BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Weekend Links

June 29, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Greetings from Portland, Oregon! I’m seriously so excited to be hanging out in the Pacific Northwest. The opportunity for travel came out of the blue last month when Dave had to schedule a visit to his company’s Portland office. The plane tickets from Madison were expensive (around $550), but it was impossible to pass up when his ticket and the hotel were both covered. I have a fair amount of time on my own to explore the city and get in all the coffee shops and boutique shopping before Dave finishes up at the office each day. Let me know if there’s anything I have to see! Instagram DM is the best way to reach me while I’m gallivanting. Have a great weekend! I’ll be back on the blog late next week.

Weekend Links:

Breaking up with your cell phone might be the hottest new trend in wellness.
Here’s a checklist of what you should do around your home before your next vacation.
There’s so much inspiration to be found in Mandy Moore’s home.
I need this dress to go on sale so I can buy it and wear it all of the time.
There’s a mural in Los Angeles that’s reserved only for the Insta-elite.
Another art restoration gone wrong.
Fifteen of the best anti-aging serums on the market.
I know it’s way too early to think about holiday shopping, but I came across this sampler of handmade soaps and thought it would make for the best hostess gift later this year.
How Hunter boots became a staple at music festivals.
Is a “Netflix of podcasts” on the horizon?

Finds Under $50:

I’ve featured this top multiple times in various posts, and I finally ordered it in pink a couple of weeks ago. It’s so pretty! I want the black one, too.
If you liked the simple pendant featured here, you’ll love this wallet-friendly version.
Trim is a weird thing to get excited about it, but wait until you look at this cami!
This lightweight scarf has such a pretty pattern. (It’s best in the light blue colorway.)
The mixed stripes on this maxi are so much fun!

Earlier This Week:

Remixing a versatile linen dress for summer.
This week’s most coveted picks.
A new jewelry brand that should be on your radar.
What I added to my closet this month.

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image via Unsplash

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Wardrobe Update: June 2018

June 28, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Recently I had been putting any blog money I earned toward house projects and purchases. Those things can add up quickly and I’m so fortunate that I’ve been able to add extra money to my bank account by way of this hobby. This month, though, I spent some of that money a bit more irresponsibly. I had been obsessing over these earrings ever since I featured them on March 20. I hemmed and hawed over purchasing them because, well, they’re plastic and it’s a lot of money to spend on a pair of acrylic earrings. I’m so glad I went for it, though! They’re such statement makers in person despite being clear. Plus, they’re so much fun to wear! It was money well spent.

TOTAL SPENT: $337
(Budget: $200; $4 subtracted from last month; $141 over budget, but I had plenty of blog revenue this month to cover it)

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

Old Navy ruffle-trim linen-blend popover shirt ($27) – I linked to this shirt in a recent “Weekend Links” post and went to Old Navy shortly after to see it in person. It was as good as I hoped it would be. The fabric is light and breezy, which is perfect for summer. And the cut is flattering with the v-neck. The size small fit well if it were tucked in, but I went up a size because I preferred the looser fit of the medium so that it draped over my hips better.
Old Navy denim boyfriend shorts ($20) – My other pair of denim shorts is now too large. I’m not a huge fan of shorts in general, but I do wear them when we go on bike rides. So, a smaller pair was a summer essential.
Sam Edelman ‘Bay 2’ slides ($100) – I ordered these the same day I saw them on Shopbop. They run true to size.
Rachel Comey ‘Factor’ earrings ($115) – Yes, that’s a crazy amount to spend on plastic earrings, but they’re all kinds of amazing. They’re lightweight making them easy to wear all day. (If you’d prefer a wallet-friendly pair of acrylic earrings, check out these or these.)
Madewell tiered tank in pink ($45) – Isn’t this the cutest? If you want it to fit like it does on the model, you’ll have to go up a size. I went with a medium in the top and the band fits snugly on top and it hits me at the top of my hips. I tried a small for comparison and it was entirely too short. The fabric has a nice heft to it and a lot of women left reviews online indicating that they were able to wear it without a bra. I haven’t tried that yet, though!
Leith racerback shift dress in emerald ($30) – I’m a sucker for this dress, which should be obvious by now given that it’s the third color I own. You can see how I’ve worn it here and here.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Things I tried and didn’t love.

Madewell butterfly top in sherbet stripe – I love the colors of this top, but it was much too short and the hem was curved. Whenever I lifted my arms, the shirt rode up to expose my torso. Pass. (Also, it feels like upholstery fabric. I’m still not sure if I liked that or hated it.)

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The New Jewelry Brand You Need to Know

June 27, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

As I get older, my sartorial focus continues to shift toward building a wardrobe with versatile, quality items. I used to believe that a high price tag meant a high-quality piece. However, those don’t always go hand-in-hand, and that’s especially true for your jewelry thanks to a new-to-me brand called AUrate. AUrate seeks to create more transparency in the jewelry business by cutting out the middle man to bring direct-to-consumer fine jewelry at fair prices. AUrate is doing its part to give back, too. Each piece is created with ethical and sustainable business practices in mind, and every sale supports literacy efforts in the United States by giving a book to a child in need. (I’ve talked about the Madison Reading Project before, so you know that’s a cause I can get behind!)

The collection itself is gorgeous and offers understated, everyday jewelry along with sophisticated, statement-making options. I came across an interview with Sophie Kahn, one of the brand’s founders, and she summed it up best: “We’re not focused on one aesthetic. We understand a woman is multi-faceted, that she’s going through different moments, different times, and we’ve adapted our aesthetic to that.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, I gravitated toward the collection of gold earrings when AUrate reached out to see if I’d like to collaborate. I initially fell in love with these bar earrings, and I was sold when I realized it was an ear jacket. It’s such a beautiful way to put a modern spin on a classic piece of jewelry. (My earrings happen to be gold vermeil, but these and all AUrate pieces can be crafted in 14k or 18k yellow, rose, or white gold.) But what I was struck by most was the quality of the jewelry. They’re substantial without weighing my earlobe down and seem like they should cost a lot more than they do. I have no doubt that these will be a lifelong addition to my jewelry collection.

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Thanks to AUrate for partnering on this post!

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The Coveted

June 26, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

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One Dress, Three Ways

June 25, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

There’s a reason linen is synonymous with summer clothing. The sustainable fiber is breathable, naturally anti-bacterial, and has twice the strength of cotton. And, when linen is cut into a classic little black dress, it’s a summer staple that you can wear all season long. I had the opportunity to partner with Garnet Hill to feature this dress and share a few ways I’ve worn it over the past month. (Unfortunately this particular dress is now sold out, but this one is similar and you can find more linen dresses here.) It has been, unquestionably, the highlight of my summer wardrobe. It feels airy on the hottest days (including a high-humidity day in Austin, pictured below), and still allows me to feel pulled together despite the heat. Plus, linen is a versatile fabric that looks just as appropriate in casual situations as it does at the office, making it a smart investment for your summer wardrobe.

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Thanks to Garnet Hill for partnering on this post!

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