A post-it note reading: “Heat at 350 for 20-25 minutes.”
Your dad wandering around your backyard, tearing up weeds.
A text message replying: “YES!!!”
The door knob mysteriously fixed.
An email reading: “Saw this and thought of you.”
A string of heart emojis.
Your favorite flavor of yogurt stocked in your mother’s fridge.
“Tell me everything.”
****
A few weeks ago, my best friend and her husband were staying over, and as her husband came into the kitchen, I asked, near-reflexively: “How did you sleep?” He looked a little surprised, and then pleased, and said: “Oh! Great, thanks.” As soon as the question came out of my mouth, I realized I was parroting my mother. Asking how I’ve slept is one of my her favorite ways of saying “I love you” — more a gesture of affection than anything else. I want you to be rested and comfortable, is the subtext, and I care about how you feel.
U.A. Fanthorpe put it best: “There is a kind of love called maintenance // Which stores the WD40 and knows when to use it.” Elsewhere, I’ve riffed on this sentiment when writing about Mr. Magpie: “I love the way you echo through my daily chores and counterspaces. Proof that love is a modest thing, never making a fuss about the furnishings. We’re just as likely to find it on the Duplo-strewn floor of the basement, tired parents with children crawling over us, as we are dressed to the nines sitting in a Paris cafe. Love is looking for us everywhere.”
What are some of the hidden ways people tell you they love you?
Post-Scripts.
+While visiting my sister in New York, she lamented (in her Nora Ephron manner), “No one ever makes me a salad. A salad is the ultimate gesture of love.” I knew what she meant. Sometimes love is a salad.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+I think most of us missed out on this cute Longchamp bag that chic peas in Europe are wearing out and about while it was part of the N. Sale (still some great buys available!), but you can still get it for $100 here. Convert to a crossbody with this little kit.
+If you liked my RL flag sweater (seen here) but want something a little less expensive, you might consider this (20% off with YOUROCK) or this (under $50).
+A great wardrobe staple – dress up or down. Throw a striped sweater on over your shoulders, pair with trendy sandals, toss on over a swimsuit…! There’s also room for a navy dress (under $100) in your closet.
+Bogg sent me one of their amazing waterproof beach/pool bags — I’ve seen so many moms at my pool with them and am SO excited. Very cleverly designed, with a little waterproof zip pouch you can clip into the interior to stow wallet / keys / phone. There are all kinds of clever accessories you can plug into the little grommets — this phone holster; this divider. I’ve decided to use this instead of my Paravel, which isn’t meant to get wet on the outside (but is lined on the inside and has lots of handy pockets!). I usually just keep it on a pool chair to prevent it from getting wet, but the Bogg is more practical.
+Speaking of Paravel, though: they’re running a GREAT sale. The Cabana tote is included ($75 off!!!), but the most insane deal is on their set of suitcases (large and roll-a-board) in the domino color — $570 for both vs $950!!!) I own and love this suitcase set (in the scout tan color). Can’t rec enough if you’re in the market! 40% off! (Get these for your kids – currently $70! – and personalize with these initial stickers.)
+Julia Amory’s latest drop of Jane dresses in hot pink and kiwi green are so chic. Just add big earrings and either a heel or a dressy flat sandal and you’re looking like a million bucks. (15% off with JEN-15)
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I can’t tell if it’s the midsummer malaise (several of you pointed out last summer that the final week or two of July is the nadir of summer energy — camp fatigue, lack of motivation, intense heat!), post-vacation-of-a-lifetime blues, or just a run-of-the-mill mood, but I’ve felt bleh this week. Even trusting that everything is a flowing, I’ve been frustrated by my own alien listlessness.
Have you been feeling the same way, I wonder?
On Monday night, we watched Mother Nature unleash her fury in sheets of driving rain and gales of forceful wind. (I write that with a smirk: while birding in Aspen, our guide chastened us against foisting human narratives on the natural world after my SIL made a snarky comment about male ducks “loafing” after procreation.) It was a classic D.C. midsummer storm — the kind that never actually breaks the humidity, but rather angrily shuffles around the furniture before returning to its original, thickly hot state. The lights flickered, then went out for the rest of the night. We didn’t let the outage interrupt us: Mr. Magpie lit the stove by matchstick, we ate outside in the crepuscular post-storm light, and I read the children their bedtime stories by electric lantern. After, Mr. Magpie and I drank wine on the front stoop, talking nothing and everything into our unlit street. Photos throughout this post taken without any light the night of the storm!)
Even this reminder to unplug, to let be, did not fully perforate my haze —
I kept wanting to shake myself by the shoulders! To galvanize myself!
But I was reminded of Morgan Harper Nichols’ words:
“Let July be July. Let August be August. And let yourself
just be even in the uncertainty. You don’t have to fix everything.”
I couldn’t have written more nichely-specific words for my state of mind myself — !
I felt a coolness wash over me. Aha. You don’t have to fix everything.
I saw in the Monday storm my own reflection: a great movement of energy achieving no ending. No break in the heat, no pause in the mood.
So I tiptoed away from the loom, I shut the piano fallboard. I reminded myself to stop fishing by obstinate isles. Sometimes we need time to do nothing at all.
July feels ripe for it.
Post-Scripts: A Shopping Poem.
