BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Cult Gaia Ark Bag

June 27, 2016 by jessica 12 Comments

Happy Monday! We had a fun-filled weekend, which is making it especially hard to get back into the swing of things this week. We watched pro golfers at the American Family Championship (a PGA seniors event), went on a 20-mile bike ride (which may have been too much for my second time out this year!), spent a few hours in the pool, enjoyed a doner kebab sausage (a convincing substitute for the real thing, which is impossible to find here) at Madison’s O.S.S., and finally brought this bag on its maiden voyage.

I bought the tote a few months ago, before its popularity led to a sharp price increase. (The large size was $48 last year, I bought it at $58, and now it rings in at $98!). The rising price doesn’t seem to deter fashionistas, given that there’s a wait list to purchase the piece. The bag is a replica of a vintage Japanese picnic basket and I’ve actually come across a few on Etsy. They’re now sold out, but it’s worth keeping an eye on if $98 seems like too much to spend on a wooden, slightly impractical bag. The slats are close enough together where most things won’t fall out, but I still corralled my necessities in a cosmetic case.

Dress: Kohl’s (old; this one is remarkably similar)
Belt: Target
Bag: Cult Gaia
Shoes: Soludos
Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop
Bracelet: c/o Julie Vos
Rings: Monica Vinader (shop her sale), c/o Julie Vos, Lulu Frost
Lips: Stila “Bella”
Nails: YSL “Day Bloomer”

The Weekend Guide

June 24, 2016 by jessica 2 Comments

SIP
I’m a huge fan of gin-based cocktails. I can’t wait to mix up these rhubarb, fennel, and vermouth drinks this weekend.

WATCH
Sarah Jessica Parker is returning to HBO. She’s leaving Carrie Bradshaw — and her quest for marriage — behind with her new show Divorce.

LAUNCH
Have a heartbreakingly adorable pet? Read on for insider info on the world of Instagram-famous pets and their endorsement deals.

GOSSIP
The Devil Wears Prada is still one of my favorite movies, even though it came out 10 years ago. (Can you believe it’s been that long?!) Here are 17 little-known facts about the movie and its production.

KNOW
The UK voted to make its Brexit from the EU yesterday. It’s a long process, expected to take two years for the conscious uncoupling to occur. Here’s a guide for what this means for Americans. I try to stay away from controversial topics — and my opinions on them — on my blog, but this was a terrible decision fueled by racist, anti-immigration talking points (oh, wait, it’s called “nationalism”). Americans can’t even be too judgmental about it, given that Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee and we’re well on our way to alienating ourselves, too.

SURVIVE
Being an Airbnb host doesn’t seem easy — and it’s even harder to be reviewed harshly for things beyond your control. Just reading this essay has made me more conscientious about overnight stays.

NOTABLE SALES
An extra 30% off sale items at Tory Burch with code EXTRA30. (Tempted by these.)
An extra 25% off sale items at Shopbop through Friday with code 25EXTRA. (Debating this.)
An extra 30% sale items through July 5 at Kate Spade with code SUNSHINE. (Stock up on wine totes for the holidays, and this little red crossbody is perfect.)

EARLIER THIS WEEK
Picked up a budget-friendly black maxi from Target.
Wore a little blue dress.
Daydreamed about what I’m going to wear for the July 4th festivities.
Decided to head to Nashville in October. (I’m already pinning ideas! Let me know of any must-dos!)
Purchased tickets to see Hamilton in Chicago this March. (So excited!)

LBD: Little Blue Dress

June 23, 2016 by jessica 5 Comments

My camera was acting up when we took these photos and I thought about redoing them this weekend. However, the dress just went on sale and it’s too cute to miss out on!

Dress: Zara (on sale!)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop
Necklace: Lele Sadoughi
Rings: Monica Vinader (shop her sale), c/o Julie Vos, Lulu Frost
Clutch: Tory Burch (old, also love this and this)
Shoes: Vince Camuto (it says to go up a half size, but I didn’t)

Shopbop Sale: Extra 25% Off

June 22, 2016 by jessica 1 Comment

Shopbop Sale Picks

If there’s one thing I love more than a designer sale, it’s when there’s an extra 25% off those sale items! Shopbop is deepening its discounts on hundreds of sale items for three days only with code 25EXTRA. This adorable white dress would be perfect for the Fourth of July holiday weekend and how great is this Clare V. clutch? It’s something that you could wear pull out every summer to wear with Breton stripes. (I’m all about snagging sale items that will likely become perennial favorites.) I’m also eyeing up this clutch that I considered buying earlier this spring. Doesn’t it remind you of a vintage lawn chair? (The colors are more vibrant on Net-a-Porter. I’m not sure which is accurate.)

Easy Breezy

June 20, 2016 by jessica 9 Comments

On Saturday, we decided to go on our first bike ride in over a year. I’m not a huge fan of cycling to begin with (I’m convinced I’m going to get by a car) and was even more discouraged to find that my exercise shorts were too small. While I was tempted to throw in the towel on the venture, Dave suggested I run to Target to find a new biking outfit. I’m all for any excuse to buy new clothes, especially when they’re filed under “necessity.” But, of course, I left with more than just a new pair of athletic shorts and a moisture-wicking tee. I also bought this maxi dress from the Who What Wear collection. It’s a steal at just $33 and feels like it should cost double the price. The box pleats hang straight down so it doesn’t add too much extra bulk too your figure. I actually purchased this belt to wear with it, but yesterday’s 90-degree temperature was just too hot to bring the fabric closer to my body!