Happy weekend, friends!
It was an illuminating week on the blog!
I shared a new renovation post all about Snowberry’s lighting choices.
You can read it here.
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Today is our fourth edition of weekend meanderings.
Can you believe it’s been four weeks?!
I can’t tell you how much Kim, Elizabeth and I appreciate your enthusiastic response
to our weekly roundup.
We’re having so much fun and thank you for your support and lovely comments.
We’re happy to have you along for the ride!
With that said, let’s get to it.
FOR THE DISCERNING CAT
About six months ago we adopted a stray cat, Abby. Abby-cat is now fully integrated into our household, so I thought it was time to upgrade her dinnerware. I purchased these blue and white chinoiserie food bowls for our dogs many years ago. I adore them and so I ordered a set for Abby too.
They can be personalized which is fun. Abby is a discerning cat and has come to share my love of blue and white. She’s going to be thrilled when her new bowls arrive.
My dog bowls are medium. I ordered small for Abby-cat. There is a large size too.
Look at these cute blue and white pet bowl placemats. Is this going too far?!
Abby also has a new portrait painted by my artist friend, Heidi. Earlier in the week Cindy Hattersley featured Heidi on her popular blog series, Ageless Style.
SPRING/SUMMER TOTES & UPPING MY SUPERMARKET GAME
We’re allowed to bring our own bags to the grocery store again. Woo hoo! Mine were looking a little worse for wear. My friend, and our favorite Contessa, shops with pretty African baskets. She wrote about it here. Target has some great new spring/summer bags. This one caught my eye and I thought it would make a great market bag. Grocery store, farmers market or the beach and pool … anywhere, everywhere. Not quite as fancy as the Contessa, but a major step up from where I started. Yesterday I tried it out and got two compliments at the grocery store. Contessa, you’re onto something!
I bought this one and this one as well. Also, at Target. I’ve said it before … and it bears repeating. Target it is killing it in the style arena.
PILLOW INNARDS.
Pillows, trays, and throws is my decorating mantra. As someone who doesn’t enjoy changing things up, I bring the spice to Snowberry’s life through this decorating trifecta. Today we’re talking pillows. Many moons ago when I was a young grasshopper, I ordered new pillows. When the box arrived, it was oddly small. And thin. I opened it up and … where were the pillows? Turns out the pillows I ordered were pillow covers. Pillow inserts weren’t included. Oops. Be sure to check that an insert is included before ordering pillows.
Another issue I’ve run into … the insert is included but it’s a little lackluster. Made of a polyfill material or something without much substance. You must have the proper pillow insert. Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home introduced me to Interior Linens website for good pillow inserts. She also taught me how to choose the right size insert and a technique for properly stuffing the pillow. She recently wrote this article and made a video covering all her pillow tips and tricks. Essential reading for home décor enthusiasts!
Bottom line, the right pillow insert can turn an inexpensive pillow cover into a supermodel.
Pillows from my Fidalgo Island house. Sigh … I miss it.
BRITISH DETECTIVE SERIES
Last weekend I started watching the British detective series Unforgotten.
Nicola Walker (Last Tango in Halifax, Babylon) and Sanjeev Bhaskar (Yesterday) star as DCI Cassie Stuart and Cassie’s partner-in-solving-crime, DI Sunny Khan, who are veterans at uncovering the truth of tangled, complicated murders of the past. But the deeper the truth lies, the bigger the emotional toll for the suspects, the families left behind, and for Cassie and Sunny to handle. How long can one fight for justice while preserving their own sanity?
Why do the Brits do police and detective drama, heck, any drama, so much better than we do? The Night Manager, Bodyguard, Broadchurch, Line of Duty. I could go on and on. Anyway, Unforgotten stars Nicola Walker who I first saw in Last Tango in Halifax. If you haven’t seen Last Tango in Halifax, drop what you’re doing right now. No, wait … finish reading this post, hop over to Kim and Elizabeth’s and then drop what you’re doing to watch this series.
Ok, assuming you’ve now seen Last Tango in Halifax (a drama, but not a detective drama), give Unforgotten a look-see. It’s not for the faint of heart and the subject matter is for adults only. But it is riveting and compelling television. Three of four seasons are available on Amazon Prime Video. With six episodes each season it’s a good binge watch.
SPRITZER TIME
This blog is not called Make Mine A Spritzer for nothing. You can find my classic white wine spritzer recipe here. But today we’re talking tequila spritzers.
A couple weekends ago I went to a birthday party where I had the good fortune to meet Joulia, a rep for a new-ish tequila company, 21 Seeds. 21 Seeds is an infused tequila (infused not flavored). They offer three varieties.
- Valencia Orange
- Grapefruit Hibiscus
- Cucumber Jalapeno
Did somebody say grapefruit? At the party all three flavors were offered in pre-mixed spritzers. It was a great party. Obviously. And I was first in line for the grapefruit spritzer. It was delicious. This week I went in search of 21 Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus Tequila and last night I made Grapefruit Tequila Spritzers. And you can too. Here’s the recipe.
