Today on Weekend Meanderings, a fun holiday dress, Christmas decorations in a formal room, and a holiday gift idea for the gals in your life.
Happy weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
Look at that collage of gifts from my 60th birthday tea.
Hosted by our favorite Contessa who shared more about it here.
My teacup certainly does runneth over.
It’s been a whirlwind of a week.
Operation Christmas in the Library came off without a hitch.
That’s not entirely true.
There were a few hitches.
More on that later.
Then came Thanksgiving.
Jim and I had a lovely dinner out.
At our favorite, Main Street Kitchen.
We started with a martini for him and sparkling rose for me.
And the most amazing burrata.
I had traditional Thanksgiving turkey and Jim went for the prime rib.
We shared pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
How was your Thanksgiving?
You’re probably entertaining friends and family.
Or out shopping for bargains.
So let’s get to it!
ANIMAL PRINT SHIRT DRESSES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
I saw this animal print shirt dress from Chico’s on Cindy Hattersley’s blog a couple of months ago. I bought it on clearance and it’s no longer available. But it got me thinking that an animal print shirt dress is a perfect dress for holiday occasions … teas, lunches, dinners … the theater and holiday parties. Even Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. It’s appropriate for for almost any occasion and … added bonus … it’s super comfortable.
I wore mine to tea at the Palace Hotel with ivory boots I bought earlier this year for Kyle and Melody’s wedding rehearsal and luncheon. They came in black too, but sadly, they’re no longer available. This Naturalizer boot in porcelain and Franco Sarto boot in cashmere are similar. The block heel in a 3 1/4″ height makes this boot easy to wear. I also pulled out my favorite ladies-who-lunch tote by Nina Ricci. It’s many years old and I don’t believe this brand is around anymore. I wore the matching belt tie that came with the dress but you could just as easily substitute a black or brown belt. I tried but my belts were too thick and heavy … the dress needs something slightly more delicate like this.
I’m going to wear this dress again to the theater next month. I’ll pair it with black boots and a more evening appropriate bag.
Dress no longer available, similar below | Hoop Earrings | Bag | Belt | Boots
Animal print shirt dresses are having a moment and I found several great options.
The dress I’m wearing is also made in this red and black pattern … also fun and festive for the holidays. And it’s on sale! Chico’s sizing in generous, and I think it’s best to go down a size.
CHRISTMAS IN THE LIBRARY UPDATE
As previously mentioned, my Christmas in the Library plans ran into a few snags. Mostly around getting things I needed delivered in time. I called my friend, Alli of TCB Style in a panic. She suggested alternatives to the pieces couldn’t get in time for the blogger Holiday Home Tour I joined … it kicks off next week. Most of the options she suggested came from Target and so not only were they available immediately but they were affordable. Yay. She also suggested magnolia leaves for my big punch bowl, the one the Contessa gifted me from her collection, instead of the gold ornaments I planned. It was a brilliant idea. Did you know Trader Joe’s sells magnolia branches?! I didn’t have to get on a ladder and cut them from of our tree.
I was able to get garland from Frontgate. It was more expensive than the options I was eyeing elsewhere, but it’s beautiful and perfect in every way. Unfortunately the matching window wreaths were sold out, but Trader Joe’s came through again with 22″ live wreaths that look exactly like the garland. The only difference, no lights and the pine needles shed. On the plus side, they smell heavenly. Jim hung them with this gorgeous velvet ribbon in beige … tacked above the window molding. You’ll see when the tour kicks off. Anyway, the ribbon is amazing and I already reordered more so I’ll have plenty on hand next year.
I begged Alli to come by and give my decorating the once over and zhush things with her stylist eye. She’s an expert bow tier and added bows to my window wreaths. She also helped me decide which throw blanks to use to cozy things up. I know it doesn’t sound hard, but after watching her arrange and rearrange them multiple times, I realized that effortlessly tossed throws involve a high-level-of-difficulty maneuver.
