This was just one of those weeks that seemed to slip by before I even knew it, and while I had a few fun things planned for the blog this week, none of them came to fruition. I had just been in full-on relaxation mode with the incredible weather we’ve been having. If you saw my Instagram post on Thursday, you’ll also know that I’ve been zipping around in a Prius that I’m borrowing for a partnership with Toyota. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite spots in Madison on Instagram over the next few days and publishing a 48 hours in Madison travel guide early next week. The best part: for every Instagram “like” on my #MyTownMyPrius images, Toyota will donate a $1 to a charity of my choice. I selected Madison Reading Project, which offers books and literacy programming to underserved children. So, please help me out if you can by liking my Instagram posts over the weekend. It’s such a fun opportunity to give back. (I’m totally guilty of just scrolling through everyone’s beautiful images on Instagram and forgetting to double tap on things, and I’m sure some of you are in the same boat!)

Weekend Links:

• I loved Meghan Markle’s understated and elegant wedding gown, even if Charlotte stole the show!
• I found it really interesting that U.S. birth rates have hit a 30-year low.
• Six ways to have a more productive weekend.
• This rhubarb-almond cake looks delicious.
• It’s so tempting to plan an international trip when you’re itching for a beautiful city, but there are 14 equally attractive American destinations that you should add to your travel list.
• If you can pull off a shift-style dress, try this pretty eyelet one and pair it with these bow-topped slides.
• Tales from Catharine Becket, the the senior vice president of jewelry at Sotheby’s.
• Krystal makes a case for wearing things again and again.
• How to successfully grow mint for your summer recipes (and cocktails!).
• Cult Gaia is suing Steve Madden for allegedly copying the brand’s “Ark” bag. Sure, they look identical (you can snag it here for less than the Cult Gaia version), but the design is originally a copy of a vintage Japanese picnic basket. I’m curious to see what the courts decide.

Finds Under $50:

• With a flirty ruffle and a criss-cross back, this tank is such a fun option for warm weather.
• I love the wood handle on this straw bag.
• A cute button-front dress.
• Stock up on these versatile camis.
• A gingham card case is the perfect size for your summer clutches.

Earlier This Week:

• Earthy hues for summer.
• Like this post to help me give back to my community!

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Happy Friday! It’s supposed to be a drizzly, cold weekend here in Madison, which is the perfect excuse to tackle a few household projects. I’m most excited about continuing to paint and repair our doors and remove layers of paint from the antique hardware. If you watched my Instagram story yesterday, you’ll know that I boiled a painted door hinge in water yesterday and it worked like a charm (with a little bit of elbow grease to get the stubborn bits of paint to release). I’m going to post a tutorial once I get the technique down pat because few things are more satisfying than restoring a piece of the house instead of replacing it. (Just think of these home-related posts as the “Bedknobs” portion of my blog title!)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a happy Mother’s Day!

Weekend Links:

• The best dressed at the Met Gala, and the best recreations.
• Exploring the unregulated industry of trendy “healing” crystals.
• A roundup of this year’s best sunscreen.
• Could cannabis be the next post-workout recovery remedy?
• The print on this dress is beautiful! It also comes in a one-shoulder top.
• A collection inspired by the requisite makeup of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (you know them as the inspiration for “A League of One’s Own”).
• I made this goat cheese and asparagus pasta last night. It was good, but definitely needed more asparagus, salt, and pepper. We added a few crumbles of feta on top because I only had four ounces of goat cheese on hand and the recipe called for five.
• A selection of five often overlooked low-light plants for your home.  (I’m all about low-light plants that are nearly indestructible, like a ZZ plant.)
• I have to get my driver’s license renewed this month and I’m really disappointed about it because I loved my last photo so much! Wisconsin’s latest IDs have grainy black and white photos, so I’m not sure if these tips for taking a great license photo will prove to be helpful, but it’s worth a shot!
• These enamel dinner plates are perfect for outdoor entertaining. They’re available for order starting on Sunday! Can’t. Wait.

Finds Under $50:

• Use this wood bead bag as a clutch. (The chain looks cheap, at least in the photos.)
• The under-$50 dress I love gets a playful update with a flounced hem.
• I’m showing my age, but does anyone else remember those jelly shoes we all had as kids? They were awful and left your feet so sweaty, but the material is making a comeback this year as a basket bag. Get one here, here, or here. (The last one is my favorite.) They’d be great for the farmers’ market.
• These are the only earrings you’ll need for summer.
• I can’t resist stripes, especially when they’re this cute.
• The tie detail on this dress is perfection.

Earlier This Week:

• Debuting a new wallet-friendly sundress.
• A colorful collection of finds.
• “Behind the Baubles” with the irreverent designs of Labulgara.
• Floral favorites.

