Jen Shoop, Author at Magpie by Jen Shoop

By: Jen Shoop

So I’m back to the velvet underground
Back to the floor that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy that I was

These lyrics send a shiver straight down my spine every time I hear them, and I listen to them a lot. Recently, I’ve been reaching for Fleetwood Mac on my morning runs. Many of their up-tempo songs set a good rhythm for running, and the lyrics are just substantive enough that they spin me into the kind of introspection that makes quick work of four miles. The pavement is a confetti of fall leaves, and the arch of Dumbarton Tunnel on the Crescent Trail forms an inviting doorway to adventure, and somehow Stevie Nicks reminding me to “go my own way” just works.

But those gypsy lyrics in particular enthrall me.

Are their places that make you feel like a past version of yourself? A core version of yourself?

When Stevie sings about “the velvet underground,” she is referring to a tiny vintage store in San Francisco where Janis Joplin and other rock greats bought a lot of their clothing, and “the floor that I love” references a room she rented where she slept with her mattress on the floor and tacked lace curtains up over the windows. She is resurrecting a time in her life pre-Fleetwood-Mac-success, marked by thrift and aspiration and wandering.

Returning to my hometown last year has invited similar encounters. Cornerstone memories linger at specific intersections, restaurants, stretches of Connecticut Avenue. I walk into Rock Creek Park and am shuttled into memories of excursions there with my Montessori classroom. I remember cicadas, the felled tree we climbed over and around, picking what I thought was chives but was probably grass with a little boy named Daniel Powers. Little velcro sneakers stumbling over roots, tiny pigtails emerging from the hollows of a tree stump: doorways, too, to adventure. Occasionally carpooling to Montessori with the girls who lived on the street behind us — “Goils,” their dad called us, glancing back. He always made me sit in a booster seat though I never sat in one in my parents’ car, and I was too shy to protest. My mother’s burgundy Cadillac had a center seat between the driver and passenger side, and I sat there smugly free of the booster, in private insurrection. Always, on the back of remembering my mother’s car, I think of that season where our driveway was overrun by gypsy moth caterpillars, their quilted, majestic backs inching across the asphalt in regal, bobbing motion. They would hang off the branches with startling prehensility. We gathered them in shoeboxes. I was a sponge, prehensile in my own way, collecting. It only takes a run through the orange and red trees by Peirce Mill (SIC) at fall time to remember everything.

What is it about these trips to my past that feel so meaningful to me? I think, maybe, the sensation of fullness. The way that an entire universe lives inside me. Perhaps what Nicks was after: going back to the before, reconnecting with a time that was formative or pure. In interviews about “Gypsy,” she says, “there’s a part of that that era that will never be again,” and elsewhere adds: “That’s one part of me…that’s where my songs come from. ‘Going back to the velvet underground/back to the floor that I love,’ because I always put my bed on the floor. ‘To a room with some lace and paper flowers/ back to the gypsy that I was.’ And that’s San Francisco. That’s the Velvet Underground. Those are the things that I can’t give up…The clothes I wear, that doesn’t change. I love long dresses. I love velvet. I love high boots. I never change. I love the same eye make-up. I’m not a fad person. I still have everything I had then.”

I still have everything I had then. Perhaps she intended it literally, but what a gorgeous sentiment: that we don’t lose things to time, but collect them quietly inside.

Post-Scripts.

+More on returning to DC.

+On running without music. (A challenge and adventure for me.)

+D.C. and the parochial wild.

Shopping Break.

+A fabulous hot pink sweater for $30. Thinking this could be a really festive look paired with black satin or velvet pants and big earrings and maybe a velvet headband too?

+Speaking of festive dressing — zomg. Damaris Bailey just launched the most gorgeous velvet and silk faille peplum top that skyrocketing to the top of my winter lust list.

+LOVE the shape/style of this $60 bag.

+Already ordered this set for my son’s Christmas pile! The first gift I’ve bought!

+There are some closeout deals at Shopbop worth a glance —

THIS $61 FAIR ISLE SWEATER

THIS STRIPED JERSEY TORY BURCH DRESS

THIS ROSIE ASSOULIN TOP

VINCE CASHMERE CARDIGAN

+I own a pair of VB Crosby trousers and they are SO flattering — a great, high waist, and make even short legs like mine look super long. Run TTS. Love them in the denim and in this corduroy (<<they are ON SALE)!

+Obsessed with this black velvet mini — Zara also has a fab one for under $70. I would pair with my Gucci patterned tights!

+Speaking of Zara and festive/velvet finds: this pearl and velvet necklace (!!!) and this velvet blazer! Chic chic!

+Still time to get into the Halloween spirit! These inexpensive popper bracelets would be a cute surprise to send in with your child to school / to a party, or could be a non-sweet alternative to giving out candy.

+This silky black wrap dress (under $100) reminds me of a style from Zimmermann.

+Into this knit dress — Missoni-esque.

By: Jen Shoop

Marigold-toned pieces have really been catching my eye lately — I love mixing them with browns and greens for a true fall moment. I also have to mention that this playful Farm Rio blouse paired with this padded skirt is SO beyond fun for a statement look — and it incorporates marigold in a fun way.

Below, some of my favorite finds in this golden palette.

GOLDEN FLORAL MAXI DRESS WITH VOLUMINOUS LONG SLEEVES AND CHIC RUFFLED DETAILING

VIBRANT MOCK NECK BUTTON-FRONT BLOUSE WITH PUFF SLEEVES…THE INTRICATE PINTUCKING AND EYELET TRIM ON THIS TOP ARE SUBTLE, YET SO STUNNING

LONG SLEEVE TURTLENECK SHIRT FROM ULLA JOHNSON IN A COLORFUL ABSTRACT PRINT — I BOUGHT THIS IN THE BURGUNDY COLORWAY BUT IT WAS NECK-AND-NECK WITH THE GOLD

RICH MULTICOLOR JACQUARD SLEEVELESS TOP WITH ASYMMETRICAL HEM AND STATEMENT FEATHER TRIM

THICK SOFT VELVET PADDED STATEMENT HEADBAND…HEAD-TURNERS LIKE THIS INSTANTLY ELEVATE ANY OUTFIT

RUSTIC FALL FLORAL PUFFED LONG SLEEVE BUTTON-UP WITH HIGH NECK — IN MY CLOSET AND JE SUIS INFATUATED

CRUSHED VELVET SIMPLE FLAT LOAFERS — LIKE MY VIBIS, BUT LESS EXPENSIVE AND EASIER TO TRACK DOWN IN ALL SIZES

SOLID-COLORED LONG SLEEVE TURTLENECK MADE FROM A BREATHABLE RIBBED COTTON — CLASSY WORN ALONE, BUT ALSO GREAT FOR LAYERING IN COLDER MONTHS

HIGH-RISE PLEATED FLOWING WIDE LEG PANTS IN MUSTARD YELLOW…FOR UNDER $40 THESE TROUSERS ARE A GREAT WAY TO NAIL THE PLEATED TROUSER TREND

CLASSIC HEADBAND IN LIGHT BROWN SATIN

SILK CROPPED HIGH NECK SLEEVELESS TOP WITH FEATHER TRIM — I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE!