Tequila Grapefruit Spritzer
4 oz Club Soda (or fizzy water)
2 oz 21 Seeds grapefruit tequila
1 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
Lime to rim the glass and garnish
Fill a chilled glass with ice and rim with lime. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Garnish with lime. Salud!
I made an instructional video linked here. You’re welcome.
21 Seeds is founded and run by three women. I love that. Their website has lots of great cocktail recipes … the tequilas are great on their own as well.
I do so much citrus juicing it might be time to invest in a heavy duty juicer or press. There are so many options. If you have one you like, let me know in the comments.
So, there you have it, some fun things that got my attention this week.
Let’s see what Kim and Elizabeth have for us.
As always, appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Have an amazing weekend, friends!
Good morning Juliet,
It is always so much fun to see what you post on meanderings. I loved your lighting post, as you said, it was very illuminating! The cat/dog bowls are beautiful and no, it is not going too far if you get them the blue and white mat. As for pillows, one either gets a polyfill insert or nothing, just a cover. I have a closet of pillows, who am I kidding, I have closets full of all sorts of things. Unlike you, I am a collector of things, just like the other Elizabeth.
Have a wonderful weekend Juliet, I am making your drinks for our bbq this evening!
Good morning, Elizabeth! That you for the encouragement to get those blue and white mats. Too much of a good thing is a good thing, right?! And I know the four-legged kids will love them! I’m going to have to look up the meaning of the name, Elizabeth … could it be collector? Enjoy that bbq … wish I was closer so I could stop by to taste taste those brownies! xo
Love those sweet pet dishes! Adorable! Thanks for sharing the pillow tips and Target finds. Happy Saturday!
Good morning, Leslie … can we ever be too good to our pets?!!! Haha … no, not at my house! Target is killing it … how in the world did I end up buying THREE bags?!!! xo
You have a beautiful blog! I would love to know the propEr way to stuFf a pillow!
Good morning, Lynn … yes, pillow stuffing is an essential life skill! xo
I loved this post! Such great finds!
Thank you, Kristen … good morning! xo
Juliet, Just loved this. You always make me giggle. I can hear you talking while I am reading this! I need the blue cat bowls. Marlo sadly has been using some generic bowls.. How awful am I? She deserves something prettier. Cute that you can get a set, a no the matt is not too much! I was so happy when we could bring our shopping bags again. I felt like we went backwards in terms of using paper and plastic the past two years! It was so UNNECESSARY. At my local store a checker acted like I was typhoid Mary trying to use my bags pretty recently. I was willing to bag too. Anyhow, LOVE the woven ones. Makes a boring market job feel like one is in the south of france, and who wouldn’t want that? I may order one of these as You can never have enough straw totes. So funny last night I was struggling filling some new pillows with inserts a la Mary Ann method. Was very helpful! My new favorites are these special ones made in Georgia and very heavy like down, but are synthetic and super comfy. Thanks for another Spritzer! I am saving all these to try. Have a beautiful weekend. x Kim
Ok…I’m going to use this quote from now on “Bottom line, the right pillow insert can turn an inexpensive pillow cover into a supermodel” 🙂
You’ve given us something to watch tonight… another wild Saturday night.
We’ll be swinging from the chandeliers over here as well! xo
Love the pet dishes and one can never go too far fir their pets.
Love the target finds. It so true about pillow inserts. Getting the right ones are game changers
I’m not a tequila girl but they look good.
Hi Cindy, you’re right … we can never go too far in keeping our pets pampered! Have a great weekend. xo
Those pet food bowls are amazing. I love that you can personalize them!! Who doesnt love tequila and grapefruit? Lol I definitely need to try this one. Thanks for Sharing all the goodness!
Where to sTart? What a lovely portrait of the beautiFul Abbycat. And one can never have too much chInoiserie. And that is a divine tote from target. They have certainly upped their game.
And last, american tv cannot coMpare with British TV The end. The NigHt Manager… extraordinary. Unforgotten, marveLous cast and stories.
Juliet,
I love your finds! And Abby-Cat…love that name! YOUR GRAPEFRUIT SPRITZER LOOKS AMAZING! AND LOOKS SO PRETTY IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN!
XX
I SAW ABBY CAT ON HEIDI”S INSTAGRAM AND THOUGHT SHE WAS SO PRETTY!
SHE IS YOURS!!!TOO GOOD LOOKING TO BE A STRAY!
BLUE & WHITE BLUE & WHITE…………..ALL I CAN DO IS TO THINK OF YOU WHEN I SEE IT!
GOOD THING I DONOT USE IT NOR COLLECT IT AS WE SOULD BE FIGHTING OVER A FEW THINGS!
I DO HAVE SOME B&W SAUCERS VINTAGE MADE IN ENGLAND I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE GREAT ABBY CAT ACCESSORIES?
MAYBE FOR TREATS?
LETS CHAT!
XOXO
Hi Juliet so much to love here . I am trying to get steve interested in crafting cocktail but i realize it might be hopeless!! Always so much fun here on friday!!
Juliet, those bowls are adorable and I’ve seen them before but not actually in someone’s home! I have a thing for blue and white as you probably know, and may have to take the order plunge. Thanks for stopping by my blog this morning, always appreciated…xo, Janet