Happy Weekend, Friends!
It’s been a week since Kyle and Melody’s wedding!
What an amazing wedding it was …
I’m still coming down to earth after all the excitement.
Spoiler alert … everything was perfect.
And that’s all I’ll say for now.
I posted quite a few Instagram stories and saved them to highlights.
Wedding post coming soon.
Stay tuned.
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Today I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for our weekly roundup.
You can a breath a sigh of relief, none of my picks are wedding related!
Earlier in the week Elizabeth said how hard it is to write about food, books, etc.
while the war in Ukraine continues to take precious lives.
I feel the same and I know Kim does too.
What’s the right answer, how to strike the right balance?
I don’t know.
I’ve been following Ron Filipkowki’s morning routine (Twitter 3/9/22)
Morning Routine:
1. Wake Up
2. Check on Zelensky
3. Get Coffee
Or, in my case, cocoa.
And continue to pray, donate, and stay informed.
Putin’s Road to War, a Frontline documentary, airs this week.
Let’s get to the matter at hand.
You may notice a little French influence today.
JACK ROGERS SANDALS
With the time change and warmer weather, it’s time to break out the spring and summer sandals. My favorite sandal of all time is the Classic Jack by Jack Rogers. Created by Jacqueline Kennedy’s Palm Beach cobbler after she brought a pair of similar sandals home from a trip to Capri. And now there’s the Jack II, in the classic style, with a cushioned footbed and non-slip sole. I wore a gold pair to the wedding after-party and danced the night away! I also have Classics in a two tone neutral, monogramed blue and white and I’d love this pair in cork. Beautifully made, iconic and reasonably priced. They come in tons of colors, and, for me, they fit true to size. Dress them up, dress them down, you can’t go wrong with Jack Rogers sandals.
Me & My Classic Jacks / Image by Monica Vargas Photos
It just so happens that the week I’m featuring Jack Rogers is also their 62nd birthday celebration sale. Use Code: 1960 for 30% off through March 23rd.
SIX CALIFORNIA KITCHENS: A COLLECTION OF RECIPES, STORIES AND COOKING LESSONS FROM A PIONEER OF CALIFORNIA CUISINE
I planned to mention this book next month closer to it’s release date. It’s available for pre-order now. Sadly, the author, Sally Schmitt, died last week so now feels like the right time. You can read about her life here.
Did you know that Thomas Keller isn’t the founder of The French Laundry … the famed, impossible-to-get-into Napa Valley restaurant? What?! No, the restaurant was founded by Don and Sally Schmitt. Chef Keller bought it from the Schmitt’s in 1994. Sally, founder, and original chef wrote a cookbook, and it sounds amazing.
Sally Schmitt opened The French Laundry in Yountville in 1978 and designed her menus around local, seasonal ingredients—a novel concept at the time.
In this soon-to-be-classic cookbook, Sally Schmitt takes us through the six kitchens where she learned to cook, honed her skills, and spent her working life. Six California Kitchens weaves her remarkable story with 115 recipes that distill the ethos of Northern California cooking into simple, delicious dishes, plus evocative imagery, historic ephemera, and cooking wisdom.
With gorgeous food and sense-of-place photography, this is a masterful, story-rich cookbook for home and aspiring chefs who cook locally and seasonally, food historians, fans of wine country, and anyone who wants to bring the spirit of Northern California home with them.
I’m embarrassed to tell you I’ve never eaten at The French Laundry. It’s been on my list of things to do since forever. You can preorder Sally’s book now for delivery April 5th. I just did.
GLO SKIN BEAUTY LIP CRAYONS
An esthetician introduced me to Glo’s lip crayon several years ago. She was trying to make me look presentable before I left her salon. Amazingly, the color stayed in place all day. A rarity and I’ve been devoted ever since. I love the Suede Matte Crayon in Trademark and just purchased the Cream Glaze Crayon in Chiffon. The crayon glides on and stays in place much longer than any other lipstick I’ve used. And I’ve tried a lot. I’m a huge fan.