LIGHTWEIGHT SCULPTURAL TOTE-STYLE HANDBAG MADE FROM BUTTERY-SOFT SUEDE THAT IS SO STUNNING AND TIMELESS IT IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT

P.S. Microtrend alert: Chic riding boots!

P.P.S. If you liked the Ulla Johnson patterned turtleneck I linked here, you’ll love these other patterned turtlenecks as much I do.

P.P.P.S. Have you ever surprised yourself?

By: Jen Shoop

Ironic, that I had a post about parenting triumphs scheduled for publication yesterday, because this weekend had me feeling much more like a flounderer than a victor. Mr. Magpie has been traveling a fair amount the past few weeks, which feels consistent with what friends are saying: COVID restrictions seem to have finally ebbed, and travel has returned. A part of me wants to celebrate this return to normal affairs. Do you remember when we were clawing at the news, pondering whether school, travel, holidays would ever look the same? Beyond that, Mr. Magpie deserves the solitariness — we all do. I think many of us are still unspooling from the pandemic. It has felt like a gradual easing back into things, but with scant latitude to reflect on what’s happened, what we’ve lost, what we’ve gained. I spend a lot of time in reflection, and even I have only a slippery grasp of the matter. Any parcel of time where we find ourselves alone, at a remove, from the homes and lifestyles in which we have lived for the past many years is bound to provide some room to process. So, I want that for Mr. Magpie. Not that he was airing out, exactly, though; most of his travel was work-related, with its attendant stresses and responsibilities. Still, ever the Pollyanna, I want to find the good.

But on a functional level, I have felt ill-rehearsed for these solo parenting sojourns. The first weekend, I scheduled too little, and the days felt enormously long. I spent most of my time in dispute mediation, listening to grievances about “she got the blue cup last time” and “I don’t want his foot on my chair.” The second weekend, I scheduled too much, and was teetering on exhaustion come four p.m. — just when I was heading to yet another activity, and dinner and bedtime still loomed large at the end of the horizon. By the end of this period of travel, I felt drained to the point of ornamental. I could scarcely pony the energy to arbitrate, or worry that micro’s sweater had an enormous chocolate stain on it as we headed into dinner at my family’s club. Well, I did worry about that last thing. But I could also sense the storm brewing, as though a highly-tuned weather sensor, as I contemplated micro’s reaction to me yanking off the sweater I’d bribed him to wear in the first place, dabbing it with detergent and hot water, blotting out the excess, and then placing back over his head. I mean, I could have picked a different sweater, but it was a whole coordinated look that also dovetailed beautifully with my daughter’s outfit. And so I chose to just leave him in it. I know these things are objectively unimportant, but I do take pride in the way my children present themselves, and so this was truly an instance of throwing in the towel.

On Sunday night, as I marched through the usual countdown to bedtime procedures (inevitably met with a chorus of whines and acts of resistance), I sprinted upstairs to ready the children’s bedrooms for sleep: draw the blinds, turn down the covers, turn on the sound machines, dim the lights. In the midst —

*CRASH*

Like the tenured mom I am, I paused to listen first, before responding in any way. I could hear a kind of pouty whine from my daughter and could tell she was OK but that she’d probably broken something. I sprinted back downstairs. She had dragged a decorative and unstable cowhide-topped footstool over to the kitchen counter so she could tell Siri to “play Halloween music,” lost her balance, and grabbed onto our glass cake stand to steady herself. It had smashed on its side, sending shards of glass all over the countertop and floor. Our airedale was blithely trotting through it.

I should have checked to make sure she was OK. I should have consoled her. Accidents happen. And she was just trying to turn on Halloween music, for God’s sake!

Instead, I huffed and puffed around, frustrated that on top of trying to get the children to bed, I was now picking up glass and worrying that our dog was traipsing shards of it through our living room.

Somehow, we got through it, and we got through my son’s bedtime, and as I slipped into my daughter’s room — final stop on the bedtime train — I spotted her crouched on the ground playing with her LOL Surprise Dolls. “I’m sorry, mommy,” said one doll to the other. “That’s OK, honey,” the other replied. My heart sank, then rose. I hated that she was performing an apology, but I loved that it ended so affectionately.

I pulled her into me. I told her that it was OK. That accidents happen. That I had been more upset about the glass breaking than at her. That I expect a lot of her because she is a loving and thoughtful person. I realized at some point that I was talking more in generalities than about the incident at hand. I was talking my way into realizing that I am too hard on her. She nodded, snuggled with me, and then returned to playing.

I went downstairs, sat on the couch, and cried. There were many things I could have done differently, could have done better, this past weekend. As I conducted an audit, I kept returning to this new and uncomfortable insight: I am too hard on her. She seems so mature, and responsible, and lately, I have been calling her “my helper girl,” because that’s what she is. She can nearly always get my son to put on his shoes, finish his breakfast, use the toilet when I cannot. She sets the table. She offers to help carry things when my hands are full. She usually says, “Yes, mama” when I ask her to find her brother, or grab her sweatshirt, or put on her shoes. This morning, my son went ballistic because he wanted the red plate for breakfast, and as I contemplated how to handle the situation given that we had seven minutes to finish eating, get dressed, and get out the door for an on-time arrival at school, my daughter said: “Here, Hill, have mine.”

But she is five. A baby. She looks at me with her knowing eyes, she insists on hearing “the full joke” when my husband and I are laughing about something too mature for her ears, she asks me to read every word on the Nat Geo page, but still, she is just five. I cannot forget that.

It is difficult to feel these truths, and doubly difficult to stare at them in black and white on a page.

But I am learning. One strange truth of motherhood is that it is a journey rather than a place. A mode rather than a role. I dried my eyes and finished my self-assessment the way I always do: by asking, “Do they know they are loved?” Yes. And so I told myself there was nothing to do but make peace with myself, and plans for tomorrow. Peace and plans.

And onward we go —

Post-Scripts.

