BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Holiday Barware Essentials

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Holiday Barware Essentials

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If you’re rolling your eyes at me for a holiday post before Halloween, trust me, I get it. But the happiest time of year always seems to sneak up on me, especially when it comes to entertaining essentials. I came across this darling Christmas tablecloth over the weekend, which got me thinking about holiday hosting and some of the items I’d like to add to my collection before the craziness of the season really sets in — starting with the bar.

I tend to avoid barware or serving pieces that are holiday-specific; we don’t have that much room to store extra glasses and plates emblazoned with holiday designs. (But I’ll cave when it comes to especially darling items like the appetizer plates I bought last year.) In this roundup, you’ll find a selection of items to refresh your bar well in advance of the holiday hosting season. For the most part, these are timeless classics that can be used throughout the year. I own both of the decanters; they look more expensive than their affordable price point of under $40 each. (They sold out closer to the holiday season last year, so get ’em now if you’re into them.) I also have the smokey glass cordial glasses. They’re a lot smaller than you might expect, but they’re perfect for a small sip and look so chic. While I don’t own that drink dispenser, I love the idea of making a batch cocktail and letting guests serve themselves so I don’t have to play bartender all night.

How to Explore Your City Like a Tourist

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Vinyl Printed Brick Photography Backdrops

Whenever the travel bug bites, it’s incredibly tempting to book a ticket to a new city or country to explore. However, jet-setting or even spending a weekend away isn’t always feasible due to limited vacation days or financial restrictions. If you’ve found yourself in that boat, don’t worry. Taking time to explore your own city through the lens of a tourist can be just as satisfying — and I’m sure you’ll discover pockets of your city with new-to-you hidden gems or hot spots that you didn’t know existed. 

Clear Your Calendar

What a I love about staycations is that they force you to slow down and plan a weekend that’s all about getting out, dining out, and giving yourself an out from your to-do list. In order to fully be present and get the most out of the time in your city, you need to clear your calendar. Take time off from work and other responsibilities to play hooky around the city. Extend your weekend by adding in Monday and Tuesday for a four-day adventure. Additional time away from the office will distance you from your 9-to-5 job, making you feel more relaxed and refreshed when you do make it back. This also means shirking your to-do lists at home. The chores and projects will be there when you “return” to your normal routine, just like they would when you go out of town.

Do Your Research

Why not approach your staycation the way you would a full vacation? Pick up a local guidebook and scour travel websites to find museums, activities, and events. Check Yelp for new restaurants to try. Peek at Instagram and see what others are geotagging. Add all of these ideas to a Google Map so you can start to plan your adventure. When you live in a city, it’s easy to become complacent and overlook the attractions that make your city appealing to visitors. By approaching your city like a newcomer, you’ll have a renewed appreciation for your hometown – and you’ll be able to recommend activities to other visitors afterward.

Plan Your Itinerary

After you’ve earmarked a handful of activities, plan an itinerary that includes restaurants and bars to visit, along with all of the must-see activities you’d like to do. By creating a fun-filled checklist, you won’t feel tempted to just head home and kick back on the couch the rest of the day, which leads me to my next suggestion…

Stay at a Hotel

If your budget allows — and since you saved a ton of cash on the expense of getting to a destination — treat yourself to a hotel for at least one night during your staycation. Pack your suitcase (love this one) and splurge on a spot in the city’s most bustling area to stay out late, and then sleep in the next day and order room service. If your hotel has a spa, even better. Breaking your routine — and physically getting away from the chores at home — will make you feel like you had a true getaway.

Take Photos

As with vacation, you’ll want to document the fun! Take your camera and snap photos throughout the city, making sure to appreciate the unique features and interesting architectural design you might otherwise overlook. I did this when I worked with Toyota earlier this year on a “48 Hours in Madison” post. Embracing my local tourist made the weekend so much fun and I had a renewed appreciation for the city. Post your photos on social media and tag your local convention and visitors’ bureau and use any hashtags your city and state’s tourism board uses on their social media. It’s a fun way to show off how fabulous your hometown can be and they just might share your image!

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Falling for AuRate Gold Jewelry

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Fotografie Kulissen

As I get older, I find myself drawn to unfussy, classic pieces that withstand the test of time — and honestly, those have really been the foundation of my closet and the items I wear over and over again. Take this Tory Burch coat, for instance. I added it to my wardrobe back in 2015 and I look forward to chilly weather every year so I can wear it again. The Prada sunglasses were my first designer pair and I still reach for them weekly. The bag? Well, we all know it’s something I’ll keep in my closet forever. That’s not to say that I haven’t made some sartorial missteps when curating my closet — I’m sure taking a look through the archives here will turn up some gems — but narrowing down my style and considering the longevity of each piece is not only a fiscally responsible decision, it’s a sustainable way to shop. Long gone are the days of hitting up the mall to find a cheap “going out” top and a bauble to match, only to add them to the donation bag a few months later.

