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The French Wardrobe: Spring/Summer 2014

March 5, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

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Apparently a seasonal transition was carte blanche to purchase as many spring items as possible. There were so many tempting sales and new releases that I loved too much to risk having sell out, which led to an early dent in my spring/summer wardrobe. Going through a ruthless closet cleanout and then taking the time to work on a comprehensive spring and summer plan has been a huge asset. The pieces I bought so far are exactly what I want; they’re great quality (for the most part—the Gap flats could be better), and they’re very “me.” (Honestly, though, I spent a boatload of money. The next couple of months are going to be sparse.)

A few things to note this time around:

  • I started a Pinterest board for my spring/summer purchases, which has already proved to be helpful. Before pulling the trigger, I’ve added items to the board to see how it coordinates with the rest of the items. It helps me stay accountable to my plan and it’s reassuring to see that each item coordinates with each other. 
  • I’m pickier when accepting gifted items and you’ll now see each of those listed below. Quite frankly, I don’t want to waste space in our apartment on an item I’m not smitten with. 
  • I’m adding a quick note about the items I ordered and returned. 
  • If you’re eager to give The French Wardrobe Challenge a whirl this time, send over a link to your progress by the 15th of each month (either in the comments or via email at jessica@bedknobsandbaubles.com). I’ll add the link to this post and share your post on Twitter and Facebook. The challenge isn’t ideal for everyone, but you might want to give it a shot if you’re feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied with your own wardrobe.

THE RULES

  1. Just five standout pieces per season. (There are two “seasons” for this purpose: spring/summer and fall/winter.)
  2. Quality over quantity.
  3. Basics don’t count.
  4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
  5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
  6. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS:

Part of my Five:

  • J.Crew Factory botanical-print shorts: a flat front with a side zip makes them ultra flattering

Basics:

  • J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
  • J.Crew merino tippi sweater in heather grey: These are my all-time favorite sweaters. They’re versatile and I wear them with everything. It was also on sale for $30 after shipping.

Bags:

  • Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black: my 2014 tax return splurge (I had a coupon for $100 off of a $300+ purchase, so I also bought the card case listed below.)

Accessories:

  • Eddie Borgo iridescent cone earrings: pre-ordered from Modi Operandi
  • Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators (c/o)
  • Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace: I had a coupon for $50 off a $100+ purchase and couldn’t resist this sale find.
  • Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage: she found this on her trip to Italy
  • Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose: love using these in clutches

Shoes:

  • Gap striped flats: after a coupon and a discount code, these came to $26
  • Anthropologie palm-print flats

Ordered and Returned:

  • J.Crew 5” chino shorts in white: sheer enough to see the pocket lining

If you’re curious about The French Wardrobe Challenge, I encourage you to peruse the archived posts. 

Filed Under: Style, The French Wardrobe Challenge Tagged With: the french wardrobe, the french wardrobe spring summer 2014

The French Wardrobe: Update

February 10, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

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I can’t believe this is the last month of my foray into The French Wardrobe concept and I’m actually quite proud of how I’ve done. Sure, there are some impulse purchases peppered into the list below (ahem, Forever21), but it’s nowhere near the number of items I purchased before starting the challenge. I’m now less likely to settle for an item that’s just okay. It needs to be pretty amazing to earn a spot in my closet.

In retrospect, though, I wish I had focused on items of higher quality that are truly representative of my personal style. When I review my “fun” pieces, they’re a bit scatterbrained. We’ve got three special occasion dresses, a cat-print dress, a tartan sweater I purchased for a Christmas party and a work-appropriate floral blouse. I like them all, but I could have done better. Where are the pretty day dresses I love so much?

Well, there’s always The French Wardrobe: Spring/Summer 2014 Challenge starting on March 1. (I’m prepared with a list of capsule wardrobe items. Bring it on, spring!) I do hope you’ll give it a whirl. It’s not the easiest challenge, but it is incredibly rewarding. Let me know if you’re in, so we can link up!

On another note, would you like more commentary on items I decide to keep or return, like this and this? I don’t want it to become annoying to read, but I’d like to start a conversation about what makes an item worth keeping as I continue to refine my wardrobe.

And, without further ado, the recap:

THE RULES

  1. Quality over quantity.
  2. Basics don’t count.
  3. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
  4. Socks and underwear don’t count.
  5. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS:

The bold items are the new additions since the previous post.

  • Part of my Five Six: Erin Fetherston lipstick-print dress, Anthropologie cat-print dress, J.Crew Factory tartan-print sweater, Express navy metallic cocktail dress, LOFT floral blouse, Erin Fetherston pink cocktail dress (for $36 on Amazon)
  • Basics: Banana Republic pants in black and navy, Forever 21 white dress, T by Alexander Wang black skirt (similar), J.Crew Factory polka dot popover shirt (similar), J.Crew sweatshirt, LOFT striped swimsuit
  • Bags: Diane von Furstenberg clutch, Samudra clutch, Diane von Furstenberg red crossbody (via Gilt for $79)
  • Accessories: Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew bracelet, Kate Spade belt, opal ring at an antique store in Alexandria, Forever 21 ring, Lulu Frost bangle, J.Crew Factory necklace, Kate Spade bangle, Melanie Auld ring, Karen Hsiang ring, Tory Burch necklace
  • Shoes: Joie tartan flats, Forever 21 d’orsay flats, Sam Edelman ankle-strap flats

  • Purged: all of my pencil skirts, 1 dress, 2 coats, 5 pairs of shoes, 1 necklace, 1 bracelet, 2 pairs of earrings, 3 rings

Read the previous French Wardrobe posts here. 