These cropped Nantucket red jeans have my attention; I can’t stop thinking about them. // La Ligne launched a collection of featherweight silk/cashmere blend knits for summer — the kind of thing you’ll buy and wonder how you got through life without before? This one’s a classic. // It “felt like” 110 degrees on Tuesday, and yet I found myself looking closely at these Toteme boots for fall. Hard to buy out of season but they are smart and polished and I know my future self will thank me. // Our favorite “lazy girl body care” brand, Hanni, just launched a new product: The Fatty, described as “lip balm for your skin.” A hydrating stick — lotion in a tube! I can’t wait to get my hands on one. A reminder, this splash salve (moisturizing balm you apply in the shower) is an Everything Shower essential for me. They offered us 15% off with JEN15. // 25% off sitewide at Mille. You need this dress. // I can’t stop blabbing about this linen tee (15% off with JEN15). I love her. Perfect level of burnout — semi-sheer and pretty sexy. Surprise yourself and try it — your husband will approve, especially layered over one of these. // Bought my son these Sambas with the red stripes – he’s going to flip out. We’re in our red era. // Speaking of my son, he’s wearing these adorable sailboat pajamas in the photo above, clinging to Mr. Magpie. He usually likes to sleep in his boxers, just like his dad, so this was a rare moment for him — and seeing him in that matching set reminded me of him in his toddler years. Matryoshka moment. // These earrings look way more expensive than they are. Going to order to try! They’re reminding me of the way Brent Neale sets her stones. (More classic jewelry for less here.)
By: Jen Shoop
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+STYLING THE BASIC TEE: Another Ines Cuens style moment I could not get over! This is exactly how I want to look right now. This snap led me to wear my linen tee (similar to the one she’s wearing) twice this week, once over a swimsuit with my red shorts and once with my white eyelet maxi skirt (still a handful left, and on sale!). I also ordered my favorite t-shirt in gray (already own in white and black). I’m telling you, these shirts are IT. Perfect weight, polish, length. The best. 15% off with JEN15.
On the skirt front: she’s wearing European brand Zottier (style now sold out), but similar here. Also still have my eye on this more tailored / streamlined Byrdie (you can remove the train).
+A LAUGH: Do you follow Liam Stapleton on Instagram? Some of his impressions (Harry Potter, Borat) made Mr. Magpie and I laugh so hard we had to pause — especially set against his wife’s obvious “over it” eye rolls.
+FERAL MOM SUMMER: Thanks to a Magpie reader for sending this amazing musing on embracing the chaos of summer with young kids. I related to so much of her described experience — the tangle of sandals at the door, the caked-on sunscreen, the repeated meals of hot dogs and buttered pasta! It’s OK, friends. Lean into it. We’ll get back to discipline in September.
+PASTA SALAD SUMMER: I saw this recipe from Caroline Chambers and my mouth was watering. This is not the kind of food my husband typically enjoys but I am going to be preparing it for some girlfriends this weekend as a part of a little girls’ night at home. (Will supplement with delivery pizza and rose!)
+EYEING + BUYING + WEARING: A shortlist of some of my favorite recent buys and finds: 1) Been wearing this hat constantly — offers such great sun protection and very on-trend. The look for less is back in stock! 2) My sister brought this hilarious game to Aspen and we were crying with laughter by round three. Sort of a twist on charades? Very funny. I bought as a gift for Mr. Magpie’s aunt and cousins, who we’ll be seeing at Deep Creek Lake in a few weeks — they love games! 3) Currently testing this mousse for a little volume. 4) My fun new cherry clip (inspired by Emi Jay’s). 5) Green pants – love this color! I’ve ordered several pairs of statement pants — these, these, these — for summer over the past few weeks, but these are fun and very affordable. I’d pair with a denim button-down. 6) For my burgeoning birding hobby. 7) I did order this Bottega-inspired bag! 8) My current favorite lip/cheek color. 9) I just ordered these Adidas sneakers — the colors sang to me! 10) Viral jellies, restocked!
+AN UNDER THE RADAR BEAUTY BRAND: If your lashes are looking a little sparse — you must consider this Queen Musia growth serum mascara. I’d never messed around with any of the lash-growing mascaras before but this one is clean and features plant-based ingredients. Most importantly, it really works. I’ve used on and off over the past six months when I feel I need a little extra volume / fullness. Has a natural look as a daily mascara. I also absolutely love their lipstick in the Madame Bovary color! One of my summer go-tos. Really pretty.
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A lot of outfit changes this week! It was hot, and we were busy spiders! Also, a reminder that I’ve recently updated and alphabetized my promo code page — check there for codes!
HILL HOUSE MARGO DRESS — MY STYLE SOLD OUT BUT THIS FABULOUS PATTERN (MY FAVORITE HHH HAS EVER DONE!) AVAILABLE IN THIS STYLE OR THIS ONE // LA LIGNE SWEATER (MAGPIE10 FOR 10% OFF)
RICKI BEACH CLUB SWIMSUIT // ALICE WALK GAUZE SHORTS // LOEFFLER RANDALL JELLIES (LOOK FOR LESS HERE)
LAKE PAJAMAS (COMES SOLD AS A CLEVER BUNDLE, WITH SHORTS!) // BED WINE, MODEL’S OWN
You just can’t go wrong with red/white/blue during these peak summer months, and is there anything more iconic than RL’s classic flag sweater?! (BTW, the fit and feel of this sweater is a 10/10 — they’re classics for a reason.) A few of my favorite recent looks…
JENNI KAYNE HAT // HILL HOUSE DRESS (EXACT STYLE SOLD OUT, BUT THIS INSANELY PERFECT PATTERN IS AVAILABLE IN A DIFFERENT STYLE HERE) // LA LIGNE SWEATER
Some mood boards to spotlight a few other favorite finds…and I really must wax poetic about this perfect HHH pattern. It is my favorite pattern they’ve ever released — unusual, punchy, with the absolute best color combos.
One thing I observed about my parents while in Colorado was that they persisted in their daily routines even while traveling — both of them exercised in the mornings, took rests in the afternoons, read the newspaper, and drank no alcohol before dinnertime. This led me to look inward and wonder about my own non-negotiables — what are they, and why do I hold them sacrosanct?
