Today on weekend meanderings, a Healdsburg getaway, where our dogs stay while we’re away, eucalyptus wreaths for fall, and meeting an Instagram friend.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth. Our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
It was another whirlwind week. I barely recall what I did but it was a lot and somehow it’s Saturday. I held off buying pumpkins because our temps soared into the high 90’s but I’m going to the nursery on Sunday or Monday … before all the good pumpkins and mums are gone. I did get to Chateau Sonoma to pick up my Bubble Club and they were full on decorated for fall.
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I’m never too busy to pamper myself and I had my second facial with niece Shelby at Massage Envy at the Willows. She used something a little stronger on me this time and when I left the spa I was glowing. A few days later my skin is still plump and glowy and I let Shelby know I’ll be making this a regular 4-6 week thing. Even Jim said he’s going to go in for his first facial. We’re so proud of Shelby. She’s learning a lot and getting great foundational training towards her goal of working in a luxury spa. Hopefully one that’s not too far from auntie.
In other proud news, my second great-grand baby arrived this week. A boy! Fourteen-month-old Dylan (below) is going to be a wonderful big sister to baby Caden. And their big brother Carter is going to have his hands full. I visited with Dylan, mom, and grandma a couple months ago on Dylan’s first birthday.
The Make Mine A Spritzer test kitchen was not in session this week, but next week I plan to adapt my regular scone recipe to apple cinnamon. We’ll see how it goes. Last week’s scone is tough competition.
Let’s get down to business …
Weekend in Headsburg
Last weekend we were off on another boondoggle. Jim’s company hosted a weekend in Healdsburg with about 75 guests from around the country. You may remember me mentioning this event last year, it’s an annual thing and never gets old. We stay at the Hotel Healdsburg which is right on the town square. I think of the hotel as new, but it opened in 2001 and we’ve been attending boondoggles and other wine related events there ever since. It’s a relatively small hotel, 55 sleeping rooms with event spaces, two restaurants (Dry Creek Kitchen and Pizzando), a lobby bar, and a lovely pool and spa. You can’t beat the location. They now have a sister hotel not even a block away, the Harmon Guest House, with 39 sleeping rooms and beautiful rooftop bar. Next two images from the Hotel Healdsburg website.
The Spirit Bar is located in the lobby lounge in front of a roaring (year round) fireplace.
The tranquil pool area.
Hotel Healdsburg manages to be both modern and minimal and warm and inviting.
There are cozy seating areas stashed in hidden corners.
Lots of people rent bikes which is a fun and easy way to get around.
We stayed in a plaza suite with balconies overlooking the town square and hotel courtyard. I always forget to take photos of our room before we unpack and make ourselves at home.
The event is three nights, but I missed the first one. On night two we went to a beautiful private vineyard venue for an amazing cocktail hour and dinner under the stars.
On our last night we went to Catelli’s in Geyserville … about 20 minutes further north … and enjoyed an Italian dinner served family style on their gorgeous circular, Nero Marquita and Calacatta marble patio. That’s a wow factor, right? Image via Sonoma Magazine.
The patio is rimmed with olive trees and it’s a magical setting.
It was another amazing weekend of food, wine, and fun with new and old friends. If Jim ever retires, I’m going to write a book … Tales from My Life as a Wine Wife. Calm down, Jim … I’m kidding.
Striped Pleat Front Shirt Dress
On Saturday, while Jim was golfing and others were spa-ing, shopping, and wine tasting, I walked a few blocks to Quail & Condor a popular bakery … and stood in line for a berry and marscarpone scone + hot cocoa. An Instagram friend messaged me while I was in line to suggest Downtown Bakery & Creamery and Acorn Cafe as delicious and speedier options!
On Sunday morning we walked across the square to Black Oak Coffee Roasters before heading home.
When Jim and I first met, his office was a block off Healdsburg square and we spent a lot of time there. We bought the furniture for our first house at a great store on the square which is sadly no longer there. And Jim had my engagement ring made at Gold Bloom Jewelers, next door to Black Oak.
Love this cozy set and wear it all the time
If not on a Healdsburg boondoggle and left to fend for oneself, my friends offered a few restaurant recommendations. Keli says The Matheson is a must-go farm-to-table restaurant with a beautiful rooftop bar. I love that Healdsburg has not one but two rooftop bars near the center of town. Laura also recommends The Matheson and says Valette is fantastic as is Single Thread Farm (if money is no object; it has 3 Michelin Stars). Also, less than a block off the square, Lo and Behold is quite popular.
As for shopping, well, just do a stroll around the square and you’ll find everything your heart desires. Maybe lock your credit card in the hotel room safe.
Healdsburg is dog friendly and home to Fidaux a very chi chi dog and cat outfitter. Nothing but the best for our pets. They carry the coolest dog and cat necessities and accessories sourced from small, local businesses. Not the stuff you find in big chain pet stores. When we were preparing to welcome our first dog, Lab puppy Sasha, Jim went to Fidaux in search of a dog bed and came home with a ring of fabric swatches. Seriously. We spent as much time selecting the fabric for her bed as we did for our sofa. Fidaux must have celebrated the day Jim walked into the store because we’ve been repetitive customers … every time we move, new dog beds are ordered to compliment our new color palette. You only live once.
