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Latest Purchases for Home & Wardrobe: March 2020

April 2, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

I’ve been trying to focus my attention on this space to give myself a creative outlet from the monotony of self isolation, but I’m not quite there yet as I get used to the new normal of working from home. When my work day ends, all I want to do is step away from a computer, go for a walk, and then plant myself in front of a different screen to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons. (Don’t judge me. It’s surprisingly addictive and a nice escape from doomsday news clips.) That said, I bought a few things last month! So, why not get back into the blogging routine with a roundup of my latest acquisitions that may or may not see the light of day outside of a virtual meeting this season! 😉

Disclaimer: I never include things like pajamas and athletic clothes in these roundups, but trust that I bought a new pair of “pandemic pants,” slippers, and a hoodie to go with. I’m embarrassed to share how often I’ve already worn that getup.

PURCHASED – FOR ME
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Kate Spade ‘party bubbles’ blouse – Kate Spade’s sale items are an extra 50% off right now, so it’s a good time to scoop this up if you like it as much as I do! I tend to be between a small and medium in Kate Spade items and went with the medium in this one, although it was close.
  • Kate Spade ‘pacific petals’ hair tie – This hair tie is even better in person. I didn’t realize that you can remove the scarf and use just the scrunchie portion, which I won’t actually do, but I love that you can use the scarf separately.
  • LOFT floral vine tiered dress – Loft’s tiered swing dresses win me over every time. I went with a small. It looks like it’s already sold out, but you can see the other tiered styles here. I’m considering this black dress next!
  • Quay Australia ‘after hours’ sunglasses – These are really fun oversized shades if you’re looking for a new pair this season.

PURCHASED – FOR HOME

  • Target lumbar pillow – I’m disappointed that this is already sold out online because it’s one of the best throw pillows I’ve come across at the retailer in awhile. The quality is great and the texture makes it look more expensive than it is. It’s a great accent pillow for bedding.

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Filed Under: Home, Style Tagged With: Home Purchases, New Purchases, wardrobe update, What I Bought

Latest Purchases for Home & Wardrobe: February 2020

February 27, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Sometimes I don’t realize how well my recent purchases coordinate until I put them in this monthly collage! I couldn’t have predicted I’d be on such a neutral kick, but it really gives off an airy, spring vibe that I couldn’t be more ready for!

PURCHASED – FOR ME
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Jenny Bird ‘Thea’ pendant necklace – Jenny Bird is one of my favorite jewelers, but it’s been awhile since I’ve purchased a piece from her. I’ve been looking for a heftier pendant necklace to wear with v-neck tops and I opted to try this necklace. It has a lovely organic shape and a nice weight to it.
  • Soludos classic striped espadrille sandal – When summery espadrilles are on sale for a mere $20, you add-to-cart without a second thought! The black version is also on sale, but in limited sizes. They’re true to size.
  • Vince ‘Preston’ sneakers in linen – I wear my other Vince sneakers all the time, so I couldn’t help myself when I found theses at nearly 50% off. I find that they run true to size. They’re definitely stiff right out of the box, but they’re perfect after you break them in.

PURCHASED – FOR HOME

  • Cedar & Moss light fixture – The light fixture pictured above is actually the 12-inch design, which is slightly bigger than the 10-inch one we purchased for our office. There wasn’t a preview image of the smaller one in brass with the opal shade, thus the discrepancy. In any case, this fixture is gorgeous! It’s handmade in Portland and the attention to detail and quality is spot on.
  • Crate & Barrel grey marble bowl – We stopped by Crate & Barrel when we were in Chicago last weekend. I had been looking for a display bowl to gather Instax printed photos (we have this printer which pairs to your smartphone). This one might actually be a bit too large for what I was picturing, but the bowl was too gorgeous to pass up. If you’re interested in it and near a store, it’s worth stopping in to see them in person as the grey marble varies quite a bit from bowl to bowl. All of them were pretty though and the modern shape is versatile.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Things I tried and didn’t love.

