Bag above is by The Jacksons; eyes pouch is vintage Fendi (buy same line in different style here); card case is Prada; pouch is Goyard.
One of my favorite possessions is a small pink Prada card case (this hot pink YSL is similarly chic but less expensive) my mom gave me — I also own a bigger Chanel wallet similar to this (though mine is black) but 99% of the time, I just carry the card case with cash tucked into a Goyard pouch. It’s a cheerful little pop of color and it holds just the essentials.
Today, I thought I’d share some fun statement wallets and card holders to spark joy in your handbag.
A few years ago, a friend told me “I could never do what you do. I could never write every single day.” The comment changed how I think about myself. Writing is as natural to me as walking or talking. Often, in fact, it is easier than talking. Before my friend’s comment, I’d through of writing as an “everyman’s endeavor”: of course, some writers are better than others, and practice helps, but, at the end of the day, it is a mode of communication that can be learned by virtually anyone. The notion that my friend was actively afraid of — shy of! loathsome of! — writing startled me.
I don’t know what brought this conversation to mind the other day, but it made me think —
There is probably something that you naturally excel at that terrifies other people.
That thing is a superpower.
Maybe you are naturally gifted at mathematics. You are always the friend to calculate the tip and split the bill. You can easily estimate the number of attendees in a given venue. You can quickly scale complicated ingredient proportions. You know immediately when the bill is wrong and you are rarely taken advantage of because of it. You handily solve numerical problems other people languish over or avoid.
Maybe you are naturally athletic. You can sprint to let someone know they’ve dropped their cell phone, or get to the door of the bus before it departs from the stop. You are that gal who can grab the falling ketchup bottle before it hits the ground thanks to fantastic spatial awareness and quick reflexes. Your “easy gait” is another person’s “impossible.”
Maybe you are naturally outgoing. You make friends easily and keep conversations flowing with grace. You’ve never met an awkward pause. People lean on you in social settings.
Maybe you are naturally physically strong. You can help friends move heavy furniture and carry all of your suitcases or grocery bags without buckling under the weight. You can make one trip instead of four. You do not need to call in back ups to rearrange your furniture or shift your rug. You do not feel pain as intensely as others — headaches, injuries do not nettle as much as you’ve observed they do others. You are self-reliant in a unique way.
Maybe you are a natural at public speaking. You can stand up and deliver thoughtful remarks at a moment’s notice. You can kick off the toasts at a wedding. You can step in for a colleague who is flustered at the dais. Your gift in this area is essential to providing a “there” — a focal point, a place in which to gather — for any range of occasions.
Maybe you are intrinsically competitive. You can lean into intense, high-stakes moments with aplomb. You have the drive and confidence to not only perform well under pressure but outperform. You are aware of how others are doing and agile at edging them out. (As a corollary, I always watch professional sportsplayers and marvel at how they can stand up and swing/kick/run/throw perfectly despite the thousands of eyeballs on them. If even one person is watching me at the driving range, I will get the yips.)
I could go on and on, but will close with a very specific example. My husband’s cousin is a naturally outgoing guy, and a confident public speaker as well. He is always first in line to give a toast, or to make a quick remark in front of a crowd. While we were at the beach a few weeks ago, my mother-in-law stood up to make a toast to the family. She did a lovely job, although I knew based on previous conversations with her that she’d been rehearsing it carefully, and had been consumed with its logistics: which night should she deliver it, and at what point in the dinner? Just as she was wrapping up, my husband’s cousin quickly, seemingly without thought or contrivance, chimed in to say: “Beautifully put — hear, hear” and it was at just the right moment. He galvanized the crowd into a chorus of “hear, hear” and “well said!” while reassuring her that she’d done a fantastic job. It was one of the kindest gestures I’ve seen in awhile. And he was capable of that generosity because of his natural confidence speaking in front of a crowd. No doubt about it: that is a superpower. I worked my way into being a passable public speaker after years of practice and formal training, and I can already feel the skill atrophy with misuse. At my sister’s wedding in May, I spent days rehearsing my couple-line-long toast and my stomach was in tumult as we approached the toasting hour. I managed to get the words out, but my God! The internal angst was wildly disproportionate with the actual length of the toast, and its overall importance. For me to call out “beautifully put — hear, hear” in front of a crowd is about as unnatural to me as walking on the moon.
