Ask Magpie: Habit Tracking Notebooks, Birthday Looks, + More.

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.