BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Weekend Links

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Washington-DC-Outfit-2-v3

I didn’t intend to only publish one post this week, but I had been feeling a bit morose and uninspired. When I get in these lulls, I’ve found that it’s best to just step away and do my own thing offline rather than force content. I can’t even pinpoint what has been bothering me, other than a general feeling of discontent. For one, I decided I hate how full my closet is with things I don’t wear anymore, so I’ve been forcing myself to wear old favorites again and pack away things that I’m lukewarm on. I’m not quite ready to sell or donate some of those unworn things, but I think I need a break from seeing all of those options that I skip over every morning to [hopefully] break any emotional ties to them.

Clothes aside, I’ve been throwing myself into house projects because I’ve been annoyed by the recent stalemate in home improvements. (It’s hard to stay in and paint when we can go for a bike ride and enjoy the weather!) I really want to do a “State of the House” post soon and show you where things are compared to when we bought the house. Don’t expect any awe-inspiring reveals, though. We don’t have the budget for that, but we are proud of how things are coming along. (We ran into our realtor at a neighborhood festival last weekend and she asked if we had installed the wallpaper I so badly wanted when we looked at houses. Unfortunately, I picked out the most expensive wallpaper to go in a place that we can’t DIY, so no, not yet. Haha.)

And in other life updates, Dave had a work trip to Washington D.C. I’m jealous that it coincided with a work event for me, otherwise I would have loved to go with him. (I’m now planning a late-fall trip to the city.) So, I was home alone for the better part of the week for the second time in as many months. I have to admit that it wasn’t quite as bad this time around. It helped that Bacon actually hung out with me instead of sitting by the front door anxiously awaiting Dave’s arrival and then getting mad at me later as if I had something to do with his disappearance. Plus, ZzzQuil. A 90-year-old house sure makes a racket when it settles.

And with that, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I’m counting down the hours until Dave’s plane lands and we officially start date night with a fish fry. (Not familiar with Wisconsin’s most popular Friday tradition? Head here to learn more.)

Weekend Links:

  • So, there’s a big sale this week that just opened to the public. 😉 I bought Chelsea-style rain boots. They’re not something I’d typically wear, but I like have an option other than tall wellies. I ordered this dress on a whim and it’s sexy AF. (Order a couple of sizes to try. My regular size was too snug in the midsection and made me feel self-conscious, so I’m waiting for the larger one to arrive.) I also placed an order last night for this dress in the striped pattern. The colors look beautiful online.
  • Handbags and apparel prices are expected to rise thanks to the trade war.
  • I came across Gardenuity the other day and it seems like the perfect way for wannabe-green-thumbs to get into gardening. They send everything you need to plant a one-square-foot vegetable and herb garden that’s suitable for your location and climate.
  • A frozen margarita pie is the dessert your dinner party has been missing.
  • My new favorite Instagram account.
  • There’s a movie about Ruth Bader Ginsburg that’s coming out this December and it looks incredible. Watch the trailer here.
  • Artificial intelligence is being used to combat counterfeit luxury goods.
  • The lowdown on intermittent fasting.
  • Pairing mint with banana is unexpected, but sounds delicious.
  • If you have a young daughter, please get her this backpack for school. It’s everything I wish I had as a kid.

Finds Under $50:

  • A lightweight scarf is always a great piece to have on hand for travel.
  • Does anyone else remember those Tiger Pop suckers we had as kids? For whatever reason, the colorful swirls of these earrings remind me of them!
  • Target does it again with a cute woven bucket bag.
  • This camisole is so feminine and understated, which is exactly what makes it perfect.
  • I don’t need to spend more money, but this skirt in camel is perfect for the office.

Earlier This Week:

  • Just one post. I ordered the wrap dress featured in the roundup. It’s really pretty, but you’ll want to size up. The one I received didn’t fully cover my chest, even though there was more than enough fabric on the bottom. I’ve exchanged it for a larger size to see if it’ll cover everything up top!

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image from this post
(That dress ripped and I miss it!)