Garland | Decorative Trees | Gold Stems | Velvet Ribbon | Dried Orange Vase Filler |
Nest Candle | Cocktail Shaker & Tools |Distressed Compote Bowl |
Mini Pine & Berry Wreaths | Brass Bell | Candlesticks
Anyway, between me, Jim, Alli and UPS the library is decked out for Christmas and I’m excited to throw open the doors for the Holiday Home Tour next week.
FUN GIFT IDEA FOR DAUGHTERS, NIECES, MOM’S AND GIRLFRIENDS
Recently I researched vegan bags and stumbled on this article in Vogue. One bag in particular, the Gabbi Ruched Hobo, caught my eye not only for its fun design and colorful options, but it’s affordable price. I ordered it in ivory and it just arrived.
JW PEI is a Los Angeles based husband and wife design team … focused on minimalist design in sustainable vegan materials. That said, it appears they manufacture in China … I’m not 100% on that but my order was shipped form there. That aside, several celebrities have been seen carrying the bag and Vogue describes it as having a cult following. I can see why.
It arrived beautifully packaged in a sturdy logo’d box and protective logo’d bag … and the bag itself, a darling hobo style, is adorable and seems to be very well made. I love it, although I wish I ordered it in a darker color. It feels fun and fresh and comes in so many colors. It’s this year’s go-to gift for the gals in my life.
Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid carrying the JW Pei Hobo
Look at some of the fun colors!
JW Pei offers many vegan bag styles, as well as shoes, mostly sandals, and even jewelry. As far as bags go, I see a couple (the Maze and the FAE Top Handle) I might mention to Santa.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Black Friday and Cyber Monday … I don’t really care. But I’m all in for Small Business Saturday. And while small business means many things, from restaurants to day-spas, today I’m sharing my favorite local (East Bay) clothing and home stores. It’s that time of year we all need something … something to wear or something to give … and there’s no better time to get that shopping done.
Concord – Elsie Green
Danville – Flaunt Boutique and Eye for Pretty at Home
Lafayette – White Barn Home, Orchard Nursery & Lazy K Shop, Misto Lino Home (also in Danville)
Orinda – Orinda Books and ReChic
Walnut Creek – Labels Luxury Consignment and Wish
What the heck, I’m going to mention a handful of favorite coffee shops and restaurants too.
Lafayette Public House (coffee shop by day, beer garden by night … best nachos and cocktails)
Main Street Kitchen, Walnut Creek
Pizza Antica, Lafayette (also in Mill Valley and San Jose)
Tellus Coffee, Walnut Creek
Vanessa Bistro 2, Walnut Creek
And remember, supporting small business doesn’t require spending money, although it’s helpful. Yelp reviews, NextDoor recommendations, Instagram stories, and word of mouth are all ways to show our support.
GIVING TUESDAY
I also partake in Giving Tuesday. Jim and I always give a little something extra to the organizations we support year round.
Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation – Gifts through November 29th will be matched up to $50k, doubling the life saving impact for these sweet, deserving future family members!
ARF
Oscar’s Place Sanctuary – They too have a generous donor who will match gifts from now until November 30th!
Oscar’s Place
I love following these sweet donkey’s on Instagram. If you’re having a bad day, they’ll make it better. It’s my secret, or not so secret, dream to renovate a house on a couple of acres so we can adopt a pair of rescue donkey’s.
So there you have it, this weekend’s meanderings.
Let’s visit Kim and Elizabeth to see what’s they’re sharing.
Odds & Socks ~
This was my one and only purchase on Black Friday
Ina’s easy Ramen noodle soup could work just as well with leftover turkey.
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to grand-nephew, Wyatt, who turns 9 on Monday.
NINE!!!
Happy Birthday, Wyatt!
If you missed last weekend’s meanderings, you can catch up here.
And follow along for more fun on Instagram and Pinterest.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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