ferragamo varina black

Through the Fog

December 14, 2015 by jessica 11 Comments

To say it’s been unseasonably warm in southern Wisconsin would be a bit of an understatement. It feels like spring with 60-degree temperatures, almost-constant rain, and foggy evenings. I know I’ll regret wishing for snow the moment flakes start to fall, but I really want a white Christmas this year … just a half inch that melts on Dec. 26. On the bright side, it has given me the chance to bring lightweight jackets out for another spin and wear shoes without worrying about snow and salt damage!

This grey wool shift has been a perennial favorite ever since I purchased it back in 2009 or 2010. I can’t think of another piece in my closet that has had such longevity. It’s a classic shape, has pretty brass buttons on the back, a flirty little ruffled hem, and makes for the perfect backdrop to new jewelry, like these gorgeous pieces from Ben-Amun. They’re from designer Isaac Manevitz’s “Roman Coin” collection. The collection is marked by pewter coins set in brass, reminiscent of treasured archaeological finds. You’ll learn more about the designer in this week’s “Behind the Baubles.”

Eyelet

December 1, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I almost made it through November without purchasing anything … and then Anthropologie offered an additional 25% off all dresses and this little number made its way home to me. I fell in love with it when I tried it on in October, but couldn’t justify spending full price on yet another dress. (I swear, my side of the closet is filled to the brim with dresses!) I loved the exaggerated swing shape, though, and was delighted to snag it on sale. Our holiday gatherings this year will be on the casual side, so I’ll probably wear this dress to some of the festivities. However, I’m most excited to tuck it away for spring and wear it with bare legs, sandals, and my colorful Tory Burch tote (it’s no longer available, but this one is even prettier).

Gridlock

November 16, 2015 by jessica 21 Comments

It was 60 degrees in Madison yesterday, which is unheard of for the middle of November. It was likely the last time I could go sans tights this year and I fully embraced it with a windowpane-print mini. (I wasn’t kidding when I admitted to being obsessed with windowpane this year. You can find another outfit with the print here and here.)

We’re heading to Chicago later this week for the opening weekend of the Christkindlmarket. It’s becoming our annual tradition to overspend on Christmas ornaments and mulled wine in the Windy City before the holiday season is fully underway. Honestly, I take trips to Chicago for granted. It only takes about three hours to get there from Madison, so I don’t always consider it a special getaway. That’s changing this time with a full itinerary, which includes the Lincoln Park Zoo to see the baby red pandas (squee!), the Willis Tower Skydeck (I haven’t been to the building since it was named the Sears Tower and there weren’t glass-bottom observation decks), the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, and plenty of beer-related stops at bars and breweries. Dave also came across a jewelry exhibit at The Driehaus Museum that I’m obviously very excited to visit. I’ll be Snapchatting my way through the city at bedknobsbaubles.

In other news, there’s only one week left to enter to win a sterling silver necklace from the Maps by A.Jaffe collection. A meaningful location personalizes the piece and a tiny diamond marks the sentimental spot.

Mini Moments: October 2015

November 4, 2015 by jessica 2 Comments

October is my busiest work month and I think that was pretty evident this year, given the lack of color in my Instagram feed over the month. I didn’t realize quite how dark things had gotten until I posted this yesterday. It looks so out of place with the other photos! Here are some of my favorites from the month:

Tried the new Cafe Hollander, a Belgian-inspired restaurant in Madison with roots in Milwaukee. Everything was good (they even had bitterballen!), but it was too expensive. Four beers, bitterballen, and two sandwiches came to $100 after tip. Brasserie V in Madison is a much better bet for better beer, food, ambiance, and a lower ticket price.
How, ahem, darling is this little tray?! It’s only $15 and makes for the perfect gift this holiday season. I’m also obsessed with this Tiffany-blue mug and saucer.
My jewelry drawer (seriously, not a jewelry box, a full drawer in our dresser is dedicated to gems) got a serious upgrade thanks to Julie Vos and her team. I’ve been wearing this pendant and ring almost exclusively since they arrived. I’m sharing some insights into her collection with a couple of interviews coming up!
This outfit post is one of my most popular yet and for good reason: the cape is pretty amazing! If you’re a medium/large, it’s on sale right now for $100! You can score the black version for $90 in XS/S or M/L here. (I went with the XS/S because I have narrow shoulders.)
I can’t pass up an opportunity for a Ferragamo + Floor photo.
Sharing a special, slightly-harass-y moment with Bacon. I went to Target on Sunday, hoping to find deeply discounted Halloween costumes for him (because if there’s one thing a cat loves, it’s a costume…). They were sold out, but I did find this fuzzy winter hat to purchase later.
Treated myself to snowy white mums.
Tried out the recently renovated Avenue Club in Madison. It was a wood-paneled neighborhood bar before it underwent a Midcentury Modern makeover.
Went out of my comfort zone to try this ASOS dress. I just wish the weather was warm enough to wear it again!

Windowpane

October 12, 2015 by jessica 19 Comments

Windowpane-Dress-7

If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you already know I fell in love with this dress Friday afternoon. I’m so crazy about it, in fact, that I wore it to a baby shower on Saturday and again on Sunday to run a few errands and stop at an open house. It’s technically a tunic and meant to be worn with pants or leggings (pfft…), but I’m 5’7″ and it’s definitely long enough to wear as a dress. (Don’t worry, I double checked by layering my favorite black skirt underneath and the hemlines met.) It’s also the softest sweater dress I have ever worn. The cream and black colorway is sold out online, but our store had the full size run.

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linking up with Rachelle, Jenna, and Caryl