What about you? What’s something you are naturally good at that intimidates other people? If you need to get the creative juices flowing, let me share a litany of small things I dread that I’ve observed other people are naturally good at (and that gesture at their underlying superpowers): asking for a different table in a restaurant, meetings that are over thirty minutes long, explaining a problem to a customer service representative, any sport in which other people rely on me to return a ball to them, getting in trouble for a trivial infraction, heading into a group outing with no plan, making small talk with a hair stylist (I usually enjoy it but I hate figuring out when and whether it’s appropriate to read my book or let the conversation die out?), last-minute invitations, being asked to “say a few words” about something I’m not prepared to, cooking while carrying on a conversation with guests. There are many more. If you read any of these and thought, “Huh. I’d never have thought to dread that. That seems easy to me.” — that, m’am, is one of your superpowers.
+WAIT this green lace dress is fabulous. Also comes in a spectacular floral.
+Clever solution for stowing out of season shoes if you’re short on space. In NYC, I used these because I needed to optimize every square inch of our apartment!
+Digging the logo on these Gucci loafers. Would be so fun paired with simple basics — white tee, jeans, navy sweater.
There has been a lot of buzz the past few weeks about a trend called “barbie core.” I’m mainly interested in its manifestation in the color hot pink, which I’ve been spying all over the place lately —
I ordered a bunch of basics for my son from Gap yesterday because they were running 30% off everything (you can get additionally savings if you have GapCash). Gap occasionally runs 40% off promotions but I just decided to pull the trigger because I noticed that the vest I was eyeing for him was suddenly back-ordered, which made me wonder if items were at risk of sell out. I always do one or two big “basics” purchases from Gap at the start of each season for him. I really love their basics for boys. I find the quality solid and the fit classic. (Not too skinny, and not too baggy — I find a lot of traditional brands have really baggy, almost cartoonishly poufy bottoms for boys, and Little English and J. Crew run realllllly narrow in bottoms.) I buy him his true size, a 3T. Anyhow, here is my exact order:
The other fall items I’ve ordered for him this fall are:
I will soon stock up on long-sleeved Lacoste polos (if you stalk Amazon regularly, you can randomly find them on sale for $10 or even $20 off), order the rest of his outerwear, layer in some inexpensive picks from Zara and H&M, and figure out his fall footwear situation…
I snagged this boho white dress for an extra 20% off using code SALE20. I feel as though it will be the perfect end-of-summer-early-fall vibe — boho-chic. Will pair with lots of delicate gold jewelry and leather sandals now (including my favorite platform fisherman sandals, now on crazy sale for only $130), suede flats (<<I own these in navy and wore them here earlier this week and got so many questions! Love these, whether pairing with jeans or long fall dresses) and chunky knits (<<all Kilte sweaters are 50% off today only!!!) later.
My father has been giving me boxes of old family photos and memorabilia the past few months — they are contemplating moving out of their house to a smaller condo, and have been doing preliminary cuts of the possessions they’ve stored for decades now. I have been transferring these items into these photo boxes and document boxes, and placing paper and newspaper clippings in page protectors in these binders. The task has been heart-warming. I have spent several afternoons on the floor of my office, surrounded by good and forgotten memories and vestiges of family members I did not even know, including my Finnish great-grandmother Saima, who passed away the year I was born. One of the things I have found most special is reading through transcriptions of speeches made at various events, happy and sad alike. The details in these toasts and eulogies offer beautiful dimension to people I either barely knew or did not know at all. I’ve tucked this insight away for the future: good to ask for copies, if it can be managed. Future generations will use those words, at one time delivered in the face of great emotion, to understand their lineages. As an example, one toast to my Finnish grandfather (Aser Nurmi) references his chipper, and apparently sometimes-cloying, “Aser-isms,” including his penchant for singing “I’m in the mood for love / simply because you’re Nurmi [near me].” Reading the words brought him right back to me. I apprehended him immediately, sitting in the window of his Painesville, Ohio home. His slightly stiff arthritic gait. The way he’d raise his eyebrows and say “Oh, well there” with an easy smile. And, yes, the croon of his voice singing “I’m in the mood for love / simply because you’re Nurmi.” He had a bright, sparkling spirit that is made manifest in the funny inscriptions on the back of various photographs in his hand. On the back of a photo of my father graduating from UVA Law: “June 4, 1972: The kid made it! U of VA, Charlottesville.” The titling is funny only in that it is virtually impossible for me to imagine anyone doubting my Dad would “make it,” as hard working and bright as he is. (He turned down Harvard Law for UVA!) And so I must make the assumption that my grandfather was being jocular, especially because the inscription on another photo of my Dad on the Lawn reads: “Thomas David Nurmi strides at UVA.” The formality, the use of the word “stride” all feel glib. I love these glimpses into my grandfather’s humor. It is a gift to see them these years later, to flesh out a bit of the winnowing silhouette.
Lastly, though — my favorite. On the back of a photo of he and my grandmother from an earlier visit to the campus: “Two lovers at UVA.” They are standing on the steps of the Rotunda, feet from where Mr. Magpie proposed to me. I felt a wonderful, tingling intactness at the symmetry. Two pairs of lovers, separated by a few decades.
P.S. I had some similar thoughts remembering my maternal grandfather here.
Shopping Break.
+I am obsessing over this fabulous dramatic sweater from Mango.
+Mentioned this before, but all Kilte sweaters are 50% off today only!
+All Madewell jeans are $75 this weekend. You know how much I love this exact style. Size down one full size! I also added this pair to my collection — a great, on-trend style. Also kind of digging these flares. Who am I?
+J. Crew just launched its fall outerwear – this reversible quilted style is adorable, as is this teddy sherpa!
+Love this inexpensive dark floral dress — wear now, then pair with a chunky cardigan later. Would work with bump!
+I feel like striped button-downs are a good investment — they never go out of style and can be dressed so many different ways. I’m in love with the color, stripe width, and shape of this ALC.
+Adorable underwear and tank sets for little girls.
+Great, versatile chunky knit for a little one — $25!
By: Jen Shoop
*In photo above, micro wears a Patagonia hi-loft puffer, Uniqlo sherpa vest (<<site says these will be restocked in September; similar here); and Sperry boots (<<size up one or even two sizes in these, run small in baby/toddler sizes).
I am trying to get ahead of the curve this season — I’m already ordering my children fall and winter coats so that I’m not scrambling at the first sign of frost. In an ideal world, I like to have a fleece jacket for casual wear, a barn jacket for dressier wear when it’s not too cold, an insulated puffer for cold weather, a parka for snow/inclement/super-cold weather, and a dress coat. I don’t always get all of these for my children each season – the past two years, I skipped the dress coat because we weren’t going anywhere thanks to the pandemic and I could usually make the barn coat work in a pinch, and micro’s never had a parka (I’ve just made do with the puffer in snow since he’s not usually outside for all that long). I also really try to make coats stretch two seasons and will size up the first year and squeeze them in the second year — ha. On occasion, I’ve had the foresight to buy certain pieces in gender-neutral colors like navy and red (I made a few Burberry quilted coats work for both of them this way), but I find a lot of the gals coats come in pinks, purples, etc and have feminine detailing that have made pass-downs difficult.
Anyhow, here’s my lineup of picks for each category this year:
+Girl’s fleece: Patagonia. I find Patagonia to be top-notch in terms of quality — hand-me-down material. I’ve passed along several Patagonias to friends and family members. They hold up well to launderings and are incredibly warm. I also think you can get away with sizing up in these and just folding up the cuffs for the first season. Micro wore a size 2T when he was one and two years old; I now bought a size 4T hoping he can wear it at three and four.
+Boy’s fleece:Patagonia. I already bought micro this one since I noticed it was low in stock — I love the blue and red trim! So fun. He had one of these in navy trim as a baby and it was beyond adorable, plus highly durable.
+Girl’s barn jacket: I adore this Old Navy one — the collar is perfection and I love the muted color, and that would be my top pick if mini hadn’t sized out of toddler sizes! I think I am going to go rogue this year and get her a corduroy barn jacket. I just can’t resist the details! Adorable. She does have a barn coat from last year, though, so if that still fits, I’ll probably skip this category.
+Boy’s barn jacket:Janie and Jack. Love the corduroy collar!
+Girl’s insulated puffer: Helly Hensen. I love the orchid pink color. Historically, I have bought Patagonia’s hi-loft puffers but I don’t care for the colors as much this year.
+Boy’s insulated puffer:Helly Hensen. The red and blue block coloring is throwback — 1990 Nautica vibes!
+Girl’s parka: I already bought mini a Reima ski parka. This brand gets really good reviews — if your children actually ski, you might consider their snowsuits. I remember reading a few reviews that raved about these for warmth and specifically mentioned that a full body suit is infinitely preferable to separates (no snow getting in anywhere!). Love the dramatic fur trim. I’d say this brand runs big. I bought mini a 6Y and it is pretty huge — she is usually a size 6 or 7 these days in most brands. I don’t mind though — this will last us two or maybe even three cold seasons.
+Girl’s dress coat: The coat I am MOST excited about out of all of these outerwear picks year is La Coqueta’s gorgeous Anisa coat. I’ve been eyeing these for a long time and plan to order mini one size up to make it work for this year and next. She will look adorable!
+Boy’s dress coat: Luca and Luca houndstooth coat. I saw this last winter and have been thinking of it since. Adorable!
I purchased micro this Patagonia fleece already as I saw it was running low in stock, and this is my top contender for mini. I try to make Patagonias stretch two seasons.
Earlier this week, I read portions of Anne Helen Petersen’s interview with Kate Mangino on the latter’s recently-published book, Equal Partners, in which she explores the persistence of gendered norms in the household. The part of the interview that absolutely jumped off the page for me was about “noticers,” a term I’d never before encountered. Mangino describes the noticer as follows: “Part of noticing is cognitive labor… noticing when the dishwasher is clean, noticing when you need to order more diapers, noticing when you’re out of milk, noticing that the shoes are all over the hall…But I also think the Noticer does more, and we don’t talk about this extra stuff enough. So permit me to dive in here. The Noticer is often the person in the house who does all the nice little things: putting family photos around the home; buying pumpkins for decoration in October; organizing social events with friends and family. These individual acts might not make or break a household, but collectively, they are essential to making a home friendlier, more inviting, and more comfortable.” Mangino goes on to explain: “Historically, Noticing is a female-coded task (because girls are raised to value and support social bonds) and the Noticer feels that they must do this noticing work; it is not a choice or an option. It is in our job description. It is required to make us a good parent, a good spouse, a good family member.”
The gender politics here are complicated for me because Mr. Magpie is also a noticer. Beyond that, he understands that I thrive on “words of affirmation,” and so I feel my contributions are more than adequately recognized. (I don’t know that I believe in the “love languages” paradigm, but verbal praise makes my world go round.) I think this might be because Mr. Magpie’s parents never completely filled traditional gender roles in their household. They both cook; they both clean. Often, my MIL handles tasks I would assume my FIL would handle, and vice versa. She is plucky and undeterred by dirt, and at the same time, tremendously design-oriented and capable of doing anything from knitting to sewing her own window treatments. I wouldn’t be surprised if she weaves baskets and blows glass. Seriously – she probably does those things (sorry, Pat, if you’re reading this and have already told me you do these things). But she also weeds and is historically the more tech-proficient of the two. At one point, my MIL enjoyed a successful corporate career in technology, and I believe a lot of the housework fell to my FIL. To this day, I watch him proactively, shruggingly empty the dishwasher, prepare dinner, clear the plates, run to the grocery when staples are low, shuck the corn, etc. These feel like flimsy examples as I write them out, but I am convinced that there is something about their dynamic that has contributed to Mr. Magpie’s “noticing” in our own home.
All of this is a digression from my broader inquiry here into the concept of “noticing.” The phrase itself gave a name to — gave a shape to! — a lot of the invisible work that keeps me busy. As an example, I woke up in the middle of the night earlier this week and could not fall back asleep because my mind was racing with completely random and trivial tasks. I was wondering what special breakfast I should make the children on their first day of school, and whether it was too late to start one of those countdown calendars to school? Should I ask mini what she’d want on her first day of school for lunch? Would she be able to read a simple lunchbox note, or should I save that for another year, when she might need to rely less on the assistance of a teacher? I was also thinking that I should text my girlfriends to coordinate a trip to go apple picking (and/or possibly pumpkin picking) for some time in September or October, and wondering whether I should return that extra leotard I bought for mini because she seems to prefer the ones with spaghetti straps.
After reading Petersen’s interview with Mangino, I am recognizing that a lot of the “work” that gave rise to these skittering midnight thoughts can best be categorized as “noticing.” I am spending a lot of time observing my family and its needs. I must complicate this insight by saying that I like doing this work. It makes me feel good. Of course, my saying this does not contradict Mangino’s point that, nationally, the division of labor in the home is not equal, and that that imbalance is a problem. I have a strange, persistent hope that one day my children will look back and say, “Mom made everything special.” Why this matters so deeply to me, and seems so fulfilling to me, is an interesting question. I have always thought it had more to do with my personality, my strengths, my career — in a certain sense, I am a “noticer” for a living. That is, I am observant by both nature and trade. But Mangino introduces familial and gender norms to the mix that bear contemplation.
I thought this line of conversation might be helpful — enlightening! — to some of you. One of the most satisfying elements of writing for a living is “giving a name to” the maelstrom of emotions and experiences I am encountering on any given day. That “naming” orders my thoughts. When I saw the word “noticer,” it was like I’d rubbed clean a foggy corner of the mirror and saw myself a bit clearer. I am wondering if the same might be true for some of you.
+Daphne Wilde just further reduced some of its beautiful dresses – love this late summer linen stripe and this rich paisley fall pattern.
+I have a henley sweatshirt from Old Navy similar to this year’s style that I literally wore once or twice a week last year — ordering another for sure. Mine is olive green but I also love that faded pine color…but maybe will go for the mineral white instead to switch things up. J’adore j’adore! So chic and easy with vintage fit denim and sneaks.
+Easy throw-and-go dress for end of summer. Pair with your favorite sneaks for a fresh look.
+I know I’ve talked your ear off about this, but I think I’ve put this patio dress on close to every evening for the past week straight. I like to replenish my makeup and change to sort of mark the end of the work day and the start of mom duties. This dress is perfect for evening. It’s not sheer and it’s not as starchy/stiff as it looks — very breathable and soft. Soft enough to sleep in but totally permissible to wear outside the home, too. It is kind of a bear to launder only because you really need to iron it afterward, or the scallops don’t show properly. Just a caveat!
+Going to share some of the purchases I’ve made for my children’s fall wardrobes soon, but had to mention this Patagonia fleece in the red/blue colorway since there are only a few left. Bought it for micro!
+S&L’s iconic riviera chairs are on sale — I still love the look of these, and they are so practical for young families.
+Hill House just added a bunch of summer items to their sale section! I am mildly obsessed with this Missoni-esque duster…fun! They also just re-released a bunch of their classic nap dresses in gingham — this green is versatile! Apple picking moment! Pair with velvet green furlanes for fall….
I also had to snag this dino sweatshirt for micro (love the Keith Haring-esque design). Might have to go back for these linen trousers — they remind me of styles from Minnow!
Shop Le Post.
P.S. This post on striped finds for fall has been super popular – and I had to mention that my Toteme cardi arrived and je l’adore (!!!!). Runs boxy – I took an XXS, and usually wear an XS and this fits great. This Shopbop striped sweater I just came across is another great find I’d add to the list of contenders!
Earlier this week, I wrote on Instagram that visiting NYC almost exactly a year after we left “was a big ampersand moment — meaning I miss it and I know we are in the right place for us right now. The older I get, the more I realize that a lot of big life decisions are multi-valent, containing many, often contradictory, emotions. That’s OK. Don’t let the complexity frustrate or tie you in knots. We don’t need to reduce our reactions to one clean tag line.” I immediately received a flurry of notes from women perched on the precipice of or swimming in the aftermath of major life changes. Oh, Magpies: change is hard. So often, I want to control the narrative in these moments of flux. I want to see my movements as pre-ordained, or correct, or otherwise secure. I want to understand my decision as an intact part of a larger trajectory. This is natural. Confirmation bias means that we will always seek information that confirms our preconceptions — e.g. “it’s a sign! I’m doing the right thing!” But it is also exhausting, and gives me the distinct impression of performance, e.g., “I am sublimating all else to deliver only one angle!” And that feels like a lot of wasted energy spent muting the wide gamut of emotions I am experiencing when making my way through a big transition. (I write this keenly, still reflecting on our move from NYC a year later.) At the end of the day, you do not owe anyone a pat and seamless explanation of your motives or experiences. Not even yourself.
When we moved to Bethesda, we had many friends and family asking how we felt about leaving, and we always said: “Good and bad. We left on good terms with New York. And we were ready to leave. We are happily ensconced in Bethesda. And we miss New York.” Life changes are about ampersands. I have found that very little in life is all good or all bad. I hope I spend the balance of my hours focused on the good, but it is also healthful and necessary to address the unfavorable. Mr. Magpie and I call this “letting out the poison”: venting about all the petty and unpleasant and ultra-minor grievances on our minds, especially while in the throes of change. Often, I have a near-physical reaction to this bloodletting: it feels as though I’m actually vacating parts of my mind to make space for the more significant and positive pieces that matter. But more often than not, those less pleasant bits stick and are simply part of the tradeoff of a given arrangement. I miss being close to my sister and best friend in New York. I miss my daughter’s school and its community and the fact that she had a true best friend there. I miss the convenience of things, like the ease of deciding at 3:11 p.m. I’m going to run around the corner for an afternoon latte, or the fact that literally anything can be delivered to your doorstep in under an hour. I miss the electric feeling of walking out the door of our apartment, dressed to the nines, on our way to dinner on Friday night. I miss the people watching and the way New York can invite you to dream bigger than you ever thought possible. I miss the significance of New York. (I realize D.C. is significant, too, of course, but there is just something that signifies there in a way I’ve never felt anywhere else.) I don’t miss the trash, the grit, the crime, the density of people, their general briskness. I don’t miss the complexity of logistics. I don’t miss the scene-y-ness of the restaurant world. I don’t miss the tight quarters. I don’t miss the constant noise. I could go on and on and on in endless pro and con fashion, but the point is this —
I have observed that every big change in life is “big” by virtue of its many inputs. I am balancing intersecting agendas, motives, interests, possibilities and making my best bet at what will yield the best outcome for me and my family. There is no possible way in which each one of those intersecting lines will be perfectly and happily accommodated. There is going to be give and take. There will be some inputs that play second fiddle to others, and still others that will be entirely disregarded. The result demands a mindset of abundance, one that acknowledges that this is not a win-lose/either-or situation, and one in which I can accept that I will feel many, often discordant, emotions at once. Make space for them all. Let them hang out. Tell yourself that you are ready for this ampersand moment.
+J. Crew new arrivals alert! Love this sweater (esp in navy or chocolate), this tweed blazer, and especially these cord bootcuts! Such a great shape!
+Great staple for late summer into fall: this striped tunic.
+I’ve been on a whimsical shopping kick lately — it started with my new The Jacksons bag (which arrived and je suis obsessed — best $100 I’ve spent in awhile). How fun is this textured Marni tote in hot pink?! I’m loving hot pink mixed with camel or navy for fall.
+My best friend gifted me one of these Fendi eyeglass cases awhile ago and I use it to keep all my keys — car, parents’ house, house keys. I love seeing it in my bag. Brings me joy!
+This puff sleeved denim jacket is incredible and such a good price.
+Absolutely obsessed with this look, as exactly as styled on the site, including jeans, turtleneck, and navy sweater wrapped around shoulders.
+This gauva-colored dress is on sale for around $100 – perfect for end-of-summer cocktails.
+This heart bracelet is currently in my cart. Would love to add it to my daily stack.
+In love with these feather earrings! Not just for brides — would be so fun heading into winter. I’ve seen lots of feather-trim accessories (like this fun bag!) and dresses (like this wild and fab La Double J and this Staud) this season.
I received so much positive feedback on this post sharing fall fashion finds at different price points, I’m back with more options. At the top of my drool list at the moment is Bottega’s Arco tote, seen on the ever-chic Pernille Teisbaek above. Bottega’s more finely woven “intrecciato” bags have been hot the past few seasons, but I love the slightly more modest and discreet wide weave Arco. You can get the look for a lot less with this H&M shopper! More finds like this below. Happy shopping!
NOT EXACT BUT THESE BEADED BOW SANDALS FROM COURTNEY GROW REMIND ME SO MUCH OF STYLES BY MACH & MACH! — THE SHAPE OF THE BOW, THE SQUARE FOOTBED!…OBSESSED IN THE BROWN FOR FALL!
Per usual, I had a lot of requests for wedding guest attire. In addition to answering below, I updated my entire wedding guest shop boutique with fresh finds for end of summer and early fall affairs!
Q: As the cooler weather approaches, I’d love to enhance my morning coffee routine and afternoon tea ritual to make it feel more special. Looking for suggestions for great mugs and whimsical china teacups.
A: I love this for you! I share your motivation to seek everyday items that spark joy. I have long lusted after the beautiful Ginori 1735 tea cups and mugs. Swoon! (You can also occasionally find vintage patterns on Etsy! Can you even deal with this tea service set?!). Themis Z also has some fabulous mugs that would bring joy to my coffee ritual, and how fabulous are these bone china Tiffany “paper” coffee cups? Tory Burch’s cabbage pattern is fun. I have a few Juliska mugs that I adore — the toile print is beautiful. And then how amazing are these gingham teacups? Finally, we have Kate Spade’s dragonfly-emblazoned teacups and they are just so fun. She does other great designs, too — love this blue stripe and this painterly floral. This enamel set from PB also turned my head!
Q: I’m wondering if you have any recommendations on gifts in the $200 range for my Dad who just retired. He’s into golfing, gardening, his motorcycles, just to name a few of his hobbies. Thank you so much in advance! I’m stumped.
A: A new golf shirt from Greyson (if he’s more traditional — this is the brand our family’s country club carries in the pro shop and they are like a modern classic) or Rhoback (if he prefers things a bit louder). I also love the idea of new golf club head covers and/or a new golf towel. If he’s a music enthusiast, he might like this fantastic portable, water-resistant, outdoor-friendly speaker. I bought it for Mr. Magpie so he could listen to music while washing the car, gardening, doing yardwork, etc, and we’ve ended up using it for much more (and nearly every day this summer!), whether dining al fresco, hanging out at the beach, sitting by the lake, etc. He’s probably fairly well outfitted if he’s been gardening for awhile, but these Haws brand watering cans are THE best brand and were sold out worldwide for awhile; now back in stock. These garden stakes would also be an attractive way for him to advertise the fruits of his labor! More generic, but I know a lot of Magpie women have gifted the men in their lives this reversible quilted pullover (more colors here) to rave reviews!
Q: Bump-friendly event wear. Wedding guest and dinners out.
A: Congratulations! Dondolo has some fun dresses for dinners out — they aren’t explicitly maternity but so many of their styles accommodate a bump owing to smocking or self-tie belts. I like this red style. Other options for dinners out:
Q: Officiant in a garden wedding in September. Will be pregnant early second trimester so forgiving is key.
A: I think this Damaris Bailey would be spectacular, as would this Reformation in the pistachio hue (tie sash above bump and pair with big earrings). A few others that might work well…
Q: I’m in the market for a knee-length camel coat, non-robe style. (Robe styles always make me look like an idiot wearing an actual bathrobe. Not chic enough to pull one off.) Of course I love Max Mara coats, but don’t want to spend $3k. I also don’t want a polyester blend, so I’m looking to keep it around $1k or less. Any ideas?
A: Chic! I would check out Anine Bing! I think that’s exactly what you’re after. A few other options: All Saints or Reiss.
Q: I am wondering if you would do a “things you’re shopping for” question on a fall/winter maternity work wardrobe? I am in a business casual office and am just lost on what to wear besides black pants and cardigans/jackets! Which – to be fair, that uniform might be the answer! I know you’ve advised “basics with statement shoes” in the past as maternity wear and I am on board with it… but what winter shoes that are office appropriate??
A: Re: shoes. I would buy a loud pair of ballet flats — I’m obsessed with finding a pair of hot pink velvet ones for myself. This pair is perfect but sadly sold out in my size. I might go for a pair of furlanes instead! Either of these would add an element of whimsy and fun to your wardrobe. A mule is also a great option while pregnant — no bending over! I love these and these. More great statement shoes for the season ahead here. A few other great work-appropriate pieces to layer…
THIS LONG COATIGAN — I LIVED IN LONG CARDIGANS DURING MY WINTER PREGNANCIES!
OVERSIZED SWEATERS — IF YOU PAIR WITH TALL BLACK BOOTS, CAN TOTALLY WORK OVER MATERNITY LEGGINGS
Q: Hair bows for baby girls without much hair.
A: Use headbands! I used this exact kind on mini until she had enough hair to pin back in the front, and then I switched to 3″ bow clips. I prefer the “skinny” band on them to the thicker ones. A bit more delicate. These Liberty patterned ones are adorable for fall.
Q: Black tie optional wedding guest dress — Chicago in August. Fine with midi vs. long.
A: These black pointed-toe suede flats will serve as a stand-in for heels in virtually any outfit IMO, even in a super corporate environment. Pair with anything from tailored pants to suiting dresses to less formal outfits. More generally, I’m into the idea of cigarette pants or pleated trousers, both of which I’d pair with high-vamp ballet flats from either Mansur Gavriel or Everlane. Pair with a white blouse and wrap cardigan, or a striped button-down layered beneath a slightly cropped wool sweater. A knit dress like this would also be chic with the ballerinas!
By: Jen Shoop
Reformation just marked down a ton of fabulous pieces. I have a couple of their dresses (including this one, which I just wore in NYC) and they are great for weddings and date nights in particular. I take my usual size (0) in this brand and it fits perfectly. My favorite sale finds below…
