I wandered into the lovely, hydrangea-hung world of Cape-Cod-based Instagram account Old Silver Shed (image above) and don’t think I ever want to leave. Hydrangea blue was one of my wedding colors; it was perfect for a hot August wedding in sticky-still, full-humidity Washington, D.C. The color reads sleepy and settled-in: it is dusk, or dawn, or something in the shade. Our florist put together an enormous heap of deep blue hydrangeas in an antique silver bowl at the top of the steps leading into our reception, and it took my breath away. (One of my uncles still talks about this arrangement!) Today, a few gorgeous finds that pay homage to the blues in which hydrangeas bloom…

01. (UNDER $50!) // 02. // 03. // 04. // 05. // 06. // 07. // 08. // 08. (A SECOND ONE – SORRY FOR TYP0) // 09. // 10. // 11. // 12. // 13.

A few other lovely hydrangea blue finds…

EMBROIDERED BLOUSE

MY FAVORITE SLEEP SACKS — HILL OWNS THE PERFECT BLUE SHADE

HYDRANGEA-PRINT DRESS

HYDRANGEA EARRINGS

PERFECT SOMETHING BLUE FOR A BRIDE…OR A WEDDING GUEST!

SCALLOPED LINEN PLACEMATS

CHIC PIQUE TWO-PIECE SUIT

STATEMENT COLLAR CARDIGAN

UNISEX RASH GUARD FOR LITTLES

GORGEOUS SHIRTDRESS

COCKTAIL NAPKINS

CHAMPAGNE COUPES

STRIPED SWIM TRUNKS FOR YOUR LITTLE MAN ($22!)

HIGH-RISE SEERSUCKER SHORTS FOR YOU

PERFECT EVERYDAY TEE FOR YOUR SON (ON SALE FOR $13)

$10 PORCELAIN SERVING DISH

P.S. Another flower I love: lilac, and musings on a spectacular poem by Amy Lowell on the subject.

P.P.S. There’s still time to order a cute outfit for Memorial Day!

P.P.P.S. Things must end to begin again.

Sharing some hyped beauty products I’ve already purchased and am currently testing, as well as a few I’m eyeing — I will provide honest reviews of everything I end up testing in a future post! (You can read past honest reviews here, here, and here, among others posts.) I’ve sprinkled in many of these beauty finds across a couple of different posts, but thought I’d put them all together here:

WHITE RABBIT COTTON FACE PADS. I’ve been a longtime devotee of good quality facial cotton and have used Shiseido for years now, but Nan Philip recommended this brand and I find her very authentic in her suggestions, so I’m willing to give it a test when I’m next out of cotton.

ELEMIS ROSE CLEANSING BALM. Had to give this one a shot in my nightly rotation!

ELF X JEN ATKIN LIP DUO. The gorgeous Courtney Grow raved about this $8 lip set, and I trust her!

ARTIS OVAL 6 BRUSH — REPLACEMENT! I was shocked and dismayed when my Artis brush literally snapped in two one afternoon. I am not sure what happened, but one minute I was swiping down against my face and the next, the head was on the floor! I decapitated it! I am not sure what to make of this. I must have been pressing way too hard? But anyway, I cannot go another day without this brush. I literally have no idea how I applied makeup before it. I find the six to be the most versatile, easy-to-use implement — I use for everything from foundation (when using) to blending concealer to applying blush. It is a dream. No other brush compares!

OLIO E OSSO SHAVE OIL. Grace Atwood loves this stuff! Sounds like a major shaving upgrade, in addition to Billie razors, which was one of my happiest discoveries last year. No longer worrying about when to buy razor blades = delightful.

ELTA MD DAILY FACIAL SUNSCREEN. I have used La Roche Posay’s fluid sunscreen for several years and I love it because it glides right into skin and layers beautifully beneath makeup, but I recently saw a couple of beauty bloggers poll their audiences about the best facial sunscreens and Elta MD came back as the clear winner! Going to try it when I’m due for a restock.

