Today on weekend meanderings, Easter bunnies, tulip garden tours, wheeling and dealing on resale sites, plus what I’m reading, watching, and loving this month. Oh, and it’s official, Jim retired.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth. Our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
Well hello there … I’m popping in from sabbatical for a quick weekend post. My regular Saturday posting will resume on April 26th. I can’t wait to be back with Kim and Elizabeth and YOU.
I’ve got all things Easter, birds, and bunnies on my mind. I saw a bunch of cute things at Pottery Barn to make the month – and your table – more festive. My mom collected eggs and displayed them year-round. She would have loved these blue and white eggs and they’d be so pretty on the table.
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Pottery Barn Easter Birds + Bunnies ~
I got a haircut. Last time I lopped off this much was just before we begin Snowberry’s transformation, so I’m calling it my renovation hair.
If you’re local, Alison Sloman cuts my hair. I adore her and get my ends trimmed more often than is necessary just so I can sit and chit chat with her. Jim goes to her too but she’s tight lipped and refuses to divulge his secrets.
Speaking of Jim, after three years of declaring ‘this is my last year’ he officially retired. It’s too soon to tell how he’s handling the transition. I detected a bit of a wobble when he returned from his final trip. He’s been a road warrior most of his career … and all throughout our marriage. There was a brief interruption during the pandemic, and his travel slowed down a lot after that. But his slower would be considered major for us office dwellers. On his first official no-work day he spent eight hours in our yard power washing the brick patio and his handyman schedule has been full ever since.
I love this old powerpoint slide from a sales kick-off presentation during the 2012 era Gangnam-Style craze which obviously involved Robert Mondavi wine and Svedka.
On his last working day we went to The Yacht Club, one of our favorite local restaurants, for lunch. The Yacht Club is also retiring after 29 years. If you’re local, there’s still time for one last visit. May 7th is their last day of service.
The ambiance of this restaurant is so fun. Memorabilia from yacht races all over the world and sailing flags overhead. And I get a kick out of their nautically themed salt and pepper mills.
I never met a shrimp cocktail I didn’t love.
Our Pippa is back in her carriage after straining her back legs. She’s almost 11 and has a little arthritis plus an ACL issue. She’s on a 2-3 week restricted-activity program before she can resume her short, daily walking regime. We bought a doggie stroller several years ago when Pippa stepped on a nail during our renovation. It’s a double stroller that we thought might also be useful when taking the dogs to restaurants. They’re both so badly behaved in public we had to abandon that idea.
Maggie can’t understand why Pippa gets to ride while she has to walk.
Maggie is proud to see a fellow Jack Russell Terrier, Jack, featured in J.Crew’s Spring catalogue. And, she admires the limited edition classic stripe roll neck sweater that Jack’s modeling. I’d be tempted to the sweaters for Pippa and Maggie if we lived in a colder climate. It’s rarely cold enough here for the girls to need sweaters.
Check out J.Crew’s 40% site wide sales event. Love their striped hyacinth dress. And while we’re talking stripes, here’s another smock top, striped dress from Marine Layer that’s currently sold out but I signed up to be notified when it’s back in stock. It’s still available in a deep sea (green?) and white stripe, I might go for that.
The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of near constant activity at Snowberry. Inspections, projects, organizing, decluttering, packing, people in and out. The chaos continues through next week when we check into an Airbnb for a staycation situation while Snowberry is on the market. Stay tuned for more on that.
This article on retirement style for men (guest link) is well timed.
Amidst all the chaos and endless to do lists we managed to sneak away to see a couple of tulip gardens. This was a couple of weeks ago and on the late end of the Bay Area tulip season. Both gardens were still beautiful and there’s nothing like looking at tulips ease anxiety.
First we visited the tulip garden at the Oakland Temple (Latter Day Saints). The Temple is a landmark building in the Oakland hills which I always admire on our way to and from the Oakland airport. It’s particularly beautiful at night when it’s lit up. Recently I read that they have a beautiful tulip garden and dropped everything to drive over and see it. Well, not only do they have a beautiful tulip garden, they have a beautiful garden garden and it must be lovely in all four seasons. Not to mention the views of the Bay Area and particularly San Francisco are spectacular.
