BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Latest Purchases for Home & Wardrobe: February 2020

by 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.

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

5 Ceramicists I Love

by 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!

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Latest Purchases for Home & Wardrobe: January 2020

by 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!

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Home Projects for the Next 6 Months

by 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!

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

My Favorite Products of 2019

by Leave a Comment

Top Nine Products of 2019

I spent the first day of the new year snuggled up on the couch, unwilling (or perhaps unable) to move after having entirely too much fun with some friends the night before. It wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to kick off day one of a new decade, but I can’t complain when it was merely the aftereffect of spending time with people I love. I thought a bit about resolutions while I was couch-bound (and will share them with you next week). One of the things I’d like to do this year is make more sustainable decisions when it comes to my lifestyle and shopping habits. One of the best things we can do is to make thoughtful purchasing decisions and buy quality products that will be used numerous times and loved with abandon. With that in mind, I thought I’d share my favorite products from 2019 with you. (You can read my 2018 list here; I’m still smitten with all of those items and use them regularly — especially the hand vacuum, which I reach for almost every day.)

Trek bicycle – I used Dave’s sister’s bike from the ’90s for nearly eight years. I hated that thing. Half of the gears didn’t work and it was heavy. I’d be struggling on each hill while Dave flew by with his nice, lightweight bicycle that weighed a fraction of mine. I know my new bike barely cost anything in the world of cycling for people who actually do this for sport, but it was a lot for me (and after adding in a few accessories, it was close to $1,000). But you know what? I don’t dread bike rides now. I think I actually *gasp* enjoy them.

Pottery Barn curtain rods & West Elm curtains – You can see some of the before photos of our dining room in this post. The three windows along the wall look toward our neighbor’s house with only a driveway to separate the two homes. We took down those dingy, stained roller shades this year and added a curtain rod and sheer curtains. I love the traditional look of the curtain rod (we went with the standard finial) and the curtains have just enough texture to make them look more expensive than they are.

The Ordinary ‘Buffet” serum – This impulse buy from Sephora quickly made its way into my nightly routine. It leaves my face ultra soft and my complexion brighter — and you can’t beat the price!

J.Crew turtleneck sweater in supersoft yarn – I now own three of this sweater (two in light grey and one in emerald). As the name suggests, it is ultra soft. The shape is just boxy enough to be comfortable, but trim enough to be flattering. Plus, it doesn’t stretch out during the day. I’m obsessed with it and will likely buy it in another color yet this winter.

Kate Spade ‘Margaux’ crossbody purse – I bought this purse before our spring trip to Portugal thinking that it would be the perfect warm-weather bag with the light color, cross-body strap, generous size, and convenient slip pocket for my phone. It was even better than expected in person when I discovered that the slightly triangular shape allowed it to rest close to my body without feeling bulky. Plus, the pebbled leather repels rain. It was my most-worn bag of 2019.

Schoolhouse ‘Blooming Field’ pillow shams – I hesitated to purchase these when they first debuted and kicked myself when they sold out. I checked the Schoolhouse site every day for two months waiting for them to be restocked. The pattern is beautiful in person. We put these on unused pillows on our bed to use for decor rather than actually sleeping on them. I know they’re just a simple pillow sham and shouldn’t be that exciting, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the design won me over.

Speakman ‘Anystream’ shower head – Dave purchased this shower head for us after our old one started to lose pressure and wouldn’t get better despite soaking it in vinegar to loosen hard water residue. We really should have swapped them within the first few months of living here. It made such a big difference in the water pressure and our showers have felt so much better. It almost distracts me from the nagging feeling that we should really get at a bathroom remodel or at least a budget-friendly refresh.

Schoolhouse ‘Irvine’ sconces – We technically purchased these in 2018. However, they sat untouched in a box for six months until we finally mounted them in January of last year. I could go on and on about the quality of Schoolhouse products and that’s because they’re really that good. We’ve purchased less expensive light fixtures for other places in our home, and these are just far beyond compare when it comes to quality. We paired the brass sconce with these shades.

Weber ‘Spirit II E-310’ grill – I can’t believe we didn’t get a grill until our second summer in our house! Hanging out on the deck, grilling dinner with a cocktail in hand and music playing is my absolute favorite thing about summers at our home. We bought this one from Home Depot as part of a Fourth of July sale with free next-day shipping. It took some time to put together, but it wasn’t difficult. It cooks evenly and is a breeze to use and clean.

I’d love to know your favorite products of 2019!

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’