CLARINS V-FACIAL INTENSIVE MASK. Yet another Clarins product with a cult following — I’m already hooked on their serum and I adored their body tonic while pregnant.

SAIE GLOWY SUPER GEL HIGHLIGHTER. Anything for a little extra radiance. (I already use Westman Atelier’s Highlighting Stick every day, but on top of my makeup — it’s the last thing I apply over everything else, and I put it on the top of my cheekbones, under my brow, and on the tip of my nose. Je l’adore.) I’m very intrigued by this heavily-hyped brand!

SAIE MASCARA. So, so many of you have raved about this product. (It’s clean, too!)

SUPERGOOP GLOWSCREEN. Perfect for mornings when I am going for a run first-thing and want SPF and just a TINY bit of oomph.

OPALESCENCE WHITENING TRAYS. People rave about this whitening system!

FLORAL COSMETICS CASES. This shop just has the prettiest prints!

A couple of truly random items I am loving at Amazon that have made their way onto my list: a striped tee (for men, but looking to wear oversized), a pretty cheese knife set, truck books for my son, decorative playing cards, $21 blue and white striped blouse, blockprint napkins, and a jumbo pack of puffy stickers to preoccupy my daughter.

A propos of nothing: this gorgeous seashell caftan.

P.S. Ice cream moments.

P.P.S. Making peace with leaving New York as I know it.

P.P.P.S. What terms of endearment do you use for your loved ones?

*Image above via Lu Goldie featuring their chic Brigitte cateyes.

A few favorite under-$125 finds…

under $125 finds summer 2021

01. // 02. // 03. // 04. // 05. // 06. (UNDER $20!) // 07. // 08.

Even more below!

WOVEN EARRINGS

THIS SWIMSUIT IS UNDER $20 AND JUST TOO CUTE

STRIPED LINEN BLEND DRESS — REMINDS ME OF STYLES FROM WIGGY KIT AND LEM LEM!

STRIPED, PUFF-SLEEVED TOP

SIMPLE CROC LEATHER SLIDES

EXTREME CATEYES

I THOUGHT THIS “NEVER LOST” CHARM NECKLACE WOULD BE A SWEET GIFT TO YOURSELF (OR A FRIEND) GOING THROUGH A TRANSITION

BEADED BRACELET — TAKING A PAGE OUT OF ULTRA-TRENDY CAROLINA BUCCI FORTE BRACELETS BELOVED BY THE HAMPTONS SET

FRENCH MARKET TOTE

IN LOVE WITH THIS BEIGE LINEN JUMPSUIT

PIGMENT-DYED BALLCAP

AN EXERCISE SKORT THAT FLATTERS

CUTEST BOW-TOED MULE FOR $80

GORGEOUS WOVEN FRAMES PERFECT FOR SHOWCASING YOUR FAMILY BEACH PORTRAIT

$20 BEIGE SMOCKED DRESS REMINISCENT OF SIR

TORTOISE CLIPS

SEAMLESS BRALETTES — PERFECT FOR LAYERING UNDER A CAFTAN-STYLE DRESS

QUATREFOIL DROP EARRINGS

STRIPED BLOUSE

I ORDERED THESE LINEN PULL-ON SHORTS IN THE ROSE COLOR — IF I LIKE THE FIT, WILL BE GOING BACK FOR THE OREGANO! WILL PAIR WITH BLOUSES LIKE THIS OR THIS

EASIEST DRESS TO WEAR ALL SUMMER LONG

PINK JOGGERS

MAR Y SOL STRIPED BAG (ON SALE FOR $101!)

P.S. Feeling all the feels a few weeks out from my son’s second birthday.

P.P.S. Welcome to the summer of the shirtdress.

P.P.P.S. More current season under-$125 finds here.

*Image above via Hathaway Hutton.

