BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

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.