Today on weekend meanderings, spilling the tea on Victoria’s Secret, Jessica Campbell’s historic coaching debut, fall finds at Pottery Barn, and my favorite apple cinnamon scone recipe.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth. Our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
It’s been an eventful week in my little world. My car died. I mean its dead. It was 11 years old and had traveled 160,000 miles. Still, it was too soon. We sold it for auction or more likely scrap. It’s going to take me a while to get over this, I loved that car and thought it would run at least a couple more years. In the meantime, Jim and I are sharing a car. Wish us luck.
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In other bad news, we found an irrigation leak. It’s the culprit behind our mysteriously increased water usage. An irrigation pipe 2-3′ underground was cracked, probably during our garden replant and drip irrigation project. It’s fixed now thank goodness. It’s just more fun related to the ongoing saga of our dispute with the landscape contractor who finally responded to our concerns in the most unpleasant way. The response, in a nutshell, was ‘f__k you and the horse you road in on.’ I’m flabbergasted. Should we file for arbitration? We’re evaluating the cost/benefit of pursuing that. The entire ordeal has exacted a financial toll and emotional toll.
On a happier note, we met up with niece Sophie and her two littles, Maddie and Everett, at the Sacramento Zoo. I have mixed feelings about zoos and did some internet sleuthing beforehand. Everything I found was positive, including our own experience. The zoo is in a lovely area of Sacramento across the street from the beautiful William Lane Regional Park and Fairytale Town.
The zoo itself is on the small side, so it’s very manageable and enjoyable for the littles … and us old folks too.
We’re covering a lot of ground today so let’s go …
Well Done, Jessica Campbell
I found myself teary eyed for a number of reasons this week, not the least of which was watching Jessica Campbell take her place behind the Seattle Kraken’s bench as the first-ever woman to coach in the NHL
You don’t have to like hockey to appreciate what a monumental moment this was for her, for professional sports, and for women and girls everywhere. Watching the players lean over her white board, listening intently as she diagramed their final play … I was overcome with emotion.
Jessica, 32, who grew up in Canada, played hockey most of her life, attended Cornell University, and represented Team Canada at the Olympics. She has quite a back story which you can read about here. And follow her on Instagram.
I love that Jessica chose a white suit for her first regular season game. She understands the assignment.
Memories of Victoria’s Secret
If you’re in my age group you probably remember the early days of Victoria’s Secret. The catalogue and lovely stores. Things have changed dramatically since the early days and a new book, Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez, spills the tea.
I could only find one image of an original store (Pinterest) and it’s horribly blurry. Even so, it’s exactly as I remember it.
Gone are the days of Victoria’s Secret small, intimate stores with mahogany lined entrances, armoires spilling over with lacy lingerie with a British sensibility. The faint aroma of sachet in the air and the London Symphony Orchestra playing in the background. Shopping at Victoria’s Secret was an experience and my BFF Bonnie and I stopped in the Embarcadero store during lunch every week. And carted home our purchases on BART, in signature stripped shopping bags.
Back in the day an invitation to a bridal shower meant a trip to Victoria’s Secret. My own wedding shower brought Victoria’s Secret boxes from every attendee from my mom to my step-daughters.
I loved getting the catalogs in the mail with familiar models like Frederique and Jill Goodacre … the days before being a VS model meant strutting around with wings on your back.
Do you remember the classical music CD’s … performed by the London Symphony Orchestra? I had every single one, including a boxed set.
But back to the book, many of the reviews mention a 2022 documentary, Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons, a three-part series on Hulu. I decided to watch it before delving into the book and finished the first two episodes. It touches briefly on the very early years, but quickly shifts focus to the company’s transition away from it’s origin story based on the fictional character Victoria, to the debut of the Angels, the Supermodels and the annual fashion show. The emergence of offshoot brand PINK targeting tweens was eye opening and brought back memories of my young nieces begging to go shopping there and wearing sweatpants with the letters PINK splayed across their rears. One shudders at the thought. Intertwined with this history is a close look at owner Leslie Wexner’s (founder of The Limited and retail giant L Brands) relationship with financial advisor, Jeffrey Epstein. Fascinating and unsettling stuff.
What I didn’t recall is that Victoria’s Secret originated in the Bay Area. Founded in 1997 by Roy and Gaye Raymond, the original store opened in Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping center. In 1982, facing bankruptcy, the Raymond’s sold the company to Les Wexner. I hope to finish the documentary tonight, then bury my nose in the book.
Because I like to bring you in depth reporting I stopped by the nearest Victoria’s Secret to get a look at the state of affairs. Spoiler alert … not great. There’s nothing inviting about this nondescript storefront.
The interiors are cavernous, everything’s black and white with cold, hard faux marble floors. There’s a massive section in the back for fragrance and endless body mists.
Can you imagine a table piled high with bright colored clearance bras back in 80’s? Certainly not. And the signage is practically neon. Oof.
The original stores were inviting and felt luxurious. They exuded warmth and were a lot more subtle. Maybe I’m just old, but today’s stores feel big, bright, loud, and jarring. Victoria would quake in her bustier.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not poo pooing Victoria’s Secret products. While I was in the store I saw a wireless bra I think look comfortable and I plan to go back and try it on. I’m simply highlighting the changes over the decades from the story I loved as a twenty-thirty something to now as well as the book which I think is going to be a fascinating read.