Are you headed somewhere sandy sometime soon? I was arrested by the recent Instagram post from Hathaway Hutton (her work also seen above), who paints and lines Goyard bags and will soon be launching a series of Goyards lined with vintage D. Porthault terry cloth towels! Wow. You can sign up to be notified of this and other future Hathaway Hutton launches here.

A roundup of even more cute summer tote bags for the beach, pool, and other summer adventures, though I want to first call out two highly practical beach-bound buys: first, these clever $46 jelly-material totes (also in a peach/pink combo). I love the classic shape! Second, for a long time, I could not find my beloved Hinza plastic totes anywhere online, but Annie Selke now carries them. I have a couple of these and they are major MVPs for travel and storage. They are ideal for holding snacks for car trips (the rigid sides mean nothing gets crushed/lost at the bottom of a shapeless tote), beach or bath toys, art supplies beneath a craft table (currently in use in this way in my daughter’s room), and even serving as mop buckets (something else I use one of mine for). They are incredibly sturdy and can be simply rinsed out with water to clean. I have also used these when shopping at the farmer’s market/grocery and I find them so handy because of the rigid shape. You can keep milk cartons upright, vegetables nestled safely on one side, etc. I’ll leave it there, but these totes are just amazing!

beach bags for summer 2021

(01.) JELLY POUF TOTE ($46!)

(02.) TOTALLY ADORE THIS HANDLE-WRAPPED STRAW TOTE; IF YOU WANT SOMETHING EVEN MORE GRANDMILLENNIAL-FRIENDLY, CHECK OUT THIS SIMILAR STYLE PAINTED WITH A BOW ON THE SIDE, AND GRACE + JAMES HAS EVEN MORE FABRIC WRAPPED OPTIONS!

(03.) KULE WINDOWPANE TOTE

(04.) THIS BOLD PRINT TOTE IS REVERSIBLE!

(05.) FESTIVE MAR Y SOL STRIPE

(06.) THESE MC2 SAINT BARTHS TOTES ARE SO FUN — COME WITH TONS OF DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS WRITTEN ON THE SIDES

(07.) MAJOR CRUSH ON ALL THINGS ANYA HINDMARCH, INCLUDING THIS LOVELY TOTE

(08.) THE “IT” STRAW BAG FOR TWO YEARS RUNNING, BY LOEWE…GET THE LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS

(09.) YOU KNOW MY DEVOTION TO PAM MUNSON

(10.) MINNOW SWIM FAMILY TOTE

(11.) MY TREASURED HINZA TOTES — SO PRACTICAL FOR BEACH/POOL

(12.) RUE DE VERNEUIL HAS THE COOLEST CANVAS TOTES

(13.) REFINED AND SPORTY AT THE SAME TIME FROM PARAVEL

(14.) SMITTEN WITH THIS PERSONALIZABLE OVERSIZED DENIM TOTE

(15.) I HAVE THIS PARKER THATCH TOTE WITH MY INITIALS ON THE SIDE AND LOVE IT

A couple of others I neglected to include in the collage above that I would be remiss not to add — Naghedi totes are made of woven neoprene, so they are absolutely perfect for beach/pool excursions; Scout Bags are great for schlepping toys/sports gear/outdoor gear/groceries (I have a couple different styles of Scout and they are great “schlepping”/travel bags); and I know many of you love your perforated State of Escape bags for gym. Such a fun athletic look!

For in-bag organization, as Queen of Pouch Life, I have to add that I love these wet/dry bags (you can tuck wet swimsuits inside) for my children and own several ones personalized with their names — though how cute is this strawberry print one?! I also found these cute shadow lettered zippered pouches, though I should note that I believe the seller is using these mesh zippered pouches, which I own TONS of and actually use to organize my children’s toys (i.e., decant puzzle pieces into some of them, keep small toy sets together in them) and though I LOVE them for price and convenience, they are not built to last long. I find they show wear (look crinkled, have small tears) pretty easily after a year of heavy use by tiny fingers constantly chucking them around and smashing them into drawers and toy bins. That said, for an adult using the pouch occasionally for beach gear, probably not as much of a heavy wear-and-tear issue. Finally, Stoney Clover has such fun, punchy, personalizable pouches for beach gear!

