BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

We did it! So long, 2020! + What’s in store for Q1

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image credit: Betty Subrizi

2020. Was. A. Year.

I know we can’t let out a sigh of relief just yet, but turning the calendar to 2021 feels like we’ve hit a major milestone in leaving behind the worst of year of our generation. (Fingers crossed.) And, yet, there was some good that came out of our collective “gap year.” We learned to slow down. We grew green onions on our windowsills. We lovingly raised sourdough starters. We relished the simplicity of walks. We watched so much TV (and still raise an eyebrow when Carole Baskin comes up). We cherished family and friends, and cared for them by social distancing. We supported the restaurant industry by ordering contactless pickup and delivery. We stayed home to ease the burden on healthcare workers. We masked because we cared for more than just ourselves. We pushed the reset button on our lives and identified our priorities.

It was a tough year, but in some respects, a year we needed.

I was thinking back to a year ago when blogs and Instagram accounts were littered with ambitious to-do lists, grandiose travel plans, and annual one-word mantras. No one knew what 2020 had in store for us and how it would force us to adapt to change and live more intentionally. While I’m thrilled to finally have 2020 behind us, I hope to bring some of that flexibility and thoughtfulness to the new year. In 2021, I’m approaching annual planning a bit differently this time around and taking it one quarter at a time. (I was dangerously close to a Fast and the Furious reference there.)

Here are my goals for the first quarter of the new year:

  • Office makeover! Working from home isn’t my favorite and it doesn’t help that I have a terribly uninspired room that I’m working in — one that still has an unpacked box from when we moved in. That’ll be changing shortly and I’ll be sure to share some before photos (maybe after I move that box…) and the direction I’m going in soon!
  • Lose 5.5 pounds. I have a goal of losing 21 pounds in 2021. I might document this; I might not. I struggle with my weight and even just putting a number and time frame of my hopeful weight loss is a bit daunting. I’m excited, though!
  • Paint the bathroom ceiling. As you may recall, I gave the bathroom a mini refresh last fall. I swapped out the old florescent light fixture in favor of a smaller, schoolhouse-inspired one and I was left with a pockmarked ceiling that was only partially painted. I need to get around to finishing that.
  • Paint the guest room. I painted the guest room grey when we moved in without adequately testing paint swatches. It turns out, the grey I picked looks lilac most of the day. I hate it and I really need to do something about it.
  • Contractor quotes. I’d like to do some contractor research and narrow it down to three to give us quotes on a full bathroom remodel as well as quotes on redoing our original-porch-turned-sunroom. I have no idea what this will cost and I’d like to get a better idea of what we’re saving for.
  • Get in the habit of doing the dishes every night. I tend to let them sit for a day. I know.
  • Read three books. For those who are voracious readers, I realize reading three book isn’t an impressive goal for the first three months of the year. I used to read a lot (one of my majors is in English literature!), but haven’t prioritized it lately. I’d like to start reading a bit before bed each night and rediscover my love of the written word.

What’s on deck for you in 2021? Are you looking at the year as a whole or breaking it down into smaller chunks?

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A Few of My Favorite Things: 2020

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Paravel Cabana Tote Review

It’s time for an annual review of my favorite products from the past year! Below, you’ll find the noteworthy standouts that brought joy in an extremely difficult year.

Paravel Cabana Tote | This generously sized tote bag has already been a workhorse with plenty of room to keep daytrip essentials at hand. It’s made of recycled plastic bottles and the material repels stains and dirt. I’m considering treating myself to the matching travel organizers.

Ikea Tekla Dish Towels | At just $0.79 each, these are perfect to use as cloth napkins for a relaxed, bistro-inspired look. At that price point, you won’t feel bad about relegating them to dish duty or rags once they’re stained.

J.Crew Supersoft Turtleneck Sweater | I swear, I’m going to continue signing praises of this sweater until you all purchase one. I added two more to my collection this year. They’re incredibly soft with a slight oversize fit that’s remarkably slimming. Get one. Wear it with #PandemicPants now and jeans later.

Tory Burch Facemasks | Going into 2020, no one would have expected facemasks to be the “It” item of the year! Tory Burch’s masks are my favorite for the ample face covering, the metal nose piece, and the breathability. They’re on the pricier side, but they’re worth it.

Cole Haan Insulated Hiker Boots | I normally don’t add such recent purchases to my favorites of the year, but these have already passed muster keeping my feet warm and dry while shoveling snow the other day. Plus, they’re very cute! You can also get them here.

