Northern California Style

My Summertime Bucket List

2013-06-14T00:30:00.001-07:00

My youngest son and his friends are making Summer Bucket Lists and it's very sweet. I love the happy start of Summer and all it's possibilities just swirling about in my head... Ah, the potential of it! I thought I'd make my own Summer list.. I'd love to hear some of yours as well!

On my list. . .

Getting my toes pretty and wearing my sandals everywhere I can..Don't you love these retro Salt-water sandals? I don't know about you, but growing up in 1970's California this is all we wore. Colors were either red, navy, white or brown. No toe protection for flying feet and yes many a toe were skinned.

Biking as many places as I can around town. Getting misted by a nearby sprinkler adds bonus points! Already biked to lunch with the sons to our town's hot dog and malt shop. :)

Love to look as cute as Garance Dore above photo by her Habitually Chic boyfriend.

Many bike trips to the library and lots of lazy afternoons reading with a glass of ice tea on the patio.

Repeat this daily! Let this be your Summer mantra.

Don't forget to smell the lavender and all the other lovelies blooming. Fill your home. Right now I've got a whole bouquet of gardenia next to my bed courtesy of my pal Jen's garden and it's heaven. Making dried lavender sachets tied with ribbon is a fun a activity for the kids as well.

Beach days!

One word: naps!

At least one road trip is in my future. I make playlists for each of my trips so I can relive my vacation when I hear the songs again! So fun.

Pack up my "dream car" this white Defender and head out.. Yes I suppose a Defender is a thing not a moment, so forget I said that. . .

Hey did I mention I like the ones with the snorkels?

I will consume as much mint, basil, figs and watermelon as humanly possible.

Alfresco baby!

Pup tents under the stars...Or in the garage a few hours later..."Mom, we heard noises."

I hope to get to two of my favorite Northern California spots- Pinecrest Lake and Lake Tahoe. I love being with the mountains, the smell of the pine trees and time with my whole family.

Still looking for my dream hat that covers enough, looks stylish and doesn't look like Darth Vader...(You know what I'm talking about? Some scary sun visors out there!)

Picnics and croquet! Croquet tournaments -even better.

Badminton! Net or not...

Poolside with a hat and book. A little shade would be nice. My husband laughs because my optimal temperature is 79 and I would prefer it to stay that as much as possible. Thank you so much.

A little romance? Just saying..Isn't this the cutest?

At least one boat ride across a lake. . Did I mention I do have a tiny fear of boats?

I think I can do very small lakes however.

Beach walks!

I'd love to have a retro pool party!

Let's have guys in white shoes and mint jackets, girls with big hair loud prints...That Tequila song playing in the background. This is so my childhood. Anyone still got a cool swim cap? :D

Okay sorry off track here..,but the umbrellas really were cute weren't they? (Slim Aarons' photos)

I need to watch some of my favorite chick flicks again like, "It's Complicated."

And I'll be thrilled if any of my men here at home will watch the original, "A Room With A View," with me. I am still enchanted by this movie after 25 years with it's fantastic characters, and views of Italy and England. Based on the E.M. Forester novel it's a great Summer read as well.

Best movie kiss ever.

A young Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith before she became the dowager of Downton.

Travels to new places near and far.

Exploring the parks of the world..

or appreciating stuffed Eiffel Towers while wearing chocolate crepes

Trains, planes and automobiles! I love the romance of travel.

Let's do this!

Now tell me all about your Summer bucket lists!

Kim

Images northerncal style and from my Pinterest boards Summer and Alfresco.

What to wear to a Summer Wedding or Occasion II

2013-06-05T10:24:00.003-07:00

Kate Moss attending a wedding.

Summer is coming fast and along with that so many special events. That means weddings, graduations, reunions and vacations. I'm thinking that is why one of my most popular and older posts is what to wear to a Summer wedding... It can be a bit stressful finding the right thing to wear that is flattering and is appropriate. Sometimes you aren't happy with your body or your closet.

Try not to worry. Remember the most attractive people are those who are confident and fun. It's never the thinnest or ones wearing the most expensive clothes! Heck I personally think it's the women who think out of the box and wear something older or vintage or totally different that impress me!

Jessica Alba is perfect here for a Summer wedding.

The thing is you need some time to plan what you are going to wear to any special event. You probably shouldn't be looking the night before! Go through your closet a few weeks prior. This may be a good time to do a Spring cleaning out. Try on all your potential outfits. See what fits, what still works and what needs to go. Be ruthless. Take a good look at what you still love and has lasted. Notice what flatters you and forget trends. Know what you feel good in. That way if you need to shop you have some idea of what works for you. You won't buy something just like you already own or buy something that just doesn't flatter.

I just did this and for me I noticed the dresses and things that I still love and have lasted were J Crew. I also noticed shift dresses stay in style and I have several that are over 20 years old. One is a raw silk sleeveless shift with pockets and a scalloped hem from Ann Taylor. Also sadly, some dresses like halters no longer look great on me. I honestly look better more covered up than showing all my moles and spots off. I realized the most flattering length for me is right above the knee.

I purged my closet of 6 bags of clothes that had been there a while. It felt great to have a clean closet and smaller wardrobe. Everything had to fit perfect and be really loved. Shopping after doing this was surprisingly easy. I came home with nothing the first few trips because I knew exactly what I had and that I didn't want to add anything that wasn't going to be just what I needed. Loving this white bracelet, but...got one already! Another striped top was darling and hey I already own about 5. You get where I am going. It felt liberating to walk out of stores with nothing.

Time is crunched this part of the year so I have resorted to online shopping and it's been amazing how many store I can hit from the couch. I'm especially enticed by the free shipping and returns at Nordstrom. You really have nothing to lose. I also find I can tell by the models body type if something is going to flatter me or not. I also read the customer reviews on items at the bottom of the page. Some customers state their height, weight, size and body type and will let you know is someting is too big or tugs or they had to order a size up. Very helpful.

Kate Bosworth in a floaty dress, clutch and pretty sandals at a wedding.

Another friend who is short on time calls the personal shopper at her local Nordstrom and they have many choices in her size already waiting for her along with possible shoes and bags. It's all complimentary and many store have this. If you hate shopping or just can't find the time, use these services! It's just like when the stars use a stylist. They do the same for you. It's great to have the opinion of someone who puts together clothes all day long. They know what works and what doesn't! It's free. You tell them your budget and they will work on making you look good within it.

I've linked to some of my favorite picks of all the pretty things out there this season. I have to say I spent some serious time online and there are more dresses than ever. I particularly like the sites that have culled certain dresses together and grouped them as wedding guest dresses. Makes it way easier. Nordstrom was one in particular and you can find it here.

For a Summer wedding the easiest option is a lovely dress, a pretty clutch and a small wrap or scarf to drape on your shoulders. Notice below. She's got chic hair, small bag (don't even thing of bringing your regular daytime shoulder bag), wrap or sweater, dressier earrings and pretty shoes. Simple.

In my search for a dress for my son's graduation and to pack on my travels, I came across quite a few that are perfect for many occasions. I'm sharing some of my favorites and hopefully there is a link to each one on the description should you want to buy or find out more information!

Michael Kors at Nordstrom

One of the day looks that is flattering on almost everyone is the shift dress and if it has a print you can pair it some terrific wedges or a bright clutch for a graduation. I'd skip a necklace and add some larger drop earrings. Love this Michael Kors.

Trina Turk

A sleeveless shift here from Trina Turk is paired with flesh tone pumps. Some bright thick bracelets would look great with this.

J Crew

I'm loving this J Crew dress which is currently on sale and also comes in a coral. You can glam this up for evening with silver accessories or make it more day wedding appropriate with strappy sandals, a bright clutch and fun earrings.

Laundry at Bloomingdales

Have to admit, I'm loving all the prints and florals this year.

Carmen Marc Valvo at Neiman Marcus

Tory Burch

Modcloth

Nordstrom

This above, would be very cute on a young teen or pre-teen.

J Crew

DVF at Nordstrom

The lace trend is pretty and feminine. This DVF dress is perfection and also comes in navy and white lace over grey.

Vince Camuto

Eliza J- Nordstrom

Warm colors are so attractive on most people...

Sue Wong

Alice + Olivia at Neiman's

I'm trying to include some sleeved items for those gals that want them like above. This would look great on anyone.

Ralph Lauren

One shoulder looks are flattering on many body types!

BCBG

Colorblock Tank Shopbop

Loving the blue this year as well.

Kate Spade at Nordstrom

Maxis dresses can be cute, but for a formal wedding, you'll need to add heels and a wrap along with dressier hair if you plan on wearing one. The fabric shouldn't be t-shirt material if you are wearing it to a formal event. Most maxis are beach and cover-up attire so keep that in mind and I don't think I need to say here that flip-flops are not an option-unless it's a beach wedding..Then anything goes!

Nordstrom

Lili Pulitzer at Bloomingdales

Patio Cross- Back dress - Banana Republic

Ralph Lauren at Nordstrom

This could be cute for a younger gal as well as a stylish mature lady...Don't want to forget them.

Lili Pulitzer at Bloomingdales

Have fun whatever you do! Remember the fun people are always the most attractive no matter what they have on.

Do you have a go to you wear for weddings or do you shop for each occasion? Love to hear what all you ladies out there do!

Kim

School Daze Screeches to a Halt..

2013-05-31T10:04:00.003-07:00

Grif and buddies Nicolas and Liam in colonial garb.

Its almost the last week of school... This week just about put me over the edge. As my friend Kim said, weeks like these, you wake up hyperventilating. Really. Why does it all have to get crammed in at the last minute?

Boot Camp

Last week it was School Picnic and Boot Camp, Open House Night, Colonial Days and a Fifth Grade Music Concert that we failed to get the notice about... Yes, he survived. All for the fifth grader these activities. I forgot to add Bike Safety Night too, and that the big state report was due along with treats to share state related to class..We had Maine so it was blueberries in dixie cups for 30. He remembered about that 9:00 p.m. the night before of course.

Grif and classmate Seraphina on way to school for Colonial Days. Our Jack Sparrow Halloween jacket has served us well!

This week it started with a class water gun party that they earned. He had to bring treats to share and a water squirter (of course none of ours are to be found and new had to be bought), electronic gadgets could be brought to class and a change of clothing for those going to after school rehearsal for the Beatles chorus.. Yes, they planned the upper grades chorus show for this week. Not sure who made that decision...

Goofing around at the chorus concert with neighbor and friend Abby.

Usually its been a few weeks earlier. Sorry, but even the Beatles can't revive the checked out kids.. Chorus practices this week after school until 6 and shows Thursday and Friday. Big book report due today. Tuesday night was a special Scouts meeting and Wednesday night was the big picnic and music show for incoming fifth graders at the middle school.. We dragged over to that to catch a few tunes after the chorus rehearsal.. Almost forgot Tuesday was dress like another era day and at 7:45 that morning we were trying to recreate Richey Cunningham here...

Now we just have to get through next week's trip on Monday to mini-golf and water-slides, Tuesday is something-forget now. Wednesday is the picnic for all graduating fifth graders at the park, and finally graduation. Whew. ~~I made it~~ Oops, we made it through. He is our last one at elementary. I dearly love our school, but I have been there for 11 years with the two boys. I think I'm ready for middle school and less parent involvement! Oh wait piano recital on Sunday after..

Notice I haven't mentioned the ninth grader? The first year of high school is just about over and like everyone said it flew, literally whipped by. I'm starting to believe what they say about high school going really fast and it makes me a bit sad. He has already checked out. Seriously. After starting so enthused. things are falling between the cracks worryingly. I have heard this is a ninth grade boy thing and that they are done and burnt out by this time. I hope that is it..On a bright note he did bring home a gorgeous table crafted in wood shop class.

I'm working on getting a few things lined up for them for Summer. It's a fine balance to get them doing some fun activities, but letting them chill and enjoy the pleasures of Summer. My best memories are lazying about swimming pools, riding bikes with my pals around the neighborhood, popsicles and lemonade stands and Lake Tahoe. I don't want them to miss just being kids and the feeling of no schedule. That only happens for a short part of their lives.. With that attitude they would say we may not be Stanford material, but I think we are okay with that. I'd rather have happy kids than perfect kids....

On that note, here's the best thing I read this week. A blog some friends shared on Facebook. This mom gets real about the end of the school year and I just want to hug her.. Read this is you need a smile and some perspective!