Next up, the Queen Wilhemina Garden in Golden Gate Park. Just across the street from Ocean Beach the garden and windmill were a gift from Queen Wilhemina of Denmark in 1900. The garden is replanted annually with bulbs donated by the Dutch Bulb Growers Association. I didn’t know this, but the garden is available as a wedding venue … how fabulous would that be?
After checking out Queen Wilhemina’s tulips we walked across the street for lunch at the Beach Chalet.
The Spanish colonial revival style building is a historic landmark built in 1925. It’s housed everything from high end restaurants to Army headquarters to a dive bar. Since 1997, the second floor is the location of the very popular Beach Chalet restaurant with sweeping views of Ocean Beach.
The ground floor walls are lined with frescos painted by Lucien Adolphe Labaudt depicting life in San Francisco in the 1930’s.
Upstairs to the Beach Chalet restaurant. You know I love weddings and this is the perfect reception venue following a Queen Wilhemina Garden wedding. Just saying.
Here’s how our lunch started. By the time our entrees arrived we’d thrown in the towel and asked for doggie bags.
I’ve already marked my calendar for next year to visit both gardens in early March.
Between touring tulip gardens and stuffing my face, I’ve found time to do a little wheeling and dealing on the resale front.
We sent a few furniture pieces to the Home Consignment Center in Danville. I thought it was odd that they wouldn’t accept our practically new and wonderful Pottery Barn office furniture and Steelcase ergonomic chairs. I quickly learned that the resale market is saturated with home office furniture. And if you ever wanted to buy one of those fancy Herman Miller Aeron chairs, now’s the time. There must be 800 of them on Facebook Marketplace alone … selling around $300. They were nearly $2000 when we first looked at them in 2021.
We successfully sold our office stuff on Facebook Marketplace. We need to free up our home office (spare bedroom) to be staged as an actual bedroom before the house goes on the market. My original intent for the room was a cute twin-bed situation, but the pandemic intervened and it became a cozy home office for two. When I say cozy I mean it was a less than ideal situation and if both of us were in there at once, one of us quickly gathered our laptop and huffed off to the dining room. Anyhoo … this was the first experience with FB Marketplace and it will probably be my last.
I’ve ruthlessly edited my closet and decided to explore The Real Real. I finally decided to part with my fancy shoe collection. And by collection I mean that’s what it had become. I can’t teeter around in spikey 5″ heels anymore and so my Prada’s, Jimmy Choo’s and Manolo’s had become nothing more than a closet decoration. A very nice decoration, and something I loved looking at … but, seriously, does this make any sense?
I also decided to part ways with some pricier handbags and The Real Real seemed like the best place to turn. I’m saying good-bye to anything with a visible logo. I’ll share more about my TRR experience and results another day.
I cannot tell you how often my trusty rolling rack comes to my rescue.
For items that weren’t right for The Real Real, I spent a day uploading them to my Poshmark Closet. I’ve had success on Poshmark in the past, one item at a time. This was my first multi-item upload and the jury’s still out.
I have an appointment with ReChic, my favorite local consignment shop, next week and I’ve held several summer pieces back for that and I’ll also take anything not yet sold on Poshmark.
I’ll do a deeper dive on all my resale experiences – pros cons successes and failures – in a future dispatch. I think I’ve bored you enough for today.
Odds & Socks ~
I love this jacket!
The weekender bag is a great idea in theory, but I’ve rarely been successful packing one for a two and a half day getaway. Jim, of course, is a master at it and has a 30+ year old leather Tumi weekender that holds all his essentials. (Jim once traveled to three continents over 10 days with one carry-on bag.) It’s makeup and skincare that causes me trouble. And shoes. Always shoes. Anyway, when I spotted this Beis weekend travel bag while standing in line at Nordstrom to make a return I had plenty of time to admire and study it. And I wondered, could I get my weekend getaway essential inside? After watching a Nordstrom stylist discuss the bags many features, I think the answer is maybe.
My second thought is that the light beige is a lovely color, but would it hold up for rough and tumble travel? I suppose it would be fine for a car trip … and it’s probably fine as a carry-on. Still … a darker color is probably more practical. If not as pretty. I just really like this bag.
A couple of pieces recently added to my closet for spring and summer. This blue and white stripe, cropped drawstring pant and this green khaki utility pant (with a slight barrel cut which I’ve found – surprisingly – work well on me).
