rebecca minkoff mini affair

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

January 18, 2016 by jessica 17 Comments

Well, we spent quite a bit of money on Saturday and officially booked an April trip to Denmark and Belgium! We’re spending a week in Copenhagen with day trips to other Danish cities, and an afternoon in Malmö, Sweden. The second week of the trip will be in Brussels. We visited Brussels in 2014 and we’re excited to go back and visit other Belgian cities, including Antwerp, and bring back even more amazing beer to cellar when we buy a house. Please send any and all travel recommendations!

Spending that much money at once always leaves me feeling sick to my stomach. So, this faux fur coat will likely be my last new purchase for awhile, but it’s a good one. The “fur” is silky and smooth — a convincing replica of real fur — and it’s warm enough for a Wisconsin winter. (I felt warmer in this on a windy 20-degree day than I do in the J.Crew stadium cloth cocoon coat. It’s currently -7 degrees outside. I suppose that will be the true test!)

D.C. Day 2

September 14, 2015 by jessica 22 Comments

My favorite thing about D.C. (aside from the history, of course), is that there’s no shortage of amazing places to take photos. This stunning building was actually an apartment complex across the street from our hotel — and looks nothing like the buildings here in Madison! We spend so much time looking for acceptable photo locations that it leaves me jealous of big city bloggers who have beauties like this in their backyards! And, on that note, have you seen Eva Chen’s Instagram account of photogenic walls in NYC? I think we need to band together to make one for every state.

Dress: Dee Elle (similar here and here) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop (similar for much cheaper) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop (the mint version is on sale) | Sandals: Steve Madden (similar save and splurge) | Bracelets: Hermes, c/o Julie Vos (similar) | Ring: Lulu Frost

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linking up with Rachelle, Jenna, and Caryl

Comfort Zone

August 24, 2015 by jessica 20 Comments

Thanks to yesterday’s unseasonably chilly — and windy — weather, I had to abandon the idea of wearing my new dress and opt for a cozier Sunday Funday outfit. Even it wasn’t what I wanted to wear, it still gives me the excuse to talk about two recent additions to my wardrobe that I’m crazy about: J.Crew’s merino wool swing pullover and an astrology cuff by artist Julie Nolan.

First, the sweater. In grey, it’s basically a chicer take on your favorite sweatshirt. The heathering of the wool and the style of knit almost make it look striped up close. It’s thicker than a Tippi sweater and seems like it will hold up well. I’m wearing a small, which is my usual J.Crew size in sweaters. I also ordered an XS to try. The sleeves fit better in the XS, but I preferred the looser silhouette of the small. Given that I’ve already worn it twice the first week I’ve owned it, I can easily see it becoming a weekend go-to and a favorite for travel.

The astrology bracelet by artist Julie Nolan is another item I’ve had on repeat. It was gifted to me by UncommonGoods, a Brooklyn-based retailer that features unique designs and ethically made, handcrafted gifts. Bookmark ’em for the holidays, ladies, because there are hundreds of great gift-giving ideas. Start with the personalized gift section here to find unique items like etched glasses to celebrate a nuptial, throw pillows to commemorate a first home, and the understated Gemini cuff I’ve been wearing. There’s also a selection of gifts for women here and for men here. Each order also allows you to do something, well, uncommonly good. As part of its “Better to Give” program, the company will donate $1 to your choice of their not-for-profit partner organizations with every purchase. UncommonGood started the program 15 years ago and has since donated over one million dollars to charities around the world, including RAINN, American Forests, Women for Women International, and Reach Out and Read.

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linking with PinkSole, Sincerely Jenna Marie

Always Sunny

August 6, 2015 by jessica 11 Comments

Dave hates this dress. So do the ladies at GOMI. Whatever. We all know it’s the perfect thing to wear to a sunflower field. It’s a little bit country in the very best way. It’s also a knockoff of an AG x Alexa Chung dress from earlier this year (see the latest from that collection here). A version of the dress is still available at Chicwish, but purchase at your own risk. I collaborated with them once and the item was such bad quality that I wouldn’t post it on the blog. Maybe they’ve gotten better?

If you’re in the Madison area, head out to the Pope Farm Conservancy to see nine acres of sunflowers in bloom for the next few days. There’s a daily sunflower update on their website to consult before making the trip.

Dress: Express (similar, as a top) | Necklace: c/o Gerard Yosca | Bracelet: c/o Julie Vos (similar) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop | Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop

Botanical

August 3, 2015 by jessica 13 Comments

When sneakers were popular last year, I didn’t think I would be able to pull off wearing them with dresses. Well, thank goodness for a broken foot to push me out of my sartorial comfort zone because I kind of adore the dressy-meets-casual combination. It’s an effortless weekend look that can go from the farmers’ market to an afternoon walk through the botanical garden and then out for evening drinks. That said, I’m still counting down the days (14!) until I can kick off my sneakers and slip back into sandals!

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linking with PinkSole, Still Being Molly, More Pieces of Me, Sincerely Jenna Marie