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

Have a good weekend and if you are a parent you are almost there!!

xx

Kim

Sweaters and Shorts

2013-05-28T01:57:00.000-07:00

This time of the year, I'm ready for shorts and dresses. However, the weather can be flaky and days can fluctuate from warm to rainy and cool like we had this weekend in Northern California. The perfect solution is sweaters with shorts. I personally love this look.

I'm not talking the tacky cut-offs with raggedy edges and pockets sticking out -So Britney Spears ladies! Class up your shorts wardrobe and find some that are neither too short nor too tight. You don't want them so long either..In fact a shorter length can sometimes hit at a more flattering spot on the leg than a longer short can, so try on many..

Loving the cable knit and penny loafers. Something about a sweater is just so cozy and yet the addition of shorts say Summer. It's very East Coast where Summers in Maine and those regions can be very cool.

I'm not a huge Taylor Swift fan, but she looks very cute with these flats, little bag and sweater.

This Chanel sweater jacket looks great paired with relaxed shorts and perfect for a night out on Gwyneth Paltrow.

Kate Moss is known for wearing her cut-offs, but looks lovely in these classier shorts and cardigan.

My personal rule with shorts is always wear flats or a very low heel. There's something about high heels and shorts that I find tacky. Pretty flat sandals or ballets are perfect. (Being over 40, I am careful where I wear shorts. I wear them at the park, beach, shopping and running about. Otherwise, I default to skirts, especially when traveling.)

I love a V-neck boyfriend or slouchier sweater paired with shorts, long necklaces and flats for day and jeweled T-strap flat sandals for night. In fact some of the best sweaters are probably in your husband's closet right now! If not, J Crew has some great ones here and here and here. I've even bought them in the guys departments in smaller sizes as well.

Olivia Palermo (above and below), is the shorts queen and wears them with everything.

With a sweater and your shorts you can stay cozy, but still keep your Spring mindset!!

What do you think? Do you have any opinions on shorts? Do you think they look okay on woman over 40? Tell me what you think!

Have a great week!

Kim

Images via Pinterest, NYFW, J Crew.

California Stuff

2013-05-18T14:15:00.002-07:00

I have a few things in my back pocket I've been keeping to share with you readers and thought I'd put them all here in one post. These are some fun things for those who love California.

Sorry I've been away too long. It's that nutty time of the year again and I can hardly catch my breath with all the end of school activities.

This is short and fun and I'll be back soon with a few new posts I'm working on in the middle of the night : / and whenever possible!

In the meantime, I didn't want you to think I had forgotten you all so enjoy...

Love this Facebook page which posts gorgeous photos of California each day. ( Top photo also from We Love California.) If you are on Facebook and like their page you'll get their daily photos.

We Love California

I caught this Vogue, Live Like A Local feature this week written by Bay Area native Sally Singer. She details her favorite shops and restaurants in San Francisco, Berkley and Oakland.

Via Vogue.com

Digging this California T from this Etsy shop. They also have other states as well.

Etsy also has a lot of California necklaces that I would love to have especially this delicate one:

Etsy

Kind of fun to have the Bay Area pendant, but how cute is the Disney one? Would also be darling on a charm bracelet, non?

Etsy

How about this original vintage look letterpress print? The same tones as my Mom's day post. It could be cute in a pool bath or where you want a pop of fun color and whimsy.

Etsy

I think a California pillow would be a fun gift or souvenir. This Trina Turk one is in my favorite colors right now.

Trina Turk

I couldn't resist adding this! For our furry buds... I think I'd like to order the cat as well. :)
(As if you could get a good mug shot of your pet for this, right?)

Pet ID Tag here

I leave you this...

Click on the almost x shape to the right of the HD to see in full screen which you must! I can't stop watching this. I feel so peaceful. This video was made by Andrew Julian and he has a Facebook page with his other videos of Paris and more. What a talented guy.

Hope you all have a lovely sunny weekend!

Kim

Stuff I Like and Mother's Day Gift Ideas!

2013-05-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

Still shopping for Mother's Day? I had a chance to get out and browse a bit this week and found lots to love. If you're still needing ideas here's a few things that would put a little pop into any mom's wardrobe. I'd be thrilled with any of these. Hint, hint. ;D

I might think about a semi-regular post with good finds... This was so fun!

Here's a few finds for mom in the mint and citrus tones that I'm loving for Spring and Summer..

From top left clockwise.. Click on names to get to the site..

1. I can't say how much I love this little key fob/wallet in mint and tan from J.Crew. I want this for my beach bag.

2. This Stella McCartney scarf is a splurge, but the fabric is so gorgeous. I'd never take it off.

3. I'm thinking this J.Crew link bracelet would be chic with whites and has a luxe look to it.

4. Okay how clever is this Kate Spade popsicle coin purse? Perfect for a bike to the ice cream store!

5. I love Tory Burch flip flops and may finally replace my 3 year old ones with this new floral style. I think these are the best $50 upgrade to your Summer wardrobe.

6. The colors of this Cole Haan shopper tote are so pretty and would be super for Summer days at the beach or for travel.

Don't forget all the special moms in your life! Sometimes just a call, a card or being together is the best gift of all.

Wishing all you moms out there a wonderful weekend!

xxKim

The Bride's Cafe

Getaways - The Clement Monterey and Pebble Beach

2013-05-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

Just getting my post out about our trip to beautiful Monterey a few weeks ago. Last getaway we were down here, but stayed in Carmel Valley. This trip we had our kids off for Spring Break and chose to stay in Monterey, right next to the ocean. It's such a fun place for families and a gorgeous part of the world.

Looking down on Cannery Row from our room.

We stayed at The Clement, an Intercontinental Hotel, which was recently built and is right on Cannery Row. It's location cannot be beat. We were about ten steps from the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Right on the Cannery Row, you are on the waterfront as well as a great path that you can walk or bike all the way to Pacific Grove.

We visited the aquarium earlier this year so this time we opted to go to Carmel and fool around a bit before an early check in to our hotel. My guys always have to stop at the Cottage of Sweets and we also love The Carmel Roasting Company.

Personally my two favorite shops are The Carmel Bay Company which is filled with unique housewares, books, rugs, prints and things I never see anywhere else. I bought a French mustard jar this time. I'm also crazy about this cute shop, Jane Austen at Home which feels like a little English parlor with antiques and bits any Anglophile would adore.

After a stop for coffee and sweets, we took a walk on Carmel Beach, which is one of the most lovely beaches in California and has some supreme dog watching. They love their dogs here and the variety of hounds seen is always fun. Good people watching as well... This is a fantastic spot for a sunset picnic too.

A shot of Carmel Beach. Looking right you can see Pebble Beach and the lodge in the distance.

We were here in late April and let me tell you, everything colorful was in bloom. I don't think there is a more gorgeous time to visit. However, Monterey Bay is just amazing anytime of year.

Some snaps from the beautiful Clement . I was in love with the flowers, the rooms and the sea urchin light fixtures...

This hotel had service as well as style. Everyone made you feel so welcome. We checked in early and stretched out a bit in the pretty and spacious room. I liked the fireplace for chilly nights, it had a desk or vanity to work on and my favorite thing was the chair and ottoman by the window.

I snuck in a bit of reading here with the fire on while the boys went to the pool with my husband. They have a rooftop pool and jacuzzi which was perfect. Monterey is cool a lot of the year, but the pools were warm. There is a pretty spa as well as a workout room overlooking the pool. If you have smaller ones and want a night out, there is a kid's activity club with a large climbing wall.

My son on his way back from the pool looking out over Cannery Row from The Clement's bridge. I appreciated all the details like little lights that look like portholes and ocean themed design throughout.

While the boys hung out, my husband and I went downstairs to the bar for happy hour and listened to the live guitar music. You can take your cocktails outside and sit on one of the patios overlooking the bay. I loved how kayakers paddled by and sea otters were floating and relaxing in the kelp maybe 30 feet from the deck.

The next morning we had an ocean view breakfast watched the otters while eating. Excellent breakfast. I had the yogurt, California fruits and granola.

After checking out, we wandered along the coast all the way to Pacific Grove. This is one of the best parts of the Monterey coast. Once you hit Pacific Grove, you are bordering the Del Monte Forest with it's cypress trees and little deers wandering about. We stopped at one of my favorite beaches at the end of the path, Asilomar. There is a wooden path starting here that follows along the Spanish Bay golf links. The sand is so white and soft and this beach has wonderful tide pools. Also lots of surfers out here. We flew a kite and meandered on the trail.

If you have the time, go a little further past Asilomar beach and you will hit the entrance gates for the famous 17 Mile Drive. You pay a toll to get in, but it's worth it to stop at these beaches which have lots of picnic spots for lunch. You can view the sea lions along here and this time of the year are just birthing their babies, so there are shelters in place.

The drive includes a fantastic view of the Pebble Beach golf course and others and you'll see some unbelievable homes. There is the famous lone cypress tree along here and myriad photo stops. Right when you start the drive, you can catch The Inn at Spanish Bay on your right. There's a fun place to have a drink here overlooking the golf links by fire pits. You can also have dinner at Roys there and if you are there at sunset, hear the bagpipers play.

Coming back here and seeing the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February one year is on my bucket list for sure.

One of the beaches along the drive and the famous cypress tree below.

So many gorgeous homes to spy on this drive.

This time we opted to stop at Pebble Beach Resort near the end of the drive, and grab a bite. You should not miss a walk into the lodge. The view is legendary. You can have lunch at a few spots here including the clubby Tap Room.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach

We had lunch at a new restaurant here called The Bench. First of all, the design of this place...swoon!

The Bench at Pebble Beach

I was in love with the white marble, white tiles, open pantry, navy banquettes, and a glass roof. This could be my dream kitchen!

If that wasn't enough, they had me at ice tea. Look how mine came...

I'm a sucker for these kind of details. Did I mention the waiter's chic bow-ties? You can choose to sit outside on some very comfy couches as well, over looking the bay. We had wood-fired pizzas, caprese salad, potato leek soup - all delicious. I do think The Bench was reasonable for a fancy resort and I'd venture to say that you could probably eat for the same price as buying sandwiches at the Pebble Beach Deli and Market, also on resort property.

I thought the name was strange, but my oldest read the menu (apparently while I was covertly sneaking photos) and told me later there once was a bench where the current restaurant is and that was where the deal was made to buy the Pebble Beach resorts back from foreign owners. (Gee, I think I'm shocked when they actually read the menu!)

Another view from the main lobby...

You know if you are on the drive it's really worth a stop here. Even if you can't afford to check in, the lodge alone is worth a visit to see the history here and the views! There are also some terrific shops in a small outdoor shopping arcade.

Of course there are many wonderful golf courses and if you cannot swing Pebble Beach there is Pacific Grove, Poppy Hills, Spyglass, Cypress Point and Spanish Bay! They are all fabulous and front the same ocean and forest area.

I've only touched on a bit of Carmel and Monterey. There is even more to see and do. Next getaway posts, I'm going to share some other favorites including wineries, more shops and restaurants, and the Big Sur area as well.

Thanks so much for reading!

Kim

Weekend Report

2013-04-29T00:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend I did more Spring tidying and brightening up. I cannot believe the crazy warm weather here. My flowers and plants are growing like it's June. A bit worrying really. I put away the heavy coats and scarves and hung out lightweight jackets and canvas totes. Espadrilles and flip-flops have already taken over in the boot basket!

I'm rearranging the kitchen a bit more and used my open shelves to stack my whites. I'd love to remodel the whole kitchen with open shelving, but that's not going to happen anytime soon, so this is going to have to suffice. I love having everything out where you can see. Eliminates a lot of clutter.

We made a little alfresco dinner on Friday. I am crazy for artichokes right now. My family likes a dip we make with 3 parts mayonnaise with one part dijon and a squeeze of lemon, salt, pepper and whatever herbs you've got growing. My new favorite white wine with this is Decoy Sauvignon Blanc. I got that little tip from a local gal, The Creeping Fig. Check out her Facebook page. She has a fun alfresco dinner party video and many wonderful ideas for gardening and decor!

Saturday morning I visited some new model homes nearby with a few friends. I always love to check them out and steal a few decorating ideas. These homes were gorgeous inside. I particularly loved their use of colors and patterns. I snuck in some snaps with my phone.

