Happy Friday! I can’t exactly be relieved that it’s the weekend, considering we just got back from our Seattle trip late Wednesday night, but we’re off again for an overnight trip to Milwaukee. We both applied for Global Entry and our interviews are scheduled for Friday afternoon in the city, so we figured we’d make the most of it and make it into a mini trip. (We definitely don’t travel often enough internationally to warrant Global Entry, but it comes with TSA PreCheck and we each have a credit card that reimburses the fees.) After that, I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the weekend at home after we get back on Saturday. There’s a noticeable autumnal chill in the air, and I have a laundry list of house projects I want to get done before the real cold arrives! I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Weekend Links:

• Key moments from Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford’s senate hearing. (I’m writing this on Thursday night, and I can’t adequately explain how worried I am that tomorrow’s confirmation hearing will go Kavanaugh’s way. Ford has absolutely nothing to gain by coming forward and sharing her recount of that harrowing moment. I genuinely believe her. And to the Republicans who don’t, there’s got to be someone — anyone — to confirm who won’t find himself or herself in the midst of a controversy. Why dig your heels in to prove a partisan point?)
• Transform an empty wall near your door into an entryway.
• Are online waitlists a scam?
• A menswear-inspired shrunken cardigan that looks cute enough to wear as a shirt.
• Nextdoor is the most ridiculous perk that has come from having a house. If you’re not familiar with the Twitter account @bestofnextdoor, you are missing out. It’s also strangely reassuring to know that neighbors in all cities are crazy.
• Chicago is getting the world’s largest permanent digital art installation.
• Tips on how to mix patterns the right way from textile designer Rebecca Atwood.
• It’s time to look for a new fall jacket. I love this cropped buffalo plaid motorcycle jacket for an urban take on a northern classic.
• Six ways to raise your confidence at work.
• Would you pay for an $80 crystal water bottle? (That piece links to a small study exploring the placebo effect of crystals, which I found interesting.)
• Autumn calls for apple cider cocktails.

Finds Under $50:

• I have never had the desire to wear something from Abercrombie & Fitch, but this sweater is awfully tempting.
• Almond-toe loafers that are less expensive alternative to this pair.
• A goldenrod blouse is such a pretty option for fall.
• Prefer pattern? How about this floral print option?
• Charming isn’t the first word that would come to mind when describing dish rags … and then these happened.

Earlier This Week:

• What I bought in September.
• Snapshots from Seattle.

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We’re off to Washington today for my brother’s wedding on Saturday. I’ve never been to the state before so when news of my brother’s upcoming nuptials came, we jumped at the chance to extend the trip by a few days on either side of the “I dos” to explore Seattle. As always, if you have any travel recommendations, I’d love to hear ’em! I’ll be sharing snapshots from our adventure on Instagram and will be back here on the blog on Wednesday.

Weekend Links:

• Things to keep in mind when renovating a historic house.
• Don’t flush your contact lenses.
• These farro bowls with lamb meatballs sound amazing.
• Can we take a moment to admire the amazing heels on these shoes?
• Join Apartment Therapy’s “September Sweep” to banish clutter in your home.
• Saying goodbye to Racked with a roundup of their best stories and essays.
• An interview with Stan Smith himself.
• I’m naturally a morning person, and I know plenty of night owls who aren’t appreciative of my exuberance in the a.m. If you’d like to become more of an early bird, here are some tips.
• Seven trends for fall.
• I’m awfully familiar with the stress-induced cry. Here are tips on how to cope with that teary onslaught and — hopefully — keep the tears at bay.

Finds Under $50:

• This stoneware vase is such a beautiful shape. (I’m sure I’ll be adding it to my next Target order.)
• A pretty sleeveless top that you could definitely wear to work.
• Pair cheeky gingham socks with loafers and cuffed jeans this fall.
• A knit sweater to spend all weekend in.
• A long, cozy cardigan is a must to transition some of your favorite summer dresses to fall weather.
• These resin earrings are stunning, especially in green.

Earlier This Week:

• I’m crazy about the pink and burgundy color combination in this week’s roundup.
• Heading to Portland? I finally shared snapshots and travel recommendations from our trip.

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My goodness! This week — today especially — has been brutal. Anyone else? Even with the shortened week, I’m thankful that it’s finally Friday and I can give myself permission to neglect my responsibilities for a few days. I need it. I also need the happy hour with friends that we’re skipping off to shortly!