To be honest, I was hard-pressed to come up with anything interesting, which made me think, with a little ping of surprise, that maybe I am less devoted (or more flexible) than I think I am? Or perhaps I am still in that heavy-on-the-vine season of life where I am constantly negotiating with what I can realistically accomplish in a day, and forced to shuffle between priorities. Or maybe, in this phase of life, I have been conditioned to think in terms of longer units of time. (I’m thinking specifically of the many Magpies who suggested you evaluate how much your children eat over the course of 48 hours vs 24 hours, or think in terms of a week’s pattern in toilet training.) For example, in the two months leading up to this trip, I was locked in on my fitness routine. I worked out five or six days of the week, alternating between running and Heather Robertson videos, and sometimes doubling up on the two. However, I knew that my regimen was not going to be permanent. I have observed that over the past few years, I have had to take breaks from exercising owing to injury, ailment, particularly busy times of life, and travel, and I’ve made peace with those hiatuses: a feature, not a bug, of my fitness routine. Accordingly, I went into the trip actively planning not to exercise daily so I could maximize time with family and have more space to experience the uniqueness of a place I love and will only visit for nine days this year. But I am leaping back into my regimen now that I’m home. (Similarly, sometimes I am in a heavy reading groove, and yet I know that I will not always be there. I know I’ll come to a book that leave me parched and languishing in a book hangover, or that I’ll half-read a handful of smeh books that I’ll give up on, and that’s OK, too.) I guess this suggests I’m thinking in cadences of a month rather than day-to-day. I don’t know what this says about me? I consider myself a highly motivated, commitment-comfortable person, and yet my comfort in zipping into and out of routines makes me wonder about that whole “it takes 21 days to start a habit” adage…
Still, the things I do the most consistently, on a daily basis (or pretty damn close — hard to think of a single day I haven’t done each of these things):
Write — to really know what I think; as instinctual to me as breathing
Wash my face A.M. and P.M. — the world could be crumbling and some days it feels that it is, and still I will be at my sink with my cleanser
Make my bed
Get dressed, and really — I don’t feel ready for the day until I’ve put on a full outfit
Say “I love you” as often as my family can stand it
Put the house to sleep — clean the kitchen, corral the mess, run the dishwasher, turn off the lights
Try to pray — I’m in a digital prayer circle with my mom and sister and each morning, we text each other the praying hands emoji. Some mornings, the prompt is more yielding than others.
Cuddle with my children and husband
Listen — I think I do a good job of paying attention to the people and places in my daily life
As I put this together, I realized that I’d like to add “get outside” and “move by body” to the list. Losing Tilly has meant that I must be much more disciplined about walking outside in the mornings and evenings. I fall into and out of this habit, but I find my entire day changes when I take even a few minutes to stand outside in the backyard, or walk to the end of our street and back. I’d say I do this about 2/3 of the days of a given week, but couldn’t in good conscience add it to my non-negotiable (daily) list above. A good prompt to draw my day into better alignment with my values.
+Chappywraps are on sale! I was just chatting with my mom about these and I think she’s going to gift one to each of my siblings for Christmas. My favorite prints: this, this, this.
+I just updated my promo code page to organize from A-Z and include some incredible new codes (YSE Beauty, Julia Amory, Aurate)! Don’t miss the Aurate code for 30% off — use JENSHOOP.
+OK, this $25 denim popover dress is SO cute in either wash. Feels sort of Veronica Beard to me (they do such great tailored denim pieces). Wear now with netted flats and later with boots. While there, grab this quilted popover for your son!
+Speaking of polished denim, these are already on my radar for fall.
+If you like the Dorsey tennis bracelet but are looking for something more affordable, you might consider Aurate’s version! I’ve been impressed with the quality of this brand. I actually gave my sister-in-law this necklace when I saw her in Aspen, and she said she’s been wearing it daily and thinking of me! I like its chic simplicity. This brand is beautiful to gift — everything comes packaged in gorgeous green substantial boxes. Feels like fine jewelry!
+Love these eyelet shorts from hot label Parke. It’s hard to get your hands on their pieces — they sell through so quickly. (P.S., they combine two of my favorite trends this summer: boxer shorts and eyelet.). This pair from LR is a tad longer on the leg and a bit more Doen-like.
+In my constant quest for better hair — looking for a mousse to help achieve more volume at the crown. I ordered this to try first, in the travel size. Will report back, but let me know if you have a mousse you love that doesn’t leave hair crispy or weigh fine hair down? (I also dug into a few Reddit threads on this subject, and this and this came up as recs, too.)
+I’ve just noticed several women wearing these sandals around Bethesda / Chevy Chase recently. Love them. (More chic things I’ve seen worn out and about this summer here.)
+New label I’m obsessed with: Toccin. Veronica Beard vibes. Love this and this!
+Now here is a fabulous evening out / formal look for summer. Wowza!
+This new-to-me skincare brand keeps popping up on Instagram. I’m intrigued by these micellar pads for travel – I usually just order a pack of the Neutrogena wipes because I don’t want to have to bring a bottle of makeup remover / micellar water and pads with me; these appeal.
By: Jen Shoop
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
A handful of great day-two finds below (day one picks — many still available — here; you can also shop all my Prime Day finds here, on Amazon!) —
+The best scalp scrubber to use in conjunction with the Goop Gtox salt scrub shampoo we all bought yesterday (now sold out on Amazon, but you can still buy here — well worth the full price IMO). I swear by this little tool in the dead of summer, and also for situations where you’ve used too much product in your hair (this happened to me with a protein shampoo I just could not get out of my hair!)
+My favorite way to display memorabilia: little prayer cards, children’s artwork, handwritten notes or recipes, special photos, ribbons! I have these all over our home.
+The peplum tank I wore earlier this summer for date night (seen here) is now $20!
+Highly tempted by these bone-conduction headphones for running — so many Magpies have recommended, and my best running buddy swears by them. Safer, as you can still hear the noises around you (cars, dogs, other runners, bikers!)
