BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

The Weekend Guide

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READ
Aziz Ansari is undoubtedly my favorite comedian. I’m downloading his new book, Modern Romance, once I’m finished with my current read: Cold Black Earth, which was downloaded for free with our Amazon Prime account (it’s not good, but I’m halfway through and feel like I should stick with it). Read some of Ansari’s romantic insights on the Tory Burch blog.

MEET
This inspiring woman went on a year-long shopping ban and managed to live on just 51% of her income. And to think that we break out in a cold sweat when challenged to a 30-day ban.

LEARN
Can’t keep your off-the-shoulder tops, well, off your shoulders? Try this trick.

DIY
I spotted this gorgeous metal flower pot this week. I’m in no position to drop over $100 on a planter, but it’s the perfect DIY inspiration for a terracotta pot and a can of metallic spray paint. This silver paint has pretty good reviews.

WEAR
Adidas recently released a running shoe prototype made of ocean trash.

KNOW
This piece argues that selfies just might be one of the most visual acts of feminism in decades.

 

additional images via 1, 2

Five Under $55

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Happy Friday, ladies! This is the first weekend I can go without crutches and I couldn’t be more excited to move around a bit easier. I even went in the pool yesterday! I purchased the cover-up in today’s post (you can see it in yesterday’s Instagram). It’s a steal at $18 when you take 60% off the sale price. It’s final sale, so keep that in mind when ordering. As with many of J.Crew’s cover-ups, I found this one ran large. (It was originally available in a XXS as well, which is usually a red flag to order a size down.) I went with a size small. It’s a little snug in the bust if I keep it buttoned up, but otherwise a great fit.

Tory Burch: Extra 30% Off Sale

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Tory Burch is starting the weekend early with an extra 30% off sale items now through Monday with code EXTRA30. Now’s the time to scoop up all of those last-minute summer items or to pre-plan for any winter vacations. This pineapple beach shirt has been on my wish list for months (I bet it’d be cute half-tucked into cutoffs) and I’m absolutely smitten with this cotton tunic (I can’t resist a good blue and white pattern). If you’d rather shop for fall, this understated bag is a good choice in navy or in the tan pattern. This elegant wallet is a piece you’ll have for years (use it as a clutch when you don’t need to bring a set of keys).

For me? I’m seriously considering this bag in magenta, now that it’s in my price range and maybe a fun coin purse to corral Euro coins our next European adventure (to be booked soon!).

Really, though, the best thing about this sale is that everything is returnable if it doesn’t work out.

June Highlights

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Let’s just start by admitting that June wasn’t nearly as fun as May. My broken foot left me a little too gun shy to use crutches at the beginning and even when I was finally feeling more confident, I didn’t want to scoot around too much. It was exhausting! Here’s what I did manage to do:

  • Whine about my broken foot. Here’s what I learned during the experience.
  • Enjoyed beer and frites at my favorite restaurant in Madison.
  • Introduced Bacon to our new rug. Let’s just hope he doesn’t use it as an expensive scratching pad. (Truth be told, I hated this rug online, but fell in love with it in the store. The colors are much prettier in person.)
  • Enjoyed time at the pool, even if I didn’t go in. Instead, I sunned myself and made it through Girl on the Train. It’s similar to Gone Girl with an unreliable narrator, but not as good.
  • Bought a new Tory Burch dress because I can’t resist a good sale or a dress with pockets. It’s still available in different sizes at varying price points at Tory Burch, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks.
  • Received this gorgeous necklace as a birthday gift from Dave.
  • Ordered new sunglasses that I’ve been wearing nonstop.
  • Picked up Sunday donuts at Madison’s best bakery.
  • Finally wore my favorite bathing suit. It’s from LOFT last year, but I’m also loving this flattering striped suit and the batik stripes on this one. This year’s version of my LOFT swimsuit comes in an array of solid colors.

The Coveted

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This week, I’m coveting:

  • Sporty details on this dress from LOFT. It’s such an easy piece to throw on with a pair of slides before heading out for the day. I’m also curious to try on this dress in white. The back detail looks so pretty.
  • My most recent purchase: a pair of black Puma sneakers. I can finally cast aside my crutches and go full weight-bearing on my boot for two weeks. After that, it’s sneakers for this gal for another four weeks. I picked up the black pair to mix and match with black and white ensembles for workdays and weekends. I’m also looking for a pair of white slip-on sneakers. I have these in my shopping cart, but I’m open to alternatives. I just don’t want to spend too much on something I probably won’t wear often.
  • This magenta ladylike bag. It’s on sale for $325, which is currently out of my price range, but I really wish it wasn’t. I keep thinking of how fantastic it would look with my green winter coat.
  • These incredible geometric earrings. They’re huge and I love ’em.
  • An easy black dress. Has anyone tried it on yet? It looks like it could be one of J.Crew’s hidden gems.
  • Stila’s glam new packaging for my favorite lip color.
  • Playful pillows. I’m on an apartment redecorating kick and have already picked up a new rug and ordered a coffee table. New couches are a bit out of our budget right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t spruce things up with a new set of pillows, right? This pillow from West Elm has the same colors as the Trina Turk version at a wallet-friendly price.