Jen Shoop, Author at Magpie by Jen Shoop

By: Jen Shoop

Earlier this summer, I woke up to a phone call from my father. I took a deep breath, assuming the absolute worst, my stomach in a knot, my mind racing.

It turned out he was simply trying to coordinate something regarding a piece of furniture he had offered me for our home.

I was out of sorts afterward, and it took me awhile to regain my composure. Even though the call was completely benign (and not out of the ordinary, either, as my father has always been an early riser), I had to gather myself.

I recently learned that this is called “catastrophic thinking,” and that all of us “catastrophize” from time to time. But I was reflecting after the incident that I do not “assume the worst” in most areas of my life — I am more often cautiously optimistic — but when it comes to the wellbeing of loved ones, I magnify even the mildest of situations.

Mr. Magpie recently recommended a practice he’d read about: the next time I find myself catastrophizing, I should imagine multiple possible outcomes alongside “the worst one.” That is, instead of “Oh my gosh, Mr. Magpie is late and not answering his phone, he must have gotten into a car accident” (this does flash through my mind when he goes incommunicado for longer than anticipated), I should add: “Or maybe he’s getting gas,” “Or maybe he stopped to talk to the parents at the drop off line,” “Or maybe he popped into Whole Foods for the half and half we need,” “Or maybe he got a flat tire,” or, or, or.

What I love about this approach is that it is generative rather than disciplinary. It is not saying: “You are ridiculous, stop worrying so much,” but rather: “OK, that concern is valid, but what other non-malignant possibilities are there on the table?” And then, by virtue of having different possibilities in front of me, I can’t help but think, “OK, so just playing straight odds in this random assortment of possible explanations, there’s a 1 in 10 chance something bad happened, so let’s keep a sense of perspective.”

Do any of you struggle with this kind of thinking? What helps you?

Post-Scripts.

+A year in, still on a high from my new suburban lifestyle.

+What do you do when you’re feeling “run aground“?

+On empowering my children.

Magpie will be undergoing a major glow up in the next week or two, and the site may be temporarily unavailable at some point during this time. We will be back up and running with a new look (but the same far-flung mix of posts, toggling between the freighted and the frivolous) in short order! I have wanted to shorten the name from TheFashionMagpie to Magpie for years now and cannot wait to introduce you to the new nest. In the meantime, should you encounter it, please pardon the dust.

Shopping Break.

+MAJOR Cara Cara vibes for under $200. Perfect Thanksgiving dress!

+Oo, Gap! This is good! Also, their wildly popular Toteme-esque oversized striped sweater was restocked in all sizes!

+This is my favorite texturizing spray when I’m going for beachy / loose waves. All of Oribe’s products are simply second to none.

+Had a few questions about Halloween PJs for littles. These embroidered ones from Petite Plume are beyond adorable, but I love this pair from Gap, these Petit Lems, and these Lila + Hayes.

+Speaking of Halloween — I already have this activity and these surprise balls in my Target cart.

+I have wanted one of these ACNE Studios beanies for like two years now. I don’t know why I’ve never pulled the trigger? I am regretting missing out on the hot pink one they had last year (would be perfectttt this season) but this pastel pink is calling my name…

+SO CHIC.

+Have gotten a few questions about the iPhone case pictured here. It is an old Etsy find but no longer available. You can find something similar here!

+This popular cocktail party dress is 50% off!

+Also a good time to buy your daughter a coat — also 50% off! — and your son of these great half-zips (such good colors).

+Going to do a big post on fall fashion for little girls because I spent more or less all weekend figuring out my daughter’s wardrobe for the upcoming season, but had to share that this CPC kids dress is 40% off — love this look/style for everyday wear.

+I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I’m already planning to throw “A Very Kacey Christmas” Christmas party this holiday season and how perfect would this be?

+A little pick-me-up for your Harry Potter loving friend/sibling/child/etc.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via Foundation Goods featuring their adorable wicker baskets.

A few fabulous little upgrades to greet the incoming season —

SINGLE INITIAL MONOGRAMMED TAN DOOR MAT WITH BOLD BLACK BORDER — WE HAVE ONE OF THESE AND I REALLY THINK FRONTGATE IS BEST IN BREED FOR THESE COIR FIBER MATS

DECK OF CARDS IN A COLORFUL BOTANICAL PRINT

GORGEOUS STONE-TOP FIRE TABLE WITH WEATHERPROOF BROWN WICKER BASE

ANTIQUE-INSPIRED ALUMINUM BIRD SCULPTURE WITH A HAND-PAINTED GOLDEN FINISH — I HAVE A FEW OF THESE IN WHITE CERAMIC AND THEY ARE GREAT TABLESCAPE-MAKERS

HAND-WOVEN ROUNDED RUSTIC WICKER BASKET WITH LID — REMINDS ME OF AN ACORN!

FLOWER-SHAPED POST ACCENT TABLE IN A TEXTURED BRONZE MODERN FINISH

DURABLE TERRACOTTA-COLORED LARGE FRENCH ANDUZE OUTDOOR PLANTER

LIGHTWEIGHT EUROPEAN LINEN SHEET SET IN A CLASSIC OLIVE GREEN GINGHAM PRINT

COZY PILLOW COVER IN A TWILL WEAVE WITH AN OFFSET PLAID PATTERN

MEDIUM-SIZED LIGHTWEIGHT WOVEN PUMPKIN

MADE-TO-ORDER LIVE WILLOW EUCALYPTUS WREATH WITH A 30-INCH DIAMETER THAT WILL DRY AND PRESERVE ITSELF OVER TIME

POLISHED BRASS OVAL-SHAPED PLAQUE CUSTOMIZED WITH YOUR HOUSE NUMBER

EARTH-TONED SISAL RECTANGULAR AREA RUG PERFECT FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC (OR MESS-LIKELY) SPACES

VEGAN LEATHER HANDWOVEN STORAGE BASKETS WITH HANDLES IN A RICH COGNAC TONE

FROSTED GLASS MODERN PENDANT LIGHT WITH BRASS AND PEWTER ACCENTS — THESE REMIND ME OF THE PENDANTS WE ARE PUTTING IN OVER OUR ISLAND, BUT LESS EXPENSIVE

ARTISANALLY MADE ACACIA WOOD WIDE-SET FRUIT BOWL — PERFECT KITCHEN TABLE CENTERPIECE

TWO-TONE GLAZED IVORY CERAMIC TABLE LAMP WITH SHADE

CLAY TABLE LAMP

More Chic Fall Finds for Home.