Local friends … get your tickets for:
- Lafayette Juniors Lifestyle Tour on May 3
- The AAUW Annual Garden Tour on May 10 & 11
Currently Watching ~
After watching David Suchet on the Orient Express we’re tempted to go.
Have you seen Pamela Anderson’s movie The Last Show Girl? It’s a sad story, but Pamela is excellent and I wonder why she didn’t get Oscar recognition for this role. Jamie Lee Curtis, who joined the cast to support Pam, is brilliant as always. Kim gave me Pamela’s cookbook, I Love You, which is plant based and delightful. And now I’m interested to watch her cooking show Pamela’s Cooking with Love.
I can’t wait to see the fourth season of Hack’s that debuted on Thursday. Looks like it’s dribbling out episodes one-by-one so I may hold off until there’s a few to binge.
Currently Reading ~
When the Going was Good, Graydon Carter’s reflections on his 25 years as editor of Vanity Fair. Last year I let my decades long Vanity Fair subscription lapse, I miss the Tina Brown and Graydon Carter years.
On Tryanny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century, a best seller by historian Timothy Snyder, it’s a pocket-sized book that packs a punch.
All that Life Can Afford by Emily Everett, Reese’s Book Club current pick.
Blue & White Eggs | Roll Neck Doggie Sweater | Striped Dress
Weekender Bag | When the Going Was Good | Spring Doormat
Current Favorites ~
So that’s what I have for you today.
I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled programming on April 26th.
Your hair looks very nice! Tell Jim retirement is an adjustment that does take time but is WONDERFUL! Very interesting blog today. Glad your back!
Hi Edie … thanks so much and I’ll be back on my regular schedule in a couple of week. Have a lovely weekend. xo
My weekend is off to a great start since getting a post from my favorite blogger!!! Congrats to your husband on his retirement and best of luck with the move! PS Pippa and Maggie are adorable!
Pam! What a lovely comment … you’ve made my weekend! xo
congratulations! My Weekend Edit starts with our failed couple goals! I live your tulip tour Juliet! We need to step up our activities or we end up at costco!
Laura! Ha … the first week Jim was retired we went of Costco. Eek. Can’t do that too often!!! xo
Hi, Juliet –
Nice to hear from you! I enjoyed the catch-up. Love the haircut! I agree that retirement is an adjustment. My neighbor told me to give it six months, and she was right! You are certainly working hard on the move. Sorting and packing is exhausting. Best of luck!
Hi Julia, I’ve heard the six month thing too. I’m glad that Jim retired just as things were picking up with our move and all the chaos that goes with it. He hasn’t had time to get bored or nostalgic, and he won’t for a while! Thanks for the kind words of support! xo
Love the cut!! You look great.
Been missing you and wondering how you are and how the reno/move is going?
It’s a lot. I am decluttering in anticipation for when we do the same thing. 42 years of stuff is mindboggling.
I also have a hubby that is looking at retirement in the next few years. It’s so true that many of us are going through similar scenarios in our lives.
Hi Gray, I can’t even imagine what our decluttering process would be like if we’d lived in the same place for 42 years. The one good thing about moving around is that I have to go through things a lot. That said, I’ve still managed to hold onto a lot of things that should have been released long ago. And continued to accumulate more! You’re right, I find it comforting how many others are dealing with the same things that we are right now … it’s nice to have company. xo
“No more Monday’s for Jim”…congrats!
Hey MA, I read your comment to Jim and he threw up his hands in victory! xo
Poshmark (and eBay and FB Marketplace) — there’s a trick to their algorithm: post 5 items per day. Then, when someone searches for “Sezane dress, size 42” you’ll be at the top of the search and will get more hits. For Poshmark, you’ll get more shares from other people. Soooo, when you’re cleaning out, it makes sense to pace out making your listings live.
Hi Chris, great advice, thank you. I should have done a little more investigating on posting strategies before I uploaded everything at once. Live and learn, right?! Ha! xo
So glad you are back, I love that you are not political (we get enough of that)!
Have always liked your casual sense of style and the way you put outfits together.
I’d love to see more travel wardrobe hacks for easy packing.