+My SIL had an Osprey-brand backpack she wore all over Aspen — she’s in-the-know about cool gear. I found this belt bag by the same brand and have it in my cart for her as a Christmas gift.
+Picked up this brush pouch for travel on the rec of Mackenzie (she advised the larger size). And this incredible makeup brush (always a great deal at around $8, but an extra 20% off right now) is a great partner purchase. This brush was a bestseller among Magpies for weeks — it’s a lot like Merit’s brush but a fraction of the price. (All my favorite makeup brushes here.)
+Chic stick lamps for tabletop or outdoors. I wished I had these earlier this week when our power went out in the storm!
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
We just returned from eight days in Aspen, Colorado, and I could have easily stayed for a month and fully occupied each and every morning, noon, and night. I grew up spending my summers there, and not much has changed, so I recognize there’s an element of nostalgia here, but I’ll say this nonetheless: there is nothing like a Colorado summer, and Aspen has its unique charms to sweeten the pot.
Getting to Aspen, CO.
Most of us on the Eastern seaboard (where the bulk of Magpie readers live!) will need to fly to Denver to get to Aspen. You can then rent a car and drive four hours, or connect in Denver and fly to ASE — a charming, postage-stamp-sized airport whose runways are cluttered with private jets. We have done both. After driving from Denver to Aspen on our most recent trip, I’d suggest connecting flight in Aspen if you have children under, say, 8 or 10. It’s a long last leg, and the roads are windy (both of my kids got carsick! My sister’s kids were so sick from the ride, they had to find dramamine and drove a different, longer route back). Otherwise, it’s dealer’s choice. I will say there’s something nice about driving since you don’t need to worry about making the connection (for some reason, I always find that the timing between flights is irritating for that last leg — either too little time or way too much), and the drive in the summer is spectacular. You cross Independence Pass (the Continental Divide!), drive through banks of snow (even in July), and generally feel on top of the world. I also spotted marmot, deer, and elk on our most recent drive, and there are sections with street signs to look out for Big Horn Sheep! The timing didn’t work out on this trip, but there’s a BBQ restaurant called Smokin Yard’s BBQ about 1.5 hours outside of Denver that is supposed to be excellent and would make a great late lunch pit stop to break up the drive.
Note that you will lose phone service for a good portion of the Independence Pass drive — be prepared with directions!
Where to Stay in Aspen.
For my entire childhood and every visit since, we have stayed at The Gant. It’s a development of privately-owned condos that offers a lot of the amenities of a standard hotel (daily housekeeping, pools, a concierge, a van that takes you wherever you want to go, common areas, a nice coffee shop/wine bar on premises). The units are not luxurious, but they are comfortable. And I am obsessed with its location. You’re a short walk into the heart of town (maybe 5 minutes to City Market / Paradise Bakery), but you’re at the base of Aspen Mountain and can walk onto Ute Trail within minutes. Personally, Landon and I have fallen out of love with AirBnBs/VRBOs in recent years — so many rules, random fees, and we’ve heard too many horror stories from friends — but having access to a kitchen, common living space, etc when you’re traveling with kids makes a world of difference in terms of everyday comfort. The Gant is perfect from this standpoint: no sketchy interactions with a private owner, most of the comforts of hotel living, and lots of space. That said. If we return just the two of us (and I think Lan and I will be going back to hike the trail between Crested Butte and Maroon Bells next year), we plan to stay in one of the hotels, and would consider 1) The Hotel Jerome (an Auberge property with beautiful Western style — we used to go to breakfast here once a week when growing up, and will visit for cocktails every time we’re in town); 2) The St. Regis (probably the premiere luxury option in town); or 3) The Little Nell (an Aspen classic popular among skiiers because you more or less ski in and ski out — it’s right at the base of the lift — but would also be a great pick regardless of season because it’s smack dab in the middle of town).
Unit at The Gant, Aspen
The Gant, Aspen
What to Do in Aspen.
Our rafting guide on this most recent trip said: “If you don’t love the outdoors, Aspen is a hard place to live.” He was right. Aspen’s principal charms, IMO, are its spectacular views and wealth of outdoor activities. Below, a few of my family’s favorite things to do in summer:
+Go horseback riding. We had a fantastic experience with Maroon Bells Outfitters on this most recent trip. They have lots of different offerings (including dinner rides, multi-hour rides, etc), but the one hour option was perfect for all of the little cousins on this most recent trip. My son (5) was too young for this, but we were able to sign him up for a 30 minute pony ride, which he loved. It was much more interesting than just a walk around a paddock — they took him to a little pond and then a field, and he had a ball.
+Walk the Rio Grande Trail. This starts down in Herron Park and is an easy, paved route if you’re traveling with young children, elderly, strollers, etc. It’s one of my favorite ways to start the day, and will take you across and along the Roaring Fork. Another easy, family-friendly walk runs along Ute Drive, crosses the Roaring Fork, and ends on 82 (easy walk into the center of town).
+Go birding at Hallam Lake with a guide from ACES. (I wrote about my most recent experience here.) Be sure to check out the calendar — while we were in town, we were able to attend a Raptor Fair geared towards children that they loved and included being within a few feet of a bald eagle, an osprey, several types of owls, etc. They have lots of great nature programming and excursions and even a summer camp for kids that I used to attend (still in operation, but didn’t work with our scheduled this year).
+Go rafting. Blazing Adventures is the group to use for this. You can meet them at their shop at the base of Aspen Mountain and they bus you out to your put-in point. The guides were phenomenal and were able to tailor our ride down the Colorado River to perfectly accommodate the interests and capabilities of our 5 and 7 year old. This was one of the most memorable parts of our trip! The views are breathtaking, and the guides point out all kinds of local, natural history. Very entertaining. (They provide all the wet suits and gear you’ll need, FYI.)