P.S. Heartburn.

P.P.S. My favorite tabletop finds.

P.P.P.S. Shoes to get the mail in.

P.P.P.S.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via Miranda Brooks.

I know next to nothing about gardening, and — despite loving cut flowers in the house and herbs, fruit, and vegetables a few feet outside my door — nurse only the mildest of interests in learning more. I suspect I lack the patience and detail-orientedness required. I consider myself a generally patient and detail-oriented person by nature, but one thing I have learned about myself over time is that my interests must be powered by an inward passion that pre-exists the activity itself or my contributions to the matter will sputter to an unceremonious halt. For example, I have tried, unsuccessfully, to get into calligraphy, various fitness “cults,” sewing (I own a sewing machine!), and any manner of handicraft over the years, only to find relics of these temporary passions cluttering a bin in my work closet. Meanwhile, I could — and do — spend hours and hours of time writing, editing, doodling thoughts on paper, evaluating the writing of others, digging into the thesaurus, jotting down scraps of plot lines and musings. No prompting necessary. And when I am really in a flow, Mr. Magpie informs me I have “scary focus” — it is almost as if I am entranced. My dedication to this pursuit, in other words, stands on sturdy bridge piers.

People change, though. Perhaps, later in life, with a more lightly-laden plate, I will find myself digging into the earth alongside my husband. I hope so, not only for the sake of companionship, and not only because I so enjoy the fruits of that kind of labor, but because gardening presents a perfect canvas for living out so many of the core values I have come to cultivate:

+Art for the sake of art. Beauty for the sake of beauty. Flowers do nothing but embellish our lives; caring for a cutting garden is the ultimate “ice cream moment.” This dovetails beautifully with some of my recent musings on creating not for its extrinsic value but in order to, as Kurt Vonnegut put it, “find out what’s inside of you.”

+Notice what is at “eye’s level.” Gardening requires careful watch. My husband visits his garden every morning and returns with a full and thoughtful report about the state of things — certain plants doing well, and others not; overcrowding; weeds; the amount of rain and heat we’ve had and how these are impacting the garden’s yield; the damn chipmunks; etc. This particular brand of noticing strikes me as especially precious, as there is no substitute, when it comes to caring for myself, for spending time outside. It is like hitting the re-set button. The inconsequential matters we carry with us fall away, or at least appear suddenly re-sized. Observing Mother Nature up close and personal on a daily basis is bound to bestow perspective.

+Practice what you love daily. Gardening demands this commitment by its very nature. In my case, writing has been a daily practice for decades now. I know nothing of the quality of my output over time, but the process has been rich and rewarding, and I now feel a tingly emptiness when I have not been at my desk for some time.

+Design your life with intention. The great English gardener Christopher Lloyd insisted that one should garden for oneself. He wrote: “Every gardener nurses prejudices against certain plants or flowers. It is not a bad idea to examine our own, from time to time, and to decide whether they have sufficient validity to be taken to our graves. If a plant bores you, something must be done about it. The simplest course, if it belongs to you, is to throw it out. If it is someone else’s, look the other way. If it belongs to someone you rather dislike anyway, don’t be ashamed to let it confirm you in an inclusive repulsion. At the least, you must react somehow. If you accept all your surroundings meekly, something in you will die.” Since we moved into our home, Mr. Magpie has torn out several plantings and replaced them with vegetables that interest him and complement his culinary pursuits. For example, a full and complete herb garden was requisite, and he has also cultivated his own garlic and potatoes, as we were, after all, Midwesterners for five years. He has been talking more or less since the day we moved in about ripping out a kiwi vine that twines around the railing of our back patio, espalier style. We have gone back and forth on this. It is quick climber that requires regular pruning, and it puts off a pungent stink at certain phases of growth that is not ideal given its proximity to our outdoor dining table. At the same time, it affords the patio a pleasantly leafy “tree-house” effect that doubles as extra privacy from our closest neighbors. Mainly, though, the vine is a fun party trick; people are surprised and tickled by it, and many have left our home with kiwis pressed into their palms. Still, I am sitting here wanting to channel Lloyd: garden for yourself. I mean this less in the sense of solipsism and more as a matter of intentionality and focus. You have one wild and precious life: are you going to spend it ambivalently looking out over your kiwi vine, or are you going to plant something that brings joy? The applicability of this sagacity to other realms of life needs no trumpeting. As Lloyd put it: “If you accept your surroundings meekly, something in you will die.” So —

Change the house color. Take control of your day by scheduling that workout, deferring non-urgent tasks, accepting the chores that must be done. Switch jobs. Re-upholster the chair you inherited. In the words of Melville, “Sing out for new stars.”

Onward!

Post-Scripts.

+The first job each morning.

+Wild geese.

+On the concept of flow.

Shopping Break.

+This velvet headband is the perfect exclamation point on a fall outfit — or, if you like bolder looks, this exaggerated bow. A girlfriend of mine recently underwent a surgery on her scalp and was asking me for something that could help cover up some of the hair patchiness for a special occasion, and the latter immediately came to mind!

+A great oversized cardigan in a cozy neutral color to wear over everything.

+Oo – I love this long-sleeved collared knit (under $40). Great for layering and super elegant.

+If you need a new iPhone case — these are so fun.

+My favorite fall candle.

+Have been eyeing the Alice Walk sweaters since last fall…

+One of the pieces I am most excited about in our currently-under-renovation family room is a spindle chair our interior designer is upholstering in a blue gingham. The chair looks almost identical to this one — look for less with this or this.

