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Q: Date night dress!
A: You must try the Doen Jewel (seen above)! So saucy and chic. Runs pretty short — I’m 5’0, FYI! — but otherwise take your usual Doen size. I’m usually an XXS in their dresses, which is what I took here and it fits perfectly. (I am typically an XS. If you’ve never ordered at Doen, I’d go down a size — most of their styles are loose fitting.). I’m very into the slip dresses at the moment. I also just received this polka dotted Rixo and I’m obsessed with her! Will be wearing on a date with Mr. Magpie this weekend!
Q: Two dresses for a 10-year college reunion in DC at the end of May. Dress code one night summer cocktail and other is smart casual. Will be 14 weeks pregnant.
A: Fun, and congratulations! For summer cocktail, I’d consider this Coco Shop, one of the Fanm Mon Lorr dresses, this Mille, this SEA, or this Celia B. I’m pretty sure all of those would accommodate a 14-week bump! Pair with practical shoes — something you won’t be teetering around in. I love these daisy-studded mules for summer cocktail affairs. Knowing it’s in Georgetown might mean you should wear something with a block or platform heel instead of something spindly (all the brick!) — something like this or this! For smart casual, I’d probably still wear a dress. Something like this Parterre, this Mille, this Hunter Bell, or a Julia Amory caftan with Ancient Greek Eleftherias or something like this.
Q: Cute sneakers for my son.
A: I’m currently eyeing these for mine! He also loves these NBs — he’s owned in a few colors. Very comfortable and easy for him to get on/off himself.
Q: My son is graduating from college and I would like to get him a money clip. Help please!
A: So sweet. Congrats mama! Tiffany is a forever gift, and you can have it engraved with his initials. However, if that feels a bit precious for a college grad (!), Leatherology has a handsome brown leather one that you can emboss with initials, and it’s under $50. I’m not sure if he’s specifically asked for a money clip, but I would also suggest / contemplate getting him one of the needlepointed card cases from Smathers and Branson so he can safely carry ID, card, and cash in one place.
Q: How does the RMS compare to Goop Glow?
A: The RMS product is more concentrated and gel-like — a dab to work in all over your face. RMS acts like a primer, blurring and adding glow. The SuperGoop Glowscreen feels more like a tinted moisturizer to me, and you need more to apply all over the face. It’s a bit more lightweight and creamlike. Similar products that blur the line between skincare and makeup! Both are excellent. The RMS is my current favorite for layering beneath concealer/tinted moisturizer. It does a great job of creating a smooth, glowy surface to apply makeup on top of.
Q: Can you share your desk setup or inspo or products? Feeling the need to revamp my very commercial office space.
A: I feel you! I shared thoughts on designing a work space to cultivate creativity here. These pinboards are also really great ways to introduce color, inspiration, pattern to a depressing space. You can pin up pretty paper, invitations, quotes, hang tags. Ballard has some options for this, too.
Q: Do you have any dress recommendations for a Derby party? I’m seeing people I haven’t seen in 15 years, thank you!
A: Fun! I like something punchy and preppy-ish, like this hot pink, this La Ligne, this Fanm Mon, this CeliaB, this Rhode, this Hunter Bell, this Borgo de Nor, this Emilia Wickstead. Or go for a set like this Farm Rio (top, bottom).
Q: Dress for a summer wedding by the beach? On the more formal side and not too fitted.
A: The gowns from Taller Marmo and Bernadette (this, this, this!) are spectacular and loose-fitting. Pair with a strappy sandal, updo, big earrings, and small clutch. I also love this patterned floral dress and this Agua B.! If you’re after a black dress, go with this La Ligne!
Q: Bump friendly dress for the summer. Maxi or midi length with sleeves and under $200.
A: I think you’re looking for the Anthro Somerset dress! Such fun patterns. Quince also has an “inspired-by” dress in solid colors for under $100. Marea also has some gorgeous breezy caftans to consider. And finally – check out Julia Amory’s sale section for dresses that are around $200 (some a tad over) but well worth the overage IMO — these are pieces you will wear pregnant or not and can be dressed up or down. I especially love this caftan (I own in a lime green — can be worn unbelted), this Majorelle (so soft and breathable), and this shirt dress (polished perfection).
Q: Blue dress for my best friend’s wedding. Oregon in August. Solids preferred, or small pattern.
A: So sweet! This ALC or this L’Agence if formal; this Ref or this Self Portrait if cocktail.
Q: Matching swimsuits for twin toddlers (one boy, one girl), not Minnow.
A: Have you seen Dear Georgie? I love this sting ray pattern (girls’ version here).
Q: Sunday Mass dresses for my seven year old — not too frilly.
A: I have been eyeing some of the cute pieces from Pink Chicken. I feel like they’re a little less “frou frou” and more fun (my daughter’s in the same camp as yours on this matter). The Kelsey dress comes in cute prints, and I also love the colors in this style. Minnow also has some great options — this floral, this stripe, this gingham.
Q: What are the cute moms wearing to t-ball this summer?
A: I’m new to this world, too! I’m learning that t-ball practice and games require practicality — you are dusty, you are standing grass, you are swatting at gnats, you are sweating. I wore my Birks and a Mille Saffron dress and regretted it. Honestly, leggings, sneakers, and a t-shirt are the way to go. I’ll probably be wearing my Beyond Yoga set, Adidas sneaks, and either a sweatshirt (obsessed with this one) or a long-sleeved tee over top (I love my Vuori Halo — it is the perfect weight and shape — or would opt for something like the Ayr Morning tee or one of these destination tees) this weekend. Don’t forget the Cutter wipes.
P.S. Getting ready for sunny days ahead.
P.P.S. Maintaining wonder as a parent.
P.P.P.S. On navigating weepiness after sending my son off to school.
Just a word of caution on the Julia Amory dresses – size way up – especially if pregnant. I reliably wear a small/size 4, with a bra band of 32, and the medium shirt dress didn’t come close to buttoning. Maybe other pregnant people are different, but i was well-endowed as a pregnant woman and there’s no way the JA dress sent to me would have buttoned. There’s no stretch in the chest at all and it seems to be cut very very small. JA has a tough returns policy too – items are only returnable for store credit and anything on sale is actually final sale. Just a word of caution – the dresses are very pretty but at least in my experience the sizing is tough.
Thanks so much for weighing in on this!!!
xx
I always dressed my 3 girls (when they were under 10ish) in matching swimsuits from Boden- so much easier to find everyone at the beach! I also love their women’s swimsuits!
So cute! They have such fun, bold patterns!
xx