BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Windy City

November 23, 2015 by jessica 13 Comments

We’re back from our weekend jaunt to Chicago! Between the festive decorations throughout the city and shopping at the Christkindlmarket, our visit to the city was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season before returning to Wisconsin’s winter wonderland last night. One of my favorite stops was at Three Dots and a Dash, an oasis topping countless lists of best American tiki bars. While tiki drinks get a bad rap for being overly sweet, the concoctions at Three Dots and a Dash are well-balanced with fresh fruit flavors and meticulously garnished. (My daiquiri came with a banana fashioned into a dolphin.) I was so enamored with the place that I had to buy the glasses our first two drinks came in. The rest of our trip was spent wandering the city, visiting the zoo and contemporary art museum, standing 1,353 feet above Chicago at the Willis Tower, cozying up in bars, and watching the holiday parade. We didn’t do much shopping, other than a stop at Uniqlo where I purchased a couple of merino v-neck sweaters (they’re inexpensive and hold their shape) and the most ridiculous furry earmuffs.

The Weekend Guide

November 20, 2015 by jessica 3 Comments

BAKE
These peppermint brownie cookies look amazing! If you’d rather bake something with fewer steps, try these peppermint crinkle cookies. I made them a half dozen times last year! (Just mentioning the link makes me want to pop a batch in the oven when we get back from Chicago.)

CELEBRATE
As many of you know, I’m an event planner by day. Rule number one on this list is a must! You’d be surprised by how many people wait to RSVP.

GIGGLE
From crowdsourcing to man buns, here’s what Kevin McCallister would do if he was left Home Alone this year.

SIP
Ever wanted to make your own balsam simple syrup? Well, now’s your chance! Kidding aside, this labor-intensive cocktail does sound like Christmas in a glass — and it’s a unique way to put some of those wayward branches to good use. (Fortunately, balsam syrup will last for weeks tightly sealed in the fridge. Make a big batch now to have enough on hand when the mood strikes.)

LEARN
If anyone else had a crush on that Bass-hole, there’s a good reason for it.

SWOON
Japanese artist Tatsuya Tanaka has created a mini diorama every day since 2011. Most involve a creative repurposing of everyday items, like a sweatshirt snow drift (above) or a potato desert.

FIVE UNDER $55

EARLIER THIS WEEK
We’re in Chicago for the weekend! Follow along on Snapchat at bedknobsbaubles!
Here are a few gift ideas for the hostess on your shopping list.
Why I love Endless Eyewear.
I finally mixed two versions of my favorite print this season.
Shared my thoughts a recent Sephora order.
Bought the cutest wrapping paper at Target.
Ordered this dress with Anthro’s 25% off dresses promotion.

FREE JEWELRY
There are only a few days left to enter to win a sterling silver necklace from Maps by A.Jaffe. You get to pick a sentimental location and mark it with a diamond! Good luck!

Holiday Gift Guide for the Hostess

November 18, 2015 by jessica 7 Comments

Try Ditto’s Endless Eyewear For Free

November 17, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

With the advent of the holiday season, many of us — myself included — are strapped for cash. Going on a strict sartorial diet isn’t fun at the most joyful time of the year, however, which is why I’m fond of DITTO’s Endless Eyewear subscription service. For $24 a month, you can swap out your sunnies as often as you’d like with free shipping each way. It’s a great way to try out designer sunglasses that you may curious about, like Karen Walker’s signature shades, this bejeweled Miu Miu pair I’ve been borrowing (and could never afford), or a beautiful bordeaux pair for holiday shoots in the snow.

HOW IT WORKS

After you sign up, pick out your favorite pair and the DITTO team will let you know if they’re ready to ship. In some cases, popular styles maybe temporarily unavailable and DITTO will notify you when they’re back in stock. You’ll receive your sunglasses in a few days. Wear them as often as you’d like before swapping them for another pair. Simply pick out the next pair online and ship the old pair back within five days of receiving the new style. All sunglasses are sterilized and arrive in like-new condition. If you fall in love with your pair and can’t bear to part with them, you can opt to purchase them at a 15% discount off the retail price.

RECEIVE A FREE MONTH

You can try your first month free with code BEDKNOBS. I’m normally on the fence about subscription boxes (we all know how I felt about Try the World), but I think this one is worth trying out for at least the first month. (You can always cancel if you don’t think the service is for you.) Wearing a new pair of sunglasses for a couple of weeks will give you a better idea of whether or not they’re a good investment for you. It’s also just a fun way to freshen up your holiday outfit photos!

Gridlock

November 16, 2015 by jessica 21 Comments

It was 60 degrees in Madison yesterday, which is unheard of for the middle of November. It was likely the last time I could go sans tights this year and I fully embraced it with a windowpane-print mini. (I wasn’t kidding when I admitted to being obsessed with windowpane this year. You can find another outfit with the print here and here.)

We’re heading to Chicago later this week for the opening weekend of the Christkindlmarket. It’s becoming our annual tradition to overspend on Christmas ornaments and mulled wine in the Windy City before the holiday season is fully underway. Honestly, I take trips to Chicago for granted. It only takes about three hours to get there from Madison, so I don’t always consider it a special getaway. That’s changing this time with a full itinerary, which includes the Lincoln Park Zoo to see the baby red pandas (squee!), the Willis Tower Skydeck (I haven’t been to the building since it was named the Sears Tower and there weren’t glass-bottom observation decks), the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, and plenty of beer-related stops at bars and breweries. Dave also came across a jewelry exhibit at The Driehaus Museum that I’m obviously very excited to visit. I’ll be Snapchatting my way through the city at bedknobsbaubles.

In other news, there’s only one week left to enter to win a sterling silver necklace from the Maps by A.Jaffe collection. A meaningful location personalizes the piece and a tiny diamond marks the sentimental spot.