  • Maaji long dress – It’s difficult to tell in the stock image, but there’s a seam mid-thigh on this dress that created an unflattering pooch under the smocked bodice. It would have been so much better on me had the fabric simply flowed away from the top. Other than that, the fabric was nice and seemed like it would hold up well as either a day dress or a swimsuit cover up. I also really liked the halter straps. Runs true to size.
  • J.Crew crew neck merino wool boyfriend sweater – I thought this would be the perfect slouchy, go-to sweater to pair with black pants or skinny jeans. It didn’t fill that void for me. It’s great quality and fits like the photo (I went with a size small), but I quickly realized that boyfriend-style sweaters just aren’t my thing. They’re too boxy and make me look larger than I am.
  • Banana Republic tiered swing dress – There’s a special place in hell for people who design a loose, swingy dress and then add a fitted lining to the inside.
  • Banana Republic marled cable-knit sweater – I love the unique weave of this sweater and the weight was really nice for spring or fall, but it was way too large. I’m not sure if I’ll order it in a smaller size.
  • Birkenstock ‘Siena’ big buckle slide – These are really cute from the side, but they look like old-lady shoes from the top and front. I don’t know if it’s a combination of the style with the faded metallic leather because I’ve seen them on others and they’re adorable. Either way, they went back.

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Filed Under: Home, Style Tagged With: Home Purchases, New Purchases, wardrobe update, What I Bought

5 Ceramicists I Love

February 20, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Japanese pottery

There’s something so beautiful about the rustic elegance of clay and ceramic art that I can’t help but add a piece to my collection every time I travel or go to an art fair. The piece above was from our visit to Portland’s Japanese Garden in 2018 and it’s one of my favorites to date. (I’m drawn most to Japanese-inspired pottery.) Even though I’m trying to keep my collection in check, I can’t help but to follow each new-to-me ceramist on Instagram that catches my eye. I thought I’d pass them along to you in case you’re just as enamored with their art as I am and you’re looking for a new piece to add to your home.

Bombabird Ceramics

ceramicists to follow

The texture in Chelsea’s pieces paired with a neutral color palette results in gorgeous organic pieces that are a must for any collection. The candlesticks and simple schoolhouse-inspired vases are among my favorites.

Monohanako

ceramicists to follow

Splitting her time between Japan and Maine, Hanako’s work is rooted in Karatsu, Japan where her family’s has a several-generation history in pottery. You can purchase her work at a variety of New England shops.

Notary Ceramics

ceramicists to follow

Another artist who wins me over with her attention to detail and elegant simplicity is Sarah Van Raden, creator of Notary Ceramics. It’s minimalism at its best with soft, clean lines.

Cloutier Ceramics

ceramicists to follow

Julie’s work has an organic sensibility that draws me in every time. Not only are they beautiful pieces, they’re also functional, which is really the biggest appeal of ceramic art. The double bowl — perfect for setting out for olives and their pits — is something I’d love to have as indulgent as it may be.

Emily Coyne Ceramics

ceramicists to follow

Emily Coyne Ceramics is located in Madison and while I haven’t purchased a piece yet, my fingers are crossed for another collaboration with Gib’s, a local cocktail bar that had a “Cocktails in Clay” event featuring her work last spring.

I’d love to know if there are any ceramicists that you follow that I should have on my radar!

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Filed Under: Home Tagged With: artists, ceramics, home decor

Latest Purchases for Home & Wardrobe: January 2020

January 27, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Latest Purchases

PURCHASED – FOR ME
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Kate Spade faux fur jacket in gingerbread (also available here) – If this post was any indication, you know how delighted I am by this purchase. My focus for 2020 is to only purchase and keep items that I’m absolutely head-over-heels for and this coat is the perfect example of that. It’s ultra soft, the color has dimension, and is actually really warm. I have narrow shoulders and a small chest, so I was able to size down to a small. (I tend to be between a small and medium in Kate Spade tops.)
  • Spanx “The Perfect Black Pant” back-seam skinny pants – I had been searching for a pair of comfortable black dress pants to wear to work and came across these. I love that they’re stretchy and hold everything in smoothly. They hit me right at the ankle, which is my ideal length for wearing with flats. I’m typically a 10 in pants and the large fit the best.

