite grey which he prefers. Yes, he’s particular.
While Jim critiqued pants, I wandered around and found this long sleeve, loose fit workout shirt. Long sleeve, loose fit tops that are long enough to cover my tush aren’t easy to find. I sized up to an 8 because I like a roomier fit (the sleeves are still perfect length). I pretty much always size up in Lululemon tops, I swear they’re made for 10-year olds. In pants I’m true to size.
I also found this long-sleeve shirt in willow leaf in Lulu’s BeCalm fabric which is super soft and cozy like a very light-weight sweatshirt. Very light-weight. I’ll wear it as an outer layer. I sized up to a medium, could have gone large.
I wore both shirts, layered, to yoga yesterday morning. The outer layer came off about 15 minutes into class when I went from I’m-so-cold to I’m-going-to-pass-out.
After all that, Jim didn’t buy any pants, it’s still January. He did buy a pair of grippy socks which he needs for a couple of his classes at his gym. He twisted himself into a pretzel explaining why the socks don’t count toward his January no-buy pledge. Ok.
My next stop was Sephora and Jim peeled off to check out Rivian SUVs. Very clever putting a car showroom in the middle of a shopping area.
Anyhoo, I was in search of a new lip liner. My old favorite was discontinued and my source for back stock from questionable corners of the inter-webs dried up. A beauty advisor steered me to Rare Beauty where I found a great neutral lip liner and matte lipstick. Both are from Rare Beauty’s Kind Words Matter line with uplifting color names like creative, talented, and worthy.
Rare Beauty is Selena Gomez’ brand. It’s clean, cruelty free, and suitable for sensitive skin. It’s also independently owned – for now – with Selena holding a majority stake. I forgot to mention that the lip liner is a twist up which I love because sharpeners are a pain to use and messy.
No shopping trip to Broadway Plaza is complete without a swing through Barnes & Noble. I love Barnes & Noble and I’m so happy it returned – after a many years absence – to Walnut Creek. Even with a smaller footprint it’s a feel-good space, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for, everyone is helpful, and it has a wonderful magazine section.
The Correspondent, is as popular as ever and still holding onto a prominent front-of-store display position. Same with 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History, which is also in my reading queue.
Don’t you love the clothbound classics and their colorful covers?
I’m a sucker for a snazzy book cover and Tangerinn caught my eye. So did By Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear, a cookbook with not only a pretty cover but an intriguing I-think-I-need-it title. Same for Sip and Sensibility which obvi belongs in my library.
While we’re talking books, last week I read Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s a fictional account of astronauts in training at the Johnson Space Center in the very early 1980’s. The training class includes some of the first female astronaut candidates and follows the tight-knit group from training through their first shuttle missions. It’s also a love story, with a side of family drama. I loved it and I’m excited to hear it’s been purchased for a movie adaption. Ironically I finished the book on the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.
Next we stopped in Pottery Barn to torture ourselves more over our love of their comfy, deep seated sofas and the reality of the Folly’s small living room.
After admiring the problem to the nth degree, I looked up to notice a sea of beautiful blue hues throughout the store … from pillows to blankets to tabletop. Including the Pottery Barn x Kravat collection which I need to explore more. Blue has been my favorite color since 5th or 6th grade when I lobbied my mom hard to repaint my pink room blue … and I never looked back.
Pottery Barn Blues ~
It seems silly, but the couple hours spent at Broadway Plaza was exactly what I needed to recharge and reset. I’ve been visiting this outdoor mall since I was a very young child and it’s full of happy memories from every phase of my life. Spending time there feels like a long walk with an old friend.
The Folly Update
Speaking of the Folly, I won’t regale you with my tale of woe from the week … it was a doozy but it’s way too soon to speak of the unspeakable. One day I’ll reveal every sorted detail of the ordeal project, now entering its third year.
Jim, frustrated by flipping through pages of the mood boards and renderings in search of (fill in the blank), took initiative and created post-it tabs to separate and identify each space. When finished he dropped it in front of me with a thud and threw his arms up in touchdown victory formation. I rolled my eyes, but it’s actually been very helpful.
Speaking of touchdowns, next weekend is the Super Bowl and opening weekend of the Winter Olympics. Seems like poor planning. I don’t have a team in the Super Bowl so whatever. If you’re interested in my World Famous Bean Dip recipe – only made on Super Bowl and 4th of July weekends – you’ll find it here. Keep in mind that the only proper dipping implement is a Ruffle potato chip. If you’d like to substitute Corn Chips, I’ll allow it.
Who else is excited for the Olympics?! I can’t wait and have cleared my calendar to allow for maximum Olympic viewing. I’m looking forward to figure skating, of course, and Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinsky’s antics and commentary. Speed skating and ice hockey are high on my list of favorites along with slalom skiing and ski jumping. Oh, and how could I forget, the bobsled and luge.
Does anyone else remember watching Wide World of Sports back in the day? My family watched every Saturday afternoon, before our chateaubriand and baked potato dinner, followed by Lawrence Welk. WWS introduced us to and kept us invested in some of the more obscure sports that don’t get a lot of coverage until the Olympics roll around.
Odds & Socks ~
White is the hardest paint color … tell me about it.
Tame your wild brows, try this.
Biodegradable eye masks … it’s about time.
Friday’s Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway, discusses how we can use our spending power to influence government policy. Resist and Unsubscribe identifies powerful tech and service companies – and shows how canceling subscriptions, even temporarily, can send a clear message. Learn more here and here.
Local friends, get your tickets for the Martinez Valentine’s Day Wine & Chocolate Stroll.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. Last week we talked about January closet edits and what to do with the clothes you let go … if you missed it, catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.
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