+Go fly-fishing. My Dad is an avid angler (there are many stories from my brothers-in-law about the humiliation of trying to fish next to my dad — he’ll cast once and reel in a 14″ rainbow trout while they’ll be out there for hours in vain) and likes to fish the Roaring Fork, the Frying Pan, and several of Aspen’s lakes and reservoirs. Many of these are stocked, some are hike-in, so depends on your comfort level. I do remember my dad shopping at Taylor Creek Fishing quite a bit in my youth — I think he liked the flies they carried and trusted the clerks for insider intel on what the fish were eating at the moment — and would start there if you’re looking for a guide.
+Ice cream and live music at Paradise Bakery. Every night from 7-9 PM, a small concert takes place in the small square in front of Paradise Bakery! Truly romantic.
+Rent bikes. We did not do this (not big bikers in our family — yet!), but the Aspen Bikes shop on E. Durant street is always (and always has been) abuzz with activity.
+Take in the Snowmass Rodeo. We had a lot of fun here this most recent trip! Even the people-watching is fun — a lot of cowboy cosplay — and they have a decent “saloon” (bar) with passable margs and other fare. We ate dinner here (BBQ) and it’s sort of part of the experience but it’s nothing to write home about either — just FYI. Lines for food can be long, too. The website makes a big deal about limited parking, so we took two public buses to get to the rodeo from Snowmass and then found there was ample parking after all…? Take that for what you will. (At the same time, the Aspen/Snowmass buses are clean and well-run, so no complaints.)
+Take the Gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain. You can buy tickets the day-of at the base of the mountain. (Kids 6 and under are free.) Lots of fun things to do at the top — play structures, an enormous chess set, and musical instruments for the kids; disc golf for adults; and general wandering around what feels like the top of the world. There is also a small cafe, and it always feels like something’s happening up there — live music, Mass on the Mountain (for fellow Catholics!), etc.
+Go hiking. Probably one of the main draws for me — lots of great, advanced hiking in the area. My favorite trails are Cathedral and American Lakes (start at the same trailhead — both lead to spectacular lakes), Ute Trail (rocky switchbacks), and the Independence Lake Trailhead (you get pretty close to 13K feet on this trail). Weller Lake Trail is an easier hike that ends at a beautiful lake — worth considering if you’re with mixed skill levels.
+Attend a performance put on by the Aspen Music Festival + School. I have great memories of an evening listening to Chopin a few Aspen trips ago. Check out the calendar!
+Visit Maroon Bells. The most-photographed mountains in the the U.S.! Breathtaking. Note that you now must buy a pass in advance to park here. Some of the outdoor outfitters offer shuttles, too.
+Storytime at the Aspen Public Library. We loved this as kids!
+Play golf at Aspen’s public golf course. This is unlike any public golf course you’ve been to before. Beautifully maintained with spectacular views. My husband, brother, and brothers-in-law had a blast playing this course this summer.
+Visit the Aspen Art museum. Small but packs a punch – great to pop in while wandering town or on a rainy afternoon.
+Wander through the Farmer’s Market (Saturdays). The line for doughnuts is insane! We loved the kettle corn stand.
+Visit one of the incredible local playgrounds — my kids loved the one on the edge of Wagner Park and at the base of Aspen Mountain, close to Ute Trail, called Ute Playground. Next level! There are also fountains the kids (and dogs) love to run through just down the way from Wagner Park. Grab a coffee at Unravel and let the kids loose!
+Specific to the Fourth of July: attend the parade (so charming!) and run or walk in the Boogie’s Race.
Where to Eat in Aspen.
Despite spending a lot of time in Aspen, because we’ve always stayed in condos, we’ve cooked in more than eaten out! This most recent trip, my parents hired a private chef to prepare all of our meals, as we had so many people (20!) with different dietary needs/preferences and various schedules owing to all the little children around. However, these are places either I’ve been or that people I trust recommended:
+Paradise Bakery – best breakfast pastries (cinnamon roll!) and evening gelato. I’d skip the coffee. For coffee, go to Unravel or Origin (at The Gant and surprisingly good — my brother-in-law and I were both obsessed with a cardamom latte they had). Paradise opens at 6:30 a.m. and there’s usually line by then — but it does move quickly.
+Ajax Tavern. Sceney in a way that might make you think you’ll get overpriced, underwhelming food, but the food is legitimately good, and the location is fun — right at the gondola/lift. A good place for a burger, glass of wine, and truffle fries. Kid-friendly!
+The White House Tavern. This was the place to be this past trip — never without a long wait. We tried to go twice but were turned away on both accounts! Modern American fare that looked delicious. Maybe next time…
+Casa Tua. An Aspen staple — refined European-meets-local cuisine.
+Meat and Cheese. In spite of its non-descript name, great carry-out options for a picnic or lunch for a group, and a cute little restaurant, too. Very busy while we were in town.
+Prospect at Hotel Jerome. We used to come to the Hotel Jerome once a week for breakfast when we were kids, and my dad and brother still talk about the huevos rancheros.
+Cache Cache. My parents’ favorite Aspen restaurant from back in the day!
+Clark’s Oyster Bar. I walked by here several times and my mouth watered at the plateaus of shellfish each time.
+Poppycocks. Full disclosure: my husband would hate this restaurant, but it’s a classic diner spot (think carafes of coffee and packets of butter) that all the locals love. Great for families. Usually has a line.
+Cocktails: Bad Harriet at the Hotel Jerome. Such a cool, cozy ambiance with a very interesting cocktail program.
Where to Shop in Aspen.
OH the shopping…! One thing I love about Aspen’s shopping is though you will probably be able to visit these boutiques elsewhere, they are all curated and merchandised so well to the Aspen context. For example, the Ralph Lauren there carries such a specific assortment of products tailor-made for the environment, the vibe, etc.
