BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

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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The Coveted: August 2020

August 5, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

In all honesty, the pandemic has changed my shopping habits. I’m no longer scouring retailers’ sites to find gorgeous items to share every week, which made creating a weekly “The Coveted” roundup nearly impossible. However, a monthly roundup complete with the inspiration behind my whims? That I can do! Lately, I can’t get this promotional image from the latest CB2 collection out of my head. I’ve already linked you to the headboard that I’m crushing on, but really, everything is so good. The warmth and texture is exactly I want as we head into late summer and early autumn.

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On the Right Foot: Iris Apfel’s Coloring Book, Frozen Tom Collins, Clueless’ Legacy & More!

August 3, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

Iris Apfel released a coloring book to spark creativity during the pandemic. (You’ll also enjoy this book if you’re an Iris Apfel fan.)

I’ve been all about making slushie versions of classic cocktails. This week’s treat will be the frozen Tom Collins.

This isn’t the most upbeat link, but here’s a much-needed COVID-19 vaccine reality check.

I woke up to fall-like temperatures this morning and lit a harvest candle in celebration of this break from the heat. This scent was my favorite last year and I’m glad they rereleased it this season. It comes in a larger size, too. I don’t love the jar since I’m not the biggest fan of orange, but the large one might be nice for Halloween candy once the candle has been used.

It seems that all of my favorite meals come in bowls. Obviously I had to order this cookbook.

Alicia Silverstone on the legacy of Clueless.

The colors of these marble coasters are really good!

Need some interior inspiration? This home manages to be contemporary without sacrificing warmth.

I’ve had this focaccia recipe bookmarked since the beginning of the stay-at-home orders. I finally got my hands on some yeast last weekend so I can make it!

The complicated origin of #ChallengeAccepted.

Well, I’m going to need this linen sweater in a couple of colors.

I’m late to the game on this one, but I recently started Imposters on Netflix and I love it so far.