Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on. Today I’m sharing a couple of coastal grandma inspired summer outfits, a summer reading list, and what I’m wearing to a summer baby shower … today. Plus my new summer Instagram series, Snowberry Rewind, and a Folly update.
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How did we get here … to the last two days of May? As is typical for late May and early June, it’s been cold, windy and a little rainy. Yesterday the wind was so bad our windows rattled. Yikes. Yesterday was so dark and gloomy it might as well be mid-winter. Summer’s not my favorite season, mostly because of the heat, but it would be great to get something between freezing cold and blazing hot.
I’m actually excited for summer this year because we’re on the final stretch at the new house. But we’ll talk about that in a second. How do you feel about summer … is it your favorite season, least favorite, somewhere in the middle? Let me know.
Folly Update
Things are rolling along at the house. The downstairs interior doors we’ve been waiting for finally arrived. That means the door trim and hallway molding could be finished. Hugo, our awesome painter, wasted no time getting the first coat of paint on. If you’re local and have a painting project in your future I highly recommend Ochoa Painting (hugoochoa21339@gmail.com or 925-305-1789).
Tile in the primary bathroom shower and bathtub surround was grouted and the floor tile laid. Hugo’s caulking and sanding the walls for painting next week.
We’ve been going back and forth about the living room fireplace surround and settled on using leftover soapstone from the dining area bar. We hoped to use leftover quartzite from the kitchen, but there’s not enough and we don’t want to buy another slab. Last week we briefly considered a light, textured tile (pictured below with our grasscloth and flooring choices) in lieu of stone, but don’t love the idea of adding a third stone element in the space.
Snowberry Rewind
While waiting impatiently for the Folly’s completion I decided to undertake a summer Instagram posting challenge that involves one grid post a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I think that’s 15 posts, so wish me luck. I’m calling it Snowberry Rewind in honor of the year anniversary since we closed on the sale and moved to the pied-à-terre. Yep, it’s been a year. 🥲
During the summer series I’ll be revisiting the year-long renovation process including photos, videos and tall tales that I’ve never shared before. I always meant to do this, but I procrastinated ran out of time. It’s also a great exercise in clearing out my photo storage that’s teetering on the brink of collapse. Anyway, you can see the first post here.
Coastal Grandma Looks of the Week
Last weekend I cut the ribbon on my coastal grandma summer with this outfit. This week I rolled out two more coastal grandma inspired looks even though the weather didn’t cooperate. Or maybe it did, because early summer on the coast can be quite gloomy and sweaters and layers are part of the vibe.
I wore this to San Francisco on Memorial Day.
Oxford Shirt | Striped Pullover | Denim | Platform Wedges | Tote | Necklace
Jim wanted to see the San Francisco Decorator Showcase (Kim and I toured it a few weeks ago) and I leapt at the chance to see it again. Monday was the last day for tours and there were a ton of people lined up to get in when we arrived. The line only got longer as the opening time approached, and when we left it was around the block.
Jim specifically wanted to check out the outdoor kitchen, firetable and water feature that I’d talked up.
The teak solar lanterns scattered around the patio caught my eye. I tracked them down here; in three sizes and I’m adding them to my eyeing and buying for the new house file.
The pair of mirrors in the ‘Well Played, Ladies’ room were a highlight for me. Shout out to Aly Gay Design and her choice of colorful Thibaut wall covering.
Chatting with the designers we learned that the house has been sold and the buyer purchased all the Showcase furniture, fixtures … the whole enchilada. You can find an interactive 3D tour of the Showcase here.
We parked around the corner from the Showcase, on Steiner Street and right in front of the most charming entry gate with a gorgeous copper lantern over the door. Little did we know it’s next to the Mrs. Doubtfire house on the corner of Steiner and Broadway.
Later in the week we celebrated Jim’s birthday with Kyle and Melody and I wore my favorite linen pants and cotton sweater. I swear I’m going to wear out these pants before July. And the sweater is so good for a lot of reasons not least of which is the high low hem.
