I know Valentine’s Day can be polarizing — I’ve heard the “Hallmark holiday” accusation many times — but I love any occasion to dress up and drink champagne. Below, a few fun ideas for the holiday…
+Dondolo always has fun finds for occasions, like this dress. Last year, I bought one of their smocked tops in a blue heart print and paired with these earrings.
+I don’t know what it is about blue hearts (ha!), but this year, I am contemplating adding another Julia Amory dress to my collection in this fun D. Portahult-esque print. I love this dress so much. It is in a super-soft, almost brushed (?) cotton, skims the body, and nips in slightly around the waist. My only gripe is that the buttons at the bottom come unfastened easily while walking around. I’ve had other friends report back with the same issue!
+More hot pink finds here. So love this color ATM.
I’ve had a few inquiries about Galantine’s Day ideas. Aside from a sweet friendship note on a card like this, this, or this, a few ideas…
+Have girlfriends over for a cocktail (may I suggest this cocktail recipe or this one for the occasion? both are perfectly pink!) and throw in these fun stirrers, or these.
+More ideas (including recipes/menu ideas) on entertaining girlfriends here.
+Over the top but how insanely cool and fabulous are these oversized paper peonies?! Like do I need this as “an art installation” in my office?! SO good.
+I love the creative occasion cards at Amy Heitman if you want to send a note to a good girlfriend.
I LOVE GIVING A LITTLE COSMETIC/BEAUTY FIND — JUST ORDERED MYSELF THIS SPF LIP BALM AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN AS A GIFT FOR A GAL PAL…ALSO LOVE THIS SCRUB! WRAP UP EITHER WITH CELLO AND A BIG BOW AND A TAG THAT READS: “YOU’RE THE BALM” HAHA
A quick third post! You must be a subscriber to Kule’s emails, but you can get early access to their annual sale starting today! I have purchased many of my “Modern Long” tees (my favorite cut — it is slightly boxy and not overlong despite what the name implies; I am short, 5’0, and it hits at hip for me) via this sale, and there are still lots of great colors in many sizes. Some notes on sizing: I find this brand runs TTS and take an XS across the board. However, many of their styles are intentionally designed to fit “boxy” and I think the website does a great job of indicating the intended fit/style, so I would take a look at those pretty closely and see if you like the boxiness level. Even their “modern long” which might imply a slim, slender fit is boxy/loose in the body (though trimmer/narrower in shoulder and arm fit), though not dramatically so. Their sweatshirts, by contrast, tend to run fairly trim/slim, though I still take my true size (XS) in those and they fit great.
MOCKNECK IN STARK WHITE — GREAT LAYERING PIECE; ALMOST WANT TO WEAR THIS OVER MY FITNESS TANKS IN THE MORNING!
WELL-PRICED KNITWEAR: NAVY STRIPES OR CAMEL CASHMERE AT J. CREW PRICES!
Also please note the incredible kids’ sale section. My children have had a few of their pieces and they are so adorable and well-made. I love this rugby tee, this yellow stripe, and this sky blue stripe.
Last but not least, I’ve picked up a few items for Mr. Magpie from Kule this past year, and he has been living in both this rugby shirt (now on sale) and these fun socks!
*Image above via Vibi Venezia; loads of their furlanes are on sale at the moment here! I just snagged these striped ones to wear all summer long. Even including the $15 shipping, they are under $50!
Wow — some incredible bargains to be had on designer items I’ve mentioned many times here, including…
Expecting mamas, the sale includes some fabulous non-maternity finds that would make great everyday dresses with a bump and are slightly easier to justify because they are so heavily discounted:
P.S. I got so much enthusiastic feedback on this post on crisp basics/striped essentials! I am going to try to include more posts along these lines. Wanted to mention that I recently discovered Alice Walk carries some fantastic looking striped tees (love the silhouette — sort of narrow at shoulders/neck and a slight widening at hips), and of course my striped furlanes will fit right into this vibe as we head towards summer. Just imagine with a simple denim or white shirtdress.
P.P.P.S. Are there interests, or orientations, or tenets of life, that are non-negotiables for you in a partner?
By: Jen Shoop
During a recent cycling session, the instructor commented: “showing up for yourself enables you to show up for others,” meaning that taking the time to exercise would help me better serve the loved ones in my life. I was surprised at how much our recent conversations on downtime, self-care, and mom guilt (more here) inflected and even derailed the well-intentioned comment. It’s not that I disagreed with her, but there was something about the simplicity — the facileness? — of her suggestion that landed awkwardly. I found myself thinking, “If it were only that easy!” and shuffling through all of the conversations I’ve had with so many of you on this subject in the comments section and in real life with friends, too. It felt vaguely the way I felt when I was in graduate school, and someone not in my graduate school would make a simple and accurate comment about a book, and I would find myself nearly waterlogged by the twenty-two different ways I wanted to take the conversation. I remember specifically finding myself tongue-tied while talking about Junot Diaz with a friend. She’d found his tone off-putting, a view with which I very much empathized, but there was so much more to say about that. His books are laced through with interrogations of masculinity and performance. They are also a feat of “owned voice” cultural representation. It is a wonder to make the text sound like the spoken word — in this particular case, of a Dominican-American boy growing up in New York — while still standing on its own as a beautifully shaped piece of art. And then there is the question of the reader’s relationship to the narrator and to the text, too, and what that means about the tone and its reception, especially from the lens of cultural difference.