One of the rooms above and a boy's room that I would love to try to copy, below.

I also loved this little vignette some clever designer created on a desk near the entrance of the home...

So I went home and tried my own version with the use what you have at home method! I like to putter around like that when I can.

Also love this new tray I bought at Pottery Barn. It's oversized and it will fit all my magazines, books and even a tray for drinks. The men folk are saying it is taking up some of their foot room on the ottoman. :P They do not embrace change around here.

We enjoyed Saturday at home and yes there was time for my youngest and his pal Abby to give her dog Ruby some wagon rides. Not sure how much Ruby liked it...

Snapped this on a wall on the way to dinner at Santana Row in San Jose with my husband on Saturday night. It was crazy there and we didn't get to eat where we hoped.

We found a table at the Mexican restaurant there. I love all Mexican food, but this place was horrible. Have you ever eaten cactus? Let me just say do not bother.. Anyway still good to have a date night! out. My husband cracks me up. This is him waiting while I shopped a bit. He has absolutely no interest whatsoever in shopping, but he did swear a garbage can was opening a lid on its own...We were laughing like lunatics..That's the kind of things he tells me when I'm asking whether or not he likes one pillow or another!

Finally, we drove up to San Francisco on Sunday to catch the de Young Museums' exhibition of Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring!! If you read this blog you may have caught this post where I wrote about the painting and Vermeer and how his art has influenced so many.

It was a gorgeous day. Unfortunately, my sons were being total turds. Just keeping it real friends. Usually they are so good about going to museums and you know it just didn't happen today. They basically ruined the trip with their gripes and had no interest at all in listening to the headsets etc. We left as soon as we went through (painful) and I bought a few post cards of my favorite pieces in the show. You know teenage boys and tweeners especially are a real challenge with family activities sometimes..

Golden Gate Park..

Anyway, I got to see the girl and that was a thrill!

Hope your weekend was great!

Kim xx

Getting Green- One of my Personal Passions

2013-04-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

Okay this post is a little late as Earth Day was Monday. I just had to do a little piece on being greener..

Living in Northern California, the importance of this is emphasized everywhere and I do appreciate it. I don't consider myself or my family to be eco-warriors, but we try to do our part. What that part is, is just a few things that we can all do and that are easy.

An Anthropologie Earth Day display.

I don't know if you are as old as I am, but do you remember that commercial in the 1970's with the Native American chief crying and walking among the trash? It may be corny, but that ad really affected me as a kid. As a little girl, I would be shocked if I saw someone throw trash out! I think it's stuck with me all these years. Being green seems like the right thing to do.

A few years back, when my youngest was in kindergarten, a friend who was the home and school club president asked me to start a Green Team at our school. I had no idea what I was doing, but I liked the chance to educate my kids about being more green- and why it mattered. Our team has grown the years and we have has a lot of wonderful leaders.

We've done Earth Day fairs, costume swaps, planted gardens and even art contests using recycled items. The biggest impact though was getting recycling and this year composting of lunch waste. Lot's of red tape to get this going, but after 5 years of persistence, it's working and the students are so good about doing this. I'm so proud of all the caring elementary kids!

One of Earth Day fairs two years ago and parents who participated.

Sadly, our high school does not even have recycle bins about in the lunch area because they claim the kids don't use it. It's terrible that grammar school kids can do this, but not teens? I say let's expect the best of kids and that they do this.

Of course parents help shape the attitude of their kids towards being green. Some are just not on board. It's not important to them. How though, you can raise a caring individual in this world and not talk about caring for our planet too?

I just have a few pet peeves... One is families who are less than a block away from our school who daily pile their kids into an SUV to drive to school each morning instead of walking. Then there are the moms in the car pick-up line in their huge cars with the motor running for 20+ minutes while they wait for their child to get out of school. I'm guessing these are the same folks with a 48 pack of water bottles in the back of the car and nary a reusable shopping bag.. And some families do not even make use of their recycle bins at all. Okay, I'm done ranting.

Here's a few things we try to do in our house. I say try! We aren't perfect, but it's a start. If we all did a little more, it adds up.

- Reusable shopping bags! I love having cute ones. My favorites are from travels like The Jane Austen Center in Bath and Harrods. My friend Kim brought me one back from a grocer in France. Assert your style while shopping and it's one less tree or plastic item used on the planet! (I'm sorry I don't buy the argument that they are unclean. You can always use your washer or wipe them out.)

(While we are on this, you do know that plastic bags are bad because plastic is a nonrenewable and petroleum derived product that takes very long to break down? When it does the tiny particles contaminate the soil and water system and ultimately end up in our food chain. Always choose paper if you are without a bag. It's can be reused at least and recycled.)

Apartment Therapy

- I never take a shopping bag in the mall if I can help it. A fancy bag for my mascara ? Really? You can throw it in your purse. Another reason to always have a tote bag like Europeans carry. It's your purse as well as your shopping bag.

Feed bags are one of my favorite totes.

-Bike and walk whenever you can. Weekdays can be crazy at out house, but on weekends we try to make at least one bike trip to the grocery store. My husband has a backpack and I have a wicker bike basket to carry things. The kids go too and can lug things. It's fun and you feel so good doing this!

A grocery run.

-Kids bike, scooter or walk to school when they can.

- If you make lunches for yourself or your kids, invest in reusable containers. You'll save money and prevent plastic baggies from ending up in the water system. If you have to have baggies on hand choose paper waxed ones like we grew up with. Much less toxic to the Earth.

- Water bottles! Buy them for the family. We have loads. I try never to resort to individual plastic bottles, only when we are desperate. A plastic water bottle emits toxic chemicals being made and once produced is here to stay. The average bottle does not biodegrade and can be here 400+ years. They can be recycled, but 90% end up in landfills. What is shocking is the fact that each year the oil used to produce these bottles could fuel one million cars! We need to phase these out, but when you see folks leaving Costco with flats of these bottles the message is still not getting through or people don't care.

Getting ready to walk to school with his rain coat. :)

-Another thing that we can all try is consuming less and using things already on this planet. Did you know that the clothing industry is one of the most polluting in world, second only to oil in terms of toxic chemicals and pollution of water? Yet how often do we think of that when we buy a new shirt? Almost never I bet. By buying recycled goods we are lessening the impact of these industries on the planet.

-First and foremost, buy less. Growing up in the 1970s, we bought clothes when school started and when Summer came. Oh how things have changed. What happened to us? We Americans are use shopping as a pastime and hobby. We go to the mall to entertain ourselves and buy new clothes almost all the time. It helps to take stock of your closets and purge what you don't wear, keep the best and have less. If you know what is exactly in your closet, you won't be tempted to shop all the time. When you add something it should be something you need or really love. It's worth buying quality too as it's more likely the items are made ethically. That five buck T-shirt may be so cheap because of child labor or poor working conditions and practices. It's not a bargain if it's bad for the planet.

-Another alternative, if you have to shop, is to check out vintage, resale or thrift stores. We have great one locally called Crossroads Trading Company. You can sell back your clothing and you can buy clothes here barely worn for very little. I love how this place merchandises by color and designers. I love how you can get an Anthropologie sweater here with the tags still on for $7. If you can find the right vintage or trading store you will become a convert.

-Start a garden. Even if it's a small patch of lettuce or herbs in a container. You will love growing your own food. Organic food is good for the Earth and for your body. Did you know recent studies have proven that a year on an organic vegetable and fruits can actually eliminate heavy toxins and chemicals that have been stored in the body? Another great reason to eat organic. Also, the more we buy organic, the less it will cost to us all.

I never have thought of myself as a green kind of person. However, I later realized that I had been living green in many ways just from how I was brought up. We always had a garden thanks to my father. I had green beans strung over my windows in the Summers, (My window looked over the garden and I still love the smell of wet dirt.) Our dad had a greenhouse complete with a compost bin filled with worms. As a kid, it was kind of fun. We grew up eating vegetables and anything that my dad grew. We even had chickens and got fresh eggs. Having a grandmother who grew up in the depression we learned not to throw things out and that most anything could be repurposed in another way.

What started as one generations way to be smart with money became another generations way of doing the right thing for the earth I guess. So if you look at the past, I think you could say our grandparents' and parents were a lot more greener.

If you have children, these are values like any other that need to be taught. You can't have caring and thoughtful kids who don't give a whit about the planet.

No one should stress about these things, but we make decisions each day that together can change the world. I truly believe that.

Let's do it! I'd love to hear more green ideas from you all.

Thanks for reading and I hope you don't mind me sharing something I'm passionate about.

Have a good weekend!

Kim

Spring Breakers

2013-04-19T00:47:00.000-07:00

Yes it was Spring Break around here this week and we opted to stay home for once. I have to say, we are surprisingly enjoying it. I cancelled all sports, piano, tutoring and appointments so we had nothing to rush off to. My kids got the luxury this week of doing mostly what they wanted with their days.

We kicked off the week by inviting a friend over who was alone all week with her 3 children while her husband traveled for work. She needed a break and was just relaxing and sipping wine as we were watching the kids enjoy some water hijinks outside. As she started to relax, we watched our sons and she said this is just bliss, watching them having fun. Literally, five minutes later, my dear friend was on the way to the emergency room when her son kicked a jar and then stepped right on the broken glass. He foot had the deepest gash...Thankfully, 7 stitches and 3 hours later he was back, but what a start to the vacation! My friend just couldn't get a break.

We broke out the badminton set with all the warm weather.

I spent some time enjoying the plants that have bloomed in my yard like the jasmine above.

The ninth grader kicked the week off with an all night Lord of the Rings movie and junk food marathon with his buddies. He had a blast- and slept 17 hours straight the next night! That's okay we had no where to go.

The fifth grader actually spent some time playing with items he owns (imagine that) and giving quality time to his guinea pig, which was sorely needed. Together we spent some time doing art stuff and staying up late watching a few shows we like.

I got to play my first tennis match of a new season Saturday with my awesome friend Gigi and we won! If you know me this is huge because I'm not the most competitive person. If I had to say what I like best about tennis it's the friends, socials, and outfits in that order...No one ever really admits that though do they? :D Our team is called Orange Crush and so far we are. Maybe I'm actually getting athletic in my old age...

We visited my friend Karen's new puppy named Boomer... How sweet is this guy?

We fit in time to visit grandma and papa and have lunch together as well as a trip to our favorite bookstore in Willow Glen, Hicklebee's. This beloved store was my boy's favorite place as kids and it usually included grandma spoiling them with a book or toy from there.

Now Hicklebee's has a wonderful regular book section as well. My Dad and I browsed the cooking section and my Mom and I chatted about biographies. (She's reading Shirley McLane's daughter's book now and apparently Shirley was a horrific mother!...but I'm digressing here.) I came away with no less than 3 books for myself and some for the boys. Well okay and a bug vacuum for the younger. :P Then my Dad treated us to lunch.. Things we never get to do- you know? I really love time with my parents and life gets so busy and daily it doesn't happen.

Bought some flowers too!

Today we spent the morning taking my 95 year old Grandmother shopping. She needs some shopping days since she stopped driving a year ago (amazing right?) and it gives the boys a chance to help her. She loves that these, "big strong boys," as she calls them, can take her arm through the store, fetch her items, push her cart and carry her groceries in for her. We then spent a nice lunch chatting about my Grandma's high school years in many diverse places like Lake Chelan, Washington and in the dessert town of El Centro, California. Her father had a flourishing cement business and when the depression came the family was forced to become migrant packers of fruit and traveled far and wide to make ends meet. To hear her tell it, they were the luckiest people in the world and she had a wonderful childhood.

I love for my boys to hear about her life. Though people would say kids today have it all, I would venture to say that they are missing out. They will experience much less life than the generations before us due to all the electronics, computers and phones. They may have less adversities and challenges, but also less appreciation for life. I think we could all use more time with older generations. They have so much to share if we will listen. I try to make my boys ask her a lot of questions. :)

We cleaned rooms a bit and closets. Even caught up with the laundry.. I have seen the bottom of the basket people! I bought some new plants for the yard. And for the first time since we moved here, a had a whole fence of roses bloom.

Last year our neighbors' behind us removed a 45 year old Monterey Pine that had been dying and basically weeping all over our yard. It also was about 75% on our side and that part of the yard was shrouded in shade most of the year. It seems the roses which had been planted many years before this tree grew so large were anemic. After about a year of shock from climate change, they have blossomed better than I dreamed.

