BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Brrr!

January 15, 2018 by jessica 4 Comments

The last few weeks have been one of the rare times I’m glad I’m not a full-time style blogger. All I’ve wanted to do is hibernate indoors, curled up in cozy loungewear and wait for spring. Not take outfit photos. And you’d think that for someone who lives in Wisconsin, I’d be champing at the bit to show off a closet full of cold-weather clothing. I don’t have that. I have a closet full of dresses that are aching for spring as I don the same ensembles over and over again until the weather warms up. So, my sartorial goal for next month is to hone my winter style and add a few new pieces to my wardrobe that don’t make me completely hate the season!

–
Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Weekend Links

January 12, 2018 by jessica 2 Comments

Weekend Links:

A money strategy that makes more sense than a strict budget.
Anthro’s shoe selection is to die for this season. I’m crazy about these kitten heels and these tasseled pumps, but I’m absolutely head-over-heels (pun!) for these flats. That oversize bow just gets me!
Gucci is opening a restaurant.
If Emily Henderson says that wood paneling adds character to a home, then I’m even happier about our decision to paint it in our bedroom and office.
Nine ways to stay happy in winter.
A 12-hour closet makeover.
This should be your next TV show to binge.
I try not to get political in this space, but I did want you to be aware of the fact that you’ll need to double check your own paycheck for accuracy next month because of the hastily passed tax law.
Learn how England’s Crown Jewels were hidden during World War II.
Ikea’s latest ad is brilliant.

Style Steals Under $50:

A dose of color with bold earrings.
A simple crepe dress that comes in nine colors. (It’s a great backdrop for oversize jewelry!)
A dress with a fantastic mod print. (I’ll be obsessing over this until my shopping ban is over.)
A sweet blouse with bell sleeves and a feminine tie-front detail.
I didn’t want to overwhelm you with dresses this week, but I love this one, too!

Earlier This Week:

Style steals under $50 and under $100.
Nine swimsuits to consider if you have an upcoming beach getaway.
Now that the holiday decor is gone, freshen up your home with a new houseplant in a pretty planter.
This book makes coffee tables look better.

January No Shop Update: We’re a third of the way through January and I’m happy to report that I’m still holding steady with my spending freeze on unnecessary items. Spring items are becoming a bit more tempting, though, like the aforementioned shoes. But waiting a few more weeks will be good to determine whether or not they still capture my fancy. We did go out for drinks on Sunday and ordered Thai food for dinner, but as I mentioned, we had already figured we’d eat out two or three times this month instead of completely turning into hermits. And, I had my brakes replaced today, which is obviously a necessary expense. (I’m just a bit annoyed that this “cheap living” month became as pricey as it did!) The only thing I anticipate buying this weekend (groceries aside) is another gallon of paint to continue working on the trim in our house. There’s 30% off at Sherwin-Williams this month, so I’d rather get it now than wait until next month as possibly pay full price.

–
image via Tory Burch

Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

9 Swimsuits for Your Beach Getaway

January 10, 2018 by jessica 2 Comments

I was looking through my archives and came across this post, which has me daydreaming about another tropical trip. It’s likely not in the cards for the foreseeable future with other travel plans on the books. (We have London in April, and likely Portland and Washington D.C. this summer when Dave needs to travel for work. I’ll fly out for a long weekend if my work schedule allows.) If you’re one of the lucky ones with an ocean getaway on the horizon, I rounded up nine of my favorite swimsuits to consider this year.

Top
Haight Tie-Waist Swimsuit | Allihop Ruffled One-Piece Swimsuit | LOFT Ruffled One-Piece Swimsuit

Middle
Dorina Striped Swimsuit | Made by Dawn bikini top & bottoms | Tabula Rasa bikini

Bottom
Allihop bikini top & bottoms | Old Navy wrap-front halter swimsuit | Made by Dawn bikini top & bottoms

–
Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Style Steals

January 9, 2018 by jessica 2 Comments

Under $50
H&M top | Kenneth Jay Lane earrings | H&M skirt | Cuyana scarf | Whiting & Davis clutch

Under $100
Michael Kors dress | Hat Attack bag | Adidas sneakers | Le Specs sunglasses | J.Crew swimsuit

–
Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Weekend Links

January 6, 2018 by jessica 1 Comment

Happy first weekend of the new year! I hope your 2018 is off to a great start, despite the bone-chilling weather sweeping the nation. We have one more holiday gathering today with my dad’s side of the family and then we can finally leave Christmas (and all of those sweets) in the past. Other than that, our weekend should be fairly relaxed. I want to finish up painting the doorframe and closet trim in our office, and we’re hoping to get out for a long walk on Sunday. The temperature is expected to reach the mid-30s, which is 40 degrees warmer than it has been. We can’t miss out on that heat wave!

Weekend Links:

Five easy financial goals to accomplish this year.
Why saying “um” isn’t such a bad thing.
Madewell’s newest loafer silhouette is gorgeous. I’ll likely purchase a pair in black after my no-shop month is up. Hopefully they’re just as comfortable as these. I’d love a pair of black loafers to bring to London with me.
I joke that my dream job is to have been a jewel thief, but I don’t think I could ever pull off something as stealthy as this heist in Venice a few days ago.
How Instagram-famous handbag companies like Cult Gaia created a new formula for success.
I didn’t think I could love an umbrella stand.
Kick off the new year on a healthier foot with Bon Appetit’s “Feel Good Food Plan.” The recipes look incredible and a lot more satisfying than some of the dietary restrictions bloggers put themselves through at the beginning of a new year!
Tips to organize your kitchen this season.
Did you know that Netflix is filming an updated version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch? Can’t. Wait.
Closet organization tips for the new year. I’m definitely purchasing some sweater boxes to store knitwear in the off season.

Style Steals Under $50:

The pearl detail on the sleeves of this blouse is so pretty.
I usually think that spending $40 on a t-shirt is ridiculous, but I can’t stop thinking about this one after seeing it in person.
A gingham wrap dress is adorable for spring.
A striped bell-sleeve sweater.
Will someone please try this printed dress and let me know if it’s as great as I hope it is?
Refresh your bathroom with a stylish new bathmat. (I always forget about H&M for housewares.)

Earlier This Week:

My 2018 goals.
A springlike wish list.
Seven strategies to get through a spending freeze.

January No Shop Update: The first week of my no shopping month wasn’t that difficult. I didn’t leave the house on Jan. 1 and I worked at home on Jan. 2, so I wasn’t tempted by impulse purchases and dining out. I had already purchased groceries for the week’s dinners and work lunches, so we were all squared away there. But, I did buy two non-essential things: a yoga mat and a latte from Starbucks. I’m embarrassed to admit that Tuesday was the first time I’ve exercised since moving in, and I didn’t realize how much wood floors would hurt during a work out! I thought about using a towel for the month so that I could adhere to my self-imposed shopping ban until February rolled around. Dave correctly reminded me that health is essential and I shouldn’t feel guilty about spending $20 to make myself more likely to continue exercising this month. And that latte? I was going stir crazy at work on Thursday and needed to get out in the middle of the afternoon to get fresh air. Had it not been below zero degrees, a walk would have sufficed. Twenty-five days left to go!

–
image via

Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’