+Pitkin County Dry Goods. It’s been around for ages and carries lots of on-trend brands, from Cara Cara NYC to Emporio Sireneuse, alongside smaller brands I’ve never heard of. This place is always packed with stylish women from all over.
+Miron Crosby. To splurge on beautifully-made boots.
+Aspen T-Shirt Company (407 E Hyman Ave). You need the sweatshirt! I think this little stand has the best Aspen swag.
+COS Bar. This retailer now ships nationally, but started here in Aspen! Great curation of beauty brands, perfume lines, etc.
+Carl’s Pharmacy. Carries lots of fun novelties, toys, beauty brands, etc. Fun to wander around in. Kind of like a European pharmacy.
+Monkees Aspen. Fun, spendy, trendy kids clothes and toys. I almost bought a $70 intarsia sweater with ASPEN on the front…
+Ralph Lauren. The O.G. As noted above, an exceptional curation of their pieces tailor-made for the Aspen experience. While we were there, they put a small Ralph’s Coffee cart out front offering passersby free cold brews!
+Aspen Eclectic. An institution in our family. My parents used to give us each $20 to spend while in Aspen and we’d agonize over what to buy at this little toy shop. We took our kids there on this most recent trip, too.
+My mom and I also enjoyed popping into and out of several of the designer boutiques there — Bottega, Prada, etc.
What to Wear in Aspen, CO.
Layers! It is 45 in the morning and 75 at high noon. Most days, I’d start in athletic wear for the outdoorsy potion of the day (leggings or shorts, hiking boots, tank top, long-sleeved top, sweatshirt, hat), then switch into Birkenstocks for post-adventure lounge, and change into a casual dress for afternoon/evening. The vibe is upscale casual. I saw a lot of “cowboy cosplay” — boots, hats, turquoise belts around little white dresses — but you won’t feel out of place wearing pieces from Veronica Beard, La Ligne, or Doen that read classic Americana, but a little un-done or with a little extra interest.
What I’d pack (basically, what I did pack, or a version thereof — a few photos of me in my Aspen wardrobe here) below…
I also shared a mood board on what I’d want to wear in an ideal world on my various trips this summer here.
Final Notes / Tips on Travel to Aspen in Summer.
+The adjustment to the altitude is significant. It took us about 48 hours to fully acclimate — you’re at nearly 13,000 feet on the top of Aspen Mountain! Air is thin and we often felt dizzy and out of breath. Take it easy the first day or two (no big hikes — better to schedule horseback riding or rafting one of these days). Drink lots of water.
+My skin was so parched and dry while there — be sure to pack lip balm (I love this) and heavy-duty cream (I used this as a moisturizer).
+Paradise Bakery is the earliest spot open for breakfast/coffee if you’re trying to hit the trail early — opens at 6:30. (We did a thorough scan.)
+Sun is intense. You’re much closer to the sun! Be sure to pack sunscreen.
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Prime Day officially started this morning! I shared a few of my favorite finds already here, but our living room speaker (seen above — mirror will soon be installed behind this console!) already arrived and is perfect. Aesthetically pleasing (the brass detail works with the hardware in the room / overall it does not announce itself as technology as loudly as other designs) and integrates with AirPlay so I can put the same music on in our living room as we have streaming on the HomePods elsewhere in our home. This speaker was specifically well-reviewed by Rtings.com, one of my husband’s trusted review sites for tech. Our living room is close to being finished — we had window treatments put up last week, painting completed a few weeks ago, and are still waiting on a few pieces of furniture / the mirror — but as soon as the speaker went in, we immediately started using the space officially! Isn’t that funny? We were just waiting for that element to make it feel like an official living space.
A few other great new Prime Day deals (also updating this Amazon shop link as I find items):
MY TOP PICK:Our beloved Technivorm coffee machine. Sort of automates the pourover process for you? Mr. Magpie is a big coffee guy (has gone so far as to hand-grind his beans, which coffee purists insist is THE best way), and this machine is the result of a lot of research and trial and error. Yields a superior, smooth cup. We still grind our own beans (just not manually) using this Fellow grinder. Trust me, this duet of products will be a great gift for your coffee lover spouse.
GOOP BEAUTY: (Worth its own category — now is the time to buy!). I’ve written extensively about all my favorite Goop products here, and am a huge fan girl. Don’t miss…their 72-hour water cream (30% off! — worked wonders in Aspen); their scalp scrub (30% off — I literally cannot live without this, especially in the summer months. I probably use it 1-2x a month, after a few weeks of sun / sand / SPF / sweat / etc and it feels like a big cleansing reset); their Clean Nourishing Lip Balm Trio (20% off!) I love these colored lip balms — glide on like chapstick and leave the prettiest color. The pink is a staple, but I’ve been wearing the tomato red a bit more this summer, a la the “strawberry milk makeup” trend.
+BEAUTY: the WOW dream coat blow-dry primer, rec’d by Julia Amory (hair queen); Supergoop Glowscreen; Kristin Ess travel shampoo set (thanks to a Magpie reader rec, loved this while in Aspen – also 20% off in full size); our favorite sunscreen (we buy these pump bottles in bulk whenever on sale and station by the back door, keep one in pool bag, etc) and facial sunscreen sticks (every time a parent sees me use these, they ask what they are! glide on effortlessly and provide incredible coverage); my favorite product to use between manicures (looks polished, but fool-proof to apply — like a little extra glow on the nail).
Meanwhile, Shopbop is offering 25% off a selection of its pieces in honor of Prime Day, too. This includes Hunza G suits. One of my girlfriends texted me about this promotion because she’s been looking for everyday huggie earrings, and the sale includes a lot of Shashi and Adina Eden options at very reasonable prices. (P.S., these drops — $41 with code — remind me of the My Pariahs I’ve been wearing so much lately!)