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The Coveted

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The Coveted | Bedknobs & Baubles

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT

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Weekend Links

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Weekend Links on Bedknobs & Baubles

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s going to be an absolute scorcher here in Madison, but I can’t bring myself to complain about the heat when we have such brutal winters! We don’t have a lot going on this weekend. If you saw my Instagram story last week, you may remember that I started painting the inside of our linen closet. I’d like to finish that up and put two more coats of paint on the office door and hang it up. (It’ll be the first room door we’ve had a year! We’ve been living with an “open concept” upstairs, with exception of the bathroom.) Other than that, there’s a neighborhood festival we’d like to go to and we have plans with friends on Sunday. Have a great weekend!

Weekend Links:

Finds Under $50:

  • A gorgeous maxi dress in the prettiest blue hue.
  • Woven leather slides. (Not all of the colors are under $50, but the cognac is most expense at just $54.)
  • In red, this ponte-knit sheath dress is a workday showstopper.
  • A pair of wrap sandals with fabric ties in a pretty Liberty print.
  • Hoop earrings with a unique front-facing shape.
  • Love the look of clear vinyl bags, but don’t want to spend a fortune? Try this one.

Earlier This Week:

  • How to gain early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale without a brand credit card.
  • When building a quality wardrobe, here are the categories you should splurge on and those you can skimp on.
  • I’m crushing hard on the pumps featured in this post.
  • I don’t wear these sandals often because they’re terribly uncomfortable, but they’re so pretty!

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image via Unsplash

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#NSale Access Without A Nordstrom Credit Card

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Nordstrom Sale Access Without a Brand Credit Card

It’s that time of year again when bloggers go into a frenzy over the #NSale. That’s the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for those who aren’t in the know. It’s a selection of new fall items available at a discount for a limited time. It’s also when a lot of bloggers lose their sh*t for discounted duds that hundreds of other women are purchasing. I know I’m grumpy about this, but there’s such limited creativity with the pieces that seem to be featured throughout the blogosphere. (Although, I’m really into this yellow coat and I’m almost out of my signature fragrance.) Last year, I purchased two items: this Kate Spade mini dress that I love and Smartwool no-show socks. I didn’t want to succumb to the siren song of the sale, but I couldn’t help it. If you happen to be in the same boat, here’s how I gained early access to the sale last year without having a brand credit card. (Since I used this trick before, my information was saved and I was able to add Anniversary Sale items to my cart today without a problem.) Let me know if you try it and if it works for you!

1.) Login to your Nordstrom account.

2.) Head to an item you’d like to purchase and click “Confirm Your Card & Add to Bag.”

3.) You will be prompted to enter the last four digits of your card number, your last name, and your billing ZIP code. Use the following information in these fields:

  • Last Four Digits: 3012
  • Last Name: NORDPRD
  • Billing ZIP Code: 80111

This should allow you to add the item to your bag and continue the check-out process with whatever method of payment you’d prefer. As with any shopping tip, I can’t promise this will work for everyone, but it’s worth a shot!

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image via Unsplash

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Save vs. Splurge: Build a Quality Wardrobe on a Budget

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Save vs. Splurge: How to Build a Quality Wardrobe on a Budget

We’ve all been there. Somewhere in the glossy pages of the latest fashion magazine or displayed delicately at a boutique, we spot it. It’s effortless. It’s chic. It’s the pièce de résistance your wardrobe has been missing all these years.

Then you look at the price tag and your dreams of purchasing that special piece are dashed. No matter how many days you bring lunch to work or brew coffee at home, you’ll never save up enough from a few weeks of penny pinching to make that of-the-moment item your own. Don’t be discouraged, though. A quality, thoughtful wardrobe is accessible on a budget with a strategic approach to wardrobe building. Below, you’ll discover the key places to splurge and where to save.

And if you’re strapped for cash, a good rule of thumb is to go with budget-friendly pieces in classic shapes and neutral colors. Those can usually pass for a more expensive alternative in a pinch.

WHEN TO SPLURGE

The lion’s share of your budget should go toward the pieces you wear most often. While “cost per wear” can come off as a fashion lover’s rationalization for spending money, there’s value in the practice. For example, an ultra-trendy romper purchased for $200 and worn twice comes out to a $100 cost per wear. That’s a huge chunk of your budget for an item that didn’t get much love. On the other hand, spending $200 on a handbag you reach for three times a week throughout the year only comes out to $1.28 per wear. That’s the better investment for your dollar.

