BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Notable Purchases, Vol. 11

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I always get a kick of putting together this roundup and seeing how my recent purchases complement one another — especially when it’s nearly all a single color like it was over the past month! It’s not terribly surprising that this month was simple; I was focused on buying a few key basics for our upcoming trip to France.

Boden ‘Olympia’ jersey maxi dress – A black jersey maxi dress is the relaxed, summer version of a classic LBD and I anticipate I’ll wear this quite a bit during our trip. This version stands out due to its flattering, low V-neck (great for those with a smaller chest), fitted waist, and pockets. It runs true to size and the A-line drape offers enough room for hips.

Madewell ‘The Essential Curve’ shoulder bag – This bag is large — and that’s exactly what I wanted. I was looking for a bag that I could fit an umbrella and our DSLR in while sightseeing that wasn’t a mini backpack (even though I love mine). The bag feels like a quality piece and I’m hopeful that it’ll soften over time. The strap is generous enough to wear as a crossbody.

Lands’ End crepe swimsuit – I’ve already talked about this swimsuit and I won’t stop until others buy it. It’s so beautiful and flattering! It has full coverage in the back, the little cut out in front is such a great detail, and the crepe material is so much more unique than your typical swimsuit fabric. I tried it in the brown, too, and didn’t love it quite as much as the black.

East Fork ‘The Kulhad’ in Heron – East Fork added a new color to its core collection! “Heron” is a stunning grey-blue that I just want in all of the forms they offer. I’m starting small, though, and purchased a couple of the Kulhad cups in the new glaze. I figured that since the Kulhad is a limited in run in select glazes, I’d at least get those tucked in my cabinets and add other pieces in the coming years.

You can browse everything I’ve added to my wardrobe this year here.

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Open Tabs: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks, Munich Travel Guide, Tomato Recipes & More!

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

It doesn’t feel like fall should be right around the corner, but the annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here to tell us otherwise. The discounts on new-season items ends on Sunday, Aug. 3. Here are my picks:

  • Maison Margiela fragrance sets: I wear Beach Walk frequently and this is a great deal for the full-size bottle and travel size, and there are two trios of travel sprays in warm fragrances and fresh scents.
  • A classic pair of hoop earrings in an updated, chunky shape.
  • I’m looking for a new pair of joggers for long-haul flights. I might try these.
  • I have these shoes in multiple colors, including the “grain” hue that’s currently on sale.
  • A weekender bag. I love the tan as well as the green.
  • This sweater looks like something I’d end up reaching for all season for both work and weekends.
  • Slingback Mary Janes.
  • If you’ve had a Le Creuset on your wish list, there’s a 4.5-quart one and a 2.75-quart one that’s part of the sale. (I have the 2.75-quart size and it’s great for most things, but I’ve been thinking about getting a larger one for braised meats as I’ve been having liquid boil over in the oven.)
ODDS & ENDS

Remember when the trend was to embroider a tongue-in-cheek phrase on L.L. Bean’s Boat and Tote? Well, the iconic tote bag is back in another iteration.

I’m drawn to the combination of a light blue or periwinkle shade with burgundy, and it looks like the color combination is making an appearance more readily lately. My favorites so far are a striped hand towel and a maxi-style shirtdress.

This pool-inspired floor is the best tilework I’ve ever seen.

Speaking of swimming, you can now take a dip in the Seine River.

After carrying micro bags for so long, we’re trending in the opposite direction with a BAB.

43 tomato recipes to make this summer.

Munich is so much more than Oktoberfest. (Although, if you’re heading to the festival for the first time, you can read my guide.)

Life Lately

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It’s only been two months since I last popped in to share a life update, but we’ve been so busy that it feels like several months have passed — and things don’t look to be slowing down until mid-September. It’s at this point every summer where I start to feel a little burnt out, but I also don’t want to slow down and miss out on any of the season’s highlights. So, here’s a rundown of what’s going on:

  • I had the opportunity to collaborate with Schoolhouse how a post here and here. You all know how much I love the brand, so it was literally a dream opportunity.
  • Our annual bocce ball league is now in its final weeks. It’s not a serious league by any stretch of the imagination and is held on a lakeside lawn. The grass courts are unpredictable, making it more of a challenge.
  • Madison has free live music throughout summer and we’ve been attending many of the performances between neighborhood festivals, concerts at the local botanical gardens, and Concerts on the Square.
  • I’ve been tending to our garden and lawn on days its tolerable (and not too mosquito-y) to be outdoors. I think I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t had luck with zucchini and the ones that are growing are being gnawed on by squirrels. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s now a sacrificial plant to distract them from the tomatoes.
  • I participated in a couple of pottery wood firings. Unfortunately, I had my favorite pieces in the first kiln session and someone’s vase exploded, sprinkling several of my pieces with broken clay bits that stuck to the glaze. Pottery isn’t exactly the most relaxing of hobbies.
  • We went to Dave’s parents’ lake house for our annual family weekend. Our niece is just the cutest and it was fun seeing her truly embrace lake life.
  • After years of weekend bike rides, I finally had a popped tube that I successfully replaced.
  • We went to Chicago for a couple of nights at The Robey. We lounged by the rooftop pool, made reservations for restaurants we had been meaning to try for years, and saw the Gustave Caillebotte exhibit at the Chicago Institute of Art. You can find additional snapshots here.
  • And now, with just about one month left of summer, we’re prepping for a couple of upcoming trips!

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Home Refresh

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  1. stainless steel coupe
  2. cabinet knobs
  3. floor lamp
  4. corduroy bolster pillow
  5. mirror
  6. ceiling light fixture
  7. side table
  8. stainless steel wine bucket
  9. cups and saucers
  10. round pillow
  11. catchall dish

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Thank you for stopping by! Please note that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy an item linked here, which is at no cost to you. I truly appreciate your continued support.

Open Tabs: Travel, Home Finds, Odds & Ends

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TRAVEL

Our last trip to Brussels was back in December of 2019 — it was our last trip before the pandemic. 36 Hours in Belgium’s capital city is making me want to go back.

A guide to Parisian flea markets.

Visiting Norwegian islands that have 24 hours of daylight in summer.

I’m late to the game on this, but did you see that Paravel went out of business? I’ll need to finish up my collection with help from eBay.

HOME FINDS

There are more brands making chic cat furniture lately and Mau is the latest to catch my eye. How good is this Japanese-inspired scratcher and lounger?!

A set of well-designed, unbreakable wine glasses. (If you’re the type to shop for gifts throughout the year, this would be a great pick.)

Check out these charming cherry candles!

Schoolhouse just release two amazing pieces of furniture: a barrister-inspired cabinet and an end table. I’m saving up for the cabinet!

A great striped tablecloth that comes in three colors and is now on sale.

ODDS & ENDS

This is undoubtedly one of my favorite home renovations to date because of how many vintage-inspired details the owners kept. I love how they added molding to the soffit to make it seem like an architectural feature — a detail I’m now considering for our own kitchen renovation.

A sculptural statement ring.

I recently purchased this swimsuit from Lands’ End for our upcoming trip to the Côte d’Azur and it’s gorgeous! The cut is flattering, there’s ample rear coverage, and the fabric has a nice texture to it. Opt for your regular size.

Take this pop culture quiz to see if you could have landed a job at Vogue in the ’90s.

16 standout cookbooks this summer.

Snapshots from our recent mini getaway to Chicago.

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Let’s keep in touch!
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Thank you for stopping by! Please note that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy an item linked here, which is at no cost to you. I truly appreciate your continued support.