May Day Luncheon with Contessa and Friends

“As full of spirit as the month of May, and as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer.”

~ William Shakespeare

 

Hello my spritzer loving friends … it’s been a minute since I’ve posted.

Life’s full of twists and turns and it’s been an interesting time at Snowberry.

Not to worry …  next week things will settle down in terms of my schedule and, more importantly, the Blog!

Until then, I want to share a fun, short post about my May Day luncheon

with everybody’s favorite Contessa, Elizabeth from The Vintage Contessa, and

Kim from Northern California Style.

This post includes affiliate links for your convenience at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

Do you follow Kim? She has the loviest blog all about her life here in … where else, Northern California. I’ve been following her for years. She renovated her home – top to bottom – about a year before we started in on Snowberry. She has a casual, classic, oh-so-California aesthetic that’s reflected in both her home and personal style. I get so many wonderful ideas from Kim and rarely leave her blog without acquiring a new dress or pillow. When the boxes start to pile up on the door step and Jim gives me the eye  … I shrug and say ‘Kim recommended it.’ And that’s that.

 

 

The Contessa lives across town. Less than three miles door to door. Kim, is a hop skip and a jump down the highway, and had about an hour’s drive. Well worth it (if I can speak for her …  ha!) to enjoy a gorgeous spring day in the company of our beloved Contessa in her enchanted garden.

When I arrived, Kim was already there exploring Contessa’s eclectic home holding this glorious goblet of ice tea, garnished beautifully with a generous slice of lemon and sprig of mint. A second later the Contessa placed one in my hand and ushered us out to the garden for a photo op.

It was such a thrill to finally meet Kim!

As for our Contessa, she prides herself on bringing people together … she’s a connector. Come for lunch, she said over a year ago … I’m inviting Kim … you two must meet. Well, busy schedules, pandemics and life kept getting in the way … but finally we gals were all vaxed up and ready to gather.

 

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of vichyssoise followed by chicken salad over greens.

The soup was so scrumptious I ate every bite before thinking to take a photo.

This blogging thing is tough … I’ll eventually get the hang of it.

Look at this feast for the eyes … and stomach …  on a bright yellow plate.

Ahem … Contessa … I believe you promised the recipes. I’m waiting … patiently!

 

Contessa sets a beautiful table.

 

Kim brought the lovely flowers and a fresh baguette … which she and I devoured. Our delicate, gluten-free Contessa did not partake.

I brought an assortment of gluten free desserts from Le Gateau Elegant in Walnut Creek.

As you can see, we hated them.

 

After lunch Contessa presented us with flower crowns and back to the garden we went for more photos.

Kim and I, somewhat height challenged next to our statuesque Contessa, joked that we felt like Cinderella’s step-sisters.

Looking back at the photos, I think we rocked our crowns.

 

In addition to a yummy lunch, we were treated to appearances by the Italian (Contessa’s darling husband) and Banksy, their pet pig.

When I first met Banksy he was just a little piglet.

Here’s a photo of Jim with baby Banksy … I believe this was 2015.

Sorry, it’s out of focus, but you get the idea.

Looks like I also forgot to snap a photo of the Italian. Drats.

A week or so before our May Day lunch, I bought a copy of  Stamps & Stamps new coffee table  book, Style & Sensibility. While flipping through it I thought to myself, this is just the sort of book our Contessa would enjoy. I quickly purchased another copy, wrapped it up and voila … hostess gift! It was a hit. Or at least the Contessa graciously said so when she called a couple of days having read it cover to cover. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is.

 

My motto is one can never have too many books … here are a few more titles that have arrived at Snowberry recently.

But back to our luncheon. What does one wear to lunch with the caftan loving Contessa … and her stylish friend, Kim? I decided to stick with my tried and true blue  … as in blue jeans, cropped, wide leg from JCrew (no longer available but similar here and here), and a blue and white striped top.

It was a warm, sunny day so I wore a pair of flower topped Michael Kors slides from a few years ago. I just ordered these Capri Slide from JCrew.

 

It was the absolute best afternoon.

Blogging and social media create opportunities to connect with so many interesting people … from all over the world. And when you have the chance to meet one of your virtual friends in person its icing on an already fabulous cake. Kim is every bit as delightful as you’d expect and we started chatting away like we’d known each other for years. How awesome is that?!

Contessa leading me down the garden path.

Thank you, Contessa … you’ve done it again.

Made two woman so very happy to while away the afternoon chatting at your table, wandering your gardens and donning flower crowns on May Day.

I hope you’re having a lovely spring.

As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.

Cheers from Snowberry!