Cotton Sweater | T-Shirt | Linen Pants | Espadrilles | Tote | Necklace
Summer Reading Inspiration
This week my adorable and inspiring friend Kym Showers shared a summer intention on Instagram … to always be in the middle of a good book. Anyone else onboard?! 🙋♀️
She recommended a couple of books, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah that she just finished, and Our Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune that she just started. Our Perfect Storm is a new release and already a best seller as well as being declared the beach read of summer. Say no more, it’s downloaded to my Kindle.
This week my favorite tastemaker Stephen Andrew Jones, also on Instagram, recommended Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend by Meryl Gordon. Released a few years back, this one is on my Kindle, but unread. Time to remedy that.
How about some summer reading with our country’s semiquincentennial – 250th anniversary – in mind? Because … history matters.
It’s not exactly beach reading, but I found every one of these books fascinating and enjoyable. And each one made the NYT bestseller list.
- Walter Isaccson’s The Greatest Sentence Ever Written. A short, powerful book celebrating the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence and a look at how our founders crafted its most famous (second) sentence. From Thomas Jefferson’s original draft, through John Adams and Benjamin Franklin edits, to the final document. And thoughts on how we can honor the document’s underlying values during these troubling times.
- History Matters, a collection essays by the late historian and biographer, David McCullough. I enjoyed the forward by Jon Meacham as much as the essays inside …
- And that led me to Jon’s latest book, American Struggle: Democracy, Decent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union.
Note: Did you know that Jon Meacham is married to Keith (Smythe) Meacham who was the late Julia Reed’s best friend? The Meacham’s Nashville home featured in Julia Reed’s South: Spirited Entertaining and High-Style Fun All Year Long. Julia and Keith started Reed Smythe & Co. together shortly before Julia’s untimely passing. I sure miss Julia’s voice, and summer is a great time to revisit any of her highly entertaining books. I digress … - Not related to our semiquincentennial, but every bit as relevant to current events, Alan Ross Sorkin’s 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History – and How it Shattered a Nation a fascinating look at the actions of the most prominent bankers and politicians of the day leading up to the 1929 stock market crash and resulting depression.
- Back on the lighter side, historical cozy mysteries are so much fun. Revisiting Elliott Roosevelt’s Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery Series and Margaret Truman’s Capital Crimes Mystery Series is on my summer reading agenda.
What’s on your summer reading list? Let me know in the comments so we can all share ideas.
Baby Shower Season
I’m off to a baby shower for daughter-in-law Melody. Kyle and Melody’s baby Shya is due mid-July and it’s getting exciting.
My main shower gift is this travel crib from Melody’s registry. It arrived in a big, heavy box and I’m too lazy to wrap it and haul it across the Bay Area. Jim’s going to drop it off at Kyle and Melody’s house next week and I printed a photo of it to add to the gift basket I’m taking to the shower. What’s in the gift basket, you ask?
A few weeks ago I shared a local baby and toddler brand, Oso & Me. The brand had a display at the Decorator Showcase and Kim and I adored all their things. And I got ideas for Melody’s shower gift including a soft, knit baby blanket that can be monogrammed, and a few other coordinating pieces.
The parents-to-be are planning to use Coterie diapers so I also included this newborn gift set.
Let’s get to the important stuff, what I’m wearing.
A couple days ago I put three outfit options on Instagram and took a poll.
And the winner is … Option #3. It was my first choice too. It’s a J.McLaughlin dress in a silk blend. It’s light-as-a-feather and so soft. It’s very floaty and feels like summer … plus I’m a sucker for a blue and green print. The sizing is generous and I wear XS.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s all I have for you today. If you missed last week’s dispatch, you can catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.