This week was their coming out and last week, our Wisteria. The Wisteria was brutally, "trimmed," (and I use that in the lightest of terms- it was basically hacked machete style) by rogue lawn guys parading as ones who knew what they were doing last year. The result was almost no blooms last Spring, which was so awful.

This year I took charge and it came back in all it's glory thank goodness. I also started my garden thanks to help from my dad and my sugar snap peas, lettuce, carrots and radishes are on the way. This warm Spring has helped.

I even shuffled the kitchen a bit and decided I'd rather have my dry goods out on the counter in random jars than back in the pantry in plastics. It's making baking and cooking easier by being right there. Plus I like the open pantry and kitchen look right now and it feels a bit fresher.

And on a totally unrelated note, duck pairs are out in full force! This couple was second of many I have seen this week. The mallards are everywhere waddling around and it's sweet.

Tomorrow we will venture out to Monterey for a night getaway for the kids at The Clement on Cannery Row. We will probably have a picnic at the beach and wander around the town of Carmel-by-th-Sea. It's a quite different from Carmel Valley and I can't wait to write a little post about it and share my favorite stops.

My photos of Monterey Bay last Fall..

I hope you have all had a good week. I know many of you are on getaways and I look forward to hearing all about them.

The gun vote this week really got me down, Also, I can't stop thinking of Boston and all the innocent people hurt by that horrible tragedy. I'm also thinking of the bravery and kindness of those who helped to save many lives. There's so much goodness in so many people. Try and remember that.

Sending you all some California Sun. xx

Kim

Getaways- Carmel Valley and Bernardus Lodge

2013-04-09T22:57:00.001-07:00

I've been away for a bit and had a trip down to one of my favorite spots in all of Northern California, Carmel Valley. Sorry blogging took a bit of a backseat last week! After Easter, I felt I just had to get a grip on my house, get it all in order and did a bit of heavy-duty Spring cleaning. You know under couch cushions and all that? So I was so happy to get a little break away from it all.

I just bought one of these basic woven totes for Spring and Summer from J Crew and using it a ton for a purse to a pool bag and it's great. Link here

My husband's birthday landed on Easter this year, so thanks to my parents, we got away one night down to Bernardus Lodge, the weekend after. This is the perfect couples resort. It's quiet, beautiful and once you check in, you need go no where else. Seriously. It is all I would wish for in a resort.

Rooms have toile and a provencal feel while still being modern and fresh .

There are no bad rooms here. All are beautiful with fireplaces, patios and dreamy bedding. You check in and they have your pantry stocked with their fine Bernardus wines, crackers, gourmet cheese, chips, home made blondies, popcorn and sodas. All on the house. Really.

The view from the lodge lobby of the surrounding hills.

The large pool is quiet, lovely and if you encounter a cooler day in this sunny spot you can use the pool at the spa, which you have all day access to and is always 100 degrees and in a lovely walled garden.

They have croquet. They have tennis. They have 2 fabulous restaurants. They have a beautiful spa with a fire to cozy up by and sip your herbal tea and nibble on dried apricots and California almonds.

Even the tennis courts were pretty.

Coming here from the Bay Area, I like taking time to meander our way down the coast. One of my musts is to stop at Curious Books at the Crossroads Shopping Center to browse their amazing selection of books and magazines. They have the latest and greatest in books and it's a treat. Next door is The Carmel Roasting Company if you want to grab a latte and soak up the pretty flowers here. One more store over is a French and Italian inspired home store I love to browse called Casa Di Campagna. The Crossroads is where Carmel and Carmel Valley meet at highway 1. You could also stop for lunch here. Lots of great spots to grab a bite.

Corkscrew Cafe

However, I do love to eat in Carmel Valley at a charming spot called Corkscrew Cafe. It's right as you enter the village of Carmel Valley on the left. This place is adorable and I have only had lunch, but I imagine it would be fun at night with all their strings of lights above. It's cozy inside where they make wood-fired pizzas and their own bread. Or you can sit outside on the gravel patio on provencal cloth covered tables and sip wine. They have the good fortune to be directly connected with Georis Winery next door and you can try a flight or a glass of some terrific wines. Georis also has a huge outdoor area to wine taste.

If you are into more wine tasting you can visit Bernardus Winery just up the road a bit more. Bernardus is my favorite and has the best chardonnays and pinot in this region in my opinion. There is also many wine tasting rooms in Carmel Valley and you can visit many more depending how much time you have. Being in Carmel Valley is a treat with the lush hills, olive trees and warm sunny weather. After spending a day bundled up near Carmel-by-the-Sea, the sun feels almost decadent here. There is always sun here.

Now about Bernardus. There are a lot of other lovely lodges in this area, but if you are on a couples weekend, this is your place. As I mentioned you don't need to leave once you check in. There are pools, restaurants, and fireplaces outside and inside to linger at and enjoy a glass of the truly fabulous wine they make.

Wickets the outdoor restaurant.

We sat by both pools, had wine on our patio with the lavender and fennel infused Purple Haze Chevre and home made crostinis. Yum. We played tennis. We ate dinner outside and played croquet. Breakfast can be outside overlooking the croquet lawn or inside the pub-like Wickets, their more casual restaurant. Having the NY Sunday Times, with a pot of tea, and French toast I was in heaven.

Just walking the grounds with all the fabulous plants and provencal inspired landscape made me want to go home and rip out my yard and plant all these fragrant bushy herbs.

This pool is a great place for a book.

When I check out all I can think of is, when can we go again?!

If you are thinking of Carmel Valley here a few other resorts to consider that I also recommend:

Carmel Valley Ranch -Gorgeous and family friendly. Modern spacious rooms and a outstanding restaurant, spa, tennis and golf. This is the resort for a family with young kids. They have an adjacent pool club with lots to do for the small guys and s'more roasting by the firepits in the evening.

Quail Lodge- Recently reopened, we have had many trips here when my boys were small. They always enjoyed the bocce ball and a mini golf course here as well as the pool. Lovely grounds and a very fun Mexican restaurant - Baja Cantina, about 20 steps across the road made for a great family getaway here. I'm hoping to visit this newly opened version soon.

California Poppies at Bernardus.

In other news, Brenda was the winner of a custom made piece of art by Bonnie of a PerfectColor Bonnie will be contacting you Brenda to get your specifications and favorite colors. Brenda, we need your email so can you leave a comment or email me (it's on the profile link here), so we can get that to you asap!

Seems like everyone is off on some kind of Spring break this time of year. The nature this Spring has been so pretty that I've been using my Instagram a ton. Yes, I finally got the hang of it after a year...I do love that I you can have your own page now which is a collage of sorts. I love collages. So if your into Northern California and the abundance of nature here you can follow me here if you do Instagram. I think it's fun and you can't take a bad picture since all those filters and frames really brighten things up. You probably noticed I used quite a few on this post from my Bernardus trip.

By the way, In all these posts, I am not paid to endorse anything. These are just trips to places I love and that I hope you will get to visit and love too..

Wishing you all a beautiful Springtime!

Kim

All photos property of Northerncalstyle

Easter California Style -Lunch at Leasa's

2013-03-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

The most fun day happened this week when my friend Leasa hosted a birthday lunch for our dear friend Cristina and a few of us. Birthday lunches usually mean restaurants which are nice, but often loud and a bit crazy. Having lunch at someone's home is such a treat I don't know why we don't do it more often. It was something to look forward to at Leasa's home as she is a great cook and a relaxed and fun hostess.

Her home was decorated in anticipation of Easter and for her darling little girls, Peyton and Coco. How cute is her centerpiece? She loves putting these things together. I wish I could. Her little daughters loved that their bunnies were part of the arrangement.

When you walk in her lovely home the dining room is to the right, so her cute decor welcomed us in. I only had my IPhone, so I had to do the best I could to show how darling and happy she made her home look! I love her home which is so pretty, chic and bright. I love the paint color in here and her chandelier, window coverings and mirrors.

Her home sits on an historic street in our town and she and her husband renovated it keeping it basically the same size, but opening it up. From the front, it appears as it probably did 100 years ago which is so neat I think. Inside it's all you could want from a home. It's open warm, cozy and bright and not over-sized. If I could design a home from scratch I would use her blueprint which is brilliant.

Darling Leasa and her puppy George who thinks he's a cat. You can tell what a relaxed home this is.

Our friend Hang helping Leasa plate her home made pesto which is so healthy is includes arugula and avocados (how Californian is that?) It was delicious!

We had some fun. The sweet birthday girl, Cristina above right.

Leasa (okay I never look this cute being hostess), finishing her salmon with fresh ginger before putting it in the broiler. It was the best salmon I have ever had and that is the truth.

I love her decor which is a mix of black and white, mercury glass and little found objects. A few snaps of how she mixes it and makes it look amazing. I think she could be a stylist.

Who would think to decorate your cooktop, but I love this.

Loving her counter stools too.

Her black honed granite counters are perfect with the white cabinetry and natural wood accents like her woven window coverings and floors.

I just loved the table settings and how she used a little gift for each place card.

As if this party wan't good enough, our friend Catrin (yes, that Catrin of the Swedish-California Christmas I wrote about), made the most delicious desserts for us all without any egg or dairy, since the birthday girl was allergic. This chocolate mousse was so rich and can you believe this was made with cocoa, bananas and avocados? Hey would you expect any less of us Northern California girls? Darn good too.

Hope this gives you some Easter ideas if you celebrate! Here's to more lunches at home. I plan to do this next. It really does feel like a huge treat to do this. Thank you Leasa for allowing me to show everyone your lovely California home!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Kim

California Family Style- Amanda Pays & Corbin Bernsen

2013-03-27T00:22:00.000-07:00

About a zillion years ago I tore out a spread of the home of Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen from House and Garden. It was one of my very favorite homes ever with it's simple elegance. It was their first home and their children were babies. So it was fun to see their latest collaboration published this month along with their beautiful family all grown up.

C Magazine and Country Living both has spreads on their lovely family and the California home they have crafted together. I love that Corbin, (formerly on L.A. Law and now stars on USA networks, "Psych,") was a carpenter before becoming an actor and still loves doing all their home renovations along with his wife. Amanda (remember her from Max Headroom?) owned Ireland-Pays design shop with designer Kathryn Ireland. Amanda left acting to concentrate on her family and has been doing interiors along with raising their four boys.

The House and Garden article and their original home which I believe they sold to Steve Martin. The mix of rustic beams, white walls and English chintz made it uniquely Californian and so fresh for the time. Aren't they adorable here?

Amanda with her twins, Angus and Henry. They are now 21years old! Amanda looks the same though.

Kathryn Ireland wrote the article. I especially loved the yellow drapes pulled back and the floral sofa.

More great mixes here Bauer pottery and a simple table and chairs in the dining room.

The kitchen beams were amazing. I love this whole space. Yellow tile backsplash made this room so sunny. This was a gorgeous home and I can't imagine selling it, but redoing homes is their hobby.

Now their new home in Valley Village, which is an area in North Hollywood... You can see some similarities remain. This is a much more modest home and more green. A trend we are all moving towards..

This home is a mix of family treasures, travel finds and salvaged items given new life. Amanda recovered this flea market sofa in Ikea linen fabric and it looks amazing. Flea markets and garage sales are where they like to hunt for home things. (C Magazine)

Another version of the room. Interesting to see how each magazine styled it differently. (Country Living)

The kitchen is salvaged wood, concrete counters and appliances from Sears. A very rustic-industrial mix here. Amanda painted the lemon picture. That's a project we could all do. Loving the tile backsplash.

More views of the fabulous kitchen...

The hanging mugs and chicken wire behind the glass are two other favorites of mine. I noticed they had both in the original home's kitchen.

The bathroom is painted like a wainscoting with two tones. I like how they let the Pennsylvania bluestone floor be the star here and it's gorgeous!

They added rustic beams like this one in the bath.

The entry with their whippet. They wired that lantern to be a lamp. A great DIY project! Floors were painted Benjamin Moore's Gray Timber Wolf.

The master bedroom. The lavenders look so soothing together. Beds here and below were from Room and Board. Sunset throw is from West Elm.

Two of the brothers share a loft for painting and sleeping. Corbin built this loft in a barn space for them. Their close family has all four of the boys ages 14, 24, and 21 year old twins still at home.

A salvaged rocker gives a spot to relax.

