BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Notable Purchases, Vol. 2

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Last month’s greatest hits included:

  • Sweater Storage Bins – While my closet is large, it’s not very well laid out and the only shelving I’m using for sweaters is an old Ikea bookshelf. Revamping that space is not high on our priority list, so I’m always on the lookout for storage solutions to rotate my clothes seasonally to create room for the pieces I’m actually reaching for. I found these bins on Amazon and purchased two sets of two to store my sweaters. I love that they have a clear panel so you can see what’s inside. And, you can access your items from the top or via the side zip. If you don’t overstuff the bins, they stack nicely, too.
  • J.Crew linen dress – This has been a summer staple for me at work. I love it so much that I’m considering buying another dress to have on backup when this one is in the laundry pile. It has a flattering A-line shape and can easily be dressed up or down. It stretches out a bit as the day goes on, which is to be expected with linen.
  • Lizzie Fortunato aventurine and enamel earrings – Knowing that I have a, well, “robust” jewelry collection has led me to seek out unique pieces that are truly different than items I already own. I bought this pair for myself as a birthday gift at the end of May. The color combinations are beautiful and I like that they’re made of real aventurine stones rather than glass or plastic.
  • Madewell maxi dress – I bought this dress in green last year and it quickly became one of my most-often worn pieces on those sweltering days. At the beginning of this summer season, I told Dave that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one if Madewell ever offered in blue. Lo and behold, they did. And it’s lovely. Go down a size since the only thing you’re measuring is the elasticized band across the top of your chest.
  • Madewell linen sweater – One of my favorite summer sweaters is a linen-blend one from Garnet Hill that now looks a bit worn. (I still love it, though.) I tried this one from Madewell and it’s a lovely alternative. It’s a classic cut that hits me at the top of my hips. It’s a bit sheer, so you’ll need to wear a skin-tone bra or layer it over another shirt.
  • OXO Good Grips fridge organization bins – I don’t know about you, but the top shelf of our refrigerator is for miscellaneous condiments and sauces that don’t fit in the door — and they tend to get shuffled around and items go missing in the very back corners. I bought a couple of these trays to put those items in so now I can pull the entire tray out when I’m looking for something. It’s a small upgrade but has given me a ridiculous amount of joy.

Find previous “Notable Purchases” here and click here to see what I’ve added to my wardrobe this year.

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Notable Purchases, Vol. 1

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Instead of recapping every new purchase each month, I’m going to take a different approach and whittle it down to a shorter roundup of the “greatest hits.” These are the standouts of the month that will eventually run the gamut from clothing to décor to beauty to household necessities — anything that I bought, loved, and thought you might want to know about, too!

Here are this month’s most notable items:

  • J.Crew popover shirt and matching shorts – After buying this set in red earlier this year, I knew I needed to add the black version to my wardrobe before it sold out. Wearing the pieces together is such a breezy, pulled together look for summer, and black is a wonderful backdrop for statement jewelry. The top is long like a tunic, so it gives the illusion of being a dress without worry that the wind will kick up the hem and it’s easy to bike in. I went with a medium on top and a large on bottom. I’d say that the top is more generously sized than the bottom. I likely could have gone with a small on top without it making much difference.
  • Jenni Kayne ‘Everyday’ sweater (also available at Shopbop) – I’ve had this sweater on my wish list for what feels like ages and finally decided to see what all of the fuss was about over Jenni Kayne sweaters. It’s really quite lovely in person! It’s cut well and the fabric has a heavier hand feel rather than feeling cheap. I’m really happy with it and maybe a little bummed (just a little) that cooler weather is on its way out! I tried both a medium and large. I preferred a more classic cut that the medium offered, but you could absolutely go up a size without it looking sloppy.
  • Amazon mesh beach tote – I’m sure you’ve seen this tote or one like it making its rounds on social media — and for good reason, as it turns out. I picked this up for our recent trip to Barcelona and it was the perfect travel piece. I only brought a small crossbody bag for everyday wear and used this as a shopping bag and a carryall for the umbrella, beach towels, and whatever else we picked up throughout the day. The bag itself is lightweight and packs virtually flat so it doesn’t take up much space in your suitcase. I also really liked the mesh so sand could sift out before we left the beach.
  • Gacimy gold-plated hoop earrings – If you’re in the market for a costume, lightweight, mid-size hoop earring, this is it. I don’t like to bring nice jewelry with me on vacation — with exception of the gold bracelet that doesn’t leave my wrist — so these versatile hoops were great and worked well with my summery items.
  • Target marble tray – This marble tray is such a steal at $30. The ribbed texture on the outside makes it more interesting than typical tray. I’ve been using it on our coffee for Instax prints.