Weekend Links:

• Eight things you might be spending too much money on, and tips to trim those costs.
• Save 20% on framed art at Minted this weekend with code FRAMES18. I have this one in the living room and I’ve been thinking about this one for our dining room. I also love this, this, and this.
• Tips on how to become an efficient packer.
• The rules of white bedding. (Now that I’ve invested in luxe linen sheets, I need to keep them pristine!)
• I haven’t been this excited about a Kate Spade collection in a long time. I will be purchasing this sweater vest.
• How to choose a paint color.
• I know this isn’t the most exciting fall/winter purchase, but now is a good time to snag a versatile black merino turtleneck. This machine-washable version sold out fairly quickly last year, and I was bummed that I wasn’t able to buy a replacement for my old one before the season was over. I find that my regular size is a bit too snug, so you’ll want to order a couple sizes to try.
• Stylish pet accessories? I’m in.
• Thirty-one new shows to watch this fall.
• An emerging science can help you make a big decision.

Finds Under $50:

• I’m loving the newest colors of this classic striped tee. I recently purchased it in the multi-stripe and I already own the navy one.
• A lightweight quilted jacket.
• If you liked the dress I wore here, you can now snag it on sale.
• Loving the look of vinyl totes, but not the elevated price tag of the best-looking ones? Try this.
• A pretty, work-appropriate blouse.
• A versatile cardigan that comes in 10 colors.
• A tortoiseshell handle makes this tote feel more expensive than it is.

Earlier This Week:

• What’s on my radar this month.
• The week’s most coveted items.

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Well, the biggest news of the week is that Madison is dealing with an unprecedented rainfall, leading to flooding throughout the county. While we had heavy rain earlier this week here on the east side of town, it was nothing compared to the downpour that clobbered the west side. But we’re not totally in the clear just yet with more rain expected. For those of you unfamiliar with the city, Madison is on an isthmus. The city opened the locks at one lake to allow the water to rise and flow over the isthmus into the other lake. If we get more rain, the city’s east side near the isthmus (including our neighborhood) is potentially threatened. As it stands now, we’re just outside the predicted flood threat by a couple of blocks, but who knows what will happen.

Other than that uplifting update, I’m all about being a homebody lately and continuing to make improvements around the house. This dining room chair arrived the other day and it’s gorgeous (and a knock off of this one). We’ll see how it looks with the table once that arrives before purchasing the other five. Since we had planned for this large purchase and we still have to book our hotel for Seattle, I opened a United credit card. With a $3,000 minimum spend in three months, the bonus was 60,000 miles – enough for a roundtrip ticket to Europe. Combined with the miles I already have accrued, I’ll have enough for a trip to Japan! (Dave isn’t quite there yet, but he’s close!)

And with that, I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Weekend Links:

• Thirteen psychological thrillers to add to your reading list.
• A modern tiki table setting. (I love that she used a terrarium as a cocktail glass and I’m eyeing up those placemats.)
• If you’re wondering how you’ve lost friends in adulthood, this may be why.
• I’m loving this bag in forest green, largely because of its contrasting acrylic handle.
• Ten home styling tips. (I’m all about that last one.)
• Is online shopping combined with cheap prices turning us into hoarders?
• The pattern of this asymmetrical dress looks gorgeous for late-summer evenings.
• What to do before deciding on a paint color.
• Why you should keep a travel journal. (I use the Day One app on vacations to record what we did.)
• I’m incredibly inspired by Jaclyn Johnson’s home.

Finds Under $50:

• The perfect warm-weather sweater when it’s just a little chilly outside.
• So many good housewares from H&M right now: a wool-blend rug, a small wood cutting board, a throw blanket, the curves on this candlestick holder, and candle holders in a mix of black and brass in a tall and short version.
• An easy drape-front blouse for work to weekend.
• Straw bags are a summer classic. Snag this one for your end-of-summer beach trips or store it for next year. (It’s on sale, so it might not last long!)
• Love the look of acrylic earrings, but don’t want to spend a lot? This Etsy shop has some great options!

Earlier This Week:

• Going sporty in this week’s “The Coveted.”
• Sharing photos of our dining room from when we closed on the house and talking about the plans for decor.

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