I recently bought this dino stuffed animal for my son along with this board book (my children tend to love the simplicity and silliness of Sandra Boynton books) for the holiday and it led me down to the ends of the Internet searching for cute dino-themed finds for my dino-loving little man. When mini was his age, she was similarly into dinosaurs and I nearly bought this darling (heirloom-quality!) wooden set of toys, but settled for this Prextex set, which the two of them play with regularly. They’re perfect for sensory play — add to a tray of dried beans or soap foam and they will be happy campers.
One mental hurdle I have been working on over the last week, while solo parenting in quarantine (Mr. Magpie is fully isolated from us, while our children and have tested negative twice and are quarantining separately), is accommodating interruptions and things-half-done. I noticed that the first day or two that I was frequently driven to the point of utter frustration (and at one point snuck into the bathroom to shed a private tear) when I was attempting to clear the breakfast plates, unload the dishwasher, fold the laundry, prepare a meal, etc, because there were two pairs of hands tugging at my skirt hem begging for this, that, and the other thing, and I just wanted to finish a three minute chore. This is not a new sensation as a parent, but the frequency and intensity of their whining the seeming minute I would start on a task, and the fact that Mr. Magpie was not around to intervene or redirect, unnerved me. When I reflected on myself as a mother after bedtime on night two, I realized that they need more of me right now not only because we are missing our Main Man but because the world has changed–seemingly overnight–and there are new rules to observe, and new routines to follow, and little to no interaction with anyone else. My son asks after our nanny frequently, and mini asks multiple times a day whether she has school tomorrow and where Daddy is (even though she knows — it’s nearly automatic, I think, her little brain spiraling around this strange new reality and seemingly needing the verbal reassurance from yours truly), and why we mustn’t run anywhere close to neighbors when playing in the front yard. “YOU CAN’T COME CLOSE TO US!” mini yelled, pulling on her mask, when a neighbor walked to her car about seventy five feet away from us. And so I determined I was not satisfied with myself in those moments where I was trying to maintain some level of household normalcy in the face of needy little palms, and that I would need to make some concessions. I am normally a do-things-to-completion kind of gal, but I immediately thought of the advice of two girlfriends who had texted me variations on the theme: “Set expectations low and give yourself some grace.” When they’d texted me, I’d appreciated the sentiment but wasn’t sure how I would implement the advice. What did it mean to “set expectations low” while caring for two children indoors on my own? Fewer baths? PJs all day? No Pinterest projects? But it came to me then: one small, tangible way to apply their counsel was to let go of my need to get everything done when I wanted it to be done. To resist my preference for order and routine. That has meant leaving a pile of plates in the sink until a convenient time rather than immediately after breakfast concludes, as I normally do. Having dinner thirty minutes later than normal because everything takes much longer when I am pausing dinner preparations to referee fights, remove blocks micro is throwing at the window, find mini’s beloved Foxy, pour a cup of water, pull out a new activity to occupy the children until dinner is served, etc. That has meant sometimes I fold half of the laundry in the morning and finish it in the afternoon. Sometimes craft materials have been strewn about the coffee table for a good hour after we’ve finished working on it. I still find myself glancing over and grimacing as my kitchen slowly disappears beneath piles of clutter, dirty plates, craft projects, micro’s socks, mini’s hair bow, snack wrappers, etc, but then I remind myself “Lower expectations and move with grace.” And I know that I will get to it when I get to it. And so what normally happens in tidy swoops of effort now transpires in splintering little micro-sessions. Hair bow and toothbrushes put away, and then — someone needs a bandaid. Half of dishwasher emptied and then — I need to pause and set up a new activity. And that’s OK.
I am going to try to exercise this mentality more often in the future. It takes work for me to clip into and stick with, as I must be mindful about batting away the urge to tackle all the chores at once, but it yields a much calmer, more graceful version of myself.
Sharing out in case anyone needs a mnemonic for lowering the intensity at the moment…
+These taper candle holders remind me SO MUCH of the ones I have from CB2 that I alternate with my mercury glass ones.
+Ayr is offering 30% off some of their items, including their much-loved French Fry striped shirt in a great blue color. I wish I’d tried these jeans on previously because they look FAB in color and cut and are also included in the sale!
+Found this chic feathered top on sale for 25% off! Sooo good!
+This is one of my son’s favorite books at the moment. It’s enormous — probably two inches thick — but there are elements/cut-outs to feel and the illustrations and colors are so engaging. I was just thinking last night this would be a fun gift that feels super substantial for the price.
+These trousers are so fun. Imagining myself on a winter getaway somewhere tropical wearing these while sipping a cocktail within earshot of the waves…
+Just discovered a new children’s brand that has loads of cute everyday outfits for little ones — I love sending mini to school in little pima peter pan collar dresses like this. The shop also has some really good basics, like a plain white peter pan collar top appropriate for a boy or girl where the collar isn’t garishly oversized — shockingly difficult to find!
+I can’t speak to the quality (yet) of that brand, but I did buy a couple of these similar cotton sets for mini from Lila and Hayes and have to say I enjoy the ease of getting her dressed in them.
+I know I’ve shared these before, but I simply love these scalloped woven chairs!
+This is a print/replica, but love the way it’s framed — would love to buy a few of these for a wall in a little boy’s room! Get the vintage/antique vibe without worrying about it being drawn on by a little hand with a mischievous marker.
+You all have been loving this Stoney Clover-inspired sherpa pouch.
+This popular pajama style was just restocked. Perfect for nursing!
+Oh my goodness — these mini trunk bags (also come in black and a fab avocado color) are so chic! These remind me of Mark Cross!
*Image above via Jenny Walton wearing Mansur Gavriel flats, on sale plus an extra 25% off!
