Today on weekend meanderings, it’s our last weekend at Snowberry and I’m sharing a sneak peek at our video home tour. Also, my summer bedding refresh, new evening skincare routine, and a summer spritzer that you’ll want to make on repeat all summer long.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth. Our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
We’re down to our last few days at Snowberry and I n the midst of the chaos of moving. I didn’t let that deter me from enjoying a final cocktail night on the patio. More about that later, but first a peek at the current state of affairs here.
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Just when I thought I was on top of everything and completely organized I experienced a total moving fail. I carefully separated and marked all our things going to the apartment from all the things going to storage so when the packers arrived there would be no confusion.. What I forgot to do was separate the things we’d need for our final week here. Oops.
On a happier note, we recently added Thumbelina lavender to our garden and it’s been an all-star. It starts out as a tiny, gray plant and then one day … boom. And, wow!
The Move
After talking about it ad nauseam, we’re finally moving and this is my final dispatch from Snowberry. On Monday, Anderson Bros. Movers will arrive to whisk us to our downtown apartment and the majority of our stuff to a storage unit. We sold all Snowberry’s furnishings with the house which is making the move a lot easier, but still … it’s never easy and we have a lot of boxes.
Last week Jim went through our bowl of wine corks accumulated over the past five years. It was an impressive run. Before tossing them we dug out our wedding cork from a bottle of Perrier Jouet.
And the cork from a bottle we opened the night we closed on the little house. We have the Dana Green Team to thank for pulling off the little house purchase (it wasn’t for the faint of heart) as well as finding the perfect buyer for Snowberry.
On Tuesday, we popped the cork on a bottle of LeLarge-Pugeot Rose Extra Brut 2014 from Chateau Sonoma’s French Bubble Club to celebrate Jim’s birthday and the close of Snowberry’s escrow.
I know a lot of people are hesitant to open a bottle of champagne when they just want one glass. A good champagne stopper is a household essential and will keep your bubbles fresh and effervescent. When KLOVEO sent me their chrome champagne stopper (it comes in gold too) we tossed our cheaper version. KLOVEO’s stoppers are made in Italy with a patented seal – it doesn’t leak. Nothing but the best for our French bubbles. Anyway, with our bubble club allotment arriving every quarter we don’t hesitate to pop the cork on our treasured bottles knowing we can keep them fresh.
Cocktail Night at Snowberry – Spritz Alla Fresca
Speaking of bubbles, last night was our last Cocktail Night at Snowberry. Not to worry, Friday cocktail nights will continue from our downtown apartment through Labor Day.
Last night I made Spritz Alla Fresca from Every Cocktail Has a Twist.
As I already said, I outsmarted myself during the packing process and forgot to factor in the things we needed for this last week. Fortunately, we each had a glass on our nightstands. I love our everyday Duralex tumblers but my Spritz Alla Fresca looked less than festive when I made them the first time. I couldn’t help myself when I saw these pretty textured Borosilicate glasses at our local grocery store. The Spritz’ look so much prettier in them. Right?!
I love a good cocktail napkin, but my favorite cross-stitch cocktail napkins are harder and harder to come by so I’ve learned to appreciate these tear-off cotton cocktail napkins, especially for summer entertaining outdoors. They can be washed and reused up to five times and if they get badly stained I don’t sweat it when I toss them out.
Anyway, here’s how to make Spritz Alla Fresca, a twist on a classic Aperol Spritz.
- Fill a tumbler about 3/4 full of ice then add,
- 2 oz Sparkling Wine (I used Pascal Doquet “Arpège” Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut Champagne NV from Chateau Sonoma’s French Bubble Club)
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Aperol
- 2 oz Topo Chico grapefruit flavor (using plain Topo Chico is fine too)
- Add a wedge of fresh grapefruit for a twist and garnish.
- I also added a slice of dehydrated grapefruit because it’s pretty (I’ve shared this set of dehydrated citrus before) and a sprig of mint (Jim thought the mint added an interesting dimension)
Shop ~
Summer Bedding Refresh
We’re taking our guest bedroom furniture with us to the apartment. It includes a queen size bed. It’s going to be a bit of a squeeze with us plus two dogs, but we’ve done it before and can do it again … temporarily. Because of the bed downsizing (king to queen), and warm summer season, I finally took the plunge and ordered updated bedding.
I love Quince European Linen sheets so I ordered a queen-size set in ivory. And an extra set of pillow cases.
Image Jessica Brydson Photography
I also ordered Serena & Lily’s linen comforter in sky. It’s very duvet-like without the nightmare of putting on and taking off a duvet cover. That chore is even worse with a king-size comforter and I dread it. I use a king-size comforter on a queen bed because I like the longer length on the sides. I ordered the matching shams too.
On Kim’s recommendation I ordered a set of down-alternative pillows from Quince. I’m excited to try them and if we like them I’ll order a second set. Our pillows are old and worn out and I’ve been meaning to replace them for years. There I go procrastinating again. Choosing pillows is hard and in the past I’ve gone to Macy’s where I can see and feel the pillows. Even then we’ve made some bad pillow choices. Also, Jim and I like different things in a pillow and what works for me doesn’t always work for him. Anyway, pillows are a thing and I have high hopes for our new ones. Well see.
