Today on Weekend Meanderings, white denim options, pretty garden stools, a really good book and a quick trip to Napa Valley.
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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We got the nicest surprise on our doorstep Easter Sunday.
These beautiful tulips delivered by the cutest little boy.
The note reads Honey Bear Flower Farm.
I went immediately to Instagram and had the nicest exchange with Jen.
Jen and her young son have a mini flower farm at their home.
They give away their flowers around town (like my doorstep surprise)
and occasionally at a little farm stand made by Jen’s father.
Isn’t that the nicest thing?!
On that happy note, let’s get into it …
SPRING CHICKEN LUNCHEON SALAD
Earlier in the week I joined a fun group to share spring salad recipes. Nine delicious recipes! I turned a first course salad recipe from Joanna Gaines into a main course salad by adding chicken. As Ina would say, how easy is that?! And speaking of Ina, I used her method for roasting chicken breasts. Watch my salad making Reel here. It’s riveting. And you can read the post and get the recipe here.
In the process of setting my all-occasion spring table for this post, I realized the versatility of my new table throw from Pottery Barn (it’s on sale!). I know I’ve been yammering on and on about it … but I’m in love with it. Anyway, it’s full of so many beautiful and cheerful spring colors it works with just about every napkin in my linen cupboard.
You can play around with colorful glasses too. I’ve been using these etched wine goblets non-stop, paired with my everyday water glasses, green-tint Moroccan glasses or these blush, stemless wine glasses. The possibilities are endless.
IT’S WINE TASTING SEASON
Ok, it’s always wine tasting season. But longer, warmer, sunnier days make it even more fun. Yesterday I was invited to do the Hallmark tour and tasting at Hall Winery in St. Helena. I’m a fan of Hall wines, as I’ve mentioned before, but I’ve never visited the winery. I invited my youngest niece, Shelby, and her friend, Lauren, to come along. Shelby recently celebrated her 21st birthday and this was her first wine tasting experience. Lauren’s too.
Old Bergfeld winery building at Hall St. Helena
Wine Educator, Dennis Cooney, led our group on a fun stroll around Hall’s amazing St. Helena property. Wow, it’s really spectacular.
Us girls with Bunny Foo Foo
The property is home to a number of large art pieces, including Bunny Foo Foo, a Lawrence Argent sculpture made of polished stainless steel. Bunny Foo Foo greats visitors at the entrance to the winery … and can’t be missed from highway 29. There’s actually art all over the winery – inside and out – including the wine labels.
And we lucked out with a bright, sunny day. We were also fortunate to be there just after bud break … a few weeks delayed due our very cold winter. As we walked the property we sipped the BACA Zinfandel and Walt Pinot Noir.
Then we got down to business tasting through some of Hall’s incredible cabernet’s. Hall is, of course, known for their cabs which did not disappoint. And we nibbled on marcona almonds and delicious cheeses. Pro tip: don’t go wine tasting on an empty stomach!
Thank you to Hall for hosting us. We had such a fun experience and as a newly minted wine club member, I’ll be back!
GARDEN STOOLS
We’ve been enjoying a week of warm, sunny days. Apparently rain is expected next week. Enough already. I want to open up our back patio … meaning get the cushions, pillows down from the rafters and give everything a good cleaning. Including our garden stools. I’m obsessed with garden stools. We have these ivory colored garden stools on our front porch and back patio. But I’m seriously tempted by the green version and so many beautiful floral options. These are a few that have me doing a double take. And all of them are on sale.
THESE WHITE DENIM JEANS ARE COMING MY WAY
White jeans have been on my shopping list for a while but I’ve held off for a couple of reasons. First of all, the boring story of wanting to lose weight. Let’s not even go there. Second, white denim can be challenging … especially for those of us in the prime of life. Ahem … over 50. Alright, alright, I’m over 60. All denim is not created equal and I prefer a heavier denim. But not too heavy or stiff which is uncomfortable, hot and constricting. My ideal white denim is a medium weight with a tiny bit of stretch … and a looser leg. I came across this pair at J.Crew while doing vacation shopping … I love the cropped flare style. That said, at slightly (and I mean slightly) over 5’4″, cropped styles often fall at an awkward length on me so I ordered the petite. I’ll let you know how that works out.
Of course, once I ordered the J.Crew white denim, yesterday I saw this pair of Rails white denim at Nordstrom. Yes, Rails makes denim. Who knew. From the web-site photo they appear to also be a cropped style. However on me they’re full length and I like them that way. This pair is high-waisted with a button fly. But they have a bit of stretch and feel very comfortable. Yes, they came home with me … so they’re a sure thing if the J.Crew’s aren’t quite right. I think they’ll be cute with a blue and white shirt tied at the waist and these block heeled cork sandals I bought for our upcoming vacation.
Finally, I saw this pair of white denim at Nordstrom Rack online. Also high-waist flares … they appear to be full-length … on the model who is no doubt taller than me! Anyway, they’re under $100 … on sale.
THIS IS A REALLY FUN, EASY-BREEZY READ
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson … recommend, recommend recommend! It’s been a while since I’ve read a novel that held my full attention. I think social media has decreased my attention span … so I was happy to find that I can still get drawn into a good book. And this is a good book.
“Darley, the eldest daughter in the well-connected old money Stockton family, followed her heart, trading her job and her inheritance for motherhood but giving up far too much in the process; Sasha, a middle-class New England girl, has married into the Brooklyn Heights family, and finds herself cast as the arriviste outsider; and Georgiana, the baby of the family, has fallen in love with someone she can’t have, and must decide what kind of person she wants to be.
Rife with the indulgent pleasures of life among New York’s one-percenters, Pineapple Street is a smart, escapist novel that sparkles with wit. Full of recognizable, loveable—if fallible—characters, it’s about the peculiar unknowability of someone else’s family, the miles between the haves and have-nots, and the insanity of first love—all wrapped in a story that is a sheer delight.”
Author Jenny Jackson is a publishing executive and this is her debut novel. Imagine hitting it out of the park on your first try!
That’s what’s on my mind this week.
Let’s go see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth …
And another thing ~
How did Hoka’s Become so Popular (who says they’re ugly?) … about my favorite walking and workout shoe.
If you have beach house envy, don’t read this.
The surprisingly modest (by Hollywood standards) and charming home of Angela Lansbury the market.
If you like Spritz’ like I like Spritz’!
Kim and Cindy were back with their Signature Style series this week … I look forward to these posts. Kim’s got a round-up of casual chic dresses. And Cindy’s covering my favorite topic, wedding guest looks.
Current (vacation-on-the-brain) Favorites ~
If you missed last weekend’s post, I shared a super yummy muffin recipe and a new dessert cookbook.
You’ll find all my Weekend posts collected here.
You can also follow along 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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