Image via. I’m pretty sure she’s wearing my favorite ankle wrap sandals from Margaux, which have already sold out in select sizes for the season!
Q: Good goal-setting/habit-tracking notebooks?
A: I’ve tried a few and found most to be too overwrought. It needs to be simple and easy! My favorite methods are either having a small standing desk calendar and crossing off the dates you do something (I do this for exercise, plus it’s really handy to have a calendar in my line of sight all day) OR using one of these simple habit tracking pads. If you are open to something a bit more robust, you might like Appointed’s Habit Tracker or Weekly Task Pad. (I believe MAGPIEBYJENSHOOP gets you a discount – 10 or 15%?). I find their products exceptionally well-designed, and beautiful!
Q: 40th birthday weekend in Bermuda.
A: Bermuda is one of the destinations I’m going to create a packing guide for, but my instinct for the big event / focal point event for the weekend is something beachy, pretty, and fun like this, this, or this.
Q: Garden party wedding guest dress – under $300.
A: This is so sweet. I also love this green-and-white striped number (use code YOUROCK or YOURULE to get 20% off, bringing the price down).
Q: Corporate family picnic.
A: I would probably wear something like this or this with a flat leather sandal.
Q: Teacher gift ideas.
A: I feel like every Magpie teacher has said — a gift card! And a thoughtful note. But a few other ideas…you could give them a Stanley tumbler (personalized with a vinyl sticker?), a personalized pouch with some little summer goodies inside, one of these straw visors with their initials, a mini Ouai set, personalized stationery? Depends on how well you know the teacher of course…!
Q: Advice for 40+ mom who wants to start creatively writing but needs some “how-to” support.
A: Thank you for this question! I’m so glad you’re getting started! I would recommend daily journaling, with the scaffolding of a prompt. Suleika is a great creative writing prompt source — and Elizabeth Gilbert is another good one. Start there and see what happens. You might find you like one or two specific prompts and revisit them frequently; you might prefer to free write; you might want a fresh challenge daily. I know it might sound overwrought, but try to get into a daily routine with it, i.e., find a time and set of rituals that accommodate it. It’s a lot easier to make progress if you’re trying it daily, if only for 10 minutes at a time.
Q: Chunky bead necklace (like Theodosia) in bright color, but under $100.
A: Try this Etsy shop! Also love this Sezane.
Q: White/cream flat sandal rec.
A: I’m obsessed with this pair from Margaux. The silhouette feels so fresh. (Other options along these lines, but with a twist: K. Jacques and A. Emery.) I also like the restraint/minimalism of this pair, and these are fun as a pool option. If you’re after something more casual, these woven Birks have been FLYING among Magpies, and for a splurge — these!
OH! And I have a thing for fisherman sandals; Gabriela Hearst has an iconic, $$$ pair, but you can get the look for less (under $100) with these.
Q: Toys/activities for a long play ride for my nieces – 7 and 9.
A: I like the activity books from Lonely Planet and Usborne. I find my daughter (8) will really focus on them for awhile – they’re so thoughtfully done. These dry-erase games on the go and drawing games were also big hits. Find out, too, what books they’re into — buy or borrow one for each! This may be specific to my daughter, but she loves to draw, and I always bring a fresh notebook, a new pack of markers or gel pens, and a drawing prompt book. These “cute” coloring books and fancy markers (decant into a bag like this first) have also been a big hit with her! If you think they’ll go for it, you could also try some of the travel-friendly games (slash travel versions of these games) I shared here (and the comments are fantastic).
Q: Toddler ring bearer outfit.
A: A tiny suit from Janie and Jack or a set like this from La Coqueta if more traditional!
Q: Blue floral MOH dress for my sister’s polo club wedding.
A: Congrats, friend! I love this, this, this, this, this, or this.
Q: Welcome party in Aspen, CO – upscale cowboy theme.
A: This Zimmermann!
Q: High school graduation dress – I’m the mother.
A: Congrats! I like something like this, this, or this. Polished, elegant. If the vibe is less dressy, check out the fun styles and patterns from Pink City Prints.
Thank you Jen! You always have the best recs 🙂
🙂 Thank YOU! What a compliment! xx