Image Jessica Brydson Photography
Our new sheets, comforter, and shams arrived yesterday and I can’t wait to make our new bed on Monday. Hopefully the pillows will arrive any day. Stay tuned for a full report and review.
Shop ~
GoodJanes Evening Radiance Bundle
I’ve been using GoodJanes Beauty Evening Radiance Bundle for several weeks now. I shared their 4-step nighttime routine on Instagram this week. I’m really enjoying my new evening ritual and its helped me get back into a regular skincare routine … mine fell by the wayside over the past few – chaotic – months.
When GoodJanes Beauty contacted me I had to do a little research into their brand and I like what I read. Vegan, cruelty free products incorporating stem cell technology. I love that their focus is on healthy, not perfect, skin. Because perfection is so far out of my reach. Learn more about GoodJanes Beauty and their founder, Janelle, here.
I don’t like any artificial fragrance in my skin or haircare products. And, as a recovering oily-skinned adolescent (does one ever really recover from this kind of trauma?), I don’t like the feel of heavy creams or oils on my face … I need products to absorb and leave my skin soft and glowy, but not greasy.
When starting a new skincare regime, particularly if you have sensitive skin, GoodJanes recommends beginning with one product at a time and then adding on. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin and I was excited to try it so I dove in. My skin took to it like a duck to water. These are the 4-steps, and how I’m using them …
Step 1 – Say Goodnight Exfoliating Cleansing Balm
Wow, this really works and it’s great for removing make up. That said, I wouldn’t recommend using every night if your skin is sensitive. I’m using it once or twice a week and definitely if I’ve ‘put on a face’ as my mom would say. To remove the cleanser … and mop up all the makeup … using a washcloth works best.
Step 2 – Collagen Cocktail Boosting Serum
A boosting serum that restores and soothes. I love a good serum and this one is lovely and absorbs beautifully.
Step 3 – Collagen Sleep Butter with Melatonin
Moisturizer with melatonin. I don’t know about you but I can use all the help I can get for a better night sleep. This cream goes on smoothly (no tugging as is often an issue with thicker, heavier creams – ugh) and also absorbs nicely. I often stop here with just the serum and sleep butter – after cleansing.
Step 4 – Best Face Oil for Glowing Skin
Nourishing, silky, and incredibly luxurious. Use a light hand with this face oil … a little goes a long way. I want to glow, not shine, if you know what I mean. This product, any of the products, can be used as a standalone and I’ve used the face oil in the morning after washing my face if I’m going to be home for the day.
In exciting news, I asked GoodJane’s if they’d give me a code for subscribers and they said yes! Use code JULIET20 at checkout for 20% off site-wide
I’m loving these products so much I’m curious to explore further into the line with the H20 My God Water Cream Moisturizer and the Hydro Burst Under Eye Mask. I may be the only person on the planet not using an under eye mask.
Snowberry Home Tour Sneak Peek
Am I the only one who talks about doing something – incessantly – and then does nothing … until the very last minute? Oh good, I didn’t think I was alone.
We moved into Snowberry just over five years ago after a year long renovation. I documented the renovation in photographs but not video and I dreamed of creating a YouTube style home tour. But I kept putting it off. When we made the decision to put the house on the market I panicked … if not now, it’s going to be never. So I contacted a friend of a friend who does real estate video and he agreed to shoot a short tour. It’s not ready to upload to my YouTube channel … it needs a cover photo and a few graphics, but I wanted to share a sneak peak.
And that, my friends, closes the Make Mine a Spritzer era at Snowberry. I know … we’re sad too. At the same time we’re looking forward to a carefree summer in our cute downtown apartment. We plan to do a lot of day tripping around the Bay Area … and wine country.
We cleared a big hurdle in the planning of our new home and I hope you’ll stick with me as the build begins – hopefully in early fall.
In the meantime, cheers to a fun and carefree summer!
Odds & Socks ~
A couple of months ago I shared that my childhood stuffed animal, Zeebee, was in route to Winey Bears in North Carolina for a little spa time.
This week I received word that Zeebee is rejuvenated and refreshed and ready to begin his journey home. I’ll update you when he arrives.
Currently Watching ~
Last week Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home recommended Your Friend’s & Neighbors on Apple TV. It’s a fun series and we’re enjoying it.
Joanna Gaines new half-hour show, Mini Reni, debuted a few weeks ago on her Magnolia Network. I just enjoy everything she does and this week’s Indoor Whimsical Garden was especial good.
Currently Reading ~
Kristy Woodson Harvey’s latest, Beach House Rules was released this week. Kristy embarked on a book tour and I’m following it here.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams a memoir of the authors years at Facebook. I may have mentioned this one previously, I bought it a couple months ago and started reading this week.
Currently Listening ~
I added The Ex-Files to my podcast downloads after listening to Christiane Amanpour discuss her new pod (with ex-husband, Jamie Rubin … am I the only one who didn’t know they divorced? In 2018.) on On With Kara Swisher. While there are so many podcasts focused on domestic issues, Christiane and Jamie discuss international affairs which I feel doesn’t get the attention it used to. Anyway, I’m a huge fan of Kara Swisher (Burn Book: A Tech Love Story is a great read) and her On and Pivot (with Scott Galloway) pods.
Sorry, I can’t figure out how to link podcasts and it’s late, I need to go to bed.
Current Favorites ~
So that’s what I have for you today.
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