Lifestyle – Page 43

On My Radar

September 3, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Happy Labor Day! I can barely believe it’s September. It feels like we just flipped the calendar to June and while summer is technically in full swing for a few more weeks (and it certainly feels like summer outside), fall temps will be here before we know it. Before we head into another month, I thought it would be fun to share a roundup of the things I’ve been up to and interested in over the past few weeks.

BUYING

My fall wish list is all about the classics. I didn’t take advantage of too many Labor Day sales, but I did snag a few things to round out my wardrobe: a black shell (can be worn on its own or over blouses), a black turtleneck (my old one shrunk in the wash), black pants (although there’s a good chance these are going back), a tie-neck blouse (love the powder blue color), and a striped t-shirt. I’ve been tired of my weekday wardrobe, so provided these all work out, they’ll serve as good foundation pieces for the upcoming seasons.

PLANNING

Our trip to Seattle is fast approaching. We’re heading to Washington for my brother’s wedding in three weeks. He lives in Selah, but since I hadn’t been to the state before, we tacked on a few days before and after the nuptials to explore the Seattle area. Any recommendations of what to do? Where to eat? Best breweries to visit? Instagrammable areas? Coolest natural areas that are within a two-hour drive? Any and all ideas are welcome!

WATCHING

Last week we started — and finished — Killing Eve. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so enthralled with a show that I actually put my phone down for the entire thing. I can’t wait for season two.

INSTALLING

A few months ago, we purchased a ceiling fan to replace the one in the bedroom. However, we quickly learned the junction box couldn’t support a ceiling fan (perhaps that’s why the old one wobbled dangerously) and after talking to our electrician, we decided we didn’t want a ceiling fan that badly given the cost of installing a new box. So, we recently bought a pretty fixture instead. The hole from the fan is too large for the new fixture’s canopy to cover, so we’re adding a ceiling medallion. I love the traditional look of a medallion, especially when it’s paired with a modern fixture. Here’s a tutorial on how to install a medallion if you’re curious.

COOKING

Alright, it’s too hot outside to actually start making slow cooker recipes, but this one for chicken tikka masala is one to have on hand for when things do cool down. We make it at least twice a month during fall and winter. When you assemble it, make a second set of the spice mixture to store. It cuts down on prep time the next time you make it.

STOCKING UP

The Hearth & Hand floursack towels are fantastic quality for the price point. I bought a lot of them last fall when the line first debuted and they’ve held up beautifully.

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images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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Weekend Links

August 24, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

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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image via Unsplash

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Weekend Links

August 17, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Happy Friday! After I tackle a few household chores and projects, we’ll be hitting the open road to drive north to visit my parents. There isn’t much on the agenda other than cocktails on the deck, board games, and exploring the shores of Lake Superior on Saturday, so it should be a relaxing way to spend a summer weekend. Have a good one!

Weekend Links:

Remembering Aretha Franklin through her most iconic fashion moments.
Ten design books to add to your collection.
More chores and a lower allowance. This piece explores how the pay gap and domestic expectations have been perpetuated by generations.
How dorm room posters defined us.
I’m not ready to go all in with fall shopping, but I do want to order this cashmere sweater. It looks perfect for those late summer evenings when it’s a little too cool to wear a tank. I’m going with either olive or light pink.
A ceramicist who combines the traditional with the unexpected.
Cue Blair Waldorf, headbands are experiencing a resurgence. This luxe one in green is my favorite, and I love these.
You should really be following Maria Svarbova on Instagram. Her photography is beautiful. You can also adorn your coffee table with her book.
Outfit your phone and desktop with wallpaper inspired by Tory Burch’s fall collection.
In defense of the quick fix in your space instead of waiting for perfection.
If you love cats but hate the ugly furniture for your pet, there’s finally a company that’s creating aesthetically pleasing pieces you won’t mind having in your home.

Finds Under $50:

This is such a pretty, ladylike dress.
I spotted this lightweight jacket at the store. It looks really cute in olive.
Speaking of olive, I’m into this little faux leather bag.
I love the color combinations of these no-show socks.
Such a great price for a wear-with-everything Elizabeth and James ring.

Earlier This Week:

The first midi skirt I’ve liked, and it’s only $30!
The week’s most coveted. My brother is getting married next month and is having a very low key wedding (as in it’ll be held at his house; no formalities or traditions of any sort), but I might snag that dress for the occasion.

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Photo via this post.

