Hello! I hope you are having a fine holiday weekend! I’m happy to be back with Cindy and Annie this week to show you some beautiful finds: music (a lovely chorus), luxe pillows, a nature walk, and what to watch on television.
It has nice to be with our family in Southern California. We will stay for our daughter, Alexandra’s birthday, and then drive home to San Francisco for a quiet New Years’ Eve. I’m really ready for 2021! How about you?
1. Beautiful Choir Music
This rendition of the song “Mary Did You Know” sung by the Detroit Youth Choir is really moving. (Click on the link). I saw this on the Today Show. You have to watch an ad, but it’s worth it.
2. Luxe Timeless Velvet Pillows
A reader asked about the leopard print pillow in our foyer below.
Years ago I worked for the upscale fabric company, Scalamandré. One of my favorite fabrics was the Italian velvet leopard print that was $500/yd retail! You can buy a ready-made Scalamandré pillow here. They also have it in the tiger print.
It’s an investment that will never go out of style.
3. Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale
My favorite new-ish Leopard Vans slip-ons are on sale for $37! Or in black. I love these tennis shoes, too.
4. What To Watch
A California Christmas
Ok, yes, this is a corny romantic comedy (and Howard would hate it) but I thought it was fun and enjoyed the scenes of Napa.
Bridgerton
My daughter just started the Bridgerton series on Netflix and she thinks I would like it. “During the Regency era in England, eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love”.
5. Enjoying A Sunset Nature Walk
We took the dogs for a nice walk at sunset along the Santa Monica bluffs with the swaying palm trees.
Ah, fresh air! We’ve been out for lots of walks and playing games with our kids Alexandra and Thomas (aka Alie and Tommy).
And those are my beautiful finds: Music, Pillows, Nature, and on television. You may also like: Freshen Up with PILLOWS! My Ten Favorite Sources and Let’s Share A Little PILLOW Talk!
Let’s go see what Annie and Cindy have for us!
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
I have two of the Scalamandere pillows I bought on Etsy. I wanted the velvet on both sides because they are for dining/library that have pierced backs and I wanted to see the pattern on both sides. My husband practically needed CPR!!!!! A Covid t-shirt I’ve seen around may be appropriate for my defense: don’t mess with old people, a life sentence doesn’t intimidate us!!! Enjoy your holiday, but please be safe. LA sounds really scary right now.
HOW luxe to have the velvet on both sides! We are staying safely indoors most of the day except for some walks. It is scary what we see on the local L.A. news!!
Where are you on THAT BENCH with the HUBBY?WHICH BEACH CITY!
WE watched the CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS and WE LOVED IT TOO!!
THE ITALIAN likes those HALLMARK SHOWS more THAN ME!!!I guess I am LUCKY in that respect!He also likes the BANG BANG shoot at THEM ones which I cannot stand………….
THE pillows by SCALAMANDERE are DEVINE!I CAN ALWAYS TELL IF ITS THE REAL DEAL……….I HAVE THE FAKE ONES WHICH I HAD MADE BY MY SEAMSTRESS!
WHERE DID YOU WORK FOR THEM /Los Angeles?
ALWAYS INTERESTING TO KNOW SOMEONES PAST!
XX
It’s in Santa Monica. I worked for Scalamandre in Florida…Palm Beach and Miami. I actually enjoyed it!
Mary Ann,
Such a beautiful rendition of Mary Did You Know. I always enjoy youth choral music.
I’m searching for a new pair of trainers so I’ll be taking advantage of your link to Nordstrom. Walking with a friend every day has been my sanity through this crazy time,
I’m loving this quiet holiday time with some of our local family.
Karen
Walking has been good for my sanity, too.
I was in Los Angeles as well, visiting my son, DIL and grandsons 3 and 6. Such fun ages! They have a Boston puppy that’s 9 mo. old who is cute as can be and full of energy. We enjoyed the same sunsets from their house which is on a hill where they see the planes come into LAX.
Thank you for the range of topics today. I’m fairly new to your blog and look forward to it, as well as Cindy’s ( Californian’s unite!)
I watched the first episode of Bridgerton on Christmas Day & by binged the remaining seven
episodes yesterday. The costumes are exquisite. I give it a big 👍 It also looks like there will be a second season too. 👏
I’m watching it right now with my daughter…oh boy…all the sex is a little embarrassing 🙂 But the costumes and interiors are amazing!!
Yes, you’ve once again found 5 more funds to share that I know I would love. That walk along the Santa Monica cliffs was lovely and one never tires of a beautiful sunset.
We’re driving home from my brothers in Davis where we spent a quiet Christmas, doing exactly what you did. We watched the first episode of Brigerton and looking forward to more episodes.
We also watched George Clooney’s new movie The Midnight Sky and we all gave it thumbs down.
Happy Sunday to you.
I’m 3 episodes into Bridgerton and am enjoying it. It is a romantic fantasy. If you need your historical romances to be historically accurate, this might not be for you.
I think as an escape…I will be fine with inaccuracies. 🙂
Hi Mary Ann, looks like you had a nice relaxing holiday…what a year this was I think we are all ready for 2021! I didn’t know you worked for Scalamandre. I purchased two of the tiger pillows last year and I just love them. if my husband knew what these cost he would faint but like you said they are an investment. You have to splurge once in awhile right? :o) That said I just recently scored that Dragon vase in the same photo for $99.00! I had some rewards too so my final cost was $25.00. Willams Sonoma Home is having some killer deals right now.
Happy New Year!
Linda
Thanks for commenting, Linda…I never tell Howard how much my pillows cost 🙂
I look forward to your weekly emails and to your posts, especially now during the pandemic. I have enjoyed your recipes and your fashion suggestions — love the positive attitude you share with all of us.
Such a sweet message, Carol. Thank you!