BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

The Coveted

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This week, I’m coveting:

  • A set of holiday cocktail glasses to make spiked eggnog look even more festive.
  • This skirt, which was my favorite item in a recent J.Crew catalog. It’s too bad the price is on the high side. It would look gorgeous with slim sweaters this fall and thin t-shirts come spring.
  • A deep burgundy lipstick that’s tempting enough to make me give up my beloved bright pinks.
  • A loose dress that leaves plenty of room for this week’s Thanksgiving feast. Pair it with tights and tall boots for fall.
  • A pair of patterned platform pumps. Navy is one of my favorite colors and these would give my wardrobe a much-needed dose of whimsy.
  • A pair of chic tassel earrings with plenty of movement.
  • An affordable marble side table. Extra places to set drinks are a must for the holiday season. I bought a slightly different one that is only available in stores and I adore it. When it’s not being used as a cocktail table, one of these glass knots (in ice blue) is perched on top.

Sales are starting to roll out well before Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year! Here are a few of the most notable ones to check out today:

  • Tory Burch: Spend $250 or more and receive 30% off your purchase with code THANKS. It also applies to sale items.
  • Erin Fetherston: The end-of-season sale is on with gorgeous special occasion pieces at up to 90% off.
  • Kate Spade: It’s time for another limited-time secret sale!
  • Net-a-Porter: Normally this sale doesn’t start until Black Friday, but markdowns came a bit earlier this year with items at up to 50% off! Keep an eye on anything you love. Some items eventually make it to 70% off.
  • Shopbop: Take 15% off orders of $250+, 20% off orders of $500+, or 25% off orders of $1,000+ with code GOBIG15. If you have any friends yearning for some of their wish listed items, go in together to reach that 25% discount.

Windy City

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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.

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Dress: Banana Republic | Coat: J.Crew (this year’s version) | Necklace: c/o Julie Vos | Ring: Lulu Frost | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bag: Coach (old, similar) | Shoes: Kate Spade (also considering the silver version) | Tights: Calvin Klein

 

The Weekend Guide

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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!

Try Ditto’s Endless Eyewear For Free

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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!