A quick pop-by to share that Shopbop is offering an extra 25% off all sale items with code MERRY:
THIS ANYTHING-BUT-BASIC WHITE TOP…ZHUSH UP YOUR UNIFORM OF JEANS AND A WHITE TEE WITH THIS EASY BUT CHIC PIECE! FOR THE PRICE OF A JCREW TOP, YOU HAVE A DESIGNER BLOUSE!
ONE LEFT OF THIS INSANELY CHIC STATEMENT BAG IN THE PRETTIEST PINK COLOR — LOVE THE BRAIDED HANDLE!
MANSUR GAVRIEL BALLET FLATS — TREND-FORWARD AND CLASSIC AT THE SAME TIME, AS ESTABLISHED BY STREET STYLE QUEEN JENNY WALTON ABOVE
IF YOU HAVE PIXIE-SIZED FEET LIKE ME, YOU’RE IN LUCK — THE CLOG OF THE SEASON IS ONLY $152 WITH CODE
I HAVE SEVERAL PAM MUNSON BAGS ALREADY BUT THE DEALS ON THIS, THIS, AND THIS ARE SO GOOD THAT I MIGHT BUY ANOTHER
I SWEAR BY MY CARDHOLDER — MINE IS PRADA AND I USE IT OVER MY LARGER CHANEL WALLET ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME — THIS MARNI WOULD BE A CHIC PICK, TOO! ($130 WITH CODE!!!)
YOU KNOW I LOVE THIS ALICE AND OLIVIA CARDI FOR LAYERING OVER NAP DRESSES AND HOLIDAY DRESSES
ONE LEFT OF THIS ULTRA-CHIC AND DIFFERENT SWEATER WITH SCARF ATTACHED — SOOO GOOD!
IF YOU ARE A BUY-FOR-A-SEASON-AHEAD KIND OF GAL, OR GETTING AWAY SOMEWHERE WARM THIS WINTER…TREAT YOURSELF TO THIS COLORBLOCKED RHODE AND THESE CARRIE FORBES SANDALS (UNDER $100 WITH CODE
P.S. What beauty tips have stuck with you? Comments are a gold-mine too!
P.P.P.S. Cute cold weather accessories for children.
By: Jen Shoop
I have not been sleeping well the last week, since we started quarantining. I miss sleeping alongside Mr. Magpie. We’ve spent only two nights apart in well over two years (maybe longer?) and his absence leaves the room drafty and misshapen, imbalanced. We have long phone calls from a floor apart, and sometimes we leave FaceTime on ” “taxi-style,” as we put it, in the sense that we just leave it running for an hour or two and sometimes the children and I are in-frame, and sometimes we aren’t. (Have you also born witness to this phenomenon in a taxi? Where the drivers seem always on-the-line but not necessarily talking?) Anyhow, “this too shall pass” and a string of “well, at leasts…” come right on the heels of my hand-wringing, but I do miss my better half and find myself sharply aware of the litany of gratitudes I owe him for handling so much around the house in normal times.
One boon born of sleeplessness? Let these late-night shopping diaries be a record of the many good buys I’ve stumbled across in the wee small hours.
+J. Crew is offering an extra 60% off sale items with code FESTIVE, which means this lovely silk-blend mockneck is only $24 (?!). I bought it in the hot pink but it was neck-and-neck with the beautiful dark navy color. My quarantine wardrobe has been these jeans (size down), a fitted turtleneck or crewneck cashmere sweater, and Vibi Venezias, and the mockneck would be a much-appreciated addition to the lineup of fitted sweaters (I like the silhouette of the jeans paired with a more fitted top). The outfit is comfortable, practical, and easily layers beneath a coat when we go outside for our daily constitutional. I’ve had many surprise visitors drop by to leave unexpected treats on our doorstep and when I wave at them from the window, I always feel kind of cute and put-together despite the circumstances.
+I also bought a bunch of little gifts from J. Crew’s sale section for some of the wonderful people who make my life easier — I always give a bonus to caregiver/housekeeper/etc (last year, doorpeople in our apartment, too!), but I like to also give something tangible. It’s fun to open something special you might not buy yourself! I am buying our nanny a few things but I supplemented with this scarf and hat set and bought four pairs of these pretty white glittens (around $10/pair with code) to give to our cleaning lady (in addition to bonus), my manicurist, the crossing guard who helps me make a turn to get into school every day that I mentioned here, and a spare for someone else I’ve not yet remembered! This blanket and this 100% cashmere classic camel scarf end up being around $35 with code and would also make fantastic gifts.
+I also picked up these cute masks for micro ($5 for 3 with code FESTIVE), who will now need to wear them daily when he starts school in January.
+Sephora is offering a surprise 20% off all orders through December 12th with code GIFTEASY. I’ve never seen them do this after their tiered promotion in late fall! It’s steeper than the 15% off code I usually get as a VIB. A shared all my top picks here during their previous promotion, but wanted to add that you can get the apple cider vinegar rinse everyone is raving about (I ordered during the Black Friday frenzy) using the code at a discount! (I also ordered their leave-in therapy. I’m so excited for this – I have been feeling like my hair is blah. Supposed to be fantastic for hair! Westman Atelier’s mini stick trio would be another great use — I bought this as a gift but would also be lovely if you want to test a few of the products before investing in full-sized ones.
+The 3-in-1 sports set we are giving micro for Christmas is on sale for $60. This is the exact style we got him, though there are variations in other colors. We thought it was slightly less babyish than some of the other cute ones (like this and this) and therefore might have more longevity.
+I mentioned this yesterday, but this $11 inspired-by-Jennifer-Behr headband was ordered on the spot. Have never seen my fingers move faster. Ha! I think it will be a fun accent with any outfit in my closet during the holiday season — instant festive sparkle!
