Today on weekend meanderings, getting in the holiday spirit and shopping local, plus new five books I think you’ll love.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
How was your week? We had our first storm of the season. It lasted all of a day. Not even a full day. We’d been warned to batten down the hatches for torrential rain and wind. The torrential part never materialized but we got a good soaking and it was pretty blustery.
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Let’s jump in …
Holiday Sip & Shop & The Joys of Shopping Local
BFF Jane and I attended Dana Green’s holiday sip & shop (+ nibble) which is a fun way to tip toe into the holiday season and spirit. Benefitting Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area it was the right time to get ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas decor and gifts.
It’s such a wonderful showcase for our local businesses and many favorites were there. Our first stop was the spectacular grazing table created by Gourmet Grazing Goat.
Kim from White Barn Home, one of my favorite local shops, brought so many wonderful things including a reindeer shot glass. How could I resist? I also treated myself to a balsam and cedar soy candle in a pretty green, slightly frosty, glass vessel. The scent is pure Christmas.
Local friends, if you’re still in the planning stages for your Thanksgiving table – or looking for a hostess gift to take to someone else’s – stop by White Barn Home.
One of the many benefits of shopping local small businesses are the special and unique finds that aren’t mass produced and won’t be found in everyone else home – or posted on social media. Things that you’re likely to treasure for years, maybe decades, and that family members will have memories around. Like all the wonderful holiday decorations our parents and grandparents or will pass on to us one day. Many of my holiday decorations are treasures found at holiday bazaars my mom and grandmother looked forward to shopping each year.
Garden Affairs in Danville brought the most beautiful wreaths and greenery. And, oh my gosh, isn’t the scent of fresh greenery divine? Local friends, order before November 20 for pick up November 29 & 30. In addition to the beautiful greenery, their vine reindeer were a very hot items.
I was so busy running my mouth and tapping my credit card I didn’t take many pictures so let me tell you a few other local favorites participating in the shopping fun …
XO The Blanket, I bought the softest, coziest blanket at last years event, as well as equally soft, cozy dog bed cover (Pippa & Maggie each give 4 paws up),
JBJ Fine Jewelry, I might have bought myself a a little holiday bling, the less said the better shhh,
Camino Brand Candles (they ship, and can also be found at Wish in Walnut Creek),
Stefanie from Emerson Grace Design brought amazingly beautiful things including hand made wool Santas that I didn’t buy but wish I did … and still might if there are any left (watch Stefanie unpack them here).
When we opened to the front door to leave I gasped – and snapped a photo – at the magic of Dana’s front yard in the midst of a light drizzle under the nearly-full moon.
Update: several readers messaged about Dana’s beautiful, oversize outdoor lanterns – here’s a link.
5 New Books I Think You’ll Love
It’s been a while since I’ve done a book roundup and so I wanted to share my recent purchases that I hope you’ll love … they’d all make wonderful gifts. Books are my favorite thing to give and receive.
Pudding Corner Murder Mysteries
Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage fame is a woman of many – many – talents. In addition to her popular blog that morphed into an Instagram sensation leading to a best selling book, and so on and so on … the world is her oyster. She recently became a columnist for Country Living UK and did you know she’s also the author of two cozy murder mysteries.
Her debut novel, The Potting Shed Murder, is every bit as charming and delightful as Paula herself. The protagonist, Daphne Brewster, bears a striking resemblance to Paula as she solves crime in the fictional village of Pudding Corner.
I just finished the second novel in the series – yes, it’s going to be a series – The Body in the Kitchen Garden and it’s just as delightful as the first. Mystery author S. J. Bennett says “Miss Marple for the 21st Century. Loved it.” I agree.
In The Body in the Kitchen Garden Paula references Bakewell slices several times which got me curious … what are Bakewell slices? Apparently they’re a classic British tea time treat. Who knew … I mean I never thought beyond the scone. In my Bakewell slice sleuthing I turned up this recipe that looks delish.
Credit: Caroline’s Cooking
Entertaining
We talked about this several weeks – or months – ago and it’s finally here. Martha Stewart’s reprinted and relaunched iconic Entertaining is hot off the press. I lost track of my original copy, which boggles my mind because I treasured that book. I’m so happy to have a new copy, identical to the original, and hope Martha embarks on a book tour because I’d happily stand in line. She signed books at William Sonoma in NYC and Terrain in Westport, CT earlier this week so we shall see.