+I have been putting together a cart full of Maison Me pieces for mini this fall — I’ll share all my snags when I place the order, but, if you have a baby girl, how adorable is this?! Jacadi/LaCoqueta vibes for a great price. They also have such cute puffers with great prints!

+Love the contrast stitching on this sweater.

+A great tote for moms on the go — diaper bag / trailing littles / etc. An elevated Boat and Tote.

+These embellished flats are SO cute. Would be ideal for a tall bride!

+A great wedding guest dress for a formal occasion in the next month or so.

+Loving these $15 olive-hued sunglasses.

+This is just the cutest lamp.

By: Jen Shoop

Everything I’m buying, thinking about, obsessing over…

+TRACKSMITH RUNNING GEAR. Tracksmith makes the absolute best, highest quality running gear, and I love the styling and details, including the little embroidered bunny. You can see my Van Cortlandt Grand running shorts above. These are a bit long on me (I’m 5’0), so I usually roll the waistband once, but they are so comfortable to run in. To celebrate my return to running regularly with the dawn of school year, I think I am going to treat myself to a pair of their shorter session shorts (I know a lot of you Magpies swear by these) and one of their long-sleeve running tops. Perfect as we head towards slightly chillier temps. Their cold-weather running gear is unparalleled — I only run in their turnover tights in the winter. I find this brand runs small in the bottoms especially — I am a true XS but I take an S in their tights because the waistband runs really snug. The clothes are cut for, like, true marathoners — wiry, muscular, narrow. Just a heads up. They do make returns and exchanges easy, though, in case you want to order two sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit.

+PLANTRONICS EARPHONES. Speaking of running, I still swear by these virtually indestructible, waterproof earphones. It made me too nervous to run with my AirPods, and I’ve had these earphones for probably close to six or seven years? The first song on my running playlist at the moment is Doja Cat’s “Vegas,” which hypes and has a great rhythm for the first quarter mile.

+GOOD COTTAGE CHEESE. I know cottage cheese is polarizing but if you are a fan, you must try this brand. It is elite. Go full fat (“whole milk”) — trust me. You can tell this company does not mess around with the quality of its ingredients. I buy mine at Whole Foods.

+SEA PATCHWORK COAT. A handful of my coat left here, on sale! Size down. I took the XXS and it is still very oversized. I just love this happy, boho trend. Such an easy way to make a big statement while wearing your regular uniform of jeans and tee beneath. If the full-length is intimidating, they do make cropped variations like this or this. You can get a toned-down version of the trend with this $130 jacket.

+ERIN WALLACE LUNCH BOX LOVE NOTES. One of my favorite new traditions with my daughter. My mother used to tuck a note into my lunchbox every day, and it’s been a joy to pass this along to my girl. I usually write simple affirmations: “You are brave,” “You work hard!,” etc. These are the perfect shape for tucking into mini’s lunchbox (and I like these Ekobo bento boxes for tucking inside).

+GUCCI DAD SANDALS. I am regretting not jumping on this trend this summer…why are these Barbiecore pink Gucci sandals calling my name? What I’d really like are a pair of the Chanel ones, but I just can’t bring myself to spend so much on a short-lived trend…or can I? My favorite less expensive pair of “dad sandals” are these ones from Loeffler.

+J. CREW CROPPED CARDIGAN. Into pops of neon/hot pink ATM, and this has such a great silhouette for layering over either a button down (as J. Crew has it styled on their site — but I would aim for a button-down with a slightly longer hem, like this, to play with proportions) or a fall dress in a neutral hue like this. (Also a perfect length for layering over nap dresses — hits at the right spot!)

+MILLE TOP X WHITE LOAFERS. I wore this outfit twice this week — something about the ease and pop of color spoke to me. The top runs really big. Size down! My exact pattern is no longer available, but Mille releases this top in tons of fabulous prints each season. How gorgeous is this one as we head towards fall? Would look great with a mocha brown. I also found a few of these on sale in fantastic patterns — see here and here. The loafers are old J. Crew but I pulled them out this week, inspiring myself with this post. You can get a similar look (in white!) with these, these, or these. I must say that I am exercising maximum restraint in not springing for these Tory Burch lug sole loafers to participate in the chunkier footwear trend, but, like, how many white loafers is too many white loafers? (Their non-lug-sole variation is also fabulous and probably has longer legs — these are more likely to transcend trends.)

+MAGPIE X JEN SHOOP! I’ve been including a note at the top of all my recent posts — excuse the redundancy! — but I cannot wait to unveil “the new nest.” I worked with the incredible team at Arcal Studio, which is helmed by two sisters (!) to design the new look, feel, and logo of Magpie…can’t wait to show you more.

+TALBOTS LOAFERS. Speaking of loafers, and my aforementioned weakness for them, I wore my Talbots espadrille loafers this week (generously gifted). I like these paired with midi-length or maxi-length dresses. I wore mine with an army green shirtdress (old, but this Alex Mill is virtually identical) and a vintage Gucci bag that belonged to my grandmother.

+EVANHEALY WILD CARROT NOURISHING EYE BALM. I wrote about this $26 wonderproduct last weekend but it has been my best friend recently. Deeply hydrating. I love the feeling of going to bed after slicking this and an overnight cream on. Dreamy.

+GAP SHERPA COAT. Ahhh! I have been majorly debating which sherpa/shearling coat to go with this season. Toteme’s fab, high-end option has been all over Instagram, but I also love this Stand Studio and this ladylike Baum und Pferdgarten. Then this ~$100 steal from Gap entered the chat. It is SO good. I love the details – collarless, with army green trim, which is especially important at the cuff. I feel like these features prevent it from overpowering a small frame or seeming too teddy-bear like. Currently in my cart!

P.S. In case you’re setting out on a new adventure or chapter in life, and need some encouragement.

P.P.S. On the joy of having work friends.

P.P.P.S. My trick for handling prying questions or rude comments.

By: Jen Shoop

My Latest Snag: AYR Tees.