+We have been so loved by friends and family who have dropped by with boxes and bags of activities for the children, and have lots already at home besides, but a few activities that have been big exclamation points this week…
THIS TREE / FIGURINE SET (SUPPLEMENTED WITH THESE PENGUINS) FOR SENSORY PLAY WITH ARTIFICIAL SNOW…A MESS BUT WORTH IT! I ALWAYS PUT A BIG MAT DOWN FOR SENSORY PLAY AND THEN DEMARCATE THEIR PLAY AREAS ON TRAYS (YOU CAN ALSO USE COOKIE SHEETS)…BUT THE SNOW STILL ENDED UP ALL OVER! FORTUNATELY, EASY TO VACUUM
MY CHILDREN ARE ENORMOUS FANS OF TOY STORY — WE HAVE MOST OF THE TOYS BUT ADDED REX AND SLINK TO THE MIX AND OMG…RARELY HAVE TOYS OFFERED SO MANY HOURS OF SUSTAINED PLAY
BUBBLE PODZ — MADE BATH TIME SO MUCH MORE FUN…SUCH A SMALL THING BUT IT’S NICE TO HAVE CHILDREN BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SMALL WAYS, I.E., LURE THEM TO BATH BY ENTRUSTING THEM WITH THE TASK OF SELECTING A POD AND DROPPING IT IN
RELATED: THESE WON’T ARRIVE FOR LIKE TWO MONTHS BUT ARE GOING TO BLOW MY CHILDREN’S MINDS
MONDO LLAMA WREATH ORNAMENT KIT — MY GIRLFRIEND DROPPED THIS OFF AND IT WAS SO FUN (ALSO, GOD BLESS THE ABSENCE OF GLUE…YOU JUST USE STICKERS TO MAKE THEM)! WE DID A FEW OTHER MONDO LLAMA CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE SUCH GREAT, CHEAP SEASONAL THRILLS
FOR OUTDOORS, MINI HAS FINALLY (!!!) BEEN RIDING HER BIKE THIS WEEK!!! WE ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF FUN WITH THESE INEXPENSIVE RAINBOW JUMPROPES (THEY AREN’T COORDINATED ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY JUMP THE ROPE BUT WE DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS WITH THEM…JUMP OVER THE SNAKE DELIGHTS THEM) AND OF COURSE SIDEWALK CHALK!
ALSO, GOD BLESS THE STOMP ROCKET…HAS BEEN A SHOCKING SLOW BURN BUY! WAS SURE MY CHILDREN WOULD USE FOR A MINUTE AND MOVE ON BUT THEY LOVE THESE THINGS
+My girlfriend bought this Vampire’s Wife dress after we’d texted about it a few weeeks ago and sent me a pic of herself trying it on this week. It is SO CUTE ON. 30% off!
+I have a skirt from Horror Vacui in this exact, archived Liberty London floral, and it is one of my most treasured possessions. I love the print. I wore this skirt to a baby shower in NYC and one of my girlfriends almost bought it off of me because she adores this specific Liberty print (she owns a pair of pajamas in the print!) and it is difficult to find anymore!
+I spotted Megan Stokes in this camel coat on Instagram and immediately assumed it was a high-end designer (maybe Max Mara?) so was SHOCKED to discover it’s from Mango and reasonably priced!
+I found our exact car seat stocked in three colors — strangely, this can be a hard carseat to track down from time to time. I bought one for mini and then we had to wait until we could find it in black again for micro. The key selling point? The cover can be removed and machine-washed. Crucial for any parent to a child prone to carsickness. I also think it’s pretty slick and low-profile. Bonus: if you are a Bloomingdale’s Loyalist, you earn power points on this carseat, meaning you will get a gift card for $100 after you buy it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Rava on sale so this is a pretty good snag. I bought mine from Bloomie’s for this season, too, and then went back and bought my son two Lacoste polos and felt like they were “free.” However, if I had that credit now, I’d put it towards this dress I can’t stop thinking about, which is already 25% off ATM and would be $100 less with the credit, making it under $200, or maybe the Sleeper pajamas I still desperately want (the gray are already on sale, plus 25% off, and then if you apply the $100 credit, they’d be under $100!)
+Despite buying a ton of gift wrap and bags and the like two weeks ago, I somehow never settled on a gift tag until late one night this past week. I bought these — love the colors and shadow lettering, and thankfully should arrive by mid-December. This particular Etsy vendor ships much more quickly than others. (I also love and have repeat-ordered her stationery, especially her notepads, her scalloped cards, and her shadow text cards!)
+Typing that out led me to place a second order from her: these notepads for a few friends.
+If your children love Brio, Mr. Magpie found this pack of 50 pieces (!) of track for $70. A crazy good deal because most of the “track” boxes I’ve seen are like $35 for 16 pieces. Bought for micro’s Christmas pile. Not the most exciting to open but will yield hours and hours of fun play to have so much track on hand! I also bought him this super cool suspension bridge!
+Being at home, inside, for this long — well, let’s just say, Godspeed and good luck to all miscellaneous toys, scraps of paper, artwork, broken items, laying around. I have been on a purging binge. It is a wonder how you accrue all these bits and bobs that just take up so much space? Like, little toys and paper crowns and boxes for things and tiny packets of crayons with half broken? Anyway, along similar lines, bought a fresh pack of these zipper-top bags (on sale for $10) to corral a couple of puzzles and toy sets that are currently at constant risk of being scattered across multiple toy bins and in anticipation of Christmas. A Magpie initially turned me onto these bags as a way to save space in Manhattan (i.e., decant all puzzles / toy sets from bulky boxes into these and you can fit a lot more into small spaces) but now I’m a total convert, even with tons of space. First, I like that they are semi-clear so you can see what’s inside and/or use the colored zipper for quick reference when trying to find something. Second, they are much more reliable when it comes to keeping small parts and puzzle pieces from going astray! Third, it’s now “my system” and…completion desire compels me to want all the sets in these bags now! I also bought these surprisingly inexpensive but cute woven bins ($20 for four, and they’re not tiny) for a few of the toy sets my children like to have out a lot, like matchbox cars and Barbies.