Image: Glo Skin Beauty
Glo’s website says their makeup is antioxidant rich, mineral based, talc free, ‘consciously clean’ and cruelty free. I use Glo’s Tinted Primer in Light and Powder Blush in Melody (haha that’s my new daughter-in-law’s name) too! You can buy Glo makeup and skincare online and it’s also carried in spas and salons.
THE ROAD TO LE PAPILLON
This is the book I planned to talk about this week, The Road to Le Papillon: Daily Meditations on True Contentment. The author, Shannon Ables, is founder of the sublime blog (and podcast), The Simply Luxurious Life. I’ve followed Shannon’s blog for at least ten years and recently became a top tier member. It’s so fun to be in on her exclusive content which includes behind the scenes looks at La Papillon, her home in Bend, Oregon. I love it when people name their homes, don’t you? Shannon, a recently retired school teacher, loves all things French … and British. She hosts annual French and British weeks on her blog, which is so fun. As well as a cooking show from her newly renovated kitchen with its pretty, blue La Cornue range.
“Living simply luxuriously is for you if you are seeking a life of quality over quantity in every arena of your life, and if by chance you are a Francophile or an Anglophile, just as I am, you are going to be in for a very special treat, as much of my inspiration comes from my time traveling and studying in France and Britain. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be enamored by France or Britain to live simply luxuriously. If you simply want to live a life that eliminates what is unnecessary and elevates what is a priority all the while earning an everyday income, you have found your home.” ~Shannon Ables
The paperback is available now. I ordered the hardcover which will arrive in early April. As a top tier member of Shannon’s blog, I received a little swag including this cute notepad, bookmark and signed bookplate.
The Road to Le Papillon Swag
This is Shannon’s third book. I enjoyed the first two and can’t wait for The Road to Le Papillon to arrive!
FRENCH BUBBLE CLUB
Do you like bubbles? I like bubbles. I’m referring to champagne, of course. Or sparkling wine. But today I’m talking about champagne. French champagne. Ou la la. Later today I’ll make the short trip to Sonoma to retrieve my quarterly bubbles from the Chateau Sonoma French Bubble Club. The Club offers three bottles of French champagne, four times a year, selected by Matthew Gaughan, a wine educator (aka wine geek), from small production, boutique producers. Being part of a wine club is fun, especially a club that offers wines from different producers, so you won’t get bored. Jim enjoys it too and will happily accompany me to Sonoma this afternoon for pick up. While there we’ll have lunch, walk around the Plaza, and reminisce about our happy 16 years living in the wine country.
Last Quarter’s Champagne Club Bubbly
Speaking of shopping, Chateau Sonoma is one of the best shops on Sonoma Plaza. Celebrating the French way of life there are so many beautiful things available from books to candles to unique gifts and vintage pieces. Check out this video from Sarah the proprietress. Sarah hosts an Instagram Live cocktail hour on Friday’s at 5:00pm (PDT). Hmmmm … she might be onto something!
As for the French Bubble Club, it will open to new members next quarter. You can learn more about it here.
Now let’s see what Kim and Elizabeth are sharing this week.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy Weekend and Cheers from Snowberry!
JUliet,
Thank you so much for your most kind and generous sharing of TSLl’s 3rd book. I sincerely apPreciate all that you have shared with your readers.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Shannon, thank you so much for visiting! What a thrill! I get so much enjoyment from your blog, podcast, books, cooking show … everything. Excited to have the hardcover book in my hands! xo
GoinG to check out those lip crayons! Thanks For the heads up on the documentary.. sounds like a good One, will keep my eye out.
Such a fun wedding
They are the best … of course you need to makeup. Lip color or otherwise. xo
Juliet, Its A delight to know that you are also a follower of Shannon and her blog, TSLL! I have her books and Im waiting for the latest edition. Im thinking about taking a day trip to Sonoma, and looking forward to pErusing Chateau sonoma. Have a lovely weekend!
Hello Karen … my fellow Shannon fan! It’s raining … we need it, right? … and we’re heading to Sonoma anyway. I think you’ll enjoy Chateau Sonoma. Happy weekend! xo
Lip color and french laundry. I never ever am without liPcolor. I will give this one a look.
