Today on weekend meanderings, I’m welcoming October with an Autumn Spritz recipe, fall sweater edit, wine country farmhouse tour, and more.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
And just like that it’s October. I couldn’t be happier about it. How about you?
All products and links included in this post are selected by me and some may be affiliate links.
It’s time to break out the sweaters. Our mornings are suddenly cooler and crisper. I hope that’s true for you too. Plus, it’s noticeably darker earlier and later. It kind of sneaks up on you, and I couldn’t be more delighted.
Fall is my favorite time of year, and I know many of you feel the same. I read somewhere – if only I could remember where – that fall feels more like a new beginning than January. I agree. It’s probably due to ingrained memories of shopping for clothes to start the new school year, and all the excitement around beginning our next chapters gussied up in new outfits. Although school years start earlier and true fall purchases languish in closets for quite a while before the weather catches up. Sometimes it’s hard to wait … who else remembers sweating in wool sweaters during September heatwaves. Back in the day our classrooms weren’t air conditioned and morning choices quickly became afternoon regrets.
Autumn Spritz
Let’s kick things off with a simple seasonal spritz featuring hard pear cider and – my favorite – Aperol.
Ingredients
Method
- Into a glass of crushed ice add hard pear cider, Aperol, and lemon juice. Stir and top with Seltzer (or other fizzy water). Garnich and enjoy!
In full disclosure, Jim was not a fan of this spritz. He said he couldn’t taste the pear. I enjoyed it. It’s light and refreshing and that’s my spritz criteria.
Fall Sweater Edit
It’s sweater weather. Finally. Last week my new cashmere cardigan arrived. I’ve already gushed over how much I love this style – structured fit and bell sleeves – and I know what you’re thinking – calm down already. Alright … but I’m such a fan.
My summer uniform is jeans and a white tee, and my fall uniform varies only in the addition of a sweater. I started thinking about my most worn sweaters, and these are my essentials for fall and winter.
First let me say, as an true homebody, I could live in sweat pants (these are my favorite) and a sweater every single fall – and winter – day. But occasionally I have to go out looking somewhat presentable.
I view my clothes as either cozy-at-home or out-of-the-house. No matter which camp they fall into most do double duty for my very casual life often the only variation being mascara, or sunglasses (hoping not to see anyone I know or that they’re gracious enough to pretend they don’t see me), and decent shoes. Although I’ve been known to accidentally leave home in slippers.
Cozy-at-Home
Cozy cardigan – wrap yourself in an oversized cardigan like this one, this one and this one.
Oversize turtleneck (gorgeous color – I’d probably save this for out-of-the-house) to wear over, what else, jeans … or favorite sweat pants, for a cozy at home vibe. This one ticks all the boxes, including affordability.
Crewneck sweaters – I have so many it’s hard to narrow down, but you can’t go wrong with this one, this one and this one.
Out-of-the-House
Cropped cardigans are my absolute favorite. Thrown on over t-shirts they work with jeans, trousers and everything in-between. I wear this one, this one, and this one all. the. time. This one is really cute and versatile. And this one, from Goop’s new Gwyn line, is beautiful but pricey. If you love color this one is a beauty, it comes in black too. This one in pale mocha is very similar to the very popular – no longer available – Top Shop cardigan I’m wearing in the collage.
Cashmere sweaters … no need to break the bank with this one or this one.
Oversize sweaters … to wear alone of over long-sleeve tee and button ups. I repeatedly reach for this one, this one and this one.
Cable knit sweaters are de rigueur for visits to the coast. I really like this one.
Striped sweater … obviously. This one’s more of an investment. This one screams fall and the price is right. Oh, and this polo style that I shared last week.
Sarah Anderson’s 5th Street Farm Tour
Last week we went to Chateau Sonoma’s French Bubble Club pick up party at Sarah Anderson’s 5th Street Farm where we learned that Sarah had just filmed a Homeworthy tour.
Sarah’s Homeworthy’s tour of her 1875 farmhouse debuted this week and did not disappoint. The farmhouse is one of the first five homes built in Sonoma – isn’t that incredible? I enjoyed hearing Sarah talk about the home’s renovation, interior inspirations, animals on the farm, and Chateau Sonoma’s origin story.
Martha Stewart Entertaining
It’s been 42 years since Martha Stewart’s groundbreaking book Entertaining was published. It was my very first decor book and I poured over it again and again … for years and years.
Somewhere along the way – 42 years and many moves – I lost track of the book. Periodically I searched for a gently used copy – prices shot through the roof after last year’s Martha documentary on Netflix and The Many Lives of Martha Stewart on CNN. Not to worry, Entertaining is being reprinted for release November 4th. It’s the same book, original content and layout, on upgraded paper. Pre-order here or here.
I recently bought Martha’s new Gardening Handbook. And I still look through her original Gardening Month by Month book from her Turkey Hill days.
At one point I had all her books … and one of my favorites was New Old House chronicling the complete restoration of a farmhouse near Turkey Hill.