P.S. More slow-burn toys for children, and ideas on nursery/toy organization.
P.P.S. The best storage baskets organized by size.
P.P.P.S. This time of isolation from Mr. Magpie reminded me of this post: “…These wafer-thin observations are the delicate webwork of ten years of marriage, of knowing you so well that when I am apart from you for even ten minutes grabbing coffee, at least half of that time, I am collecting the bric a brac of our eternal conversation, knowing what will interest and anger and sadden and delight you.
Put differently: I am only half living when we are apart. The other half is suspended in anticipatory conversation, waiting for the moment when I can fill you in.”
By: Jen Shoop
Far and away, my most-asked questions in emails, comments, and DMS — “What special occasion dress to wear to…!!!” (Winter wedding! NYE! Christmas Eve! Office cocktail party! Dinner party!) Sharing a roundup of my favorite current-season dresses in one place here. And I’m going to call it: salmon and marigold are going to be my new obsessions this upcoming season.
UNEXPECTED COCKTAIL PARTY SMASH: THIS IN THE MARIGOLD (!!) OR STRIKING BLACK…J’ADORE J’ADORE, THIS IN FOREST GREEN WITH THESE EARRINGS, OR THIS ULLA J IN SALMON OR MARIGOLD
SEQUINS: HVN (IN MY CLOSET), THIS MINI, THIS EMERSON FRY, OR THIS UNEXPECTED $35 JEWELED SLIP WITH TIGHTS AND A GLITZY HEADBAND (LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS $10 STEAL…JUST ORDERED AND WILL REPORT BACK ON TACKINESS FACTOR)
VELVET: VAMPIRE’S WIFE (SWOON), THIS REFORMATION (IN THE NAVY…SWOON AGAIN), OR THIS TIERED PRETTY (I WOULD WEAR THIS BAREFOOT FOR A FESTIVE DINNER AT HOME!)
JUMPSUIT: BOWS, SEQUINS (LOOK FOR LESS), OR THIS STARK WHITE COULD BE SPECTACULAR WITH A LITTLE FUR OVER THE SHOULDERS (BIANCA JAGGER DOES 2021?)
RED: STAUD (ALSO COMES IN DRAMATIC MAXI LENGTH — CHECK OUT THE BOW IN THE BACK), THIS TUCKERNUCK (WOULD WORK WITH BUMP), OR THIS WRAP STYLE ($35 — I OWN AN ALMOST IDENTICAL ONE FROM AMANDA UPRICHARD A FEW YEARS BACK AND IT IS SO CUTE!)
SEPARATES: THIS FEATHERED TOP (LOOK FOR LESS), THIS BELTED SKIRT (SUCH A FAB COLOR AND MATERIAL…PAIR WITH AN IVORY CASHMERE CREWNECK), THIS SEQUIN MIDI
I spent some time this quarantine scrutinizing our gift lists for the children for fairness and diversity and ended up buying a few additional pieces and some smaller items for stocking stuffers (lots of ideas along those lines here) for them and some other littles in our life. Some of the finds I picked up:
PLAY FOOD — FELT THIS SET WENT WELL WITH BOTH MINI’S KITCHEN AND MICRO’S GRILL…I PLAN ON SPLITTING IT UP AND INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPING A LOT OF THEM IN TISSUE TO FILL THEIR STOCKINGS AND DRAW OUT THE SURPRISE!
BOUGHT MICRO THIS JELLYCAT…MINI HAS ABOUT 3,000 STUFFED ANIMALS AND MICRO HAS ABOUT FIVE AND LOVES HIS THREADBARE LITTLE ELMO. WE HAD TO OFFER AN UPGRADE
A BUNCH OF THESE TOOBS TO GIVE OUT TO OUR LITTLE FRIENDS
NEW BOOKS! FOR MINI: THIS CYNTHIA RYLANT, CARMELA FULL OF WISHES (HER DECEASED COUSIN WAS NAMED CARM) AND TWO BOOKS (THIS ONE AND THIS ONE) FROM JON AGEE, WHOSE BOOKS ARE SO FUNNY AND CLEVER AND MINI ABSOLUTELY LOVES EVERYTHING HE DOES
CAMERA FOR MINI — THERE ARE CUTER STYLES OUT THERE BUT THIS GOT GOOD REVIEWS AND I WANT IT TO BE FUNCTIONAL/EASY TO USE FOR HER
We decided to sit on this gift until mini’s birthday, but I did buy her one of these Tonies boxes — it’s a screen-free storytelling device young children can use on their own, and they have lots of Disney stories. So cute.
You’re Soooo Popular: Holiday Finds + Sweaters.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
FOR THE THIRD OR FOURTH WEEK RUNNING, THIS HELLY HENSEN PUFFER FOR LITTLES
Thank you for the encouraging notes, emails, comments, DMs, etc on my post yesterday — so many of us have been in the same boat during this period and it was spiriting to remember that we are never alone in our challenges. Amidst the many incredibly kind acts of generosity from friends and family this week (I truly feel spoiled), one of my girlfriends wrote me a text that said:
“I hope you are giving yourself lots of grace during this quarantine time.
…And that Uber Eats and Amazon toys are coming in hot.”
Ha! Amen!
But truly — a reminder to give yourself some grace with whatever you are facing at the moment.
Post-Scripts.