+I must mention that I had some great feedback coming off the heels of this challenging night. Several moms said: “They remember the good stuff — go easy on yourself.” I hope that is true. I hope they remember the night we had happy meals on the carpet of our living and watched Homeward Bound, the afternoon we spent decorating our home for Halloween, the morning we all cuddled in bed. I found that response very reassuring.

+On the emotions of sending a child off to school for the first time.

+An oldie but a goodie: 9 things that surprised me about having a c-section.

Shopping Break.

+I will, of course, be immediately replacing the cake dome / punch bowl she broke. We received it as a wedding gift and it’s been in HEAVY USE for over a decade. We use for its intended purposes, and also as a fruit bowl.

+OMG! These $100 black velvet flats are beyond adorable with the little bow!

+Two seriously fun sweaters: this Ba&sh and this SEA.

+Obsessed with the color of these burgundy taper candles for a holiday tablescape.

+Love this look from head to toe: VB top and Paige bottoms. Or, a variation I’m planning to put together with two items I own: this Alemais top, these pants.

+Did you all see HHH’s puffer jackets?! SO cute and actually designed to be highly functional/performance-oriented. (You can ski in them!)

+Adorable recipe box.

+Another great fall floral blouse for under $150.

+OMG, this Lego lunchbox!

+A few children’s items I’m loving today: this Boden sweater, this plaid mini skirt, and these navy Vans I just bought for micro.

+I also did a big shop at J. Crew for some extra fall basics for children — they’re running crazy promotions, with some sale items an extra 70% off. I bought mini this cord skirt to wear with this turtleneck (she’s going to love the pattern) along with a few of their heart tees and leggings. For micro: this, this, this, this.

+Obsessed with these placemats.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via La Coqueta.

Today, some footwear favorites for little ones. I’ve found some great, easy-to-wear, and durable shoes to last throughout the season—a mix of practical and playful. Before we get into it, I wanted to mention that my favorite children’s tights are Jefferies, Jacadi, and Vanberfia. I’ve also heard good things about the French brand Collegien and am contemplating a pair for mini’s Thanksgiving look. For everyday socks, I like these sporty ones for micro (grippies on the bottom are so essential for him) and these triple-roll socks from Gap for mini (super stretchy and I like the rolled look), though she has been preferring these tube socks to wear with her uniform. I usually try to stick with white socks for ease, but I did buy micro these truck/train socks and he’s obsessed with them. For dressier occasions, I love these pretty frilly socks and any of the gorgeous knee-highs from Spanish brand Condor — but especially the ones with pom poms and velvet bows. I have often used these affordable (and shipped via Amazon Prime) cableknit ones for micro on special occasions. They look adorable paired with a loafer.

01. OLIVE GREEN DURABLE LEATHER ADORABLE T-BAR FLATS WITH POINTELLE DETAILING…I CANNOT GET OVER HOW CUTE THESE ARE

02. NAVY VELVET FLAT SHOES WITH VELCRO CLOSURE AND GROSGRAIN TRIM

03. COGNAC SLIP-ON FAUX SUEDE BOYS’ MOCCASIN LOAFERS — EASY FOR LITTLE ONES TO THROW ON AND CAN BE DRESSED UP OR DOWN!

04. CHELSEA ANKLE BOOTS MADE FROM A CARAMEL-COLORED FAUX LEATHER

05. ADJUSTABLE VELCRO STRAP CANVAS SNEAKERS WITH RUBBER SOLE IN A PLAYFUL PACMAN GHOST PATTERN

06. BALLET PINK SUEDE POINTED-TOE FLATS WITH ELASTIC STRAP AND DAINTY BOW

07. SLIP-ON SHIMMERING GOLD ROUND-TOE BALLET FLATS WITH STATEMENT BOW DETAIL AND SCALLOPED EDGES FOR A LITTLE EXTRA FLAIR

08. ADJUSTABLE VELCRO MARY JANE RUBBER CAP TOE SNEAKERS IN A DURABLE TAN CORDUROY…REVIEWS INDICATE THESE ADORABLE SHOES RUN SMALL, SO SIZE UP!

09. BLACK CLASSIC HIGH-TOP VANS SNEAKERS WITH VELCRO CLOSURE

10. LACE-UP SHIMMERING GOLD FAUX LEATHER COMBAT BOOTS WITH SIDE ZIPPER FOR NO-FUSS WEAR

11. ROSE GOLD METALLIC MID-CALF WESTERN-INSPIRED RIDING BOOTS WITH ALL-OVER INTRICATE STITCHING…THESE ARE SO STUNNING I WISH THEY CAME IN MY SIZE TOO

12. GIRLS’ FAUX LEATHER IVORY CHELSEA BOOTS WITH LIGHT PINK LUG SOLE — THESE ARE CURRENTLY ON SALE AT A STEAL THAT IS JUST TOO GOOD TO PASS UP

P.S. More recent children’s finds.

P.P.S. Go-to gifts for little ones.

P.P.P.S. Darling stationery for your children.

By: Jen Shoop

My daughter trotted out of our car onto the asphalt in front of her school last week. From a few car-lengths away, my windows drawn, I watched a smile stretch across her face as a teacher — administrator? — with whom I was not familiar greeted her and drew her into a hug. I could not make out their conversation, but it seemed equal parts joyful and routine. After, her tiny figure, dwarfed by her tiger-print backpack, skittered out of sight as she chatted with a classmate. I could not hear what she was saying, but I could tell by her gait, the crane of her neck, the way her eyes squinted into mischievous crescents, that it was arch.

My daughter is wildly silly, but only when comfortable. Otherwise, she is a pair of watchful eyes.

I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have done something as a parent and thought, afterward, “Ah, yes. I was absolutely right. I did the correct thing.” I’m not saying that I usually make the wrong choices, but that there are often too many inputs in the thousands of daily decisions I make as a mother to be able to isolate and celebrate specific instances of clear and effective thinking. For example, sleep habits. In general, our children are easy to put down to bed at night. We’ve been in a solid groove for awhile. And in general, they sleep through the night — til around 6:30 in the morning. But have I ever looked back and said, “Ah, I did that! Success!”? No. Because getting here has been a long and arduous chain of trial and error, with recursions and missteps and false positives and all the rest of it. And even now, we’re tinkering. We’ve recently found an end to a temporary stretch during which micro was wetting the bed (I was not surprised – its onset synchronized perfectly with the start of staying at school without his sister for a full day, and bed-wetting is a common symptom of adjustment), but now mini has reverted to the habit of descending multiple times a night asking for water, “one last hug,” etc. Whack-a-mole. Still, net-net, my children are good sleepers and bedtime is straight-forward, and so I feel we’ve accomplished something? But, as in so many other areas of motherhood, I do not find myself polishing any trophies.

