BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

On the Right Foot: The House Dress, Ice Cream Cocktails, Colorize B&W Photos, & More!

August 24, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Christian Siriano’s home embraces modernist design. It’s not my preferred style overall, aside from that serene bedroom above, but it’s fun to look at!

Artist Juliana Lupacchino is my new favorite Instagram follow.

I’m all about simple, beautiful handbags and this one fits the bill. Better yet, the caramel-brown version has a hot pink lining!

This is an interesting piece on how COVID-19 is impacting the beauty industry. In it, the author shares that lipstick sales have dwindled during the pandemic, which isn’t surprising when it’s just going to be smeared inside of a mask. (Granted, I still wear it for my Zoom calls.)

I added this set of face masks to my growing collection.

All hail the house dress, the quintessential fashion item of 2020.

It’s no secret that Wisconsinites are, um, devoted to their drinking culture and one of its finest examples is the ice cream cocktail. We’ve perfected the boozy dessert drink and you can, too. (Brandy Alexanders are my favorite, but I can’t seem to perfect a dairy-free alternative now that I can’t have lactose.)

Clearly our house shoes need an autumn-upgrade with these slip-on mules.

I shared a link to this inexpensive blanket in a recent roundup and have since purchased it in the lighter green plaid. It’s perfect for cooler evenings outside or by a campfire.

Did you see this amazing tool that colorizes old black-and-white photos? It’s time to pull out those family albums!

Add to cart: the sculptural jewelry from designer Hyun Yu. These earrings are stunning.

I’ve been dreaming about the cheddar and green chile scones we had at Bearded Heart Coffee in Door County (travel guide coming soon!). I’m going to try my hand at making them with this recipe.

In case you missed it:

Ten accent mirrors I love.
We stained our front porch!
That morning light.

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Roundup: 10 Accent Mirrors

August 19, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

If you were stopping by today for my picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I’m sorry to disappoint. I haven’t had much interest in shopping the sale this year (even if I’m intrigued by this coat), so instead you’re getting a roundup of 10 accent mirrors! This was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend last week when she reached out for my opinion on two mirrors she had purchased for her home. After a few texts back and forth, we decided that neither mirror was quite right and set to the internet to find alternatives. It seemed silly to have all of that research relinquished to a string of iMessages, so I thought I’d share them with you along with a few others that caught my eye. After all, sprucing up your place is one of the best pandemic distractions to have on the heels of autumn when we’ll all be spending a lot more time indoors.

To browse the selection, click through the slideshow below.
Each picture is linked to the retailer’s site.

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On the Right Foot: $30 Earrings to Buy Now, Cross-Stitching, Travel as a Mindset & More!

August 17, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! What were you up to this weekend? We spent the better part of it staining our front porch. After living here for three years (time flies!), we finally bit the bullet and decided we need to do something about our [lack of] curb appeal. The first stain color read baby blue against our dark gray siding, so we needed to pivot and I’m in love with the second color! A progress report post is coming your way soon, along with brainstorming notes and roundups for the rest of the entry.

Before we continue, you may as well add these $30 semiprecious-stone earrings to your cart now. I can’t pick a favorite color!

I found this article from the Times fascinating. The piece profiles designer Scott Sternberg (currently of Entireworld, formerly Band of Outsiders) to explore the decline of the fashion industry and how it was accelerated by the novel coronavirus. It’s a longer read, but a good one.

Is social media killing our confidence?

Are we past the banana bread stage of quarantine? If not, this recipe is delicious. I added a teaspoon of cinnamon.

If you’re growing tired of wearing athleisure day in and day out, switch things up for an equally comfortable midi dress.

Traveling is a mindset.

One of our closets needed some hooks and I snagged a few of these vintage-inspired ones. They’re just $4 and the quality is good.

How 12 female cookbook authors changed the way we eat.

It looks like the novel coronavirus isn’t letting up any time soon, so I’m adding another old-timey domestic hobby to my roster: cross-stitching. My mom taught me how to cross-stitch when I was young and I really enjoyed it, even if I never wanted to display the finished work since it tends to skew too farmhouse for my tastes. Regardless, I need more activities that keep me away from a screen and I’m starting with this pattern. (I’m going to skip the birds.)

I loved these musings on how our homes might change in response to COVID-19.

I’m crazy about the colors of this striped sweater.

In case you missed it:

A review of Paravel’s Cabana Tote.

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Object of Affection: Paravel Cabana Tote

August 13, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Behold, the latest addition to my little Paravel family: the Cabana Tote in the “shandy” colorway. I’ve been smitten with the brand since their crossbody capsule dominated social media a few years ago. I bought one and still love it, and have since expanded my collection to include a small backpack much like this one (mine has been discontinued) that has made the trek to the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Belgium with me. Both pieces are still going strong and have virtually no signs of wear and tear. I hesitated to purchase the Cabana Tote, not because I didn’t love it — I fell for its vintage charm at first sight — but because I wasn’t sure this tote would be any better than the rest of my tote bags. I mean, how many carry-all totes do we really need? Turns out, it’s one. This one.

First things first, the tote is generously sized at 17.75″ x 14.5″ x 7.5″. It’s a true carry-all tote that can corral all of your necessary belongs for a beach day, a road trip, or a social-distanced backyard soiree. There’s a zippered interior pocket and a couple of open pockets to keep your smaller items in reach, and the clasp closure and sturdy base keeps those things from spilling out. One of the best features of this tote and the other Paravel pieces I have is the protective coating made of silicone that makes clean up a breeze.

The tote’s best features, however, are the ones you don’t see. I’ve really come to appreciate Paravel for its commitment to sustainability. You’d never guess that 14 recycled plastic water bottles were used to create the tote’s canvas exterior, the lining, and the straps. And those leather accents? They’re eco-certified by the Leather Working Group.

I know the tote isn’t the cheapest, coming in at $165 (or $175 if you want to add-on the shoe cubes), but it’s a true have-it-forever piece that eclipses any other tote I’ve had to date. Plus, it’s awfully charming!

And, nope, this isn’t sponsored, although I’d happily sign on for a sponsorship! I’ve purchased all of my Paravel pieces and will likely add more to my collection down the road.

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On the Right Foot: A Charming Cabin Makeover, Yellow Dresses, Easy Roasted Salsa, & More!

August 10, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! We’ve been self-quarantining after our short getaway to Door County, Wisconsin, so the weekend was spent close to home planning a few house projects. We’ve been putting off staining the front stairs since we moved in three years ago (time flies!) and decided that enough is enough. I bought the necessary supplies at Sherwin Williams yesterday, took PTO for this coming Friday, and we’re going to get down to business! What’s in store for you this week?

Sadly, my cherry tomato plant never grew this year. If you had better luck with your quarantine garden and find yourself with an abundance of tomatoes, try this easy roasted salsa!

Two yellow dresses captured my heart last week: here and here.

I love making food with complex spice mixes, which is why this cookbook will be a welcome addition to my collection. I just placed an order for it!

The before-and-after photos of Alison’s cabin make me want my own little oasis in the forest, complete with wood paneling.

I’m such a fan of the city of Brussels and I found this piece on their history of ornate single-family homes really interesting.

Artist Bisa Butler gives identity to her Black subjects through a vibrant combination of portraiture and quilting.

This dress is darling and would transition from summer to autumn nicely.

These pork udon noodles are on the menu this week!

Le Creuset’s annual factory sale is on now, making it a great time to snag an heirloom-quality piece of cookware.

How the pandemic may shape the future of grocery stores.

In case you missed it:

Social distancing at its finest.
This month’s most coveted items and what gave me inspiration.
Celebrating International Cat Day with this cutie.

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