Today on Weekend Meanderings a night out in the big city, a fall wedding guest look, a quick and easy biscuit and a great source for holiday ribbon.
Happy weekend, friends!
It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.
Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.
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It’s going to be a whirlwind weekend.
Nephew Noah’s getting married.
I love a fall wedding.
I love all weddings.
Speaking of fall, I picked up my fall wreath yesterday.
From Branches & Blooms
Next week I’ll finally get Snowberry in-sync with the season.
QUIET LUXE FANTASY FASHION
Let’s kick this off with some fantasy fashion. Last week when Kim and I chatted on Instagram Live about our quiet luxe posts we also touched on a few other topics including the increasingly avant guard nature of Vogue Magazines‘ fashion editorials. As an average fashion-loving woman, the clothes and the way they’re shown in the magazine haven’t felt relatable or inspirational to me in a very long time. And then … I starting flipping through Vogue’s October issue and lo and behold a feature entitled ‘Basic Instincts‘ jumped out at me. Thirteen beautiful pages, shot by Mark Borthwick, full of pieces that I can see myself wearing (for the most part). And very much in the quiet luxury wheelhouse. The piece de resistance, and best dress I’ve seen in a long time, Stella McCartney’s bustier dress.
Fashion Editor: Alex Harrington.Photographed by Mark Borthwick, Vogue, October 2023.
It’s a dress I’d be tempted to invest in if I had someplace to wear it. Which I no longer do (and Jim breathes a sign of relief). Made in Italy, 100% wool, 100% fabulous.
It comes in black too. And it comes in a below the knee – cocktail – version. Do you love it too?
It’s reminiscent of a dress Rene Russo wore in the 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. And speaking of that fabulous remake, it’s another example of a movie wardrobe (I referred to The Perfect Murder in the quiet luxe post) that could just as easily be worn today. The Feather Factor covered it here.
Via The Feather Factor
Ok, Vogue, I renewed my subscription … don’t make me regret it.
NIGHT OUT IN THE CITY
San Francisco has taken a beating in the national news. Some of it deserved, and a lot of it not. Last weekend I joined my BFF Jane, her twin daughters Tess and Alex, and Alex’ BF Thomas for dinner in the Marina and a comedy show at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Heather McDonald of the Juicy Scoop Podcast and comedian Chris Franjola. I wasn’t familiar with either of them … and they’re hilarious. Did you know the Palace of Fine Arts had a theatre? I did not and apparently its a very popular venue.
It was a beautiful, fall evening. A little cool … mid-60’s. We met up with Alex and Thomas at their Cow Hollow apartment and walked to Cultivar, a wonderful restaurant and wine bar on Chestnut. I took no photos which is becoming familiar story and a big problem for me as a blogger. Good thing the internet has plenty of images (better than I could have taken) to illustrate my story.
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- Cultivar SF
We had dinner in the main dining room but there are sidewalk tables, and a spacious back patio that was hosting an event.
Cultivar SF
After dinner we walked a few blocks to the Palace of Fine Arts which is even more beautiful at night.
Via Scene in San Francisco
At the end of the show there was an audience kerfuffle in the front row. A rodent of some sort … mouse or rat … ran across the front row and over people’s feet. Eek eek! Thankfully it happened at the end of the show and brought it to an amusing conclusion. Of course had we been in the front row and had a rodent run over our feet, it would have been a lot less amusing.
Alex, Tess & Jane
The Cow Hollow and Marina District neighborhoods are so charming and it’s good to see all the restaurants packed and spilling onto the sidewalk tables with magical string lights overhead and space heaters glowing. After the show we walked back through the marina, said goodbye to Thomas and the girls, and made it back to the ‘burbs in no time. Another fun evening in our beloved City by the Bay.
FALL WEDDING GUEST DRESS REWEAR
Our nephew Noah is getting married this weekend. I’m rewearing a MISA dress from niece Megan’s wedding last summer. It’s perfect for fall too and this time I’m pairing it with navy accessories … these sling backs and this cashmere wrap. I’ll use my small grayish-brown Rebecca Minkoff crossbody, similar to this Tory Burch.
Similar Dress | Sling Backs | Hoop Earrings | Bracelet | Crossbody Bag | Cashmere Wrap
I’m a big fan of MISA dresses and wore a pink and orange version to Deanna’s baby shower last spring. They’re light and flouncy, a little romantic and very easy to wear. Here are a few beautiful MISA options for fall weddings, holidays and events.
While I was figuring out what to wear, I saw this Nayla fold-over clutch it was love at first sight. I would have ordered it in sand, but it’s sold out. I considered the jade (it also comes in black and clay) but ultimately decided to shop my closet. But let’s just take a moment to appreciate the beauty of these bags.
MORE FALL COMFORT FOOD
We’re in the midst of a heat spike which is nice because it’s Fleet Week in San Francisco and the Blue Angels won’t have to contend with Karl the Fog. Also, at this time of year it cools off nicely at night so it’s actually pretty perfect weather. Nevertheless it’s fall, and I’m all in on comfort food. This week it’s the biscuit. I’ve finally learned that the secret to a fluffy biscuit is the fold over … roll out the dough then fold it in half, roll again, fold again, roll again, cut biscuits. The challenge comes when there’s leftover dough. Some say to toss the excess dough, I can’t bring myself to do that so I use it up. But the biscuits from that portion of the dough never raise as well and you can see the difference on this batch.
Anyway, this is a favorite, easy, go-to biscuit. Serve with a little butter and a little honey and its perfection.
Basic Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter (very cold and diced)
- 3/4 cup Half-and-Half
- 1 Egg + 1 tbsp water to make egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400
- Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in bowl of mixer using paddle attachment.
- Add butter and mix on low until butter is combined and crumbly.
- With mixer still on low, add half-and-half and mix until combined.
- Turn out dough on to floured surface and knead a few times.
- Roll out dough to about 3/4" thick. Fold dough over once and roll out again. fold and roll a second time.
- Using a biscuit cutter (or water glass) cut out biscuits and place on baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Make egg wash (one egg + 1 tbsp water) and brush over top of biscuits.
- Bake for about 18 minutes (start checking at 15 minutes) until tops are golden brown.
GORGEOUS HOLIDAY RIBBON
It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays, and Jansen Home’s velvet ribbon is here! Last year I waited too long and it sold out, I won’t make that mistake again. I also ordered this garland, for our great room mantle. And these mercery glass balls to pair with it.
Dusty Blue 4″ | Champagne Mesh 3″ | Ruby Red 4″ | Winter White 4″ | Winter White 2″
Speaking of never-too-early, our holiday lights are being installed today. Yes, today … when it feels like summer and temps will be in the 90’s. Last year we weren’t able to get an installation date until mid-December, so this year I called to schedule the first day reservations opened up … and this is the date I was given. Beggars can’t be choosers and the goal is to have them up for Thanksgiving. Mission accomplished. Don’t worry, I won’t turn them on until then.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you this week.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth …
If you missed my last post, you can catch up here.
You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest.
Any thoughts you’d like to share?
I’d love to hear them and you can drop them in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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