And so it has been a delicious indulgence to know, viscerally, that we have found the right school, the right fit for mini. I have watched her not only bloom socially, but take a sudden, hungry interest in reading and mathematics. I remain a devout believer in the Montessori method, and believe that her grounding there has enabled her current blossom, but I also observe that mini is thriving anew in this more structured environment. She is strong-willed, and art-inspired; I know she gravitated — actively steered — towards the sensorial and practical life modules in her Montessori. Her guides redirected her to the language and math elements of the program, but I find that the more regimented approach to subject matter at her Catholic school has focused her in an interesting way. Perhaps it is just the age, of course. At five and a half, something has turned on — an appetite for reading, for counting, for seeking out numbers and letters in her every day life. The other day, we were listening to AC/DC in the car and “Highway to Hell” came on. She asked what the name of the song was, and I replied, half-truthfully, “Highway.” I was thinking I was three steps ahead, dodging a conversation about why somebody would willfully “drive to hell,” as she is in possession of a newly-minted appreciation for the tenets and imagery of the Catholic church. There was a pause in the back. “No, it’s highway…to…” Another pause. “I can see there’s a word after. Hhhh—ehhh—”

So we have now reached the phase where I must audit the songs that are playing in our car, as she will sound out the titles. A new frontier.

But taking a minute to sit with myself in quiet triumph, even as this new perch introduces new dimensions to parenthood. As I said earlier, it is rare that I know I’ve made a good decision or a set of good decisions on things like school, doctors, extracurricular activities, sleep habits, diet, reinforcing manners, etc. for my children. More often than not, these are “rolling processes,” meaning I am constantly trying, tinkering, evaluating based on the most threadbare of insights, and/or points of comparison are close to impossible to come by. (E.g., I have no idea whether or not we’d be happier if we used a different doctor; I simply have to go on gut.)

In this moment, though, I feel confident we found her a rich soil in which to bloom. And it feels good.

Inviting you today to reflect on a parenting triumph. They’re there. Sometimes they’re difficult to suss out.

Post-Scripts.

+Motherhood is a surfeit.

+Tender petals.

+Another reflection on my daughter.

Shopping Break.

+OK WOW Gap. These metallic straight leg pants are genius and so chic for holiday! Pair with the feather top from J. Crew for a seriously high-end, fabulous look!

+This is such a gorgeous William Morris print tray for a great price — chic to layer beneath candles and other objects on a shelf/coffee table/stack of coffee table books.

+This hot pink coat is fabulous.

+This cardigan jacket keeps selling out – grab one while you can.

+You know I love a polo sweater. This one is under $25! (You can pair with matching knit pants for an elevated athleisure look.)

+Speaking of Target, a bunch of La Ligne x Target was restocked!

+Isabel Marant vibes.

+I loved The Great’s latest holiday launch — such an easy to wear plaid day dress (would work wonderfully with bump) and I really am obsessed with this pom-trim fair isle cardigan. Beyond adorable.

+Alice Walk just restocked her gorgeous cashmere wraps in tons of colors. These are great gifts for moms. Just sayin!

+Pretty sure everyone has a solostove already, but our neighbors were just raving about theirs and I noticed they are on sale!

+This faux pine garland looks very realistic — of course, hard to tell from online pics, but…? This would be so handy, as our pine garlands always dry out and become major fire hazards. (Plus, reusable!)

+Extra 50% off all sale items at Mille! I own and love one of their Thalia tops and this is the kind of dress to buy now and stock away for family photos next summer.

+Another fab holiday look for a great price: sequins from H&M!

+A very cute car coat. Love the piping!

By: Jen Shoop

+HERMES SCARF X AYR TEE. Earlier this week, I learned how to tie my scarf in a new way thanks to stylist Valerie Dittner — you can see a video how to she made here. I feel like a whole new woman! Usually I just drape mine around my neck and leave it open but this makes it a bit of a pain to wear, as I’m always adjusting. Obsessed with this new kerchief style! My scarf is Hermes, and Mr. Magpie surprised me with it on the eve of my scheduled c-section with my son. It features a military motif and he told me how much he admired my bravery, my soldiering spirit, as I headed into the birth. Every time I wear it, I feel a little bit bolder. Hermes always has spectacular scarves. This one is similar in color and print. FashionPhile and The Real Real often have great pre-owned/vintage options if you want to hunt! Love the fall colors in this one! I also like this under-$100 style from BB, which has similar colors to the one I’m wearing (seen above). I’m styling mine with an Ayr French fry tee — select colors are on sale for under $50! (You can read my whole review on this tee and other great layering tees here.)

+MADEWELL PERFECT VINTAGE FIT JEANS. I know, I’m a broken record about these, but I keep receiving DMs/emails asking about these jeans and so I’m sharing them again here. I just ordered a second pair in the exact same wash (ainsworth) because they’re my go-to everyday jean. I feel great in them. I take a petite inseam and they hit me at the perfect just-above ankle length. Go down a full size — trust me!

+SMITTEN KITCHEN SALTED BROWN BUTTER RICE KRISPIES. Have you made these before? My God, they are so good. I always think of them in the fall because they have a vaguely festive/celebratory/holiday vibe to them, and the brown butter makes me think autumn. A Magpie reader who participated in an in-person book club I used to host in NYC (RIP Magpie Book Club — that was SUCH a fun ritual to talk books and life with a fun, smart set of women) once brought them to a gathering and I immediately made them again at home. Time to whip up a batch.

+MARBLE WRAPPING PAPER. I’m so obsessed with marble ATM? It’s such a gorgeous, rich, interesting print to mix and match with other colors/patterns. (I did buy that Aurelia marbleized turtleneck from Ulla J. and I just know I’m going to wear it into infinity — the colors are perfect and it will look so chic layered beneath forest green, olive green, navy, burgundy, gold, etc!). Anyhow, I am envisioning gifts wrapped in marble paper and this print from new-to-me paper label Feel Kamu totally stopped me in my tracks! Tuckernuck also has a less expensive marble-effect wrapping paper for less, and it’s sold in a roll versus sheets, which I prefer in general, as it’s difficult to predict the size of gift you’ll be wrapping.

+VELVET RIBBON. I like the idea of tying off the marble paper with a thick green velvet ribbon for holiday. The last two years, I’ve used a lot of velvet ribbon for wrapping — it’s just so gorgeous and luxe. I’ve also used it to tie napkins at the dining table, to wrap up gifts and treats in cellophane, etc.

