BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Covetable

January 9, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

Required Reading | Cartier in the 20th Century

January 7, 2015 by jessica 3 Comments

What better way to make good on my resolution to read more than with a history of one of the world’s most renowned jewelers? Cartier in the 20th Century guides the reader on an opulent journey from 1900 to 1975, chronicling the brand’s defining moments through seven thematic sections, including Aristocracy and Aspiration, Foreign Fascination, and The Art of Smoking. The photography throughout the 272-page book is breathtaking. There are historical images, jewelry photos, and design drawings from Cartier’s archives, but the real treat is the thoughtful discussion of Cartier’s response to history and fashion’s most defining moments. It’s a must read for any jewelry aficionado and the cloth-bound book (in Cartier’s signature red, naturally) is a stunning addition to a coffee table collection.

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All jewelry images are from the Cartier Collection. Photo credit: Nick Welsh.

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A review copy of Cartier in the 20th Century was given to me free of charge for purposes of this post. This does not influence my opinions of the book.

Sale Alert | Monica Vinader

January 6, 2015 by jessica 3 Comments

Monica Vinader has taken up to 70% off gorgeous gemstone jewelry in the final cut sale, giving you even more reason to kick off the year on a sparkly note. The delicate pave diamond accent makes the Riva cocktail ring my favorite and it’s a steal at just $109.50. There’s also a bold green agate ring that comes in at under $100. The grey agate Baja earrings (also under $100) are a simple staple you’ll wear year round. Prefer diamonds? Check out the Riva cocktail earrings that are 70% off the original price of $750. Shop the entire sale here.

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New Year’s Resolutions

January 6, 2015 by jessica 15 Comments

When I was little, my mom made a cross-stitch piece for my bedroom with the inscription “Each new year’s a chance to see your dreams become reality.” That piece is packed away with the rest of my childhood decor, but what a wonderful phrase to bring back at the dawn of a new year. Everyone seemed to be strong out of the gate with their 2015 resolutions, but I needed extra time to collect my thoughts about the new year.

TRAVEL SOMEWHERE NEW

This is a perennial goal of mine and one I think should grace everyone’s list. Last year, we were fortunate enough to travel to Belgium and visit Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges. We made a stop in Amsterdam (a repeat for me, but new to Dave) and took a Memorial Day roadtrip to Louisville, a city we visited a couple of years prior. I love the balance of revisiting favorites and mixing in new destinations during the year. So far, we’re talking about an April trip somewhere warm, like Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Florida, and a December trip to Europe. Visiting Christmas markets in Europe is a major bucket list item for me. It’d be incredible to check that off the to-do list this year! (However, I’m a little worried about how much holiday decor I’ll end up bringing home!)

LOSE WEIGHT

Ugh, I don’t know how the pounds crept up over the last year. When we got back from Belgium, I was 20 pounds lighter than I am now! All of the beer fests, eating out, and ordering pizza really did me in–and it’s not like my slowing metabolism is helping anything! I need to get back in shape. I’m armed with my FitBit, a Weight Watchers membership, and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. (Any other FitBit users want to be friends on the app? My cousin joined and I’m surprised at how motivating it is to see her daily steps add up.)

FIND FASHION FUN AGAIN

The last few years have been about curating a wardrobe of quality basics. It was a fantastic learning experience that taught me to value quality clothing and forgo shopping at fast fashion stores. However, it put the emphasis so much on basics that I ignored the things about fashion that make me happiest: unexpected fabrics, big prints, and color. I want to have fun with clothes again, while still adhering to the principles I worked so hard to incorporate: quality over quantity and no impulse buys.

MIND MY MONEY

I say this every year, but adhering to a budget and saving money is becoming more and more important as I get older. I spent time last weekend working on a realistic budget that allows me to tuck away and invest a decent amount of money each month, while still allowing myself $250 per month for clothing. I’m going to scrap the six-month clothing budget that I was trying (it would have continued through February) and start fresh this year with a monthly budget. The six-month allowance was too tempting to go overboard at the beginning and I’d like to keep all budget-related items to a calendar year. I’ll allow any unused portion to roll over to the next month and, as always, a portion of blog revenue and eBay sales will be added to the budget. I’m also starting a 2015 Pinterest board of all new wardrobe additions, both gifted and purchased. I’ll share more about this in January’s budget recap in a few weeks.

WILDCARD RESOLUTIONS

Stop letting dishes pile up.

Uniform Style

January 5, 2015 by jessica 18 Comments

One of the best things about starting a new year is a chance to enjoy the gorgeous gifts received over the holidays! I certainly don’t want to be part of the sickening “holiday haul” posts (you’d think everyone would realize that the best part of the holidays is spending time with loved ones), but I do want to share just how well my boyfriend did with this J.Crew peacoat. I tend to wear my coats on repeat until they fall apart, so it’s nice to have an alternative to the green coat I’ve been wearing nonstop since last autumn (which, by the way, is indestructible). Paired with my beloved neoprene skirt and a striped shirt, I feel like I should be exploring London’s Notting Hill instead of hanging out in Madison.