Anyhow, it’s interesting, the way that goes: the more we think, the more expansive and circumstantial and nuanced things can feel. I am reminded again of Voltaire: “The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.” I don’t mean that in a faux modest way. I mean, truly, that the longer we spend with something, the more we respect its intricacies and textures. (If I ever find myself feeling the opposite, I must remember to spend an afternoon wandering around subreddits on obscure topics like “the best manual coffee grinders.” There are multiverses of experts on the leanest of matters, and even they disagree one another.)
But. I do believe the instructor to be correct, and I think many of you do, too, even if the entreaty leaves us itchy in certain ways. And yet — what does it mean to “show up” for yourself? It is not always exercise, or self-advocacy in fraught relationships, or massages, or therapy, though those are, certainly, media. I have been thinking a lot on this, and specifically on the tiniest ways in which it can be done. One approach, borrowed from another blog, runs as follows:
“I made a list of all the teeny tiny things that frustrate me regularly. One of them was that my laptop charger only works if the battery pack is tilted at a 45 degree angle. And then I made a plan to fix it.”
I love this inventorying: such a small but realistic way to make tiny, material improvements in your day. I realized that I feel similar angst when I am writing at a crowded desk, and yet I have tended to sit here with a stack of notepads and planners on my left and three different liquids to drink on my right and the various accretions of living with small children: a handful of legos, a string of beads, a metal inset shading from Montessori. I hate the way it makes me feel: half-situated, distracted. And it took Allie’s prompt to make me realize I need to commit to a clearing of the decks before descending to write. Much better.
I think taking the time to accommodate these slender preferences and tamp down these minor frictions will pay off manifold. If I learned anything from claiming fifteen minutes of my day in order to create a space to buffer, download, and transition between “work Jen” and “Mom Jen,” it is that self-care and improvements to quality of life do not always need to be grandiose, expensive, time-consuming endeavors. Sometimes it’s a matter of finding a new charger, or moving the stack of notebooks to your drawer, or just zoning out at your desk for a dedicated stretch of time.
Hoping today you find a minute to jot down some daily frustrations and see what can be done about them —
+Adjacent thought: re-branding difficult times of day. It was strange to revisit this post, as we have evolved so much as a family since the writing of this post. Which, honestly, I must write about some time on a separate thread because it gave me the most profound sense of hope. I mean, it is truly all a phase. And now dinnertime is no big deal and it’s just bed time that occasionally fills me with dread, as it is mini’s preferred site of recalcitrance. More on that later, but just to say, if you are IN IT as a mom today and wondering how moms do this [whatever “this” challenging thing means for you] for years and years, just know it truly will change. The knotty parts smooth out; other knobs form. Keep going.
+On that note, if you’re “in it” as a mom in general, I’m here to sit with you. And so are a lot of other Magpie moms. You are so not alone!
+Unrelated, but I still find the feedback on this three-year-old post on not getting into my first choice school absolutely fascinating. Ditto this post on choosing English as a major.
Shopping Break.
+I should have included this in yesterday’s roundup but fabulous swim trunks for little boys in two great colors. Might buy in both! TBH sometimes in the summer I dress him in swim trunks and a polo regardless of the plans for the day since they so often get wet/play in the sprinkler/pool and these are cute enough to double as shorts.
+I need to run a retraction, or revision. I bought a Dudley Stephens fleece this past fall after seeing SO many women wear and love them. At first, I did not get the fuss. I found myself reaching for other athleisure layers instead. But suddenly, I cannot stop wearing this thing. It’s been great layered under my parka on snow days because the funnel color keeps my neck/face warm, but it’s thin enough to not be bulky underneath. I also super love it over a seamless fitness tee (<<just bought this one). It is just a perfect pairing and I can’t explain why? But I love it? Anyway, I have been getting a ton of use out of my fleece, which is in a chic sage green color. I kind of want a second? Is this how it starts?
+My MIL gave me an enormous bag full of crafts, decor, baking accessories (i.e., cupcake flags) that she’d gotten at Michael’s for up to 80% off. Many of it is from the just-ended holiday season and I just put it all on my holiday shelf for next year. I was ECSTATIC. A few great finds that are part of the promotion:
THESE HOLIDAY GIFT SACKS (SO GREAT FOR OVERSIZED/BULKY GIFTS FROM SANTA!)