The Look
Former First Lady, attorney, movie producer, podcaster, author and all around accomplished person, Michelle Obama, was all over the talk shows this week chatting about her beautiful new book, The Look. Her latest book explores her style evolution and the soft power of fashion. I can recall so many of her White House looks vividly and took a lot of inspiration from her more casual White House style … which gave J. Crew quite a boost.
Mrs. Obama joined Jenna Hagar Bush to co-host Jenna & Friends and it was lovely to see their warm and affectionate interaction reflecting the long – 17 years – relationship between their families. My brief effort to find out what Mrs. Obama wore for her co-hosting gig failed, but the gray dress sweater set with red beaded detail looks like cashmere. I feel like it pays homage to her White House J. Crew era.
Remember when Jenna and her twin sister Barbara joined their mother, then First Lady Laura Bush, in welcoming Mrs. Obama and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, to the White House and showing them around their new home. That moment of graciousness between two families from opposing political parties united in their desire to uphold the best of our traditions, the peaceful – and gracious – transfer of power.
I appreciate and enjoy the playful relationship between Mrs. Obama and former President George W. Bush and look forward to their cute interactions at State events. More of this please.
I’ve only had a moment to flip through the stunning photos in The Look but plan to do a deep dive over the weekend. And I’m excited to listen to the IMO podcast’s limited series discussing the book and Mrs. Obama’s style evolution with a number of guests … in the first episode the conversation is led by Nina Garcia.
The Home Bird
Do you follow Elle the Home Bird – Elle Hervin – on Instagram? I highly recommend. I’d describe her style as modern, traditional, British country house featuring lots of color, highlighted by vintage and thrifted finds. She has a lovely blue sitting room and a ton of books … so she speaks my language. She also has a Substack of the same name that’s quite enjoyable.
Elle just published her first book, The Home Bird: Creating Joyful Interiors Where Old Meets New. I’ve looked through all the beautiful photos and it’s another book I’m going to deep dive this weekend.
Squeeze Me
Have you heard of the River Cafe in London … or maybe been there? If you have, go immediately to the comments and tell me everything.
Clearly I have not been but want to go and if we ever get back to London, hopefully next year, it’s on my agenda. Of course getting a reservation in another matter … but I dare to dream.
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Ok, so Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray are co-founders and original chefs of what’s become an iconic restaurant on the north bank of the Thames, featuring Italian food. Ruth’s late husband, famed architect Richard Rogers, designed the restaurant in 1987. The restaurant is a favorite of cool celebrities, although the term celebrity kind of diminishes people like Paul McCartney, Michael Caine, Stanley Tucci, Elton John, the Beckhams, SJP and the like.
Credit: Tatler
In addition to running an A-lister restaurant for 30 + years, Ruth is the author of five, now six, cookbooks and hosts a popular podcast, Ruthie’s Table 4. On the pod she chats with restaurant guests who’ve become friends to talk about food memories and how food impacts all aspects our lives. An interesting array of recent guests include Olivia Colman, Bono, John Lithgow, Nili Lotan, and Graydon Carter. Oh, and apparently table 4 refers to a sought after table at the restaurant.
That was a long introduction to Ruth’s latest book Squeeze Me: Lemon Recipes & Art, co-authored by Ed Ruscha an artist whose photographs are featured alongside Ruth’s recipes. The book has a unique page layout and design, very artsy and beautiful featuring 47 lemon-centric recipes.
Odds & Socks ~
Oscar’s Place 2026 wall calendars are available for pre-order … proceeds go to providing food, shelter, medicine and care to the rescued donkey’s who are fortunate enough o call Oscar’s Place home.
Local friends, grab your tickets to the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery’s annual Garden of D’Lights – November 21 through January 11.
Chateau Sonoma’s Marche de Noel continues through the weekend … today 12 – 8pm and tomorrow 10:30 – 4pm
The Sale of the Year is on at Serena & Lily! I’m tempted to buy this bar cart that’s on my wish list for the new house. Earlier in the year I shared all my favorite S&L pieces from Snowberry.
Current Favorites ~
That’s what I have for you today. Last week I shared our trip to Texas and experience at the Hotel Drover in Ft. Worth.
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