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So, I’ve Bought A Lot of Clothes Lately…

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With my new job came a realization that I kind of hated most of my professional wardrobe. Or, if we’re being honest, I hated it on me as it no longer fit as well as it did pre-pandemic when I was going to an office regularly. So, I had to buy a few things and as we know, shopping for something specific opens up a Pandora’s box of other “must-haves.” Let’s just say that it’s been a spendy few months since my last “Things I Bought” roundup, but I’ve collected some lovely pieces I hope will become wardrobe staples this year.

WARDROBE
See this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Madewell sling crossbody bag in straw – This little bag holds more than you’d expect, making it perfect for weekend errands and outings. I liked using it last week for a bike ride when I wanted something more elevated than a Lululemon belt bag.
  • Warby Parker “Gabriela” sunglasses in denim blue – I can’t step foot into Warby Parker without buying a new pair of sunglasses and these were my latest acquisition. I love the oversize frames in a pretty periwinkle blue.
  • H&M linen-blend t-shirt in light green – I bought this t-shirt last year in a different color and wore it a ton, so I was ecstatic to see that it was reissued in new neutrals. The low v-neck is wonderful.
  • H&M caftan – I’m in love with this piece and it’s very much what I want my summer style to be every day. As with most H&M items, it runs large.
  • H&M balloon-sleeved blouse – This also runs large. However, it’s on the shorter side, so I stuck with my regular size for the length. There’s a generous amount of fabric and it looks best half-tucked in.
  • Old Navy oversized French-terry tunic hoodie – This is such a great “throw on and go” sweatshirt for spring and summer. I bought it in white and blue.
  • J.Crew bungalow popover dress in dot linen – This will be an effortless summer dress that I can wear to work. The neckline didn’t seem that low on me, but I have a small chest so your mileage may vary.
  • J.Crew bungalow popover linen top in green – Given how much I liked the dress, I thought I’d try the top. I liked it when I first tried it on, so I clipped the tags and wore it for the day. It wrinkled so much and I’m not terribly keen on it now. So, maybe skip this one.
  • Boden gingham sweater set (shell and cardigan) – How cute is this sweater set?! I’ve been watching Palm Royale and it reminds me of something the cast would wear. The shell runs a bit large, but not enough where I think it’s worth trying a smaller size. The quality is excellent.
  • Sezane “Selita” dress – I bought this for our last cocktail event at my former job. It was fun to wear, but it does run awfully large.
  • Boden long-sleeve wrap top in navy stripe – This is such a flattering top! I went up a size in this since it’s so fitted.
  • Madewell kick out crop jeans in “Oneida Wash” – These run a size smaller than the darker wash of Madewell’s kick out crop jeans.
  • Old Navy linen-blend button-down boyfriend shirt in blue stripe – I’ve been wearing this regularly on work-from-home days when I want to look nice on camera, but be comfortable. It’ll be wonderful this summer since the linen is lightweight and breezy.
  • Jenny Bird “Doune” chunky hoop earrings – I had been looking for a pair of chunky hoops and Jenny Bird doesn’t disappoint. These are beautiful and high quality.
  • Boden jersey midi tea dress in “floret stripe” – Like the aforementioned wrap top, this is incredibly flattering and it has pockets! I’ll be wearing this quite a bit now that it’s getting warmer out.
  • Margaux ballet flats in saddle brown – I bought my first pair of Margaux flats last fall and they’re by far the most comfortable pair of ballet flats I’ve ever owned. Since my brown J.Crew flats were looking worse for wear (and wearing a hole in the leather), I upgraded to these.
  • J.Crew gauze popover shirt in red and the matching shorts – By far one of my favorite purchases of the past three months. I’m always on the lookout for cute summer outfits that I can wear on a bike. (I’m not graceful enough to wear a dress while biking and I hate wearing bike shorts underneath.) I’ll be buying this set in black soon enough.

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Things I Bought & Loved in January — And the Some Notes on the Quality of Bembien Bags

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New year, new me things! I’m joking, of course, but isn’t that sort of the case with a new year and a renewed intention to make the very best purchases to upgrade, refresh, or improve your life? Let’s just say there was no shortage of “upgrades” around here from a newly organized utensil drawer to lofty pillows to a ladylike coat. And, a recent collaboration certainly helped with some kitchen refreshes at the start of the new year. I can’t imagine any other month this year will be as indulgent!