OVERSIZED WOVEN BOW — MARKETED AS TREE TOPPER BUT COULD BE FOR A HUGE GIFT, GARLAND, ETC
HEART ORNAMENTS — ACTUALLY GREAT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY!
+Speaking of Michael’s and Valentine’s Day, I just loaded up my cart with some more items for my children to work with over the next few weeks. How cute are this card making kit, these die-cut stickers, this pom craft kit, and this heart craft kit? All 20% off and great for idle hands cooped up thanks to cold weather / COVID. I also got this card set for my children to use for notes — I love the “air mail” vibes.
+Recently bought some more of these inexpensive rope toy bins. Perfect for the Barbies mini just inherited from her aunts and myself — there must be 30 Barbies!
+This quilted reversible coat is so fun for spring. Throw on over a patterned dress or with jeans and a tee. Love.
+This dramatic swimsuit is on my radar for a beach trip this summer.
+Will be sharing a post full of spring/Easter dresses soon because I know I’ve been dripping them in here and there and several of you are looking for one, but wanted to mention this dress which I imagine pairing with a perfect blue cardigan like this or this at Church.
+Speaking of Easter, we have these soft-sided baskets, but I’ve always loved these with the scalloped liners. In NYC, space was a huge consideration so I needed the soft-sided ones that could lay flat for storage!
+Lacoste long sleeved polos, on sale for 30% off, in good colors like white, navy, etc! AHH! They are selling quickly. Managed to snag one navy in a size up for micro. He lives in these!
+These limited-edition cashmere sweaters and onesies for babies — swoon! I’m thinking I’ll send one of these for the next baby born in my network! Too sweet.
+Adore this rosebud knit dress. Can be layered over white leggings and beneath a white cardigan as we ease into spring.
+I am absolutely in love with Minnow’s Spring collection. My cart is full at the moment with these terry dresses, these terry shorts and polos, and this polka dot dress.
+Speaking of Minnow, this $13 suit serves up major Minnow vibes — I just bought for mini!
+This smocked chambray dress. The brand has the most thoughtful details; they specifically design clothes to stretch for more than one season. In this case, the side ties can be adjusted as child grows.
+Just a reminder that Cientas are on sale for 40% off here in fantastic colors.
+We’ve had two major snowfalls here in D.C. over the last few weeks and I am so bad — I neglected to buy snow gloves AND snow boots. I had everything else but they both outgrew their boots before the first snowfall so just had to use rainboots, which are not insulated! Anyway, eyeing these mittens (love the elastic strap around the wrist idea and great colors) or these (you know I swear by this brand for snow and rain gear, but $42 is pricey for limited-use gloves — maybe if we skied regularly, or still lived in Chicago I could justify?). For snow boots — AH. I am totally torn because I doubt we’ll get more snow this year (two large snowfalls was very unusual for the area) and so I kind of want to just make do with rainboots and invest in some proper ones next year? But why do I want these for mini?
+I am OVER THE MOON about these 7AM Enfant scooter mitts. Absolutely brilliant for my Manhattan moms who know how often their babies scoot from point A to point B. At our school in NYC, we had “scooter parking” for the children!
+I adore these striped shortalls for a little man — European styling and fit. Just perfect. Feeling weepy those days are gone for us! I’m glad I did it up while he was little. He wore a TON of the similar styles from Busy Bees; this one was my favorite. I loved it so much I bought it in multiple sizes. I’d pair with these little red Keds. Meep!
+During the colder months when he was younger, I dressed him in these La Coqueta cords and knit sets, both currently on sale! BTW – this brand runs small. I stuffed him into these Christmas overalls (also on sale — if you have a baby boy, buy now for next year!) this year in a size 3 and he barely fit. It was the last Christmas I thought I could get away with him in longalls since we toilet trained him right after the holidays, and then I feel badly if he can’t access the toilet without help undressing.
+This sailor-style drop waist dress and this smocked polka dot dress are currently in my cart for mini. Absolutely adorable.
*Image above via Toteme. ULTRA CHIC. The skirt is everything.
Q: A longline black cardigan. Budget is $100.
A: This is $5 over, but I love this Everlane one, and the pockets/shape of this one feel so modern. If it’s more of a duster situation you’re after, consider this Aqua or this soft knit. Love the idea of layering the latter over a crisp white button-down for a texture contrast. Last but not least, had to mention this J. Crew style, currently on sale for $118. Love the weight, texture, shape — sort of a coatigan situation.
Q: Spring crossbody bag.