+MERIT BEAUTY. I’ve been eyeing this brand for awhile — has anyone used? I am ordering a couple of things to test and will report in an upcoming “Honest Beauty Reviews” post — it’s been awhile since I did one of those because I’ve been in a fairly consistent beauty groove and haven’t introduced many new products to my routine. I’m intrigued by their $38 serum, their flush balm (an Allure beauty pick, which is usually a pretty solid endorsement), and their highlighting balm. I am really such a sucker for highlighters — I try generally to stick to a “one in, one out” brand in beauty product categories, but I own so many highlighters and I don’t hate it.

+LAKE PAJAMAS POPLIN SET. I already shared these earlier this week (so many of you loved that photo at the top — I’m in my mom’s house here, and she has the most beautiful living room!), but these have really scurried me into a holiday mood! Mr. Magpie and I were just scheming about beginning to purchase the children’s holiday gifts.

+VIBI VENEZIA GREEN VELVET FURLANES. Again, a broken record, but these are just my favorite everyday shoes in fall/winter. Uniform for me.

+FEATHERS ON EVERYTHING. I am in love with the feather trend raging this season. Can you EVEN deal with this La Double J mini sequinned and feathered dress?! It’s the ultimate, and appropriately called “The Gatsby Dress.” Swoon! I also just came across this fabulous new French label called Maison Marcelle and bought one of their pretty scarf-and-feather trim tops. They have tons of cute patterns. I am thinking this will be chic to pair with jeans and heels for a night out. I am also loving this feather-trim button-down from J. Crew, particularly in white or navy. If you like the feather trend but are a little intimidated, this button-down is the ideal place to start. It’s a bit more toned down and wearable than a lot of the other feather-forward styles. Just pair with jeans and ballet flats! Check out my beautiful girlfriend Lauren wearing hers here.

+NYX EYELINER. This is my favorite drugstore beauty secret. It is just as good as Stila’s, which is widely considered, I think, the best? I used to use Stila but I swear this is identical and it’s under $8. I actually wear eyeliner almost every day but I apply it slightly idiosyncratically. I apply just the tiniest, thinnest line from the edge of my eye towards the inner corner but I artfully taper off somewhere beyond the center of my eye. It’s hard to explain and maybe one day I’ll figure out how to video how I apply it, but the effect is just the tiniest bit of definition along the lash line. I swear you can’t even tell I’m wearing eyeliner at all. This NYX has such an ultra-fine felt tip that it’s easy to achieve the effect. Love love love. This is one of my only “subscribe and save” items.

+MINNOW STRIPED SWEATER X OLD NAVY BOOTS. One of the things that has surprised me about having a boy is how much I enjoy getting him dressed. I always heard “boy clothes are boring” but I am so enjoying dolling him up. This sweater is so well-made — such a classic. I would advise sizing up. I bought him the 3/4 and it’s a bit snug. Wish I’d gotten him the 5/6 to possibly make it stretch an extra season. This is a great piece, though, because it really works fall/winter/spring (even summer, if chilly!). A classic. I love him pairing it with these chunky Old Navy chelsea boots — meep! Like a tiny workman! Am I showing my age by saying it reminds me of the Tims that were all the rage back in the 90s?!

By: Jen Shoop

My Latest Snag: Mirth Top.

Have you shopped at Mirth before? I’ve featured this brand a couple of times, mainly for their breezy summer caftans, but I am absolutely in love with their latest fall collection. The brand generously invited me to select something from the launch and I picked this gorgeous patterned top. I am loving all things patchwork at the moment, and this top walks that perfect line between chic/fashion-forward and not-overdone, so it’s ideal for situations like school pick up, casual coffee dates, outings with the children, etc. I like to style with jeans and fun sneaks. I also wanted to mention (given volume of this query in my WYSF series) that they have a number of dresses ideal for maternity / post-partum with loose, flowy fits, in great fall-friendly patterns that would be perfect for maternity shoots, coming home outfits, family portraits, etc.

This Week’s Most Popular: Fall Finds.

CHUNKY RIB-KNIT BLACK MOCK NECK SWEATER…FOR UNDER $50 THIS IS THE PERFECT AFFORDABLE CHILLY WEATHER STAPLE

WARM IVORY CLASSIC COLLARED TOPCOAT MADE FROM LUXURIOUS ITALIAN BRUSHED WOOL

OLIVE GREEN SHIMMERING SATIN 1-INCH HEADBAND

FLORAL PATTERNED PROTECTIVE IPHONE 12 CASE

GIRLS’ FAUX LEATHER IVORY CHELSEA BOOTS WITH LIGHT PINK LUG SOLE — IN MINI’S CLOSET!

WATER-RESISTANT VOLUMIZING BLACK MASCARA FROM TRISH MCEVOY

ZIPPERED FLEECE BELT BAG

BUDGET-FRIENDLY HERMES-INSPIRED LOCK-AND-KEY VEGAN LEATHER MINI BAG WITH DETACHABLE SHOULDER STRAP…THIS CHIC PURSE COMES IN A STUNNING SET OF COLORS TOO

SOLID COLOR 400 THREAD COUNT SHEET SET MADE OUT OF A SOFT PERFORMANCE COTTON FABRIC

LARGE WOVEN ROUNDED TREE COLLAR TO COVER YOUR TREE STAND

HAND-CARVED WOODEN NATIVITY SET WITH FIFTEEN FIGURES FOR A FULL MANGER

COGNAC-COLORED HIGH-RISE VEGAN LEATHER PANTS IN A SUPER FLATTERING DEMI BOOTCUT FIT

LONG SLEEVE NAVY FLORAL BLOUSE

RELAXED FIT HEATHERED LIGHT PINK RIBBED TURTLENECK MADE FROM AN OH-SO-COMFORTABLE COTTON AND CASHMERE BLEND

TAN ITALIAN LEATHER KNEE-HIGH BOOTS WITH A ROUNDED TOE AND A SUBTLE HEEL

Weekend Musings: On Criticism.

The preface of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is, in my opinion, more stirring than the fiction that follows. I read Dorian Gray twice in college and both times (sacrilege to say?) yawned my way through, but the preface I found fascinating.

On a recent re-read, my eyes were drawn like arrows to this particular phrase: “The highest, as the lowest, form of criticism is a mode of autobiography.” He is using the term “critic” narrowly here, meaning a technical reviewer of art, but I was struck by how useful his words are when navigating criticism in general — especially his concept of differentiating between “high criticism” and “low criticism.”