Martha was on the Lipstick on the Rim podcast last week which was very enjoyable. She’s promoting her new beauty line, Elm Biosciences, launching its first two products, A30 Elemental Serum and Inner Dose Daily Skin Supplement.
House of Guinness
We just finished the first three seasons of The Gilded Age … fourth season coming in late 2026 which seems an eternity. To ease our withdrawal pains we’re starting House of Guinness, an eight-part period drama fictionalizing the rise to power of Ireland’s Guinness brewing family.
It’s interesting that none of the series is actually shot in Ireland. Penrhyn Castle in Wales plays the role of Ashford Castle in Ireland, the one-time Guinness family estate.
Penryhn Castle | Credit: David Goddard via Getty
Ashford Castle is now a 5-star hotel and spa … one of Ireland’s best. First Class Jerk warns that the series will only increase the hotel’s popularity so book now. Ha! I’d love to.
Back to The Gilded Age. Have you see it? I didn’t watch it initially because I read a less-than-stellar review. When will I learn not to believe everything I read? I loved the series particularly the way they fictionalize real situations and events like the societal rise of Alva Vanderbilt, the Metropolitan Opera opening drama, and arranged marriage of Consuelo Vanderbilt to the Duke of Marborough, the Homestead strike and the expansion of the railroads.
Odds & Socks ~
- Laundry Love by Patric Richardson, aka The Laundry Guy and the Laundry Evangelist, was a revelation to me and I wrote a very popular post about how it changed my laundry routine. My only criticism of the book is there’s no index. I refer to the book so often and without an index it can be cumbersome. Apparently I’m not the only one who feels this way and our long national laundry nightmare is over … Patric released an index and you can get access to it here.
- Local friends – mark your calendars for Flaunt’s Mother Denim holiday trunk show on Friday October 17, 10-4. The event includes fan favorite chainstitch embroidery station. I’ll remind you again next week. In other exciting Flaunt news, the shop now carries Veronica Beard!
- Also for locals, Walnut Creek’s Historical Society’s holiday teas are on sale now.
- “It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are so many of us.” ~ Jane Goodall … what a loss of a kind and gentle soul, the kind of woman our world needs more of, now more than ever.
Current Favorites ~
That’s what I have for you today.
Kim,
I love and look forward to these Saturday posts, but the time has come. Please, I am begging you: change your font and type size! This is almost impossible to read. Old eyes need serifs and dark “ink”.
No? Just me?
Hi Linda, I appreciate your feedback and I’m sorry if it’s hard for you to read. When I updated my blog a couple of years ago I experimented with larger, darker fonts and that proved very unpopular. So I went back to a lighter but larger font. I wonder if you’re reading on a smaller screen and that makes it more challenging. I’m sorry … I love and appreciate you being here each week and wish you a wonderful weekend. xo
Love this post, so many options, thanks. I missed the link to the cream cable knit button down pictured just below the “Out-of-the-House” paragraph? It looks so comfy!
Good morning, Debra! Yep, it’s so soft and cozy … here’s the link. Happy weekend! xo
https://bit.ly/4mPIWKS
Juliet, I love the Pear Spritz! Light is my kind of thing. It’s so pretty too. I adore your cardi and all the good sweaters you picked. I am just going through mine to see what still works and I could use a new creme sweater.
I have to get a pair of those Ruti pull on pants! I need to restart Gilded Age. I checked out in season one, but I take your word for it and will go back! The Guinness story is on my list and your Lynley show is our new fave. Thank you.
I was about to share this great Sonoma home too, but since you featured her last week, I knew you would. I love it! It’s my kind of house.
The Martha Entertaining book was one of the first I had as a newlywed and it was on my kitchen counter for years. I sadly parted with it for some dumb reason in one of my purges. I’ll have look for an original when I volunteer at the library used book store! I hope the new edition keeps her original cover!
Have a great weekend Juliet! xo
Kim … Martha’s book is exactly the same, just a reprint of the original format on newer paper. I can’t wait! xo
I have already added 3 new sweaters to my fall wardrobe. Can’t wait for the temperatures to drop a bit. I also wanted something to wear around the house this fall and winter, and I decided to buy a 2-piece lounge set with the fuller legs. The top is v-neck and I wear a slim white stretchy tee. I bought it in blue/grey, and I love it. I even wore it out one day. I have another one on order in taupe, as well as one for a Christmas gift for my daughter in navy. They are nicer than sweatpants or leggings. She works out of her home, and I think she will love it.
Lyn, that sounds like a perfect cozy-at-home outfit that does double duty when one must leave the house. Ha! Hope you have the best weekend. xo
Hi Juliet,
Lovely post thank you! I adore sweaters and have far to many.Your new one is gorgeous from Quince.Heidi Wynne and her wonderful company has some beautiful cable sweaters I highly recommend. Just bought from Tuckernuck the Barbour Calydon Marled striped sweater which is gorgeous and fall colors! James Norton from “House of Guinness” has a new series on Britbox called “Playing Nice” which had me binging all episodes last night so good.Happy weekend!