A: Total frivolous and trend-conscious splurge: this Gucci, this Loewe, or this Lady Dior micro. Investment: Chanel double flap in caviar leather in a spring color. More reasonable but still spectacular and high-quality: this Frame, this Pam Munson, this mini jute, this DeMellier, or this Tory Burch. I have written about this a lot, but I own and adore this Marc Jacobs bag (under $400). It’s the perfect shape and size for carrying just the essentials — phone, card case, keys, sanitizer — and I love the details. It is also available in a slightly larger size in fabulous spring colors here (the green!!!). (I own it in this more fall-centric color palette.) The design reminds me of a lot of this far more expensive Marni style, but I think they’re equally chic. This matte pink Osoi also caught my eye — so unusual and architectural! For styles under $215, I am in love with this Ariel Okin x Neely and Chloe (perfect Easter bag!), this Hermes-inspired lady bag, and this wicker style (!). Not crossbodies but worth a mention: this is a clutch but had to mention here: it’s $12 and v inspired by Bottega! And this little woven bag with the pink leather handles is SO cute!
Q: February wedding (“formal” – is that black tie?) in Santa Monica.
A: I believe formal is the level below “black tie optional,” but a step above “cocktail.” I am assuming Santa Monica will be warm next month given that it’s in the 70s now? A few favorite options that feel dressy, location-relevant, CHIC, and weather-appropriate:
Q: I’m hoping you can help me find fabric. I’m looking to reupholster a set of vintage dining chairs we inherited. If I’m brave enough, we’ll wallpaper the dining room above the wainscoting in S&L’s navy grasscloth. I’m looking for a fabric to complement that wallcovering. Leaning traditional, timeless, possibly floral. Would so appreciate your input! Thanks in advance!
A: WOW! This sounds so incredibly chic. I would spend some time skimming the Instagram accounts of interior designers you admire/like and see what they’ve done. A few constant sources of inspo for me: my girlfriend Jen Hunter, Clary Bosbyshell, Amy L. Berry, Kelley Proxmire. They all do such interesting things with colors and patterns. I was surprised but I like the way these two dining rooms (1 and 2) use solid upholstery against white chairs, for example. (Would you consider painting/re-staining yours?). I would not have thought to do that but it adds so much youthfulness and airiness to the room, and might be fabulous against the navy wallpaper. I also like the vibes of this room and this room, and so maybe going with something similar — a gingham/geometric pattern is the direction I’d lean if I want a pattern. Maybe something like this, this, or this? That said, this Sister Parish design is so fabulous. It’s having a major moment right now and I can’t stop thinking about it. It might feel dated in time, though, given how on-trend/grandmillennial it feels. And so that leaves me thinking maybe a blue and white stripe is the way to go — Lee Jofa, French linen? How could you ever tire?!
I will say I’m sharing thoughts based purely on aesthetics, and if you have young children, you might consider a performance fabric. I’m sure you can find a classic, timeless blue and white stripe or solid blue in a performance fabric. (Otherwise, be sure to throw a towel down whenever your children are eating…that’s what we do in our home.).
I’ve also leaned heavily into blue patterns in my response here because I think it’s a simple way to tie into the navy grasscloth without being matchy matchy.
Q: Classic crewneck cardigans.
A: I “answered” this last week by completing ignoring the question and actually sharing pullovers. Ha! Sorry about that! I was in la la land. I don’t know why J. Crew has retired its timeless Jackie style — I own tons of these in different colors and they are perfect, tailored, fitted. You can find a tiny run of them here. J. Crew Factory has a similar style though I do find the quality of their Factory pieces hit or miss. And there is limited inventory in a similar style at Boden in a great warm white color here. Zara = has some simple, unfussy ones in pretty colors out, too. And if it’s cableknit you’re after, I’m drooling over these ones (on sale!) from N. Peal. A few other “classic with a twist” options I love:
Q: Table linens! I need to build up my collection, and am looking for reasonably-priced basics, though I never mind a suggestion for a fun, pretty purchase as well.
A: I love this and could stand to do the same! My top recs for versatile, timeless table linens are this scalloped Matouk (would pick a color that compliments your dining room or that you simply love…personally I’m afraid of white tablecloths so would go with one of the colors!), a timeless linen, probably in the flax color, and a simple runner in a color you like (this one I have in white because it’s less likely to be stained by food and it just looks fresh and lovely; i love that it’s quilted because it makes the table feel more “done” for some reason, maybe because of the texture contrast? and never needs to be ironed!). For everyday dining, I love placemats like these, these or these. Again, the texture is interesting and they don’t need to be ironed as intensively as, say, linen or cotton. They hold their shape better, too. I think a woven rattan placemat like this or this would be lovely for the same reasons (not a pain to iron/launder). I also have a set of cork-backed placemats that I love because they are wipe-clean!
For napkins, I love these (the white would go with absolutely EVERYTHING), these (just ordered in the magenta/pink but the neutral colors would stand you well for everyday), these, these, and this green set. Such a funny thing — I have a set of plain sage green cotton dinner napkins that have seen the heaviest use of ANY of my napkins. They just go with so much as a contrasting color, are pastel without being too frou-frou/feminine, etc. They can also work across seasons I find. One other note on napkins: you can often find GREAT deals on clearance at Pottery Barn on these. Currently love these and these.