Let me first say that I generally vacillate between two mindsets when encountering criticism. The first, and tougher to swallow, is that “feedback is a gift.” Back in my product design and innovation days, I repeated this phrase to myself and anyone on my team as often as possible. You aren’t going to get everything right; that’s OK. Criticism, well-framed and well-intentioned, enables progress. When someone takes the time to let you know that something is not working, that something was not properly communicated, etc., it is hidden blessing, as much as it can be frustrating, embarrassing, discouraging, and even hard to hear at times.

The second mindset is that “data is not the plural of anecdote.” What I mean by this is — don’t let your head swivel too far to the left or right when receiving one-off criticisms. It could be one idiosyncratic perspective. It could be invalid. It could be misinformed. If a pattern of criticism, or feedback, emerges across multiple sources, this usually indicates that some action or revision must be made. But one person’s point of view is not a data trend. This dovetails with what I have elsewhere written about the human tendency to overestimate how critical people are about us, how bad things are going to turn out, etc. Do not let one person’s perspective derail you entirely! Unless you agree intuitively, or realize you’ve overlooked something, take it as a data point and keep moving. Again, revisiting my product days, we used to keep a “feedback heatmap” in an Excel sheet, where we’d carefully document every piece of feedback, every feature request, every “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” and then add a tick mark in the numerical column each time a particular item was repeated. This made it much easier to form product decisions. If 33 people complained about the placement of a button on a screen, and only 1 person asked for a mobile app — well. You kind of have your answer. The principle applies in personal matters, too. One person’s criticism need not thwart you in your efforts. This mindset can help me “unhook” from criticism that stings but whose validity I cannot easily discern.

Wilde presents a new dimension I hadn’t considered: the difference between “high criticism” and “low criticism.” As I extrapolate it, “high criticism” refers to feedback that is thoughtful, substantive, and — importantly — grounded in some meaningful experience, especially of the “autobiographical” sort. What that means is that when someone who has “been in the trenches” evaluates your work — say, writing feedback from a writer; business feedback from an entrepreneur; management feedback from a tenured leader — it is worth keeping not only an open ear but a willing spirit. That critic has gone through enough to have a respectable, technical opinion on a matter. On the flipside, “low criticism” is autobiographical in a different way. To put it rather glibly, I’ll borrow from an Instagram quote I saw the other day: “What they hate in you is missing in them.” This oversimplifies, but people do cope by projecting. Often times, the nastiest criticisms say more about the speaker than they do the subject.

What about you? How do you approach criticism?

Shopping Break.

+Just ordered these for my husband’s desktop.

+This popular feathered top is now available in NAVY.

+If you aren’t getting dressed up for Thanksgiving, a top like this with jeans would be so cute. Alternately: these brown velvet pants with a chunky knit like this or this.

+Totally obsessed with this marble-effect blouse. Love all things marble ATM!

+Two skirts I’m loving: this blanket style one from Banana (so so chic!) and this pleated paisley from ByTimo.

+Favorite sweatshirts (non-logo) for boys.

+How CUTE are these bags from Meli-Melo?! They come in a bunch of different colors, but I love the brown with green. Not cheap, but look much more expensive than they are.

+$13 braided velvet headband!

+I just discovered these “lobe protectors” from Courtney Grow and want to give them a try for some of my heavier earrings that don’t lay flush against the ear.

+Speaking of, these gold drop earrings are perfect with everything this fall.

+Cute $60 jeans in an on-trend fit.

+Adorable wooden magnets for a little one.

+Fun patent leather lug sole loafers. (More great statement loafers here!)

+Great kitchen gear.

+All my beauty favorites.

By: Jen Shoop

I was thrilled when Cleobella reached out to me to and asked to send me one of their dresses. I was torn between the Carly (seen above) and the dramatic tiered Carson, but I thought the Carly would be ideal for Thanksgiving dinner (and fall occasions beyond). It has the prettiest fall paisley print. This dress works if you’re in a warmer/milder climate, too — it’s a very lightweight breathable voile.

Below, all my favorite dress options for Thanksgiving dinner.

01. CLEOBELLA CARLY DRESS

02. SEA LUCINDA DRESS

03. ULLA JOHNSON ALTHEA DRESS

04. ANNA MASON CHRISTY DRESS

05. CARA CARA VELVET PIPER DRESS

06. ANTHROPOLOGIE VELVET SOMERSET DRESS

07. CARA CARA BLUE HILL DRESS

08. SEA VELVET RAYNA DRESS

09. LA LIGNE SAMMY DRESS

10. ULLA JOHNSON ELSIE DRESS

11. O.P.T. WILLOW DRESS

12. H&M DRESS (UNDER $50!) — AND YOU CAN TWIN WITH YOUR MINI

13. DOEN ILIANA DRESS

14. O.P.T. PHEOBE DRESS

15. RALPH LAUREN KNIT PLEATED DRESS

16. BY TIMO BABY CORD DRESS

Fall Accessories to Accent the Look.

P.S. The prayer we say at Thanksgiving each year never fails to move me.

P.P.S. Fun cocktail to try.

P.P.P.S. Chic home finds.

By: Jen Shoop

I have several friends grappling with “what comes next.” Most of them are women who have worked inside the home, caring for young children, for the past few years. One of them shared, vulnerably: “I’m getting into my 40s, and I’m worried. I feel like I still haven’t figured out my passion.”

I told her she was putting too much pressure on herself. I think we — especially the millennial generation and younger — have been raised to believe that our jobs must be fulfilling, defining, passion-fueled. There is a possibly apocryphal quote attributed to Pablo Picasso that invites uncomfortable introspection along these lines: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

It is a fallacy that we have “one gift” to find in ourselves. The notion that I am reducible to one gesture is not only stress-inducing but patly untrue, in my experience. One narrow example from dozens I could cite: I am a huge admirer of my husband’s boss, a woman who once said, “My life began at 40.” This, from a woman who’d, prior to 40, enjoyed a successful career in high finance and earned an MBA from one of the most prestigious business schools in the country, among other accolades. In her 40s, sho co-founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which she has led to wildly impressive success — and it’s still on the upswing. A pretty damn impressive second (third?) act. And who knows where else her life will lead her? She is also a mother, an avid apiarist, and I’m certain active in multiple other intriguing extracurriculars. One gift, indeed. A woman contains multitudes.

The invocation that we have one calling in life, and so we’d better not miss it, places undue strain on those of us who are, in writer Elizabeth Gilbert’s useful formulation, “hummingbirds rather than jackhammers.” In an interview with Oprah, Gilbert explained that jackhammers are individuals consumed by a singular passion; “we don’t look up and we don’t veer, and we’re just focused on that until the end of time.” Hummingbirds, by contrast, “spend their lives doing it very differently. They move from tree to tree, from flower to flower, to field to field…Trying this, trying that. They create incredibly rich, complex lives for themselves and they also end up cross-pollinating.”

