Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
It feels like spring here in Northern California and I’m kinda loving it. Yesterday I drove to Sonoma where the hills are at their lushest green, the wild mustard is beginning to bloom, and pink tree blossoms are opening up. It’s glorious.
Because I was off galavanting I got a late start on today’s dispatch, so let’s jump in. But first, Miss Pippa wishes you a very good morning and a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
This post includes some commissionable links; see my disclosure policy here.
Yesterday, while in Sonoma to pick up my French Bubble Club allocation at Chateau Sonoma, I met up with my friend Sheila of the French inspired design blog, Maison de Cinq We sat outside on the Sunflower Caffe’s charming secret garden-like patio and chatted away.
A few doors down from the Sunflower, Chateau Sonoma is ready for Valentine’s Day.
Talented floral designer, Juan Mendoza Le Jardinier Floral, was in the house finishing up his spectacular special order Valentine bouquets.
I stopped by Basque Boulangerie for a Valentine treat.
In addition to bringing home my quarterly bubbles, which included a rosé and that’s why I’m grinning like a goof, I picked up an adorable ceramic pig for the new house.
I’m partial to pigs, and have collected them. Decorative pigs, not real ones. In the early 90’s my mom gave me a ceramic pig that sat on my front doorstep for years. Someone snatched the pig off my porch and I’ve been mourning its loss for 20+ years while searching – in vain – for another as adorable as the first.
Yesterday marked two years since I first laid eyes on our little house project, now the Folly. The cute red heart on the front door really sold it.
This is what it looked before being gussied up for sale.
Last weekend I mentioned my nostalgia for See’s Candy and this week I made it to the store to pick up treats to send to the grands. Everyone working in the store is so nice. That plus the samples they generously dispense makes it an A+ shopping experience.
After gathering cute boxes and tins of candy, bags of little chocolate hearts, and, of course, lollipops, I decided to buy their reusable totes to package the kids treats. So cute.
Speaking of See’s lollipops, when oldest niece Sam was about five, she stuck a half eaten See’s lollipop to the back of my car’s headrest … which I didn’t discover until a couple of weeks later. It’s been a joke between us ever since. Anyway, I picked up gifts for a few friends too … I love all the varied package options, especially the XO box, and is there anything sweeter than the classic heart box? I’m sure the stores will be crazy today.
I never met a platform shoe I didn’t love so when Instagram’s algorithm correctly fed me Tom’s Valencia Platform Espadrille in a champagne metallic basketweave, I said … Happy Valentine’s Day to me. I predict this will be my shoe of spring and summer and I’m eyeing a pair in black canvas. Anyway, get 25% off during Tom’s Long Weekend sale with code SAV25.
Speaking of treating myself, by Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear caught my eye at the bookstore a couple of weeks ago. Not only is the colorful cover appealing, but the title brings to mind recipes collected over time from special people. Without investigating beyond the charming cover and title I bought the book. The author, Hailee Catalano is a chef, recipe developer, and content creator who is TikTok famous.
A word about the Olympics, I’m loving every second … are you? There have been some incredible Wild World of Sports worthy (the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat) moments. And so much drama inside and outside of competition. What’s with the infidelity confession. And finish line engagement. Our women’s ice hockey team is killing it. The misfortune of Lindsey Vonn and disappointment of Mikaela Shiffrin. Ryan Cochran-Siegle stricken with food poisoning in a gondola. And on and on.
The figure skating has been up down and all around drama and I was heartbroken for Ilia Malinin last night. At the same time I can’t help but be happy for Kazakhstan skater, Mikhail Shaidorov, who seems completed stunned and overwhelmed to win gold. Take about preparation meeting opportunity.
What really got me was the ice dancing – which is so beautiful – but ended in heartbreak for Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Their performance was perfection. If the Canadian team of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier bested them I could have understood it. Their performance was gorgeous, emotional (I teared up the moment Vincent began to play) and it was executed beautifully. But the French team made an obvious mistake and in my humble opinion, that should be game over, or gold medal over. I get it, it’s subjective, and it wouldn’t be the Olympics without a judging controversy.
Update on the judging controversy (gift link here) do you remember Skategate 2002?
Credit: Elsa / Getty Images
And finally, a feast for the eyes, Chanel’s Spring Couture show at the Grand Palais Paris, creative director Matthew Blazy’s couture debut. I don’t follow fashion week – or weeks – but photos and video of this show were everywhere and the whimsical ‘birds of a feather’ theme caught my eye and imagination.
The backdrop of weepy pink trees and oversize toadstools in pinks and reds felt very Alice and Wonderland … but also Valentine’s Day. Many of the clothes were breezy and sheer … pinks, reds and warm whites, worn by models of diverse backgrounds and – surprise – ages.
Odds & Socks ~
This dress was super popular on the blog last week, and it’s on final sale at a third of the price in sizes XS and S.
Very excited for this book available for pre-order now.
This vintage J.Crew sweater is getting lots of attention.
Dear Pam Bondi, (A Letter From A Father)
Local friends, if you’re going to Downtown Martinez Wine & Chocolate Stroll this afternoon – lucky you – stop by Partner’s Place and wish one-year old Poppy a happy first birthday and pick up some healthy treats for your pups.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. If you missed last week’s dispatch it’s all about the progress of our home build aka death by 1000 decisions, you can catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.
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