As for more fun/punchy/statement pieces, I’m currently in the market myself for some of those scalloped linen placemats from Mrs. Alice, La Gallina Matta (I bought my mom a set of these!) or The Avenue. So many chic options! And a few other table linens with more distinctive patterns to consider:
JUST BOUGHT THIS PINK MRS. ALICE — THE MOST FUN HOT PINK AND CAN GO WITH SO MANY COLORS…GREEN, PALE PINK, WHITE, TAUPE, RED — FOR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS
Q: Art for my son’s nursery that will work as the room changes. Not too cutesy.
A: I love the pieces by Leslee Mitchell. Something like this would be so fun! We had a reproduction of an Andy Warhol printed on canvas in our son’s room. He has some fun pieces (these cars? this cow?) that read whimsical but sophisticated, especially when mixed in with artwork in other styles/media. (Side note: I have a thing for Andy Warhol’s portrait of Carolina Herrera and sometimes stalk reproductions on eBay. I think it would be so fabulous framed or printed on a stretched canvas in my office with other feminine artwork.) Also love the idea of a set of vintage animal sketches like these framed across a wall.
Q: Good source for wedding inspo? Any posts on your wedding?
A: Congratulations! Unlike Bride and Over the Moon are the only bridal accounts I follow! I was married nearly twelve years ago but I find them SO inspiring and sophisticated, so that should be an indication of how strongly I feel about the aesthetics! I don’t have much on my own wedding, sadly, but I do have a bridal section here with fun finds for brides-to-be.
Q: Men’s leather wallet.
A: Paul Stuart makes lovely, timeless men’s products. I’ve purchased Mr. Magpie several pairs of shoes and belts from there. They have this straight-forward, elegant wallet on offer. Todd Snyder has some lovely pieces from London-based brand Ettinger worth a look. Smythson makes beautiful leather goods, too, and some are on sale. Last but not least, I have gifted Mr. Magpie two Ralph Lauren bifolds in our time as a couple!
Q: Rehearsal dinner dress in August.
A: Congratulations! I have loved this Zimmermann for the last few seasons — it’s just so elegant and chic and easy. This Carolina Herrera has a sweet vintage quality to it that I love; this Sachin and Babi is romantic; this Staud is darling and fresh; this Shoshanna feels formal but fun at the same time; this feather-trim style feels on trend and festive; this Markarian is spectacular; this mini says “I’M HERE TO CELEBRATE!”
Q: New bath towels.
A: My favorites are Matouk’s Cairo and Auberge — I own multiple sets of each. I also have some Weezie, which offer the greatest monogram options. I do find the latter are soft but snag easily, just FYI!
Q: Dress for me for my newborn photos and my almost three year old girl. Baby two is also a girl!
A: Congratulations! I would treat myself to this Thierry Colson or this one, or one of Julia Amory’s shirtdresses — all boast loose fits in fabulous prints with a nice amount of coverage. If those are too busy for your taste, consider a simple and elegant Daphne Wilde dress. For your little one, you can’t go wrong with a petal collar Proper Peony or smocked Luli and Me. Pukatuka also has some darling pieces in pinks and blues. I have also had fabulous luck with Sal E Pimenta over the past few years — they do the sweetest pieces with unusual, slightly whimiscal details, like this sailor-inspired beauty. Cecil and Lou nails the look for less with precious pieces like this and this. Proper Peony, Luli, and Sal e Pimenta all run small but Cecil and Lou runs generously.
Q: Fall black tie wedding, coast of Maine.
A: Love that you’re planning ahead. I’m the same way. I would wear this, this, or this with a little copped jacket like this, this, or this over my shoulders (it will certainly be cold!). This navy number or this black velvet are also striking!
Q: 84th birthday gift for my mom.
A: Happy birthday to her! Wow! How about one of these gorgeous Heidi Carey robes, some beautiful table linens, a beautiful frame with a special photo of the two of you (or the entire fam!), an Alice Walk cashmere wrap, or an Artifact Uprising photo book. I’m thinking of doing the latter for my mom/mother-in-law one of these years. I know they would treasure it! If she prays, my mom loved this rosary bracelet as a recent gift. If she is still fairly active (plays golf / likes to go for walks), I love the idea of buying her some new fitness gear from Tory Burch, whose styles are so age-versatile.
Q: Practical anniversary gift for our son and daughter-in-law with two small children.
A: Great quality (but not too pricey) towels or sheets in go-with-everything white. I only got my second set of sheets for my bed a few years ago and it finally made me feel like an adult not to have to leave the bed stripped every time I’d launder the sheets. But second, or third, sets of sheets are just not something you want to spend money on when you have so many demands! Alternately, a piece of furniture! It takes a lifetime to acquire a full set. My mother bought us dining chairs awhile ago (we consulted with one another on style) and WOW. To have a huge part of my dining room outfitted was beyond generous!