Filed Under: Style, The French Wardrobe Challenge Tagged With: the french wardrobe

The French Wardrobe: Update

January 15, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

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THE RULES

  1. Quality over quantity.
  2. Basics don’t count.
  3. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
  4. Socks and underwear don’t count.
  5. Shoes do count.*

*I’m not counting shoes. I don’t buy an excessive amount of them to begin with.

MY PROGRESS:

The bold items are the new additions since the previous post.

  • Part of my Five: Erin Fetherston lipstick-print dress, Anthropologie cat-print dress, J.Crew Factory tartan-print sweater, Express navy metallic cocktail dress

  • Basics: Banana Republic black pants, Forever 21 white dress, T by Alexander Wang black skirt (still available in grey and navy), J.Crew Factory polka dot popover shirt (similar), J.Crew sweatshirt, Banana Republic navy pants
  • Bags: Diane von Furstenberg clutch, Samudra clutch 
  • Accessories: Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew bracelet, Kate Spade belt, opal ring at an antique store in Alexandria, Forever 21 ring, Lulu Frost bangle, J.Crew Factory necklace, Kate Spade bangle, Melanie Auld ring, Karen Hsiang ring, Tory Burch necklace
  • Shoes: Joie tartan flats, Forever 21 d’orsay flats

  • Purged: all of my pencil skirts, 1 dress, 4 pairs of shoes, 1 necklace, 1 bracelet, 2 pairs of earrings, 2 rings

THOUGHTS:

  • There’s only a month and a half left and I have one more fun purchase to make for “my five.” I didn’t really succeed at buying quality items for those (aside from the Erin Fetherston dress), but I’m pretty fond of what I did purchase. I’ve got my eye on a printed DVF or Clover Canyon piece for my last item.
  • I’d like to be more thoughtful about my spring/summer purchases. Some of the items I know I’d like are silky shorts and blouses, a new pair of wear-with-anything sandals and a white sundress (obsessed with this one from BR’s spring 2014 collection). It looks like our Europe trip is most doable in July, so I’d also like a few easy, mixable essentials for traveling.
  • I’m going to start a Pinterest board for the spring challenge to visually record what I purchase. A written list is great, but I think I need the visual reminder to keep tabs on my purchases.
  • As you may have noticed, I have added a few additional pieces (gifts and sponsored items) that aren’t reported here. I’m going to start listing those with my spring French Wardrobe roundups. That’ll kick off on March 1. Anyone want to join in?

Are you curating the French Wardrobe? Post your progress and let me know. I’ll share a link to your post here.

Filed Under: Style, The French Wardrobe Challenge Tagged With: the french wardrobe

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Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

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Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until la Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until late last year when we finally bought a bed, mattress, and a set of sheets. We used some of our own extra bedding (tucking in the generous overhang of our king blankets under the queen-sized mattress) and old bedside lamps from our bedroom: functional, but not quite the charming space I’d envisioned.
 
That started to change when I purchased the Popcorn Grid Coverlet from Schoolhouse — an item I’d been eyeing for years — plus some graphic floral pillows. Then came a bright blue round cushion and the sweetest Teig lamp, both generously gifted by Schoolhouse, and the room finally started to come together. You can shop my picks here: https://liketk.it/5f322

#Ad #SchoolhousePartner #SchoolhouseSpringStyle #SchoolhouseLiving #InteriorInspo #SlowDecorating #GuestRoom
Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hi Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hit peak bloom right around my birthday on May 30. My mom would fill a large crystal vase with fresh-cut stems, and their scent would waft through the house. 

Now that I live a few hours south and lilac season wraps up earlier, the blooms actually mark the start of my birthday month.

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Snapshots from the past week: • Spent quality t Snapshots from the past week:

• Spent quality time with my favorite cat

• Biked for Pacificos, chips and quac, and tacos at @bandit.tacos 

• Loved how the rain collected on the Lady’s Mantle I planted last year

• Dipped my toes (quite literally) into this year’s mesh shoe trend

• Snapped a lot of Lily content

• Drove home with a new lilac in the passenger seat
Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours this year, and the cute Teig Lamp from Schoolhouse is such a charming addition to the space. It’s named for the German word for “dough,” which is perfect for its soft, petite shape.

Find this and the other Schoolhouse items we’re using in the space here: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/bedknobsandbaubles/posts/e01ae8c9-38af-11f0-b5c2-0242ac11000b

(The lamp and circle pillow were gifted. I purchased the other items.)

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Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka do Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka dot of bright blue to punctuate our guest room bedding. 

#guestroom #bedding #schoolhouseliving #schoolhouse #landsend #homedesign
I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog of travel photos before we book our next trip. First up, photos of the gothic York Minster. I’m not religious in the slightest but I can’t resist stunning architecture and the opportunity to climb hundreds of cathedral stairs for a city view. This one only had a single rest stop about halfway up the flight of 275 steps for a closeup view of the flying buttresses — and a waiver you had to sign before your ascent to promise you’re healthy enough to make it.
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