Lastly, a few other fun finds for your next beach adventure…

THE PRETTIEST BEACH TOWELS EVER

ADORE THESE BEACH CHAIRS — AND THESE UNDER $100 ONES ARE CUTE TOO

MY FAVORITE SUNSCREEN FOR LITTLE ONES: THIS SPRAY FOR THEIR BODY AND THESE STICKS FOR THEIR FACES

CUTEST PERSONALIZED BEACH BUCKETS FOR LITTLES — SHE DOES REALLY, REALLY GOOD MONOGRAMS

MELISSA & DOUG HAS THE BEST SAND TOYS

P.S. A love note to the Upper West Side.

P.P.S. The predicament of thinking of the perfect reply too late.

P.P.P.S. Cute bedding for babies and toddlers.

*Image above of the one and only Christy Turlington. I’ll have what she’s having.

I learned a new word the other day: eunoia. Eunoia is Greek for — well, there is no precise translation in English, but it refers to the sense of friendship and goodwill between a speaker and an audience. The claim of this new word shuttled me into a couple of different orbits of thought. First, I mused: eunoia: a word for the aspiration that underpins the writing of this blog. I tapped over to a mission statement I’ve been editing for going on a decade now and added it to the mix. Y’all have goodwill in spades, and I am determined to return the favor. Second, I thought: I’d like to adapt this concept to the realm of literary criticism. There are books that feel gracious to their readers and books that feel downright cruel to them, whether stemming from mechanical decisions (i.e., abrupt and confusing shifts in narration) or subject matter (I am still not over the emotional melee that this unbearably difficult book elicited). Of course, sad, hard, truthful stories need to be told. But sometimes, we move from “sad and hard” to grief-peddling and emotionally exploitative. And sometimes we are forced into nonlinear narratives for no ostensible reason save for ornamentation. At any rate, the degree to which eunoia is established between a book and its audience will remain in my mind as a useful barometer for measuring the pleasantness of reading a given work. Patchett’s novels, I think, rank highly on the eunoia spectrum. Patchett is good to me, her writing balm and breeze. Is it melodramatic to say that I have needed her voice this past year? Have in fact leaned on the grace and sprawl of her prose? There is something about reading her books that feels similar to watching ants thread through a patch of soil by my bare feet, or rain drip from the shocking green of a post-rain tree: a quiet, connected-to-the-world kind of release. It is no understatement to say that reading The Dutch House was a high point of 2020.

Finally, as I was searching for approximate translations of the word in English, I came across this happy little site dedicated to “words that don’t translate.” Oo, what a treasure for us word-hoarders. A few favorites I had to jot down from this site and a few similar ones I came across:

Abditory: A place into which you can disappear; a hiding place

Sturmfrei: Having the house or flat to oneself

Yuputka: A word made for walking in the woods at night, it’s the phantom sensation of something crawling on your skin

Taraadin: A happy solution for everyone

Sobremesa: The moment after eating a meal when the food is gone but the conversation is still flowing at the table

However, this word can go ahead and stay in untranslated German forever: Rabenmutter: A bad mom. (!) I mean, really!

Post-Scripts.

+Words I hate.

+Guys. I had been eyeing this pretty Sir dress and then I found this incredibly similar style for $20 and jumped on it. It’s on its way to me now! What is going on with H&M right now?! SUCH GOOD FINDS.

+I had to order this smocked dinosaur backpack for micro. Meep. He won’t be starting his twos program until January, but I had to jump on it.

+Adorable quilted makeup bags to fill with all my favorite beauty products.

+Oo! This navy eyelet reminds me of SEA!

+I like the length and clean lines of these shorts. Pair with a sophisticated blouse to elevate the look.

+Zimmermann vibes for under $100.

