Happy weekend, friends!
Tomorrow is May Day.
Can you believe it?
Last year on May Day I met Kim – in person – for the first time.
I’d been following her blog for years
We had an Instagram friendship.
And then we became in-person friends.
Thanks to the Contessa who hosted us in her magical garden.
And made us May Day hats.
Kim, Contessa, Moi
Wish you could have joined us, Elizabeth.
One of these days we’ll meet in-person.
And I can’t wait!
Speaking of Kim and Elizabeth,
It’s Weekend Meanderings so be sure to hop over and visit them.
Their links are at the end of this post.
Jim and I attended an amazing wedding last weekend in Chicago.
It was a whirlwind trip.
We made a quick visit to the Shedd Aquarium.
To meet their celebrity penguins.
They’re so active and cute.
And look smaller in person.
Isn’t that true of most celebs?
Back to the wedding, oh my gosh!
They had a 10-piece funk band that got the party started.
And kept it going until the venue kicked us out.
That’s a good party.
They had a donut wall too.
Let us never speak of it again.
Enough small talk, let’s get into it.
DOES YOUR MOM LOVE WINE?
Win Mother’s Day by gifting your mom a special bottle, or two … or 12. I recently became a brand ambassador for Hall Wines in Napa Valley. I know, I know … what did I do to deserve such riches?! If I may suggest … Ellie’s Cabernet Sauvignon is a lovely Mother’s Day gift choice. An ode to owner Craig Hall’s mother, Ellie Hall, who was a teacher and a veteran, and her love of art inspired a lifelong passion in her son. Ellie painted the image of the owl on the label. If you look closely, the owl’s eyes are compasses, a nod to her time working as a navigator for the U.S. Navy. Want to know more … click the image below. New customers will receive 10% off! And, Hall also offers 10% off case purchases.
If you live in (or are visiting) the Bay Area, why not take mom on a wine tasting trip to visit Hall at their St. Helena or Rutherford tasting rooms (reservation are recommended). And let them know I sent you!
MORE MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS
For more Mother’s Day gift ideas let’s look back through Weekend Meanderings. Here are a few in stream-of-consciousness style.
This lightweight, luxe robe. These faux fur slippers. Layered necklaces. A Contessa Caftan or tunic (ordering information here). This rattan bowl or this lemon print. This adorable mini-bag. A fun ‘puffy purse‘ … I love it and wore it out to lunch last week.
Or how about garden stools … these are a few of my favorites.
And summer tote bags from Target.
Last but not least, books! Books were my mom’s favorite gift to receive. That’s probably why I love to give and receive them as well. Here are a few recent additions to my library.
Spritz Fever / The Road to Le Papillon / Maman: The Cookbook / Lush Life / Six California Kitchens
It’s always nice to shop local. If you live in the Bay Area these fun shops are packed full of things mom’s love:
- Flaunt, Danville – I picked up a gift for Jim’s mom here yesterday
- Elsie Green, Concord
- Chateau Sonoma
- Misto Lino, Lafayette & Danville
- Wish, Walnut Creek
- Home by Ling Interiors, Los Gatos – Kim introduced me to this shop; it was love at first sight
NECKLACE EXTENDERS
At last weekend’s wedding I recycled my navy gown and gold jacket from Kyle and Melody’s wedding. I wanted to change things up, so I wore my hair down and added a treasured David Yurman necklace that Jim gave me years ago. Isn’t he great? At the last minute I discovered the necklace chain is about 1 ½ inches too short for the neckline of the dress. What to do? I came up with the idea to use a safety pin or rubber band to extend the chain. Jim suggested fishing line. FISHING LINE?! Does he want to decapitate me? While I went to the salon to get glam for the wedding, Jim went in search of something to MacGyver the situation. Before things got dangerous, he wandered into a jewelry store, explained the problem and they handed him two small chains – extenders.
Did you know such a thing existed? Probably so, I’m always the last know stuff. Once again, Jim asks … ‘what would you do without me?’ I hope I never have to find out.