Q: Valentine’s cards for adults.
A: If you’re thinking of sending a bunch out to friends, I like the simple design of these and these! Such a fun idea!
By: Jen Shoop
Mr. Magpie gave me this baking cookbook for Christmas and I have found myself clipping back in to the art of baking. I find the recipes fun, extraordinarily well-written, and thoroughly researched. I have learned so much already. I recently shared some fantastic kitchen gear we love and swear by, but wanted to run a post more oriented towards us bakers (and I know there are many who read this blog). Below, items I absolutely love for baking.
BRAVETART COOKBOOK — As mentioned above, I am obsessed with this cookbook. Everything I’ve made of hers has turned out perfectly. She does a fantastic job of explaining the science/technique without being too esoteric or irritating. She has a knack for explaining how ingredients should look/feel in easy-to-interpret language, i.e., the softness of butter, the degree to which whites should be whipped, etc. I find her recipes ultra-reliable. I have amassed quite a library of baking books, but the only other voice I trust implicitly is Martha Stewart, and even then, I find variation between versions of her books/recipes. Stella Parks is even more reliable IMO. Sorry Martha!
KITCHENAID MIXING BOWLS — The best because they are lightweight (and therefore easy to wield when combining ingredients) but sturdy enough that they can withstand a hand mixer/heavy whisk. The spout also facilitates pouring, and the sizes are perfection for nearly any baking need. Also store neatly in a cupboard.
NIELSEN MASSEY VANILLA — The biggest leap in the quality of my baked goods? High-caliber ingredients. I think Nielsen Massey’s vanilla is the absolute best. Mr. Magpie sent me an article last year asserting that actually McCormick’s vanilla is the best according to super-tasters and various other criteria I can’t now remember. For awhile, I switched back to the grocery store variety. Much cheaper and easier to come by. But I simply disagree. I think NM’s vanilla is much richer and more round in flavor than any other variety I’ve tried.
KERRYGOLD BUTTER — Similar to note above, I only bake with Kerrygold or Plugra unsalted butter at this point. You can *really* taste the quality of butter in baking because so many of the recipes are butter-forward/butter-intensive, especially in cookies! Trust me, this is worth the expense.
KITCHENAID HAND MIXER — I have a full-sized stand mixer, too, and could not live without it but I love this little guy so much. Frankly, if I can get away with using the hand mixer instead of Big Sis, I will. This is so lightweight and easy to use and you have the added advantage of being able to “get under” things in a way you can’t with a stand mixer. I’m thinking specifically of egg whites and whipping cream — so much easier to get them thoroughly mixed and aerated when you can control the angle of the beaters with your hand.
VOLLRATH BAKING SHEETS — Heavy duty, do not warp, conduct heat well. La creme de la creme.
COOKIE SCOOP — I went for years without owning one of these, and have no clue why. They yield much more regular results (duh) than eye-balling/rolling by hand and make the process much cleaner and simpler. I like that you can get different sizes, too, depending on what type of cookie you’re scooping.
BATTER BOWL — This is not the exact brand I own, but a batter bowl is essential to baking! I use this shape more regularly than any other in my arsenal because the handle makes for easy pouring, even when I’m not making a cake batter. I simply like it for ease of pouring items together. However, it is ideal for cake batter!
BAKING AND COOLING GRID — For most of my life, I used a cooling rack without the grid (just vertical lines straight across) and those always left an imprint on the underside of the cookie / sometimes the cookies would break across the gaps. This grid solves that problem and enables cookies to cool evenly without losing their shape. These are also oven-safe in the event you have a purpose for that. I think Mr. Magpie has even used these for dry-brining meats.
8″ WHISK — We have tons of whisks but this small one is my favorite. It’s much easier to wield and control than the others we have. I trust there are reasons to have differently lengthed whisks but I have tiny hands and I find this far easier to manipulate than any other I’ve ever tried.
FAT DADDIO CAKE TINS — Mr. Magpie discovered these on some random corner of the Internet/Reddit and they truly are excellent. They come in tons of depths, shapes, etc, and they bake very evenly. I think it has something to do with the type and thickness of metal — it conducts heat more evenly.
KITCHEN SCALE — I actually own the OXO brand but I would advocate for this one because it is well-reviewed (Wirecutter’s top pick), half the price, and I love that it’s entirely coated in a wipeable material, which would be incredibly handy.
Not seen above but must mention: WS’s goldtouch loaf pans and cupcake tins. They are heavy-duty and nonstick. So easy to get a banana bread out of these bad boys!
P.S. Some favorite baking recipes (more here). These are billed by season but many of them work year-round! (Sugar cookies?!)
