Happy Weekend, friends!
Did you have a good week?
I hope so.
Mine was busy … and fun.
Jim is back to traveling for work, so I was home alone.
A couple of new books arrived.
Sally Schmitt’s cookbook featured here a couple of weeks ago.
And My Garden World, by garden guru, Monty Don.
I love watching him on BBC’s Gardeners World.
I went into the City for lunch with some favorite gal pals.
To celebrate a birthday … Heidi’s.
And a going away … Mary Ann’s.
It’s true, Classic Casual Home has packed up her chic pied-a-terre in the City.
To move to the other coast.
Much sadness for me and her Bay Area friends.
But an exciting new chapter for her.
I look forward to following her adventures in decorating her new home.
It was a fun week on the blog.
I joined five other blogging friends to share ideas for Spring sweets and treats.
I made my favorite Coco Logo Tequila Cupcakes.
It’s Saturday.
And I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for another edition of Weekend Meanderings.
Let’s get right to it.
HOUSE AND GARDEN DOG ON THE GLAM PAD
What a pleasant surprise to wake up Monday morning and find one of my favorite Instagram accounts, @houseandgardendog, featured on one of my favorite blogs, The Glam Pad. Love when that happens. Andrea, The Glam Pad founder, interviews Phaedra Brown, about her stunningly home beautiful home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. But the real star of the show is Wellington. Wellie, Phaedra’s discerning West Highland Terrier, is featured regularly in her home decor photos. Read all about Phaedra, Wellie and their English country cottage inspired home here.
Images from @houseandgardendog via The Glam Pad
I LIKE STRIPES … CASUAL EASTER OUTFIT
I took a swing through Target earlier in the week and picked up this blue and white striped boyfriend shirt. Can one ever have too many striped shirts? That’s a rhetorical question. The answer is, obviously, no. Here’s a similar, pricer version from at Nordstrom.I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my favorite striped blouses, from last year, still available. Unheard of. And the price! I first wore it to lunch at the Contessa’s house last year (where I met our Northern California Style gal, Kim) … and I’ve worn it a million times since. I’m tempted to buy another in case I wear this one out. Or, heaven forbid, spill on it. It comes in several other colors, but I’m true to my blue and white.
Me and Kim in Contessa’s Garden
We’ll be going out for a very casual Easter lunch with my sister and her husband next weekend. I think I’ll wear one of these striped beauties paired with white cropped pants. And how about these pop-of-color braided sandals … a braided shoe is so hot right now.
SPRITZER SEASON IS UPON US
In the spirit of one-can-never-be-over-prepared, I ordered this adorable book, Spritz Fever! Cocktail Night at Snowberry is back … and will be a more regular Friday night Instagram feature over the summer. Last Friday I made Frozen Paloma’s … not a spritzer exactly, but there are no rules. You can find my classic white wine spritzer recipe here and here.
Back to the book, I’m excited to try all these new-to-me Spritz recipes.
GARDEN STOOLS
Speaking of Spritzers, garden stools make the best drinks tables. It’s a side table really … a place to set down a drink or small plate. And one of the most versatile pieces of furniture for indoors and out. At Snowberry we have two. This one from Ballard Designs that’s used on our back patio (my sister just bought it in cornflower blue) and this one from Arhaus added to our great room last year. I’d like to incorporate one more … for outdoors … that can float between our front porch and back patio. I’ve had my eye on this Flora Fauna garden stool for over a year. I’m not sure it works at Snowberry, and I keep hesitating. I’ll probably end up buying another ivory-colored stool. Is that too boring? Maybe green? Possibly in a hex shape? There are so many beautiful options and it’s hard to decide. Last weekend we started pulling out our patio cushions and pillows, so I’d like to get the garden stool situation figured out. Which one is your favorite?
LAUNDRY LOVE UPDATE
A couple of months ago I wrote about revamping my laundry routine after reading Patric Richardson’s book Laundry Love. It was one of my most popular posts. I promised a follow up and you’ve probably been on pins and needles waiting. As my adventures in laundry continue, here’s a brief update on my battle with the dreaded static. I swore off Bounce dryer sheets after learning about their overall awfulness for clothes, the dryer, sensitive skin, and the environment. I mentioned using balled up foil as a solution mentioned in the book and on the inter-webs … but found this totally ineffective. Here’s what I’m doing now to minimize static and it’s working.
First, and most important, I separate synthetic fabrics from everything else. In our household this means workout wear. Jim has a Lululemon wardrobe that would be the envy of any personal trainer. And it makes up at least one large load a week. If a workout shirt accidentally finds its way into a cotton load, the inevitable snap, crackle, pop gives it away.
For workout wear, I started using The Laundress Sport Detergent. For the rest of the laundry, I’m happy with Thieves Essential-Oil Infused Laundry Soap. All loads go into the dryer along with two spikey dryer balls, three wool dryer balls with a dab of lemon essential oil on each, and (new) a Seventh Generation Free & Clear, plant-based dryer sheet. If there is any static, and there usually is in the workout wear, I spritz each piece of clothing with The Laundress Static Solution.
So, there you have it, some fun things that got my attention this week.
Now, let’s see what Kim and Elizabeth have for us.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
I love the rope stool from Serena and Lily but my husband would pass out if I spent that much on an outdoor stool (unless I could find a way to use it indoors too like you!). So I would probably buy the white Target stool which is cute, 1/5 the price, and almost the same dimensions. Also, I wouldn’t have to be worried about it whenever it was used outside.
The great thing about garden stools is they come at all price points … and so often look the same! I’m always afraid I’ll break mine moving it around … so like to stay on the lower end of the price range!!! Hope you have a great weekend! xo
Great post (as always) my friend!
