BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Weekend Reading

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Weekend Reading 03.10.2017

We’re off to Chicago today to see Hamilton! We’re spending two nights in the Windy City, which means that we’ll also get to see the river dyed green on Saturday for early St. Patrick’s Day festivities! Follow the non-curated, non-filtered version of our weekend away (and our upcoming New Orleans trip) on Snapchat! My username is bedknobsbaubles.

ADMIRE: The Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs received an Instagram-worthy makeover.

CHEERS: Move over hygge and make room for kalsarikännit, the Finnish concept of drinking at home alone in your underwear.

ESCAPE: I’m crazy about Gray Malin’s latest series from Hawaii. (This one is my favorite.) Read his travel guide here.

FOLLOW: I’m sorry, but these kids are more fashionable than you will ever be.

WEAR: I’m a sucker for Lele Sadoughi’s jewelry and I’ve got my eye on these earrings. Now to decide between amber and white…

COOK: Make quick preserved lemons overnight and then use them in these nine dishes.

RALLY AGAINST: Carrie wrote a poignant post about the realities of wage discrimination.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

ON MY WISH LIST:

  • Alright, so I already purchased these and they arrived yesterday: sandals embellished with faux pearl beads. I couldn’t resist ordering them this week and then I saw them on Blair the next day, which obviously meant my sartorial selection was spot on. I freaking love them.
  • Mod citrus earrings. Part of me hates these and, yet, another part of me is gaga for them.
  • The scalloped detail on this pretty top caught my eye.
  • A pair of slides with a fantastic, oversized bow!
  • The romper of my dreams.

15 Must-Have Spring Bags Under $150

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Cult Gaia Ark Bag

I know I keep saying it, but I just can’t believe that spring is right around the corner! I’m thrilled to pack away the heavy winter clothing and accessories, and start fresh with breezy dresses and playful purses. I’ve been scouting out budget-friendly bags this week. Here are 15 of my favorites that all come in under $150.

  1. The Cult Gaia bag above has reached, well, cult status. I was lucky enough to buy mine before it gained popularity (and a couple of price hikes to go along with its newfound fame). At the time, I was hesitant to recommend it at its current price, but I’ve changed my tune after reaching for it more often than I thought I would. It’s just so darn fun to use! I either throw in a cosmetic case (as seen above) to wrangle items or tie a silk scarf around smaller items to keep them from slipping through the cracks.
  2. I mentioned the woven totes from this Etsy shop in Saturday’s post. I ordered the market tote, but I’m also crazy about this mini bag at $55.
  3. A leather half-moon clutch with scallop-trim detail that comes in white and blush for just $95.
  4. A cheerful striped clutch. I prefer it in yellow, but it’s also available in blue and red.
  5. You’ll bring a Mar Y Sol tote everywhere this summer.
  6. A beaded pineapple bucket bag?! Yes, please!
  7. This flat clutch has the feel of a Clare V. piece, but comes in at just $25.
  8. With layers of seagrass, this clutch feels like the handheld version of a grass skirt.
  9. It may be small in size, but this pouch packs a big punch with perforated leather and pom poms.
  10. A ladylike mini satchel that comes in pastel pink and cobalt blue for $50. I actually have this one on my wish list. The sleek shape looks more expensive than it actually is.
  11. The most unique leather woven tote I’ve come across yet. I love the pretty turquoise color.
  12. A mini basket with bright tassel details.
  13. I can’t believe this straw bucket bag is only $30. It has the cutest pink pom poms!
  14. This beaded turquoise clutch is a steal at $78.
  15. Even if you don’t have a tropical vacation on the books, this $38 clutch will make you feel like you’ve escaped the cold with a rainbow of pom poms across the flap.

It’s also worth doing an eBay search for vintage straw clutches for unique spring bags. Plus, you get to smugly tell everyone it’s vintage when they ask where to snag one of their own. 😉

 

The Coveted

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The Coveted 03.07.17

They’re not featured above, but look at the strappy pearl sandals I found at Zara this morning! They’re absolutely perfect for your little black and white dresses this spring and summer, not to mention an incredibly affordable way to get in on the pearl-embellishment trend. And while we’re on the subject of shoes, the adorable ruffled sneakers that graced the Tory Burch spring 2017 runway are finally available!