+For those of you who missed out on the tartan nap dress launch: these are very similar in style and only $88! Contemplating the black plaid…would work as a Christmas dress with a bump or if nursing, too!
+Ann Taylor is killing it in the festive wear department. This is a fab sweater.
+Striking dress…love it in all three colors actually, including emerald green (<<more fab green finds here)!
+Gorgeous coated makeup pouches! Honestly, makeup/cosmetics pouches are such a great gift. I already have many but would always welcome more. I always find ways to use them or just find them convenient for stowing in separate tote bags so I’m always ready to go. I really love the ones from White Elephant, too. They are very similar to Cuyana but maybe a little bigger in their sizing and I like that you can buy them separately versus as a set.
I’m due for a refresh in the base layer and underpinnings category. A few items I’m eyeing or am already loving for layering beneath sweaters and cool Euro-vibes coats a la the chic pea above this winter (BTW, I am totally contemplating a pair of Converse sneaks thanks to her!):
For underpinnings, still sticking with all my long-time favorites here but recently came across well-reviewed lingerie brand Negative and picked up a few of their styles, too! I also often get the question of what to wear beneath a nap dress and I go sans but have heard from all but one Magpie that this Skims style is PERFECT beneath. (It’s what Nellie Diamond suggests, too.)
My big question for you: what brands do you love for basic black non-athletic-looking leggings? I rarely wear this look so I usually just put on my Aligns if I’m going casual, but I also exercise in those so I always feel very dressed down in them. A few styles that seem like a better fit for pairing with sweaters…
I’m smirking now at my Tuesday post on getting back into a running habit, because, well, as Robert Burns put it — “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” (“Gang aft agley” being Scottish for “often go wrong/awry.”) I wrote that on a high, blissfully unaware that by the time the post was published, we would be burrowing into quarantine because a loved one in our home has tested positive for COVID. Symptoms are mild, and the rest of us are negative, and it seems that the buck stopped here — no one else who we’d had contact with has tested positive — and so there are tiny victories to celebrate, and perspectives on which to perch. It could be worse! seems always on the tip of my tongue, at least when I am not driven to the point of minor mania owing to parenting while in conditions of lockdown.
And it well could be. I know this because I had COVID a year and a half ago, and those were dark times. The delta between living in semi-isolation (because true isolation was impossible in our NYC apartment) then, at the darkest depths of the pandemic in New York, when we could measure the severity of the shockingly high death toll by the frequency of ambulances careening down 86th to get across the Park to the hospitals, and I was frantically googling things like “how long does it take to get to the worst point of covid” and “what does it mean if I can’t taste anything” and “if I have symptoms x and y, is this considered a ‘severe’ case” and the results barely registered anything but fringe-y Reddit articles and personal Instagram posts because there just wasn’t enough information out there yet, and the city was empty and there was no one to turn to because everyone was frightened and quarantined —
And the reality of living through quarantine now, in our new home, with a big stretch of back yard and more space than we know what to do with, when the symptoms are mild and we know so much more treating this virus anyhow, and (and and and!) I am nestled deep in a network of the biggest-hearted friends who have brought by dinners, and crates of puzzles and stickers and crafts for the children, and bags of groceries, because many of them have been here before and know what it means — !
It’s a delta nearly too wide to calculate, and it’s a funny thing, to be grateful for the wideness between these two experiences, because I don’t feel grateful at all for the first go around, and I’m not on speaking terms with round two either. I still feel traumatized by the first. I had the conscious thought, when I was at the nadir of my symptoms and felt as though my body was being pressed through a pasta roller and could not keep anything down, that I would not permit myself to go to a hospital because I did not want to die there alone. There is not enough distance between the formulation of that thought and where I sit now to express anything but shuddering distaste. So instead I am simply grateful for the delta between then and now, and that will have to be enough to keep my wobbly legs peddling.
+On a happier note: ice cream moments and golden moments.
+Time to dust off my favorite quarantine cocktail recipe.
Shopping Break.
On another happy note: some pretty things to divert attention.
+I feel like all of us are in a sequin mood this season — I can’t get enough. How cute is this $118 jumpsuit?!
+With all the time at home, we’ve been doing a ton of projects, crafts, and baking! This cookbook is great so far! We made the oatmeal chocolate cookie bars and they were delicious. Thanks to the Magpies who recommended this to me.
+As a result, I decided I need a Christmas cookie platter — torn between this Juliska and this $34 steal!
+Erin Gates described this candle as “the best seasonless candle.” Love the idea of finding a candle that works during any season! I will say I am majorly impressed with the holiday candle I got from Hotel Lobby (sold out in my scent now) and will be going back for more.
+Cute holiday tags to attach to your Christmas baking gifts!
+Have this sweater in the burgundy, might go back for a second colorway. I am so into turtleneck everything!
+I’ve shared a few pictures of our “Christmas village” on the sideboard/buffet in our dining room and received a bunch of questions about them. They are Target from last year, but they have more similar ones this year, including these ceramic ones (probably not the best pick if you have little ones around) and these galvanized metal ones (almost identical to ours but mine are white). This $42 mini village set is also beyond adorable — such a fantastic price!
+Cute Christmas dress if you’re expecting — can wear without bump, too!
+Absolutely adore these earrings. Big enough to make a statement, but they’d go with anything (even a sweater and jeans).
+I bought fake snow and this set of trees and figurines for sensory play this week. Will I majorly regret the snow? Probably.
+In case any one else is in a similar boat: more sensory play ideas here and indoor activities for young children here.
+Something about this whimsical embroidered sweater speaks to me.
+I polled my Instagram Magpies to discern the best books we’ve recently read. The top three vote-getters: Elizabeth Strout’s Oh William, Miranda Heller’s Paper Palace, and Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds.
