*Image via. Sparking joy!
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Q: My almost-three-year-old girl. Birthday right after Christmas.
A: Happy birthday to your little lady! I feel you – it is hard to scramble into a second gift-buying spree right after the holiday! Does she have any Maileg mice or accessories? Such a sweet set to start collecting — we’ve been collecting since mini was born. Also love dress-up for this age — this set from Sarah’s Silks, a princess dress from Great Pretenders, or the Aeromax space suit with matching helmet. Art supplies are always a hit. I love the craft kits from Kid Made Modern and the implements from Ooly. Finally, a doll baby? Mini loved her mini carolle doll from 12 months until she upgraded to American Girl maybe around four, but I think a three-year-old would love one, too. She still plays with all the little accessories, especially this bath tub set my MIL got her.
Q: I love that Sezane knit dress you have but it’s sold out. Anything similar?
A: Love that dress, too. Actually surprised myself by how much I’ve worn it! Not typically a figure-hugging-dress kind of gal, but this one felt so much more wearable. Anyhow, similar, chic options: this Banana, this Boden, this Misa, this Vineyard Vines, this Staud, and this Missoni (splurge!)!
Q: A holiday party outfit when I’m still feeling a little postpartum. Looking for chic and cool. Sigh!
A: You need this Sezane! So fabulous but loose-fitting and comfortable. Parisian-chic vibes.
Q: Jersey-knit hot pink blazer.
A: I love this L’Agence!
Q: Women’s winter boots.
A: My favorite everyday winter boots are the No. 6 clog boots. Perfect with everyday jeans / sweaters. Go up one size in these to account for winter socks (and they run a bit small/narrow to boot). They are SO warm and comfortable, and I like the Scandi-chic vibe. They do work well in rainy/drizzly weather too. If you mean a proper snow boot? I’m partial to Sorel. I have the Joan of Arc’s from my heavy-duty-snow-days back in Chicago, but would have picked these slightly lower key ones if you live in a less frigid/snow-dense area. For slightly more stylish everyday wear, I’ve been living in these Isabel Marants. I love the way they look both with dresses and with jeans.
Q: Still searching for holiday party outfits. Festive but in Michigan.
A: Go for fun statement sweaters! I just picked up this beauty and she’ll look amazing with jeans and a turtleneck or gussied up over a metallic skirt. Also love this Anthro, this Zara, this Alex Mill, this Doen.
Q: Nice Christmas lunch outfit.
A: I’m thinking of a fab festive blazer like this, this, or this with trousers!
Q: Picture frame under $150.
A: Anthro has some really beautiful / fun ones. I love these striped ones! These marbleized ones also caught my eye recently. If you’re looking for something more classic/traditional, Pottery Barn has great options at reasonable prices.
Q: Question for a future post: casual everyday crossbody/bag (small) that has the ease and convenience of a belt bag but isn’t a belt bag.
A: I love my FRP Collection Sylvia bag for this use case. Perfect size, fun shape, great color options. I wear my constantly in the summer (I have in the mint!) but would also work well in winter months. Somehow the square shape keeps everything in place and easy to find.
Q: Shopping question for future post- men’s winter coat for January in New York. Appropriate for work but not too formal.
A: He needs this Herno! Warm but can be worn over dressier clothes. Also always love a wool topcoat. I like how men are styling these down these days — my husband wears over suits but also over his hoodies!
Q:For future post– word inspiration for a baby shower toast (my older brother’s first baby). The words aren’t coming to me!
A: This is so hard! My top tip is to speak from the heart vs. try to be funny (though there is so much pressure to be entertaining!) I would probably think about the traits in your brother that you think will make him an exceptional dad. Like what did he do to help “raise” you? Finally, if you can’t think of anything, the absolute best parenting advice I’ve received over the years, in various situations and permutations, is to trust yourself as a parent. You are the expert in your kid! Drown everyone else out and listen to your intuition. If there’s a way to fold that in, I know it will be cherished!
Q: Splurgey beauty gift.
A: This Susanne Kaufmann bath oil, which people absolutely lose their minds over (I’ve wanted to try for years!), or this UBeauty kit (currently 20% off!). Anything Chanel, too – the package delivers a major wow factor.
Q: Stocking stuffers for my husband.
A: I hope Mr. Magpie isn’t reading this far (if you are, STOP) — this Zippo match set (light even in rain/wind — great for an all-weather grilling enthusiast), this spoon rest, Marvis toothpaste, German mustard tube, Mack Weldon boxer briefs, back-up incense cones (we both love lighting our German incense smoker throughout the holidays, through NYE), Clarins skincare!
Q: NYE gown – black tie.
A: This Altuzarra, this Rebecca Vallance, or this Bernadette.
P.S. When are you at your best?
P.P.S. When did you meet your best friends?
P.P.P.S. Lots of good finds in my Amazon shop.
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