Image via (Valentino 2015).
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Q: Did you share a personalized little girls gift from Etsy a few weeks ago? I can’t find it!
A: Yes, it was this bead kit! If you, like me this past week, are shorter on time, another cute option: this initial pouch and some cute activity books, like this and this.
P.S. More gift ideas here and here.
Q: Birthday dress at a BBQ restaurant. Looking for a cute springtime outfit in Charleston.
A: Happy brithday! Marea has fun, bright dresses that feel Charleston-appropriate. I packed this for my recent trip to Tulum and it was celebratory but not too fancy.
I wore this dress in a different pattern down in Charleston when I visited last spring — love the new pattern. This one shows a bit more skin but SO cute too. Also feels festive but not too dressy.
The Juliet Dunn dresses are so lightweight and happy — and a bunch are on sale at Tuckernuck. Love this and this.
Also love this Saylor!
A bit spendier, but since I know this particular Magpie loves orange — this or this!
Q: Decided to treat myself because of an end of year bonus. Which Dorsey piece would you pick?
A: Congrats! I shared thoughts on my favorite pieces in this post, but my top two recs would be this personalized heart necklace or the Clemence necklace (recently restocked). I find both of them easy to style and wear daily — I think you’ll get the most wear out of one of these! Clemence is more versatile (could be dressed up for cocktail/formal or dressed down for daily wear), but I do wear the heart one day in and day out.
Q: Sunhat for beach trip.
A: My two favorites are this Sarah Bray and this Sunshine Tienda, but those Lorna Murray ones have been trending for the past year if you want something with a bit more pizzazz. I also just noticed that Janessa Leone is running a big sale, and I love this (packable!!!), this, and this.
Q: Great travel umbrella. [Ed. note: I plucked this from a recent Magpie comment on a post, and wanted to include it here because I am passionate about this!]
A: You must check out the Davek Mini. These are the best — ultra-tiny and lightweight but mighty. These will not invert on you! Small enough to toss into your work bag. We keep one in our car, too. They also have and honor a lifetime warranty that I’ve used and they repair the umbrella and send it back.
Q: What were the inexpensive sheets you shared recently?
A: I think you’re talking about these Target ones! Inexpensive but surprisingly high quality. I originally bought these as “back ups” for our primary bedroom but we now have two sets that we rotate in and out equally with more expensive brands. If you’re looking for something for a child’s room, you might be remembering the Petite Plume ones my daughter has on her bed!
Q: Shoe recommendations in line with the loafer trend but slightly more feminine.
A: Boden has these really cute stitched ones that remind me of Loro Piano. Tres chic!
Q: Do you use the Metcons for running?
A: I do not. I use my Free Runs for running (still my favorite) and the Metcons for gym sessions. My first training session, I wore running shoes, and my trainer pointed out that they were designed for forward motion and that I needed a pair that would offer more support and stability when I’m jumping / doing side steps / etc.
Q: Black tie wedding, April, NYC.
A: Three gorgeous dresses that stopped me in my tracks recently that are $$: this Alexis, this Anna October, and this Simkhai. More reasonable: I love the options from Reformation, especially the printed ones, like this. And this is so unexpected! Finally, if you’re a black dress girl, this $220 va va voom. And a budget buy: how spectacular is this?! Such a fun color!
Q: Woven neutral flat.
A: Ooh lots of good options for this. I was just eyeing these Ancient Greeks! These $130 Sam Edelmans remind me a lot of Mansur Gavriels and could be worn with anything. I own and adore these — the most comfortable ballet flat right out of the box, and I feel like they look fab with everything from jeans to dresses to skirts, at varying degrees of formality, too. Also love the look of these! For a splurge: these Pradas.
Q: Christening dress for my daughter in June.
A: Pixie Lily and Feltman Brothers have gorgeous traditional options. Also love the options from La Coqueta.
P.S. These crosses are beautiful keepsakes for a Christening.
Q: Turtleneck sweatshirt, but not Dudley Stephens.
A: I love a turtleneck, too! You might consider this Varley or this Donni!
Q: Non-denim pants for everyday.
A: My top picks are these (ordered), these, or these.
Q: I saw you own the Sezane Oscar coat. What do you think?
A: It’s OSFA, so very oversized on me (I’m petite, 5’0), but I still adore it. I like to layer it with a very thin base layer so you can still make out a silhouette. It’s a tad itchy so you really need to layer it over a long-sleeved shirt.
Q: Would like to hear any dress ideas for a black tie/country club wedding in Santa Barbara in May. Not strapless or one-shouldered. Under $400.
A: Love this for the occasion! You might also check out the Zimmermann options at Outnet for some beautiful spring appropriate dresses at a discount.
P.P.S. Words we avoid.
P.P.P.S. If you’re looking for some new reading…!