+Two super cute ornaments I found: I think I have to buy this for my former-London-dwelling sister and this for my sewing afficionado MIL. And do I need this one? So cute!
+Has anyone tried this handheld clothing press? It’s like a mix straightening iron for clothes. I’m super intrigued by this and might buy and test as an alternative to my steamer.
It’s funny how seriously my daughter takes the subject of “favorite colors.” I was the same way — as a child, I was fiercely devoted to blue (just like her!), which was my calling card at home, where anything blue (blue cup, blue backpack, blue notebook, etc) belonged to me versus my other siblings, who pigeon-holed themselves with different colors. So I do get it when my daughter insists that anything pink must belong to me. It’s unintelligible that I would try to use any other color crayon, or wear any other color sticker, “because pink is mommy’s favorite.” Sometimes the symmetry and simplicity of youth is refreshing. I do love pink. Below, a few favorite pretty pink (and associated) finds:
MAKEUP REMOVING TOWELS — LOVE (!!) THESE — THE PERFECT SIZE
FLOCKED MINI TREE — WE HAVE SOMETHING ALMOST IDENTICAL FROM TARGET LAST YEAR
CLEAR TOILETRY BAGS — BOUGHT A SET OF THESE FOR “WRAPPING”/PRESENTING SOME OF THE BEAUTY GIFTS I BOUGHT LOVED ONES…WILL FILL WITH CRINKLE PAPER OR TISSUE PAPER + TUCK THE GOODIES, LIKE WESTMAN ATELIER LIT STICKS, WHICH I BOUGHT FOR A SISTER, INSIDE
BOW NAPKIN RINGS — I HAD THIS EXACT SET ON MY THANKSGIVING TABLE!! THE PRETTIEST COLOR AND PERFECT SIZE…WOULD ASK ETSY SELLER TO MAKE THE TIES LONG, THOUGH, BECAUSE MINE WERE TOO SHORT TO WRAP AROUND NAPKINS…ENDED UP TYING THEM TO GARLAND INSTEAD!
PEARL HANGERS — CUTE FOR A BRIDE TO DISPLAY WEDDING DRESS
BILLIE SALVE — I ADDED THIS TO MY MONTHLY BILLIE ORDER AND LOVE THE CONSISTENCY AND FLAVOR…I’M NOT CONVINCED IT REALLY MOISTURIZES LIPS FOR THE LONG HAUL, BUT I’VE FOUND THAT TO BE TRUE WITH ALMOST ALL LIP BALMS EXCEPT FOR 8 HOUR CREAM; STILL, FEELS LOVELY TO PUT ON AND A GREAT PRICE FOR A LITTLE SEMI-SHEER COLOR
A: I think this Emerson Fry or this Ann Taylor are what you’re after. I also have seen this Saloni dress IRL and it would be demure enough for a work party but probably not for daytime at work, and the same goes for this Rhode. You might have to layer a cami beneath! For a formal work affair, can you EVEN with this black velvet cape dress and some glitzy earrings?!
Q: Postpartum fall/winter clothes.
A: I would buy a couple of longline statement cardigans you love to layer over nursing tanks and leggings for the early days. I love this style from Ann Taylor, this Ulla Johnson, and this Everlane. I felt like that formula enabled me to be comfortable, made nursing a breeze, and could be dressed up for visitors with a statement headband and spiffy flats.
I would also buy a handful of shirtdresses/button-front dresses (love this cord one from Daphne Wilde, this Mille, and this By Timo — all of them are loose-fit/self-tie waist so accommodate wherever you are physically in the post partum period) as well as a handful of nap dresses — so pretty, nursing-friendly, and easy to wear. Storq used to make a great nursing caftan and I wish they’d not discontinued it — I loved it! — but they have lots of other more loungewear oriented pieces for pregnancy through post partum that are worth a look.
Finally, in case you’ve not heard of it, Buru is a site designed specifically to accommodate mothers — you can sort their products by function, including “easy access” (for breast-feeding).
Q: Chic wastebaskets.
A: I like the ones from Kassatex. I have this one in my powder room. A few other chic options:
A: Fun! I haven’t been to SF in years but I did spend a lot of time there at one time in my professional career and the vibe is definitely more casual than East Coast and MidWest. I’m not sure your line of work, but I think most places are denim-friendly out there. I would reach for looks like this: a pair of contemporary-feeling jeans with a cashmere crewneck, a quilted liner coat and some suede flats like these or these (look for a ton less with these!). This reads casual but polished. Personally, I wore a lot of shirtdresses out there that could be dressed down with flats — styles like this from Thierry Coulson, this elegant CO, and this Daphne Wilde.
Q: Holiday cocktail party dress.
A: Chin chin! I shared some favorite holiday dressing inspo here and here, but a few of my standout favorite holiday dresses…
THIS VELVET MINI WITH GUCCI TIGHTS (OR OTHER PRINTED TIGHTS)
THIS ANN TAYLOR — LOVE THE WAY IT’S STYLED, WITH BROWN SUEDE BOOTS!
ANY OF EMERSON FRY’S SEQUINED BEAUTIES — LOVE THIS AND THISPARTICULIEREMENT!
Q: Attractive outdoor toy storage. Long shot, I know.
A: This bench-style would be chic if you’re talking smaller things like baseball mitts, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc., or this similar driftwood situation. If it’s more sports gear (balls, baseball bats, etc), I like the idea of this, where children can easily spot items — though they wouldn’t be protected from the elements. If you’re thinking of even bigger items, like bikes, ride-ons, etc., I would maybe visit a hardwore store for an outdoor shed or look into something like this?
Q: Dresses for holiday family pics.