In the yard with their four boys. Corbin and his brother built the yard furniture. I'd like to get the French park ground cover look myself. It's got to be greener than lawn and less work, more charm.

These photos, from the C Magazine spread, show how they converted the yard to all drought-tolerant natives like olive trees, lavender and agave plants. I love this look!

According to C Magazine, Amanda's version of green living is recycling and restoring as much as possible..For a Hollywood family it's admirable in a world of Kardashians and the like. It's a goal that's attainable for us all. This family is more successful than ever, has bigger size kids and actually downsized! Why spend more when you could spend less, live stylishly and reuse what is already out there? This family is my new inspiration. Live simply and live better!

Don't forget about a Perfect Color contest! You still have until Sunday to enter to win a custom made piece of art. See my previous post or click here! I so could see one of Bonnie's art pieces in Corbin and Amanda's current home!

Kim

photos: C Magazine, CountryLiving.com, Home and Garden.

A Perfect Color and a Contest!

2013-03-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

For the past several years, our elementary school has held an art auction at the end of the year. Each class makes an original piece of art that incorporates something about the kids and sometimes what they are learning. It also has to look like art that you would want to hang in your home and therefore bid on, which raises money for the school. I remember when one mom started helping organize and inspire these art projects. What a ton of time, but they were all gorgeous. I bid on many they were so bright and fun and what a great memory for your child. Well, that talented lady, Bonnie, now a friend of mine, ended up doing this for 5 years and was just beginning to realize this might be a path to something else...

In her own words,

"Claireʼs elementary school needed a volunteer to head up the art auction fundraiser so when asked, I said yes. I spent five years working on art with children. I developed dozens of art projects for kids and in the process learned a great deal about design, color and technique. I also taught summer art classes to children in my garage, teaching them about the elements and principles of design. At some point, I thought to myself, why havenʼt I been doing this all my life? I am passionate about designing and drawing. I am in love with vibrant colors and the happiness they add to life. I could sit down at my desk and do this all day long! I love that with art, there is no wrong way to do it. So I decided to begin creating art of my own. But first, I needed to find a style and brand of art that I could call my own."

The result is A Perfect Color, Bonnie's own Etsy shop featuring her very unique art. Bonnie's playful, colorful pieces are happy and bright. All pieces are original. I can think of so many spots I would love to hang one or a group of them.

A grouping in Bonnie's beautiful home...That could be another blog post!

Some works in progress at her desk.

Four more of my favorites below...

Bonnie uses different combinations of chalk, pastels, paint and stains to create her art.

These Tuscan colored ones are some of my favorites.. I think the pop of red is perfect to liven up a white or neutral decor.

Don't you think Bonnie's art would be so perfect as we freshen up for Spring? I'm personally tired of my drab decorating. I'd love to add some of these pieces over a coat of fresh white paint and find some pillows in matching colors to bring some Spring to my rooms!

Her Etsy shop is full of inspiring pieces if you are looking to start fresh and give a more playful look to your home.

Bonnie has generously agreed to create a custom piece for one lucky reader in their perfect color!

You can enter several ways.
1. Visit Bonnie's aPerfectColor Etsy shop and pin a photo of your favorite piece of art.
2. Follow her Etsy shop on the left side of her page.
3. Follow this blog by either signing up for Bloglovin (top left of this page) or Google Friend connect.
4. Follow NorthernCalStyle on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest.
5. Leave a note on comments about which you did. Each action gets another entry! Make sure you leave you contact info so Bonnie can email you to find out what your perfect colors are for your custom made work!!

Good luck everyone!

Kim

Spring Stuff + Kate Spade's Saturday Line

2013-03-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here and I'm coveting the new Saturday line by Kate Spade. Have you seen the items in this new lower price point line? The simple shapes and colors are so fun. This whole line including the round sunglasses remind me of pictures of my mom in the 1960s. Have a look.

I love that this is a capsule collection that is easy to mix and match. It may be the ideal travel wardrobe. The shift shirts are easy to pair with skirts. The dresses are statements on their own

Other details I dig are pockets. There's lots on dresses and on skirts. I can see some of these could become classics.

Looks like right now these items are only online at Saturday.com unless you live in Japan where they have 3 shops.

Let's hope Spring weather comes along soon. I'm excited to wear my new Kork-ease I scored at Marshalls.

After wearing these about the house for 15 minutes, I wished all my shoes were this comfy. Serious. These give Uggs a run for their money. Now I see why they have a cult following... Do they not have a California girl vibe? How about these with distressed jeans and a gauzy white blouse? Also add the perfect pale pink pedicure, a slight tan, fabulous necklace and...Sorry! Need to stay focused here...

One more thing. Check this out. An aerial photo of the tulip fields in the Netherlands via This is Colossal. Is it not fabulous?

You can also see how the Netherlands celebrates the start of Spring at Keukenhof, the worlds' largest flower garden at here and at their Instagram page to see more.

Tune in later this week for a fun give away which is all about color. I'm very excited about it.

Happy Spring to you all! Hope you're getting a little blossom in your life today!

Kim

Entry Style and Hooks

2013-03-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ahh, Saturdays...So much promise isn't there? Right now I'm sitting by the fire with my two cats and my tea. We are watching the foggy morning through the front window. The little birds are bouncing all around my giant sequoia. It appears Spring is here. I just love the quiet of the morning and having the house to myself before anyone wakes up. I'm trying to enjoy the moment, but all the weekend possibilities are swirling in my head...

Our hangout this morning watching the fog. (Me and the cat that is.)

I was waiting for that Spring cleaning urge to kick in and it finally has. I'm ready to purge and organize, but I have to be in the mood. Are you like that? If I'm not ready than I find it's not so effective. I have to be in the throw it all out state of min.! Seconding that is superior organization! I want to see what the heck we have so we use it and it doesn't just take up space. That's why I'm so in love with the look as well as the function of hooks and coat racks that seem to be everywhere right now.

Tim Barber Architecture- Im loving the simple. All one color paint helps.

I built a mud room type space in my pantry/back entry that has been functioning great. I love the heavy hooks we got from Home Depot. They hold masses of coats as well as bags.

This area was used for holding brooms and mops when we moved in. The room also had white linoleum. We repainted, had new lighting put in and changed the floor to travertine which has been so easy to care for and shows almost no dirt. My husband added the heavy hooks for me in a varied pattern. Basket is for flip flops and shoes from Target's Smith-Hawkins line.

A Summertime shot I had below. More hats, less coats and I changed the art to a Venice picture.

I loved it so much that I decided we needed a similar set up by the entry. Though we have a large closet for coats at the corner, I craved the convenience of hooks so friends and kids coming in can throw a coat, or bag on it. I also like having another spot for our scarves and totes as we run out.

Found this stripe wool rug at Homegoods. The black helps punctuate the space. (The grubby little flip-flops are my Griffins...He keeps wearing them year round and I keep hiding them!)

The chest is from my husband's family and we keep scarves, hats and gloves in it which is so handy. The hook rack is from Target. I was thinking of ordering this beautiful one below from Pottery Barn. However I wanted immediate gratification the day I was doing this and the Target one was just $29. It has done the job.

Pottery Barn link here

Now I'm on a quest to do it again for the backyard near the pool. We have a long wall with nothing. It looks kind of bare and boring. This photo inspired me to get a rack or more hooks for towels along it. How useful and cute could that be with some darling striped towels? It's a win-win. I get to style my yard up and no more wet towels draped all over the yard. Each person will have a hook, I love it.

So that's what I am going to do this weekend. I wish I had these amazing towels, couch and pillows. The dog isn't bad either. :)

Speaking of hooks, I have employed them in other areas as well...

Our pool bath has two for towels. You can never have enough to hang up suits and such. I also redid this room last year and will show that on another post. I was really happy with the color sea glass by Benjamin Moore. I used it at 75% and it's great by a pool.

We got these pictures in Hawaii. Look kind of crooked don't they? :/

I also installed a row of hooks (think these are Home Depot) behind each boy's door for backpacks, hats and coats. Really helps with the clutter control - when they use it.

Griffin's room

Jackson's room

I chose hooks for my pool room hand towels. They take up less space than a bar and this room is tiny. Only issue is children don't get how to keep them on the hook and off the ground! These hooks were from Martha Stewart at Home Depot and I chose them because they match my Pottery Barn faucet, however they are very flimsy, move around and I wouldn't go with these again.

My obsession with entry style started when I saw how Annie Diamond of one of my favorite blogs, Lovely Things designed her threshold and changed it up according to the season. Visions of her darling entry below...I love her style and everything she does inspires! You should pop over to her blog. I could read it all day. She has amazing recipes too.

Lovely Things entry post here

Some other hook looks I love:

Irene Turner Design

decordeprovence.blogspot.com _ This could be easy to DIY with a great piece of wood.

Emerson Made at home sterlingstyle.com - Always love seeing boots out too.

A Beach Cottage blog

CasaSugar

Pottery Barn When I can I would love to have an entry with chair rail moulding at this height, grasscloth wallpaper, and a new door with a window...Someday!

Are you ready to hang it up?:) You can get more inspiration from my Pinterest Mud Room's board.

Have a great weekend!

Kim

Traveling Abroad with Kids?!

2013-03-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

Traveling abroad with kids... Is it a good idea or not? Well, I am firmly on the good side for lots of reasons. Many people say wait until they can appreciate it. What exactly does that mean? If you have raised kids that feel every vacation is just for indulgence or 5 days at Disney, you may be doing your kids a disservice. Also, how can you raise good travelers who are flexible, try new foods and can stay in more than one hotel during a vacation? For one, start them seeing the world early! Let them experience the world through others eyes, on trains, subways, by foot and not just on the monorail!

Leaving from an overnight at the island Mont St Michel, Northern France. (Ages 6 and 9)

Let me just say this, if you have kids, do not let that deter you from seeing the world. My whole life I dreamed of going to France and England. It came to pass that I was turning 40 (don't want to say how long ago), and I had never been. My husband insisted we were going for my 40th, though we had young children and no one to watch them. At the time, they were six and three. I didn't know how we were going to do this, and started asking everyone who had traveled what they thought.

At the Tower of London, same trip.

Most told me forget about bringing kids if I wanted to have a good time. So discouraging. Then a mom from my school to whom I will be forever grateful, Eleanor, told me that was rubbish. She and her family had been traveling with their three kids from 18 months on and had a ball. Their kids adored travel and had been everywhere! That was encouraging. I then found Rick Steve's online and all the wonderful forums he has for traveling with kids in tow. Trip Advisor was my next salvation. I poured over reviews of hotels and restaurants that travelers had recommended as family friendly. We were going to Paris, but I didn't want to ruin the trip by stressing about being somewhere kids weren't welcome.

The London Eye

Well, the first trip was a surprising hit with us all. We planned well and made sure our kids could sleep on the 12 hour flight over. We took a lightweight stroller with us, so we could hop on and off trains and subways and the the three year old could conk out when needed. The six year old was like the energizer bunny, scanning his maps, climbing monuments and scoping out the next crepe spot in France or Cornetto kiosk in the U.K. The best thing about having little ones, is folks are very kind. In England and In France (yes France) people couldn't be nicer or more helpful with our strollers and crud. In fact, after 3 more trips to Europe with this crew, my husband and I think it was almost easier when they were the smallest! Go figure. Now they have opinions.

Cappuccino, pommes frites and hot cocoa stop at Tuilaires Garden, Paris

The result of all this is that my two guys love travel and family trips. Even the teenager gets excited about being cooped up with us for a few weeks. I look forward to the times when we are all day together exploring new cities and our make shift picnics by rivers or in parks. I love the nights in hotels playing board games and cards in the lobby or bar together. I am grateful to be able to show and see the world with my children.

Griffin showing improper use of a tea cozy at my favorite store, Liberty of London.

Parents tend to load their kids up on videos and screen things to make the flight time go better. When you are flying I think that is fine. However, we always had a rule, once there you had to have a book with you and no screens. I just wanted them to get a break from all that and be in tune with our surroundings. It worked pretty well too. I admit when the eldest was 9, I did hide the Gameboy in my suitcase, in case of a breakdown, but never needed it. He read his way through 2 novels and thank goodness for the Borders in Paris, where we got the sequel to the first. Giving kids a backpack filled with a maps and markers, and a keepsake journal helped too. Both boys have small pocket journals from each trip where they stowed post cards and tickets from castles and subway rides where we stopped. It helps to encourage them each night to write a little about their day and paste in their keepsakes. My sons also loved shopping for postcards and souvenirs.

