I have to admit that I look forward to the weekend mostly so I can work on more house projects. My favorite is changing out old outlets from the almond-colored and dark brown ones in favor of white. The amount of satisfaction I get from finishing each one makes me wonder if I should have been an electrician instead! Each one takes around a half hour to do, so I’ve just been doing a couple a weekend while I’m waiting for Dave to get ready for the day. Other than that, we’re antsy to start decorating place. Our sofa and bar cabinet should both arrive next week. (Fingers crossed!) We purchased this chair and blanket, which look perfect together in a corner of the living room, and we can pull the chair forward for extra seating when we have guests. We also ordered this light fixture for our entryway. I would have loved this version, but we need to cut costs in a few places so we’ll start with an affordable schoolhouse light and possibly change it out down the road when we’re not spending quite so much. And in less exciting purchases, a new mailbox. The one that came with the house is rusting and simply sitting on the porch, unattached the wall. (Side note: mailboxes are stupidly expensive for what they are.)

Weekend Reading:

• Tips to declutter your kitchen for fall cooking.
• Twenty things you can do to improve your life.
• Architects weigh in on American buildings they wish had never been demolished.
• Has anyone spotted this jacket in stores? It looks way more expensive than $70!
• There’s a lot of controversy over Hillary Clinton’s new book. I loved this Vogue piece on why she doesn’t need to shut up about the loss.
• The Onion perfectly describes what it’s like to shop at T.J. Maxx.
• We all know this dress is destined for my closet.
• I disagree that vertical paneling is making a comeback, but hey, if it makes our office and bedroom seem more modern, I’m in! (Here’s our guide on how to paint wood paneling. It’s way easier that I thought it would be, but you need to spend time prepping the walls first.)
• A classic fit-and-flare tweed dress is the work staple we all need.
• The 12 most fashionable colors for 2018.
• Perfect photos on Instagram don’t create the engagement they used to.

Five Under $50:

• Loose boho-style blouses are my favorite thing to wear with jeans when I’m having a “nothing-to-wear” moment. The embroidery on this one looks so pretty and it’s just $25 this weekend!
• I’m curious about Madewell’s new candle collection, mostly because of the cute jar this one comes in. (Use it to plant a succulent when you’re done with the candle!)
• Refreshing your wardrobe with a new striped long-sleeve t-shirt is always a smart purchase. This one is cute, too!
• I’m hopeless at tying a scarf around my head, which makes this headband appealing.
• This pouch makes me so happy.

Earlier This Week:

• The pieces I’d love to add to my fall wardrobe. (I needed a list so I can stay on track and curb impulse purchases!)
• A selection of housewarming gifts I would have loved to receive.

Happy Friday! I’m so excited for the weekend. In part because I have this blouse on its way to me today, but also because I’m looking forward to fall-like temperatures. Few things are better than making a hearty meal when it’s chilly outside! We don’t have any plans other than tinkering with a few house projects and squeezing in bike rides, but something always comes up! What are you up to?

Weekend Reading:

• Why a short work week makes it difficult to remember what day it is.
• ‘Tis the season of pumpkin-flavored everything. I typically get excited about the return of the #PSL, only to be disgusted by how sweet it is and ditch my latte halfway through! That said, I’m all about pumpkin for other things like these scones with cinnamon butter.
• Jenny Bird’s latest release is topping my wish list.
• A “State of the Blog” address over at Design*Sponge explores how blogging is changing.
• Start planning a trip to see the fall colors! Evidently this year’s foliage is going to be even more stunning than usual.
• This long-sleeve dress is lovely for fall, and the color is perfectly retro. At $59 with free returns, it’s worth a try!
• Equifax was hacked and they’re completely dropping the ball in the aftermath. Keep an eye on your transactions and credit report.
• Just because you weren’t invited to any Fashion Week shows doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the festivities! Here’s a list of Fashion Week events that are open to everyone.
• A surprising insight into L’Oréal’s past.
• I just bought these and they are perfect.

