BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Currently Coveted

January 22, 2015 by jessica 11 Comments

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you may remember that I used to do a weekly roundup in a format similar to this. I strayed away from it because there were countless items I came across each week that I wanted to share. However, that’s kind of the problem. With so many available items and so many blogs competing for your attention, I want to go back to sharing the best of the best. From now on, the “Currently Coveted” posts will be dedicated to items that truly sparked my excitement and are worth a closer look.

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A TROPICAL CLUTCH
Few things make me want to book a tropical escape more than Kayu’s woven handbags. The embroided palm leaves make the Makaha clutch my favorite.

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A FEMININE SWIMSUIT
Kate Spade’s swimsuit collection is both glamorous and romantic. If you love the bow on this bikini, but would rather cover up, there are one-piece suits available (including a striped version!).

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EVERY PIECE IN THIS PLAYFUL EDITORIAL
This Alice + Olivia lookbook inspires me to choose an obscure destination, hit the road, and stay in retro motels along the way. (I’m also kind of obsessed with the Stace sweater.)

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A PAIR OF CASUAL ESPADRILLES
Last year’s must-have shoe has finally grown on me. I’m yearning for that Tory Burch pair, but you can browse more options here. The Soludos pair with the embroidered toucan is tempting.

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A STYLE STEAL
Every now and then Bauble Bar really hits it out of the park. This is one major necklace for just $44.

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A MINT COAT TO WEAR INTO SPRING
I don’t switch up my coats as often as I’d like (they’re expensive!), but this mint coat is just begging to come home to me. Does anyone know if it has a double zipper? There’s no way a cocoon coat will fit over my hips without a little more room at the hem.

Lately

January 21, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

Squealed over cute bottles of rum our friends brought back from Puerto Rico
Purchased a new purse (and gave Bacon the box, of course)
Enjoyed evening drinks in downtown Madison
Edited our Brussels photos and plan to post them soon
Freshened up the house with a bouquet of tulips
Paired geometric flowers with black and white stripes
Taken an impromptu road trip to Decorah
Wore a couple of Christmas gifts on repeat: a stunning necklace from Gerard Yosca and a wallet from my parents in the prettiest shade of blue

Follow along @bedknobsandbaubles.

Review | VIDA Scarves

January 20, 2015 by jessica 7 Comments

Last week, I wore a gorgeous scarf by VIDA, a new brand that pairs independent artists with textile manufacturers in Delhi, India and Pakistan. It’s also one of the latest socially responsible companies to hit the scene, offering literacy programs to its production team. The San Francisco startup was founded by Umaimah Mendhro after she became frustrated with disposable fashion, luxury goods priced only for the elite, and an industry that left textile workers struggling to make ends meet. And with that, VIDA was born.

As you’d expect from Umaimah’s philosophy, the scarves are an affordable luxury. Modal scarves are $40, modal-cashmere blends are $75, and silk scarves are $95. You can also save 20% on your first order by signing up for their emails on the homepage.

I received the “Found in a City” scarf, designed by Japanese sisters Midori and Nanako. The lightweight scarf is 10% cashmere and 90% modal, making it incredibly soft. It’s been perfect for the warm spell we’ve been experiencing. I’m also loving the Lilly Pulitzer-esque brights of the “L’Escala” scarf and the Burmese temples on the “Project Rare” scarf. Browse the entire collection, including VIDA’s silk tops, online here.

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Disclosure: I received a scarf from VIDA for review and posting purposes. This does not affect my opinion of the brand.

My Favorite Things

January 19, 2015 by jessica 14 Comments

Little striped dresses and turquoise, mint accents. These are a few of my faaaa-vor-ite things.

Please go back and reread that in the tune of The Sound of Music song, if you didn’t already.

Seriously, though, this little dress really is one of my new favorites. I found it on sale for just $15. I didn’t have high hopes for it when I placed the order, but it was cheap and returnable, so why not? Little did I know that I’d fall in love with it. The jersey fabric has a nice weight to it and it didn’t even get stretched out during the five hour round trip drive we took to Decorah on Saturday to visit the Toppling Goliath brewery. (Yes, it was warm enough to go without tights this weekend–a rare treat in January!)

While we’re on the topic of striped dresses, I did order the DVF striped wrap dress last week (the one I was so excited about) and I’m actually on the fence about it. The lyocell blend feels silky and it’s cute, but I just don’t have “the feeling.” I’m going to try it on again this week, but I might exchange it for this BCBG “Chantal” dress. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Dress: ASOS; Coat: J.Crew; Necklace: Lele Sadoughi; Clutch: DVF (similar); Sunglasses: Prada; Shoes: Ferragamo (other colors); Lips: Clinique “Peony”; Nails: Essie “First Timer”

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Bauble of the Week

January 18, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

I rarely post J.Crew jewelry because I generally think your money is better spent elsewhere. However, I’m completely on board with this Art Deco necklace. Unlike many J.Crew pieces that have glass or plastic “stones,” real aventurine is set in the brass necklace. Take an extra 40% off the sale price with code SHOPNOW to bring the price under $60.