What I want to tell my friends, my Magpies, stricken with worry about whether they’ve found their calling yet, is that it is OK to be the hummingbird. As I have written elsewhere:

“It is OK to take the long road,

to earn the title “wool-gatherer,”

to be the handwritten cursive subscript under the 12-point Times New Roman font,

to move beneath, rather than with or against, the grain,

with meanderings so under-the-radar that they are dismissed as insignificant.

It is OK to feel that you have been searching for something you can’t quite put your arms around,

each phase a phantom hug.”

I think the key, though, to finding meaning in those meanderings, is to be serious about them. In this sense, the hummingbird feels like the wrong avatar. Its flitting, cutesy persona attenuates the discipline and earnestness we can and should apply to our pursuits. I am reminded here of an interview I read with actor Mads Mikkelsen that stirred me:

“My approach to what I do in my job — and it might even be the approach to my life — is that everything I do is the most important thing I do. Whether it’s a play or the next film. It is the most important thing. I know it’s not going to be the most important thing, and it might not be close to being the best, but I have to make it the most important thing. That means I will be ambitious with my job and not with my career. There’s a very big difference, because if I’m ambitious with my career, everything I do now is just stepping-stones leading to something — a goal I might never reach, and so everything will be disappointing. But if I make everything important, then eventually it will become a career. Big or small, we don’t know. But at least everything was important.”

I read these words and something clicked into focus. It gave shape, definition, to an ethos I have cultivated since high school. I have walked the squiggliest path (and I’m not done yet), but I am confident that if you spoke with anyone I have worked with along the way, “serious about work” would be among the descriptors. Be serious, be disciplined about your work, even when you aren’t sure where it is taking you, I have told myself. This, by the way, is a writerly mindset, a peculiarly satisfying mise en abime in which an artistic ethic has anticipated and echoed a professional one. Sometimes (often) I put pen to paper without any clear sense for an ending, and the narrative finds me. It is about showing up. It is about being the athlete at the start line. Whether the results are extrinsically valuable is not my concern. It is a process thing. Applying this approach to career decisions staves off the “everything feels so high-stakes” scaries, and serves as a recipe for being fiercely present wherever we find our feet.

So if you find yourself fretting over “what comes next,” or worrying about whether you’ve “found your gift,” know that you are capable of multiple acts, and in possession of many gifts. And if you aren’t sure whether what you’re doing now is the final stop, but you don’t know where to head next, channel Mads and make it the most important thing. (For now.)

Onward!

Post-Scripts.

+I feel I must qualify this post by noting that it is OK if we find our feet planted outside of the professional world. “Meaningful work” is not the summation of a life. Some of us have the privilege to choose to seek that out, and we may or may not be successful in that endeavor. But we can also lead fulfilling and happy and successful lives even if we consider a job to be something that pays the bills.

+On pursuing English.

+In case you need to hear it: you are enough.

Shopping Break.

+Oh my gosh. This patterned corduroy blouse is on sale for only $30. Bought immediately. Reminds me of some of the fabulous patterned cord pieces from ByTimo.

+20% off at Serena and Lily! Great time to snag a new bedside lamp, seasonal throw pillows, or a gorgeous pinecone wreath for the holidays. The promo also applies to already-discounted items, like this popular step stool!

+This whimsical sweater is in my cart…love!

+Have been hearing such good things about this stick pomade if you like to wear your hair slicked back in a bun. I actually have it in my cart for my son, whose cowlick is…aggressive.

+Speaking of novelty sweaters, also love this bold green fair isle!

+Fun, richly printed mini to pair with a tall black boot.

+Ordering these cords! Love the silhouette and patch pockets, and you can’t beat the price. I have good luck with Gap pants. Very Veronica Beard.

+Just noticed that Tracksmith (one of my favorite running gear brands) just launched a capsule with J. Crew! Love their iconic Van Cortlandt shorts in the hot pink!

+It’s been awhile since I mentioned this waffle bed blanket — I am still in a fiercely committed relationship with it, and I only love it more in the cooler weather. It is the perfect weight, ultra-soft, comes in tons of great colors, and adds some gorgeous texture to your bedding set-up.

+These rain boots are crazy chic.

+Love this scalloped rug — great price, too.

+Swooning over this skirt with the matching top.

+Found a little trove of Blaze Milano blazers on sale!!! Wow! Love this yellow one and this striped velvet one!

+Holy moly do I love this little Saloni ditty.

+I’ve been watching the brand Senreve for awhile now but never purchased anything from them — does anyone have experience with their bags? I noticed they are running 20% off sitewide. Love this Celine-esque bag and you know how much I love a belt bag.

By: Jen Shoop

Hurray for fall running! After a summer slogging it through the D.C. heat, I’ve been loving these crisp morning jog sessions. If you are a longtime follower, you probably know what I’m about to say: I am obsessed with my New Balance Heat Loft jacket for cooler weather running. It is remarkably insulating but not suffocating. I feel like it keeps me at the exact right temperature, and it has a nice light, layerable weight. If you have one of the Tracksmith merino base layers (seen above) beneath the NB heat loft, I swear you are warm enough even if it’s in the 30s. I also saw that a zip-up version is about 50% off here!

More great fall fitness finds below…

ROW 1: SWEATY BETTY THERMA HIGH NECK RUNNING TOP // NIKE SUPERREP 3S // SPLITS59 LEGGINGS AND BRA // LULULEMON SWIFTLY TECH TOP

ROW 2: NEW BALANCE HEATLOFT TUNIC // TORY BURCH LEGGINGS AND BRA // AMAZON HAT // SPLITS59 FLARE LEGGINGS

ROW 3: ODODOS BELT BAG // TRACKSMITH MERINO BASE LAYER // NIKE AIRZOOMS // LULULEMON DEFINE JACKET

ROW 4: VARLEY FREYA PULLOVER // ULTRAS VIRGINIA RUNNING TEE // L. ERICKSON PONY TAIL TIES // TAKEYA WATER BOTTLE

P.S. 200 runs in Central Park. This post always makes me nostalgic.

P.P.S. But! Leaving New York was a major ampersand moment for me.

P.P.P.S. Speaking of ampersands: “A woman contains multitudes.”

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via.

Q: Guest bedroom — queen bed frame (under $600).

