What I’m Reading, Watching, Listening to & Wearing + Peach Jalapeño Spritz

Today on weekend meanderings, enjoying the last days of summer + what I’m reading, watching, listening to and wearing. It’s the last cocktail night of summer and I made a Peach Jalapeño Spritz.

Happy Saturday, friends!

It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.

And that’s a wrap on summer … it flew by and I’m not mad about it. Living in our current state of limbo I’m counting the days months until our new house is finished and we can get settled. I know it’s important to enjoy the journey, eye roll, but … I just want to be on the other side it.

All products and links included in this post are selected by me and some may be affiliate links.

Now that my fall wardrobe is squared away with new pieces from Frank & Eileen, I’m ready for fall. As the overused, but clearly resonate Instagram meme goes, I am a fall. I suspect many of you are too. We’ve got 22 more days until we’re fall official, but for all intents and purposes Labor Day marks the end of summer. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all the fun things late summer has to offer.

These three pieces are available at Flaunt in Danville. If you’re not in the area I linked below.

Triple Fleece Pullover | Denim Popover | Cotswolds Cardi

Soaking Up Some Late Summer Fun

Late summer transitioning to fall is a lovely time of year. Even as the days get shorter it’s still warm – often hot – at night and there are still many fun, local things to do. Last weekend we went to see Petty Theft, a Tom Petty tribute band, at Wente Vineyards in Livermore with BFF Jane and her husband Rob.

It was an unusually cool night, and the fog found its way this far inland.

Wente has been hosting summer concerts on their beautiful lawn area for eons and we’ve seen some great shows there over the years … Peter Frampton, Lynyrd Skynard, Chicago, Boz Scagg. This summer has been a tribute band series which is so much fun.

Photo credit: Wente Vineyards

Wente Vineyards is a gorgeous property to visit … not only for the wine tasting. They have a restaurant, The Grill, and a wonderful golf course (says Jim). They also host lots of events … from wine tastings and celebrations to summer concerts and a fall jazz festival, plus private soirees. Wente is one of the oldest family owned continuously operating winery in the United States. I get confused about these claims because Buena Vista Winery, where I worked for many years, claims to be the oldest continuously operating winery in California. And Charles Krug Winery claims to be the oldest winery. I guess you need to read the fine print. No matter, the Livermore Valley wine region has grown exponentially and become a well traveled destination with more than 50 wineries. It’s less chaotic and more laid back than Napa … but the same sort of wine tasting experiences. If Napa or Sonoma are in your travel plans consider carving out a day to visit the Livermore Valley. I should plan a few day trips and put together a Livermore wine country travel guide. Great idea!

Back to the concert, it was sold out and packed. We had to hunt around for a place to set up our lawn chairs (note to self: arrive earlier). Once we staked our claim to a tiny spot of lawn, Jim and Rob headed to the bar and Jane and I went to the food tents. Wente offers their wines by the glass or bottle. There’s also a full bar. For lawn seating they had three or four food tent options. Jane and I had smash burgers and Jim and Rob had cheesesteaks.

Jane wore the chicest striped button up from J. Crew … I think it’s this one. She was also wearing darling sneakers with a hint of leopard. She said they’re Madewell from 4-5 years ago, but they look a lot like these. I just went down a rabbit hole on her sneaks and found similar styles like these (on sale & another 40% off with code LONGWEEKEND), these and these Madewell x Veja!

There are so many fun things going on this time of year and I wish I could go to them all. If you’re a Bay Area local, Wente Vineyards Summer Live Music Series continues with 24K Magic (Bruno Mars tribute) September 5th and Illegals (Eagles tribute) September 14th. Bring your lawn chairs – or buy a VIP table (includes a fabulous dinner buffet) – and enjoy a night of music – and wine – under the stars.

 

Wente’s Peach Jalapeno Spritz

Speaking of Wente Vineyards, their recent newsletter included this recipe for a Peach Jalapeño Spritz. It’s peach season so I decided to give it a try for my final cocktail night of summer. It’s delish!

And, it’s perfect for Labor Day weekend gatherings.

Woven Coaster | Stemless Wine Glass

Here’s how to make it (recipe here):

Muddle half a peeled peach in a mixing glass, add 4 oz of Pinot Grigio and stir together. Pour into ice filled wine glass and add 1 oz of sparkling wine, and 1 oz sparkling water (I used Topo Chico for its super fizz). Drop in a jalapeño slice plus a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon). Give it another stir and add a slice of peach and sprig of mint for garnish.

Wente recommends using their Pacific Mist Pinot Grigio and Brut Sparkling Wine. And I’m thinking that a dash of peach schnapps might make it a little peachier.

 

My Love Affair With Barrel-Style Pants

Who’d have thunk it … I love a barrel-style pant! The first time I saw them I dismissed them out of hand. No, thank you. Not for me. And then, as things tend to do, I got used to seeing them and became less adamantly opposed. I kept hearing raves about Madewell’s darted barrel-leg style and so I tried them on, and the rest is history. I adore them and have been wearing them non-stop, and boring you with my love for them non-stop. And suddenly I have four pair of barrel-style pants in my closet. How did I get here?

First, the anchor pair. Madewell’s darted leg barrel. I wear them so frequently I started to panic and wonder if I should buy a back up pair. Because what if something happens to mine? Like a catastrophic spill. Quel horreur.

White Shirt | Barrel Jean in Dobbins Wash

When I logged on to reorder, I noticed that the dart-leg barrel is available in different washes (mine is the Dobbins wash) and a cargo-ish style as well. In an effort to try something new I ordered the cargo style, in the Kingsmark wash. Of course, I ordered them in the same size as my original pair (27), but the cargo style fits a little different. It gaps in the back. Aside from that, the Kingsmark wash is so good, and the denim is really soft and comfortable. But still, the gap. I was about to start the return process when I decided to try them on again – and practice what I preach by taking them to a tailor to fix the gap. I could have tried sizing down, but the length and fit are otherwise perfect and tailoring seemed the best solution. I can’t wait to pick them up.

