Hannah and Michelle have a wedding on the east coast this weekend and are hoping to squeeze in some time in DC between festivities. Any recommendations on fun things to do or a place to grab lunch? Probably around the National Mall area so lunch can be between looking at monuments and history and stuff. Anyways, here’s what we’ve been up to in this week’s And Then We Tried obsessions.
Michelle
Porch Curtain Update
Welcome back to your semi-weekly porch curtain update. I tried the IKEA Matilda sheers I had in my sunroom on the porch and we have a winner! I like that they have a bit of texture and are hella breezy because of the sheerness. I started looking for outdoor sheers, but they are all pretty pricey (and I’m trying a no-spend June, so BYE CURTAIN DREAMS) so I’m thinking of just using the indoor curtains for now. I could always take them down and wash them or take them down every night, jokes we know that’s not happening. I’m going to try to rig up some sort of curtain rod using a piece of scrap trim I have laying in the basement, so stay tuned.
Back Deck Umbrella Update
I found the right size umbrella! It is the Threshold 9′ Round Patio Umbrella in Linen from Target and it’s the perfect size for the IKEA Applaro table, sans drop-leaf pieces. The color is great, and I paired it with a base from Home Depot.
Bonus: Roommate Search
I’m in the market for a roommate if anyone in Cleveland has just been waiting for their chance to live with me. Fully furnished house, has porch curtains and an umbrella, and the bedroom could be furnished too if you want it. Hit me up if you know anyone looking or want more info!
Robin
Affordable dupes
I would categorize this week as a series of happy finds and overspending. But when you find a great dupe that is half the price… you gotta go for it.
- Madewell Folk Fortune Bali Rattan Bag vs. Urban Outfitters Rattan Bag – Now these bags have been everywhere so maybe it’s not fair to blame Madewell for the high price tag. This Urban Outfitters alternative is really nice but it should be said that the strap is not real leather. It still looks nice and I’ll be keeping it but if you’re expecting leather maybe skip this one.
- Madewell Short Sleeve Coverall vs. Target Coveralls – I’ve been dipping my toes into the jumpsuit waters so while I’m still experimenting I have to go with the cheap alternative. Seeing how Madewell cuffs the ankles is already giving me ideas. If you love Madewell and Target like us, see our post on when to save vs. splurge.
- Cult gaia bamboo bag vs. Urban caged bag– Dupes of these bags have been everywhere this summer too. But I actually like the silhouette of the Urban Outfitters bag better. How are you supposed to stand the other one up? Does it roll away?
Hannah
Bioré Cleanser
I’ve been fighting blackheads since puberty but I found something that (knock on wood) seems to be working! After doing some research on the best cleansers for treating blackheads, I decided to give Bioré Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser a shot. I’ve only been using it for about a week but I’ve already noticed a huge difference in the appearance of blackheads and my pores, especially on my nose. The only thing I’m disappointed in is that this cleanser has microbeads in it, which I was hoping to avoid (and wasn’t clearly stated in the description). I’ve found that microbeads can be irritating but, more importantly, they’re bad for the environment. So now I’m trying to figure out if I care more about finally getting rid of my blackheads or my contribution to a global plastic waste crisis. A real perfection vs. Earth stuff moment, remember Michelle’s lawn care dilemma? Going to be doing a lot of thinking on that one while staring at my empty pores.
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Who loves a period piece? I do! But give me a period piece with Natalie Dormer and a spooky disappearance and I love it even more. Picnic at Hanging Rock is a series based on an Australian novel about three schoolgirls and a teacher who go missing during, you guessed it, a picnic at Hanging Rock. The series then follows the aftermath of their disappearance and the mystery surrounding what happened. I’m only a few episodes in but I love it so far! You can stream it on Amazon Prime.
This has been another week of And Then We Tried Obsessions, where we share whatever we’re obsessed with each week. Let us know what you’re obsessed with this week in the comments and if you see anything in the wild that you think we’d be obsessed with, be sure to tag us @andthenwetried or use #ATWTobsessions