Hi Judee, thanks for taking time to leave a comment. And for the travel, packing topic suggestion. Once I’m more settled and back to a regular schedule, those topics are on my agenda for future posts. As for political stuff, I agree that we get enough of that elsewhere. It’s not that I don’t have opinions. I do. Strong ones. And I also appreciate the opinions of others and respect their choice to use their platforms in a way that feels right for them. I look to other blogs, substacks and social media as a refuge from the chaos and try to treat mine blog the same way. There’s no right or wrong way to do it and viva la difference. Have a wonderful weekend! xo
Welcome back Juliet!!!
Your new haircut is fabulous! Sleek, sophisticates and it suits you!
Whew!!!! I am worn out just reading this post. It sounds like phase 1 is coming to a close. I sold a lot of my clothes, shoes and bags on The Real Real. My experience was good, not great but it was nice to get the pieces out of the closet. As for Postmark I have no experience so I am looking forward to hearing about yours.
I am sorry about Pippa, she does look adorable in her stroller! Maggie looks like she thinks there may be room for her in there as well.
Happy retirement to Jim! Now that you both have free time you need to come to the south to rest, recuperate and golf.
The tulips are beautiful, how nice to have a little break from all of your projects.
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.
xo
Hi Elizabeth … so fun to be back with you today! A little rest, recuperation and golf (for Jim) sounds heavenly. One of these days we’ll head your way. What fun that will be! xo
Hi Juliet,
So good to hear you and congratulations to Jim ! Such beautiful frescoes at the Beach Chalet, wow, l would love to go there. Gorgeous places thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend xo
I can relate to so much that you have been doing lately…just back from the NL seeing tulips and windmills in their natural habitat during a Uniworld spring cruise which included many wonderful excursions. It was my solo treat away after packing up the matrimonial home 8 months ago and going our separate ways .What an exhausting time! Almost broke me to be honest. As for changing use of rooms as you are doing, Juliet… I styled the home and left the 3rd bedroom as a library /den which worked well for the other retirees buying it. Unfortunately, my fellow didn’t deal well with his retirement, beginning in 2016, and our problems just multiplied once we settled here on the BC coast. He’s an Albertan , where there’s big skies , and so he’s moved back. I am definitely happy being back to beaches where I flourish and certainly don’t mind some rain. At nearly 75, I look forward to being much happier solo and living my best life for what’s left. 2025 is so much better than 2024 …and now it’s spring! Same things in bloom as in Holland.
I have been consistently consigning my extra clothing locally with good results,Juliet, and exploring Facebook Marketplace locally for spare furniture ‘someone’ left behind for me to deal with.
Best of luck with all that your move and renovation mean for you both. Downsizing definitely has its benefits. You certainly seem to be very organized and have lots to look forward to together.Looking forward to more from you.
Such gorgeous Pottery Barn Easter goodies! Good Luck with your house move. Happy Easter.
Thanks, Judith and Happy Easter to you! xo
Juliet, I wish I had half your energy! So happy to see your post this morning. Retirement will be an adjustment for YOU as well as Jim, I am still walking that path of discovery. Would love for you to make a tutorial for us on your resale experiences. Glad to hear life is treating you well and your haircut suits you.
Looking forward to hearing more from you soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Linda, I’m so glad we have this chaos going on right now to distract us from the retirement adjustment! I’ll definitely share more about the resale process, I had a learning ‘opporunity’ just this morning. Ha! xo
My daughter has that weekend bag and loves it. Hers looks great after three years. You could scotchguard it if you felt you needed to. Gabby is an actress and model so needs to look polished.
Leslie, that’s great to hear … I do love the bag and the color is so pretty. If it works for your fabulous daughter … !!! xoxo
Juliet! I was so happy to see your post pop up in my email this morning – I miss you! I look forward to your regular posts on the 26th.
Your hair looks darling. I think it’s cute that you now have an official ‘renovation haircut’ style.
Congratulations to Jim on his retirement. It’s good to have the renovation and move to keep him occupied as you both adjust.
I hope we’ll have an update from you on how the revamped garden is doing.
Janet
Hi Janet, so nice to hear from you. I’ll share more about our gardening joys when we’re on the other side of this. Stay tuned!!! xoxo
Hello! Great to see you back in my inbox today! Love all that you shared. Jim will bask in his retirement as soon as you sell your home and get resettled in the new one. All the hard work will sort of be behind you for a while. Hopefully Pippa will be recovered by then too, poor baby. Take care of yourself as it sounds like you have a ton going on. We downsized in 2023, but will be moving one last time within a year. Adrenaline keeps us going, right?? Hah! Can’t wait for you to be back starting on the 26th. Good luck with the house sale, and can’t wait to hear all about your new home. Exciting times!
