I’ve been a huge blog slacker this week. I had a work event on Thursday, one of our biggest events of the year is next week, I was sick on Monday, and we’re now fully entrenched in the home-buying processes (we have a real estate agent!). As you can imagine, it’s been busy and I haven’t wanted to do much online when I got home after work each day. I’m looking forward to a weekend to recharge, catch up on a few freelance projects, and go out with our realtor for our first official day of touring homes that aren’t part of an open house. (#ThingsAreGettingReal) While we have a generous budget, it doesn’t go very far in the downtown Madison market. Any house we pick is going to need love and improvements when we save the money to do so. I hate admitting this, but I do find myself increasingly jealous of those who can just plop down the money for the dream home. We’re going to have to work for it and we’re going to have to make compromises. (Goodbye, two-car garage.) If you’ve gone through this process, please send reassuring notes and advice. I’m kind of freaking out over here!

PEEK
A review copy of Patricia Gucci’s book, In the Name of Gucci, is on its way to me. It looks fascinating and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you. In the meantime, shall we drool over the clothing she brought to New York while on her book tour?

APPRECIATE
It’s not surprising that this billboard stirred up quite a bit of controversy, but it was actually a clever PSA about the dangers of texting and driving.

ESCAPE
Our trip to Charleston a few years ago is still one of my favorite vacations. Grace’s travel guide made me want to book a flight back to South Carolina!

ADD
I’m obsessing over the work by Juniper Briggs and would love to add a piece to my art collection. Dave isn’t as crazy about it as I am, but maybe he won’t notice if one makes its way to our gallery wall…

MIX
Substitute elderflower liqueur for agave nectar and you have yourself a twist on the classic margarita.

PAINT
I’ve assumed that I would just paint our future kitchen white, but this inspiration post — complete with suggested paint colors — is making me reconsider.

EARLIER THIS WEEK
Donned a floral skirt.
Shared my ultimate summer wish list.
Found yet another tree in bloom.
Bought these earrings (ah-mazing) and this dress (go with your regular size). #BirthdayMonth

LEARN
Dave and I went to the bank this week to get pre-approved for a home loan. While we don’t have a specific house in mind yet, everything we’ve read urges a buyer to get the preapproval letter in order first to make an offer more enticing to a seller. There’s a short list of homes that we’ll be touring with a realtor in the next couple of weeks provided they aren’t purchased by someone else first! (Madison has a crazy real estate market right now with many homes swept off the market within a week.) We’d like a sweet 1950s or ’60s home. They come with tons of character, but they also come with small rooms, which is why I’m referring to this small-space decorating guide when the time comes (hopefully mid-July!).

READ
If you’re like me, you’ve alreay poured over the best-dressed lists from the Met Gala. My favorite post, however, comes from Brandon Stanton, the brilliant man behind Humans of New York.

KNOW
It seems terribly inefficient to load a plan from front to back. Beyond that, it seems there’s research to support that walking through a first-class cabin can lead to “air rage” on the flight. (I’ve never understood how pre-boarding is a perk to first-class passengers. While I love to travel, I don’t love to be strapped to a seat in a stuffy plane for longer than necessary. )

DISCOVER
I appreciated this poignant article profiling the financial differences of four men, ranging from a gentleman on the poverty line to a CEO millionaire.

MASTER
So much of this post rang true. There’s a true art to the mom email!

EXTEND
Tacos are by far one of my favorite foods and we didn’t even use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to overindulge yesterday. Dave was out of town, so I opted for a more responsible meal of chicken and a side salad. Boring. You know what’s not boring? A weekend of tacos to look forward to! Here’s a comprehensive list of Mexican meals to make all summer long. I’m definitely trying this corn salad.

EARLIER THIS WEEK
Dressing like a Danish girl.
A stunning ring from Anjolee.
Style steals under $50 and under $100.

LEARN
I haven’t heard much about Jenna Lyons lately, so I was thrilled to stumble across this two-part interview (one, two).

TRAVEL
Head off the beaten path near your favorite spring break destinations to find even more incredible places to visit. The guide also serves as inspiration for weekend getaways if you’re lucky enough to live in one of these cities.

CUT BACK
Save on money and food waste with innoviative ideas from chefs to put wilted produce and near-expired dairy to good use.

ADMIRE
This home renovation is making me a lot less freaked out about buying a home that needs a little TLC. We won’t have money for major changes right away, but there’s definitely some budget-friendly inspiration in the post that we can use.

GAIN
Bauble Bar is constantly churning out on-trend, affordable gems. Here’s how they do it. (If you’re just looking for a jewelry box refresh, may I suggest this or this?)

KNOW
On my scale of preferred colors mauve is near the bottom, right next to pea green and tan. However, this article on the dye’s discovery makes me appreciate it just a little more.