Hi, friends! I’m finally back in the swing of things after a work-induced break from the blog and from much of social media! I always realize how much I appreciate this space after I’ve been away for a bit. We’re expecting a dreary weekend here, which is the perfect excuse to tackle a few house projects. As you know, I’ve been slowly working on repairing and painting the doors in our house, and removing the paint from the original hardware before polishing the brass back to its original sheen (without ruining the perfect patina you can only get with age). I’ll be wrapping up our bedroom door today, leaving me with three more I’d like to finish before the end of November. There are few things I find as satisfying as finishing up household projects, but we’re nearing the end of the things we can do on our own and will need to find a contractor to embark on our more ambitious — and more expensive — improvements.

Weekend Links:

• I just love Meg’s makeup art column.
• DIY macrame feathers for budget-friendly wall decor.
• We finally picked out a dining room light fixture!
• dELiA*s is back with a limited-time capsule collection. (So many late ’90s and early ’00s flashbacks.)
• Taking candy tasting as seriously as wine tasting.
• An Instagrammer is being sued for a failure to influence.
• I never thought I’d want green kitchen cabinets until now.
• This scarf is a must-have for the holiday season.
• Make sure you know what’s on your ballot before going to the polls on Tuesday.
• Pumpkin bread with salted maple butter looks like the perfect thing for cool fall mornings.
• The stories behind legendary hip-hop photos.
• In search of a sexy cocktail glass? Look no further than this one.

Finds Under $50:

• This glass decanter is really pretty and comes in at just $15. I added it to our bar cabinet already!
• An evergreen lace dress is perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
• A metal handle makes this affordable bag look chic.
• A cozy, wear-it-every-weekend sweater.
• A pastel scarf is unexpected for winter, yet it’s perfect for the holiday season and would look great with a camel-colored coat.

Earlier This Week:

• What I bought last month.
• A selection of silver and grey favorites.

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My business-to-business expo is coming up next week, so there’s a good chance I’ll be mum until after the Wednesday event. I’m spending the majority of the weekend working; it might not be the most fun way to spend my days off, but the to-do list needs to get done! This week wasn’t all work and no play, however. We met up with friends to watch the Brewers games. (I’ll never understand sports fandom, but I’m in for the social aspect.) And, we saw Garbage perform at a new music venue here in Madison. I was never a huge Garbage fan, but they had so many hits over the years that it was fun to see them in concert. I’ve had “Push It” in my head since that night, but I’ll admit that I was disappointed they didn’t play [what I consider] their best song, “#1 Crush.” (I may have the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack circa 1996 in my car at all times…)

Weekend Links:

• I don’t exactly have a spot for this lamp, but I’m seriously considering it adding to our home. I love the shape! Plus, it’s 25% off right now.
• Five explanations for why we like to be scared.
• Are you overwashing your face?
• Snag Jonathan Adler’s aesthetic for less in his latest collaboration. (The stoneware vases are my favorite!)
• If you think embroidery is stuffy, wait until you see the work by Sheena Liam.
• Why everyone uses travel photos on dating apps.
• You know the “do it like a French girl” trend has gone too far when you can now wash your hair like a Parisian.
• While I don’t regret returning this bag in the tan faux-croc (the color wasn’t for me), I do regret not exchanging it for another color. I don’t know what it is about that purse, but I’m still smitten with it — impracticality and all. Do I go with white or black? The mini version or the mid-sized one? Or is this really a dumb purchase all around? (I’m thinking either mini in white or mid-size in black.) Honestly, I’ll probably talk myself out of this before the weekend is over.
• I’ve been itching to visit Canada, so I’m bookmarking this mini guide to Quebec City.
• Most white Americans’ DNA can be identified through genealogy databases.
• This astrology Instagram account cracks me up. I’m a Gemini and this was especially spot on, as are others, but I won’t give it all away!
• Lulu Frost is having an online sample sale!