PURCHASED – FOR HOME

  • Hearth & Hand faux fig stem – I bought this vase last year and the small opening is perfect for displaying a single branch, which is great for when there’s actual greenery outside. In the meantime, I purchased the faux fig stem from Target. It’s one of their more realistic stems that’s convincing enough from across the room and it adds a nice textural element to the dining table where the vase is displayed right now.
  • Target bath mat – I asked my parents for Lands’ End’s Turkish spa towels in pewter for Christmas last year and they delivered. (I highly recommend them if you’re looking for towels! They feel so luxurious and they’re a great price point. You can even order a sample swatch to feel the texture before committing.) I wanted a bath mat to match and came across this one at Target. I love the low pile, which seems like it’ll hold up well. I’ll likely get another one or two because I love it so much.
  • West Elm fluted planter – Even in “extra small,” which was the size I bought, this planter is on the larger size — which is a great value for the money. I love the fluted shape that adds interest to an otherwise basic white planter. It ended up being too large for the pilea I wanted to use, but I’m keeping it for the next plant I bring home.
  • “Windfall” print by Kelly Money – I’m a sucker for a moody seascape or landscape and fell for this print. I bought the small 8-inch square print with the black metal frame. I’m not quite sure where it’ll go just yet, though!

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Filed Under: Home, Style Tagged With: Home Purchases, New Purchases, wardrobe update, What I Bought

Home Projects for the Next 6 Months

January 8, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Mid-century Modern Living Room and Entry
This was taken in January 2019. I love looking back at how things have evolved. You can see a more recent image here with the artwork we added above the entry table.

Sometimes I get pangs of jealousy when I look at home bloggers like Chris Loves Julia who dive into their house projects and seem to make major transformations in such a small amount of time. And then I remind myself that it’s their job. For most of us, house projects have to be balanced with occupations, vacations, social schedules, and monetary commitments — all of which hinder the grandiose plans of a remodel or a fully decorated place on a short timeline.

I was completely naive to this when we closed on our house summer of 2017 and thought we’d be living in a near-complete home by now. That’s not even close to reality! It is fun to look back, however, at the progress we have made like painting the wood paneling, having this built-in installed in to divide the “open-concept” bedrooms, and finally replacing the old storm door. So, in an effort to keep things moving along, I put together a list of things I’d like to complete in the next 180 days, listed out by month. Some are easy and won’t take more than a weekend or two. Others are a bit more ambitious or pricey, but I tend to have more success when I hold myself accountable to a timeline. Here’s what’s on deck:

January

  • Finish removing paint from old door hardware.
  • Paint the door frames in the guest room.
  • Mount doors in the guest room.
  • Hire electrician for a couple of projects.
  • Choose stairwell paint color.
  • Hire painter to paint the stairwell in February/March.
  • Organize our beer collection in the basement and purchase wine racks for the corked bottles that need to stored on their sides.
  • Order materials samples for roller shades to install in the bedrooms.

February

  • Have our stairwell professionally painted. (We already got a quote for painting and plaster repair of some cracks in the space. It’s $840, which is why we’ve put it off a bit. I wanted to do wallpaper, but that’s going to be at least $1,000 in wallpaper alone and we’re not planning to live here forever. It seems like a smarter decision to paint now and allocate money to other projects before something as indulgent as wallpaper.)
  • Install door for my closet. (Our carpenter has the door now to do restoration work on it, so it’ll need to be painted before putting it up. This might be pushed back to March, depending on when he’s done with it. I told him it wasn’t a priority and can take a backseat to other projects he has.)
  • Replace the light fixture in our office.
  • Replace the light fixture in Dave’s closet.
  • Purchase and install roller shades or drapes for the bedrooms and office.
  • Address our closet organization needs. Purchase systems that will optimize the spaces, and install by the end of March.

March

  • Install closet organization systems.
  • Fill in the guest room trim with vinyl spackling to hide the nail holes and joints.
  • Paint the guest room walls and trim.
  • Replace the door handle leading to our sun room with a vintage one (or replica) that coordinates with the rest of the house’s hardware.
  • Mount exterior garage light. (We’ve had a solar-powered light to install since last year and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Oops!)