You’ll also want to spend more on these often-worn items because they are more likely to withstand the stress of regular use. A higher price tag doesn’t always mean better quality, but it usually does. Be sure to read product reviews and scour blogs to find testimonials about an item or brand.

The right splurge for you is dependent on your lifestyle and sartorial preferences. If you live in a warm climate, then a heavy wool coat obviously isn’t for you. If you’re like me, then dresses are a staple in your collection and spending more on a single dress that fits like a glove is worth every cent. Use the guidelines below as inspiration for creating your own splurge list.

  • Outerwear – No matter where you live, you need a quality piece of outerwear. It needs to keep you warm or dry (often both) and a budget find isn’t going to make the cut. Choose a coat that’s best for your climate and invest in a classic piece you’ll wear for years, like a wool coat, a trench, or peacoat. Opt for a wear-with-everything neutral like black or camel.
  • Cashmere – Cheap cashmere often feels, well, cheap. This is an area you don’t want to skimp because a good cashmere sweater or scarf will retain its shape and loft for years. You can find some good quality cashmere pieces at modest prices at retailers like Lands’ End or Garnet Hill, but you’ll want to feel them in person before committing.
  • Work Staples – I know this is a wishy-washy category because it’s so dependent on where you work and your personal style, so you’ll need to evaluate what types of pieces you reach for over and over again. Do you love your black pants because they go with many colorful tops? Is your a-line skirt the workhorse of  your 9-to-5 wardrobe? Do you live in shift dresses? Do you need a quality suit? Once you identify the pieces you wear to the office just about every week, you can rest assured that spending money to upgrade your basics will be money well spent.
  • Shoes – Synthetic materials, thin soles, and shoddy stitching should be reasons enough to keep you far away from budget shoes. Your shoes take quite a beating outside and while you might be tempted by the trendy styles of cheaper pairs, expensive shoes are made to withstand that kind of wear. Good shoes will need some maintenance to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Keep an eye on the sole and take them to a cobbler when it starts to look worn.
  • Handbags – A beautiful leather handbag elevates a budget outfit like nothing else. Splurge on a classic shape in a neutral color and you’ll reach for it again and again. Many designer bags hold their value. If you find that you didn’t use a bag as often as you would have liked, you can sell it and likely get a portion of your money back to put toward something you will use.

WHEN TO SAVE

The most stylish women know how to mix those high-end purchases with budget finds. Think of the “save” column as the icing on the cake. These are the updated, trendy items that might not capture your fancy for more than a season and that’s okay. However, this is precisely why only a small portion of your budget should be dedicated to these pieces. It goes back to that cost per wear. Spending $50 on a sundress you wear once a week for the summer will run you around $4 per wear June through August — much easier to stomach than a higher priced version.  

  • Tops – Most people won’t notice if you wear the same pair of pants or jeans every day, but they will notice if you have your favorite blouse on repeat. Stock up on on-trend pieces with pretty patterns or updated silhouettes to keep your wardrobe fresh. (Need proof? How many people are actually wearing cold-shoulder silhouettes this year?)
  • Sundresses – Gauzy little sundresses shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Few are tailored, so an inflated price tag doesn’t make sense for an oversize, flowing fit. Besides, your tastes will likely change next year, so you’ll be glad you went the cheap route.
  • [Some] Costume Jewelry – If you’re going to drop a small fortune on a piece of jewelry, it better be the real deal. However, I can’t recommend opting for the save version of all costume jewelry because you really can tell the difference between, say, a Target piece and a designer costume piece. The materials are better quality with the designer version, they rarely tarnish, the and the designs are more eye catching. However, if you can’t stomach spending a few hundred on costume gems, go vintage. Searching Etsy or eBay will rustle up great pieces at even better prices. Even better? You can smugly tell people it’s a vintage piece when they ask about.
  • Swimwear – A bathing suit will get sandy and salty in the ocean, or full of chlorine in the pool. The same goes for your cover-up. Save your dollars for items you’ll wear away from the surf.

I’d love to know what items you save and splurge on! Let me know in the comments!

You might also enjoy this post on how to find and identify your personal style.

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