WARDROBE
See this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Monica Vinader “Groove Chunky Knot Ring” – I tried on this ring at Nordstrom in Chicago back in December. It reminded me of an heirloom piece and the textured finish is unique. I didn’t splurge on it at the time (mostly because I didn’t want to pay Chicago sales tax) and found it on sale right after the holidays.
  • Madewell “Signature Poplin Oversized Straight Hem Shirt” – This oversized shirt has a flattering, feminine shape with well-placed buttons that aren’t too low or too high. I especially love it paired with shorts and Birkenstocks. I went with my typical medium, but I bet a small would have fit, too.
  • Madewell “Gianna” coat – My weight has been fluctuating and my favorite winter topcoats are a bit snug right now, so I wanted an oversized one that I would make me feel pulled together and less bummed out that my other coats don’t fit. I’ve been ordering all sorts of wool coats to try this year and haven’t been thrilled with any of them until this Madewell coat. It has an oversized menswear-inspired drape, but it doesn’t look overwhelmingly big — so long as you go down a size; it runs very large. The “woodrose” color is more of an elegant mauve in person.
  • Bembien “Alba” shoulder bag – This is my first Bembien purchase and I bought it on sale with an additional percentage off to bring the price down to the $160 range. That might be steep for the quality of this bag and I absolutely would not recommend a Bembien page at full price. I brought it with me to Florida and used it for four days straight. It already had some of the finished leather worn away in some spots. I do like the style of the bag and the woven leather and braided strap, but I can’t in good faith recommend it. It’s a bummer because I really wanted this to be the type of bag that looks even better when worn in.

HOUSEHOLD

  • Phoenix Down pillows – We stayed at the Intercontinental in Chicago last month. I was absolutely smitten with the down pillows they had and peeked at the tags so I could order a new set for our home. I bought the “medium” loft and they’re perfectly squishy and soft. I’m all for splurging on nice bedding.
  • Target fluted ceramic trinket dish – No notes. Just a cute little trinket dish for $5.
  • SpaceAid bamboo drawer dividers – Our utensil drawer was an absolute nightmare — until now.

FOOD52 – SPONSORED
I had a wonderful opportunity to promote Food52 — a company I adore (it owns Schoolhouse after all!) — in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving last year. The payment was in the form of a gift card, which I used to purchase a few practical items that I needed and to upgrade some of our basics. So, while the items listed below were gifted, I wanted to share what I selected and my thoughts on each in case you’re also looking to overhaul some of your kitchen items.

  • Mepal salad box – At the beginning of November, Food52 had sent over a gift with a few pantry staples, a wooden spoon, and a 15 oz. Mepal food storage container. I hadn’t heard of Mepal before and it turns out that it’s a Dutch brand that specializes in kitchen storage, lunch containers, and unbreakable dinnerware. In any case, it was adorable and it got me curious about the brand. One of the things I decided to buy was the brand’s salad box for the days I actually need to work at the office and bring a lunch along. There’s a second compartment under the lid for cutlery and a smaller included box for dressing. I’m quite fond of this.
  • Nordic Ware aluminum loaf pans – The nonstick coating on my other loaf pan was starting to flake off and I didn’t think risking my health was worth it to continue using them.
  • Dreamfarm fold-flat whisk – This whisk is great because you can twist the handle to make it flat, taking up less space in a drawer.
  • Peugeot 5″ salt and pepper mills – This felt like such a luxurious upgrade to the grocery-store salt grinder we’ve been using, and they’re pretty to look at. I went with the “natural” version.
  • JK Adams reversible carving board – Oh my word, I can’t even begin to describe the frustration we felt carving our first Thanksgiving turkey last year. The bird was sliding around our plastic cutting board (which wasn’t even big enough for the turkey) and it was too juicy — even after letting it rest — for the channels to contain even a portion of the liquid that was spilling onto the floor instead. It was a whole thing. I vowed that either we were never going to host Thanksgiving again or we needed a better cutting board. I haven’t done another turkey yet, but I’m optimistic about this carving board that has a deeper well and — the best part — an indent to nestle the bird so it doesn’t shimmy away.
  • Dansk “Bistro Cafe” flatware set – Using the gift card toward a flatware set felt like such a splurge, but it was also such a welcome upgrade. We had been using a Walmart flatware set that I bought for my first college apartment — two decades ago! This Dansk set makes me feel like such a grownup! The handles feel sleek and the pieces have a night weight to them. I picked the 43-piece set that includes eight settings and serving ware. I’d like to add a 20-piece set when it comes available again to bring the collection to 12 settings.

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Things I Bought & Loved in December

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After last month’s spending extravaganza, I’m happy to report that this month’s spending (at least on gifts for myself) was more conservative with a couple of basics that will be wardrobe staples in the coming year.

WARDROBE
See this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Madewell kick out crop jeans in ‘Colleton Wash’ – My favorite pair of cropped jeans from J.Crew got a hole in them and I had heard great things about this cut from Madewell. They really do live up to the hype. However, if you’re between two sizes, opt for the smaller one. I ordered my usual size and they fit out of the package, but stretched out at least one size while wearing them over the course of a day. I had to order a new pair in a smaller size. Also, do run them through the wash once before wearing them as the dye transfers quite a bit on light-colored fabrics.
  • Uniqlo 3D knit cotton striped sweater – The relaxed cut of this sweater drapes well and I like the slight-boatneck opening. It’s not as chunky as cotton sweaters tend to be. You can go with your regular size or up a size — they fit similarly on me.

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Thanks for visiting! As a reminder, I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy an item through my links. This is at no cost to you. I appreciate your continued support!