Blissun Patio Umbrella | After our neighbors cut down a mature tree in their yard, our deck received so much more sunlight in the evening when we wanted to be outside for our WFH happy hour. We didn’t want to spend a fortune on a patio umbrella and found this one, opting for the black and white stripe. We took it down each evening, so it’s still in pristine condition.

Schoolhouse Blooming Field Duvet Cover | I can’t get over how pretty this print is. I bought the pillow shams last year, thinking that’d be enough to sate my desire for the bedding set. Not even close. The duvet cover is everything I hoped it would be.

Tory Burch Georgia Snakeskin Ballet Flats | I was due for a new pair of black flats after my pointed-toe J.Crew pair started to show more wear and tear than I’d like. These are a splurge, but absolutely worth it. They’re classic, the squared-toe is an unexpected update to your standard-issue flat, and the snakeskin gives it just the right amount of shine. They run true to size.

The Elements of a Home | This is a fun little book that shares the history of common household items.

J.Crew Perfect Rain Jacket | While it’s considered a rain jacket, I don’t think it’ll do much in a downpour. However, it’s the perfect lightweight jacket and the cinched waist makes it flattering.

Stutterheim Mosebacke Rain Coat | Now this is what you need for an actual rainy day. Stutterheim rain coats are a splurge, but they have semi-annual sales to make the price more palatable. I like the A-line design of the Mosebacke version, which makes it an attractive, feminine alternative to a regular slicker. A warning, though, mine had a strong rubber smell when it arrived and I had to air it out for a month before adding it to the coat closet.

West Elm Hudson Drink Table | Admittedly, this just arrived yesterday after being on backorder for the better half of the year. However, it’s so darn pretty and I’m already in love! The small size allows you to move it around to where it’s needed or you can use it as a plant stand on days you don’t need additional space to perch a cocktail. I bought the one with the walnut base.

Loloi II Layla Area Rug | We would have preferred a vintage rug in our living room, this was a wonderful — and affordable — alternative. Read more in my full review here.

Birkenstock Madrid Slide Sandal | Clearly comfort dressing won out this year, but there was no need to sacrifice all sense of style. I was nervous about the narrow width, but that’s akin to a normal width in any other brand. I go down to the equivalent of a 6.5 in Birkenstock slides, which is a half size down from my normal 7.

Inkbird Sous Vide | We didn’t want to spend a lot on our first foray into sous vide cooking and chose this more affordable version. It’s done an impressive job so far with steaks and a roast.

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Reminder: Enter to win $50 to spend on artisanal goods at NOVICA!

Win $50 to NOVICA + 10 International Items to Refresh Your Home and Wardrobe

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This post is in partnership with NOVICA.

Novica $50 Giveaway 2020
earrings c/o NOVICA

I think we can call agree that this year has been incredibly challenging. I miss so much about pre-COVID normalcy, not the least of which is being able to travel unfettered whether it’s to an international destination or just to a friend’s house in the neighborhood. I miss museums, exploring new cultures and cities, trying new food, and having a break from the monotony of what’s become a very humdrum work-from-home lifestyle. While it may be some time before borders reopen and travel restrictions lift, you satisfy some of that wanderlust with artisan goods from NOVICA. (And, below, there’s a chance to win a $50 to get you started!)

If you’re not already familiar with NOVICA, it’s a marketplace that connects international artisans directly to consumers. NOVICA works with other social organizations such as National Geographic and KIVA to support fair-trade practices to empower artisans and uplift communities across the globe. I’ve collaborating with NOVICA a few times over the years and each time I’m blown away by the beauty of the items I’ve selected and the care that goes into each package — there’s even an insert that shares more information about the artist. This time around, I picked out a pair of earrings (pictured above) from Desi Antari, a jeweler from Bali and Java. They are intricate, pick up the light beautifully, and make me incredibly eager to pack a suitcase for a warm destination with these as my only piece of jewelry.

Here are some other items I love:

  1. A pair of modern-yet-feminine earrings, also by Desi Antari.
  2. Prefer silver jewelry? How about these earrings?
  3. A selection of handcrafted face masks since we won’t be going without a mask anytime soon!
  4. A pair of beautiful wood spoons.
  5. A handcrafted domino set for game night.
  6. A set of cheerful hand-woven dishtowels.
  7. A gorgeous wood serving bowl.
  8. A set of spreading knives with agate handles to accompany your next cheese board.
  9. A set of six handblown tumblers from Mexico that are begging to be part of an outdoor gathering this summer.
  10. Get a jump on next year’s Christmas decor with this deer candle holder.