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image via Unsplash

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Doesn’t this look like it was taken in Charleston? Nope, Notting Hill in London. I think it’s crazy that they get so much water and such mild temperatures that variations of tropical foliage can thrive. It was definitely one of the most surprising things I discovered in the United Kingdom! (I’ll have more photos up soon, along with an itinerary of what we did and a travel guide.) Plant life aside, happy weekend! We delightfully have no plans this weekend and are hoping to go on a few bike rides, work around the house, enjoy home-cooked meals, and maybe even break out the grill!

Weekend Links:

• It’s Kentucky Derby weekend! Here’s a ranking of this year’s horses based on name alone.
• Obviously, you’ll have to perfect your mint julep skills before Saturday. (And if you feel like throwing a last-minute soiree for the most exciting two minutes in sports, take a look at this guide.)
• Tory Burch’s favorite scent-related memories.
• Allie’s roundup of Nashville’s most Instagrammable spots makes me want to go back! (You can read my Nashville guide here.)
• I just ordered this dress to try. The shape is typically a flattering one for me, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. (I’ve lost 13 pounds since Thanksgiving, so I’m in this weird transitional period with some of my fitted items.)
• High school dress codes are unbelievably outdated and sexist.
• The story behind Madonna’s slip dress in “Like a Prayer.”
• If you don’t already have wanderlust, this list of the world’s most colorful places is sure to have you aching to book a flight.
• How many flowers go into a bottle of Chanel No. 5?
• The Boy Scouts of America will be dropping the word “boy” as they welcome girls to scouting next year. I was a Girl Scout from first through 12th grade, but I think it’s great that the Boy Scouts are forming a co-ed scouting opportunity.

Finds Under $50:

• This is the best deal I’ve found on a woven tote bag yet, and there’s free shipping through the end of today!
• Pair this beach dress with strappy sandals and you have a dinner-ready outfit on your next excursion. (Use code SUNNY for 40% off.)
• I bought this dress last week and I absolutely adore it. It reminds me of something you’d find at Anthro. (I’m going to have the ruffled sleeves removed.)
• We’ve had a lot of rain lately, making an umbrella my daily accessory! I love the preppy stripes on this one.
• This is such a cute little gingham top!

Earlier This Week:

• I’m back on a sartorial budget.
• April’s mini moments.
• Sharing the pros and cons of the Paravel backpack I used in London.

This week was an adventure on the home front. You may recall earlier this week when I mentioned that we reached out to our electrician for help with installing our bedroom ceiling fan because the existing electrical box didn’t look like it’d support the weight. As it turns out, we’re missing the required ground wire and installing an appropriate electrical box with a ground came to $320, which doesn’t include the cost of installing the fan and comes with some risk of damaging the drywall. So, I think we’re going to pivot and just go with a light fixture and a vintage-inspired tabletop fan on our dresser. It’s not at all what I wanted, but it’s much more cost effective. Plus, this is our first full summer in the house and there’s a chance we won’t even need a fan with our home’s air conditioning.

Then, as I mentioned on Instagram stories, we had four trees removed because they were all infected with emerald ash borer and were dying. It’s definitely a change! The trees were next to our house and offered a lot of shade in our bedroom and office, so it’s a lot more sunny in those rooms in the morning. On the downside, the fourth tree was next to our deck. I was originally pretty excited to get rid of that one since insects would randomly fall out of it while we’re cocktailing outside (ew), but I didn’t realize how much privacy it added. We’re looking at adding some lattice work to the deck to give ourselves a privacy wall from our neighbor. I’ll take photos and do an update on that as we spiff things up for summer. I’m hoping to get started on that project this weekend (or at least draft up plans and choose paint colors and furniture), along with cleaning up our yard, and possibly adding a flower bed next to the garage.

Weekend Links:

• A few months ago, Dave suggested that we plan a trip to Japan. It’s not exactly the cheapest place to fly to, so I’m not sure when we’ll actually go, but in the meantime I’m bookmarking travel tips and itineraries like this one for Osaka.
• These white and brass hoops are stunning.
• What you should really do with your tax return.
• Have you switched to the new Gmail yet? Here’s what you can expect.
• Add a lace detail to a pair of pumps with this easy DIY.
• Your burning cheese-related questions are answered! How long can you leave cheese sit out? And, can you just cut mold off cheese and still eat it?
• A comprehensive history of royal wedding gossip.
• Tips for saving money when you don’t have a lot of cash to spare.
• I’m really into these sandals.
• How your favorite retailers curate their playlists.

Finds Under $50:

• These resin earrings are great for work and weekend.
• Satin criss-cross sandals.
• Loving the pattern on this caftan dress.
• My favorite under-$50 dress now comes in navy!
• Still on the lookout for the perfect straw tote? How about this one?
• This tunic-style dress is adorable.

Earlier This Week:

• Wearing my new $32 jumpsuit.
• The chambray dress in this week’s “The Coveted” is topping my wish list.
• Everything I wore in London.

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