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Hi, Juliet –
Summer is my least favorite! I am a native northwesterner with a childhood spent in the Boston area. I love distinct seasons, but summer is on the bottom of the list. As a gardener, high summer requires too much watering! On the other hand, my husband says he doesn’t know anyone else over the age of 10 who gets as excited at an occasional snowfall as I do…
I am currently reading The Keeper by Tana French, and totally enjoying it. Have you read any of her books? I always have a stack of books from the library waiting, and currently more than a thousand titles on my TBR list. 🙂
Julia! I hear you about summer watering. And summer water bills can be a shock to the system. To say the least. I’ve not read any of Tana French’s books but have heard great things about The Keeper. Will add to my list … which is long, but not nearly as long as yours! Happy weekend. xo
Could you please share the sources for your primary bath floor tile and shower floor tile? So pretty!
Amy! It’s from MIR Collections. The Veleanza Collection in Crema and Bianco. xo
Thank you! What about the square and circle pattern tile?
Anthology – Pale, Beige Buttons
Thank you!
Juliet!
I feel famous! Thank you for mentioning me and looking forward to hear what you think about Our Perfect Storm….(I’ll finish it today and am loving it:)
Obsessed with Folly and your process…YES on the soapstone for the fireplace! SO GOOD…and nothing is cooler on walls than grass cloth! You’re a genius.
LOVE YOU. XO kymmie
Kymmie! You always hype me up and I appreciate you. Have the best weekend … can’t wait to hear what you’re reading next. xoxo
Juliet I really do enjoy your posts. It’s like listening to an old friend on a catch up call.
A baby girl! What an exciting time for the family, especially the soon to be grandpa and grandma.
Excited for the house progress. You are entering the club house turn. All the fun is in high gear now.
Summer in the PNW is the sweet spot but you know that. Despite my great appreciation for the warmth of June to August, fall always will be my favorite season for so many reasons.
You’ve got a lot of fun things going on right now. Enjoy these days.
Karen! That’s a wonderful compliment. ☺️ I sure do know how glorious the PNW is in the summer … nothing quite like it. But, I’m a fall too … is it wrong to be counting the days until the first leaf falls? Happy weekend! xoxo
Thanks for the inspiration. I agree with you about reading. I have read both of Michael Connelly’s Catalina island mysteries. As is usual with Connelly, they are very good.
Hi Juliet ,
Love your baby shower outfits so much. The dress you wore is fabulous, so pretty.
Have a lovely weekend!
The linen pants, do not list petite in sizes.
Did you shorten the pants?
Are the legs very wide?
Why on instgram?
The pics are small and many of us do not use it.
Nan! If these are the pants you’re talking about, they hit above the ankle on me (I’m 5’4-1/2″). The legs are not super wide, just comfortably loose and the hemline is narrower. xo
https://go.shopmy.us/p-61195058
Juliet!
What a fun post! I really loved the Instagram post with the 3 options of baby shower outfits and also including them here. I couldn’t stand it and bought the Sam Edelman Espadrilles. Hopefully they aren’t too stiff.
Also fun that you went back to the house in San Francisco. My favorite thing about that entire house was the “F*ck this Sh*t picture hanging on the wall. Such a delight…
Peace from Ojai.
Dani from Ojai! Yep, that piece was a highlight! So glad you bought the espadrilles, I’m about to put them on and head to the shower. I did wear them quite a bit the other day and they were very comfortable. They remind me of a similar – favorite – pair I had in the 70’s which is probably why I’m such a fan. Anyway, hope you have a great weekend! xoxo
What a great post. Green with envy for The Folly. Totally ties in with Julia Reed’s former home in the South, dubbed The Folly as well.
https://gardenandgun.com/inside-julia-reeds-delta-dream-home
Golly, I miss her whiskey drawl and humor.
Love the book recommendations, especially the two novels! I have been binging on Freida McFadden lately, but I need to get off that “thriller train” soon. So, I am amassing quite a pile and shopping cart for the blazing hot summer days ahead in AZ.