A: I would probably do something like this in the blue linen upholstery option and then punch it up with fun bed linens. The Company Store has great options and I’ve been impressed with quality (mini has this set in her new girl bed and our upstairs guest room bunks have these) and I feel like they’re always running sales — this would be pretty with the blue.

Q: Fall photo dress for a 24 week bump.

A: This ByTimo, this Frances Hart, this Mirth, this Cara Cara, or this Anna Cate. Or go with a knit dress like this layered beneath a cape. If you live somewhere warmer, I like the way this Marea dress could be accented with suede to accommodate a coastal setting but establish the season.

Q: Stylish Chelsea boots for a reasonable price.

A: This season, I’m drawn to the ones that have a thicker or lug sole — I’ve had the tab for these Freda Salvadors open for awhile. Similar vibes for less: these Madewells or this Kensies.

Q: Formal events/weddings this fall/winter, 5’2, 3rd trimester, no torso. Willing to splurge!

A: This Taller Marmo — wowza! This one is also fab and in this season’s it color. Or this Anna October! This Mme Mink has a very martinis-at-the-Carlyle vibe to me. A total steal, but this under-$100 dress would also be gorgeous in the chocolate brown with some fun bling.

Q: Long but light coats for autumn – nothing bulky.

A: Something like this would be chic and interesting to mix with fall patterns. I also love a coatigan moment like this.

Q: Cute carpool pick up outfits.

A: A fun blouse like this, this, this, this, or this; a statement coat over a tee; a striped turtleneck sweater or crewneck sweater. Pair any of these with your favorite jeans and clogs, fun sneaks, or Vibis.

Q: Black mini skirt.

A: I love everything about this faux leather one from J. Crew and this pleated tweed from Sandro.

Q: Birthday gift for a best friend who lives in another city — $100-$150 range.

A: This initial necklace comes in right around $150 if you sign up for emails — so sweet. Other options: Byredo perfume set, statement scarf, an Alice Walk pullover, Lele Sadoughi heart earrings, Oribe hair care set.

Q: Blazers please.

A: I’m obsessed with this corduroy one and this Veronica Beard. Or, major splurge, one of the epic ones from Blaze Milano. I shared more cropped/tweed blazers here, and oversized styles here.

Q: Christmas dress for a 28 week bump.

A: Congratulations, mama! This or this would be absolutely perfect.

Q: A workhorse belt.

A: Refine has the most beautiful everyday styles. Other options: I love this croc belt in either the black or brown, and the brand B-Low the Belt has a lot of great options. This one feels like it was meant to go with all of the floaty florals we’re wearing these days, and this one is ladylike. Finally, I just discovered the belt brand Cesoli (local to DC!) which makes gorgeous reversible (!) belts that you can then accent with statement buckles to change up the look.

Q: Outfit for a 90s theme party.

A: Love. I would pay loose (or explicit) homage to Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. Feather pen, plaid mini skirt, lug sole loafers, smooth straight hair, white button down (I might diverge here and pair with a more contemporary blouse like this). Alternately, HHH literally named a dress after her. Layer this dress over a white button down. Bring this as a hostess gift! Enjoy!

By: Jen Shoop

Shopbop 25% Off Sale.

As a part of Amazon Prime’s Early Access days, Shopbop is offering 25% off a selection of items to Prime members.

ROW 1: ASTR DRESS // REE PROJECTS HELENE BAG // XIRENA REVERSIBLE COAT // LIZZIE FORTUNATO NECKLACE

ROW 2: LAST DAZE BOOTS // LOST AND WANDER DRESS // FREE PEOPLE OTTOMAN SWEATER // BY TIMO CORD DRESS

ROW 3: THE GREAT HALF-ZIP // HAT ATTACK PLAID SCARF // AYR FRENCH FRY TEE // LINE + DOT DRESS

*Note that the iconic French Fry tee from Ayr is included! One of my new favorite layering pieces.

A Few More Prime Early Access Must-Mentions.

Early Access for Prime’s deals ends today, and this might be the most random thing I’ve ever featured on this blog, but — Mr. Magpie has been traveling and asked me to “vac pac” some of the leftover pork BBQ he spent 22 hours smoking last weekend using this gizmo. The request was a prime reminder of all he does around the house and in the kitchen, as we’ve owned this tool for a long time and I’ve never once laid a finger on it. Mr. Magpie uses it to sous-vide, but — more often than not — to seal leftovers in an airtight parcel that can then be frozen. The “frost” and “weird freezer taste” you get from frozen leftovers is as a result of air getting into the bag. This vac pac means you can seal off your leftovers, thaw them, and they taste good as new. Anyhow, he walked me through how to use it (very simple actually) over FaceTime and I’m ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED. This would be such a good gift for a foodie/cook.

Other less random finds that I had to add to yesterday’s roundup of Prime scores:

I OWN THESE LEGGINGS IN A FEW COLORS — GREAT “BACK UPS” FOR MY LULU ALIGNS, AND THEY’RE CURRENTLY $16!

WE HAVE THESE PILLOWS IN BASICALLY EVERY BEDROOM IN OUR HOUSE — CURRENTLY AN EXTRA 40% OFF IF YOU TAP THE COUPON BOTTON

HAD NEVER HEARD OF THESE BUILDING TOYS BUT LOOK AT THE REVIEWS!

Launches to Know About.

+Pam Munson just launched a gorgeous collaboration with Blair Eadie of Atlantic Pacific today. I adore the lady bags in particular — the navy one with the croc is so fabulous and unexpected — and this teddy style, seen above on Blair.

+Sunhouse Children just launched its holiday collection and I adore this little bow dress — fun way to mix in pastels/softer colors in the holiday season.

+Minnow just launched its holiday collection, too — dreamy if you’ll be getting away this winter somewhere warm and beachy. I am obsessed with this new print and this one in the rash guard for girls and both these trunks and these trunks for micro.

+Modatrova featured me as a “tastemaker” and I was able to curate a little collection of my favorite pieces from the various gorgeous small labels they carry. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite destinations for event dressing — the perfect pitstop when you’re asking “I need a dress for…”

+ICYMI, Maxwell and Geraldine just launched a fall/holiday collection. I had to get my hands on one of their black watch tartan Kate dresses (actually think I will style it a bunch with a sweater on top, using the dress almost as a skirt), but I’m also loving the Lily in the moody floral and both plaids, too. Perfect for holidays, family photos, etc!

P.S. In case you’re still looking for a costume for your little one for Halloween!

P.P.S. Fun and chic ways to make this Halloween special. I also just ordered these black butterflies to make into a motif in my daughter’s window, in addition to our bats downstairs!

P.P.P.S. Long divison.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Post-Scripts.