+PSA: super cute and reasonably-priced swimwear from Charlie Holiday.

+Men’s swim trunks in great colors at a reasonable price. Like the shorter length.

+Minnow’s latest swimwear pattern is SO cute!

+Lake’s latest dress design is REALLY good.

+OK, this fitness skirt is amazing.

+Cute nap mat for a toddler.

+Do you consider yourself a late bloomer?

+A fantastic headband for a bride to be to wear to a wedding-related event.

+More of my favorite headbands here.

+Hydrangea print dress for a little lady.

+This is just the best cocktail ever — probably best-suited for warm weather, but we have been drinking them all pandemic long.

+Seriously fun table lamp. More great lighting options here.

+If you’re new here, come introduce yourself!

+Take your loved ones out for a picnic on one of these gorgeous quilts!

Shopbop is running a three-day sale offering up to 40% off great brands like Ulla, SEA, and more. Six great finds I wanted to pass along…

ULLA JOHNSON’S AGATHE DRESS (SEEN ABOVE) IN BLANC OR MOONLIGHT

WHITE POPLIN BABYDOLL TOP (GREAT FOR NURSING + SO CHIC WITH WHITE DENIM)

FUN SEASHELL PRINT DRESS FROM FARM RIO

BALA WRIST WEIGHTS, ON SALE EN FIN!

ESPADRILLES TO WEAR WITH EVERYTHING FROM SHIRTDRESSES TO SHORTS THIS SUMMER

GORGEOUS FLORAL SKIRT

P.S. Good memories in my husband’s college Jeep.

P.P.S. I am not a numbers person.

*Image above of Deeda Blair’s bedroom in her Washington, D.C. home. Wowza.

I’ve broken this month’s inquiries into three parts — if you don’t see your question answered here, rest assured I will respond within the next two posts! These are so fun for me!

Q: Couch. Debating white couch with a kid.

A: Honestly, as much as I hate to say this, unless it’s in a formal living room rarely used by your children, I would steer away from white seating for the time being. For the last few years, I have consistently resisted practicality in favor of aesthetics and am constantly paying the (literal) price, whether that means needing to buy new furniture or feeling as though I’ve flushed $100 down the drain on a precious smocked piece ruined after one wear. The only exception I can think of is if you like the slipcovered look — then you can launder or even replace the slipcover when (not if) a stain appears. Even then, you might be a glutton for punishment in stark white. I think you could go for a neutral that’s not full-on white (oatmeal, fog) just to be safe.

If you’re asking for more general couch recommendations, I think Pottery Barn is the sweet spot for heavily-used couches during the young children years. Classic, comfortable, not so precious you will weep when they are stained, good quality, etc. We had one of them in the basement of our Chicago home and it was just a great, solid purchase. You can zhush it up with designer pillows! My favorite style of theirs is the Buchanan — love the clean lines and rolled arms.

Q: A classic white or cream dress to wear my daughter’s Christening in July.

A: Congratulations! I shared a bunch of my favorite LWDs for the season here, but a few perfect options:

THIS TORY BURCH

THIS EMBROIDERED FLORAL WRAP

THIS ECRU MAJE

THIS EASY AND LADYLIKE SLEEPER

THIS SOPHISTICATED SALONI

THIS MORE FASHION-FORWARD HUNTER BELL

THIS LOFT STEAL

If you are open to a print/a little color, this Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini leaves me weak in the knees…

This is probably too heavy for July, but I know several Magpie mamas have bought this elegant tweed Sandro dress for the Baptisms of their children — trop chic.

Q: Classic, traditional Baptism invitations!

A: Congratulations!!! I like something simple and traditional like this — I would probably go for a lighter color than the navy shown (and they have tons of options), but navy is also attractive. For something with a little more design to it, this foliage one and this botanical one are both lovely. Some of the super-simple styles (i.e., black cross with black lettering) look more like funeral cards to me, so I steered clear of those, but this one might work thanks to the colored cross in the middle. If you are very set on something even more staid/traditional, I would go to a local stationer that carries Crane’s and have an ecru card thermographed or printed with the information.