A: I find this La Ligne to be ultra-flattering and mildly holiday-ish in a sophisticated, muted way. The sleeves are on-trend and the cut is 100 100 100 100 (imagine I’m typing the emoji there). Damaris Bailey’s dark green florals are also stunning and feminine — Emilia Wickstead on a budget! — and I ordered this style but also love this more formal variation. The Saloni bow dresses could also be a chic option you’ll wear for Christmases to come!
Q: Affordable holiday dresses.
A: I’ve got you covered here! This tartan mini and this sequined mini are standouts.
Q: Winter coat while pregnant. (I live in Chicago!)
A: Tricky because it gets cold there. I did have a Canada Goose while pregnant there but I remember when my bump got too big for it and wearing it open in the front just did not cut it. My mom bought me a maternity puffer from A Pea in the Pod similar to this one, and I gave it to my sister (wonderful hand-me-down, as no one wants to buy a coat that will be worn for a few months). Unfortunately I think this is one of those situations where you need to bite the bullet and buy a proper maternity coat.
Q: Dress for an outdoor January wedding at a California winery.
A: I shared all my favorite winter footwear for little ones here, but my son absolutely lives in Hunter boots when it’s mild and Sperry boots when it’s cold.
Q: Cute comfortable water resistant shoes for work (i.e., playground time).
A: You’re in luck — there are a bunch of chic Chelsea-style rainboots that would fit the bill. I think these from Target are incredibly chic and only $25! Have heard good reviews about this specific pair from a friend. I also love these lace-ups from Bernardo! I also love these trending lug-sole ones from Sam Edelman in the bone color!
Q: Matching Christmas outfits for 4mo girl and 2.5 year old girl.
A: Lots of cute holiday outfits for littles here, but I really love the tartan from La Coqueta (this is made in sizes to fit both!), or the plaid from Beaufort Bonnet (this for baby, this for big sis). Finally, check out the sweet matching pieces from Sal E Pimenta, like this bubble for baby and this dress for sister.
Q: A belted navy coat under $100.
A: For the first time, I’m stumped. Is this a unicorn style? I could not find one that I liked that fit these specs. Let me share a few options that dance around the criteria in case they work:
Q: Dangly linear earrings that make a statement, but that I can also wear more than once.
A: Elizabeth Cole has a bunch of fabulous ones out this season. I feel like this gold pair would go with SO much and would be complementary versus the center-point (thus, easy to wear again and again). That said, I’d probably go for this pair by the same brand. They’re more of memorably bold statement but goodness! Don’t you think people will thank you for wearing them twice?! They just wink at you. I also SUPER love these ones from Shrimps.
Q: Travel tote bag.
A: By car, Paravel. It’s enormous and makes finding things easy. I love this for “overflow bulky stuff” like curling irons and shoes that don’t quite fit into baggage. They also make the bag in a small and medium size that would work for travel more generally. (E.g., I wouldn’t advise the large size for air travel — don’t think it’d fit under a seat and would be pretty bulky.) If you’re traveling with children, the MZ Wallace Metro is where it’s at. Weighs next to nothing on its own, and has a zipper at the top, which is SO handy for jamming in that extra thing on the top and not having it fall out while you’re carrying a baby on one hip and the bag on the other shoulder. For work, I used to liked to travel with my Cuyana zip-top back in the day for a similar reason — it doesn’t have great structure but that was kind of handy because I’d just slide it under the seat, and if it collapsed to the side, it didn’t matter because of the zipper. It fits a laptop easily and looks sophisticated.
By: Jen Shoop
A handful of my absolute favorite possessions, some newer acquisitions and some older…
SCALLOPED STATIONERY — MY FAVORITE VEHICLE FOR QUICK NOTES TO FRIENDS
MY FAVORITE FINE-POINT PENS — HAVE USED SINCE HIGH SCHOOL!
DARN TOUGH SOCKS — THE WARMEST SOCK…IT JUST *HUGS* YOUR FOOT
ELEMIS MAKEUP REMOVING BALM — THIS IS SORT OF LIKE MY “EVENING INDULGENCE” WHEN I’VE HAD A LONG DAY…IT MELTS INTO SKIN, SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN, + IS REMOVED WITH WARM WASHCLOTH! ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN TO A SPA BEFORE BED
EUROPEAN SAVORY PASTRY TWISTS — MY MIL INTRODUCED ME TO THESE (THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR BRANDS) + THEY ARE MY FAVORITE HAPPY HOUR NIBBLE
CHANEL BAG — I BOUGHT THIS FOR MYSELF AFTER MEETING A MAJOR WORK MILESTONE TWO CAREERS AGO AND IT HAS PROVEN TO BE MY BEST INVESTMENT; CAN BE DRESSED UP OR DOWN, WORKS WITH ANY OUTFIT IN ANY SEASON, AND AT ANY AGE!
ARMANI MASCARA — MY LONGTIME FAVORITE…LOVE A DARK, DRAMATIC LASH
FAUX FUR STOLE — THE EASIEST WAY TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL FESTIVE WITH ZERO EFFORT! PAIR WITH JEANS AND A CREWNECK SWEATER AND THERE YOU GO
HERMES WATCH — WEARING THIS WITH ANYTHING (EVEN JEANS AND A TEE) MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS
MINI CUTTING BOARD — SO RANDOM, BUT I USE THIS MORE THAN ANY OTHER CUTTING BOARD IN OUR HOME…PERFECT SIZE FOR PREPARING A SANDWICH, SLICING CITRUS FOR A COCKTAIL, DICING GRAPES FOR LITTLE ONES
CHAMPAGNE COUPES — MINE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THESE AND THEY MAKE A WEEKNIGHT COCKTAIL OR GLASS OF SPARKLING WINE SO SPECIAL
Other favorites, not seen above…
MR CLEAN GLOVES — THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET MANICURES + DO AS MUCH DISH-WASHING AND COOKING AS I DO
NO 6 CLOG BOOTS — STILL MY FAVORITE…I REALIZED TODAY IN PART BECAUSE THEY’RE JUST SO EASY TO PULL ON AND GO!