Montage Healdsburg recently opened (2021) just outside of town, I’ve been dying to see it and made a reservation for brunch on Sunday. Or so I thought. Turns out I made a reservation at the Four Seasons in Calistoga, another property I want to visit. The takeaway here is maybe don’t take travel advice from me.
We quickly rebounded and decided to stop for lunch at Salt & Stone in Kenwood. We had our first date there when it was the Kenwood Restaurant and occasionally go back to celebrate our anniversary. For some reason we celebrate our first date anniversary over our wedding anniversary. Anyway, this year we both forgot it. Oops.
Ok, that was way more than you wanted to know about me and Jim. Let’s talk about our dogs … and cat.
The Dogs Breath Motel
Recently I was asked where our dogs stay when we go away. Excellent question … do you have a few hours for my answer? Ok, I’ll try to be brief.
The biggest obstacle to travel for me is leaving our dogs and cat behind. I need to know they’re safe, happy and cared for in the manner to which they’re accustomed. Pippa and Maggie are high maintenance, as they should be. I want them to live their best doggie lives and I bend over backwards to make it so. Ideally we’d have someone stay at the house but that’s not as easy as it sounds and is a topic for another day.
Leaving them at a doggie boarding facility is stressful. No matter how lovely or well regarded the business, our girls get super stressed and when we return it takes them a few days to shake it off. We had a decent situation in place, but post-pandemic it changed and we no longer felt comfortable leaving them there. Earlier this year I followed up on a referral from our realtor, Dana Green. Pippa and Maggie were invited for a trial overnight and they passed muster. Like regular kids, they behave much better away than at home. Anyway, the girls have now stayed in their new situation several times, and seem very happy there, so I feel comfortable recommending it.
The Dogs Breath Motel is a home situation. I love that! Tami and her husband are the motel hosts. They’re dog whisperers and usually have quite a crew staying with them in addition to their own dogs. Tami’s very flexible about a few things that are important to us like the girls bringing their own beds (not the norm in standard boarding situations) and enjoying three meals a day of their fresh food. Guests sleep in crates … with their own beds or mats. Our girls bunk together.
Tami maintains a fun Instagram account and posts videos to stories daily. We love seeing the girls lazing around their house and patio, playing with doggie friends or hanging out with Tami and her husband … and sometimes their grandchildren.
When we were in Italy, Pippa turned 10 and Tami threw a party for her. All the guests donned birthday hats, except our Maggie. Typical little sister.
It gives me so much peace and comfort to know our girls are being cared for lovingly in a home environment. If you’re looking for high quality doggie care by all means follow The Dogs Breath Motel on Instagram and see for yourself. Here’s Tami bringing Pippa out after their stay last weekend.
As for Abby-cat, we have a couple of wonderful housesitters who come over daily – once or twice a day depending – to check up on her. They send reassuring photos during their visits. If you’re interested in a referral, message me.
Fall Eucalyptus Wreaths
This week I picked up my fall wreath from Branches & Bloom. It’s a fresh eucalyptus which I absolutely adore and it smells heavenly. The streamer ribbons are a pretty assortment of browns, golds and dusky blues. Now that I have our wreath, our porch must be fall-ified and pumpkins purchased. I’ll take care of that over the next couple of days. If you’re local be sure to follow Branches & Blooms on Instagram to find out when they open up for online orders … and when and where their pop up shops are happening around the Alamo-Danville area.
Other sources for eucalyptus wreaths (always double check wreath size before ordering) ~
Instagram Friend to Friend Friend
This week I met an Instagram friend, Kathy, and now she’s a friend friend. Don’t you love when that happens?! I gripe a lot about the irritations of Instagram, and social media in general, but the truth is a lot of good comes out of it too. Meeting Kathy is a prime example. She lives not too far from me and I drove out to her adorable home. She gave me a tour and it was fun to see all the pretty vignettes she posts on Instagram in the context of full rooms and the flow of the entire space. Kathy loves color, she and I are simpatico that way. She took me to the restaurant in her community club house and it was absolutely lovely. We talked non-stop and we might still be talking if to do lists – and sleep – didn’t intervene.
Kathy has the happy gene – she said so herself, it runs in her family – and I had so much fun with her and can’t wait to meet up with her again. Follow Kathy on Instagram here!
Yes, I’m wearing my denim shirt dress again. At this point I’ve got the cost down to about .05 cents per wear!
What I Bought for Fall
Last but not least I finally published my fall purchases post. Turns out it’s going to be a two-parter. There are still a few things on my fall wish list and part two will be coming soon. What’s on your fall wish list? Let me know.
Current Fall Favorites ~
Odds & Socks ~
Elizabeth shared the recipe for these scrumptious Honey Apple Cranberry Crumb bars. Yum!
For more fall wardrobe inspiration, Cindy and Kim posted their signature style all about their fall wish lists.
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!
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