My french Laundry story… always waNted to go. Could never even get through On the Phone. So one day, we were driving by and the doOr was open so i hopped out. The woman inside was surprised to see me but when i asked sHe said she Had One reserVation left for October… on halloween! I Asked for a table for 6 and found four friends to share an extraordinary evening We will never. forget
Oh my gosh … that’s amazing! I need to hear more about your experience! xo
I know what you mean about the war making everything else feel trite. But i appreciate this diversion!! I want that lip pencil. And french bubbles of course 🙂
Of course!!! xo
Juliet I love everything about your post today. I have already ordered the California Kitchens book! Thank you. It sounds like Sally was a very cool person and a visionary. I can’t wait. Great rec on the lip crayons. I find at my age, they are the one thing that really stays and doesn’t look scary! I like the colors too. So funny the Jack Rogers site was already up on my computer, as a friend told me about their great sale this week! Very cute things and I had no idea they have wedges and other things..
Now how did Shannon Ables escape my notice?? Did you mention anglo and francophile? Say no more, I’m all in! Have a blast getting your bubbles today. I haven’t been up to Sonoma since the pandemic. It’s always a great time and lunch out yes!
Again love doing this with you all. xo
I love your weekend meanderings. I always find something I have not seen before or something that inspires me. signed up for shannon’s blog – it looks fantastic.
Hi Crystal … you are so sweet and I love that you are here! You’re going to love Shannon’s blog … and try her podcast too. Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful weekend. Happy Spring! xo
Juliet, love this post! I LOVE SHANNON and have been a follower, patron, for some time. I lov ethe podcast and the books. She is such an amazing writer, speaker, and entertainer. As for The French Laundry, I have been twice, but is was years ago. I have The French Laundry cookbook but now I am going to add this one to my collection as well. As for champagne, I love it as much as I love hot chocolate. I have been to the champagne region of France many times and love seeing the vineyards and drinkg the end result. Jack Rogers are classic and comfy. Have a wonderful weekend Juliet!
Oh, Elizabeth … you are a fellow TSLL member! I should have known! I’m not sure I knew about your love of Champagne … we are like two peas in a pod. I visited the champagne region only once. It was years ago when Jim was representing Mumm and Perrier Jouet. Those were the days! Hope you’re having an amazing weekend. xo
Juliet, what a fun post. I loved seeing all the wedding events on your Instagram! I’ll look forward to the post with even more!
I will be watching that documentary as soon as it comes out. Pray, give, and stay informed, I don’t what else we can do.
Thank you, Annie! The wedding was so fun and I can’t wait to write more about it. You know, the documentary recorded on our DVR but when I hit play it was about Annie Oakley. Something went wrong … obviously. So I hope it will be aired later this week. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend finding new, cool places to visit and share in NYC. xo
GREAT POST!
I do remember when the owners of THE FRENCH LAUNDRY sold it to their chef!We have never eaten there as wEll as THE ITALIAN would NOT be happy with the portion sizes I hear about!I would HAVE TO FEED HIM AGAIN UPON THE RETURN TO THE CASA!NO THANK YOU!
OH MY GOSH I would not recognize SARAH!I use to shop there for my shop especially when she had the FLEA MARKET once or twice a year……she use to have long dark brown hair!I am certain I have changed aS well!
Those sANDALS will go perfectly with that light blue CAFTAN i hear you bought!
CORONADO ISLAND here you come!
THAT JACKET IS FANTASTIC you wore to the wedding!EVERTHING TURN OUT SMASHING!!!!
LOOK FORWARD TO MORE!
XXX
Ha ha … yes, I hear the portions are small but there are LOTS of them … so no one goes home hungry! We had a lovely visit to Sarah’s shop yesterday … it’s so fun now that its on the plaza. And I think she still does the market twice a year … at the shop or at her gorgeous home. Yes, Coronado here I come … with my new caftan and sandals I’ll blend in with the locals. So glad you like the jacket … it was an ordeal getting hold of it but it did arrive two days before the wedding. More on that later! xo
So glad the wedding went well Fun to plan…wonderful when it all comes together!