Anniversary.

This weekend, I’ll be celebrating 1 YEAR (!) of marriage with the wonderful Mr. Magpie.  I can’t believe it’s been a year — it seriously feels like just yesterday that I was a jittery ball of excitement and emotion as I got ready to walk down the aisle…!  I’ve been poring over our album with such love and nostalgia over the past few weeks, and while I cherish each.and.every. picture (and swoon over how beautiful my mom and I managed to make that day!), one of my favorites is a snap of Mr. Magpie hamming it up as he was getting ready to share his groom’s toast.  (I’d never heard of this tradition, but my mom insisted on it — and it was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.)  Mr. Magpie literally had every single person in the room in tears by the time he’d finished his toast (and though he’s a Tough Guy, even he was a little choked up).  I wish I had a video-recording of it, because I was so moved and lovestruck that I can only clearly remember the last line — “I’m going to take care of you every day for the rest of your life.”  And he has lived up to this promise so generously and beautifully.  I LOVE YOU, MR. MAGPIE!

In keeping with this swoony love-filled post, I just HAD to select Judy as the winner of my Graphic Image giveaway!  In response to my question (“What is your favorite day of the year?”), Judy wrote:

“My favorite day of the year is April 10th. That is the day my amazing best friend got down on one knee in our kitchen – a Sunday morning while making breakfast – and asked me to marry him. I say best friend because he truly is. He’s also thoughtful, hilarious, adventurous, caring, and very very handsome. I’m the happiest girl in the world thanks to April 10th. Now I need that organizer to start our wedding planning!”

LOVE IT.  Judy, I’ll be in touch so we can get your datebook in the mail and on its way to you so you can get the planning process in high gear 🙂  P.S. — still want a Graphic Image treat?  Use coupon code DATEBOOK to save 20% off your entire order.

*********

And now — a list of things that will make this anniversary weekend that much sweeter…

1.  Sweets and Champagne

Mr. Magpie and I have defrosted the top layer of our wedding cake and are looking forward to testing it alongside a bottle of Kluge pink champagne.  (Kluge Vineyards used to be in Charlottesville, VA, home of our alma mater, UVA, but has just recently closed.  We literally bought cases of the leftover wine — it was that good.  So our one remaining bottle of Kluge pink bubbly will be cherished with particular flourish.)  We may also pack some of these little champagne splits (Pommery, $16, NapaCabs) for an afternoon/evening on the beach!

I also found a bunch of fun little gifts for Mr. Magpie, including (ugh, I know you’re reading this, Mr. Magpie, so just pretend like it’s a surprise) a box of pistachio truffles from Knipschildt Chocaltier called “The Jennifer” (my name).  The description on the side reads: “A bit nutty, but really quite sweet.”  LOVE IT.

2.  Red Lips (…?!)

Um.  OK.  I have a deep-seated fear of The Bold Lip but finally, finally, I think I might give it a whirl and see whether Mr. Magpie likes it or not.  I’ve heard really good things about YSL’s Rouge Pur lipsticks ($30, Sephora), especially in the corals.

3.  Leopard Everything.

I have no idea why I’m suddenly obsessed with all things leopard.  Like…it’s a problem.  So I’m all about lounging in a leopard print bikini ($198, LesNouvelles) with some glam enorma-shades ($275, Net-A-Porter)

I’ll be out there in a white, gauzey tunic with my sun essentials (Clarins Sunscreen Spray Oil — $32, Sephora; Fresh’s SPF 15 Sugar Rose lip treatment — $22.50, Sephora; and Frederic Fekkai’s “Beach Waves” hair spritz — $24, FredericFekkai):

And, of course, a good book — right now I’m reading Jennifer Egan’s bestselling “A Visit from the Goon Squad” ($14, Amazon), though the jury’s still out in terms of quality.  Interesting from a narratological standpoint — each chapter told from a different character’s perspective from a different point in time, and all of the characters are in some way interconnected — but I’m not sold on the characters.  They all feel a little flat, a little scripted to me.

4.  BRIGHT Jewelry.

I’m talking the big ol bold stuff.  As I mentioned in an earlier post this week, it’s just too darn hot these days, so I’ve been living in loose-cut cotton dresses and then throwing on serious necklaces and earrings to add some pizzazz.  Lucky for us, the designers have been on our same page.  How awesome would one of these look paired with a simple white dress?!  (1 — Marni, $405, Net-A-Porter; 2 — $300, BexRox; 3 — $2,175, TomBinnsDesigns):

5.  Road Trip Essentials

Mr. Magpie claims otherwise, but if I don’t pack snacks for him on the road, he gets fussy.  For this trip, I’ve packed…Annie’s Organic Bunny Pretzels ($2.99, Annie’s), lots of water, and Loacker’s Quadratini vanilla wafer cookies (OMG, these are so delicious — they’re like those sugar wafers that used to come from Keebler’s…or maybe still do?! — but gussied up, $4.99, Amazon):

And, of course, a killer “Windows Down” playlist featuring lots of country — I like Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban for “open road” kind of days…

Have a great weekend!