April

  • Purchase and install new light fixture in the guest room.
  • Start seriously looking for dining room storage, whether it’s a vintage sideboard, new credenza, or a even a modern ladder bookshelf.
  • Organize the basement.
  • Catch up on any projects that didn’t get done in the first three months!

May

  • Stain front porch and deck — assuming we have enough days in a row that are warm and dry enough for it. (Considering this project also includes power washing and sanding, I think it’s plenty for the month!)
  • Purchase planters and shade-tolerant plants to spruce up the front porch.

June

  • Budget bathroom refresh. (We were discussing our priorities for house renovations that we’ll need to hire someone for and I think the front of the house and sun room will win out. So, in an effort to make the bathroom cuter than it is, I’m going to make cosmetic upgrades and swap out light fixtures, paint the cabinets and walls, install new hardware, and we might try replacing the linoleum flooring with a different design/color. I’m also toying with the idea of painting the tiles or staining the grout.)

I’ll continue to work on sharing my progress with you with either project-based posts or monthly recaps!

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Filed Under: Home Tagged With: home, home renovation

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Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry. Follow along for personal style, travel, and lifestyle content.

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For You…


I’ve had my eye on these graphic earrings for awhile and now they’re even more tempting at $50.

For Home…


This drink table is perfect for small spaces when you need a place to perch a cocktail. Plus, it doubles as a plant stand!

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Phone nooks don’t get the attention they deserve Phone nooks don’t get the attention they deserve. They’re practically begging to be used as built-in displays for ceramics! 

(I removed the phone jack, pulled the wires back through the hole, and patched it up, so it’s no longer functional for a landline. I assume a future owner won’t miss it either!)

#phonenook #vintagehouse #thisoldhouse #pottery #ceramics #targetstyle #hearthandhandwithmagnolia
I can’t believe we’re celebrating our fourth C I can’t believe we’re celebrating our fourth Christmas in the house! I’ve taken a version of this photo each Christmas to serve as a timeline of the small changes over the years. One thing never changes, though: I think our Christmas tree is the prettiest. 😊 I hope you have a wonderful holiday in however you’re able to celebrate this year. 2020 has been difficult, but we’re in the home stretch now! Sending lots of love your way!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. #c It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

#christmas #christmasathome #christmastree #ckstyleaccordingly #showemyourstyled #showemyourholiday #1920shome
As my holiday gift to you, enjoy my favorite famil As my holiday gift to you, enjoy my favorite family cookie recipe now on the blog! (Find it via the link-in-profile or search for "sugar cookie.”) It never feels like Christmas until I’ve had my mom’s sugar cookies. In a typical year (or even an atypical one like 2020!), I’ll spend a couple of days working on these — baking them the first and decorating them the second — and it immediately puts me in the holiday spirit. Not only are these nostalgic for me as she’s been making them my entire life (there’s even a photo of me, no older than 2 years old, sitting at the kitchen table “helping” with them), they’re hands-down the best sugar cookies I have ever had. And plenty of people agree with not-so-subtle hints to make them each year.

#sugarcookies #christmascookies #baking #frostedsugarcookies #holidaybaking #holidaycookies
It never really feels like the holiday season unti It never really feels like the holiday season until I’ve made sugar cookies with my mom’s decades old recipe — and until I’ve risked a food-borne illness by snacking on raw dough. I shirked the holiday tradition last year after having been too busy with holiday travel (ten days in Belgium and a long weekend in Chicago left me too busy with other holiday to-dos), but there’s zero excuse to put off baking this year. #AlwaysHome #QuarantineForever
Buffalo plaid packages tied up with string ... the Buffalo plaid packages tied up with string ... these are a few of my favorite things. 🎶 (I don't think Julie Andrews would mind tweaking the lyrics a little bit, right? 😉)

Pro tip: Instead of looking at the gift-wrap section for things to decorate your presents, hit up your local craft store. I bought a package of 75 jingle bells, a dozen mini bottlebrush trees, and twine in seasonal colors for just a couple of dollars each. (The wrapping paper is from Target.)

#holidayseason #buffaloplaid #giftwrap #plaid #presents #christmasgifts #christmasgiftwrapping #giftwrappingideas
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