Barrel Jean in Kingsmark Wash

My closet in our pied-à-terre is small. That said, if I’d had a closet this size in my first apartment I would died and gone to heaven. I’ve rearranged the closet a few times (we’ve only lived here three months) trying to get the pieces I wear most often front and center and easy to find. While doing this I found a pair of Pistola barrel-style utility pants that had been hidden away. I put them on to run errands and three woman stopped me to ask where I bought them. That’s a sure sign I need to wear them more … and share them with you. I’m wearing a 26 which are fairly roomy, so I’d say to size down.

Utility Pant | White Tee

And, then my third pair of barrel-style became four when Ruti sent me their On the Loose Work Pant. I’ve already shared Ruti’s More Than Active Pant that I’ve been wearing on morning dog walks. Anyway, the On the Loose style is pull-on pant in light-weight nylon-spandex no-iron fabric, with an ankle length tapered leg (barrel-style), and slanted front pockets. It’s a totally versatile style … casual dog walking (I do a lot of dog walking), errand running, lunching, out to dinner. And it has all the necessary ingredients for a great, packable travel pant. So far I’ve worn them for all of the above, except travel but that will change next week.

On the Loose Work Pant | Waverly Shirt

In fabulous news, Ruti is offering 15% off at checkout when shopping from one of my links (any of my Ruti links), so a huge thank you to them for that. Ruti also makes a very popular Ultimate Barrel Jean.

So there you have it … one, two, three … count them, four pair of barrel-style pants in my closet. I’ve come a long way in less than a year. If you’ve had a similar – negative – reaction to the barrel-style, maybe give them another look. And with that, I rest my case.

 

Serena & Lily’s Labor Day Sale

Serena & Lily’s Labor Day sale is the best time to pull the trigger on beautiful, high quality wish-list pieces. I wrote a post about my favorite Serena & Lily pieces at Snowberry here.

BTW my cute green and brown striped reading glasses were sent to me by the Ryan Simkhai Eyeshop. My eye doctor recently told me to increase magnification to 1.50 which was a real eye opener. Pun intended. Anyway, I’m thrilled to have some new, stylish reading glasses.

Odds & Socks ~

Labor Day weekend requires a good dip … this Caprese Dip is a crowd pleaser.

Currently watching ~

Jim and I have been consuming a lot of great TV and I won’t go into a ton of detail, but here’s some of what we’ve enjoyed. The Residence on Netflix is a fun murder mystery. The production sets must have cost a small fortune. Dept. Q on Netflix starring Matthew Goode, who we love, is excellent but not for the faint of heart. Hostage on Netflix, implausible but if you can get past that, quite entertaining. Untamed, also on Netflix is very, very good. Starring Eric Bana as a Federal agent investigating a murder in Yosemite National Park and the scenery is gorgeous. A second season is in the works. Oh and we’ve already talked about Leanne … a 16 episode sitcom that is hilarious and, like a lot of people, I’m watching a second time through.

In the documentary realm, CNN’s American Prince: JFK, Jr. and LiveAid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World. Both docs really bring back the memories. The 3-part American Prince speaks for itself, who doesn’t remember horror of hearing that JFK, Jr., Caroline and Lauren Bessette’s plane went missing? And the LiveAid concerts in 1985 … I remember of course but didn’t know the full story behind its coming to be … or recall much about the 10-year anniversary Live8 concerts.

Currently listening ~

Favorite blogger Melissa, Home with a Twist, teamed up with her friend Brittany, The Sentimental Decorator, to create a podcast, The Sentimental Twist. In the first 10-episode season the friends introduce themselves with charming chit chat sharing their own personal stories of home, family and friends and the things that are most meaningful – sentimental – in their lives and homes. Great news, they’ll be back with a second season in October focusing on fall and holiday entertaining. I told Kim that she and I should do a podcast. She countered with a return to regular Instagram Lives. What do you think?

Tina Brown interviews with Gary Ginsberg) on her Fresh Hell Substack (it’s a video conversation). Gary was a friend of JFK, Jr. and producer of the American Prince documentary mentioned above. Tina also interviewed Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled, the new book about Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson from which I’m still reading … and reeling. I haven’t listened to the interview yet, but I know it will be good.

Currently reading ~

I’m three quarters through Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. The British Royals are my favorite pastime, I inherited this weird obsession from my mom and I have a lot of thoughts. But, I’ll keep them to myself. Suffice to say, most of what’s written about Andrew and Sarah is well known but the depth and detail in the book is toe curling. My personal connection to the story is that John Bryan (toe sucking John Bryan) was my boss for about nine months back in 2007. I know, the horror of it all. I can’t believe he ingratiated himself into royal circles … and is apparently back on the scene advising Andrew and Sarah on PR strategy around their most recent picadillos. Clearly PR is not his – or their – thing.

L.A. Women by Ella Berman is next up in my reading queue. “Berman evokes Eve Babitz, Joan Didion, and the glamour of the 1960s California literary scene in this exciting tale of a friendship and its dissolution…. Readers will surely fall for these two ladies of the canyon.”
—Publishers Weekly

French at Heart a second cookbook by Marjorie Taylor and Kendal Smith Franchini. They’re the mother daughter behind The Cook’s Atelier – cooking school and book. Reading cookbooks like novels is another thing I picked up from my mom.

Current Favorites ~

 

That’s what I have for you today.

Let’s see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE

PINECONES AND ACORNS