Five Under $50:

• Dainty flowers and little bows make for one pretty blouse.
• Oversize architectural earrings.
• A striped pajama set that’s perfect for lazy Sunday mornings.
• I can’t get enough stripes, especially when there’s a sweater with a little ruffle detail at the sleeve.
• A coffee table book that’s equal parts amazing and bizarre.

Earlier This Week:

• A snapshot from our Labor Day adventure.
• This week’s most coveted. I’ve got my eye on that mirror for our bedroom.
• Sweater weather is my favorite, especially when it’s still warm enough to wear my new denim mini skirt.
• Sharing our living room plans. (I’m hopeful that wallpaper is as amazing in person as it looks online!)

***
photo via

Happy Labor Day weekend! We thought about taking a relatively impromptu trip somewhere, but then decided that staying close to home to work on a few projects and relax was probably a better use of our time! We’ll squeeze in a daylong jaunt to Lake Michigan tomorrow, though! It’s going to be 80 degrees and I could use one last day to play in the water before summer temperatures finally leave us. I hope you have a lovely and relaxing holiday weekend!

Weekend Reading

• I can’t wrap my head around the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. If you’d like to donate to the relief efforts, here are some options to consider. (I’d urge you to donate money instead of things. As well-meaning as supplies, clothing, and medications are, it takes time to sort through everything and even more time to get those items in the hands of the people that need them. Financial donations allow officials to purchase the items that are needed immediately.)
• The best part of grade school was adding new Lisa Frank school supplies to my arsenal. These sneakers would have been the Holy Grail item in my collection.
• Watching old episodes of Gossip Girl is one of my guilty pleasures. I loved this piece reflecting on the show’s fashion on its 10th anniversary.
• I love that Allie had her tailor take the bottom portion of her dress off. It looks so much cuter short!
• Can this just go on sale for like 50% off, please?
• How to brown meat so it’s actually brown.
• Five questions to ask yourself when you’re cleaning out your closet.
• The most popular interior design choices by age. (Maybe there’s something to it. I did just order this mid-century modern bar cabinet.)
• Ten things you should never pass up at an antique shop.
• If you’re hanging out at home this weekend, you can still make it a memorable one with these Labor Day weekend staycation ideas.

Five Under $50

• The cutest pajama shirt! It has cheetahs on it!
• A ladylike blouse. (A 40% discount will be applied at checkout.)
•  Take 50% off this graphic-print top.
• A one-shoulder top with preppy stripes.
• A wear-with-everything tote.

Earlier This Week:

• How to paint wood paneling.
• Where my money went last month.
• This week’s very grownup “The Coveted.” (That monkey-print dress arrived yesterday and it doesn’t fit! I’m so bummed! The shoulder seams didn’t sit correctly and it was too large on top. It also would have needed to be hemmed.)

• I can’t believe we’re heading into the last week of August! I’m looking forward to autumn — especially the days that are cool enough for sweaters, but warm enough for bare legs! But I feel like I barely enjoyed summer this year! With the house hunt, purchase, painting, moving, and housework, my favorite season slipped away. This weekend is all about making the most of one the last summer weekends with bike rides, grilling, and drinks on our deck.

I’ve been quieter than usual on the blog this week. I had been having terrible hand and wrist pain for the last few weeks and finally went to the doctor. I have tendinitis from overuse of those muscles (likely aggravated by using a paintbrush just about every night for a month!). I have a brace to wear when I’m doing activities that make my wrist hurt (e.g. typing, using the mouse, driving…), but what I really need is rest to let it heal. I’m pretty disappointed about it, but hey, at least it’s not carpal tunnel!

