BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

• I can’t believe we’re heading into the last week of August! I’m looking forward to autumn — especially the days that are cool enough for sweaters, but warm enough for bare legs! But I feel like I barely enjoyed summer this year! With the house hunt, purchase, painting, moving, and housework, my favorite season slipped away. This weekend is all about making the most of one the last summer weekends with bike rides, grilling, and drinks on our deck.

I’ve been quieter than usual on the blog this week. I had been having terrible hand and wrist pain for the last few weeks and finally went to the doctor. I have tendinitis from overuse of those muscles (likely aggravated by using a paintbrush just about every night for a month!). I have a brace to wear when I’m doing activities that make my wrist hurt (e.g. typing, using the mouse, driving…), but what I really need is rest to let it heal. I’m pretty disappointed about it, but hey, at least it’s not carpal tunnel!

Weekend Reading:

• Christina and Robert’s redecorated patio is serving as major inspiration for ours. We won’t be doing anything with it this year given that it’s so late in the season, but it’s going to be our little oasis next year!
• Goop can be pretty ridiculous.
• Take an extra 20% off sale items at West Elm this weekend with code EXTRASALE. This leather chair is gorgeous and I love the black marble top of this coffee table.
• Interior decorating tips for your 20s, 30s, and 40s. The 30s section is spot on with what we’re currently focused on!
• Strawberry, pineapple, and orange sorbet sounds like the perfect late-summer dessert.
• Did you realize that dry conditioners are a thing?
• Isn’t this sweater just perfect for early autumn? I ordered it in the spice color, along with this denim mini skirt to hopefully wear with it!
• Tips on turning small talk into meaningful conversation.
• It’s Anthro Day today, which means there’s 20% off full-price items. Get this metallic tunic and let me know how amazing it is for holiday parties. (May as well pre-plan, right?)
• We binge-watched Friends from College last weekend and it’s amazing!

Five Under $50:

• I was first drawn to this emerald green shirt dress that looks way more luxe than its $35 price tag, and then I saw the printed version with monkeys and I’m even more obsessed with it. I love the cheeky print! I really want to order it to try with a structured black satchel and Ferragamo flats.
• Update your home for fall with gorgeous velvet pillows. These pillow covers are only $10.
• A cute travel pouch for all of your must-have cosmetics.
• Use code DEAL to take 40% off this blouse. I love the lace detail!
• Wool-blend felt gives these sneakers the perfect update for fall.

Earlier This Week:

• I’ve had this dress for two weeks and I’ve already worn it three times.
• Rounding up what I’d like to wear this fall.
• Best. Earrings. Ever.

***
image via

Between white supremacists marching in Charlottesville where Heather Heyer tragically lost her life, Trump’s complete and utter incompetency, and an horrific terrorist attack in Barcelona, this has been a pretty shitty week. Sometimes I feel superficial by glossing over current events on the blog. There are a lot of beautiful things in the world that I’d much rather talk about. However, that’s getting more and more difficult. Here’s to a weekend of love, acceptance, and healing.

Weekend Reading:

• The solar eclipse is this Monday! Here are tips on photographing it with your phone.
• Jenny shared great tips for first-time home buyers.
• Exploring the differences in work demands for people without children. I work in very flexible workplace and am allowed to leave early for personal reasons if need be. However, it’s a lot easier for someone with children to fall back on kids as an excuse without it being questioned by anyone.
• We’re going to Milwaukee today to pick up our new nightstands. (We saved around $60 on shipping to have them sent to the store for pick up and I was able to use an in-store discount when we ordered them.) I love the mid-century design, but I’d like to give them more personality by switching out the drawer pulls. I’m going to go with either this or this.
• Cathy shares her tips on growing your Instagram following. (I actually started using Planoly for Curated Couple and I love it!)
• This pleated ombre skirt is so fun! Wear it with a camel-colored sweater and neutral heels to let the skirt really stand out.
• Cookie Monster is coming out with a cookbook and it sounds pretty adorable!
• I’ve been following interior design Instagram accounts for inspiration in our house. Here are 25 to follow. Then, check out these five for actually purchasing home finds.
• Prada and Miu Miu’s fuzzy hats are all kinds of amazing and fashion editors agree.
• Why catalogs still survive in the digital age.

Five Under $50:

• I ordered a few things from Target to try on this week. It’s all going back except for this unexpected win: a glen plaid bomber jacket.
• An oversize pair of Lucite earrings make a major statement.
• A dark floral cami with flirty ruffles.
• A classic bag in faux leather.
• The mixed prints on this romper are gorgeous! It’s 60% off for a limited time with code SUMMER60.

Earlier This Week:

• The Kate Spade dress I’ll be wearing every week this fall.
• I’m crazy about the blue heels in this week’s “The Coveted.” They also come in navy velvet, which are just as gorgeous.
• I went down memory road with my sartorial purchases to figure out what pieces eventually landed in the donation pile. Hopefully this approach helps me save money in the future.
• My new sandals! They took zero time to break in! (Snag ’em here. I want the black ones next.)

***
image via