Hi Deanna … it must be the adrenaline, right?!!! Wow, that’s a lot of moving for you … I think it keeps us on our toes and is a good deterrent to over-accumulating. Anyway, thanks for the kind words and I’ll see you again on the 26th. xo
Hi Juliet,
Congrats on Jim’s retirement. FREEDOM at last. You both will adjust. I know he will ever look back. There is always so much to do to keep engaged with.
Love love love your renovation hair cut, it.’s classic, you are blessed with beautiful hair.
Pippa looks so adorable in her carriage. I hope she is not in too much pain with her arthritis plus her ACL issue. Maggie is so cute. I can tell they are well looked after.
I remember the Oakland Mormon Temple and seeing it at night. So pretty and the grounds look in perfect condition.
Good luck with getting everything ready to show your beautiful home. It’s a gigantic undertaking. You seem to have endless energy to get it all done.
My thoughts are either you.
Hi Katherine, I suspect I’m not the only one who admires the beautiful temple on the hill but has never seen it up close. I had no idea what I was missing and will be making more regular – seasonal – trips to enjoy their gorgeous gardens. Pippa seems to be feeling fine now, but we’ll keep her activity low for another week to be extra careful. I appreciate your kind words and look forward to being back here on a weekly basis. xoxo
Hello Juliet! A big congrats to Jim for finally making the decision. Retirement is wonderful, but…it is an adjustment, especially for a couple. It took me a full year to adjust from my career, but my hubs got right into the change after his retirement. Really surprised me. Love all the tulip views, and those sweet pups! Best wishes on the downsizing and move to Air B&B. Xx
Hi Karen, I’m so glad we have so much going on right now to take Jim’s focus off the big transition. I had no issue adjusting when I left my job ten years ago … although I did struggle with not having a strict schedule to follow. We’re down to the wire this week trying to get it all done and I’m looking forward to our Airbnb staycation. Hope you’re enjoying a lovely spring. xo
Hi Juliet, I love your content and Snowberry! I have family in the Walnut Creek/ Lafayette area who are looking for a home. Can you share the listing?
All the best,
Annie
Hi Annie, oh that’s exciting! Could Snowberry be for them?! I’ll share the listing when it goes live on the 24th. Our broker is Dana Green and your family member could certainly reach out to her to get a jump on it here … https://danagreenteam.com
I’d love it if someone I know through the blog bought the house. 🙂 xoxo
Juliet so excited for Jim!! So nice to have him home to help with all that transition too. I love your haircut! You have great hair.
The bunny things are cute. I actually forgot you next week and I better grab mine and put them out because I only have a week to enjoy them! Some kind of blogger I am.
That looks like a very cute travel bag and like the bottom zip! I’m obsessed with my MZ Wallace one and can’t live without it.
We love the tulip garden in SF! Haven’t been to the restaurant in a long time.
Will be so nice to have you back.
Good luck with the resell!!
Thanks, Kim! Fun to be back with you guys. xoxo
Hi Juliet!
So happy to see you pop up in my inbox today.
You truly are an inspiration.
Thanks so much for sharing your hairstylist info. I have been looking and looking for a good one locally. Your hair is always great.
Will be glad to have you back regularly, but thanks for taking the time to include us in all your (exhausting) activités.
Cyndi
CONGRATS to Jim on his long-planned retirement! Glad you are in the thick of your transition to ease the adjustment. My husband retires in May and I’m a bit worried about MY adjustment ;-}
Love your tulip garden tour photos! The Labaudt frescoes in the SF Park Commission building remind me of the Grant Wood murals here in Iowa done under FDR’s Public Works of Art grants (Hah — just looked it up: Labaudt’s were also funded by New Deal art grants) — interesting.
Hard to believe that it’s time, but:
Wishing you great success with the lovely Snowberry’s sale!
I love your new hair style – it’s a beautiful, classic bob cut, and the perfect length! This was a great post that I enjoyed very much, and congratulations to you and Jim on his retirement. I look forward to your weekly posts resuming soon!
I LOVE your haircut!!! You look fabulous!!!
Thanks, Michelle, you’re so sweet! xo