Lastly, love the baby basket items! My friend’s DIL is expecting in November, so I am shopping Rylee + Cru … another adorbs California-born childrenswear site.
Chin up on the weather. May Gray into June Gloom will pass, says this former Southern California woman. You wouldn’t believe how much I miss it here in the Valley of the Sun.
Be well!
You have such wonderful taste, Juliet, and I am enjoying watching the Folly take shape so much!
I have been on quite a reading tear lately. Loved the new Elizabeth Strout, The Things We Never Say, as I do all of her writing. Thoroughly enjoyed Buckeye, and felt uplifted by it, much needed these days. Catherine Newman’s Wreck is wonderful! Start with Sandwich if you have not read it. Just finished the new Matt Haig, The Midnight Train, I love his storytelling. And waiting eagerly for Ann Patchett’s new release, due on Tuesday. She is a national treasure.
Summer in the southeast is just plain HOT, often oppressive except at the beach. But the three wonderful seasons that surround it make up for it!
Nancy! Thanks for sharing so many wonderful book ideas. I hear you about oppressive heat, seaside escape is the only answer. xo
Love the dress from J McLaughlin!
Thanks, Christine! It’s a great all occasion dress … I’m loving it. xo
Hope we get to see you in the blue floral dress!! Love how you lay out the dresses with the jewelry.
I remember those COLD days in SF. It’s STEAMY here in Singapore but we are having fun.
MA! It’s so much fun following your travels … it may be hot, but you look cool as a cucumber in all your pretty outfits. xo
Juliet so fun to see the Folly in progress. I adore the molding on the walls. The tiles look very pretty too. I always think soapstone is so nice. I bet the surround will look great. I love the grasscloth you chose too. Looks similar to the one I selected.
I am so glad you got tone of the blankets for Shya! That was so sweet making a basket too. She’s going to be very spoiled by Grandma J!
I loved the blue dress and your new necklace was perfect for it. I can’t wait to see you wearing the whole look. You looked great in SF too. I am jealous you got to go back and see the house again! It was a lot to take in the first time. Max would not! Jim is way more into that stuff and I’m glad he got to see that cool BBQ.
Those lanterns are very cool!
I read the Bunny Mellon book a few years ago. I found it interesting, but she was surprisingly not the most sympathetic character! Love all the history books you shared too. Hope the shower was fun! xo
Kim! Interesting about Bunny Mellon … I don’t know a lot about her but I’m going to move the book to the top of my reading list. So glad we were introduced to Oso & Me at the showcase, it’s important to be a well dressed baby. Ha! xo
I had the pleasure of attending a program at my local library featuring Walter Isaccson speaking about his book, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” – he was so passonite and hopeful about, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” A great read for our 250th year.
M.J.! Wow … that’s amazing you saw him in person speaking about the book.xo
Hi Juliet, I love your decor choices and it was exciting to see how finishes are moving so quickly now! Your hall trim and bath tile look great. The Folly’s compactness is inspiring me to rethink our future home plans if/when we return to VA for “retirement”. I’ve begun thinking what we might let go of from our MW home that we built TOO BIG to make the next chapter of our lives a bit (a LOT) easier without giving up refinement in details. Re. reading: ugh, I can’t keep up with our book club reading and keep up with my favorite mysteries! But thank you for the list that celebrates our country’s 250th: that is inspiring!
P.s. the Steiff bun bun is adorable — I am a sucker for Steiff critters.
Joan! I’ve learned a lot from building our little house, and from past houses that were on the smaller side, that design is everything in terms of thinking thru storage solution and building them in from the get go. Small house living is easy if you have the storage figured out. It was a process for me to let go of a lot of things I’d been holding onto to lighten the load and I don’t regret it. Downsizing isn’t for sissies, but I know you’ll nail it too! Also, books … my stack of reading is out of control. Maybe I should declare a moratorium on new books until the old ones are read!!! Happy weekend. xo