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Q: Outfit for casual daytime winery hang with girlfriends.
A: I would wear a loose, breezy dress like this, this (look for less), or this with a big straw bag, raffia fisherman sandals, and sunnies.
Q: Nice/cute blouses for dinners out.
A: I just ordered this $30 top to try after seeing it on a few chic peas on Instagram! I intend to pair with trending shell earrings. And I think all of us Magpies own this striped top (perfect with white jeans). I’m also loving the trending crochet look — something like this or this. Different direction: a white waistcoat style top (or my taupe colored one). And of course any of the dreamy, airy blockprint styles from Alix of Bohemia! I always get compliments on mine!
Q: Dress for my engagement party, late July, outside in Tennessee (hot!).
A: This sweet Rixo or anything from Posse’s white linen collection, like this (timeless!). For something romantic, Doen; for something classic and sweet, this Ref. For something bridal but not all-white, this HHH in the white tile print. If you’re looking for something dressier, this Ulla, this Prabal Gurung or this Mayle Vasquez. No budget: Elie Saab.
Q: 40th birthday gifts for friends.
A: Fun! A Julia Amory husband shirt, fun piece of jewelry from Notte or Hart, a splurgey beauty gift like this UBeauty lip plasma trio or one or two of your favorite products from Goop, an Alice Walk crewneck.
Q: Black tie optional wedding guest dress in late June in Tennessee.
A: This Zimmermann, this Hyacinth House, this Agua Bendita, this Ganni, this Cinq A Sept.
Q: Patterned shorts like the Alemais and Zimmermann ones but under $150.
Q: A white midi skirt like the Doen one for less.
A: Get the Gap x Doen one!
Q: What to wear to kids’ sports events?
A: My big lesson from this past year: don’t be a martyr here — this is one realm where I have learned I must dress practically. There is dirt, mud, sweat, gnats, grass…I like to wear my Beyond Yoga sets or Lululemon athletic dress (look for less with this) with a top layer like one of my Alice Walk sweatshirts or Spanx sweatshirt (10% off with SHOOPXSPANX), fun sneaks, and always a ballcap (I like the ones from Clare Vivier, and the ones from Merci Paris are fun). Don’t forget bug spray and a practical tote like a Naghedi (neoprene, so pretty sturdy!).
Q: Pillow inserts for my family room sofa.
A: I use these Amazon ones several places in our home — decent fill and the price is right. My main tip here is always to size up 2″ from the size of the pillow sham. So if the sham is 18″, buy a 20″ insert; if 20″, buy the 22″ insert. Trust me! Nothing sadder than a deflated sham. Buying the 2″ size up will fill out the case properly.
Q: Fourth of July jammies for the kids.
A: These Lake stars, these PP stripes, these “freedom fighters,” these lobsters.
Q: Tennis polos.
A: Rhoback (founded by a UVA grad — Wahoowa!), Tuckernuck, Lacoste, Athleta, L’Etoile, or Rhone. (And how great is this tennis dress?! Love the lines. And, frankly, everything from the L’Etoile X VB collection)!
Q: Flattering athletic shorts that aren’t bike shorts.
A: I like the ones I have from Tracksmith, Sweaty Betty, and Beyond Yoga. Even though I’m short (5’0), I prefer a longer inseam for running and find them more flattering, too. Go up a size in the Tracksmiths — they run really small. Love their vintage styling, and they are top of the line in terms of quality and functionality IMO.
P.S. When was the last time you felt truly happy?
P.P.S. On optimization fatigue.
P.P.P.S. Designing spaces for creativity.
Jen, you’ve got to see the summer collection at Koi Bird! Tomato hair clips. Swimsuits with seashell boobs. Lemon-print corset tops. That Alemais set you love so much with the citrus. Nautilus rings. It’s so stunning and $$$$ and unfortunately I want all of it. https://www.koibird.com/collections/resort
OMG, GASP! Love it all!! Thanks for sending!