After eyeing them for years, I finally treated myself to two Ayr tees: their wildly popular French Fry and their short-sleeved Sno Cone. I love layering with stripes, and pattern-matching striped with other prints (for example, patterned Hermes scarves look fabulous against a striped tee). What drew me most to these (besides the hype) was the fact that they are perfect “tucking” tees. I love my Kules, but Kule has a slightly thicker, boxier shape that makes them difficult to fully tuck into high-waist denim. The AYR is a perfect tuck (see below). I also love the dropped shoulders and the slight taper of the arm — a bit fuller at bicep, narrower at cuff; it’s as if the shirt has done all the heavy lifting for achieving that perfect French girl coolness. Wanted to mention that they are still running a 20% off any two tees promo! (Go in on it with a girlfriend?!)

P.S. I’m still toting my The Jacksons woven tote everywhere. So cute!

This Week’s Most Popular: Early Fall Finds.

The most popular items on Magpie this week:

COZY IVORY CASHMERE RIB-KNIT CARDIGAN IN AN OVERSIZED FIT FROM JENNI KAYNE

HIGH-RISE TAPERED OLIVE CARGO PANTS IN AN ANKLE-CROPPED LENGTH…SEE ME IN MINE HERE! SIZE DOWN A FULL SIZE — TRUST ME

RICH RED FLORAL TIERED LONG-SLEEVE MIDI DRESS WITH SMOCKED BODICE AND EMBROIDERED STATEMENT COLLAR — IN MY CLOSET WAITING FOR A CHILLY FALL DAY!

BREATHABLE CASHMERE SHORT SLEEVE SWEATER WITH OPEN COLLAR IN AN EYE-CATCHING GOLDENROD — ALSO IN MY CLOSET; GREAT VALUE FOR CASHMERE!

STUDDED COGNAC AND BLACK LEATHER SLIP-ON CLOGS — WILL BE WEARING MINE ALL FALL

SIMPLE WHITE CERAMIC TABLE LAMP ALONG WITH A CHIC WOVEN RATTAN LAMPSHADE — I PUT THESE IN OUR UPSTAIRS GUEST BEDROOM…THEY HAVE A CLEVER DIMMER SWITCH BUILT IN!

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE HERRINGBONE DOUBLE-BREASTED BLAZER WITH WIDE LAPEL AND GOLD STATEMENT BUTTONS…THIS IS A FALL CLOSET ESSENTIAL

RETRO-INSPIRED COLORBLOCKED MULTICOLOR CASUAL SNEAKERS — LOEWE VIBES

RUFFLED THREE-QUARTER SLEEVE MIDI DRESS IN A DARK BLUE GINGHAM PRINT WITH A SMOCKED BODICE AND STATEMENT COLLAR

GOLD OPEN LINK CHAIN NECKLACE WITH ADORABLE CRYSTAL EMBLAZONED MIXED CHARMS

DECORATIVE CERAMIC VANITY TRAY IN A WHITE AND GREY MARBLED PRINT — I USE THIS TO KEEP MY SKINCARE CORRALLED ON MY SINK!

SNAP-FRONT OVERSIZED COLLARED SHIRT JACKET IN A CLASSIC HOUNDSTOOTH PATTERN (UNDER $50!)

BUTTON-UP COLLARLESS PEASANT BLOUSE — STAUD VIBES FOR $22!

KHAKI DURABLE UTILITY JACKET WITH CONTRASTING CORDUROY COLLAR — BARBOUR STYLE FOR UNDER $50

WILD CARROT MOISTURIZING EYE BALM IN A PORTABLE STICK FORM FOR HYDRATION ON THE GO

Weekend Musings: At Eye’s Level.

Earlier this week, I took a midday stretch outside and noticed a little nest in one of the trees in our tiered garden beds. My sister-in-law had noticed it when visiting us in June — she is far more attentive to these things — and I’d frankly forgotten about it in the intervening weeks, despite regularly walking right past it on my way to the garage.

I was reminded, all of the sudden, of a poem by Edward Thomas, a British war poet who was killed in action at the Battle of Arras in 1917. (My father is a prodigious student of the war poets and even self-published a book comparing that genre to the combat poetry born of the Vietnam War some fifty years later. I must have encountered Thomas the summer I edited his manuscript while in graduate school.) Anyhow, the poem, titled “Birds’ Nests” was strikingly a propos:

“The summer nests uncovered by autumn wind,
Some torn, others dislodged, all dark,
Everyone sees them: low or high in tree,
Or hedge, or single bush, they hang like a mark.

Since there’s no need of eyes to see them with
I cannot help a little shame
That I missed most, even at eye’s level, till
The leaves blew off and made the seeing no game.”

Another reminder to focus on “what’s at eye’s level” in my life. To live where my feet are planted. It is haunting to think I might only notice what’s in front of me when the foliage has run thin.

Onward, Magpies —

At eye level —

Shopping Break.

+Yet another fun fall dress from Hunter Bell. They are nailing it this season! I’m not usually into minis but I really love the ones from HB and Doen…thinking they would look super cute with sneaks or flats or clogs…

+OMG I NEED THIS. I had been eyeing the SEA vest (which is SO fab) but this gets the vibe for less than half the price.

+Another GREAT platform sandal for the season ahead — this one under $150. (As you may recall, I cannot wait to bust mine out for this season.)

+Love love love these textured pillows to mix in with patterned ones.

+A great pair of straight-leg cords (in case the J. Crew demi boot cuts aren’t your vibe).

+Fun statement cardigan for $50. Gives me Ulla/Isabel Marant vibes.

+Great striped dress for fall – perfect with sneaks or ballet flats. Would work with bump slash ideal for wearing while chasing little ones.

+This Kule sweatshirt is on sale for under $60 — I own one of their sweatshirts and it’s one of my absolute favorites. It has a tailored fit that looks a bit dressier than your usual sweatshirt.

