Happy Weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for our favorites of the week.
Jim and I went to see Sir Paul McCartney last night.
Forgive me if I’m dragging a bit today.
Let’s dispense with the chit chat and get right into it.
COASTAL GRANDMOTHER STYLE
Last week I shared this article about the Coastal Grandmother trend. I’m fascinated. But do we really call it a trend? Perhaps not, as the coastal grandmother eschews trends and sticks with classics which is precisely her appeal.
Anyway, I’m all about this new designation … or more of a recognition and appreciation of living well and stylishly. Like the streamlined, classic, traditional style personified in Nancy Meyers movies by the leading ladies and their aspirational homes. Think Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give and, my personal favorite, Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated. Reese Witherspoon in Home Again, Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s first movie, is another, more recent example. Proving you don’t need to live coastally, or be a grandmother, to exemplify this style.
Here’s my interpretation of Coastal Grandmother style in my outfit collage of the week.
White Pants / Stripe Shirt / Hat / Bag / Sunnies / Sandals
CURRENTLY READING
One of my goals this year is to read more books. I used to be a voracious reader but somehow my habits changed. Is it because of social media? I don’t know. Whatever it is it’s unacceptable and must change.
I’m currently reading Katie Couric’s memoir, Going There. And, just started Tina Brown’s, The Palace Papers. I need to finish one before the other. Reading two at a time is best when one is fiction and the other non. As a third-generation Royal enthusiast I’ll probably let them leapfrog Katie.
Also, new on my shelf is Anna, The Biography by Amy Odell. Anna Wintour, Vogue’s long-time editor, wasn’t really on my radar until The Devil Wears Prada was released as a movie in 2006. Recent books by Andre Leon Tally, The Chiffon Trenches, and Grace Coddington, Grace, A Memoir, upped my interest and I enjoyed Thomas Maier’s book, All That Glitters about Anna, Tina Brown, and their rivalry at Conde Nast. Anyway, I can’t wait to bury my nose in this book. AFTER I finish The Palace Papers and Going There!
Back to magazine editors and publishing intrigue, Park Avenue Summer is a delightful, fictionalized tale of Helen Gurley Brown beginning her legendary tenure as editor of Cosmopolitan magazine in 1965. It’s a few years old, but if you missed it, it’s really good.
What are you reading right now, I’d love to know? Also, do you read an actual book (in hand), or on a device … or both?
CURRENTLY WATCHING
We just finished the final episodes of Ozark. Are you watching? Oh my gosh! Wow. On Thursday we started Anatomy of a Scandal. Talk about coastal grandmother style. Sienna Miller brings it. In episode two or three, Sienna’s character visits her in-law’s country home. Wait until you see the kitchen. Amazing. I hope more scenes were filmed there. On a less scandalous, but equally addicting note, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy is back for season two. He doesn’t disappoint.
Meltdown: Three Mile Island, is a new docuseries that caught my eye. I remember this 1979 incident so well. Not only because it was a huge disaster that dominated the news, but because dad, a nuclear engineer for Bechtel, received a phone call in the middle of the night and was on the next plane to Pennsylvania. He was there for months. Anyway, the 4-part series is available now on Netflix and it’s in my watch queue for next week.
FOLDY PUFFY SUMMER SANDAL
Today I’m adding to summer sandal euphoria with the Foldy Puffy Sandal, made with vegan leather, from Roam. I recently purchased them in nude at my favorite local boutique, Flaunt. I was immediately drawn to their look and now to their comfort. Not to mention that everywhere I wear them, women are coming up to me asking where I got them. In addition to nude, they come in honey and pink. Sorry for the cruddy photo.
If you’re a Bay Area local, run over to Flaunt in Danville and get yourself, or your mom, a pair. You can also find them online here and here. Or click on the images below.
PATIO SEASON IS (ALMOST) HERE
At least it’s here in California. Some days are better than others. We hit a high of 90 earlier this week. On Cinco de Mayo, Jim and I went to our favorite local hangout, Lafayette Public House, for, what else, their delicious street tacos and nachos. It was a (Mexican) holiday, so we also indulged, for better (they’re delicious) or worse (sugar hangover the next day), in their churros. While we were feasting, I noticed a new addition to the charming patio. Look at these amazing, oversized Edison bulbs. Aren’t they great? They create such a fun and festive atmosphere.
And it got me thinking, why not try this on our back patio at Snowberry? I googled ‘oversized light bulbs’ and here’s what I found. It says they are ‘damp’ rated which I think means ok for outside, but in a covered patio situation. Be sure to confirm. I’m going to order a few and try them on our uncovered patio (it’s rare to get rain during the summer months), but I’m going going to further research the suitability. I love the combination of the classic teardrop and olive shapes. And the beehive shape is cool too.
So, there you have it, my favorite things of the week.
Let’s head over to Kim and Elizabeth’s to see what they’ve got going on.
Want more Coastal Grandmother style, read this and this. Can you tell, I’m into it? And this seriously major blogger is all over CG too. Did you know her new home is just up the street from my Fidalgo Island house? I love when she shares video of her new neighborhood because I can see the upper floor of our former home. I miss it. But not the climate.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Wishing you all a very Happy Mother’s Day!
What are your plans?
Jim’s taking a quick trip to Portland to see his mom.
And I’m going to catch up on some gardening and bury my nose in a book.
This would have been my mother’s idea of a perfect day.
And I’ll spend time remembering her.
Cheers from Snowberry!
Reader Interactions