Marveling at the selection at Hamley's 7 story toy emporium in London.

Getting a drink at one of the many water faucets in Rome.

Some things that will make your trip easier:

Gelato in Venice ( ages 9 & 12)

- Plan early and vet out the hotels, apartmants and restaurants you may hit. Family friendly is key and you can find great referrals from Trip Advisor or Rick Steve's graffiti wall.

Waiting for the tube London.

- Plan for no more than 3 stops tops. You can travel out on day trips from there, but 3 spots is usually the max with a family. Kids like to get accustomed to a place and a two week trip with 3 stops is doable. Otherwise, it's just too much transportation and not enough being there.

The boys reading before bed in our "family room" at Hotel Tardiff in Bayeux, France (Normandy.)

-Eat early and often to ward off down moods and jet lag. We found eating early (which is usual dinner hour for U.S. folks 5-6) made us less apprehensive about restaurants since most people eat later in Europe. We had places to ourselves and were out before the crowds arrived. Also make time for lot of little stops for gelato, waffles, croissants and crepes and whatever the delicacy is where you are traveling. Kids get worn down and little stops for treats give them a break and the will to keep going! I also brought ritz crackers and peanut butter for my picky eater on the first trip. It helps to have a familiar food for smaller ones handy.

-Make lunches a picnic by buying cheese, bread, sandwiches at local shops and then enjoying the parks and riverbanks of European cities. Kids get some run time and you can rest and relax.

Chocolate crepe break in Paris.

-Plan your long flights overnight if you can. I'll never forget the advice from that first mom who told me to make sure we fly to Europe overnight and leave late in the afternoon or early evening. That is a genius plan. You keep your kids up all day, (no naps if they are young) and fly a few hours before bedtime. Kids will be able to sleep some hours at least since it's usual bedtime. You arrive late morning and it's easy to adjust to the time zone change. I also don't let them have caffeine before.

A zipline at the park in London.

-Look online to find out what you want to see and some special spots for the kids.. Do a mixture of both. For example we loved taking the kids to the parks in Paris, but also brought them to the Musee D'Orsay. The kids loved the crazy ziplines at all the parks and also had some fun at the museum with headsets, and in the gift shop and collecting postcards. We had picnics in the park as well as fancy dinners. It's important to do things you want as well as your kids and it helps them learn how to behave at these places. Vacations are for parents as well as kids. Remember that.

Jackson at the steps of Montmartre, Paris.

Our first trip to the England we were near Blenheim Palace and I really wanted to visit, but felt like it may be silly to bring two small boys to a stuffy palace they would have no interest in. We did it and they did the tour of all the rooms and then had a blast on the grounds seeing falconry and watching a regiment that was visiting for the day. You never know what your kids can do if you don't try. They still remember that as a very fun day and I was happy too.

Blenheim Palace agreed with the 3 year old.

Passing the time with Daddy while waiting for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

Griffin making the most of a rainy day in Venice. ( People are like, who is that crazy child?)

-Your kids do not need to be, "older" to appreciate a trip abroad. I am all for leisure vacations, but why not inject some culture in their lives too? Can you alternate these kind of trips? I truly believe the earlier kids are exposed to other countries, rituals, food unlike their own, the better. It's also okay to get some education and appreciation squeezed in there. We took our boys to Normandy at 9 and 6. Though they were a bit young to understand the full scope of WWII, we visited Omaha Beach and the American Museum there. We talked about what has happened and given up for them. They get it. Veterans Day means something to them. I'm glad we did it and I think that kind of thing balanced with beach vacations make you a well rounded and more thoughtful person.

Pont du Hoc in Normandy

A warm day in Rome.

Remember holidays are what you make them. As they say, vacations are only perfect in hindsight. Vacations are however, an opportunity to share your love of travel and the adventure with your kids.

Hiding in the ramparts at Mont St. Michel, France

Versailles

Sweet shop in Italy.

Planning a trip can be more affordable than you think. Italy in particular, is pretty inexpensive. That was our last trip and we stayed at 2 great family friendly hotels in Venice and Rome and a wonderful old monastery up in the hills above Florence that had a great family space and a pool.

In Tuscany

One of my favorite hotels, built in the 1700s, Hotel Tardif in Bayeux.

Jackson trying a bambinoccino -(frothy milk basically.)

Getting some relax time to eat a croissant in the park while my then 3 year old took a nap.

Who says 6 years olds don't amour Paris?

Some hotels I personally love and would return to that welcome families:

Hotel Lancelot in Rome
Hotel Antiche Figure in Venice
The Malt House in Chipping Campden (the Cotswolds) England
Hotel Tardif Bayeux, France (Normandy)
Paris Address, -Wonderful apartments to rent in Paris.

I'd love to hear any places you recommend and answer any other questions that families consider traveling might have!

Kim

Trip Planning

2013-03-07T00:36:00.000-08:00

So sorry I've been away too long. I have been trying to plan our Summer vacation. We are going to Great Britain and a few other spots and I am so excited!! I live for travel. I'm addicted and it's my favorite thing in the whole world. I'm always thinking of where I want to go next. It takes a bit of effort though to make it happen especially when you are on limited budget. (The start-up budget I'll call it, but my husband won't like the tone of that ;).

So, where I've been is down the black hole of trip planning- the internet. If anyone has done this and is a Trip Advisor junkie like me, you know it's quicksand. It's all encompassing. I'll get myself bogged down with details like what did people think was the best room location, etc and it's all over. I've wasted another perfectly good afternoon debating the pros and cons of a place that doesn't even have availability for me! Arrgh!! After that, I decided not to let myself see the hotel photos or customer comments and went straight for the available dates. Duh. That was also after clicking on about 100 other places that, my friend Trip Advisor said, "I might like," which kept flashing on the sidebar! God help ADD types like me. Of course I ended up booking something a friend recommended, and none of the others after all that time. (Thank you Stefanie by the way!)

The trip is for 10 days or so this Summer to England, and meandering to Northern Germany. All I know is that we have flights coming in to London and leaving from Frankfurt. We used our frequent flyer miles to start and end at those places. We will take the chunnel or Eurostar as we have before from the U.K. to France. I'm hoping to plan out a trip that includes Belgium and Holland on the way to Germany. The rest is up to me and my internet sleuthing. That's usually how I figure these trips out. And also through the kind recommendations from others, like Stef. I would never consider using a travel agent because planning and researching is one of the best parts of travel to me. Also I would never want to let anyone else choose my hotel for me, (and that includes my husband!) Accomodations are an afterthought to him, That's where we are polar opposites.. He's Travel Lodge while I'm Four Seasons and so we meet somewhere in the middle.

We have been to London twice and I never can get enough time there. All I can think is tea time, scones, Liberty, Pimm's Cups, royal palaces, Jane Austen, Wimbledon, the list is endless and I love it all. Planning that part was pretty easy. I just had to find either an apartment or a hotel there and that took some time. Thing is, once your kids get to 12+ age people don't want the 4 of you crowding into 2 big beds, even if it would work. So they either add a huge fee daily (don't forget the lovely VAT charge) or they make you check in to a,"family" room which is usually about 5 inches larger and $100 more expensive.

the curious bumblebee

On trips past, we have done apartments and that has been very positive and so much more affordable since there are no VAT or extra fees. Everyone gets a bed or even a room, and you have a kitchen if you need it, couches, and more space. The best part is you get to know a neighborhood and I love that.
You find the bakeries, little shops and cafe's that would otherwise never be discovered staying in a big hotel in the touristy areas. Many are even serviced like a hotel. We have always been greeted by someone who gave us the lay of the land and sometimes even a cell phone to use. Occasionally, we would have to take the tube for 10 or so minutes to the center of town, but that was never hard. One site in London I stumbled on was One Fine Stay, which has stunning as well as charming flats in London. Check the site out and you will be dreaming of some of these places.

One Fine Stay

This time in London we are going hotel. I'm a bit late planning this trip. Since most of the apartments I liked are booked for the days we are going, I thought I'd try something different. My boys are older and can stay out late. I figured a hotel in the center of it all would be a little pit stop for us to pop in and go back out between museums, sightseeing and dinner. I also like the idea of going downstairs and having a drink or fancy dinner with my husband while the boys stay in the room with a movie and pizza from room service. Having a high schooler, I felt like they were old enough to be alone if we were nearby. Last trip we did this, they thought that was the best night! My younger one Griffin still asks, "Mom can we have the guy come with the rolling cart and the flowers and silver covers on the food?" Clearly, the kid could get used to this. Sorry, I tell my husband, my genes!

Speaking of traveling abroad with kids, I think it's a lot of fun. Maybe I'm crazy, but it has been a positive and enlightening experience for all of us. I highly recommend it. Later this week, I'll share my experiences traveling to Europe with kids in a post about family travel..

So tell me, do you enjoy trip planning? Do you have any secrets? And has anyone done the trip I described or have any special places they love in Holland, Belgium or Northern Germany? You readers always amaze me with your knowledge and anything you want to share I really appreciate. What about travel in London? On my list is either a day trip to Windsor or Stratford-Upon-Avon, and also we are hoping to queue for grounds admission to Wimbledon, as we will be there during the first days of the championships.

So tell me about what adventures you have planned...I'd love to hear about your plans. Summer is around the corner. I'm usually a wait and see person, but I'm trying to get a jump on things a bit earlier this year!

Kim

Piccsy

Oscars 2013 Red Carpet Hits & Misses

2013-02-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

Sooo what did you think? I was at my first ever Oscar party last night and with all the fun girl chatter I had to watch it all over again back home. I loved hashing it all out with the ladies as I'm usually viewing alone with a few snarky men in the background commenting on things they know nothing about...!

I adored Kerry Washington in Miu Miu. This color is just gorgeous and I love the bodice too.

First up, I just want to say it Seth had no business being host. Jokes were in poor taste and just not funny. I like William Shatner, but they were digging deep here. What they needed was Steve Martin or anyone else. Is it really that hard to attract good talent? Seth's big fan base is teenage boys so I don't think this was his venue.

Fashionwise, I'm thinking it was a bit dull! Too many strapless and colorless dresses. I'm a fan of the paler shades, but it's just getting a bit boring. I loved seeing those who changed it up a bit. Women are finally embracing shorter more stylish hair...We may finally see the death of the long hair extensions and fake tans. Classic beauty trends seem to be taking over and it's a nice change.

LOVED Charlize. She seems a bit tough doesn't she?

Jennifer Lawrence looked like a perfect princess as a Best Actress winner should. I think this dress was more lovely than it photographs, alas the issue with pales.

Anne Hathaway in pale pink. The way the seams hit the bustline, it was a bit retro. People thought she was cold, but it was just seaming... Keep it together guys!

Giuliana Rancic finally ditched the Malibu Barbie look and was classy and lovely. She can cool it on the teeth whitening now though.

I loved Jennifer Garner in this Gucci. She just seems like the nicest girl doesn't she?

Pretty metallic looks...

Jessica Chastain was beautiful in Armani Prive. A very safe choice though. I'd love to see her in something fun and edgy.

Naomi Watts was amazingly chic.

Stacey Keibler in Naeem Khan. I liked her new hair. Sorry George I like you without the beard. It's way too Hemingway and that creeps me out.

I hate to dis Halle two awards posts in a row, but I wasn't digging this. Way too Joan Collins. Why would people be loving this? She needs to find something between slutty and staid perhaps? Maybe forgo Versace and try a younger designer.

Not loving this hair on Adele and I like her hair and dress on the show (below) better than the red carpet. She dresses maturely. She's young and gorgeous and I'd like to see her show a bit more skin or shoulders.

Barbara Streisand sang Memories. Loved it. I think she always looks great in Donna Karan, but I don't know if I'm a fan of the collar or hair.

This L'Wren Scott was pretty on Nicole.

Catherine Zeta-Jones. Not sure about this. She did a great job singing on the show though!

Melissa McCarthy's bringing it. Her hair, makeup, gown and accessories were flawless.

Hugh Jackman and wife were dressed by Tom Ford. They're very cute with each other.

Renee Zellweger was criticized for seeming tipsy. She did appear to be assuming her Bridget Jones persona with the bedhead and casual swagger and looking clueless. I kind of like her like this. This pose however is looking a bit strained and she does it all the time. (Damn Bradley...what happened with that whole thing?)

