Happy holiday weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m meeting up with Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Monica Vargas Photography
Can you believe it’s July?!
What are your plans for the holiday weekend?
Jim was traveling all week.
And we’re looking forward to a long, leisurely weekend at home.
With a few gardening projects.
And a lot of iced tea sipping, reading time on the patio.
June was a busy month on the blog.
I shared Snowberry’s front porch decked out for summer.
And our traditional primary bathroom reveal.
Instagram Reel tour here.
Before. Obviously. / Monica Vargas Photography
Let’s get into the good stuff.
NANCY MEYERS REVITALIZED HOME IN AD
Going out on a limb here and guessing you love Nancy Meyers movies, and interiors, as much as I do. What a treat to find Nancy’s own home featured in AD this month. What’s your favorite Nancy Meyer’s movie interior? I think mine’s a cross between Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Complicated. Home Again is another recent interior favorite. Nancy’s daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, directed and Nancy produced. Good taste runs in the family. Anyway, Nancy almost left her home to build another and then fell in love with it again. After Mark D. Sikes worked his magic.
This room has something of everything I love. White, cozy sofa, blue and white stripes, rattan, woven rug, an ottoman tray with a pop of brightly colored dahlias.
for AD
You can see the rest of Nancy’s swoon worthy home, and how she almost let it go, here.
This AD article from 2017 explains the psychology behind our love/need/desire for Nancy Meyers movie homes.
FATHER OF THE BRIDE REMAKE
Last weekend we watched the new remake of Father of the Bride on HBO Max. Starring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan, this update is a fun and frivolous romp set in Miami. The story line remains true to the Steve Martin, Diane Keaton version … a bride, her reluctant dad, exasperated mom, and wacky wedding planner. That said, this version is not going to win any awards or be talked about 30 years from now. That said, it’s charming, lighthearted entertainment and we enjoyed it.
JULIET’S TOP-SECRET WORLD-FAMOUS BEAN DIP
Friends, I can’t believe this is happening. The moment you’ve all been waiting for. My Top-Secret World-Famous Bean Dip recipe revealed. Held under lock and key for 34 years. My nieces have asked for it again and again and again. My lips were sealed. How else could I lure them to my house if I gave up their favorite and most requested recipe? Well, time marches on, the girls grew up, moved away … and I folded. Last year I begrudgingly gave them the recipe. It makes an Aunties heart swell with pride when they text photos of my Top-Secret World-Famous Bean Dip made for their family and friends. Now that the girls have the recipe, I see no reason not to share it with everyone. It’s so good.
Easy to find ingredients. I forgot to include the Lawry’s Garlic Powder.
This is no high falutin recipe for elegant entertaining. But when it’s time to gather family and close friends for a casual BBQ or the big game, there’s nothing better. It should only be served with Ruffles potato chips (preferably with sea salt, but I couldn’t find that today). Fritos chips are ok, if you’re marooned on Mars and there’s no other option. We did a taste test yesterday and Jim agrees Ruffles is the only way to go.
A couple of notes on ingredients. A Pico de Gallo style salsa is ideal. If you live near a Safeway, their house brand is very good. In a pinch, go ahead and use a pre-shred Mexican cheese mix. And, diced chilis are a nice addition.
Did you hear USC & UCLA are moving to the Big Ten? Speechless.
Warning. This recipe is addictive and must be used sparingly. Many years ago, when I made it for a summer gathering, my sister and I parked ourselves next to the dish and didn’t stop chipping and dipping until it was all gone. In her defense, she was pregnant. I had no excuse. Since then, I only allow it in our house twice a year. On Super Bowl Sunday and the 4th of July. Guess what?! It’s the 4th of July. Enjoy!
