BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

The Weekend Guide

November 12, 2016 by jessica 2 Comments

REMINISCE
The White House’s official photographer, Pete Souza, has shot nearly two million photos of President Obama. Here are 55 images that capture the personality of our 44th president.

ESCAPE
We’ve had unseasonably warm weather in Wisconsin over the last few weeks, but the undeniable winter chill is starting to creep in. Since a tropical getaway isn’t in the cards right now, I’ll take in the island vibes with this cocktail.

WEAR
You may have seen photos tagged #Safetypin circulating on Instagram lately. Here’s what it means. And, if you’d like to show your support, may I suggest this chic option?

SHOP
Sephora’s VIB members enjoy 20% off this weekend with code 20VIB. I used it as an opportunity to stock up on favorites I’ll use throughout the year: three tubes of my favorite lipstick, face wash, charcoal mask, eye liner, face lotion, foundation, and lash primer.

EMBRACE
I’ve always hated doing things on my own. This essay is an inspiring piece on why we should break that stigma and overcome the fear of being by ourselves.

MAKE
Save some of that oven room for the turkey and sides this Thanksgiving and make no-bake pumpkin pie bars for dessert.

EARLIER THIS WEEK
Wore my favorite dress of the season.
Urged you to vote … and then was saddened by the outcome.
Shared the one item your wardrobe needs for fall and winter.
Splurged on a mint winter coat. (Snag it in a variety of colors here.)

If you buy one item this month…

November 10, 2016 by jessica 4 Comments

…make it a black turtleneck sweater.

A slim-knit turtleneck, particularly in merino wool, is a timeless piece that looks chic with everything from jeans to dress pants to skirts. It may not be the most exciting item in your wardrobe, but it’ll give you a lot of mileage throughout the season. It’s a blank canvas to show off a major statement necklace like this one. It lends a classic elegance to an on-trend metallic pleated skirt. (I’m eager to try this budget-friendly option.) And, it layers seamlessly under your fall dresses so that you can wear them into winter. (I’ve been doing just that with this dress and a pair of tights.) There are plenty of options to choose from to suit your budget and taste, as linked in the widget below, but my favorite is this one from Banana Republic. It’s a soft, thin knit that isn’t sheer and has just the right amount of stretch.

My Heart Hurts

November 9, 2016 by jessica 3 Comments

I’m struggling to process what happened yesterday and the fact of the matter is that I can’t. I’m sad. I’m ashamed. I’m disgusted. I’m numb. I’m discouraged. I’m a myriad of emotions that I can’t properly express. I’ve broken down in tears at work and yearned to be shaken awake from this nightmare.

I wish I could say I didn’t think this could happen. Trump is bombastic. He is a demagogue. He is hot headed. He is a misogynist. He is a racist. He is what America wanted. There’s a strong undercurrent of hatred in this country — not only for women, the LBGT population, immigrants, and Muslims — but for the establishment. Hillary was very much a personification of the establishment that many wanted to break from. This rich white man was, ironically, the answer to their call.

Fear elected Trump and, in turn, I’m fearful. America is going to change. The rights that many have worked so hard to achieve will be in jeopardy. We risk ripping health care from Americans, denying marriage rights to the LBGT population, blaming immigrants unfairly for the ills of the country, and removing a woman’s right to choose. This election was, to put it bluntly, a big fucking deal.

And I do want to make it clear that while I’m a Democrat, I am not upset by a Republican presidency. I am upset by a Trump presidency. To stand united with America in support of this man is something I won’t do. I will not support a man who grabs women by the pussy (without her asking for it), makes a comment about the “pretty picture” a woman makes dropping to her knees, and laughs off sexual assault charges by saying that they weren’t pretty enough to hit on in the first place. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that all women have had to navigate the uncomfortable waters of unwanted sexual objectification. And I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that all women should be outraged by an America led by Trump.

I want to do whatever small steps I can to support women at this time. Even if our views on Roe v. Wade divide us, I hope you’ll consider donating to Planned Parenthood to support women’s reproductive health and access to screenings. It might not be much in the face of what’s to come, but for a woman who can’t afford to go to the doctor, it matters a great deal.

One final thought: if you voted your heart, be proud. I don’t mean to alienate you with this post. I’m shell-shocked and passionate and couldn’t let this monumental day go by silently.

***
photo by Krista Mangulsone

Cast Your Ballot!

November 8, 2016 by jessica 3 Comments

Today’s agenda:

Get properly caffeinated with Starbucks.
Figure out your polling place.
Review the ballot in your area so that you can make an informed decision.
Vote.
Celebrate with new jewelry if your candidate wins. (Or console yourself with gems if your candidate loses.)

#ImWithHer

And for some jewelry-related election fun: Gerard Yosca rereleased a pair of earrings he gave to Hillary during a designers’ luncheon at the White House in 1998. Snag a pair here. Gerard is donating $20 from each pair sold to HollaBack!, a women’s organization that works to end harassment. Jewelry and a good cause? Count me in! #ImWithGerardToo

Spark Joie

November 7, 2016 by jessica 8 Comments

The last thing my wardrobe needed was another dress, especially a dark floral frock when I’ve already been adding them to my closet with abandon this season. But you know what? Sometimes you just have to stick with what works for you. I’m a dress die-hard and I knew I had to have this little Joie number the moment I spotted it. I adore the feminine ruffles along the shoulders and the whisper-thin silk chiffon that catches the wind just right. (There’s a slim-fit slip underneath that keeps you from having a Marilyn Monroe moment, which I definitely had with a different dress recently. So embarrassing!) There aren’t many days left where I can go without tights, but this dress is just as cute with tights and a turtleneck sweater layered underneath for a winterized version of the look.