Finally, Doen’s Warehouse Sale started today, and includes this easy-breezy striped dress for only $116. You will wear it all summer long. Super lightweight and comfortable. I also really love this romantic dress — it’s currently in my cart as a possibility for my 14 year wedding anniversary in August! This is my favorite time of year to stock up on everyday dresses, usually as low as $120-ish, and they go fast — all my picks here.
Happy shopping! Why does it feel like Black Friday?!
We compiled all Magpie recipes into beautiful cards for your kitchen! Get the recipe card collection in your inbox here.
This morning, republishing a delicious recipe from last summer, as I know many of you made and loved it then, and — the time is nigh! (Excessive heat warnings in D.C. this week!) I also wanted to use this post to mention that — by Magpie request! — I have transferred all of my recipes to cards that you can download here, and will be embedding them into all my recipe posts so you can pin them / download them / print them more easily. (I know they can be hard to access when embedded in text in a post.)
Enjoy!
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Mr. Magpie is impressively disciplined about avoiding food waste — he will eat leftovers for days, freeze excess using his beloved vac pac system, nearly shave off his fingers on the mandolin to avoid discarding the heel of a clove of garlic, and prioritize wilting produce in the week’s menu. This is one of the many ways in which he expresses his passion for food, which, as I wrote elsewhere, reflects his attractive openness to joy.
Last week, he was humming around the house looking for a good use for the better part of a pint of really fancy heavy cream — the kind that comes in a thick glass bottle from a local creamery and costs about $10 — that had gone unused. “Whipped cream?” I suggested, unhelpfully. He turned more practically to Serious Eats and found a simple recipe for an icebox pie with only a handful of ingredients and enlisted the aid of my children in making it.
This is the perfect dessert for a hot summer gathering. It feeds a crowd, can be prepared well in advance, and calls for only four ingredients. Your children will delight in helping you make it, and it strikes me as something difficult to mess up. Oh, and it’s delicious. Tangy and custard-like, it’s as though key lime pie and pudding had a baby. And I love a chilled dessert. Keeps beautifully and feels so refreshing during these full-humidity D.C. days.
You might even have all of these items on hand — try it this weekend!
1/2 cup lime juice plus 1 tablespoon zest from 8 limes
10 ounces (about 2 1/2 sleeves) Ritz crackers
Combine milk and heavy cream in a large bowl. Add lime juice and whisk until thickened, about 1 minute. Spread 1 cup filling on bottom of deep-dish pie plate or 11-inch oval casserole. Top with single layer of Ritz crackers. Repeat, alternating layers of filling and crackers until pie plate is full (finish with a layer of filling). Sprinkle with grated lime zest. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Serve.
+Wore these boxer-style shorts in cherry red the other day over my ladybug swimsuit (see me in the outfit here) and loved the look — a little longer on the leg and in a very polished cotton (almost a satin finish). A great piece if you like the boxer short trend but find it a little too un-done for you. Also: SoldOut is offering us 15% off with JEN15!
+Speaking of shorts, I ordered these gauze ones after Amy raved about them. Perfect for layering over swim or for lounging around the house. No one does gauze like Alice Walk. On a related note, love this gauze-like $20 pareo from Gap in the cherry red.
+One of my favorite children’s brands, Oso + Me, is running a great sale. About half of my son’s shorts are these, so I purchased a few of the discounted colors a size up for next summer. Great length, great colors. I also ordered one of these striped LS polos in anticipation of cooler weather in a few…months. Cute fall moment.
+Have been seeing this exact Matteau dress all over the place lately. My friend Stephanie was mentioning that it’s flattering on a wide range of body types and works with many different style aesthetics. Chic chic chic. Look for less here, and more drop-waist styles here.
I spent a lot of time with the final section of T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland,” titled “What the Thunder Said,” in my undergraduate days. I wrote a paper on it, and then some. I felt I didn’t understand it and planked together rough-hewn interpretations, gilded with fustian window dressing, even as I crouched in a kind of inward intellectual shame. I could feel the shape of its angst — its unraveling, its negotiation with apocalypse, its splintering half-gasp — but had no context to pin it to. I hated that sensation when I was younger. I remember driving between Aspen and Snowmass while on summer break when I was 13, straining to make any sense of Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men, and coming up dry. I felt like a rubber brain: words bouncing, richocheting, right off of me, leaving only the lightest dimple.
I did not yet know that reading can also be an emotional, instinctual undertaking. That the intellectual is only one pole of the teepee. Did I like its sound and shape? Did the words draw out quicksilver images from my inner well? Did I find myself inexplicably drawn to a line, to a character, to a single paragraph?
Because those, too, are legitimate readings, and arguably more yielding than the hunt for the morals and themes that my teachers sent me out with the lanterns after.
We write to find out what’s inside. Do we read for the same? Each book a new road inward? A way of stress-testing our boundaries, interests, desires, standards?
(Why do you read?)
Last week, Mr. Magpie pointed out my ongoing, reflexive reach for guilt. I should have done x better; I feel badly I didn’t do y. Perhaps I will strike the word “should” from my vocabulary? (I have more or less successfully banished “but” from my personal lexicon in favor of the generative and non-interrupting “and.” Should feels like a round next target.) His observation has colored a lot of my thinking this week, including my re-visiting of “What the Thunder Said” this morning:
Twenty years later, I look at the poem on the page, and I don’t care as much about its crumbling catastrophizing.
Mainly, I want to tell my younger me: trust yourself. In your readings, in your ways of being. The compass is there, and always has been. Turns out there is no one “right” way to read the thunder: yours, too, is correct.
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+I’m going to see Caroline Chambers speak in DC next month! I am so excited. Is anyone else a fangirl? Her new cookbook came out recently!
+Speaking of cookbooks, Landon has made a few fabulous dishes out of this Chinese cookbook recently. My mouth is watering just thinking about the spicy sesame paste noodles he made for lunch this week. (More of our favorite cookbooks here.)
