Hello! We’re back after a few days in Austin and while I’m happy to be home, I’m already missing the pastries at Easy Tiger! (Our neighborhood donut shop has nothing on their pain au chocolat.) It’s expected to be a relatively chilly weekend here with highs in the low 70s, which sounds terribly cold after simmering away in 100-degree heat with humidity, but it’ll be perfect for bike rides around town. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Links:

• TIME magazine’s amazing cover.
• Grace’s photo diary of her trip to Cuba is incredible. I’d love to visit!
• This retro-inspired suede mini dress is gorgeous. Is it too early to shop for pre-fall?
• We’re heading to Portland at the end of the month, so this travel guide came at the perfect time! Let me know if you have any recommendations for things to see and do while we’re there! (It’s a work trip for Dave, so I’ll have some time to myself to shop and Instagram cute coffee shops.)
• Fifteen online sources for the art lover on a budget.
• Last Saturday, we had a “house crawl” with our friends in the neighborhood. Each house was responsible for a drink and a snack, which turned into one heck of a boozy afternoon. This recipe for a pitcher of palomas was a huge hit! (And I may have picked up a couple of packages of these flamingo swizzle sticks, too.)
• There are some changes on the horizon for J.Crew.
• I saw this teal ottoman in the store and it’s so pretty. (If only it would work in our mid-century modern space.)
• We binge-watched Netflix’s Safe in two days.
• I need more veggie-packed dinner recipes and this vegan coconut curry looks like a good one to try!

Finds Under $50:

• This cute top reminds me of something you’d find at Madewell.
• How cute are these bow-topped wedge espadrilles?
• I love the colors of this striped maxi dress.
• Haven’t found the perfect straw bag yet? How about this clutch with faux bamboo handles?
• I just ordered a second set of these glasses. I bought the first set around the holidays with a rewards coupon and had another one for my birthday, so I figured I’d expand my collection. They look chic and have a subtle blush cast to the glass.

Earlier This Week:

• What I added to my wardrobe in May.
• I went to Austin where I saw the state capitol building, creeped on kayakers, celebrated my birthday, and took a dip in the pool to beat the record heat.

Happy Memorial Day weekend! This weekend is going to fly by for us. Today, we’re having a “house crawl” with some of our friends in the neighborhood, which is basically like a bar crawl where each house is serving a drink and a snack. We’re keeping it easy on this sweltering day and going with palomas (although, is tequila ever a good idea?) served with chips and guac. And then we’re off to Austin tomorrow! We rarely travel again so soon after a trip, but flights and hotels were cheap when we booked a few months back — and it seemed like the perfect way to celebrate my 35th birthday! You can follow along on Instagram and I’ll check back here on Friday! Enjoy the long weekend!

Weekend Links:

• I have been such a fan of Madewell dresses lately. I ordered this one to wear on my birthday and love it. (Of course I couldn’t wait until this coming Wednesday and already wore it. I received more compliments on this dress than any other in recent memory.) I’m thinking about adding this one to my summer wardrobe, too.
• Floating flowers in a vintage oyster dish is such a good idea.
• Amelia Bloomer started an accidental fashion revolution in the 1850s and now her name is synonymous with pants.
• Three spring pasta recipes to try.
• This is why you’re getting so many privacy policy updates.
• The cultural history of the ugly sandal.
• I think I mentioned these enamel plates before, but they’re so cute in person! I purchased a set of dinner plates and the salad plates for summer entertaining.
• A pina colada recipe that doesn’t require a blender.
• A weekend playlist.

Finds Under $50:

• A floral card case.
• A soft pajama set. (I just purchased this set in black. It runs large.)
• A pair of satin slides.
• A striped midi dress.
• A simple dress that’s best in red.
• A feminine wrap top.

Earlier This Week:

• An easy faux wrap dress I’ve been wearing a lot lately.
• 48 hours in Madison.

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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.