BAKE
Oh my goodness, how amazing do these look?

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TRY
I finally had the opportunity to give Rocksbox a whirl. My favorite piece in the box is this gorgeous Trina Turk necklace. I’ll post more about it and the other goodies I’m borrowing next week. If you’ve ever wanted to try Rocksbox, now’s the time. Get your first box free with code bedknobsandbaublesxoxo.

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SEARCH
If your travel dates are flexible, there’s a new website called Skyscanner that allows you to search for the cheapest flights available. I haven’t played around with it too much yet, but it’s a great idea.

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KNOW
Most Sex and the City articles are a little tiresome, but this one is worth the click. Spoiler: did you realize that the politician with the, um, fetish is Roger Sterling on Mad Men? Mind. Blown.

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PLAN
First time in Paris with only 48 hours to spare? Check out this charming guide.

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BUY
By now you know I’m almost exclusively a flats girl. My heart is going pitter-patter at the idea of made-to-measure ballet flats.

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IN OTHER NEWS
We scrapped our Indianapolis plans after learning the Indy 500 is next weekend. We’re stopping at Upland Brewing Co. and then will continue on to Cincinnati. I also purchased the dress I mentioned last weekend. It’s absolutely adorable in person. There’s a slight high-low hem, which I normally shun, but it’s subtle and I actually appreciate the extra bum coverage with such a short dress. I will be wearing this in Cincinnati and on my birthday (May 30!) when we visit friends in the Twin Cities. There’s a lot of Midwestern road tripping in our future.

LEARN
Even those of us with bills to pay can still afford to travel the world.

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PREP
Screw swimsuit season. Pour a cocktail and settle in to caftan season.

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WIN
Mom deserves to be pampered on Mother’s Day with this beautiful necklace from Helen Ficalora. This prize is valued at $95.

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FOLD
How cute are these origami dresses? Learn to fold one of your very own.

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STOP
Pressing the walk button isn’t really helping.

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SIP
A refreshing sangria recipe to keep on hand this summer.

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FITNESS UPDATE
We’ve been back from vacation for one week and I’m only one pound heavier than when we left. I call that a huge success considering my diet consisted of pizza, lobster mac, and beer. I should probably start exercising again.

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// additional images via 1, 2, 3 //

SHOP
Today is the last day of Shopbop’s major sale. It’s a great time to purchase any spring essentials like cocktail dresses for upcoming weddings or vacation wear (Tory Burch has the cutest striped espadrilles). I pulled the trigger on a pair of black Ferragamo Varinas and a Tory Burch tote (no longer available at Shopbop, unfortunately).

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DIY
How cute are Erin’s monogrammed loafers?! She created them from inexpensive shoes from Old Navy. (Get started with the striped version here and the chambray version here.)

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PLANT
I’m still on a kick to redo our apartment and these succulent pots are too cute. Although, I think I’ll go with a white glazed pot with turquoise rocks.

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ANSWER
Charnele of Cha Cha the Fashion Genius is working on her final graduate school marketing campaign project and would love your help. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete.

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TRAVEL
Seven of the best places to see wild flowers this spring.

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DECORATE
So, uh, this happened earlier this week. I’ve wanted one of Harry Allen’s piggy banks for years, but it seemed like such a ridiculous thing to spend that much money on. After scouring eBay for four years to snag one on the cheap, I finally found a silver one that went for $112. I can’t wait for it to arrive. (It’s cast from a deceased pig, which Dave finds morbid. Pssh.)

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FITNESS UPDATE
I gained .6 pounds this week. I’m not totally surprised. We visited Milwaukee last weekend and one of my many cocktails was a Brandy Alexander, an ice cream drink that probably had a pint worth in it. On the upside, I’ve lost another half inch from my hips and from my waist. I’m still working out two or three times a week. And, now that Daylight Savings Time is tomorrow and it will be light out after work, we’re going to start the couch-to-5k program soon.

SMILE
When I’m having a particularly bad day, I’ll spend a few minutes looking at photos of cute animals to perk up. The Daily Otter was a delight to stumble across.

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BUY
The windowpane skirt I mentioned in my recent “Budget Update” is finally online.

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SNOOZE
Every piece from Iomoi is adorable, but the cocktail monkey sleep mask takes the cake.

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DECORATE
I’ve been itching to give our apartment a makeover and the design inspiration from Gray Malin’s home with didn’t help curb that desire! I’ve got my eye on this coffee table (in raw mango), but I’d like to follow Gray’s lead with bright lacquer side tables. (Perhaps a vintage set so I can paint them myself.)

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KNOW
Did you sign up for the “Ten Days or Whatever of Kwanzaa” holiday gift from Cards Against Humanity? Did you know that the private island was a real thing? From now on, I will brag about the land I own on Hawaii 2. All square foot of it.

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REFINE
Step up your Instagram account with tips from interior designer Alessandra Branca.

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FITNESS UPDATE
I thought I’d add my fitness success and struggles to this post as a follow up to this and a way to keep myself accountable. I only exercised three days this week, thanks to a work event, a basketball game, and a happy hour (excuses, excuses). I also let my Weight Watcher obligations slip. Not surprisingly, I only lost .4 pounds this week (2.5 total). On the bright side, I’m down a total of 1.5 inches from my hips in three weeks!