BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Holiday Gift Guide | The Globetrotter

November 19, 2014 by jessica 14 Comments

I look forward to curating a travel gift guide each year. It’s a chance for me to discover awesome new products, like the Carry-On Cocktail Kit, and share a few of my standbys. While I would love to find this tribal necklace or this adorable calendar under the tree, I wanted to share more practical items this year. The 4-in-1 international charger worked out perfectly in Brussels, as did this mini power strip with USB ports. It’s a must for any hotel room with a shortage of outlets. One thing I wish we had was the luggage scale. We brought back a lot of hard-to-find Belgian beer and incurred a $200 overweight baggage fee as a result. Oops! It’s not a glamorous gift by any means, but the recommendation will be worthwhile if it helps just one couple pack more strategically! You also know how much we love our Floto duffel bags. We’ve used them for every trip over the last three years and they’re getting prettier with age. It’s a splurge, yes, but it will be a gift that lasts a lifetime. (May I also recommend upgrading the shoulder strap to this one? It makes a huge difference.)

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL POSTS TO READ:
2017 gift guide for the frequent flyer
Nashville travel guide
Copenhagen travel guide
Copenhagen travel dos and don’ts
New Orleans travel guide
inside the bag: Europe edition

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Let’s keep in touch! Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Refinery by Gerard Yosca

November 18, 2014 by jessica 6 Comments

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]F[/dropcap]ew things are more exciting than new jewelry, especially when those gems come in the form of hammered metal with thoughtfully placed rhinestones, as in the case of Gerard Yosca’s newest collection. Appropriately named “Refinery” the pieces are a bit more understated than seasons past, but they’re no less eye catching. I could go on and on about the collection, but I think you’ll agree that it’s more meaningful to hear from Gerard himself about his inspiration, his thoughts on the statement piece and, for fun, what’s on his holiday wish list.

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WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND REFINERY?
Time for a fashion reboot. Dress a little more simply and grownup. I wanted a collection that reflected a taste for quality. And, I’m still feeling a ’70s jet setter influence.

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WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TRAJECTORY OF THE STATEMENT PIECE?
If everyone wears a big statement piece, all we see is noise. I love when someone stands out by dressing less obviously. Everything we say doesn’t require “!!!!!”. Save them for when you mean it. The big earring just feels particularly fresh right now.

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HOW IS THE CHANGE IN SCALE REFLECTED IN THESE PIECES?
Most of the collection is really a lot smaller than a year ago! And I’ve used repetition of simple geometric shapes to make the pieces easy on the eyes.

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FOR SOMEONE KNOWN FOR COLOR, WHY ALL METAL?
I thought I might be able to create pieces that would be grab and go if they were easier. I created the texture by hammering the metal with a ball tip I had filed down. Here, the texture really creates the interest that color would normally do.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINTER LOOK?
Cleaned up and polished as always, but for heaven’s sake, keep your sense of humor! Wear that scarf with jingle bells or a silly hat. We want a mix of sophistication and childlike joy.

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WHAT IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST?
Time to really focus on hauling out all of the vintage Christmas decorations to deck the house.

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Wintergreen

November 17, 2014 by jessica 19 Comments

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]M[/dropcap]adison didn’t escape the snow for too long and the first accumulation of the season means one thing: a return to my winter uniform. You’ll find me wearing a sweater, skirt, tights, and a pair of Hunter boots almost exclusively until the first thaw. It’s an easy fallback and practical wellies keep my real shoes from being ruined by slush and salt. (You’ll want to wear a pair of thick hiking socks with them if you live in a cold climate because the rubber gets far too cold for just a pair of tights. I like this pair. They’re not the cutest, but they sure are warm.)

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DETAILS

Coat: J.Crew (this year’s version)
Sweater: Theory (similar)
Skirt: T by Alexander Wang (similar)
Sunglasses: Prada
Clutch: DVF
Tights: Calvin Klein
Necklace: Vintage
Boots: Hunter
Lips: Stila “Fiore”
Nails: Essie “Spaghetti Strap”

Bauble of the Week

November 16, 2014 by jessica 7 Comments

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I clicked over to Lulu Frost this weekend to drool over the code ring I’ve been obsessed with this year and I was happily distracted by the gorgeous pieces Lisa Salzer created for her resort collection. I want everything, starting with this porcelain-like pair of earrings. I grew up in a Victorian house and the casting on the earrings reminds me of the intricate embossed designs on the home’s radiators.

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Currently Coveting

November 13, 2014 by jessica 13 Comments

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I’ve been striking out with my online purchases lately. This skirt was entirely too short to wear in public and this scarf turned out to be more of an olive green instead of the pretty heather grey I had hoped for. I still have this dress on its way to me and my fingers are crossed that it works out. Dave’s office Christmas party is quickly approaching and I need a pretty cocktail dress for the occasion. If it’s a bust, I’m thinking of ordering this. Nautical stripes aren’t your standard holiday fare, but it sure is cute.

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Can we also discuss how cute this leather wine tote is?! I’m not much of a wine drinker, but it could do double duty as a little picnic tote. No one needs to haul a giant basket with all of the fixin’s. A bottle of booze and a few snacks are all you really need. Alternatively, it’s a chic option for the farmers’ market if your shopping list only includes flowers and cheese.