Today on weekend meanderings, we’re talking about French bubbles, The Rolling Stones, my favorite summer shorts, a couple of movies on my radar, alfresco dining in Sonoma and more.
Happy weekend friends! It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
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As you can see, it was a productive week in my raised bed garden. Can you believe it’s mid-July? Today is my last Weekend Meanderings post for the summer. That’s right, I’m taking a little vacation and will rejoin Kim and Elizabeth on September 7th. My to-do list is packed with projects around the house, summer entertaining, avid Olympic viewing, and a whole lot of doing nothing. But, I have a lot to share today so let’s get to it.
Vince Cropped Jacket
Last year I bought a Vince jacket that I wear everywhere with everything. It’s also been a popular item on the blog, and sold out too soon.
Since then I’ve been searching for something similar with no luck. And then this jacket popped up in the Nordstrom Sale. It’s also from Vince and they’re calling it a chore coat. It’s’ strikingly similar to my jacket, but with contrasting buttons instead of snaps. I meant to include in last week’s Nordstrom Sale roundup but somehow left it out. Anyway, I double checked, and it’s still available, so better late than never.
Vince also makes a zippered version that you can find on their web-site … also on sale.
J.Crew Bermuda Chino
Another favorite item I’ve been looking for is J.Crew’s Bermuda chino short. They’ve been out of stock (in my size) for a while but I found a similar pair at J.Crew Factory. After reading the fine print, I see that the J.Crew Factory short has a 9″ inseam, and the J.Crew version is 10″. I’m only 5’4″ so I think it will be fine. Anyway, I just placed an order for a pair in white, a couple other colors, and seersucker. They’re on sale for only $19.50 a pair.
The Rolling Stones … This Could Be the Last Time
On Wednesday night, Jim and I went to see The Rolling Stones. This could be the last time … and I suspect it is, but Jim says I say that every time and he’s not counting them out. The show was at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara which is a dreadful venue to get in and out of. We booked a hotel room, but had dog sitter issues so decided to Uber there and back. It was expensive but a much better option than driving. Last time we went to Levi was also for a Stones show (win 2019) and it took us nearly two hours to get out of the parking lot. Never again.
On the plus side, once we got inside and situated it’s super comfortable. We had plenty of time to grab dinner, have a drink and mosey to our seats just before show time. Very civilized.
No surprise it was an awesome concert and it’s impossible to believe that Mick Jagger turns 81 next week. Keith Richards is right behind him and Ronnie Wood is the youngster at 77. Of course, Charlie Watts, who sadly died three years ago, would have been 83 this year. They haven’t lost any energy and mostly stuck to their standard hits, which no one ever tires of, with a few songs from their latest album, Hackney Diamonds. Angry and Sweet Sounds of Heaven are my favorites of the newbies.
Speaking of the Stones and those Stones adjacent, I’m curious to see the documentary Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Wallenberg. The New York Times gives it a mixed review, but I’m not deterred. I read something else recently, that credits Anita for the Stones early-on bohemian style. By the Stones I mean, Mick and Keith. She was European and quite different from the English girls they dated and they borrowed from her look … and closet. The documentary is narrated by Scarlett Johansson.
French Bubble Club Pick Up Party at Chateau Sonoma
Last Saturday Jim and I attended Chateau Sonoma’s annual French Bubble Club pick up party which coincides with Bastille Day. Held at Sarah’s farmhouse a little outside town, the party is a highlight of summer. In addition to taking in the beautiful Sonoma setting, we nibbled on amazing food while tasting this quarter’s bubble club selections. More about the French Bubble Club here.
Jim loves champagne and enjoys learning about – and drinking – the club’s boutique selections. This quarter his favorite is from Lelarge-Pugeot and he had a great time meeting and chatting with Clemence Lelarge. I think she said she’s part of the 8th generation in her families wine business and she now lives in the U.S. a good portion of the year representing the family wines.
The tasting notes for each selection include a food pairing. Now I see why Jim likes the LeLarge-Pugeot so much … the suggested pairing is avocado toast. He fancies himself an avocado toast connoisseur. I just discovered that the notes also include a suggested song … that can then be used to create a play list. How fun!
