Today on Weekend Meanderings, what I wore to a summer garden party soiree, an al fresco tabletop collaboration that will take your breath away, and a raised bed garden update.
Happy weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
Yesterday I visited Ruth Burbank Garden & Nursery for the very first time.
But that’s a post for another day.
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Ruth’s Folly at Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
My boyfriend, Mick, turned 80.
You may have heard of him.
A couple of books arrived that I’d pre-ordered it seems like forever ago.
Brothers and Sisters | History Reinterpreted
This summer I’ve made a point to slow down and better enjoy and appreciate our home.
More time with good books and magazines … and an iced tea … on the patio.
More time in the kitchen making new recipes and old favorites.
Clearing my calendar of unnecessary appointments and consolidating errands into one or two mornings a week.
And enjoying more uninterrupted time at home.
In the last fews years I feel like my schedule has been the boss of me.
But no more.
A SUMMER SOIREE
Last weekend Jim and I attended a lovely soiree in the garden of our favorite Contessa to celebrate her 63rd birthday! Guests were instructed to dress in the party’s green, yellow and orange color scheme. And everyone complied. It was a very warm summer night … and Contessa’s garden was enchanting. You can read all about her spectacular party at The Vintage Contessa Blog here. And watch my party highlights video here.
Kim and her husband, Max, were also there. How fun to finally meet Max! Jim appreciated the opportunity to commiserate with him over the trials and tribulations of being a famous blogger’s hopelessly inadequate in-house photographer. Kidding.
I was also excited to meet Trish from Cottage By Design who made these wonderful heart shaped pillows for me last year. All my grandnieces received one. She’s also the maker of the beautiful Contessa Caftan!
Just look at this guest book situation!
There were so many wonderful and interesting people at the party from all stages of Contessa’s life. A few snaps of the garden party setting.
Contessa said absolutely no gifts, but a girl can’t arrive empty handed so I brought this Limoncello candle from Hood Canal Candle Company. Contessa’s husband, the Italian, makes his own Limoncello … and described the process in detail to a riveted Jim. We enjoyed a tiny glass of his brew alongside Contessa’s absolutely scrumptious birthday cake.
WHAT I WORE TO A FABULOUS SUMMER SOIREE
As already mentioned, Contessa asked her guests to dress in the party color palette … green, yellow and orange … or any combination. For women, caftans … and for men boutonnieres. Taking creative license, of course. I fell in love with this caftan-esque dress from Anthropology. And paired it with earrings, wedge espadrilles and bag already in my closet.
Tunic Dress | Earrings | Bag | Wedge Espadrille
Jim wore a green linen twill shirt by Eton (similar shirt here and here), his sand colored pants from Peter Millar and Common Projects nubuck sneakers. He got into the spirit of the party by donning a giant, orange clip-on flower.
ULLA JOHNSON X CABANA COLLABORATION
Speaking of summer soirees, have you seen the Ulla Johnson x Cabana Magazine tabletop capsule collaboration, High Summer? It’s reminiscent of Contessa’s garden party entertaining style. Swoon.
Images via Ulla Johnson x Cabana Magazine
I love Ulla Johnson’s bohemian style dresses. And her first foray into home with this tabletop capsule is in keeping with that style. And it’s fabulous. I mean … seriously fabulous. Like her dresses, it will set you back a pretty penny … but to look costs nothing. Let’s taken in these beautiful earth toned florals and flourishes.
The collection’s Murano glass tumbler is stunning. I’m tempted to change up our outdoor tabletop to burnt orange and mustard yellow. And I’m not even fond of those colors. At least I thought so, until now.
It’s a summer alfresco dining fantasy.
GARDEN UPDATE
This week in our raised bed garden I snipped a few flowers to make a small bouquet. Last week I shared everything we planted in the garden.
Today I plan to harvest lettuces for our first fresh-from-the-garden salad.
This week Homestead Design Collective dropped off our back-ordered arched trellis’. They’re sitting in the driveway and will hopefully be installed in the next couple of weeks.
While we’re talking gardens, I pre-ordered Claus Dalby’s upcoming book, The Cottage Garden. The book will be released September 5th … which is next month! Wow … summer is flying by.
In other news ~
These joggers from Old Navy were an impulse purchase this week. I’m always on the lookout for good dog walking pants … which means comfortable but somewhat polished and pulled together should I run into anyone I know on the trail. As with all my form fitting workout wear, I size up. In this case to a medium.
Don’t miss this luscious blueberry swirl bundt cake recipe that Elizabeth shared earlier in the week.
Last week I mentioned ordering L’Oreal’s Lumi Glotion. It arrived at the beginning of the week and it’s totally amazing. I ordered the medium shade. I’ve been adding a small amount to my moisturizer/SPF combo for a nice, blurry glow.
Glotion | Moisturizer + SPF | CE Ferulic | Face Wash
Kim and I went Live on Instagram last week … you can watch our chat on Kim’s Instagram here. We talked about the Contessa’s garden party, the miracle of the L’Oreal’s Glotion, and summer shorts. Kim said she’s not much of a shorts person but has been wearing shorts a lot this summer. I have too. Lounging around the house in an old pair of white G1 Paper Twill shorts and a khaki trouser-style pair I bought at a consignment shop a few weeks ago. When I need to look a little more presentable, these J.Crew Bermuda’s are favorites. I have them in white and honey brown. And these twill trouser shorts that I took on our trip to Italy. I just bought these linen blend baggy shorts at Target … in black and white.
Current favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you this week.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth …
If you missed my last post, you can catch up here.
You’ll find all my weekend roundup posts collected here.
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As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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