It’s time for my Five Faves, including margaritas, Maxi Dresses, and gifts under $50 to make staying at home stylish. It’s not that easy to stay upbeat after finding out that we are on lockdown again here in San Francisco. BUT gratitude is key. I am grateful for you!
Five Faves: Margaritas, Maxi Dresses, Chic Gifts
Here are ways to make staying at home a bit more festive around the holidays.
1. Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are the way to go to feel comfortable and festive. My tiered dress with pockets is from Anthropologie (almost sold out) but there are more here. Alexandra’s dress is by Staud only available in black right now.
2. TC’s Fresh Lime Margaritas
Note: we just used lime juice this time but it is great with fresh orange juice too. We like to use Tajin Margarita salt for a little spice.
These tangy margaritas are delicious! But they pack a punch!
- 2 ounces premium tequila
- 1.5 ounces Cointreau or other Orange Flavored Liqueur
- 1 tbs. Simple Syrup (or more to taste) from the Grocery Store
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice Regular or Mexican limes
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice Regular or Blood Orange Juice
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Place all ingredients into a martini shaker with ice. Shake well.
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Pour over ice in salt-rimmed glasses.
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Garnish with a thin slice of orange and/or lime.
3. Chic Under $50 Gifts to Elevate Our At-Home Dining
This was a popular post a couple of years ago that I completely updated. With all our dining at home…it’s nice to make it special.
Chic Retro Cocktail Glass • Rose Gold Cocktail Shaker by Monique Lhuillier • Magnifico Wine Decanter • Wooden Serving Plank • Nifty Napkins Set of Six •Elegant Marble and Brass Cheese Servers • Urban Map Glass (Pick The Recipient’s Favorite Cities in the U. S.) • Marble and Wood Serving Board •Modern Comfort Food • Fine Specialty Cheeses From North Of SF • HoneyComb Block That Elevates Any Cheese Board
Classy Monogrammed Paper Guest Towels • Artisanal 5″ Bowls That Could Be Used For Nuts Or Small Dessert Servings • Handsome Wine Bucket • French Looking Retro Flutes • Contemporary Silvered Tray • Classic White Platter (entertaining staple) • Linen Napkins • Pretty Neutral Dishtowels • Skillet Love Cookbook • Marble Wine Cooler (trĂ©s chic) • Pinstripe Apron
4. The Faces Of Homelessness
Helping the Homeless (or “unhoused” or whatever is politically correct) is close to my heart as I have always wanted to create homes that make people comfortable. It’s also a byproduct of our many moves (back and forth across the U.S. and to France) and trying to create a home wherever we lived. Sometimes when I see a homeless person, I think that could be my son or daughter, or me!
When we lived in Fort Lauderdale, Alexandra and I volunteered at Broward Partnership. It’s a great organization to help people get back on their feet again. We worked in the kitchen and babysat children while their parents were at classes. Once I saw someone who graduated from the shelter working at Target and we both felt proud.
In San Francisco, the first time I went for my volunteer shift at St. Anthony’s (in a rough part of the Tenderloin), a community ambassador in a uniform asked if he could help me. I asked for directions and he sent me to the Social Work Center. He treated me with dignity, but I realized he thought I was homeless and needed assistance (I was in jeans and sneakers and didn’t bring a purse, or wear jewelry). “There but for the grace of God.”
It’s very disturbing to see the poverty on the streets. It’s a complicated problem. We must do better to improve the situation. I don’t have the answers, but I can lend support to people trying to feed and clothe individuals with immediate needs. With Covid this year, I am making a cash donation to St. Anthony’s.
Sorry, this is so long. Do you have a worthwhile organization that you feel strongly about? Especially this time of year?
5. What to Watch on Television
We finished the latest seasons of The Crown, Virgin River, and The Queens Gambit all on Netflix. If you like Star Wars as I do, you will love The Mandalorian on Disney +. It may be that Baby Yoda reminds us of Chief!
Have any new recommendations for us about what to watch on television?
Those were my Five Faves, including margaritas, Maxi Dresses, and gifts under $50 to make staying at home stylish.
You may also like Our Christmas Living Room in San Francisco
Check out what Annie and Cindy are recommending:
Most Lovely Things
Cindy Hattersley Design
Take care. Find joy.
Hi Mary Ann,
You and your daughter look so cute together in your maxi dresses! I don’t own a single one, guess I should add that to my list!
The homeless situation is so dire. Santa Cruz has a huge population of people living on the streets. Encampments pop up along the freeway and near the river. Very sad and I really feel for them during the cold nights. There is frost here every morning, I can’t imagine trying to sleep outdoors when it is that cold. I support our local food bank, and have also donated so many coats and blankets. I need to check the closets again and send unused items out to those who need them more than I do.
Your little Chief Yoda baby is too cute!
I hope during lock down you will keep enjoying your walks around the city, I live vicariously through you and your photos!
Have a good week!
XO Heidi
Thanks, Heidi! Can’t wait to get my painting of yours!