PEPPERMINT TEA — DRINK THIS CLOSE TO DAILY…THE SMOOTHEST
MONOGRAMMED COSMETIC POUCH — BRINGS ME JOY EVERY DAY HAVING THIS IN MY BAG
MY NEW SLIPPERS — IMPOSSIBLY COMFORTABLE AND WARM…I EVEN WALK TILLY IN THESE (SHHH!)
“1+1 = 3” OR “RAVENTOS I BLANC” CAVAS — I LOVE A WEEKNIGHT SPARKLING WINE, AND THESE ARE AFFORDABLE AND ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS WHEN YOU NEED TO LIVEN UP A TUESDAY NIGHT, PREFERABLY OUT OF A COUPE…FOR DC LOCALS, YOU CAN FIND 1+1 = 3 OFTEN ON SALE AT CALVERT + WOODLEY FOR AROUND $15!
BOLL + BRANCH BED BLANKET — LOVE THE WEIGHT AND TEXTURE OF THIS BLANKET…SO SOFT
P.S. My favorite home gear and my last roundup of favorite things.
This is probably my favorite party ice breaker of all time. It’s such an easy conversation-starter, and a natural way to laugh about ourselves and cultivate a shared bond over nostalgia for our youth.
The first musical recording I recall owning was a bootleg version of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” that my best friend’s older sister recorded right off the radio (probably 97.1 for fellow Washingtonians) using a cassette recorder. You could hear her click the recorder buttons, the lyrics were interrupted by horrible static midway through, and the tail end was clipped by the DJ’s monologue, but I treasured it. I remember listening to it over and over and over again on my clock-radio-tape-deck combo. That was the summer before fourth grade, if I recall correctly, and shortly after, I saved up my money to purchase Ace of Base’s “The Sign” album from Sam Goody. Who else owned this flash-in-the-pan classic?!
My most treasured CDs from that era were Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” — oh my God, I loved that album so much, and still do –, Dixie Chicks’ “Fly” album (likewise, still play this album at top decibel — great driving music), and Mariah Carey’s “Music Box,” which actually my sister owned, and remains a crowd pleaser when my college girlfriends and I get together. My parents had the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” at some point in this period and I loved that one, too. Sometimes Mr. Magpie will put on 90s pop while we are cleaning the house and — !!! It gets the people going!
+And a song that will forever remind me of falling in love with my husband.
Shopping Break.
+If you’re not in the mood to go all out with a statement dress this holiday season, maybe just a sip with this fun headband on NYE?
+Alternately, pair your stalwart LBD with these fabulous $119 disco shoes. LE BEST. I think I need these, too.
+40% off Hanky Panky! Just ordered this exact set. More of my favorite undergarments here.
+If you are a member of Zulily (free to join — it’s a flash sale site), there are some really good statement toys on sale, including this doll house and this play work bench ($30!)
+Tilly’s new dog tag arrived and I shared it on Instagram and received a ton of questions about it! So inexpensive and I love the cursive they use. I engraved our address/phone on the back.
+Two cute options for gift tags from Santa to your children: these vintage Santa heads and these letterpress tags.
+Has everyone already heard about this $8 oil-absorbing stone face roller? I’m intrigued. Gets great reviews. “LIKE BLOTTING PAPERS, BUT BETTER: This face roller is made of real volcanic stone, which soaks up excess oil instantly. It’s our secret for fresh, shine-free skin any time. Use it on a clean or finished face—it won’t mess up your makeup.”
+Love this funky mushroom pendant necklace. I feel like mushrooms have been all over the place lately in decor! Check out all the tabletop pieces in this motif from Mrs. Alice!
+Related: how cute are these hand-knit mushroom-motif sweaters for tiny ones? Also love these!
+Found some of those Barefoot Dreams throws everyone loves on sale at Nordstrom Rack!
+I noticed that a few of the chic moms at my daughter’s school in Manhattan retired their Canada Goose coats for Mackage last year. Such chic winter-wear!
+This waffle-knit cardigan with the jewel buttons is ultra-chic.
+These $5 mugs are still in stock in most letters!
+Just re-ordered my favorite tea of all time. We blow through boxes of these — both Mr. Magpie and I are obssessed.
+Speaking of peppermint — this peppermint gift wrap!
+I know I shared these peppermint plates yesterday, but I think I need them. Imagine serving up a slice of cheesecake or chocolate cake on top. So dramatic!
+Another sweet pair of holiday pajamas. (More picks here.)
+Just pledging my eternal commitment to Tubby Todd ointment. We still use this constantly on the children — abrasions, irritations, diaper rashes, etc!
+RedValentino does such fun, whimsical outerwear — like this scalloped Barbie pink cape and this felted wool coat. Pair either with ACNE’s striped beanie or &OtherStories lookalike.
+Target also has some cute pop-up playhouses at reasonable prices — love this farmer’s market one.
+I’ve seen these baby keepsake trunks advertised before and I always dismissed them because I felt I didn’t have space in our NYC apartment for something like this. Everything had to be jammed in and configured and stowed as compactly as possible. (Thank God for the enormous vac pac bags — you fold up clothes and then suck out all the extra air using your vacuum hose and it shrinks everything down super-compactly.) Anyhow, with more space, I came across them again recently and thought it would be such a special place to stow items of special significance, like Baptismal candle, baby shoes, first locket of hair, special letters, etc!
+This popular chandelier is on sale at the moment, as is this chic flush mount!