Finds Under $50:

• I’m a sucker for a pretty blouse in an autumnal hue.
• A striped turtleneck makes for a great layering piece this season.
• I just received these chambray napkins (c/o) and they’re even better in person!
• These earrings come right in at $50, but aren’t they such a gorgeous, modern shape?
• Charm bracelets are starting to make a comeback. Get the look for less.
• Yes, it’s too early to talk about Christmas, but I just bought this table cloth. I love the vintage-inspired pattern!

Earlier This Week:

• An affordable fine jewelry brand you need to keep on your radar (and wish list).
• How to explore your city like a tourist.
• Holiday entertaining isn’t complete without Instagram-worthy barware.

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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:

• Add this faux-fur pom-pom beanie to your winter wardrobe immediately. I love it in grey! (There’s a cable-knit one in pink here.)
• Faux pearls dot this cozy sweater.
• An ice bucket that’s both whimsical and chic. It’s perfect for holiday entertaining!
• A striped pullover sweater for fall days.
• Dabble in the leopard-print trend with this wrap skirt.

Earlier This Week: Ha! 😉 

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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:

• I just love this preppy plaid skirt, which is 40% off with code FALLFEST.
• A pastel plaid scarf brightens up chilly days.
• Bold colorful stripes make this turtleneck surprisingly versatile.
• Modern, eye-catching earrings.
• If you need a clear bag for stadiums this fall, here’s one that’s cheap and looks better than most.

Earlier This Week:

• An easy outfit for exploring a new city.
• This week’s most coveted finds. (And I may have ordered the coat…)
• What’s on my radar this October.

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Happy Friday! I can’t exactly be relieved that it’s the weekend, considering we just got back from our Seattle trip late Wednesday night, but we’re off again for an overnight trip to Milwaukee. We both applied for Global Entry and our interviews are scheduled for Friday afternoon in the city, so we figured we’d make the most of it and make it into a mini trip. (We definitely don’t travel often enough internationally to warrant Global Entry, but it comes with TSA PreCheck and we each have a credit card that reimburses the fees.) After that, I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the weekend at home after we get back on Saturday. There’s a noticeable autumnal chill in the air, and I have a laundry list of house projects I want to get done before the real cold arrives! I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Weekend Links:

• Key moments from Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford’s senate hearing. (I’m writing this on Thursday night, and I can’t adequately explain how worried I am that tomorrow’s confirmation hearing will go Kavanaugh’s way. Ford has absolutely nothing to gain by coming forward and sharing her recount of that harrowing moment. I genuinely believe her. And to the Republicans who don’t, there’s got to be someone — anyone — to confirm who won’t find himself or herself in the midst of a controversy. Why dig your heels in to prove a partisan point?)
• Transform an empty wall near your door into an entryway.
• Are online waitlists a scam?
• A menswear-inspired shrunken cardigan that looks cute enough to wear as a shirt.
• Nextdoor is the most ridiculous perk that has come from having a house. If you’re not familiar with the Twitter account @bestofnextdoor, you are missing out. It’s also strangely reassuring to know that neighbors in all cities are crazy.
• Chicago is getting the world’s largest permanent digital art installation.
• Tips on how to mix patterns the right way from textile designer Rebecca Atwood.
• It’s time to look for a new fall jacket. I love this cropped buffalo plaid motorcycle jacket for an urban take on a northern classic.
• Six ways to raise your confidence at work.
• Would you pay for an $80 crystal water bottle? (That piece links to a small study exploring the placebo effect of crystals, which I found interesting.)
• Autumn calls for apple cider cocktails.

Finds Under $50:

• I have never had the desire to wear something from Abercrombie & Fitch, but this sweater is awfully tempting.
• Almond-toe loafers that are less expensive alternative to this pair.
• A goldenrod blouse is such a pretty option for fall.
• Prefer pattern? How about this floral print option?
• Charming isn’t the first word that would come to mind when describing dish rags … and then these happened.

Earlier This Week:

• What I bought in September.
• Snapshots from Seattle.

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