So many great tips her, Francesca … I’m heading over to google to explore. You need to start your own blog! xoxo
Juliet,
Fall is here but the weather is not cooperating in NC. It is hot, in the high 80s-90-s. I am still dressing like it is Fall and loving the early dark evenings and mornings.
I knew we were kindred spirits. I am a homebody and live in the exact uniform that you do. I love sweaters and believe that a person can never have enough comfy sweaters or slippers.
The gray cable knit that you featured from JCrew is in my cart. I am going to reread the post and check out some of the others that you mentioned are favorites.
Martha is an amazing woman and her books are fabulous. I too have a stack of them and the information is timeless.
Your spritz sounds delicious! I will put that on my fall cocktail list.
House of Guinness looks fascinating! And that castle! WOW. Wouldn’t that be fun to stay there.
Have a lovely weekend friend.
xo
Elizabeth … it’s still that hot. Oh no! Fall is our time to shine … and the weather needs to cooperate, right?! Hopefully it will … soon. xo
Juliet – I love your posts. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas, loves and your Cali life.
The ‘mustard’ colour cardigan on the right-hand side of your photo collage, paired with a white tee and your gorgeous gold Rolex looks divine. The cardy may be an oldy, but can you share the label name so I might possibly track it down?
Thank you for highlighting Jane Goodall’s work and ethos, as did Kim, to your readers. Jane was and will remain a huge inspiration.
Hi Suz, it’s one of my favorite cardigans too. And, you’re right, it’s many years old. It’s an inexpensive Top Shop sweater. I just did a quick search and couldn’t find it … but perhaps you’ll do a deeper dive on Poshmark or such. It’s more caramel colored … and a real workhorse during this time of year. Happy weekend! xo
Suz … you got me curious about that Top Shop cardigan that I bought at Nordstrom. Look! I found something very similar!
https://go.shopmy.us/p-27016450
Hi Juliet-Just to let you know your Frank and Eileen sweater link goes to the home page. We need to watch the Gilded Age!! House of Guinness sounds wonderful too…be sure and report back on that one! I love your Spritz series. We don’t often drink cocktails but I think you and Jim should write a book!!
Cindy! thanks for letting me know, I’ll fix it now. I think you’ll enjoy the Gilded Age. It was an unexpectedly enjoyable surprise. A book?! I don’t know, but I do love the idea. Happy weekend. xo
I never used to be a sweater girl until the last five years or so . I’m obsessed with your new cashmere and inspired by your round up. They are so cozy. Your comment about you uniform drives me closer to a huge closet purge. I too wear the same things over and over and don’t know what I still hang onto things that don’t fit the mold
I am still on season 3 of gilded age. I do love a good soap opera. Guinness is on the watch list. Have a great fall experience, Juliet. Gordon Skagit on October 13!
Karen, I’m exactly like you, a closet full of clothes and I wear the same thing every day. I’ve done a much better job recently of getting realistic about my life now and what I need and don’t and there’s been quite a bit of purging … but that seems like an ongoing (never ending) process. I’m so excited to see your pictures from Gordon Skagit. I still dream of it in the fall …and Christensen’s Nursery too. xo
Another fun post, Juliet! Love the sound of the spritzer — need to look for hard pear cider! Yes to all the cozy sweaters and thanks for your roundup! I am trying to watch The Gilded Age, but have been having problems downloading HBO/Max to my tv… Must get that solved! Thanks for the Homeworthy recommendation and info on the Martha Stewart reprint! Have a wonderful week!
Hi! I too have been changed by Laundry Love! Unfortunately I cannot seem to get the Index you referenced and I have written to Patric 3X now. Is there any way you could send the index to my email address? I subscribed just like it said and nothing! Then when you fill in your info again–it says, “you are already subscribed”!
He was going to check with his web person but I still can’t get the index and I keep trying. I was SO EXCITED to hear there was an index but NADA. Thanks Juliet!
Patti, I’m having the same problem. I sent a message to Patric too. He said others have notified him of similar issues and he’s working on it. Hope it’s fixed or he just add it as a download from his website. We need that index!!! xo
Hi Juliet,
What a great post! I was a blogger for a long time, so know what kind of devotion it takes to churn these out. Thank you!
On the subject of sweaters, how do you care for them? Hand wash, dry clean? I am highly allergic to both cashmere and wool (even Merino…everyone tells me to “Just try Merino, you’ll be fine!” (Not.) Anyhoo..finding a good quality cotton sweater not mixed with nylon, etc. has become quite the quest. But I always hand wash my sweaters and then they take days to dry and the drying racks are all over the place, so just wondering what you do. Also, sweaters pill and get eaten and the elbows stretch out, so if you wear them at home, you must have some tricks? I save mine for leaving the house!