+Did I mention that my son wants to be a witch for Halloween? Ha! Love it. I found this $10 hat from H&M, which might be just the ticket…this reminds me: did you read The Humbug Witch growing up? This was one of my favorites and my daughter LOVES it now, too. A great addition to your fall library.

+This LaDoubleJ dress is pure fun. Milestone birthday material. (Look for less with this!)

+Cute table lamp.

+This straw tote transitions nicely into fall weather thanks to the leather handle.

By: Jen Shoop

I had a number of requests for workwear in this latest batch of “WYSF” (what-you’re-shopping-for) questions, and wanted to share a selection of updated office go-to’s that are simple and chic. I’ve skewed this roundup towards the layerable/versatile/underpinning/basic finds! I must first go googly eyed at this fabulous Veronica Beard blouse (find no. 1 below) — such a fantastic twist on the white blouse. Next: these Manolo-inspired slides, under $50. They look bright blue in the photo I took of my pair below, but they are more of a true navy IRL. Would look great with a knit dress, cropped trousers, or a skirt. And on the subject of cropped trousers: if I worked a traditional job, I would invest in this pair from Vince — totally timeless. Audrey vibes? So good! For more of a splurge/upgrade/trendy pick, check out HighSport. People are on wait-lists for these!

All my favorite finds below…

LIGHTWEIGHT BLACK SHORT SLEEVE CASHMERE SWEATER — IN MY CLOSET!

A TWIST ON THE CLASSIC OXFORD SHIRT FROM VERONICA BEARD IN A MOCK-NECK CUT WITH A CURVED HEM AND BUTTON-UP SLEEVE

NAVY SLIP-ON MULE — UNDER $50, MAJOR MANOLO VIBES, AND FAR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS (I OWN!)

CALF-LENGTH RIBBED SLEEVELESS MOCK NECK SWEATER DRESS MADE FROM A SUPER-SOFT CASHMERE BLEND

STUNNING BROWN SUEDE BALLERINA FLAT SLIP-ON MULES WITH LITTLE BOW DETAIL — MANOLO VIBES FOR LESS

CLASSIC CAMEL TRENCH COAT IN A MIDI LENGTH WITH MATCHING WAIST TIE AND UNIQUE CURVED STORM FLAP…A GREAT PRICE FOR SUCH A TIMELESS AND DURABLE CLOSET STAPLE

SLIGHTLY OVERSIZED BUTTON-FRONT OXFORD SHIRT IN A BLUE AND WHITE PINSTRIPE WITH BARREL CUFFS — THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF EDGE TO BREAK THINGS UP!

NUDE LEATHER BALLET FLATS WITH SLIGHT SQUARE TOE AND BOW DETAIL — MANSUR GAVRIEL VIBES FOR UNDER $100

HIGH-RISE PLEATED BEIGE TROUSERS IN A WIDE-LEG CUT WITH A MATCHING WIDE BELT FROM VERONICA BEARD…ON SALE FOR 40% OFF

ANKLE-LENGTH TAILORED DARK NAVY CIGARETTE PANTS MADE FROM A SLIGHTLY STRETCHY COTTON BLEND FOR A PERFECT FIT — TIMELESS AND A GREAT INVESTMENT

TRADITIONAL WHITE BUTTON-UP WITH A SLIGHTLY OVERSIZED FIT MADE FROM LIGHTWEIGHT STRETCH SHIRTING

PEBBLED BROWN LEATHER MINIMALISTIC LAPTOP SLEEVE FROM CUYANA WITH SNAP CLOSURE AND OPTION TO MONOGRAM

SQUARE FACED WATCH WITH ROMAN NUMERALS, BLACK LEATHER STRAP, AND 14K GOLD PLATED HARDWARE…HERMES LOOK FOR LESS

LIGHTWEIGHT YELLOW-GOLD PLATED HOOP EARRINGS — I OWN THESE AND THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT…CAN’T BEAT THE $13 PRICE TAG

WOVEN LEATHER TOTE FROM BOTTEGA VENETA IN A STUNNING MUTED SILVER BLUE…STILL NOT OVER THIS BAG, WHICH BECKY MALINSKY DUBBED “THE PERFECT WORK BAG”

OVERSIZED OATMEAL-COLORED CHUNKY RIB-KNIT CARDIGAN WITH CONTRASTING BUTTONS AND FRONT PATCH POCKETS — KHAITE ENERGY!

P.S. Oversized blazers.

P.P.S. Fall layering, Parisian style!

P.P.P.S. Intactness.

By: Jen Shoop

At some point during the pandemic, I had a major breakthrough about the repetitive, quotidian tasks of running a household. I realized that I had been mistakenly conceptualizing my daily chores (laundry-folding, lunch-packing, dishwashing, drop-off, cleaning) as activities that “got in the way of” living life, and began instead to view these tasks as part of the architecture of my day. They may not always be stimulating (in fact, can be unpleasant and fatiguing), but they are substantive and immovable blocks of time, and they matter. They will not only continue to present themselves, but they carry our family forward and should be treated with the same deference and accommodation as any other task on my plate: phone calls, fitness, preparing dinner, etc. This mindset led me to aim, wherever possible, to make those times of day as pleasant as possible. If I am folding laundry or ironing, I will light a candle, put on an audiobook, and enjoy a cup of peppermint tea. If I am packing lunch, I will do it at a time where I am not feeling harried and flustered (e.g., not in the morning, before school). And if I am doing the dishes, I will turn on music that makes me feel good. (And usually pour myself a little wine.) For some reason, this past year, I have been obsessed with turning on “Short and Sweet” by Brittany Howard when I am first rolling up my sleeves to tackle a big kitchen clean up. It hits just the right balance of transportive and quieting — it is soulful, it is moving, it is comforting. The lyrics are thoughtful enough to spark reverie. It often has the effect of making quick work of a big pile of pots and pans.

Today, sharing my dishwashing music soundtrack. Great not only for dishwashing, of course, but for any repetitive, slightly meditative task — could be gardening, could be folding laundry, could be addressing envelopes, etc…

You can find the playlist below on Spotify or Apple Music.