WHAT TO WEAR ON A PLANE?
Last weekend was my first real trip in over two years. I am a terrible packer. Even for a quick two-night getaway, I agonize. But one thing I do have dialed in is what to wear on a plane. Bloggers are always writing about the chic things they wear on planes. I do not wear chic things on planes. That doesn’t mean I travel like a total schlub. But I’m relaxed … and comfortable. This is my travel uniform.
Cardigan, similar here / Scarf / Plaid Shirt / T-Shirt / Ankle Pant / Sneakers / Sunnies / Carry-on / Satchel / Cross Body Bag, similar here
Pretty boring but it works. As soon as we’re in the air I take off my shoes and put on travel socks. What are travel socks? Any kinds of thick, warm sock. These are my favorite. If I need to use the powder room (and I always do) I put my shoes back on. And I always bring a big, cozy scarf because I get cold on planes. Here’s a shocker, I don’t wear make up on a plane. And I pray not to run into anyone I know. Dark glasses are essential, obviously, for boarding and deplaning.
To contain all the stuff I drag onto the plane with me, I usually bring my very old Kate Spade nylon cross body bag, my Marc Jacobs (also old) tote or Tumi satchel. If it’s summer or I’m traveling to a warm climate I bring a woven tote like this one from Target. This trip I brought my laptop because Weekend Meanderings must get out on time. And, once it’s out, there’s stuff to do like check Kim and Elizabeth’s posts and update links to their blogs. Sorry if that’s too much of a peek behind the curtain. We may appear to be ducks effortlessly gliding across the water, but there’s a lot going on under the surface.
SERENA & LILY SALE
Serena & Lily is having a 20% off everything sale. Music to my ears. I love Serena & Lily. But their stuff can be pricey. When there’s a sale one must make hay while the sun shines. My mom used to say that. Anyway, these are some of the Serena & Lily pieces I have scattered throughout Snowberry.
And a few things I have my eye on.
For 20% off everything, start shopping here, and use code GOFORIT. If you live in the Bay Area, have you been to the Serena & Lily outlets? There’s one in Berkeley and a larger, newer store in Vacaville. Worth the drive. Both locations are chock full of great stuff at about half the retail price. That’s where I got my great room console table.
WHITE HOT: THE RISE & FALL OF ABERCROMBIE & FITClH
If you had teens in the late 90s and early 00s, you’re more than likely well acquainted with the Abercrombie & Fitch brand. A fixture at the mall with dark shutters on the windows and loud music blaring from inside.
This Netflix documentary is a real eye opener and certainly makes one rethink the heyday of this – ahem – ‘all American’ brand.
My oldest niece (with whom I spent a lot of time at the mall) tells me Abercrombie & Fitch jeans are hot again.
So there you have it!
Now let’s visit Kim and Elizabeth to see what’s on their minds.
Further meandering …
Need a Cinco de Mayo dessert … I’ve got you!
Are you living the Coastal Grandmother lifestyle … being an actual grandma is optional?
A couple of follow ups from last weekend …
Casual Summer Wedding Dress Options – I really appreciate all your comments on my dress options for my niece’s June wedding. The blue and white Anthro dress is the clear winner. A few of you suggested the block heeled mules might not be great on grass or for dancing. Great point. I think I’ll wear my new Sarah Flint wedges instead. Don’t forget to use my code SARAHFLINT-BAJULIETR for $50 off your first pair.
Washing Baseball Caps – Update on washing a baseball cap in a frame … we all have questions about how to do this in the dishwasher. Here’s what the Make Mine a Spritzer investigative unit was able to find out. First of all, pre-treat any stains then place hat (in frame) in the top rack of dishwasher. Do not wash with dirty dishes. Use the normal cycle but TURN OFF the heat dry. Don’t use dishwashing detergent containing bleach or lemon-scent. Hat will likely be damp when cycle is finished. I would air dry it in the frame. As soon as my frames arrive I’ll do a test run with one of Jim’s least favorite caps. Stay tuned.
As always I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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