There is a heart-wrenching, gorgeous song by Brittany Howard called “Short and Sweet” that we listened to, loud — just the way Mr. Magpie likes it — one night last week after the children were asleep. The lyrics are somber. They confront unrequited love, self-harm, unhealthy relationships. But there is an exquisite line in it that captures perfectly the way we open ourselves up to the people we love:
“There’s always a light over my head for you.”
The image is perfect: a lone face in the window, waiting for headlights to turn up the drive. A dark, vacant city street suffused with the soft incandescence of a solitary bulb in the window of a ninth floor apartment.
Howard’s song thrums with the agony of waiting for someone who may never arrive: “Time will always try to kill me,” she sings.
But there is a less torturous scenario that sprang to mind the minute I heard the lyric: siblinghood. My relationships with my siblings feel elastic in the sense that we could go from a disagreement to laughing so hard we are crying in the blink of an eye. I need no preamble to feel comfortable sending an out-of-the-blue text about anything at all, be it airing a grievance or sharing a hilarious meme. I can go two months without talking to my brother and then we speak on the phone and it is as though no time has passed at all, without any of the sheepish gravel-kicking that tends to accompany lapsed friendships. My sister can be furious with me but woe betide the person who criticizes me in her presence. There is a core there that cannot be moved, a light that will never turn off. I will always have my sister’s knit brow (“she said what to you?!”) and the crook of her arm to take while teetering in heels and the firm squeeze of her hand in the pew at Church. We may shift into times where we see one another less, or talk more infrequently, but the light stays on.
Thank God for siblings, and for all loved ones (friends! aunts! cousins!) who keep the light on for us.
+I have heard such good things about this carseat/stroller fabric stain removal kit and it is currently on sale.
+Speaking of stain removal, have I already talked your ear off about this tiny fabric brush?! I use this with a little bit of dish soap and apply directly to a stain and it gets EVERYTHING OUT. Has even worked on chocolate and wine!
+Those heart earrings reminded me that Nicola Bathie just launched some fun statement rings!
+This remains my favorite everyday moisturizer. Feels great going on — lightweight, blends in easily. Just an elegant, effective product.
+Scalloped Liberty print top — reminds me of Horror Vacui and currently on major sale.
+Beginning to think about mini’s fifth birthday in early March. I am torn between a few different themes. She’s obsessed with Alice and Wonderland at the moment, and that could be a fun theme? But then she’s a longtime lover of superheroes, and look at this adorable invitation!
By: Jen Shoop
I am a bit Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the moment when it comes to dressing myself in the morning — it’s either embellished-hot-pink-statement-everything or crisp denim with stripes at the moment. I rock variations on the look above constantly. Sharing some favorite finds in this vein below, but first must mention —
EVERLANE IS OFFERING 25% OFF ALL FULL-PRICE ITEMS TODAY ONLY — GREAT TIME TO SNAG A GREAT SWEATER OR BOXY BUTTON-DOWN
THIS TOTEME SWEATER IS HAVING A MOMENT (HAVE SEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE!) AND H&M HAS A FAB LOOKALIKE UNDER $50 (“COMING SOON” TRICK: IF YOU “FAVORITE” IT, IT BECOMES AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOU CAN CHECK OUT!)…BANANA HAS A GREAT SIMILAR STYLE AS WELL
My favorite buys this week were my new calligraphy book and calligraphy pen set (have always wanted to learn — why not now?) and some new fitness gear. I shared all my favorite exercise finds yesterday but am especially excited about my new hot pink sports bra and mint green fitness top!
I am still mulling over the fascinating and nuanced comments in response to my post on self-care, downtime, and mom guilt. One quote I came across this week that led me back down that thought trail:
I find this to be true, even in the sense that I often take a scheduled break during my day to run an errand, fold laundry, organize a corner of the house, take care of administrative business like doctor’s appointments and returns, etc., because I have learned that I need that “inactive” time to let things marinate. Sometimes my best writing happens when I’m driving to the dry cleaner. If I am running dry, the last place I should be is sitting at my desk in front of a blank page. This isn’t exactly what Austin Kleon is getting at, I don’t think. I think he means that people need time to “turn off” and “recharge” — not “be creative in the background,” which is more or less what I’m saying. Perhaps that’s nit-picking, though, because the point stands, whether or not you are in a creative field: it is healthful and generative to take breaks and, as he puts it, “do nothing.” The problem, I think, is that very few of us feel we can take time to “do nothing,” and for a number of reasons — inherited work ethic, frenzied and overscheduled days, guilt about taking time for ourselves as moms (specifically: guilt about leaning on other people to care for our children while we are taking time for ourselves), logistical complexity.
I shared the above quote on Instagram and one Magpie replied: “I am currently finishing my counseling degree. Counselors have an obligation to self-care — it’s actually in our code of ethics. It’s helped me to take time alone to be quiet with a little less guilt.”
