BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Manic Monday

June 22, 2015 by jessica 17 Comments

Last week I mentioned that I was fed up with my professional wardrobe situation. I took care of that problem shortly after with a large J.Crew order. While I’m most excited about the dress, it needs to be taken to the tailor when I can finally stand without the help of crutches. The top needs to be taken in and the straps brought up. (Basically, the same alteration I get for every dress that isn’t a loose shift.) This skirt comes in at a close second. I wasn’t sure what to expect since it’s a linen-cotton blend, but it’s pretty substantial. It’s also fully lined and it has pockets. Love. It.

I’ve been wearing a version of this outfit to work every day with my crutches. I just can’t bring myself to tuck pants into the boot! I should be able to start putting some weight on my foot this Thursday and I can expect to rid myself of the crutches and the boot by mid-July. Not only am I excited to walk again, I’m anxious to stand up straight in blog photos and use something other than a crossbody purse! It’s the little things.

Top: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Necklace: Lele Sadoughi (on sale!)
Bracelet: Hermes (also gorgeous)
Shoes: Tory Burch (obsessed with these; cheaper alternative)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop
Lips: Stila “Fiore”
Nails: Clinique “Really Rio”

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Weekend Guide

June 20, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

BEMOAN
Gap Inc. recently announced plans to close 175 stores. This piece discusses why Gap may have lost its cool and became, as the author so eloquently puts it, a “basic bitch.”

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DRINK
We have beer. We have raspberries. We have orange juice. Soon, we’ll put them together and have beermosas. I hope they’re as good as the photo looks.

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FOLLOW
Artist Meghan Maconochie creates colorful animals and cultural icons out of pencil shavings. Follow her impressive Instagram feed here.

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SEE
We all know Disney takes some creative liberties with its animated princesses. See what they’d look like if they were historically accurate.

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LEARN
According to this article, German-Americans are America’s largest ethnic group and they’ve assimilated so well that we barely even notice.

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LIGHT
I love bringing a new scent with me on vacation. It helps bring back happy memories of our travels when we return. Hi Wildflower Botanica is looking to do the same thing with books.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
I may be on crutches, but I refuse to let it kill my summer style. Here’s inspiration for an 11-piece wardrobe to get you through the work week with ease. Many of the items will transition into fall. (Truth be told, I already purchased the dress, skirt, shell, and cardigan. The dress is incredibly well-made and flattering. I’ll need to get the top taken in, but it’s worth it.)

Friday Five Under $55

June 19, 2015 by jessica 6 Comments

A pair of statement hoops by Kenneth Jay Lane. For more aaffordable jewelry, check out the brand Shashi. I love the dainty rings, which are all $44 or less.
Thanks to J.Crew’s current promotion (30% off with code GOSHOPPING), these brushstroke shorts make it under the $55 threshold. They would look darling with this silky shell in orange (also under $55).
Have you seen the darling cocktail napkins Gray Malin designed in collaboration with Lettermade? In addition to the pineapple wine glasses I featured here, I’d like the pineapple cocktail napkins for my future bar cart.
Few things scream summer like an easy slip dress. All this one needs is a statement necklace (found on one of your summer travels, of course) and a pair of simple sandals.
This white structured bag is an absolute steal at $24. It’s not leather, of course, but that just makes it less upsetting if someone spills ketchup on it at a summer barbecue!

The Coveted

June 17, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

This week, I’m coveting:

A linen dress with pretty dip-dyed ruffled sleeves. Shift dresses rarely work on me, so I’m envious of the ladies who can pull of this pretty summer frock! Wouldn’t it be fun to wear to a gallery opening? It would look incredible paired with this necklace.
A ring that makes cocktail hour even more fun.
A small handbag that makes a big statement. I’m obsessed with this bag, but if you aren’t into the embellishments, this version comes in cream, orange, and light blue.
Everything at the Lulu Frost sample sale. This necklace tops my wish list. Some of the brand’s newer pieces (like the horn pendant and scarab earrings) are on sale at Net-a-Porter here.
The unexpected braided leather detail on this pair of sunglasses.
Stemless wine glasses with pineapples on them. As if I needed more reason to buy a bar cart… They also come in a palm tree version and with flamingos.
A pair of everyday flats. After this cast is off, I’m stuck with sensible footwear for the rest of the summer. I’ll probably have a few weeks of sneakers before transitioning into something more fun, like Tory Burch Reva ballet flats (shop ’em here).

11-Piece Work Wardrobe

June 16, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

I’ve been awfully unhappy with my summer work wardrobe lately. I feel like all I have in my closet are skirts (great) and wool sweaters (not great), which is making Monday through Friday a little difficult in the humid weather. I’m lucky to work in an office with a relaxed dress code, making sundresses A-OK, but I feel like I should step it up a bit. That said, I don’t want to invest in too many pieces. I’d rather buy a handful of items (or rework current items) to create a seamless capsule work wardrobe for the rest of the summer. I’ve pulled 11 items that can be worn in various combinations together or reworked on the weekend, like the dress with the subtly sexy back cutout. Wear a cardigan over it to work, but wear it as-is on the weekend with a pair of leather sandals. You could also wear the button-up shirt untucked with a pair of shorts. Below, you’ll find six ways to mix-and-match these pieces for a stylish work week. (Just assume you’re wearing the same flats and choosing between the leather tote or clutch depending on your work load.)