Q: Summer internship outfits (for humid DC weather!)

A: Oh, this is a tricky one! (Congrats on the internship BTW!) The key is layering because it is unbearably hot and humid in D.C. in the summer, but the office buildings are always freezing. I still remember coming out of the office and actually enjoying the blast of still, hot air! I would say D.C. tends to be fairly conservative in the office place, especially since many of the big employers there are government or law. I would buy a few skirts and button-downs from places like J.Crew, Banana, and COS — safe but not fuddy-duddy, reasonably-priced (and you can often get a discount on top at J. Crew and BR), and in classic colors that are easy to mix and match. I like, as an example, this pull-on linen skirt (in any of the colors!) with this striped button-down in the navy and white. Finish with a pair of pointed-toe flats — I would probably stick with their “rose nappa” color, which is a great neutral that will go with anything. (If that’s too pricey, these are fantastic, too. I like the sharpness of the pointed toe, which makes it look more high-fashion/expensive than it is.) A few other skirts/button-downs I like:

THIS BUTTON-FRONT SKIRT

THIS STRIPED ROLL-CUFF BUTTON-DOWN

THIS COLLARLESS BLOUSE

THIS KHAKI FULL SKIRT

THIS STRIPED BOW-FRONT BLOUSE

If you’re a dress gal, shirt dresses will never steer you wrong. I just wrote an entire roundup of great shirt dresses, many of which would be lovely for work.

Just don’t forget to pack a cardigan or even a cashmere wrap for the office! It is COLD in those buildings!

Q: Birthday clothes for my two year old son.

A: Happy birthday, little man! I shared some sweet birthday outfits for little ones a few months ago, but please add these birthday jammies to your cart! So, so cute! If you don’t need the birthday outfit to scream BIRTHDAY PARTY, just pick a special outfit you love, like a pair of festively-colored jon jons, to celebrate.

Q: Casual work dresses without collars (very specific, I know).

A: I am intrigued by the specificity! A few worth considering:

THIS APRON-STYLE BUTTON-FRONT

THIS FLORAL JACQUARD

THIS UTILITY DRESS

THIS GROWN-UP BLACK LINEN

THIS PRINTED PUFF SLEEVED MIDI

THIS STRIPED STYLE

Q: A monogrammed card holder.

A: What a fun gift for yourself. I shared some thoughts on chic monogrammed wallets in this post and some card case options here that might be worth considering, but my top pick would be one of these card cases with the shadow lettering. So unusual and special! (You can get the look for less with these.) What a treasure.

Q: Fun day dresses that can go into night.

A: I love this question — it makes me excited for a return to date nights and gatherings with friends. A few great day-to-night dresses (just swap out footwear/add a clutch):

THIS J. CREW DRESS

THIS CIAO LUCIA (ALSO COMES IN IVORY)

RHODE ELLA DRESS — JUST AS CHIC WITH SIMPLE FLAT SANDALS AS IT IS WITH MULES

THIS FLOATY RIXO — NOTE IT IS STYLED WITH SNEAKERS BUT I CAN IMAGINE IT WITH A CUTE STRAPPY SANDAL IN THE EVENING

ROMANTIC LINEN REFORMATION — AGAIN, IT’S A MATTER OF FOOTWEAR AND POSSIBLY A SWIPE OF RED LIPSTICK

BANJANAN

Zara is also always good to dig through for hidden gems along these lines — love this red floral (imagine tying your hair up in a top knot and pairing with big earrings for dinner out) — and I shared a couple of beach vacation dresses here that are designed to go from poolside to bar that might be a good fit!

Q: A French blue accent chair (kid-friendly) that would fit into a corner next to my fireplace.