Now, of course we are not all counselors working with others through difficult times, but I thought the fact that, as a profession, counselors have determined that it is productive, healthy, necessary to take time out for themselves was an encouraging endorsement of the practice more generally.
I don’t have any great answers, unfortunately, as to how to find the time and the childcare and the grace to give yourself “guilt-free downtime.” But perhaps, if you are able to elbow out some room for yourself, you can revisit some of the thoughts in this post or the comments in the previous post and remind yourself that it is OK to do nothing at all. You need time to sit around and do nothing.
+This pennant would be absolutely adorable for a little boy meeting his baby sibling for the first time, or for a newborn photo shoot with big brother in it.
+I can’t believe how popular this ski jacket was this past week. If you’re heading to the slopes, this is a cute base layer!
+Still time to order this beyond adorable heart dress for Valentine’s Day for an LO. More heart-centric finds here.
+This blouse is absolutely gorgeous — and under $100.
+I have a few of these hinge lid storage bins in my bathroom — great for things like facial cotton, razor blade refills, tampons, etc. I’m thinking these open-top bins would be a great compliment for organizing some of my shampoo/shaving cream/toothpaste etc backstock. (Costco life! Such a change from NYC, where I rarely had a back-up for anything — all hand to mouth!)
+I love a leopard moment. This would be great with booties and a little black cardigan right now.
+Have been eyeing this tiered midi all season long. I love dresses like this at the moment. So easy to wear, loose-fitting, but pulled together. They work with boots or flats!
+Obsessed with this $30 (!) sweater. Also love this embellished gray one.
+Mini adores her new rainboots. They are on a tiny price break at the moment!
+This button-back sweater is fun in the cream/blue mix.
I have been using our new fitness bike a lot the past few weeks — it’s been so fantastic to have an alternative to running during this cold snap. Aside from a year in Chicago when I got into FlyWheel, I haven’t done much spinning/cycling, but I am really enjoying mixing it up. It’s also ultra low-commitment (i.e., if I lose steam, I’m in the house and just walk upstairs! When I go running, I *must* return way I came, no matter how much I am flagging) and I therefore find it much easier, mentally, to “go for a quick spin” downstairs. At any rate, my renewed commitment to exercising has me itching for some new gear. I recently bought a few additional cropped tanks (on sale here in a great lavender color) from Beyond Yoga (seen above) — so, so soft and comfortable but flattering and feminine. But I am mainly drawn to spring colors mixed in with pops of hot pink at the moment. Lululemon has some of my old standbys — swiftly tech tees, align leggings, and define jackets — out in some great new spring colors that are calling my name, and I have this head-to-toe look from Alo in my cart: fitness turtleneck, hoodie, and leggings. Sharing even more below…
*Image via Amal Kapen featuring one of the Oomph tini tables I’m lusting after!
A few things at the top of my current lust list…
+Thierry Colson dress. This is going to be my first spring wardrobe purchase! I have always been intrigued by this French brand and have seen several ultra-chic women wear it. I love this unexpected green Liberty print, and the shape is my preferred silhouette — long, body-skimming!
+Gucci barrette. I have a weakness for frivolous, #extra accessories. They can completely take a “lather-rinse-repeat” look into “I feel amazing” territory.
+Oomph tini table. We still need a lot of furniture for our new home, and I have been eyeing one of these fun and fabulous Oomph tables for probably a decade. I am thinking it would be punchy in our front, formal living room, which currently has an elegant mint green rug from Jayson Home (exact one sold out, but similar in design/vibe to this, just a lot more mint-green-centric) and some inherited traditional pieces from my grandparents and could use a little POP of modernity in the form of this table.
+Celine Sangle bag in Amazone. This is my current designer bag obsession. I haven’t bought a new, prestige designer bag in awhile and am thinking I might treat myself to this in 2022. I know several of you have this exact style and most of the feedback has been ecstatic. A few of you have urged me to go into a boutique to determine whether the size will dwarf me and how I feel about the shoulder strap, which some of you have said slides off the shoulder easily. Just passing along the intel in case you’re in the same market!
+Mrs. Alice placemats. I have featured these and similar placemats so many times on the blog but never purchased myself a set. Recently, we have been hosting more small/intimate dinner parties and I have been thinking how much I wish I had a set of these. I love the bow motif and of course the blue is perfection! The Avenue also has some fabulous placemat options.
+Antique Gustavian chests. I have been poring over 1st Dibs lately — there are so many insanely chic antique finds that have been catching my eye. How fabulous would these be in either a guest bedroom or somewhere unexpected in a living space, i.e., flanking a fire place.
P.S. Cardigans and turtlenecks are still in heavy rotation in these parts. My favorite look this season.
P.P.S. I have been having a weak spot for statement earrings recently…you know my Shrimps earrings Mr. Magpie gave me? I found some lookalikes on Etsy for under $40!
P.P.P.S. Lots of great home finds here, here, and here.