“SHORT AND SWEET” // BRITTANY HOWARD

“SINCE I FELL FOR YOU” // BONNIE RAITT

“YOU’RE NO GOOD” // LINDA RONSTADT

“MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT” // ELLA FITZGERALD + LOUIS ARMSTRONG

“NEW YORK STATE OF MIND” // BILLY JOEL + TONY BENNETT

“TON OF JOY” // OTIS REDDING

“MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM” // TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND

“RIGHT ON TIME” // BRANDI CARLILE

“STRANGE” // CELESTE

“IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING” // WILLIE NELSON

“AT LAST” // BEYONCE

“I LOVE YOU” // NAT KING COLE

“EV’RY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE” // SARAH VAUGHAN

“CES PETITS RIENS” // STACEY KENT

“DEARLY BELOVED” // TONY BENNETT

“4 AND 20” // JOSS STONE

“BYE BYE BLACKBIRD” // JOE COCKER

“TIME WILL DO THE TALKING” // PATTY GRIFFIN

“SPARKS” // COLDPLAY

“SAY HELLO, WAVE GOODBYE” // DAVID GRAY

“FALLING SLOWLY” // GLEN HANSARD + MARKETA IRGLOVA

“DREAMS” // FLEETWOOD MAC

“I’M ON FIRE” // JOHN MAYER

“MORNING SUN” // MELODY GARDOT

“BABY” // DONNIE + JOE EMERSON

“ARE WE IN TROUBLE NOW” // RANDY TRAVIS

“HARVEST MOON” // NEIL YOUNG

“BY YOUR SIDE” // SADE

“INTO THE MYSTIC” // VAN MORRISON

“VINCENT” // JAMES BLAKE

Post-Scripts.

+Another recent, major shift in perspective.

+On my perennial quest to live where my feet are.

+”The people I love the best // jump into work head first // without dallying in the shallows // and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.” (Excerpt from a favorite poem by Marge Piercey.)

Shopping Break.

+Planning to order these Isabel-Marant-esque boots but can’t decide which color — black or brown?

+You know I’m a note-taking and list-making fiend. Have heard really good things about this brand of notebook — thick, high-quality paper (has been compared to Rhodia). Fellow paperheads, jump on this!

+Another great everyday dress for fall — this one under $100.

+This mini is in my cart.

+This popular sherpa coat was just restocked in all sizes!

+This belted trench from Madewell is fab!

+I must again extol the virtues of this shoe storage situation for out-of-season or not-worn-as-frequently footwear! Obsessed. Very sturdy and cleverly designed.

+Perfect under-$100 wedding guest dress for fall.

+I’m not a huge athleisure gal but these pants are intriguing me. More elevated loungewear here.

+Now these boots. THESE BOOTS. Extra.

+Well this jacket is fabulous.

+SunHouse children just launched some adorable fall pieces for littles. I love this dress! A great go-to-Church-then-run-around-outside-with-friends piece.

+Just ordered these magnetic puzzles for my son — perfect for car, Church, etc.

+It’s been a minute since I raved about our Tonies box. I cannot believe the longevity and use of this in our home — my children almost ALWAYS have it on, and it’s not unusual for mini to fall asleep listening to it. My MIL has now gifted this to some other children. Great gift from a grandparent!

+This is such a beautiful way to anticipate a GREAT start to 2023. But I am pretty loyal to this inexpensive, BIG (8×11) planner, which I use to organize my entire life by list.

By: Jen Shoop

H&M has some absolutely fantastic fall basics for the season ahead!

I must specifically rave about this floral puffer — mini owned it in a past season pattern and we made it stretch for nearly two full winters. Absolutely adorable and the hood is detachable. It’s under $30! These corduroy overalls are in my cart already for micro. I love everything about them – the color, the fit, the patch pockets! I love to layer cord overalls over patterned turtlenecks like this from Little English, or striped tees like this. Meanwhile, this cord romper for baby girls reminds me of Bonpoint or Jacadi — absolutely precious. Finally, I am so sad mini has outgrown H&M’s toddler sizes because this faux fur vest would be positively precious layered over a fall patterned dress.

All my favorite picks below…

FLORAL PUFFER // CORDUROY OVERALLS // FAUX FUR VEST // CORDUROY ROMPER // TWO-PACK TIGHTS // SHAWL COLLAR CARDIGAN // RIBBED COTTON SET // QUILTED PUFFER VEST

Shop H&M Fall Basics for Children.

P.S. What I bought for my son from Gap for fall.

P.P.S. On the weepiness of seeing a child off to school for the first time.

P.P.P.S. The magic and mayhem of traveling with young children.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via Aquazzura featuring their fabulous Babe slingbacks.

Q: A totally extra black tie wedding guest outfit.

A: This, this, or this with these shoes. If you’re not into black, this Acler.

Q: I’m on the hunt for casual, comfortable dresses to wear during the day this fall while working from home, going out for coffee, etc! With clogs, white sneakers, etc.

A: I will do a full post on this soon as I’ve had a bunch of questions along these lines, but a few great picks I want to share immediately —

DYING OVER THIS HUNTER BELL — SO, SO CUTE

THIS GAP

THIS CORD SHIRTDRESS — YOU KNOW I LOVE A SHIRTDRESS

THIS MILLE (BRAND RUNS LARGE)

THIS MADEWELL PATCHWORK DRESS

Knit dresses are also a great option — I shared a bunch of my favorites here, but take a look at this fun Missoni-inspired style! Adorable with clogs or sneakers. And this one would be fab with a suede boot! For some reason imagining layering it beneath a vest like this.

Q: An absolutely obscure request but please bear with me. I am great at hostess gifts and have those covered for an upcoming trip. One of my dear friends has a 4 year old boy who is obsessed with dinosaurs. Any suggestions on something that will pack well (I don’t check bags) that would be a hit? Ideally keeping budget to ~$20.