Mary Ann – I have been enjoying your Instagram posts of after-hours holiday lights in SF!! What a treat! Thank you for the virtual festivities!
Prayers for your sweet mother – and all of you again in lockdown. Merry Christmas!
Leslie in TX
Such a great photo of you and Alexandra! Those margaritas sound so good…we had my daughter and family over last night for a belated Thanksgiving dinner. She isn’t much of a wine drinker but asked in a text if we could make POMtinis. I always have pomegranate juice on hand so I made us some. I hardly ever drink hard liquor but I can’t resist those or margaritas.
Not sure if I ever mentioned the time my husband and I took my daughter to San Francisco for her 8th birthday. We had leftover pizza from dinner so after going back to the hotel he left in search of a homeless person to give it to . He finally found someone who was so grateful he stopped traffic so my husband could cross the street. Our homeless situation is not good in San Diego, my father-in-law’s restaurant was in East Village and it was really getting bad before they closed a few years ago.
Hope you are staying safe…
Hi! I love love your posts! Have you watched Escape to the Chateau or Escape to the Chateau DIY? It’s my haven right now! You’d probably appreciate the beautiful French chateaus and countryside. It’s my escape from this Michigan winter! 🙂 Marilyn
Thanks, Marilyn for the recommendation!
Your posts always make me happy. Beautiful pic of you and Alexandra, you look like sisters and thank you for always inspiring me. Your house looks so pretty and festive and the pic of Chief makes me laugh. Enjoy this wonderful season and stay safe.
You are the best, Gail!
Love this post and the pic of you two beautiful ladies! This year (since Mar.) we have sent monthly checks to Helping Hands, near where we live in the summer. Now we are back in Miami Beach and we are matching all funds donated by a women’s club I belong to. The monies will go to a supply meals for the families who have had sex trafficked kids in the Miami area. The group will also provide gift cards for the 40 girls who are in the program for girls who have been trafficked. These are our major donations this year. We live a very nice life and it is up to those of us who can share to do so. Paula Deen said this a.m. in one of her cookie demos, “I never toot my own horn, but I tell you this to make you think of how you should and can help” I feel the same, it makes me uncomfortable to toot but we have so many needs in our communities.
Thank you for your support of St. Anthony’s Foundation.
Of course!
What a great post! BTW the Staub website offers the dress in white and also in navy.
I plan to give Ina’s book as gifts this year and of course I will get one for myself too!
I truly do not need another napkin but those Anthro napkins are going to be hard to pass up.
Thanks for the tip!
Do you by chance have a recipe for a non-alcoholic strawberry dacquiri? That sounds yummy today. Homelessness tugs at my heartstrings daily. There are many in my neighborhood. Back in November, when the temperatures dropped, I donated 2 gently used coats. I also donated to the local food bank. Generally in December, I participate in a giving tree as it gives me pleasure to shop for a child. I need to find one or donate to toys for tots.
No, Mimi, but I could go for a non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiri right now! When working at the clothing store at St. Anthony’s we reject anything with stains or missing buttons (they do get recycled) as the homeless folks need it ready to wear. They can really use coats right now.
Ha! That picture of Chief made my day. He does look like a baby Yoda. What a cutie!
He is very patient with me making him pose. I make it worth his while (treats 🙂
Loved this post! When you have an evening to yourself, consider 800 Words and The Brokenwood Mysteries, both produced in New Zealand and very good. For out and out laughs…Schitt’s Creek!
We do fall back on Schitts Creek…and thanks for the 800 Words and The Brokenwood Mysteries suggestions!
Dear Mary Ann, love reading your thoughts and ideas for the home and dressing for the holidays.
Bless your dear Mother and may your family be safe.
Merry Christmas,
Mary Ann
Thanks so much, Mary Ann. My mom is hanging in there. We facetimed yesterday and she seems happy.
YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER LOOK LIKE SISTERS!
BEAUTIFUL DRESSES……….
LOCKDOWN HERE WE GO……………..
XX
I’m sure you will be seeing my dress again, Elizabeth. Take care.
Lovely. Yes, I love Margaritas with the addition of orange juice. I love those long dresses but with my bust???? I don’t know. Yes, this week I was moved to donate money to an organization that gives out books to children and No Kid goes Hungry. I loved the idea of a Giving Day. It’s so easy to give these days online. I’ve had the hardest time finding books that involve me. Do you think it’s the pandemic?
You look great in everything you wear, Sandra. With your gorgeous smile.
What a beautiful picture of you and your daughter , can’t wait to add some Margaritas and Maxi’s
to our stay at home Christmas celebrations .
Your natural Christmas home tour was so fun and gave my me the idea to do a Christmas home
tour across America with a group of friends from California to Florida ( oh my there was some technology
challenges involved) but we’re looking forward to seeing each other’s homes decorated for the Holidays.
As a family we have decided not to exchange gifts this year and make larger donations to help our
Community’s with so much need this year .
Your posts brighten my day !
What a great idea about the donations, Alexis! And HOW fun to share your homes that way.