Your thoughts on the back necklace? Looks slightly uncomfortable, but pretty.

My husband thought these were red carpet accidents! :P

Jennifer always wear the same silhouette and her hair was like she just got out of the shower. Kudos for the switch to red though. It was nice on her. Sally Field below also wore red. Both Valentino of course. If you do red I guess it's go Valentino or go home!

I have to say I think Sally was one of my best-dressed for the night. This was flattering, chic and modern. If this is what 70 looks like, I love it!

There was the black lace contingent...

Rebecca Miller does her own thing. She and Daniel looked good together last night and I like that she appears to have stepped out of the 1950s. Hmmm, now that I'm actually noticing him, I'm not so sure about his tux length...He's one of my favorite actors though.

Sandra Bullock simple and elegant.

Bradley Cooper brought his mom last night. I don't want to be mean, but she said she just pulled something out of the closet and it appeared as such! She wore tennis shoes too. Brad take your mom shopping for goodness sakes! He seems like a good son however...

The blander moments..

Yawn. Amanda Seyfried went lavender, but it was still too pale for her. She needs some amped up makeup so she doesn't wash out on the red carpet.

Zoe Saldana in a gorgeous Alexis Mabille dress. A smile would help.

Meh. The vampire man was no where in sight.

Adore Amy Adams..These dresses must be dreamy in person, but I can't help think wedding or prom.

The blues...

Reese wore blue and was rocking the new flatter and lower retro bust look. I don't mind it. It's quite pretty. Better to embrace what you've got than be all taped up like it's some Victoria's Secret fashion show. Frankly I'm sick of the glorification of huge artificial chests and overblown cleavage and trend is part of a return to more modest and classic styles.

Helen Hunt wore H&M... Another dress that's emphasizing shoulders over cleavage.

This dress was a lovely color. I'd like to see her with less stiff hair. Good for her for wearing an affordable dress that most American woman could buy.

Jennifer Hudson in a glittering blue.

Then there is the after parties!! The Vanity Fair and Elton John's are the most popular.

Marisa Tomei's halter pantsuit with pockets is another of my favorites -and her hair.

Some gals even switched to their second dress! Like one stunning gown wasn't enough!

In contrast to the more demure looks some ladies were working the deep V, especially the after party crowd...

Some girls can wear this look. Nicole Ritchey and Samantha Barks from Les Miz are small breasted, young and and can rock this...

Cringe!

Heidi. OMG! What was she thinking? Seems desperate.

Sorry Heidi you are out!

And the cutest guy of the night was Elton John's little son in his mini tux!

Who were your favorites? Tell me everything!

xo
Kim

P.s. Wait! Look who I've forgotten! My dear friend Dawn sent me this snap of the Hair and Makeup winners, who did Les Miserable...Julie Dartnell and Lisa Westcott.

I have a very similar look to the gal on the right after I've washed my face and am in my p.j.s!
Quick call hair and makeup 911 for Hair and Makeup! ???

Getaways...Orange County & La Costa Resort

2013-02-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

This week our boys were off of school so we took a quick drive down south to Orange and San Diego Counties. We stayed a few nights at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad. Carlsbad is about an hour south of Disney and 45 minutes north of San Diego. Legoland is also in Carlsbad and the resort is about a 5 minute drive from the beach.

The resort is a sprawling property and beautifully designed in Santa Barbara Mission style. I especially loved all the flowers, citrus trees and banana plants everywhere. It was a quiet week there and warm and sunny enough to enjoy the spa (for me) and for us all to enjoy the watersides and pool.

These little navy pots of marigolds were everywhere. So welcome after many weeks of very cold Winter this year.

There are a lot of things for a family here. The kids loved the water slides of course. There is also a kids area called Vibes on site where older kids can play pool, foosball and ping-pong and other arcade games. Smaller ones can go to the kid's activity camp and there is a water park area just for them as well. My boys are 11 and 14 and are old enough to wander to this place themselves. It's surrounded by a cute mini outdoor shopping area in the center of the resort called The Marketplace. I noticed kids can run over here from the pool and order ice creams or drinks from the market. It all feels very safe and protected. Some parents even brought scooters for their kids to get around.

The resort has two restaurants. The main one Legends has a kids buffet on the weekends and outdoor seating over-looking the hills and golf-course.

If you want to hang out at their new adults edge pool and bar, or have dinner at the Bluefire Grill without the kids, you could set your kids up at The Marketplace where they have a table filled with IPads for kids to use and kid-friendly take out right next to it. If you have very small ones they have special pool movies nights on the weekends and s'more roasting along with a reptile show on Saturdays as well.

La Costa's spa is world famous and was ranked number one in the nation by Spa Magazine, so of course I had to do a spa treatment. Having all men in the family, I'm used to doing this solo. I planned for a few morning hours to myself, while the guys did their own thing at the water slides. The nice thing about their spa is that it's a huge area of the resort and when you do a treatment, you get access to the spa pool, spa cafe and gardens all day.

This spa area was heaven! I did a reasonably priced basic botanical facial. They have a wonderful spa area in the women's side with jacuzzi baths and steam spots. After soaking and steaming, I walked the reflexology path through the spa garden, tried out the waterfall shower (my favorite!) and then sat by the quiet and lovely pool. Many guests were enjoying alfresco lunch at the pool or at the spa's outdoor cafe near the fireplace in their robes. The spa cafe is known for it's chicken salad with pistachios and their Bellinis. I had the yummy salad and ice tea and enjoyed some solitude before I joined my crew at the pool where they forced me on the water slides.. There went all those nice body potions and my spa essence!

The spa garden and inside the spa below..

We were there for only a few days and so did not get to try the any of the tennis clinics or golf. Another wonderful thing they have added is the Chopra Center for yoga. They have classes all day on site and generously gave us vouchers, so I'm hoping to get back and experience that. As I said before they added a lovely new outdoor infinity pool and bar, fire pits and which would be really fun in the warmer months. This whole place seemed like a great spot for a girlfriend or couples getaway too...I need to plan one!

This is how I roll at the pool..If there are robes I'm in them... Fresh strawberry mojitos were amazing!

Since we booked it during the weekday and a slower month, it was pretty inexpensive. As it was less crowded, they also upgraded us to a La Costa room near the golf course. These have balconies and patios. Rooms are all updated with great beds and bedding and spacious bathrooms.

Our view from our room.

The new Edge pool and bar area at night.

Overall, I loved La Costa. The service, the rooms, the food all exceeded my expectations and I hope we get the chance to go again...I was sad to leave. Did I mention the shopping? They have a store called Pinkalicious that was filled with preppy finds. I also loved another shop called Audrey's and bought a pair of my favorite brand Tom's in an Ikat fabric wedge there...So much to do here!

We also spent a rainy and very cold day at Disney. It was a fast drive in the carpool lane from Carlsbad and we got their just as the park opened. The big attraction is now California Adventure's Cars Land and it's pretty darn fun. You are literally walking through the whole movie. I loved that. You could eat at the Cozy Cone, or Flo's diner. Two cute rides are Luigi's Flying Tires, where you float like you're on a giant air hockey table, and Radiator Spring Racers. The racer ride takes you through the whole Cars movie and then a race after. A blast, however, you need to get a fast pass as soon as you get in and that line, even on a rainy day, was 20 minutes right from the minute it opened. Then the wait with the fast pass is about 45 minutes!

As far as rainy Disney days being good... I have mixed thoughts. California Adventure was quiet and not crazy, but Disney itself was pretty jammed. In fact, there is a whole contingent of people that head to Disney on rainy days now. I guess there is no empty time to visit Disney anymore. Growing up, our Dad would always take us in April, when the park first opened for the year. That was before it was open year round. No one went so early in those days and we had the park to ourselves.

Disney has the loveliest plantings and as I grow older I notice how there is never a brown leaf on anything! My guys above in California Adventure.

Still, the magic of a Disney trip cannot be denied. Especially for my boys, who had only been twice before. I think going less makes it that much more special. Even with two coats on all day long, and no longer feeling my feet, I had a dole pineapple whip. It was sooo good. Don't forget the Mickey-shaped beignets and yes we did eat our way through the park and all the lands. So glad our sons aren't too old to love this still.

Another fun stop if you are here with kids is Ruby's diner in Carlsbad. My kid's are crazy about this 1950's diner with a train running on the ceiling. You feel like you really are back in the days of car-hops and milk shakes. It's about a five minute drive from the resort at a outlet center. There are also other Ruby's in Southern Cal.

On the way down, there's a lot of fun beach towns to stop in. One of my favorites is San Clemente. The downtown is a cool mix of funky and beachy. It's a true surf town and just filled with good shops. A good stop with boys is the Jack's surf shop outlet which carries all the California name brand surf clothes at 50% off retail. You can get Volcom, O'Neil, Quicksilver and similar brands.

San Clemente above and below.

Since we drove, we went Highway 5 which is quickest way to get across the state. Right before you hit this area, you go through the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, which is kind of a hip area between Hollywood and Silver Lake and has some cool places to stop for lunch.

On the way home, we were waiting for the pass on 5, (the grapevine), to open due to snow. I am crazy for bakeries and cute lunch places and wanted to check out a place called The Alcove Cafe and Bakery on Hillhurst in Los Feliz. My husband was dubious as soon as he saw they has valet parking... Sounds expensive, but it wasn't!

Inside the alcove above...and some of the cute 'hood below...

I explained this is a neighborhood with little parking. (It's a super cute one too. A drive through to check out the historic charming homes and Griffith Park would be another fun day here.) Worn down and hungry, he agreed and we all had a delicious lunch in the sun surrounded by oak trees. I loved the hummus and olive bread and other hits were their lentil soup and bowl of fries big enough for 10! Love the ice tea too.

The restaurant is housed in two old bungalows. One side is the bakery, with sandwiches, soups and baked goodies. The other is a chic bar open all day, bright and pretty. There is lots of outdoor seating at adorable bistro tables under pretty trees. This place seems fancy, but people couldn't be nicer.

Who doesn't love getting their condiments out of silver serving pieces? :D

The day we were there, they had Oscar cookies and were getting ready to host an Academy Awards party with a big screen outdoors. What a fun idea. If I lived down here, I surely would go. As we were leaving another customer purchasing cookies ahead of me whispered to his friend that Leonardo DiCaprio was picking up cookies in front of him and trying to be incognito! Darn, who knew celebrities go here too? I should have been looking...As it was I was trying not too look too conspicuous snapping phone pictures for the blog through the glass cases...

The cookies...Do you love it?

Here's the snow we hit about 20 minutes out of Hollywood. Really. It's that quickly you get into the mountains from the L.A. area. Crazy you could be sitting in the sun enjoying lunch and a half hour later in snow...but that's so California isn't it?

I love this part when you leave the grapevine and before you is laid out the entire Central Valley, where much of the worlds fruit and nuts are grown.

This time of the year, the fruit trees are getting their blossoms...

There is something about wide open spaces that is so romantic to me. I love a vista.

And there are so many parts of California that are different and so lovely in their own way...Even on I-5!

I love getaways anywhere in the off seasons.

If you are in the U.S., did you get a break for President's Day this week and if so, did you go away anywhere? And what about the Oscars...Do you plan on watching? I've been invited to an Academy Awards party for the first time.

I can't wait to chat all about the awards and the dresses later this week!

Kim

All photos property of Northern California Style.

Valentines Fun

2013-02-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

I'm loving Valentine's week! It's just a fun time right before we take a week off of school for ski week here... I really get into making little treats, decorating the house ( I love this bowl, shown above, forever and always dig it out) and working on class cards with my younger son. Here's what we are working on for class today...A fun little idea found on Pinterest- where else?

These were really simple and we cut blue paper to fit in clear bags with wavy scissors...

Griffin wrote, "I'm glad you're in my school." We filled them with Swedish fish and tied tops with blue yarn.

I think it's so nice to make your own Valentines. These took almost no time. Last year we did this.

My camellias are blossoming like crazy now! We have pink, white and red and they seem to take turns blooming. The red started first. I am grateful to whomever planted these below our giant sequoia. They are one of my favorite things at this house. Isn't it amazing how certain plants just sprout in the Winter? Nature's calendar never ceases to wow me.