A: So sweet! I would come with a tube of Plus Plus blocks in a dino theme. These keep my little ones busy for long stretches of time and pack beautifully. I also love all things by Usborne — their books and activity pads are such high-quality gifts. This lift-the-flap book on dinos or this wipe-clean activity book would be perfect.

Q: November wedding in Antigua.

A: This Farm Rio or this Agua Bendita!

Q: Outfit for my 7 week old son as ring bearer in my brother’s wedding in VA beach in November.

A: I would put mine in one of these traditional sets from LaCoqueta! If the event is a little less formal, I would put him in a soft collared set with a princely vibe like this or this.

Q: Long, almost menswear-inspired, camel wool coat, under $400.

A: Chic! How about this Gap, this Vince, this Mango, this Uniqlo, or — if you can splurge a bit — this Club Monaco? I am loving how the street style starlets are styling these oversized camel coats with chucks and other sneaks! (See here for inspo.)

Q: Proper denim shirt!

A: I am loving a mid-wash at the moment — consider this Ayr, this Banana, this J. Crew, or this RL. I am daydreaming about any of these paired with black denim and chunky loafers or captoe flats. Maybe with an oversized blazer over top?! CHIC!

Q: Slightly oversized plaid or tweedy blazers for work and play this fall!

A: I’m so on board with this look. My top picks are this ASTR if you want to go trend-forward (comme ci) or this tweed Banana (or this J. Crew) if you want something that toggles between classic and on-trend. More oversized blazer options here.

Q: Fall workwear for professional events, including some chic sleeved sheath dress options.

A: I have an entire post on workwear in the works, but a quick suggestion: Mango always has great pieces that won’t make you wince too much over the cost/wear. I like this dress, this one, and this one. Theory always has great investment pieces that will last decades. This blazer dress is fabulous, and this combo dress has a mod energy I love. This knit dress is also amazing, as is this shift!

Q: Formal wedding in Montauk, October, bump friendly! Under $350-ish?

A: Depending on how much you are showing, how chic and adorable would this be with a bump silhouetted? Also love this style (self-tie belt means you can tie it just under the bump). Pair with BIG earrings like these or any of the fabulous ones from Sophia203. This is over budget but had to add — absolutely fabulous and I think accommodating of a bump. (P.S. – This is a great maternity-friendly style for rehearsal dinner or some other event that weekend!).

Q: Best denim like the pic of Kaia Gerber — high waist, modern flair, professional dark rinse. Not too bootcut.

A: I think a lot of the styles from Re/Done — like this — are right up your alley!

Q: Clothing I can style with OTK flat boots.

A: I would go with a boxy mini — think this, this, or this — or layer over skinny jeans and pair with a boxy sweater like this, this, this, or this, or a boxy coat like this layered over a simple white tee.

Q: Add fun and range to jeans-and-a-tee work uniform. Very casual healthcare IT environment.

A: Upgrade the tee to an Ayr and layer gold jewelry over the top! I like the thick neckline on these COS tees, too — they seem so intentional, elevated. (Pair with fun sneaks like these or these). Or swap out the tee for a boxy button-down like this or this paired with sneaks. Also – a statement sweatshirt like this or this might be a fun change!

Q: Red Rocks concern on 9/29!

A: Sorry to keep featuring this dress in my answers, but this Hunter Bell in either color with cowboy-style boots like these (look for less). Or basically anything layered beneath this SEA vest — a voluminous white mini with cowboy boots, jeans and a tee, or a floaty dress like this. This Madewell would also be fun! Also love this and this — both Hunter Bell. I think that label is pitch-perfect for the moment.

Q: Black tie gala – need sleeves and no cut-outs.

A: Do the cap sleeves on this count? It’s perfect! Also love this Staud. Pair with big earrings.

Q: Fall, but make it maternity.

A: I would lean into the knit dress trend with pieces like this and this. Or pair big, oversized sweaters like this or this with maternity jeans / leggings. I’ve also long loved the Annie-from-Father-of-the-Bride-II vibe of big oversized button downs over leggings. I also love maternity joveralls — too cute over a striped tee paired with fun sneaks. Finally, I’ve heard these pants work with a bump and I would pair with a striped button-down a la Ann Maudette. Oh! And treat yourself to some really fun, splashy footwear, whether chunky loafers, shearling clogs, embellished mules, or something straight up extra like these. I always felt like my shoes made my outfits when pregnant!

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via @sarahharris.

I had so many inquiries about cropped blazers after I shared the photo of Kaia Gerber below on Instagram. She is wearing Celine’s Chausseur jacket (and a Celine bag, too!). So chic! If you’re looking to make an investment but not quite to the tune of Celine’s price tag this season, you might consider this fabulous Tory Burch style (find no 1 below) or this fantastic Self-Portrait (find no 3 below). On the more affordable end of the spectrum, the cut and detailing of this under-$100 blazer (find no 4 below) reminds me a lot of the Celine, but I also adore this sleek $100 style (find no 2 below) from Mango.

All my favorite blazers below…

TORY BURCH TWEED JACKET // SELF-PORTRAIT EMBELLISHED TWEED BLAZER // SELF-PORTRAIT EMBELLISHED CARDIGAN // MAJE VIOLETTE BLAZER // MANGO HOUNDSTOOTH BLAZER // L’AGENCE ANGELINA TWEED BLAZER // ZARA TWEED BLAZER // CELINE CHAUSSEUR JACKET // MANGO CROPPED TWEED JACKET

Shop The Cropped Blazer Edit.

P.S. Coats for little ones.

P.P.S. A podcast that really changed my life.

P.P.P.S. How to layer like a Parisian.

By: Jen Shoop

My husband told me recently that one of the best practices in recruiting and retaining talent in the workplace is offering a realistic job preview during the interview process. Like, what will you really be doing on a day to day basis? What does an average day or week look like? Will you be on the phone or living in Excel? In meetings or with lots of maker’s time? Who will you report in to and how much autonomy will you have?