I have followed ‘The Glam Pad’ for YEARS & just love everything about Andrea. As far as ‘House and Garden Dog’ I’m obsessed!!! We had our Westie, Kirby, for over 13 years and miss him every, single day.
I’m running (well, clicking your link) to grab THE garden book. Love watching the BBC series!
Thanks Juliet. Have a wonderful weekend.
~Scarlett
@SpruceStudioShoppe
Westies are the most adorable … and I just love Wellie. Your Kirby sounds like a treasure. I think dogs should live as long as we do. Everyone would be better off. Happy weekend, friend! xo
Hi Juliet,
I had no idea about laundry sheets. Okay, I don’t put any workout gear in the dryer. I am sure my college-age boys who love lulu wouldn’t know how not to use a dryer. ;0) I am in OH visiting my youngest for a very casual mom’s weekend!
Our weekend started off with me landing at one airport and Evan picking me up at another airport- an hour away. xo laura in Coorado
Oh no … adventures in traveling! My husband was flying home last night and diverted to another airport. But they wouldn’t let him off plane and had to wait for short hop to the original destination. Poor guy … got home near midnight. Hope the rest of your trip goes swimmingly. Do you hang or rack dry your workout wear?! I’m so lazy … I suppose I should do that too. Happy travels! xo
Juliet,
It is always fun to see what you have been up to! I think once Mary Ann is settled we need a blog meet up in the South. I lived for 6 years just down the road from Mary Anns’ new place, it’s my old stomping ground.
Book, cocktails and so much more. I love cocktails in the summer on the front porch. I don’t have this spritzer book but I might need it.
As for garden stools, go to HomeGoods, TJMAXX, MARSHALLS. They are $59-129.00. And they are gorgeous.
I love the laundry book, on your suggestion I purchased it. I have to say, I have always used dryer balls for towels and sheets. I do not dry any clothes, we like to use a drying rack.
Have a great weekend!
LOVE THE PHOTOS OF YOUR LUNCH OUTING!
Oh my gosh, Elizabeth … I was going to mention a drying rack as a potential way to avoid static? Does that work? Of course, I left it out because who am I kidding I’m not going to use one. My step-mother did … and she ironed and everything always looked fabulous. I’m lazy. A trip to the South is a brilliant idea. I’ve never been to that area of Florida and would love to see it. I didn’t know you lived there … you could be our guide! Love that gardens tools are so popular now and available everywhere at every price point. My biggest problem is there are too many and its so hard to choose. I want all the gardens tools! Wish you were closer and could have been w with us at lunch. Happy weekend! xo
Juliet, Loved this.. I didn’t share our SF pics and should have. I don’t follow Glampad, but will and love Westies! All my aunts have them. I love your Friday cocktail posts and I know it’s the weekend when I see them. This looks like a great book. I am all about the Spritz! Did I tell you I was asking for Aperol Spritz’s 10 years ago, as I got hooked in Italy? People would look at me like ‘what?’ Now they are everywhere.
The garden stools are always such a great thing for the house and yard. I have two antique ones from my grandmother’s mid century home and sadly have wrecked them by using them outside! And I think I am ordering these white pants. They look about right for a 5’4 gal and the perfect shape. The whole outfit is so cute and casual chic.. just like you. Have a beautiful weekend! xo
Kim … you’re a trail blazer with the Aperol Spritz! Definitely a sign of having traveled through Italy … until recently. And now, you’re right, they’re everywhere. Because they’re so good! Vintage garden stools … amazing. I’ll bet they look super chic and elegantly weathered. Yes, try these pants … I think you’ll like the brand. I’ve only got 1/2″ on you and they’re perfect … and sized generously. I wear a 2 … so you’d be the same. Wishing you a wonderful weekend … cheers! xo
Hi Juliet,
We had fun at our lunch didn’t we? Even though it was sad to say good by to Mary Ann. I hope we’ll get to see her again someday.
I have garden stools all over the house and garden, I move them in and out as I find a need. They are great! I think I got my blue ones at Ross! They are heavy and look great when they are clean.
That striped top, oh my I’m going to order the last one and hope it fits. Like I need another striped anything, but how can I resist?
The spritzer book seems like it’s right up my alley. Love a good sparkling drink every once and then!
So many good things here Juliet!
Xo Heidi
Good morning, Heidi … Happy Saturday! We sure did have fun! And I hope MA will return to visit … or we will go and find her! Yes, stripes … you can never have enough too many. Garden stools are the best and its fun to move them in and out, but you’re right … they’re heavy! Hope you have a wonderful weekend … possibly sipping something bubbly! xo
Juliet, love that stiped shirt fromTarget! Looks so cute! I think you need a book titled, “Make Mine a Spritzer”.
I love your idea of using the static solution spray from The Laundress…I looked at the ingredients, I think I can make my own easily enough. I’m so happy to hear you’re still using Thieves Laundry Soap…it’s the best!
Annie … ifyou successfully make your own you must SHARE!xo
I’m still smiling about our lunch. So fun. Let’s have a meet up here and Elizabeth can show us around. Thank God for gps!
Spritzer Season sounds like music to my ears!! Is it Friday yet?
It’s practically Friday, so get your bubbles ready! Cheersto yourfirst weekend in your amazing new home! xo
Oh my goodness you are the laundry queen! I use the wool balls but haven’t tried the spikey ones! I don’t use any fabric softener at all either. I have got to order that book! I am going to have to try the static solution from the Laundress! So many great ideas this week!!
Thanks, Cindy … static is the bane of my existence! I’m loving all The Laundress products. Where have she – and Patric – been all my life?! 🙂 xo