Enter to win $50 to NOVICA!

The randomly selected winner will receive a $50 code to use on the NOVICA website. It will be emailed the day after the giveaway closes, so be sure to include your email address when you enter! The code expires on January 31, 2021.

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Recipe: The Absolute Best Frosted Sugar Cookies

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Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe

It never feels like Christmas until I’ve had my mom’s sugar cookies. In a typical year (or even an atypical one like 2020!), I’ll spend a couple of days working on these — baking them the first and decorating them the second — and it immediately puts me in the holiday spirit. Not only are these nostalgic for me as she’s been making them my entire life (there’s even a photo of me, no older than 2 years old, sitting at the kitchen table “helping” with them), they’re hands-down the best sugar cookies I have ever had. And plenty of people agree with not-so-subtle hints to make them each year. So, as my holiday gift to you, enjoy my favorite family recipe. 🙂

If you make them, please let me know what you thought and tag me in any photos! And please don’t hesitate to send me a DM on Instagram or leave a comment here if you have questions.

Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe

SUGAR COOKIES

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sugar

Instructions:
(yields 4-5 dozen, depending on cookie cutter size)

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
  3. Cut butter into the flour mixture. (I use a pastry cutter.)
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, and sugar.
  5. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients. (While this probably isn’t the best way to do it, I’ve always used a electric hand mixer to incorporate the ingredients and then I use my hands to bring it together into a ball.)
  6. Working in small batches, roll out dough on a floured surface sprinkled with a 50/50 mixture of flour and sugar. (I do a half cup of each in a bowl nearby to sprinkle on top of the dough, my rolling pin, and the cookie cutters to keep everything from sticking.)
  7. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. (I used this highly rated cookie sheet this year. By the time I was on my last batch and the sheet is piping hot, I’ve reduced the cooking time to about 8 minutes. If you prefer to chill your dough, adjust your cooking times accordingly.)
  8. Cool on a wire rack.
Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe

VANILLA FROSTING

Ingredients:

  • 2-4 cups of powdered sugar
  • 2 tbs butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • splash of milk (or a dairy-free alternative)

Instructions:

Fair warning, this is going to be one of those annoying, adjust-it-as-you-go endeavors rather than being a hard-and-fast recipe. I didn’t have any milk in the fridge this year and used almond milk, which turned out fine and didn’t affect the color or flavor of the frosting.

  1. Start with approximately 2 cups of powdered sugar in a bowl.
  2. Add 2 tbs soft butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla.
  3. Pour in a touch of milk (just a little at a time).
  4. Stir together by hand. You’ll want the consistency to be thick but still spreadable. If it seems too thick, add some milk. If it’s too thin, go ahead and add more powdered sugar. I tend to add an additional cup of powdered sugar.
  5. When you’re frosting your cookies, work in batches between frosting and decorating. The frosting will never get hard per se, but it will stiffen up where the sprinkles will no longer stick.
  6. Let your cookies sit out until the frosting is set and then store them in an airtight container.

Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe

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On the Right Foot: Adding Masks to Old Masters Paintings, A Getaway for Home Alone Fans, DIY Eggnog & More!

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Link Roundup
image via Unsplash

A gorgeous — and practical — bag that’d be great for work if we make our way back to offices next year!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer really is the worst Christmas special.

Reconsider using an essential oil diffuser if you have a cat.

Cranberry margaritas would be a fun holiday drink this week! (We’re on a strict lockdown so we can see immediate family over the holidays, otherwise I’d run out to buy ingredients for this!)

You can stay in the McCallister’s master bedroom.

I’m a fan of ceramics and came across the work of Liza Shoenfeld on Instagram recently. Love!

One of our friends surprised us with a Flaviar tasting box. It’s such a great gift idea! While the deadline for Christmas gifting has passed, keep it in mind for upcoming birthdays or Valentine’s Day.

Why we need a BLM activist in Congress.

While I love white linen sheets, I’m tempted to snag this black gingham set.

How to make eggnog. I’m lactose-intolerant, so I love that this recipe is flexible to incorporate the milk alternative of your choice.

German painter Volker Hermes is adding masks to famous Old Masters paintings. See more on his Instagram feed.

Why Instagrammable cookware is having a moment. (My hesitation with these cookware startups is whether or not the items are actually quality pieces — or just considered quality pieces by novice cooks doing it for the affiliate money. I may not talk about cooking much on the blog, but I am pretty good at it and I enjoy a piece of high-quality cookware.)

In case you missed it:

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