Travel

Hola From NOLA

March 27, 2017 by jessica 6 Comments

It’s so hard to be back in Wisconsin after a wonderful trip to New Orleans! I loved the architecture, the easy-going nature of the city, and the weather–even if the humidity made my hair limp 15 minutes into the day! Even though we were there for a short amount of time, having the opportunity to debut my spring and summer clothes was such a nice respite from tights and wool sweaters! In addition to this wig, which is perfect for hot and humid weather with light, crisp cotton, I’ve been all about this pair of sunglasses that GlassesUSA sent over right before our trip.

GlassesUSA was founded with the mission to provide fashion-forward eyewear without the high price tag of designer brands, and they absolutely nailed it with their house brand Muse with the M0527 style that I’m wearing here. The oversize lenses have a flattering cat-eye shape and a unique matte finish. GlassesUSA carries more than just sunglasses, of course. If you’re in the market for a new pair of prescription glasses, you’ll be delighted to know that a complete pair with frames and lenses starts at $48. Prescription lenses are included free with every frame!

Snapshots from New Orleans

March 22, 2017 by jessica 3 Comments

And just like that, we’re back from our trip to the The Big Easy! It’s such a beautiful city (especially when you veer off Bourbon Street) with Instagrammable details around every corner! I have hundreds of photos to sift through on my camera before I put together a guide of what we experienced in the city. Until then, here are a few mini moments from our stay:

It’s impossible to ignore all of the pretty architectural details and colors of the buildings in New Orleans. I drove Dave crazy stopping every few feet to take another photo!
Before our flight on Tuesday morning, we took one last stroll around the city and stumbled across Exchange Place, a quaint side street that reminded us of Europe. I wish we had come across it earlier in our trip. One of the restaurants on the street, Green Goddess, sounds amazing.
We enjoyed a Ramos gin fizz at Tujague’s, home to a stand-up bar shipped over from Paris in 1856. The best cocktails, however, were at Carousel Bar & Lounge in Hotel Monteleone where we enjoyed a milk punch (which kind of reminded me of eggnog) and a Pimm’s Cup.
One of the highlights of the trip for me was a tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the oldest cemetery in New Orleans.
I used this bag every day on our trip. It held everything I could possibly need with plenty of room for trinkets I collected throughout the day. (You can snag the dress I’m wearing in the photo here. I’m tempted to buy the green one, too.)
We strolled around the Garden District one morning and took in the architectural details and inspiring color combinations. If we’re lucky enough to buy a house with an open front porch, I’m definitely painting the ceiling a pretty shade of light blue.
I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in a yellow house with turquoise blue trim, but I couldn’t walk past a house with that color combination and not take a photo!
Of course we indulged in beignets at Cafe du Monde. They’re as delicious as they’re rumored to be, but I’d actually recommend skipping the frozen latte. It’s entirely too much sugar with the beignets. I left with the worst stomach ache!

New Orleans Packing List

March 17, 2017 by jessica 4 Comments

By the time you read this, we’ll be on our way to New Orleans for four nights and I could not be more excited to explore the Big Easy and bask in some summer-like weather! Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to pack all of my new spring items and snap photos of all of them. Get ready for lots of pastel walls and wrought iron details in my outfit photos over the next few weeks! I’ve never been to New Orleans before, but we’re armed with a Google Map full of must-sees, must-eats, and must-drinks. If you have any recommendations, though, please let me know! You can follow my adventure on Instagram and Snapchat (username: bedknobsbaubles). The latter I use mostly for IRL friends, so it’s the unedited, non-blog-worthy take on my life.

The pieces above are just a fraction of what I’m packing in my suitcase. You don’t actually think I’m that good at packing and rewearing pieces, do you? 😉 I’m also bringing my favorite pink dress, this yellow number, a dress that has the best neckline detail, this blue and white one, and these draped shorts that look fantastic with the black tank top and pearl sandals. I also received these matte black sunglasses that I’m bringing along and these stunning earrings from Sweet & Spark if they arrive before we depart. The other items include:

Nashville Photo Diary & Travel Guide

March 3, 2017 by jessica 5 Comments

I’ve finally put together a recap of our long weekend in Nashville last October. I’m not a country music fan by any stretch of the imagination (I’m more of a hip-hop girl), so people were surprised that we were making the trek to Music City. But there’s more to the city than just honky tonks (which you have to do, by the way). It’s a vibrant city with pockets of charm that appeal to both country music lovers and non-lovers alike! I listed the things that we did on our trip below. This barely scratches the surface of what Nashville has to offer, but we did a pretty good job of experiencing the highlights over three days.