If you’re of the era you may also enjoy The Kingdom of Prep detailing the ups and downs of another iconic American brand, J.Crew.
Fall Shopping
While hanging out at the mall, I stopped into Pottery Barn to make a return and took a look around. I’m loving all the rich, fall colors … greens, browns, and burgundies. I’m especially happy that green is having a moment.
Pillows ~
A woman in line in front of me selected these beautiful rich greens for her living room.
I love these little foot stools or ottomans in lush chenilles, the dark moss is … chef’s kiss.
This lush quilt in loden paired with flax linen sheets looks so warm and cozy, and thank goodness we finally have a hint of fall in the air and it won’t be long before heavier bedding comes out of winter storage.
Last week I was talking about vase fillers and the store has a beautiful mix … I can’t find it online. Have you given any thought to your Thanksgiving table? Pottery Barn is full of ideas and inspiration. I kind of like their antler candleholder as a centerpiece.
Tabletop ~
I picked up some faux stems for the planter on my coffee table. And this is the tiniest of the terracotta pumpkins I used for my fall centerpiece.
Cosmo Bundle | Mixed Olive Bundle | Terracotta Mini Pumpkin
I also wandered into Madewell in search of a softer denim jean. No luck with that, but I did see a beautiful merlot shopper tote. A new bag is on my wish list for fall and merlot (burgundy, oxblood) is a color of the season. To my dismay, this color isn’t available online … how strange. The bag is only shown in black and sepia (a lovely goldish hue). Maybe the merlot is sold out. Ugh. I’ll call the store and find out.
Apple Cinnamon Scones – Take 3
Make Mine A Spritzer’s test kitchen is back in session and Apple Cinnamon Scone contestant no. 3 has entered the chat. This time I adapted my traditional currant scone recipe … and it worked. You can find scone No. 1 here, and scone No. 2 here.
My currant scone recipe is from Ladies’ Home Journal, March 1995 issue. Yes, it’s old … and I make it over and over again. It’s so good and always turns out beautifully. I shared the recipe here. I adapted it by substituting grated apple for currants and adding a generous teaspoon of cinnamon. For the topping I brushed the baked scones with butter and sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar (combine 1/4 cup sugar & 1 tablespoon cinnamon).
I hesitate to write out the recipe because I’m not a pro cook or recipe writer and I’m sure my adaption isn’t culinarily (is that a word?) sound. So with that caution, here’s how I made these Apple Cinnamon Scone. They’re my favorite of the three and I’m so happy our weather has cooled off because scones are such a cozy treat.
Apple Cinnamon Scones
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 apple, peeled & grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes place in freezer for a hour
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 3 tbsp better, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 ° and line baking sheet with parchment.
- Combine cream and egg in small bowl.
- Peel and grate apple, then squeeze as much moisture out as possible before adding to cream and egg mixture.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- Add butter, and combine using pastry blender and fingers until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Add, cream, egg, apple mixture and combine with fork.
- Roll out onto floured surface, knead lightly until dough forms. Pat or roll to 3/4" thickness and cut scones with scalloped biscuit cutter and place on lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18 minutes, remove from oven to cool slightly before moving to cooling rack. Trust tops with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar using small sieve.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- Melt butter on low heat.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon with small whisk.
2025 Planner
Somewhere between crying over my car, stomping my feet over the garden, baking scones, and investigating the state of Victoria’s Secret, I managed to order a 2025 Planner. And I feel pretty good about myself … very demure, proactive, and organized. My sister got me hooked on Erin Condren’s Life Planners eons ago. This year, I ordered the A5 Softbound Life Planner in a horizontal format, less bulky planner that I can carry in my bag. Because I’m a paper calendar dinosaur when I rebook appointments I’m often flying blind. And when I get home to note the date it in my calendar I’m often double booked and need to reschedule. Irritating for everyone concerned. For years I’ve used the coiled Life Planner in a weekly format … I love it and it has tons of beautiful cover options. It sits on my desk and I consult it first thing in the morning and last thing at night when I type up a list of things to do the next and print it out. I know, don’t say anything … it works for me. And it reminds me of the Sierra Club calendar format that my mom kept in her kitchen.
Odds & Socks ~
Elizabeth has me in the mood for the holidays with her elegant, but simply decorated Christmas tree. I love her tree candles so much I ordered them too.
Back in March I wrote about Amore Pacific’s enzyme peel cleaning powder. I’ve been using it ever since and I’m totally sold … and just reordered. It has the most gentle exfoliating effect and after nearly eight months, I can see the difference. It’s a little pricey, but lasts a long time. I just use it once a day, in the morning, and use Neutrogena’s fragrance-free gentle cleanser at night.
Why this Florida neighborhood still has power.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you this week. Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.
In case you missed last weekend’s post, you can catch up here.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
I still shop VS, I like the fit of their bra’s, wear their pj. Maybe I shouldn’t, I know there was a period of time when woman were boycotting due the promoting unrealistic body images. Are there other brands that are good and not cost a fortune?
Fall is here for me. Already having fires at night. Time to put away the summer clothes and bring out the cold weather.