JULIET'S TOP-SECRET WORLD FAMOUS BEAN DIP
Ingredients
- 2 9 oz cans Bean Dip
- 1/2 cup Pico de Gallo or Chunky Salsa
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded Jack Cheese or Pepper Jack Cheese
- 1 tsp Lawry's Garlic Powder with Ground Parsley
- Additional shredded cheese to top
- 1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro sprinkled over top for serving
Instructions
- Preheat over to 350 degrees.
- Thoroughly combine bean dip, salsa, cheeses and garlic powder in a shallow baking dish.
- Top with additional cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until very hot and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let sit and cool for 10 minutes or so.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with Ruffles potato chips.
SERENA & LILY SALE AND SNOWBERRY’S FOYER
Meet Snowberry’s foyer. Not terrible, but not complete. I can’t find an area rug to fit the space because the front door won’t open over the thinnest of rugs. And the walls are a blank canvas. When we moved in I ordered this RH bench thinking we’d use it to sit and put on our shoes before walking the dogs. Turns out, we put our shoes on in the great room and head out the garage door. A good reminder that sometimes you need to live in a space for a while before purchasing furniture. How you think you’ll live and how you actually do are often different.
Monica Vargas Photography
And this leads me to Serena & Lily’s Fourth of July Sale Event. 20% off everything with code SPLASH. I think their Blake Console will work well here. It’s the same depth as the current bench (which will be recycled to our guest room) and just a few inches longer. In other words, perfect. Here’s the big question, the console is wrapped in woven raffia in a natural or natural finish. At first I thought the natural, but now I’m leaning toward indigo. I could order fabric swatches, but I don’t think the sale lasts beyond this weekend. I may visit the San Francisco store, or Vacaville outlet today to get a better idea of both finishes.
What do you think? Option 1: Natural / Option 2: Indigo /Option 3: Hate them both.
CANDIDLY DEENA
Speaking of Serena & Lily, meet my friend Deena Knight. Her home on Martha’s Vineyard looks like it popped right out of a Serena & Lily photo shoot. I’ve been following Deena for … well, a while. I think she lived in North Carolina when I discovered her Instagram. She’s since moved to Memphis and realized a dream by purchasing a second home on Martha’s Vineyard. See, I knew you’d like her. Don’t we all want a friend with a home on Martha’s Vineyard?
Seriously though, while I admired Deena’s style it wasn’t until the summer of 2020, aka the summer of our discontent, that I took notice in a new way. Deena spoke out, and continues to speak out, on the issues of the day and how they affect her and her family. And all of us. She has a gift for communication which has led me, and I suspect many of her followers, to consider a myriad of issues from new and different perspectives. And for that I’m appreciative and grateful.
Mostly though, she’s a cool gal with great taste and style … and a house on Martha’s Vineyard. Did I already mention that?
Right out of a Serena & Lily photo shoot or a Nancy Meyers movie. / Image via DeenaKnight.com
Deena’s a designer, wife, mom of three, and recent empty nester. She has a lovely blog and a swoon-worthy Instragram. And she’s a champion captioner. Is that a word? You know what I mean, she writes great captions.
So here you have it, a few fun things for the holiday weekend.
Now let’s see what Kim and Elizabeth are up to.
In other news ~
- Look at this dreamy home office.
- AirMail declared this the book of summer.
- This guide will help you keep your patio furniture and upholstery clean all summer.
- Last week we talked about cocktail napkins … look at these beauties!
- Steph & Ayesha Curry former home is on the market again. They sold it a couple of years ago when the Warriors decamped from Oakland to San Francisco. They lived in several homes in our area, including down the street from Snowberry (OMG), and were sighted frequently doing normal stuff around town. Now they’re doing normal stuff in the South Bay. They are missed. Anyway, this house is really something as is the adorable children’s playhouse.
- Frontgate is having a sale and I’m restocking my favorite bath towels.
- Friday night is usually cocktail night at Snowberry. I was late getting this post drafted, so tonight is cocktail night. I’m making Martha Stewart’s drink of summer. On Instagram this afternoon.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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