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

December 30, 2020 by jessica 15 Comments

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Jewelry Tagged With: Giveaway, jewelry, novica

Recipe: The Absolute Best Frosted Sugar Cookies

December 22, 2020 by jessica 1 Comment

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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Filed Under: Recipe Tagged With: baking, christmas cookies, holiday entertaining, recipe, sugar cookies

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

December 21, 2020 by jessica 0 Comments

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:

  • Everything I bought and loved in December.
  • I made sugar cookies over the weekend and will be posting the recipe tomorrow!

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: On the Right Foot

Things I Bought & Loved in December

December 16, 2020 by jessica 1 Comment

With the holidays fast approaching and shipping deadlines coming up this week, I realized that I’m done making personal purchases for 2020 and wanted to share this month’s favorites with you on the earlier side!

IN THE WARDROBE
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • H&M long v-neck dress in blue/swan – Truth be told, I had forgotten I ordered this a few weeks ago since it took nearly four weeks to arrive after placing my order! I wanted something that was a bit dressier for WFH days, but was still comfortable and this dress hit the mark. I also love it with slip-on sneakers and chunky jewelry, which is how I intend to wear it come spring. You’ll want to go down a size. I’d normally take a medium in a dress like this, but opted for a small based on the reviews. The material is a bit stretchy and forgiving, and it’s a heavier-weight fabric that seems like it’ll hold up well.
  • Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Explore Hiker Boot – I needed a pair of boots that were more practical than my wedge Ugg boots that I wore en route to work with tights and dresses when offices were a thing. (This is the closest I found; mine don’t have hardware.) I snagged these Cole Haan boots during their Black Friday weekend sale. They’re very comfortable and seem well made. I bought my regular size 7, which is good with a pair of thin socks, but might be too tight with anything thicker for an extended period of time. It’ll be alright, though, since the boot itself is thick and well-insulated.
  • J.Crew ‘Chateau’ puffer jacket with PrimaLoft in black – I never really loved my old black puffer coat and thought I’d upgrade it this year, knowing that our gatherings with friends will be outside on snowy patios this winter! This one is true to size and I love that it has adjustable, waist-cinching cords to give it some shape. It also has snaps on the side hem if you need a little bit more room in the hips (a plus, since the coat doesn’t have a two-way zipper).
  • Tory Burch face masks – I have a set of Tory Burch masks from earlier in the pandemic and they’re my favorite. The size is good, they’re adjustable, and they have a metal insert to fit the mask over your nose. I figured I’d get ready for another pandemic spring and summer with florals.
  • Madewell crepe square-neck, puff-sleeve top – This is such a sweet, romantic top! It fits true-to-size and it’s a chic update to your Zoom-call wardrobe.

AROUND THE HOUSE

  • Brightech ‘Luna’ floor lamp – Now that it’s winter, our at-home office feels too dim in the late afternoon. The room only has a ceiling light so I had been looking for a floor lamp to supplement it. I had my eye on this lamp from Article, but kept going back and forth because I didn’t want to pay for shipping, and eventually came across this dupe. It took about two weeks to arrive and I absolutely adore it! It’s probably not as well made as the Article one since the stem does come in separate pieces that get screwed together, but it’s beautiful and sturdy. The shade is a frosted glass and while I’d prefer an opal glass, the price point makes up for it!

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Filed Under: Recent Purchases Tagged With: Bought and Loved, New Purchases

On the Right Foot: Cheerful Bathroom Tile, Pecan Pie, Earrings You’ll Love & More!

December 15, 2020 by jessica 0 Comments

Link Roundup
photo via Unsplash

Yesterday was Dave’s birthday and I made my first bourbon pecan pie to celebrate! I used this recipe with a few adjustments after reading the comments: reduced the sugar to a half cup using only light brown sugar, increased the pecans by approximately a half cup, and increased the bourbon by a tablespoon. I used a classic Pyrex pie plate and had a bit of the mixture leftover that didn’t fit in the plate, so I just disposed of it. It turned out wonderfully!

I love these asymmetrical flower earrings!

Inspired by this house tour.

If you live in Madison, try Ahan! It’s so good! We did contactless delivery last week and I’m still daydreaming about the red curry udon noodles.

Did you know that platypuses glow under black light?

The most cheerful bathroom tile!

Are you watching Jenna Lyons’ new show?

Since this won’t arrive before Christmas, start the new year on the right foot by upping your WFM style in this maxi dress. (I actually ordered it back in November and it just arrived today. It’s incredibly flattering, but you’ll need to go down a size.)

What the pandemic Christmas of 1918 looked like.

A roundup of 27 rice bowls to add to your meal plan.

I’m trying to get back into shape after putting on some weight this year and so far I’m enjoying this yoga series.

In case you missed it:

  • 25 gift ideas for the holiday season!

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This post contains affiliate links.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: On the Right Foot

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Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

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Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until la Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until late last year when we finally bought a bed, mattress, and a set of sheets. We used some of our own extra bedding (tucking in the generous overhang of our king blankets under the queen-sized mattress) and old bedside lamps from our bedroom: functional, but not quite the charming space I’d envisioned.
 
That started to change when I purchased the Popcorn Grid Coverlet from Schoolhouse — an item I’d been eyeing for years — plus some graphic floral pillows. Then came a bright blue round cushion and the sweetest Teig lamp, both generously gifted by Schoolhouse, and the room finally started to come together. You can shop my picks here: https://liketk.it/5f322

#Ad #SchoolhousePartner #SchoolhouseSpringStyle #SchoolhouseLiving #InteriorInspo #SlowDecorating #GuestRoom
Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hi Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hit peak bloom right around my birthday on May 30. My mom would fill a large crystal vase with fresh-cut stems, and their scent would waft through the house. 

Now that I live a few hours south and lilac season wraps up earlier, the blooms actually mark the start of my birthday month.

#Lilacs #LilacSeason #SpringFlowers #InBloom #BirthdayMonth #MayBirthday
Snapshots from the past week: • Spent quality t Snapshots from the past week:

• Spent quality time with my favorite cat

• Biked for Pacificos, chips and quac, and tacos at @bandit.tacos 

• Loved how the rain collected on the Lady’s Mantle I planted last year

• Dipped my toes (quite literally) into this year’s mesh shoe trend

• Snapped a lot of Lily content

• Drove home with a new lilac in the passenger seat
Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours this year, and the cute Teig Lamp from Schoolhouse is such a charming addition to the space. It’s named for the German word for “dough,” which is perfect for its soft, petite shape.

Find this and the other Schoolhouse items we’re using in the space here: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/bedknobsandbaubles/posts/e01ae8c9-38af-11f0-b5c2-0242ac11000b

(The lamp and circle pillow were gifted. I purchased the other items.)

 #schoolhousespringstyle #schoolhousepartner #ad
Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka do Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka dot of bright blue to punctuate our guest room bedding. 

#guestroom #bedding #schoolhouseliving #schoolhouse #landsend #homedesign
I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog of travel photos before we book our next trip. First up, photos of the gothic York Minster. I’m not religious in the slightest but I can’t resist stunning architecture and the opportunity to climb hundreds of cathedral stairs for a city view. This one only had a single rest stop about halfway up the flight of 275 steps for a closeup view of the flying buttresses — and a waiver you had to sign before your ascent to promise you’re healthy enough to make it.
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