1. Tory Burch Palmetto Scarf |  2. Clinique Chubby Stick in Orange | 3. Serpui Marie Frankie Cross Body Bag | 4. Modern Weaving Pendulum Earrings | 5. ChicWish Dulcet Bowknot Dress | 6. Gentle Monster Debra Sunglasses | 7. Poupette St Barth Sasha Mini Dress | 8. Tory Burch Ruffle Sneaker | 9. Tory Burch Embrace Ambition Bracelet | 10. Shana Gulati Tulum Oberon Stud Earrings

 

Transformation

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Chambray Ruffle One Shoulder Dress

You know how we all bought those ruffled off-the-shoulder dresses a couple of years ago? Well, it’s time to bring them back out and transform them into this year’s one-shoulder trend. I was so tempted to purchase this BB Dakota dress until I realized that I could do basically the same thing with the Express dress still sitting in my closet. Just slip one arm through the hole and position the other side around your bust and you have an on-trend look without spending a dime. I also pulled out my Hermes pocket square (a souvenir from Miami years ago; this one has the same colors) and tied it around my neck for another no-cost way to jump on the spring trend bandwagon.

Hermes Pocket Square
Chambray Ruffle One Shoulder Dress
Chambray Ruffle One Shoulder Dress

Express dress (old; similar) | Hermes pocket square (also bought this budget-friendly one) | Hermes bracelet | Tory Burch tote (old; also love this) | Vince Camuto loafers (thinking about these, too) | Karen Walker sunglasses (c/o Shopbop)*

*The sunglasses store DITTO is closing at the end of the month, which means you can save 50% off designer eyewear including Karen Walker. Shop the sale here.

Weekend Reading

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Weekend Reading 03.04.17

I can’t believe it’s already March! We have a few weeks of travel ahead of us and I couldn’t be more excited to finally take a break. We’ll be in Chicago next weekend to see Hamilton. Can’t. Wait. And the following weekend, we’re heading to New Orleans. I’m taking advantage of a lazy weekend at home to clean and pre-pack for our getaways. (I’m such a planner.) After that, we won’t have any trips on the calendar until after we purchase a home, since we’ll need to keep our weekends free for house tours. Madison’s real estate market is insane. Houses go up for sale and oftentimes there’s already an that day. There’s no time to even sleep on a potential purchase. It’s stressful, but I’m hopeful that we’ll finally find something this year!

BABY FOOT: I’m so curious to try Baby Foot. It’s a chemical peel for your feet that’s both disgusting and intriguing. From what I’ve read, the skin on your feet will slough off like a snake’s skin to reveal baby-soft skin underneath. Has anyone tried it? I might do it after New Orleans since I’ll be back home and likely in tights for another week. It sounds like you don’t want to show your feet to anyone during the shedding process. Haha.

CHEERS: I’m craving warm weather, but since that’s not in the cards for awhile I’m happy to settle for a warm-weather drink. This pink grapefruit margarita with chili salt sounds amazing.

OOH LA LA: With the help of Chanel, Paris is planning to open its first permanent fashion museum in 2019. It sounds like I’ll be holding off on a dreamy trip to the City of Lights until then.

SALE ALERT: It’s the last day to take advantage of Shopbop’s tiered sale. I’m crazy about these silver Ferragamo flats, this woven circle bag, and this ridiculously fun phone case.

PINKIES UP: I’m all about the pinkie ring, especially in the form of this sculptural silver piece.

COOK: Homemade pizza is one of my favorite meals. I’m eager to try this blackberry, ricotta, and basil version.

DECODE: It looks like Queen Elizabeth II sends secret messages to her team with her handbag. Use this as inspiration to covertly tell your significant other you need to be whisked away when you’re caught in an awful conversation.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

ON MY WISH LIST:

  • A yellow lace swing dress topped with a bow. I actually just ordered it yesterday!
  • A one-shoulder swimsuit with a fun ruffle detail.
  • Statement tassel earrings for less than $50.
  • Woven totes from this Etsy shop. They’re less expensive than popular designer versions and sound like they’re impeccably made. I ordered this one to use during the day in New Orleans. I’m also crushing on this one. I’ll post a review this month.
  • The cutest work-appropriate shirt dress. I’m already over budget this quarter, but I’m really tempted to order it anyway with the 40% off promotion with code FRIENDS40. I’m awfully bored with my office wear lately and I find myself reaching for the same outfits over and over again.