Sonix iPhone case

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Honky Tonk: Even if you’re not a huge country music fan, you can’t go to Nashville and completely ignore the music scene. Just about every bar downtown offers free live music each weeknight. Just head to Music Row and pop into any bar to embrace the honky-tonk scene. It’s a lively, laid back experience that really shouldn’t be missed. Be sure to bring singles so you can tip the bands! My favorite night was at Nashville Crossroads where a younger band was playing. There weren’t many patrons in that bar, so they were casually taking requests. After one girl requested “Baby Got Back,” Dave requested R. Kelly’s “Remix to Ignition.” It was more amazing than you could possibly imagine with a country twang! (Be prepared to show your I.D. everywhere no matter your age. To a Wisconsinite, it was a little obnoxious since we rarely need to flash our I.D. if we look over 21.)
Street Art: Nashville has an incredible street art scene with murals in the most unlikely places. Some of my favorites were spotted just walking around the downtown area. However, there are a couple of iconic photo locations you’ll want to add to your itinerary for a true Nashville experience: “What Lifts You” by Kelsey Montague (302 11th Ave. S.) with the pint-sized version for dogs and “I Believe in Nashville” by Adrien Saporiti (2706 12th Ave. S.). Be prepared to wait your turn in line with a bevvy of other girls and their Instagram Husbands eager to get the perfect shot.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge: This bridge spans the Cumberland River and offers great views of the city skyline.
The Parthenon: Built in 1987 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, The Parthenon in Nashville is a full-scale replica of the Athens original. I wanted to go inside and see the statue, but I suddenly felt sick and had to head back to the hotel for some R&R.
Go Gaga for Goo Goos: I had never had a Goo Goo Cluster before visiting Nashville, and I was missing out on its marshmallow nougat, caramel, roasted peanuts and milk chocolate perfection. You can visit the factory, but it’s unremarkable unless you’re a huge fan and have a burning desire for Goo Goo-emblazoned products to bring home. I just picked up bags of the mini Goo Goos at Walgreens and was Goo Goo shamed by the employee who asked if I was eating them for breakfast. (So what if I am, sir…so what if I am?)
Hatch Show Print: If you’re a huge letterpress fan, book a tour to get a behind-the-scenes of this iconic print shop. Their posters make for unique souvenirs and you’ll enjoy them long after you get home, unlike cowboy boots and rhinestone-encrusted belts.
The 12South Neighborhood: 12South is a vibrant neighborhood in Nashville that offers plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops. In fact, it’s where Draper James and its photo-worthy blue and white striped wall is located. Be sure to check out White’s Mercantile, which is a carefully curated, modern take on general store. When we were there, Amelia’s Flower Truck was parked outside. You can follow them on Instagram for their location each day. It’d be a shame to visit Nashville and miss out on that Insta-opportunity.

Line & Dot dress (old; love this) | Ann Taylor sandals (love these and these) | Julie Vos necklace (c/o)

PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden: The Pharmacy will satisfy any burger craving you might have with a menu full of creative burger toppings. They also serve German-style wursts and vintage-style soda shop offerings like milkshakes and malts. The real gem of The Pharmacy is the outdoor beer garden. It’s a well-landscaped oasis and the perfect place to throw back a few pints on a warm night. The stroganoff burger is amazing. (Dave and I split one because the portions were gigantic.)
Husk: Husk is definitely a splurge, but it’s an absolute must for a romantic date night. The restaurant serves up traditional Southern ingredients with a sophisticated twist and is housed in an elegant historic mansion. Like most of Nashville, the dress code isn’t terribly formal. You can get away with a simple dress and a pair of nice flats. Make reservations in advance to make sure you get a table.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: Hot chicken is a Nashville staple and Hattie B’s is the place to go to experience the spicy fried chicken with Southern sides and local beer. There’s typically a long line, but it moves fairly quickly and the food is absolutely worth the wait.
The Filling Station: Located in the 12South neighborhood, this is one of Nashville’s best destinations for craft beer. It’s a store-meets-bar with a myriad of regional brews available on tap and for carry out. There are just a few tables inside, but you can also take your beer to the small outdoor seating area.
Frothy Monkey: Rumored to be one of Taylor Swift’s favorite Nashville locations, Frothy Monkey is one of the best brunch spots in town. Be sure to get the turtle latte for a caffeinated treat.
Yazoo Brewing Company: Yazoo Brewing Company is a local brewery with a wide selection of beer varieties to enjoy on-site. The taproom is large and lively and a great place to enjoy a few mid-afternoon brews before continuing your tour of the city. There’s also an outdoor seating area.
Jackalope Brewing Company: I didn’t like this brewery as much as Yazoo Brewing Company, but it was still a solid option for a couple of beers. They have games available, too.

A DETOUR WORTH MAKING
If you head to Nashville through Kentucky, you can stop at Kentucky Down Under and feed kangaroos! Best. Day. Ever.

Gifts to Make Flying Coach Seem Luxe

December 16, 2016 by jessica 1 Comment

I don’t know about you, but I’m struggling with purchasing gifts this year. (And, quite frankly, given the radio silence on the blog for most of the week, it’s pretty evident I’m struggling to stay afloat with all of my holiday to dos!) I’ve barely made a dent in my shopping list, which is going to lead to a flurry of online ordering tonight. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh? For my fellow procrastinators, I’m still putting together a gift guide for men and another of last-minute finds available on Amazon Prime. (Thank goodness for two-day shipping!) Today’s gift guide, however, is one of my favorites with perfect presents for the jet setter. (Or, the coach passenger who yearns to look like she’s flying first class!)

And, while we’re on the topic of fabulous gift ideas, you just might be lucky enough to treat yourself to a pair of classic pearl stud earrings! Enter here!

*You can try these free for a month with DITTO’s Endless Eyewear program. Just use code BEDKNOBS to waive the $24 fee for the first month! The e-tailer also has a selection of designer sunglasses on sale for 25% off right now!