Weekend Reading:

• Christina and Robert’s redecorated patio is serving as major inspiration for ours. We won’t be doing anything with it this year given that it’s so late in the season, but it’s going to be our little oasis next year!
• Goop can be pretty ridiculous.
• Take an extra 20% off sale items at West Elm this weekend with code EXTRASALE. This leather chair is gorgeous and I love the black marble top of this coffee table.
• Interior decorating tips for your 20s, 30s, and 40s. The 30s section is spot on with what we’re currently focused on!
• Strawberry, pineapple, and orange sorbet sounds like the perfect late-summer dessert.
• Did you realize that dry conditioners are a thing?
• Isn’t this sweater just perfect for early autumn? I ordered it in the spice color, along with this denim mini skirt to hopefully wear with it!
• Tips on turning small talk into meaningful conversation.
• It’s Anthro Day today, which means there’s 20% off full-price items. Get this metallic tunic and let me know how amazing it is for holiday parties. (May as well pre-plan, right?)
• We binge-watched Friends from College last weekend and it’s amazing!

Five Under $50:

• I was first drawn to this emerald green shirt dress that looks way more luxe than its $35 price tag, and then I saw the printed version with monkeys and I’m even more obsessed with it. I love the cheeky print! I really want to order it to try with a structured black satchel and Ferragamo flats.
• Update your home for fall with gorgeous velvet pillows. These pillow covers are only $10.
• A cute travel pouch for all of your must-have cosmetics.
• Use code DEAL to take 40% off this blouse. I love the lace detail!
• Wool-blend felt gives these sneakers the perfect update for fall.

Earlier This Week:

• I’ve had this dress for two weeks and I’ve already worn it three times.
• Rounding up what I’d like to wear this fall.
• Best. Earrings. Ever.

***
image via

Between white supremacists marching in Charlottesville where Heather Heyer tragically lost her life, Trump’s complete and utter incompetency, and an horrific terrorist attack in Barcelona, this has been a pretty shitty week. Sometimes I feel superficial by glossing over current events on the blog. There are a lot of beautiful things in the world that I’d much rather talk about. However, that’s getting more and more difficult. Here’s to a weekend of love, acceptance, and healing.

Weekend Reading:

• The solar eclipse is this Monday! Here are tips on photographing it with your phone.
• Jenny shared great tips for first-time home buyers.
• Exploring the differences in work demands for people without children. I work in very flexible workplace and am allowed to leave early for personal reasons if need be. However, it’s a lot easier for someone with children to fall back on kids as an excuse without it being questioned by anyone.
• We’re going to Milwaukee today to pick up our new nightstands. (We saved around $60 on shipping to have them sent to the store for pick up and I was able to use an in-store discount when we ordered them.) I love the mid-century design, but I’d like to give them more personality by switching out the drawer pulls. I’m going to go with either this or this.
• Cathy shares her tips on growing your Instagram following. (I actually started using Planoly for Curated Couple and I love it!)
• This pleated ombre skirt is so fun! Wear it with a camel-colored sweater and neutral heels to let the skirt really stand out.
• Cookie Monster is coming out with a cookbook and it sounds pretty adorable!
• I’ve been following interior design Instagram accounts for inspiration in our house. Here are 25 to follow. Then, check out these five for actually purchasing home finds.
• Prada and Miu Miu’s fuzzy hats are all kinds of amazing and fashion editors agree.
• Why catalogs still survive in the digital age.

Five Under $50:

• I ordered a few things from Target to try on this week. It’s all going back except for this unexpected win: a glen plaid bomber jacket.
• An oversize pair of Lucite earrings make a major statement.
• A dark floral cami with flirty ruffles.
• A classic bag in faux leather.
• The mixed prints on this romper are gorgeous! It’s 60% off for a limited time with code SUMMER60.

Earlier This Week:

• The Kate Spade dress I’ll be wearing every week this fall.
• I’m crazy about the blue heels in this week’s “The Coveted.” They also come in navy velvet, which are just as gorgeous.
• I went down memory road with my sartorial purchases to figure out what pieces eventually landed in the donation pile. Hopefully this approach helps me save money in the future.
• My new sandals! They took zero time to break in! (Snag ’em here. I want the black ones next.)

***
image via