I’ve been on a social media break and neglected to take photos at the party. A major oversight because … the blog. Oh well. Several years ago I attended a conference at the property and took photos then … it’s enchanting.
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- Image: Chateau Sonoma
The 1875 farmhouse sits on five acres covered with beautiful gardens, farm animals, and art.
Jim fell in love with this sculpture.
If the party wasn’t delightful enough, I had the good fortune to meet the loveliest blog reader, Tanya. She was there with her sister, Tara, and the two were enjoying a weekend in Sonoma. We bonded over our first cars being VW Bugs. I’m not sure how we got onto that topic, but reminiscing about our A.M. radio, no air conditioning, stick shift days was a lot of fun. Tanya was wearing the most beautiful, and brightly colored dress … with coastal grandmother-esque hat. I should have asked Jim to take our picture. Oops. Tanya, if you’re reading this, it was so great to meet you … and I hope to see you again at next year’s party. Or sooner.
All this talk of champagne has me thinking back on my early years with Jim when he worked for a company that owned Perrier-Jouet and G.H. Mumm. Ou la la. Here we are in Epernay in the garden of La Maison Belle Époque celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Belle Epoque bottle. You know the one decorated with Japanese anemone. Oh my gosh, we look so young!
We’d just flown in from New York after attending the Belle Epoque La Bal de Fleur. An event that took place during fashion week at the Surrogates Court, a 1907 Beaux Arts building near Wall Street. It’s a gorgeous venue and dinner was served on the mezzanine at a long table overlooking the giant tiered la fleur cake.
This was back in September 2002, and I was able to find some old mentions and photos online. Amazing.
There were quite a few celebrities and socialites in attendance. Vivica Fox was a guest of honor wearing a gown created for her by designer, Colleen Quen. She carried a Perrier-Jouet bottle shaped Judith Lieber bag and looked sensational. Looking back now, I’m even more flabbergasted that we were seated across from Ivana Trump and her very young, Italian boyfriend (not pictured). She never once spoke to us … or made eye contact. Awkward. Anyway, after all that’s transpired since, I can only think … yikes. During dinner Jim chatted up Justine Bateman, and he was quite enamored. He still keeps her business card tucked away in his mementos. I guess he was a Family Ties fan.
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- Vivica Fox, Muffie Potter Astinat, Garcelle Beauvais
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- Justine Bateman & Tiffany Debinat
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- Ivana Trump & Richard Turley
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- Amy Fine Collins
In other news, my gown was also designed by Colleen Quen and loaned to me for the three events we attended related to the Perrier-Jouet celebrations … the opening of the San Francisco Opera, the Belle Epoque La Bal de Fleur and a big party at Perrier-Jouet in France. It was a thrill visiting Colleen’s atelier in San Francisco to select a gown from her collection. I wish my mother had been alive, she would have loved this entire situation. It’s the sort of thing that led my dad to start referring to Jim – with an eye roll – as Mr. Big Shot Wine Salesman or MBSWS for short.
Thanks for indulging me while I walked down memory lane. Continuing the champagne theme, have you read The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It?
The book came out in 2009, and it’s now a just released (yesterday) movie. I hope it’s streaming soon.
The Depot in Sonoma
After the Bubble Club party we went for dinner at The Depot in downtown Sonoma, just off the Plaza.
Once known as the Depot Hotel, the 1870’s building has quite a history.
Across the street from the town’s original train depot, it’s seen a lot of change and has been a restaurant for as long, long time. We asked for a table on the pretty pool patio.
The Depot serves Italian food and it’s the perfect spot for a summer alfresco dinner. We started off with calamari and shishito peppers. I had a seasonal corn risotto and Jim the Rigatoni Amatriciana. We also had a yummy chocolate dessert.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.
In case you missed last weekend’s post, you can catch up here.
I hope you find joy in these summer days and that you’re able to slow down a little, spend a bit more time with family and friends, take a trip or two and generally enjoy a more leisurely pace.
See you in September!
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