BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Weekend Guide

by 2 Comments

WeekendGuide022115

PAINT
I’m incredibly inspired by this dining room. I especially love the idea of a white lacquer table with chairs in different colors.

[spacer]

BUY
Obsessed with Wes Anderson? This shop is for you.

[spacer]

WATCH
You’ll appreciate the artistry of Dior’s couture pleats after watching this video. Then, watch the detail that went into making a miniature version of one of Dior’s iconic gowns.

[spacer]

LAUGH
This satirical take on the day in the life of a fashion blogger’s husband is hilarious (and kind of accurate).

[spacer]

SHOP
What do you get when you partner Band of Outsiders with Sperry? Striped. Boat. Shoes. Obsessed.

[spacer]

SERVE
Refresh your cupboards with chic bistro-inspired dinnerware.

[spacer]

FITNESS UPDATE
The scale finally budged this week with a loss of 1.7 pounds. No changes in measurements this week. I’m still doing the 30 Day Shred three or four times a week. (On that note, I had my annual doctor’s visit this week. She made a comment about how last year I said I wasn’t exercising. I was quick to brag about my new found fitness routine and she gave me a high five. Haha.)

Review :: Try the World Paris Box

by 11 Comments

TryTheWorld2

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I signed up for Try the World, a subscription box with gourmet goodies from different cities around the globe. In full disclosure, I think subscriptions boxes are kind of stupid. I also hate grab bags. I like knowing what my money is buying and I suspect many of you are the same way. I was intrigued by Try the World because they give you a sneak peek of what’s inside your box before you commit. (Be aware, however, that Try the World works with small producers and each box may vary slightly due to product availability.) I like traveling and I like food, so I forked over $39 for my one-time box of treats from Paris. Oh la la!

TryTheWorld5

So, what does $39 get you? Not much and not the fleur de sel the stock image boasted (read: the item I was most excited about), but I do like the unique mix of products I probably wouldn’t have purchased otherwise. (Dave joked that Try the World is for people who are too lazy to go to World Market.) Here’s what was inside and the approximate values taking into account the net weight of the items compared to full-size products:

  • La Mere Poulard sables: $3.50
  • Maison D’Armorine salted butter caramels: $5
  • Domaine des Vignes whole grain mustard: $4
  • Charles Antona fig jam: $3.50
  • Clement Faugier chestnut spread: $4
  • Flagrants Desirs dark chocolate bar: $4
  • Francois Doucet fruit jellies: $2
  • A card explaining each product
  • A culture guide

That’s $26 worth of product for $39. I had signed up during a promotion, so my Paris box came along with a second box of treats from various countries. That’s the only reason I’m not too irked about this. I would have been much happier with a total value of $33-35. I realize that some of the money needs to go to packaging costs and overhead, but I don’t think it’s expecting too much for the value to be closer to the amount paid. Will I try it again? Maybe if there’s an Amsterdam or Brussels box and I’m feeling nostalgic. It’s such a fun idea and I’m disappointed that this wasn’t a slam dunk. I would have been happy to sign up for a full year if the value was there.

TryTheWorld3

TryTheWorld6

TryTheWorld1

TryTheWorld4

 

Weekend Guide

by 1 Comment

WeekendGuide120514

WEAR
Pantone just announced the sophisticated color of the year for 2015.

[spacer]

SHOP
It’s a little too impractical to wear these d’orsay flats now, but they’ll be on repeat come spring. A metal plate ankle strap adds a touch of sophistication.

[spacer]

BAKE
Salted caramel turtle thumbprint cookies look divine.

[spacer]

ADMIRE
I’m lusting after every look in Tory Burch’s mod pre-fall collection. You have to click through to see the jewelry, especially the oversize pendants.

[spacer]

LEARN
Delve into Cartier’s history in this coffee table tome. (I received a review copy and I’ll share more details next week.)

[spacer]

READ
Or look at pictures, rather, of falling cats contorting their bodies to land safely. The photos were used to train astronauts in the ’60s.

[spacer]

REMINDER
Enter to win jewelry from Gerard Yosca’s latest collection.

Review: Instantly Framed

by 1 Comment

InstantlyFramed-5

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]I[/dropcap] have tons of digital images that I’d love to get printed and framed, but the fact of the matter is I’m too lazy to put in the effort. This is precisely why I’m a huge fan of Instantly Framed, a new app that allows you to upload a digital photo and have it printed and framed within a week. Best of all? It’s only $65 and that includes three-day shipping. (There’s even a $10 discount at the end of this post for you.) I was given the opportunity to try out the service a couple of weeks ago and it’s just as seamless as I had hoped and the final product is outstanding.

[spacer]

InstantlyFramed-1

After installing the app, the first step of the process is really the most difficult: choosing a photo. You have the opportunity to select an image from your photo album, Instagram, or Facebook. You can also take a photo on the fly if you’re confident enough with your photo skills. I knew right away that I wanted to frame an Instagram from our trip to Belgium and I debated between this one, this one, and this one.

[spacer]

InstantlyFramed-4

Of those three, I went with the third option: a snapshot from a morning at Moeder Lambic. We spent almost every morning at the restaurant, getting a leisurely start to the day with beer and quiche. This little snapshot brings back those happy memories each time I look at it. While I could have uploaded the image right from Instagram, I opted to tweak the colors just a bit in VSCOcam first.

[spacer]

InstantlyFramed-2.v2jpg

After the hard part is done, all you need to do is import the photo and select your image size. I liked the artsy 4″ x 4″ version, but I thought it might be too small for all the detail in my image and opted for the 6″ x 6″.  All frames are 12″ x 12″ and come from wood forested on an FSC-certified tree farm in Ashland, Wis. (my hometown!). Each walnut frame is hand crafted with a black finish that emphasizes the wood grain. There is a thick cardboard backing on the frame that is made out of recycled materials. You have the option of either hanging your new image or using the easel backing.

[spacer]

InstantlyFramed-3

And with that, you’re ready to check out. The photo takes a couple of days to print then it’s sent to you with free three-day shipping. The entire process takes about a week, so you still have plenty of time to consider an Instantly Framed photo for holiday giving. (You could earn major Brownie points with mom by scanning an old photo of you and your siblings and having that framed.) Order by Monday, Dec. 15 to save $10 on each order.

DISCOUNT CODE:
CIBEDKNOBS10

I know the photo in the first image isn’t the best (daylight savings time is still screwing my photo schedule, leading to some overexposed shots to compensate for the darkness), but it’s quite pretty in person. I’m considering having a few more snapshots framed to create a gallery wall of our special mini moments on vacation.

[spacer]

[spacer]

Disclosure: I received a framed photo from Instantly Framed for the purposes of this post. This does not influence my opinions of the company or the product. As always, thank you for supporting the brands that support Bedknobs & Baubles.