BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Valentine’s Gift Guide for Her

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We’re just a couple of weeks away from the most wonderful day of the year (pfft…). I’m really not one to celebrate Valentine’s Day with over-the-top declarations of love. I’m perfectly content with small gestures like our annual heart-shaped pizza dinner, a special beer we’ve been saving, and an intense Mario Kart match. Even if you’re like me and crave a low-key day on Feb. 14, it’s still a lovely excuse to buy a little something for the person you love most: yourself. 😉 No significant other required!

  • Rebecca Minkoff has darling heart-shaped pieces available for the holiday. In addition to a quilted crossbody bag (in pink and black), there are conversation heart coin purses.
  • Pucker up! Kelly Wearstler’s lip pieces make me unbelievably giddy. The small and medium catch-all dishes are a luxurious splurge. You could also give yourself a little smooch with this small kiss sculpture, a keychain, or this darling pair of stud earrings.
  • The eyes have it with this flirty boudoir pillow.
  • Take a relaxing soak in the tub with Jo Malone’s red roses bath oil.
  • Tory Burch always nails it with her Valentine gifts. The subtle embossed hearts on this card case make it my favorite of the bunch. (You could also reward yourself for sticking to your fitness resolutions with a Valentine Fitbit band.)
  • Jennifer Zeuner’s dainty jewelry is just so pretty. Even if you’re not a fan of heart-shaped jewelry, there are plenty of other petite designs to choose from.
  • Expecting a flirty phone call? Dress up your iPhone with a romantic case.
  • View the day through rose-colored glasses.
  • Let’s just pretend the arrows on Scalamandre’s classic motif are from Cupid’s bow. This quirky vase is a sophisticated way to display your Valentine bouquet. Would you rather spend the day with a stiff drink? Zebras also adorn this set of double old-fashioned glasses.

Required Reading | Cartier in the 20th Century

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What better way to make good on my resolution to read more than with a history of one of the world’s most renowned jewelers? Cartier in the 20th Century guides the reader on an opulent journey from 1900 to 1975, chronicling the brand’s defining moments through seven thematic sections, including Aristocracy and Aspiration, Foreign Fascination, and The Art of Smoking. The photography throughout the 272-page book is breathtaking. There are historical images, jewelry photos, and design drawings from Cartier’s archives, but the real treat is the thoughtful discussion of Cartier’s response to history and fashion’s most defining moments. It’s a must read for any jewelry aficionado and the cloth-bound book (in Cartier’s signature red, naturally) is a stunning addition to a coffee table collection.

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All jewelry images are from the Cartier Collection. Photo credit: Nick Welsh.

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 A review copy of Cartier in the 20th Century was given to me free of charge for purposes of this post. This does not influence my opinions of the book.

Outfit | Falling Temperatures

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[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]M[/dropcap]adison now has its very own Nordstrom Rack and I couldn’t be more excited for a new place to spend my paycheck, even if opening weekend was chaotic. The staff was overwhelmed (but sweet), the place was packed, and a woman ran over my foot with a stroller. It was all worth it when I came across an unimaginably soft and warm Theory sweater that I’m planning to hibernate in until spring. The discounted price of $130 (down from $375) was just icing on the cake.

Speaking of discounts, Julie Vos, one of my favorite jewelers, is offering 20% off any purchase with code bedknobsandbaubles to celebrate the launch of her new website. It’s a fantastic opportunity to update your jewelry box or spoil a few people on your holiday shopping list with jewelry and scarves. The pearl Antwerp Earrings are elegant and come to just $88 after the discount (perfect for that aunt who surprises you with an unexpected gift).

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Sweater: Theory (similar) | Skirt: LOFT | Necklace: c/o Julie Vos | Ring: c/o Julie Vos | Bracelet: Hermes | Clutch: DVF | Shoes: J.Crew | Nails: Essie “After School Boy Blazer” | Lips: Stila “Fiore”

THE FRENCH WARDROBE UPDATE

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There’s just a month and a half left of the spring/summer French Wardrobe Challenge and I’m in desperate need of a clean slate. This season has been especially challenging; I love warm-weather clothes (they’re my favorite to buy and wear) and my style has evolved since last summer. I used to wear shorts almost exclusively. Now I’m all about the ease of a summer dress. It definitely resulted in overindulgence and a bit of overspending. Our upcoming trip to Belgium (just two weeks away!) was a ridiculously convenient excuse for a lot of my purchases. (New clothes are so much better on vacation, right?) I filed most items under the basics category this month. They’re black, white or beige, versatile, and in many instances, easy to pack. I also added my last item to round out this season’s stand-outs: a bold DVF dress that’s unlike anything in my closet.

THE RULES

  1. Just five standout pieces per season that update your wardrobe. (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:

Basics:

Bags:

Accessories:

Shoes:

Gifted items:

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

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Are you taking part in The French Wardrobe Challenge this season? Let me know and I’ll link to your post below. (It probably goes without saying, but I’d love it if you linked back to my posts too.)

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HAPPY 4TH + GIVEAWAY REMINDER

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Here’s to a happy Independence Day weekend! After you’ve had your fill of backyard BBQ fare and lit the last sparkler, head on over to the UGallery.com giveaway. There are just a few days left to enter to win $300 to spend on a piece of art to add to your collection, like the print above. I’ve included the entry form below to make it easy, but you can find all of the details in the original post here. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway