*Image above by Asia Typek featuring, again, Amalie Moosgaard (shared a different snap of her earlier this week here).

On a call earlier this week, my girlfriend mentioned, off-handedly: “You know, that whole ‘You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with’ thing.” I’d never heard this wisdom phrased quite that way, though I certainly believe the sentiment that you are the company you keep. In fact, for me, the easiest litmus test as to whether I will put energy into a relationship is a gauge of how I feel after I spend time with someone. Do I feel like a better version of myself? A lesser one? A pettier one, a funnier one, a happier one, a debbie downer?

After some thought, I found my girlfriend’s comment less useful as a rubric for auditing my existing relationships and more fruitful as an exercise for planning my time for friendships moving forward. I turned to a new page in my notebook and jotted down the five women who, in an ideal world, I’d like to be the average of. All of these women shared similar characteristics, but I was surprised by the differences, too — there were women of strong faith, women of ingenuity and enterprise, women of deep empathy, women of lightheartedness. As I surveyed the list, I realized that these are the core relationships I need to allocate more time to. My sister recently told me, “children spell love T-I-M-E,” and we both agreed that the same holds true for friendships. These are the women I want to spend time with, both to show them how much they mean to me, and to ensure that I am surrounding myself by women I look up to. I might never become their average but, well — a rising tide lifts all ships?

Post-Scripts.

+On surviving a failed friendship.

+On building relationships through motherhood.

+On losing a friend at a young age.

+On female friendships and the things that matter.

+On balancing friendships.

Shopping Break.

+Buying these blue floral earrings for sure.

+Doen is having an ultra-rare sale! I love this dress, this blouse, and this nightgown.

+Brock Collection vibes for under $70.

+Speaking of Brock Collection, just discovered that Yoox has a treasure trove of obscenely discounted Brock pieces, including this top (which I already own and love and paid much more for!), which is an extra 20% when in cart (!). I managed to snag the full-length dress version of this top for a SONG, and it originally retailed for over $2,000. Love this skirt, too – the pattern is iconic.

+Into this LSF situation. You can get the look for less here.

+Cute spring dress — a sweet option for a baby shower!

+Mr. Magpie has been busy planting our spring garden and I think I will surprise him with some ceramic garden stakes. A few I love (all Etsy): these, these, and these. A sweet mother’s day gift a green thumb!

+Fun eyelet top.

+Some ideas on entertaining girlfriends at home (and more general notes on entertaining at home here), but I have a vision of a little gal’s night coming together around this pink pitcher (a pitcher of cocktails, yes pls) and these placecards.

+A few great cocktail recipes for aforementioned gal’s night that I have thoroughly tested: a daiquiri with a kiss of mezcal, a fruity concoction with an unexpected hit of cinnamon, and a raspberry-based “up” drink that will forever remind me of the holidays but is honestly better suited to warm weather.

+These personalized coloring pages were the highlight of my daughter’s birthday goody bags! So special for her to see her own name printed on them!

+These pocket tees for little ones come in the best colors.

+Adorable personalized sippy cup and snack cup set.

+I have been hearing good things about this book. Has anyone read it yet?

+The embroidery on this dress is insane!

+Ulla-inspired top!

+I keep coming back to look at these statement necklaces from Lizzie Fortunato. Also love this one.

+Controversial share: I’ve been seeing these fisherman-inspired sandals worn by ULTRA chic fashion editors / street style starlets. Thoughts? You can get the look for less with these.

+Chic wide leg crops in great colors — good for work!

*Sandals above are $25 and a dead ringer for this $395 pair from Alexandre Birman.

Target has some fabulous and affordable clothing out right now, too. A few favorites —

THIS SKIRT REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING FROM SILVIA TCHERASSI

THIS VINTAGE-INSPIRED CARDIGAN WOULD LOOK PERFECT WITH NOSTALGIA-LEANING PIECES FROM SEA

THIS BLUE FLORAL DRESS IS DARLING AND REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING FROM FAITHFULL

AN EASY EVERYDAY DRESS TO PAIR WITH ON-TREND SNEAKS — NOT MATERNITY BUT I WOULD HAVE LIVED IN THIS KIND OF DRESS IN THE FIRST AND SECOND TRIMESTERS

I’M NOT A SHORTS GAL BUT I JUST ORDERED MYSELF THESE HIGH-RISE UTILITY SHORTS IN THE GREEN COLOR — WOULD LOOK PERFECT WITH A STRIPED BUTTON-DOWN LIKE THIS OR THIS

A PERFECT GINGHAM EVERYDAY DRESS

And a few other finds for home and family below…

target finds march 2022

AHEM! THESE SANDALS GIVE ME MAJOR ALEXANDRE BIRMAN VIBES AND I’M HERE FOR THEM

TODDLER DAISY SUNNIES — $6! GREAT EASTER BASKET FILLER

GINGHAM BUNNY EARS — IDEAL FOR TUCKING INTO AN EASTER BASKET OR PAIRING WITH PETITE PLUME JAMMIES (<<MINI OWNS THIS SWEET NIGHTIE AND IT’S HER FAVORITE!)

CHILDREN’S GARDENING TOOL SET

DARLING REVERSIBLE BABY SUNHAT — GINGHAM ON ONE SIDE, FLORAL ON THE OTHER!

SPRING CRAFT

WOVEN PATIO TABLE — ALSO COMES IN A COFFEE TABLE SIZE!

THIS STRAW BAG IS THE PERFECT SHADE OF PISTACHIO GREEN

BOY’S RUGBY SHIRT — LOVE THE COLORS

RATTAN GLOBE STRING LIGHTS!

I ADORE THIS BLOCKPRINT-INSPIRED PILLOW CASE

BOTTEGA-INSPIRED SANDALS IN GREAT COLORS

GARDENING SET

STRAW BAG WITH WEBBED HANDLES — OVERSIZED AND PERFECT FOR TOTING TO BEACH/POOL/PARK/PICNIC

P.S. “The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” More here.

P.P.S. Do you have a “boat voice“?

P.P.P.S. Chic home finds under $100.

*Wearing Emerson Fry’s Frances dress above with these handmade earrings. The jeweler has assured me they are working as fast as they can for a restock! You might try messaging her!

I am overjoyed that dress season is nearly upon us. Trivial to be sure, but I feel at my best — most inspired, most complete, most prepared to take on the day — when I am wearing a dress. It’s just uniform for me. And so after months of begrudgingly wearing pants, I am ready for warmer weather. As a dress expert (ha!), I have come to find a couple of key points make for a perfect “everyday dress”: sleeves (short or long — I think most women, myself included, feel less self conscious when wearing a sleeve; there is less to mess with at the neckline, no straps to fix, no bras to hide, etc), midi or maxi length (comfortable and also demure when sitting on the floor with children), and a loose, smocked, or belted waist that does not feel constricting in any way.

Today, sharing some of my favorite dresses to live in for the season ahead. These are the kinds of dresses that are perfectly appropriate whether taking children to school, attending a meeting (obviously contingent upon where you work), grabbing a cocktail with friends, or running errands.

1 // CARTOLINA NANTUCKET OPHELIA DRESS — As described in the copy, this dress is “next level sophistication.” I love the color, the length, the collarless neckline. This looks like something by Emilia Wickstead or Carolina Herrera.

2 // DAPHNE WILDE STELLA DRESS — I love this exotic Liberty print, a perfect moody spring pattern before we hit full on summer. I have had a crush on this brand for ages and am absolutely in love with the oversized fit and dramatic pattern.

3 // JULIA AMORY SHIRT DRESS — I have been living in these. They are insanely, insanely soft — almost like a brushed cotton. And I love the print she did with my girl Pam Munson!

4 // BODEN TIERED MAXI DRESS — Vibrant colors and happy tiers. How can you have a bad day wearing this dress?

5 // VELVET BY GRAHAM & SPENCER GINGHAM DRESS — Somehow on sale for $108 in a fabulous sage green gingham.

6 // REFORMATION MARIANNE DRESS — A saucier, sexier take on the everyday dress look. This would translate well into date night; the fit is a bit slimmer and more body-conscious. I would wear with espadrilles during the day and switch to mules for cocktails.

7 // MILLE RUFFLE DRESS — OK, I’ll stop blabbing about this dress soon but I simply love it. Something spectacular about the boyish shirting stripe against the ruffle at the elbow and flounce at the hem.

8 // MANGO BELTED LINEN DRESS — Such a great value to serve up some Meryl Streep in Out of Africa vibes. I simply love this dress — the color, the cut, the shape. Pair with simple leather sandals and great shades.

9 // JCREW SMOCKED DRESS — I bought this for myself; the pattern reminded me of SEA and the price was right.

10 // EMERSON FRY FRANCES DRESS — This arrived and I could not love it more. It is super flattering on (I love the drawstring waist) and the colors are wonderful and unlike anything else I own.

11 // DAYDRESS DAKOTA DRESS — Such a fabulous bold pattern. I imagine pairing with canvas flats like these.

12 // VICTORIA DUNN FLOUNCE DRESS — Reminiscent of Sue Sartor and Julia Amory (though I do love both of those brands and in particular own several Julia Amory dresses that I live in — they are just so soft), but at a more accessible pricepoint. I love the oversized belt and the punchy pattern, and the sleeves add interest and dimension.

13 // BANJANAN BAZAAR DRESS — The print alone…! I love this brand. She makes dresses in a really light, breathable cotton.

14 // ZARA BELTED PRINTED DRESS — A great everyday dress in a fantastic print. The green color is superb!

15 // ANTHROPOLOGIE SOMERSET DRESS — This dress just looks like a dream to wear. Light, forgiving in all the right spots, in a fun pattern!

16 // TALBOTS GINGHAM SHIRTDRESS — I’ve mentioned this a ton but I just love the length, color, sashlessness! So chic. You can get the look for less with this $30 steal.

17 // MADEWELL COVERALL DRESS — My one exception to the “long length” rule is this coverall dress. I saw it and had to have it. This will look fantastic with a bold patterned Hermes scarf and flats or with sneakers!

A few accessories I would love to pair with this fleet of dresses: this Marni bag (!), these Celine sunnies, these Rothy flats, these canvas furlanes, Hermes sandals in the whipstitch blue colorway, a pile of gold necklaces featuring this cute Logan Tay style, and these mules.

P.S. Great swim for the season ahead. A lot of us have taken the plunge with this dramatic Maygel Coronel. Join the flock!

P.P.S. On valuing presence over productivity.

P.P.P.S. New year’s thoughts.

A few recent favorites for the little ones, including the adorable little bag above I bought to give a little lady on her upcoming birthday. The perfect size for stowing important treasures. I also wanted to mention my favorite shade of Lacoste polo, pale blue (“Rill” is the color on the site) was recently restocked in all sizes. I love this color because it seems to go with everything but is more interesting than white/navy — pair with seersucker, khaki, white, denim, navy, etc! I splurged on the lilac cashmere sweater seen below and it is just the most stunning color IRL (he wore it paired with these pants to mini’s birthday and it was adorable — also a great Easter look). You can snag it for 20% off if you are a cardholder at J. Crew, fyi! If you buy, make sure you have some cashmere shampoo on hand — I’ve already had to launder micro’s by hand myself!

children's springtime finds

RASH GUARD // DAISY SUNGLASSES // LAVENDER SNEAKERS // LILAC CASHMERE SWEATER // BEACH SET // KYTE SLEEPSACK (MY FAVORITE) // EASTER EGG JAMMIES // LACOSTE POLO // MONOGRAM HAT // CADETS SHORTS (SIZE UP) // VEJAS (IN MY CART) // POLO AND SHORTS SET // STATIONERY // HOUSE BAG // CECIL AND LOU DRESS // SUNGLASSES

Three other finds worth a quick mention: Minnow’s newest swimsuit style in the perfect gingham; a floral denim jumper at a great price; darling shortall — these are my preferred “one-piece” styles for little boys; I like them more than jon jons which can be so boxy.

P.S. Easter outfits for littles.

P.P.S. Swimsuits for little ones for the season ahead!

P.P.P.S. The feeling of selfishness that accompanies motherhood.

Our recent conversations on the way texts move and reflect seem tailor-made for a funny little poem by Winifred Welles called “School,” in which a schoolboy neglects his studies while he daydreams by the window:

“How could he study while the sunlight gleamed

in small, sweet shapes, like wild things tame enough

to dart to him and touch his hands for love?”

Recognizing his star-gazing tendencies, his teachers reposition him in the middle of the classroom, where he descends into gloom until he finds himself seated behind a girl “with sunset in her hair,” and “his soul recolors.” Welles observes:

“He had a different way to read the Iliad.

While through cold ashes others groped to learn

he lit the towers of Tory and saw them burn.”

The poem is quirky in its accommodation of both a sing-song brand of moral instruction and a spoken word kind of practicality. These modulations in pitch felt to me reminiscent of the movement between reality and imagination I encounter when reading. I see the words and interpret them in a literal sense and then float above, or beneath, or between them, plucking at chords that seem ready to be strummed.

But mainly I warmed to the thought that experience enables us to read differently — viscerally, immediately.

Anyone else hungry for a new book?

Post Scripts.

+More musings on poetry here and here.

+A shape that satisfies.

+The slimmest of griefs.

+Creative habits.

+The loft born of experience.

Shopping Break.

+I picked up this hydrating mask while in NYC after reading about it for years and years. I really needed a quick hit of hydration before heading out for the evening and it was just the ticket. You can even use it as a heavy duty moisturizer overnight if you need to — my skin just FELT better from the inside out. Fully hydrated, relaxed, rejuvenated. You can buy it in a mini size if you want to test first. My new favorite thing is to apply this to my forehead/t-zone and then use the Clarins depuffing mask from my cheeks down, including my neck. I feel like this combo is a dream for prepping skin before applying makeup for a night out.

+My mom said she was absolutely gutted by this book — for that reason, I will avoid, but it’s getting some decent buzz.

+My earrings are back in stock! I absolutely cannot believe the quality for the price. Stunning! Handmade!

+Would look fab with a statement top like this. Keep coming back to this print!

+Speaking of fantastic Etsy jewelry, I keep getting messages about this heart necklace I wear daily. I can’t believe the price.

+A few of you have been messaging me for recs on outdoor furniture — I LOVE this new series from CB2 in the punch red stripe. (Hello, the sofa?! Conveniently estimated to ship in April so you can have it in time for warm weather!)

+You know I’ll never fully quit my Cle de Peau but this new concealer from Bobbi Brown intrigues me.

+You need this dress to go with those cushions! Major La Ligne vibes.

+Tarte is offering 30% off sitewide if you sign up for emails. I know many of you are enormous devotees of their shapetape concealer.

+These dog beds are truly the best. We’ve had one for Tilly for a few years now — fantastic quality. She loves to lean against the back — she’s such a funny pooch, but she LOVES a good lean. You can often find her leaning against Mr. Magpie’s legs, against the back of the sofa, etc.

+A BIG yes to this navy blouse. Love it tucked into lighter wash denim.

+A great LBD.

+Still loving all things hot pink, especially this new Mille dress. (More pink finds here and here.) I also have it on good authority that HHH will be launching a hot pink nap dress in about a week…!

+I feel like I would get a shocking amount of wear out of this Toteme cardigan because about half of my wardrobe is blue dresses and I love to pattern match. This would be cute over a blue floral!

+This illustrator book series!

+Adore this gingham dress. Memorial Day vibes for under $100.

+Cute tennis tote.

+Converse has some great colors out right now — I always thought Chucks were a tad edgy for me but these may do the trick.

+This collared knit sweater has a 1940s sensibility that I am here for.

+Adore this shower curtain.

*Image above via supermodel Amalie Moosgaard, wearing the chicest Tove dress. Ah to have that Scandi girl je ne sais quoi!

Below, a selection of my favorite neutral finds for the warmer weather coming our way. These are all wardrobe staples in my eyes —

RUFFLED ULLA JOHNSON MIDI SKIRT

GINGHAM SHIRTDRESS…A PATTERN THAT WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE

EFFORTLESSLY CHIC STRAIGHT LEG JEANS IN WHITE

BUTTON-UP WITH RUFFLED COLLAR — AN (AFFORDABLE) ELEVATED CLOSET STAPLE

ORANGE TIE-DETAIL BLOUSE

CANVAS AND LEATHER TOTE — CLASSY AND FUNCTIONAL

COGNAC LEATHER SANDALS FROM FRENCH SOLE

SQUARE NECK GINGHAM DRESS WITH PUFF SLEEVES

WOVEN TOTÊME BACKLESS LOAFERS

CLASSIC WHITE POPLIN DRESS

BELTED LINEN DRESS

SMOCKED AND RUFFLED BEIGE TOP FROM AMAZON

ITALIAN LEATHER BAG WITH WOVEN DETAILING

P.S. If you’re new here, please come introduce yourself!

P.P.S. Some great knits to tide you over til spring.

P.P.P.S. When are you the best version of yourself?

The following post touches on topics of fertility, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy. I was messaged by a kind reader letting me know she was not ready to hear this after her own challenges and wanted to include a warning up front in case you are in the same position.

Waiting to learn that I was pregnant with my daughter was agony. I will never forget the way the entire world seemed to blur into a series of arrows pointing at my empty arms. I imagined friends asking one another about it, family members worrying (“do you think there’s a problem?”). Now I see those phantom whispers were nothing but projections of my own anxious desire for a child, my frustration with the width between what I had and what I wanted.

A recent conversation with a friend trying to conceive throttled me back to those times of strain, to the nights I would lay awake crying because — to quote Richard Leigh — “the moon was full but my arms were empty.” There seemed to me at that time something against nature about the absence of a newborn against my chest.

I feel twenty three ways about this subject. I have lived it and know that it is sometimes not helpful — in fact, resentment-breeding — to hear from women who “went through it but now are on the other side.” I recall looking skeptically — uncharitably, if I am honest — at those women simply because it seemed that they had their babies and had forgotten the rapier-edged torture of waiting for them. “It will happen when it’s meant to happen,” is, quite possibly, the cruelest rejoinder when you are desperate for good news. It felt like a dismissal of my every hope and effort. I trust that these comments were never ill-intentioned, but levied against the tender heart of a woman hoping for a baby, they wore like sandpaper, or worse. On other days, I felt riotous against the perception that other people were expecting me to come forward with news of a child. “I’m not complete as I am?” I would fume, inwardly, despite the fact that I felt in some ways I wasn’t. For a time, it felt as though life would officially begin when I had children. I don’t know where or how I acquired that perspective, because I certainly do not feel that way now. I look back and think: I was living fully then, and I am living fully now, and I have always been the same, whole, full-fat soul, moving along this squiggly path I call my life. And yet. Perhaps absorbed from the occasionally problematic social and cultural narratives in which I grew up, and from the far less nefarious models of loving women I admire who happen to be mothers, I felt lacking.

If you feel this way, you are not alone. And I write this today for you — for the women who are waiting. For the women who twist in their bedsheets in worry. For the women with holes in their hearts the size of a baby. I write this to simply sit with you for a spell. I write this aware that I cannot salve your woes, though I do want you to know you are a full and complete person, living your one wild and precious life. You are the gift, the center.

I normally conclude these posts with an “onward!” call, but today I just think — it is OK, too, to sit still and let yourself breathe. I am holding a quiet, tranquil space for you here.

Post-Scripts.

+On creating a tranquil frame of mind.

+You are enough.

+A prayer for rough waters.

+Emotional footholds.

+How do you gain a sense of perspective?

+On female friendships and the things that matter.

Shopping Break.

+These mules in the linen are absolutely fab — I swear they pass for something much higher end, like Alexandre Birman!

+Serena and Lily is offering 20% off sitewide, including off sale prices, with code HOME, including their near-iconic Riviera chairs (I love the new all-neutral colorway), this incredible side table (look for even less from a different retailer here), and fabulous patterned bedding (tempted by this gingham for our upstairs bunks!)

+Another great everyday dress. I know there are so many styles out there with smocking and puffed sleeves, but I just love the print on this one and don’t have many navy dresses personally.

+These Celine shades in the light brown colorway just shot to the top of my lust list for summer.

+Also drooling over this Tory Burch dress — ZOMG. Expensive, but like an elevated version of my everyday uniform of a long/midi shirtdress.

+OMG – how did I miss this Madewell stunner in my last roundup?! SO GOOD.

+This needlepointed key fob makes me smile.

+This cover up in white is under $30 and SO chic.

+Ann Taylor nailed it with this cute ruffled gingham top!

+Currently obsessing over all things Ciao Lucia — love this mini and this midi in particular, in such fun and vibrant trip-to-Positano colors. I also found a gorgeous white blouse of theirs on super sale here.

+Adorable romper for summer. I saw it and immediately thought of a bride at her bachelorette but would be straight up cute for anyone, engaged or not!

+Into this sage green pillow. (Still into green in general!)

+This versatile and sophisticated parchment-colored LR blouse is on sale for $117.

+LOVE everything about this accent pillow for a nursery — the colors, the monogram style, the piping, the scalloping!

+For my tennis playing Magpies. And more great spring fitness gear here.

+I have it on good authority (i.e., Megan Stokes’) that this super inexpensive set of 5″ bows are excellent for everyday wear.

+What a fun prompt for a gal’s night in — set places with these cheeky cards.

+I love new coffee table books — this one is in my cart.

+Just the prettiest top.

+Sailor’s knot napkin rings at a great price — saw these and immediately starting plotting towards a Memorial Day cookout.

*Image above via Vibi Venezia. So many of their furlanes are on sale at Matches, including the neutral ones above! I wore their velvet ones all winter long and bought their striped ones for the season ahead. Beware that Matches does have $15 shipping (!) but so many of the shoes are marked down to like 70% off so it felt justified!

Below, a list of my favorite pieces, some of which I bought last season, some of which I’ve purchased recently, and others I plan to snag in the near future. All of the items below are everyday items for me — things I’d wake up excited to dress myself in for everyday work, errands, school drop off, etc.

BEST SPRING BLOG FINDS

MILLE VICTORIA DRESS // NICOLA BATHIE EARRINGS // GINGHAM BAG // SEA TOP (ON ABSURD SALE) // ETSY EARRINGS // RAFFIA MULES // WAVE HOOP EARRINGS // EMERSON FRY CAFTAN DRESS (I ACTUALLY BOUGHT IN THIS COLORWAY BUT LOVE THE BLUE TOO) // STRAW BAG // VEJA SNEAKERS // THIERRY COLSON DRESS // CELIA B DRESS // STAUD SKIRT // BALLCAP // VIBI VENEZIA SHOES

A few other pieces I have acquired and plan to wear regularly as temps warm:

THIS GINGHAM SHIRTDRESS

THIS MAXWELL AND GERALDINE STRIPE

HILL HOUSE NAP DRESSES — I JUST NOTICED THE OPHELIA IS BACK IN STOCK IN MY SIZE AND AM TEMPTED…

JULIA AMORY SHIRTDRESSES — I HAVE A FEW AND THIS IS MY LATEST ACQUISITION (ON SALE, SUCH A FUN PATTERN)

ULLA JOHNSON DELMARA

MILLE TOP

PINK FLORAL TOP — SO CUTE WITH WHITE JEANS

A WHITE BOW-SHOULDERED TOP FROM BROCK COLLECTION, JUST FOUND THE EXACT ONE AVAILABLE AT EBAY…LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS

EMILIA WICKSTEAD DRESS — I OWN THIS EXACT STYLE IN A PAST-SEASON PRINT…IT IS SO, SO CUTE

THIS SMOCKED AMAZON TOP I FOUND — BOUGHT IN THE BLACK, REMINDED ME OF THIS MORE EXPENSIVE STYLE

THIS J. CREW BLOUSE IN WHITE

P.S. Great bags for the season ahead, and a roundup of chic spring accessories.

P.P.S. I am drawn to my husband’s openness to joy.

P.P.P.S. It’s OK if you don’t have it all figured out. (I do not.)

*Image above via Moda Operandi featuring Markarian.

Q: Gifts for my mom for her birthday.

A: Love this question — so sweet. Personally, I love to give my mom luxurious beauty products, as we’re both beauty enthusiasts. I would give her these new Ilia pigments I’m obsessed with and this cream highlighter, which is currently at the top of my beauty lust list. I played around with it in Sephora this week and it is absolutely gorgeous. I have so many other highlighters, though, and so felt chastened by my attempt to only have one product in each category, and I already have two highlighters I use and love regularly (Westman Atelier’s Lit Stick and Saie’s glowy super gel). But that’s neither here nor there — I would love to gift my mom a pretty new highlighter!

Another thought: a pretty new resort wear dress. My mom and I both just purchased this Emerson Fry number, but something like this would also be a sweet gift, too.

A pretty straw bag like this for all of her spring occasions would be lovely, too, or maybe a classic LL Bean bag monogrammed with her nickname? (I had this done for my MIL, whom my children call “Gigi,” but it doesn’t need to be a grandma name — could also just be a special nickname you have for her.)

A few other pretty finds that I would happily gift a beloved friend/family member: recipe book, wedgewood earrings, Alice Walk wraps, or a printed tablecloth. I am also personally eyeing these personalized ballet flats from Margaux — a bit more expensive, but so special.

Otherwise, I feel like a broken record, but I have lost count of the number of times I’ve given Lake Pajamas to women in my life. Who doesn’t love a new pair of pretty, super-soft pajamas?

Q: Spring and summer placemats.

A: I am still loving the scalloped-and-embroidered placemat trend — love these, these, and these! I also love the piped edge styles here and here. This Etsy shop does amazing table setting “sets” that include placemats, runners, and napkins that all coordinate perfectly but look a bit more styled/eclectic. For outdoor dining, I love these and these! (And more outdoor dining finds here.)

Q: Snowboots.

A: Ha! I’m full steam ahead on spring and yet I, too, am still wearing my heavy duty parka and clog boots close to daily. So, if we’re talking heavy duty snow (like you live in Chicago), I can’t recommend Sorel Jean D’Arctic boots enough. They are heavy duty, legit pieces of equipment. They feel like they weigh five pounds each. They are insulated and your feet stay dry and warm for ages. If we’re talking the occasional snow day, I love the look of Sperry Saltwaters, Marc Fisher Izzies (very limited sizes on sale here!), and Sorel’s fun explorer boots in the teddy or white.

Q: Tortoise shell glass dinner plates on the budget friendly side.

A: These melamine ones! Related: these reasonably priced tortoise tumblers! Also cute as pen cups.

Q: Wedding guest dress for March. At a total loss.

A: A few of my favorite dresses out at the moment that might fit the bill, depending on formality of occasion:

THIS LA LIGNE

THIS ALEMAIS

THIS CIAO LUCIA WITH EARRINGS LIKE THESE

THIS DAMARIS BAILEY

THIS FLOOR-LENGTH PINK COLUMN

THIS CORAL STUNNER FROM PEONY

THIS CAROLINE CONSTAS (ALSO LOVE IT IN THIS PRINT)

DE LORETA

THIS COCO SHOP

THIS AMUR

THIS MILLE

P.S. More options in my wedding guest shop or here.

Q: Gift for my wife as we prepare to welcome a second child.

A: This is the absolute sweetest. My husband gave me an Hermes scarf with a “soldier motif” on the eve of the birth of my second, telling me that I was brave. (This similar one is wild and fun.) It was such a thoughtful and meaningful morale boost. I also love the idea of a personalized piece of jewelry like one of these Aurelia Demark bracelets, which you could have engraved with each of your children’s names. For something less expensive, you can achieve a similar effect by engraving both children’s names (or new baby’s name!) on this heart necklace or this layered charm necklace. I also wear this ring with my daughter’s initials and birth date on it daily, and you won’t believe how inexpensive it was!

A gift certificate to a salon/spa for her to use in the first few weeks/months after baby comes would also be thoughtful — I remember I gave one of my girlfriends a gift card to get her hair blown out at DryBar right after she’d given birth and she almost wept with relief! Finally, and this is very personal to me probably, but I would have wept with relief if my husband had surprised me with a housekeeper the first few months after baby arrived!

Q: Dresses/tops without a puff sleeve or dramatic sleeve.

A: I love this Khaite-inspired sculpted knit top, this gorgeous gingham shirtdress, this eyelet mini, this navy dress, and I don’t know if this sleeveless style fits your criteria but I think this is the best statement top out there at the moment.

And then of course I adore all things striped, especially this Sezane, Kule tees, Ayr tees and button-downs, H&M tees, and these striped button-downs.

Q: Wedding shoes – low heel, open toe – for my summer wedding.

A: Super lust list: these Jimmy Choos. Just bananas! These Birmans might be just a tad high? Not sure — but j’adore. I know a lot of brides have loved these LRs, though I have to be honest and say they have been worn so widely that maybe they’ve lost their oomph? Still, I always believe that if you love something, you should go for it, and they are super pretty and bridal and have that great low heel.

Q: Dress for my godson’s Baptism in Colorado in April or May. Hoping to find something without insanely poufy sleeves so I can wear a cardigan.

A: I shared some lovely options in this post (anything for the mother of the baby would be totally suitable for godmother, too), but some top picks would be this (bought for myself!), this, or one of these gorgeous shirtdresses from Carolina K. DVF also has some really fun spring wrap dresses out — this is lovely. And then of course I love a tweed moment for an occasion like this — something like this or this.

Q: I bought Vejas but don’t know how to style them and don’t think I can pull them off with a dress. Help!

A: For me, it’s about finding an on-trend pair of cropped-length denim. I feel like this is the key for making it look intentional. So imagine these with jeans like this or this, and then pair with an Ayr tee for a casual moment or a crisp white top like this or this for something a bit more elevated. I also like sneakers paired with utility trousers like this, a fitted tee, a navy blazer, and a scarf from Hermes. Gwyneth Paltrow wore a variation on this look like a decade ago and I’ve been recreating ever since. Throw on a neutral ballcap for a model off duty moment.

Q: Which of the skirts you wrote about would you recommend?

A: So many good ones out this season, but I am preparing to buy this hot pink one. It just screams my name. I imagining wearing it with whites/neutral tanks and tops and woven accessories like this, this, and this. I desperately wish this floral was still in stock in my size but it’s not — that would be my second top pick!

We are now in the Lenten season, with Easter not far afield. My mother, sister, and I participate in a digital prayer circle each morning and we switch up the prayer on a weekly basis, but I absolutely loved this one from a few weeks back and have found myself scrolling up to it since the start of Lent: “Deliver me from harsh judgement and callous speech. Make kindness the backdrop of my soul’s life.” What would my day look like if kindness were its backdrop? Aspirational talk for sure.

On a far more frivolous level, I have been preparing for the Easter holiday. A few years ago, I did a flax-colored linen tablecloth with robin’s egg blue napkins and I loved the pairing so much I am contemplating recreating (would need to purchase new linens since we have a larger dining table and many more guests). I also love this inexpensive pink gingham tablecloth, though, and think it would be chic to pair with woven accents, like these bunnies and these napkin rings. We shall see…

For Easter dressing, I am drawn to this dress for mini and these pants and this sweater for micro, though I was just sorting through their warm weather clothes and realized I have an adorable Bellabliss dress similar to this one for mini and a Janie and Jack seersucker suit for micro that still fits! So will probably go that way. Many more cute Easter outfits for children here. Meanwhile, I think I will buy them these Easter pajamas designed by my dear girlfriend Inslee!

For myself, I am contemplating this Coco Shop dress or this Alemais! This is my top pick for an affordable Easter dress find (under $40!), and this is what I would wear if I were expecting.

These and more of my favorite finds…

easter finds spring 2022

ALEMAIS DRESS // COCOSHOP DRESS // BLUE NAPKINS // ETSY EARRINGS // SCALLOPED NAPKINS // PAJAMAS // WOVEN BUNNY // CANDLESTICK // EASTER BASKET // EARRINGS // SCALLOPED HAT // SCALLOPED DRESS // BUNNY CRACKERS // SEERSUCKER BLAZER // JULIA AMORY DRESS

Many more Easter finds below…

P.S. If you don’t celebrate Easter but are looking for some fun new tabletop finds, consider this post!

P.P.S. Some of my ultimate favorite things.

P.P.P.S. On releasing people from expectations.

My Latest Snag: Spring Sneakers.

I bought a number of things for my spring wardrobe this past week, but I am mainly excited about these perfect pink Vejas, which I plan to wear with jeans now and dresses later. I also like them in the dark blue colorway.

You’re Soooo Popular: Spring Footwear + More.

The most popular items on Magpie this week:

spring fashion bestsellers

SILVER WATERPROOF SANDALS FOR THE LITTLES

SUEDE FLATS FROM PRETTY BALLERINAS

BLACK FLARED TROUSERS — A COMFORTABLE, ELEVATED CLASSIC

FLORAL PUFF SLEEVE BLOUSE

GORGEOUS MULTICOLOR PRINTED MAXI SKIRT

FLORAL SANDAL WITH BOW DETAIL

CUSTOM STATIONERY IN FRENCH BLUE

WHITE PANTRY BASKET

LIGHT BLUE KNIT SWEATER — STYLISH AND AFFORDABLE!

STAR-SHAPED MADEWELL EARRINGS

STRAPPY AMAZON SANDALS

GREY STRIPED BATH MAT

TAN LEATHER APPLE WATCH BAND

Weekend Musings: Castles of Possibilities.

Nigerian poet Ben Okri wrote: “Reading is an act of civilization…because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds castles of possibilities.” Okri’s sentiment perfectly distills my view of the relationship between text and reader: elaborate negotiations between imagination and the concrete presence of letters on a page. I wrote not long ago that the “or maybes” — that is, the multivalence of a text, a page, a word — are “the great gift of a degree in English, the vindication I might offer my friend, should we ever revisit the topic: the accommodation of a multitude of narrative possibilities. English trained me to look at a single word and ask: “but why this one?” and to recognize a certain rhyme scheme and ask “what if it were another?” I am forever shaped by the way those questions both exact and forgive.” I was reminded of these thoughts in our exchanges on Marilynne Robinson earlier this week and more specifically of the way in which texts uniquely intersect with our interests, personalities, life stages, orientations around faith. A book we hated ten years ago might suddenly catapult into a meaningful foothold in the personal canon we carry with us. A book that might one week disappear into the ether, floating in one ear and out the other (“hm, that book sounds familiar — oh yes, I did read that one”), might bring us to tears the next. “Everything is copy,” wrote Nora Ephron. To which we, as readers, might reply: “Context is everything.” And by virtue of the transitive property, “copy = context.” Which tracks, I think. Texts are mirrors: we strain to find ourselves in them.

Shopping Break.

+I’m not usually much of a mini dress gal these days, but three total standouts: this blue floral, this Zara steal, and this LoveShackFancy-inspired mini!

+Nantucket Kids is running a virtual sidewalk sale with everything under $25! Mini has this sweater and these leggings and the quality is incredible! I have purchased a lot of their pieces over the years using these insane promotions. Great quality.

+While in NYC this week, I stopped into Sephora and picked up a few things and this Ilia pigment is my favorite new beauty find! I bought it in the coral “temptation” color and wear on lips and cheeks. So pretty and fresh for spring!

+These shorts give me Zimmermann vibes (under $100!)

+Sweetest LWD for any number of occasions — graduation, bridal shower, anniversary, etc. Love the $118 price tag!

+This rash guard for a little love is darling. Also love this one! More children’s swim here.

+Still can’t believe these earrings are under $30. Ordered for myself!

+Another under-$30 wonder: these chunky knit cardigans. Great if you need a little something to tide you over through the final weeks of winter but don’t want to spend a fortune. (More transitional knits here.)

+For more of an investment, you might consider this absolutely spectacular embroidered cardi or this navy one (the latter on sale with code SHOPTOUNLOCK).

+Great bookcase for a nursery.

+These stackable bins are clever for a play area / child’s room.

+These Nikes in the pink/green colorway are fab.

+Perfect little Easter bonnet for a little lady.

+I still wear this zodiac pendant nearly every day. Thank you to the talented Magpie and jeweler, Lizzie Scheck, for it! What a lovely gift.

+Another great recent release from Talbots. I feel like this would be fun paired with chartreuse/citron shoes (or these).

+This bold patterned midi skirt is an extra 25% off its sale price, bringing it down to $88!

+Another ultra-chic patterned midi. Skirts are IT for spring!

+LOVE these knotted linen heels.

+Fun scalloped trench at a great price.

+In love with these dramatic cat eyes.

+Floral rain jacket!

+If you want to give the bucket hat trend a try, I like this one.

+More woven/rattan finds here.

I have to say, this week has been full of amazing finds and product launches — I picked up a bunch of new items for my spring wardrobe, and am especially excited about these earrings and these sneakers. Then H&M and Madewell came out with some fantastic new pieces, too —

Favorite Finds at H&M.

I cannot get over this $39 dress — it’s sort of like Sleeper meets Nap Dress heaven. The pattern is perfection! Also comes in a skirt / top combo if you’re more into the separates.

Favorite Finds at Madewell.

I love these spring sneakers — such a good price point — and white pintuck dress. They also just released their popular perfect vintage jeans in a new wide leg cut that is intriguing. (If you’re new to Madewell denim, these are just the absolute best. I wear them like three times a week. Size down one size from your usual denim size for a perfect fit. I’m so grateful to the many Magpies who recommended these to me!)

P.S. More great finds from H&M here, and some great Target buys here.

P.P.S. What do you secretly want to do?

P.P.P.S. Things that feel like answers.