+Just ordered these fun ikat print pants. (Julia Amory has offered us 15% off with code JEN-15 OMG!) I really wanted the ikat shorts, but they sold out in my size before I could grab. (How CHIC does JA look styling them with a striped sweater here?! She’s in Minnow. This VB stripe would also be cute, and is currently on sale for under $175.)
+Speaking of Minnow: how cute is this striped dress for your little one? Minnow consistently makes my favorite clothes for my kids. Soft, comfortable, wearable, with a slight preppy edge. Something my daughter and I can both agree on. She’s been living in this set! My recent Minnow order here.
+This gingham Juliet Dunn is calling my name…I LOVE these airy dresses for peak summer. Like wearing nothing. Emese Gormley was also just raving about this silhouette (20% off with YOUROCK) as a cover-up: it’s OSFA but she insists has a great fit! Also available in a fiery red here.
+Celine sunnies, ON SALE! I’ve seen these IRL (my girlfriend owns them) and they aren’t as sparkly as they look on site. FUN! These squared mint green ones are also on sale. I’m holding out hope these will still be in stock when I get access to the Nordstrom sale today (I’m writing this in advance; all my picks here.)
+An Amazon order I’m very excited to receive: these trendy Alaia-inspired flats; this Bottega-esque bag in the unusual kiwi green; this hair clip; this beginner’s birding book; and this anti-humidity hair product (ordered in the travel size to test before committing).
+Hooked on these exfoliating pads, especially in the summertime when I feel like I’m constantly caked in SPF and sweat (sorry, but it’s true). I was genuinely sad I forgot to pack a few in a baggie for Aspen given all the dirt / nature we were in. I found myself craving them! YSE has given us 15% off with code JEN-15. You will love them. Also just started using their SPF primer. I love this product category — I also really love RMS’ formula.
+Frank and Eileen brought back its Patrick popover in GREAT new colors. I own in the white and wore it a ton as a top layer in Aspen – it’s great over athleisure (love the casual / rugby-shirt-esque dropped shoulder) or paired with jeans for a twist on the tee-and-jeans look.
+I know it’s hard to think about winter/fall right now (it’s currently 93 and 10000% humidity in D.C.), but G. Label just brought back this belted cardigan that I absolutely lived in last winter. Versatile. Great with jeans and a tee, or over a dress…!
By: Jen Shoop
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Publishing this bright and early — the early bird gets the worm! The Nordstrom Anniversary sale has been its own beast for years now: for awhile, it was the shopping event of summer, heavily covered by blogs — and then I think a lot of us felt that the curation went slack and underwhelming. I have to say, this year, I’m doing a decent amount of sale shopping for myself because their beauty options and exclusives are incredible. The items in my cart to buy this morning:
01. Charlotte Tilbury’s setting spray — two full-size sprays for $52. I just started using this product this summer on the rec of Katie and now cannot go a day without it, especially in D.C. extremely muggy, humid peak summer. It actually keeps makeup in place. A wunderproduct.
02. Supergoop sunscreen pump + bottle. We use this daily and rave about it constantly to anyone who will listen. Provides excellent, long-term coverage but goes on clear and glides on so easily. We also love the subtle eucalyptus scent. Mr. Magpie is this product’s greatest advocate — I overheard him bragging about it to my brother-in-law as he slathered up for the golf course last week. We actually bought two big pump bottles of it a few weeks ago during a Saks sale but I can’t resist re-stocking further with this deal. You basically get the smaller tube free (and then some?) — perfect for travel, golf bag, handbag, etc.
03. OSEA hydration set. I am completely and hopelessly hooked on this product. I have been using all summer and it gives the best sheen and glow with no stickiness. I love it so much, I bought the travel size (at full price) for our Aspen trip. I will be ordering this trio — a great deal. You get the travel size and lotion for free!
04. While I’ve switched to using the gentler Osea marine cleanser for everyday, I do love this Tata Harper scrub (which I used to use daily) when I feel like I need a good, thorough cleanse after a particularly arduous run, day in the sand/sun/elements, etc. Mr. Magpie also uses this as his shower face scrub. This is a particularly good value buy — some of the other bundles/exclusives offer a small discount; this one is meaningful.
A few other great beauty buys from the sale — all things I own and love myself: Diptyque candles (separate and give as hostess gifts); Westman Atelier lit sticks; Ubeauty’s bundle of its most popular products; my T3 airbrush; a kit for the best neutral lip — universally flattering; and now’s the time to stock up on Augustinus Bader. Mom, if you’re reading, this is also the moment to buy those amazing Slip hair ties you tuck into my stocking every year. Hehe.
On the home front: Boll & Branch bedding is included in the sale (!), and those silk Slip pillowcases so many of you swear by as the precursor to a great hair day. For travel, this pink roll-a-board from buzzy travel brand Beis would be a great gift for a daughter this summer, and I can’t rave enough about this Dagne Dover tote. Fits under seat, is very thoughtfully designed, and featherweight. I actually might order one or two of these vanity bags (smartly designed so you can pack skincare bottles upright!) to give as gifts. Finally, new moms delight: the Doona is included! If you live in an urban area, this is a no-brainer.
Last but not least, a few fashion goodies: this mini Longchamp bag (marketed as a cosmetic kit but could absolutely be worn out); these ultra flattering Mother jeans (about 2/3 of my girlfriends wear exclusively Mother denim); Bombas socks a la Gen Z (you have to wear at least a quarter crew or you date yourself nowadays); Frank and Eileen fleece henley (I own and LOVE this; you can also buy the matching sweats, which make for such a chic travel day / car day set); Birks in a juicy color; Celine triomphe sunnies in punchy watermelon; a Spanx lounge set in their dreamy “AirEssentials” fabric (shorts / sweatshirt); and my favorite sneakers for gym / cross-training (offer much more ankle stability than a running shoe).