In other news, my son Griffin's play was on stage after rehearsing since October! Groovy finished last week and was so fun. I'm really proud of him and all the kids who stuck it out so long.

Griffin after the show in costume with pals Abby and Seraphina.

Some of the moms of show kids worked the cast party dressed in 60s outfits... I got to wear a vintage 60's poncho from the costume designer's box. I wish I could have kept it! What a find.

I checked out Trader Joes's today and couldn't resist these primulas in these old recycled pots.

I can't decide where I like them best.. For $3.99 these are a bargain...

...A great little Valentine gift too.

Yesterday, was one of the most fun events of the year to me, the SAP Ladies' Day Lunch. The SAP Men's Tennis Tournament has been held in the Bay Area for 125 years and sadly, will be no more. Women are invited for a special day to watch the professional men's tennis and then have lunch hosted by Macys and La Crema Winery, meet players and take photos. We also received swag bags with generous full-sized Skinceuticals serum and cream.. Test driving it as we speak and I'll let you know...( I think they were honing in on the most likely sun-damaged crowd- tennis players.)

This was a treat. I love tennis! At the lunch. Great wine too- Did I mention that?

Aussie and cutie, Lleyton Hewitt was fun to watch..It's crazy how fast the men serve! I'd run if they put up one of those serve speedometers near me... It would be embarrassing to know how slow I actually am.

Being silly.. With my pal Leasa..

And more tennis girls & friends Jeanne, Vivian, Hang and Cricket..

It was a ton of fun and I'm sad it's the last year...

And now..countdown to 9 days off from school! We are getting out of town for a few days.

Before that we'll make our family Valentine night dinner and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

What are your plans for Valentines? Do you have any special traditions? I love to hear...

Wishing you all a lovely Valentines's Day!

Kim

Gather ye Rosebuds...

2013-02-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's that Valentines' Day is around the corner, but have you noticed all the lovely rose-inspired clothes and decor coming for Spring and Summer? I'm enchanted all over again with the romance of roses...Suddenly, I've got flashbacks of wistfully shopping at Laura Ashley in the eighties. Oh how I longed for all of it and could afford very little. Well, here's our second chance.. And if you're a twenty-something or thereabouts it's all new for you and I say work it!

source

For this look to work it needs to be paired with sparer and more streamlined decor and brighter or deeper hues. You don't want to get all musty, fusty great aunt with it..

I remember this spread a few years back, in the beloved and now gone Domino magazine.. No one was using chintz roses then...Or chintz on brown leather...

Fashionistas need to mix roses with more modern shapes and rougher textures to avoid the Sue Heck look...(You do watch The Middle, don't you? Sue's character has a time machine wardrobe straight from my high school days c.1983..I don't know how they find the stuff! By the way, the kids in this show are hilarious.)

Stella McCartney Collection. Brighter shades and no lace here!

Toms for Spring...

From my last trip to The Ivy...sigh..Their roses are always amazingly beautiful.

My stylish friend Leasa sent me the link to these gorgeous chintz on snakeskin Jimmy Choos...

nordstrom

Helena Bonham Carter. The original Room With a View is one of my all time favorite movies.

Preen S/S 2013

Having Laura Ashley déjà vu yet?

From the 80s Laura Ashley catalogs.. I remember dreaming about these dresses and owned one not unlike these below... No wonder I didn't worry about working out! The one time in my life I was quite tiny and... I was wearing these?

Such a romantic time...I see now why I wasn't getting many dates..I had more important things to do like wanting to look like Lady Diana. Did I mention I was a late bloomer...

Anyhow, the Laura Ashley brand is back and the lampshades below are part of their new home collection... Fun!

Laura Ashley

Vogue U.K.

Stripes pair well with chintzy florals and look hip.

Street Peeper

Milan fashion week.

source

Something about the umbrella and this entry makes me want to run off to the Cotswolds and buy a little cottage..

She's darling...hating her!

My dream bedroom.

Not that I'm sanctioning floral pants, (especially for my age- hello 1980s Guess?), but these are pretty cute on Miranda Kerr and I'm envious of her Sophia Coppola LV bag.

J Crew

These wedges are on my shopping list for Spring. Can you just see these with distressed jeans and a lacey white vintage blouse?!! A collaboration between Tom's and Shabby Chic they are to be out later in February...

Toms

What do you think of this trend? Been there and still love it?

Kim

Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly?

2013-01-31T22:19:00.000-08:00

Grace Kelly was the one girl in the world who never took a bad photo.

She was a truly a classical beauty.

And what a story...American girl from a blue collar Philadelphia family grows up to be a famous movie actress, meets a prince and becomes a princess! A true fairy tale or was it?

Getting a kiss from Marlon Brando with her Oscar in 1955. (At the time this was the most expensive gown in Academy Award history as the silk alone cost $4,000. Made for Grace by costumer Edith Head, she wore it to a premiere, the Oscars and for a cover shoot to get her moneys worth of it.)

Word on the street is that Nicole Kidman is playing Grace in an upcoming biopic.

Here's a still from it below...

The thing is Nicole is playing a 25 year old Grace and Nicole is in her 40s...

Just sayin'..However, Nicole seems to be working the fillers and botox, so maybe she can pull it off. Some say a younger actress should have been chosen.

More film stills...

What do you think?

I think her hair looks a lot like Grace.

Apparently Nicole really wanted this part.

People have suggested Charlize Theron or

January Jones look more like Grace.

I kind of thought Gwyneth Paltrow's face looks most similar ..

It should be fun to see Nicole as Princess Grace. It's supposedly set in Monaco, after her marriage.

I can never tire of looking at Grace Kelly photographs.

Some of my favorite photos of Grace...

In High Society with Bing Crosby.

And with Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief. Her wardrobe in this Hitchcock film was fabulous.

Grace made scarves, pearls and tortoise shell glasses hallmarks of the well-bred young American.

Could there be a more copied wedding dress ever? Or a more lovely one?

With the purse (the iconic Hermes' Kelly bag named for her) and the prince.

Taking snaps in what looks like Pucci.

Sailing in Monaco, but still looking like the American girl in white jeans and a cable knit sweater.

As a young mom with Caroline and Albert and Prince Rainier.

Beautiful!

What do you think? who would be best to portray Grace?

Kim

Vermeer Style and The Girl

2013-01-29T00:01:00.001-08:00

"The girl", as she is called, is Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece, Girl With a Pearl Earring, and she's here in San Francisco. Called the Dutch Mona Lisa, she is part of an exhibit of Dutch paintings from the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis showing at the de Young Museum January 26 through June 2, 2013. I just love the face of this girl.

Personally, I'm thrilled I'm going to get to see her up close! I'm a huge fan of Vermeer and Dutch paintings. Really, I now head first to the Dutch art at museums to check out the Vermeers and the Rembrandt's. Honestly though I'll admit what got me interested in Dutch paintings was the 2003 film, Girl With a Pearl Earring starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. If you haven't experienced this film, you are missing out. This film draws you in with the haunting music, the gorgeous cinematography, believable story and stellar cast. Adapted from Tracey Chevalier's novel of the same name, the film imagines story of of the pearl girl, Griet, a young maid who comes to work in Vermeer's home and becomes his assistant and muse. You are transported to Delft, Holland in the 1600's and I don't remember another movie experience that so captured a time and place.

Scarlett in the film.

Oh my, the ear piercing scene...It's pretty hot. A clip from another great scene below.

The Milkmaid c.1658

Vermeer set almost all of his works in his home in Delft. He was especially fond of blue and yellow.

The Art of Painting c.1665-1667

This one is a self-portrait.

Vermeer has been accused of using an early camera obscura beause of the highlights and perspective he achieved. However, when he died at age 43, ther was no evidence of one in his possession. He died in obscurity and in debt with 11 children. Only later in the 19th century were his paintings rediscovered and his place alongside the masters of the Golden Age of Dutch painting was established.

Besides the amazing natural luminosity in his paintings, he was unique in his use of dazzling pigments. He used lapis lazuli and ultramarine. He understood that color was never one dimensional and reflected the environment that surrounded it. Notice the red skirt below looks real because he painted ultramarine under the red, giving it a purplish sheen, which would have appeared due to the reflection of the grey walls.

Girl with a Wineglass c1659-1660

The pearly light of his works makes everyday tasks look more romanticized. No other artist had achieved such an effect at this time.

Woman in Blue Reading a Letter c.1658

Vermeer was able to paint life with all it's variations and tones.

Mistress and Maid c.1666-1667

The effects he achieved were remarkable for his time.

View of Delft c.1660-1661

Young Woman With a Water Pitcher. c.1665.

Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window c.1657-1659

The Glass of Wine c.1658-1660

This DVD, narrated by Meryl Streep, takes you on a journey to uncover what makes Vermeer's work so special with x-ray, infrared and other technologies that go beneath the paintings to explore his genius.

Vermeer DVD Available through the DeYoung Museum store.

Girl with a Pearl Necklace c. 1662-1665.

The colors and time of Vermeer are still inspiring.

2009 was a big year of fashion inspired by Dutch masters...

Christian Dior Spring Summer 2009 was inspired by Vermeer.

Love the Vermeer yellows and soft blues. the collars and ruffles.

Vermeer's use of tapestries, reds and shapes figured in this collection by John Galliano did for Dior.

And in Vogue..

Vogue 2009.

And earlier...Marc Jacob's 2007 Vermeer inspired collection for Louis Vuitton...

Others inspired by Vermeer and his colors and light...

Riccardo Bernardi channeled Vermeer with a hoody and a t-shirt for Schon magazine.

Vogue Living's version of Vermeer's Dutch interior 2007

Edward Blumenfeld for Vogue c.1945

You can order her on a stamp here at zazzle.

Barbiemuse.com

A French Elle editorial here and below..

This Vermeer inspired photo by Hendrik Kerstens won second prize in the National Portrait Gallery's Portrait Competition in London 2009. Now that's good recycling. :)

Available at Amazon

A fun kid's mystery about chasing a stolen Vermeer.

I hope I'll get a chance to share about my visit to this show soon. And yes, I'll be wearing my pearls!

Have a great week!

Kim

Mrs Obama and the Girls- Inaugural Style

2013-01-22T20:13:00.001-08:00

Loving Michelle's new do! What do you think?

Word has it she rigged this belt thing up with a sash from another J Crew garment she owns. I love a gal who makes things her own. She has no stylist apparently. I love her tall suede boots too. The berry gloves were a nice pop of color.

Sasha wore Kate Spade.

Malia wore J Crew. Apparently, they ask for no special treatment from their favorite store. According to Jenna Lyons, J Crew design head, they just order online, like everyone else!

I also love how they are all embracing the violet tones... Michelle, or FLOTUS as people are calling her (first lady of the U.S., you noobes) bought her coat from Thom Browne, menswear and tie designer, and you can see that in the fabric. She wore gloves from J Crew.

Without the coats.

Have the girls gotten so tall and grown-up? Grandma looks stylish too. The girls are the same ages as my boys, 11 and 14. The next four years are going to be really fun watching them grow into full on teens and young ladies!

If this is anything like our family I can see Michelle saying, "What do you mean your feet hurt and you feel weird in that? You look beautiful!"

I love how close this family is.

What happened to these little girls? It's hard to believe this was them just four years ago! Kids change the most at these ages I think.

Sasha seems a lot like my 11 year old. Look at her little frog phone cover.

They are SO 11 and 14!

...but do seem like nice girls.

In the previous day's swearing -in ceremony the girls stuck to their violet hues. Mrs Obama wore Reed Krakoff, Malia had on H&M and Sasha wore Tracey Reese. I can just see they are going to be tall and beautiful, future fashion icons I'm sure.

Michelle chose a red Jason Wu for the ball. Loving her hair all flippy too.

Then for the next day's prayer service at The National Cathedral she wore Naeem Khan white dress and her hair up. Lovely.

In other fashion that day...

Mrs Biden looked pretty great too in Grey and I liked her hair. She also had tall grey boots which she wore earlier then changed with her white dress. Loved the freshness of it. Not stuffy -fun!

You couldn't really see what Hilary was wearing, but her hair was rocking it. They look cute here don't they? That silver fox Bill never seems to lose his sex appeal does he?

Beyonce and Jay-Z are looking good though maybe she was a bit formal for the day event. I couldn't tell she lip-synched...Wonder who told on her?

What did you think of the day and the Obamas?

Kim:)