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Weekend Links

August 3, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Weekend Links on Bedknobs & Baubles

I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that it’s Friday. It has been such a trying week between car problems (if you saw my Insta-story, you’ll know that Dave’s car broke down and we had to get it towed on Sunday) and an impossibly busy work schedule. We both took the day off today, but it’s not for R&R; we’re finally painting our upstairs hallway. We tried to get all of the painting done last summer before the floors were refinished, but we ran out of time and didn’t get back to it after we moved in. The existing color is a dingy beige, so while it was ugly, it was also livable and we put our efforts into other more pressing projects. Curious to know what it looks like now? Here you go:

Before: Upstairs Hallway

In the grainy pic on the right (which looks like it a still from a horror flick), you can sort of make out the two-toned stain that was on the floor when we closed on the house. In the pic on the right, you can see that I painted the door trim for three of the doors and cut in the paint for the ceiling. So, it’ll all be painted white this weekend. I also have a new ceiling medallion to put up and new drawer pulls. Wish us luck! (The doorway on the far right is for our guest room which was painted mint with emerald trim. We painted it grey and hate the color because it looks lavender in some lights, so it’s been put on the back burner.)

Weekend Links:

Having people over? Serve this whipped goat cheese and blueberry appetizer!
Go inside Jonathan Adler’s New York studio.
I want to book another trip to London just to see this Frida Kahlo exhibit.
Fifty-two of the best true crime podcasts.
Fantasy greeting cards for these trying times. (The author and I had our first journalism class together in college, so it was fun to see her byline on The New Yorker!)
The new Burberry monogram is gorgeous.
I haven’t really paid attention to J.Crew lately, but between this, this (obviously in emerald), this, and this, there’s a lot to keep an eye on this season.
Tour Lele Sadoughi’s Chelsea townhouse.
A selection of plants that are perfect for the office. (I can vouch for the ZZ plant. I have one in our living room and it’s doing really well despite not getting much light.)
Some of the best mural festivals around the world.

Finds Under $50:

Resin earrings aren’t going anywhere. Add these grape-colored beauties to your collection.
A dark floral swing top to wear with shorts now and jeans later.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of black pointy flats.
A sophisticated fine-knit sweater.
This woven bag with a pineapple design is now on sale.

Earlier This Week:

What I spent my money on in July.
This is basically my fall wish list.
The [almost] perfect dress for late summer.
Three beauty products I’m loving lately.

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image via Unsplash

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Weekend Links

July 27, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Goodness! Another week has passed with just one other post. I suppose that’s what happens when work and social activities keep me occupied! Earlier this week, we went out to the Tornado Steak House in Madison with Dave’s department from work and I tried escargot and frog legs for the first time. I’ll pass on frog legs in the future (they were pretty bland), but I loved escargot. (Honestly, how could I not love it? It’s just a vehicle for butter and garlic.) We also went to Concerts on the Square. Each Wednesday in July, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra puts on a free outdoor performance at the state capitol. It’s a really fun experience where thousands of people (a rough average of 20,000 to 30,000 per concert) come early to picnic, enjoy a pass on open container laws, and listen to the music. And for today, we’re heading up north to Dave’s parents’ cabin in a few hours to spend the weekend at their lakeside home. I hope your week was just as fun and left you shirking some of your responsibilities, too! 😉 (I do have a full content plan scheduled for next week, so we’ll get back into this posting groove soon enough!)

Weekend Links:

Can mass influencer marketing campaigns backfire on a brand?
Buying souvenirs to liven up your dining room table.
The top five cities in Canada to visit.
Kitten heels are making a comeback.
As much as I don’t want to give into this trendy piece, I’m kind of crazy about it.
Orchids that look like monkeys.
Sunday is national lipstick day and M.A.C. is giving you a freebie!
A Tokyo travel guide for design lovers.
Looking for a colorful piece of art? I came across this beautiful piece the other day. (I’d go with the thin brass frame.)
French fashion brands to have on your radar.

Finds Under $50:

A sweet eyelet dress.
A pretty sleeveless blouse to wear with jeans.
The perfect leather pouch with interior pockets so you can ditch your wallet.
A pair of modern hoop earrings that look pricier than $20.
Simple slide sandals.
A lace-up sweater tank with a vintage vibe.

Earlier This Week:

I bought the striped dress in this week’s roundup and it’s so much prettier than I expected it would be. I’m also contemplating the necklace in that post.
We’re going back to the Pacific Northwest in September. Let me know your recommendations for Seattle!

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image via Unsplash

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