One brand that has quickly made its way into the “classic-pieces-I’ll-keep-forever” category is AUrate. I introduced you to AUrate earlier this year, but I wanted to put the jeweler back on your radar this season when we’re all looking at making bigger investments in our wardrobes and starting to think about gift-giving and receiving. AUrate is a lot like Warby Parker or Everlane in that the brand seeks to create more transparency in their industry by cutting out the middle man to bring direct-to-consumer fine jewelry at fair prices without sacrificing quality or style. All of AUrate’s pieces are handmade in New York City by experienced jewelers and are guaranteed for life.

When I browsed AUrate’s collection with my own wardrobe in mind, I knew I wanted to go with a gold necklace. I have a few dainty options, but nothing that bridged the gap between a luxe piece of jewelry and an easy-to-wear everyday piece. This 14k gold bar necklace nails it. I put the necklace on immediately when it arrived two weeks ago and I’ve been wearing it every day since. It’s a moderate investment at $220, but it’s one of those perfect pieces you’ll treasure for years.

J.Crew drapey tie-neck top
Gucci Small Marmont Bag
AuRate Short Gold Bar Drop Necklace
J.Crew drapey tie-neck top
AuRate Short Gold Bar Drop Necklace
J.Crew drapey tie-neck top

J.Crew blouse | Tory Burch coat (old; also love this plaid coat and this one) | Gap jeans | Madewell loafers (also available in velvet) | AuRate necklace (c/o) | Wigs here | Prada sunglasses (old; similar)

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Thanks to AUrate for partnering on this post!

An Unexpected Hiatus + Weekend Links

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lace bridesmaid dresses uk

Welp! I didn’t expect to take a week-long hiatus from the blog, but work got in the way of the hobby this week! My annual business expo is coming up in 12 days and I’m in crunch time for the project. On days I wasn’t working late, I was chilling on the couch with Dave and Bacon — and keeping as far away from computer and phone screens as possible.  I just needed time to breathe and not feel obligated to check another to-do off the list, but the truth is that I feel terribly guilty when I have weeks like this — and a little jealous of those who seem to effortlessly crank out posts. I know I shouldn’t feel that way; this isn’t my full-time job and there will be weeks where my creativity is spent and my attention needs to go to the thing that actually pays the bills.

And, if I’m being completely transparent, I’ve been in a bit of a funk since the Kavanaugh confirmation. I try not to get political in this space because things like clothing and home decor should be fun, but it’s difficult to put on a happy facade when I feel so angry about the whole thing. (I even got into a verbal spat with a guy at last week’s Badger game who was talking about how thrilled he was with the result. Ugh.) It was just one of those weeks, and while I didn’t contribute anything fun to the Internet, others did! So, let’s move on to lighter, happier, escapism-y things!

Weekend Links:

  • The HPV vaccination is now available for women ages 27 to 45. Make an appointment with your gynecologist STAT.
  • Can marijuana treat menstrual cramps?
  • I am obsessing over Polène, a new-to-me French handbag brand. This bag is at the very top of my wish list. Isn’t it breathtaking in this fall shade?
  • Do quartz and jade rollers actually do anything?
  • Ursula applying lipstick in The Little Mermaid really was a strangely satisfying part of the movie.
  • Move aside hygge, now there’s kalsarikännit.
  • Chewy, salty brownie cookies with the surprising addition of licorice root.
  • If you’re in the market for a new set of sheets, may I suggest these indulgent linen sheets from Lands’ End, which are currently 30% off? We bought a set this summer and they’re the most luxurious sheets I’ve ever owned.
  • Jenna Lyons is launching a lifestyle brand.
  • The top trends from the spring 2019 runways.
  • How to master your emotions.

Finds Under $50:

Earlier This Week: Ha! 😉 

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Weekend Links

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Weekend Links on Bedknobs & Baubles

Happy weekend! We’re in for another dreary weekend here in Madison, but that just makes it feel fall-like as we cozy up at home with comfort food. (I made this last night. It’s one of our fall and winter favorites.) We are going to the Badger football game tonight and then meeting up with friends on Sunday to watch the Brewers game. All of this makes me seem like a bigger sports fan than I am. I like the social aspect of sporting events, but I couldn’t care less about the sport itself! I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Weekend Links:

  • Banksy art self-destructs at auction.
  • If you love these loafers, now is the time to snag them with a rare discount offer. (I ordered my size and a half size up to try. Most reviews say they stretch out, but I didn’t think that would be the case and preferred the half size larger. They’ve been incredibly comfortable and you can wear discreet loafer socks with them, too.)
  • Pumpkin and pecan scones with maple and caramel drizzle.
  • Spooky cocktails for your Halloween soiree.
  • Why we say “O.K.”
  • Did you know Dr. Dre’s “Next Episode” samples this song? (We heard the original at a cocktail lounge in Seattle, and I got a bit too excited about hearing one of my hip hop favorites … and then Dave whispered “settle down; it’s not the song you think it is.” Haha.)
  • I’m so excited for Blair’s collection with Nordstrom!
  • Um, Bacon needs this, right? (Pet costumes crack me up.)
  • Is “cost per like” the new “cost per wear?”
  • Creepy ghost stories from Reddit.
  • This coppery color is the perfect manicure option for fall.

Finds Under $50:

Earlier This Week:

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