I was thinking about the notion of “the realistic preview” recently while serving as a referral for a former employee. The woman on the phone said: “I’m interviewing another candidate for the role, and her referral was flawless — her former employer said there was absolutely nothing negative that she could say. She had zero hesitations and could not remember a single weakness.” Hm. Really? I hesitated. I did not want to compromise my former employee’s chances at securing the job, but my heart said: “Everybody is an adjustment. There are always going to be accommodations, quirks, idiosyncrasies, challenge areas. I feel compelled to be as honest as I can be about my experience with this woman, which was, on the whole, absolutely fantastic and I cannot recommend her more. Still, I want to be forthright.” I wasn’t sure about the ethics — didn’t I owe more to my former colleague than this potential future employer of hers? And hadn’t my former employee listed me because she assumed I’d provide a rave review? At the same time, as an employer, I’d rather have the heads up. It felt like a due courtesy, and a down-the-road insurance policy for both of them. Under what circumstances would it be appropriate to “dress up the truth” in this context? Never? Sometimes? I ended up emphasizing the favorable, as I was anxious to help my former colleague out, but I did share some concrete examples of things she’d worked on in our time together, framing them in terms of receptivity and workarounds. It seemed to me better for everyone to offer a realistic preview. What do you think?

On a much lighter note, I have also been applying the concept of “the realistic preview” to my everyday life. I still occasionally struggle with attempting to cram too much into a single day. I will ambitiously stack my to-dos, rounding down in terms of anticipated time required for each task. Lately, I have been chanting to myself: REALISTIC PREVIEW. REALISTIC PREVIEW. REALISTIC PREVIEW. What this means in actuality is that I sit down each morning at my desk and audit my to-dos from an estimated time standpoint. If I’ve over-assigned myself, I will shift tasks to days later in the week or declare: “this is really not important enough for me to worry about this week/month/year.” I roughly sketch out the time of day I think I’ll complete each component piece, forcing myself to “round up” in these calculations. It makes the day so much more pleasant when I’m not breathlessly moving from one task to the next and can find spare pockets of time. A former boss insisted on setting meeting times as, for example, “3:05-3:35” or “3:00 to 3:25.” He was deliberately building “buffers” into our day so that we might, for example, grab a coffee, stretch our legs, doodle in the margins, etc instead of moving from meeting to meeting in a breathless sprint. The five minute meeting buffer helped with establishing a sense of fluidity in the day.

Interestingly, my exertions around setting “realistic previews” have enabled me to “find joy in the middle,” as I put it elsewhere, more frequently. That is, I find myself increasingly prone to finding those tiny pockets of happiness throughout the week because I’ve improved the design of my day. As an example, a few weeks ago, I went to the salon to have my hair cut and colored. Historically, I have always under-estimated the amount of time it will take me to get to the salon (all the way in Georgetown), have my hair cut, colored, and styled, and then turn around and make it home. I always assume “oh, that’s like a two or three hour thing,” when in reality, it’s two or three hours just for the treatments, minus the commute, parking, etc. This go around, I estimated each component, rounding up, and then realized it would be better for me to “take the day off” so that I could properly enjoy the experience. I go to the salon only two, sometimes three, times a year, and it is an expensive indulgence — why was I trying to curtail it, cram it into a morning that would inevitably “spill over” and leave me stressed out about getting home to finish my task list? It was absurd! Realistic preview, Jen! Because of this anticipatory planning, I felt like I was on vacation. I arrived early and read my book. I had a glass of wine afterward. It was delightful.

Give “the realistic preview” chant a try as you approach your day — let me know what you think.

Onward!

Post-Scripts.

+More on building buffers — especially helpful when toggling out of work mode and into mom mode!

+How do you seize the day?

+A mini tech detox worth trying.

Shopping Break.

+These jeans are in my cart. I bought a pair of white jeans from this new-to-me brand over the summer that I LOVED. I can’t decide whether to go with the Pistolas in black or the Agoldes?!

+This quilted jacket is giving The Great vibes for about half the price!

+My daughter needed headphones for computer lab at her new school (!) and I tracked this pair down after reading it was a best budget buy for headphones in the New York Times!

+My girlfriend Jaci was raving about this “beauty balm” — an all-in-one tinted primer, hydrator, corrector, etc.

+I shared a number of fabulous bags last week, but missed this gorgeous Oroton, which looks far more expensive than it is! I also forgot to share this Celine Sangle-inspired $70 tote! I know a shared that one last year and had a number of Magpies rave about the quality relative to price.

+I’m into these quilted shackets I’ve been seeing all over, including here and here.

+…do I go back for these in the hot pink? (I bought in the mocha.) Hot pink is having such a moment! La Ligne just launched last week its “LA Story” collection, which is all about pairing neons with navy/neutrals. How amazing is this neon pink dress? Chic chic!

+Gorgeous fall-colored slip dress for your next wedding.

+Another great Gap find.

+CUTEST kiddo bookends.

+Fun statement studs.

+Lake Pajamas in fall colors…tempting.

+Another great COS find. Toteme vibes!

+These boots are such a staple in the cold months…can’t recommend enough.

By: Jen Shoop

The statement loafers currently trending are bringing me back to my early teens, when I wore a chunky lug sole black loafer from Steve Madden in rather literal homage to Alicia Silverstone. I’m loving this encore. I don’t know that I have the fashion gutsiness to try them with socks comme les street style starlets (e.g., Julie Sargent Ferrerri above) but I am into the idea of pairing them with a bare ankle and my demi-bootcut flares and my Agolde Pinch Waists.

If you want to go investment, I have been seeing these Chanels (Find No 3 below) and these Pradas all over Instagram. Something about the chunky hardware feels suddenly new? You can get the look for less with these (Find No 4 below) or these Madewells (find No 5 below). If you are liking the vibe but a bit intimidated, trying a pair in a neutral color softens the vibe considerably. Along those lines, I am loving this pair from Dolce Vita (Find No 1 below; $100 and incredibly similar to this chic pair from Tory Burch), this $109 pair with the interesting cord trim, and these TBs (Find No 2 below).