A: I would look at Society Social! They do tons of fun shapes and styles with loads of fabric options, including this bamboo style and this Parson’s. If those are pricier than you care to go, The Inside does a slipper chair in a french blue stripe that might be up your alley, and this OKL one is lovely, too, though I should include the caveat that I find OKL pieces are hit or miss from a quality standpoint.

Q: Dress for a luncheon with a bump!

A: Congratulations! I shared some recent maternity dresses and nursing-friendly dresses that would be worth a quick looksie loo (many of the nursing-friendly pieces would also work with bump), but a couple of additions:

SPLURGE: THIS ZIMMERMANN, THIS SHOSHANNA, OR THIS LORETTA CAPONI*

THIS ON-TREND PINK STYLE

THIS FLOATY FAITHFULL

PRETTY BOTANICAL PRINT NAP DRESS

Q: An affordable and quality white campaign dresser for my son’s big boy room.

A: I would go with this Pottery Barn style or this Crate + Barrel. They aren’t cheap but I find them reasonably priced when you consider that these are pieces that will last, not warp or wobble, etc. I have a C+B dresser that I bought for myself just after I graduated from college (so, close to 20 years ago!) and it’s still in great condition despite being used in both of our children’s nurseries. I say those pieces are worth the investment over budget/discount brands. Personally, I would spend a bit more on furniture and save on rug and decor.

Q: Special, heirloom quality earrings for a wedding. Real pearl and/or diamond drop preferred.

A: Mazel tov! For a serious investment, it doesn’t get better than these Tiffany pearl and diamond drops. Stunning. I also love the look of a double pearl drop earring (sort of girl-with-the-pearl-earring-inspired — pearls are so pretty against skin!) and this pearl and diamond drop style. One benefit of going pearl-only is that you can usually get a bigger/more dramatic earring for a fraction of the cost of a diamond-centric one.

You might also spend some time paging through vintage ones from 1st Dibs — these are gorgeous!

Q: A graduation present for a nephew!

A: My first thought was something that he might use for a new job, commute, or apartment. Graduation is such an interesting milestone because so much changes just after — work! lifestyle! living space! A few ideas…

AIR PODS TO KEEP HIM COMPANY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT COMMUTE

GROWN-UP (VERSATILE) GLASSWARE FOR HIS NEW DIGS

SUBSCRIPTION TO WSJ (I WOULD GO DIGITAL)

PERSONALIZED STATIONERY

FERRAGAMO TIE

Q: Bedside table under $400. White or navy blue.

A: I feel like I’m a spokesperson for PB today, but I would start there for a good quality piece that is in your budget range. Something like this is timeless, and you could even swap out the hardware if you want to personalize it a bit. I also like this with the bead board. If you’re more into navy, this Anthro style is unexpected and chic, or you could go super simple with these side tables from Serena & Lily, though I think I’d personally prefer a bedside table with a drawer for necessities.

P.S. More great home finds at reasonable prices.

Q: Botanical cocktail dress.

A: Love you for the specificity of the hunt. Agua Bendita is the name of the game here. How stunning is this or this? A few others: Banjanan, Daydress, Azulu, Rebecca Taylor, nap dress in the blue botanical, Reformation,

I’m going to tuck this in here quick and then superstitiously not write about it until we close in June (!), but — two Fridays ago, our offer on a home was accepted. I remain in (happy) shock and (joyful) disbelief and am for whatever reason waiting for the other shoe to drop, as it feels too good to be true. I will often find Mr. Magpie thumbing through pictures of the house on his phone. He’ll pause, look up at me in bewilderment, and ask: “It’s…this is…ours?”

One of the aspects that most thrills me about the home is the backyard. The house is lovely, but it wasn’t until I stood in the grass looking back up at the house that I felt a peculiar cinching in my chest: this is it. I was overwhelmed by a thousand future memories at once: the shriek of my children running through the sprinkler, ice cream cones dripping in the grass, Tilly tearing around the perimeter, my man at the grill, cocktails with friends on the covered porch that overlooks the yard, tanned and bare feet pumping on swing sets, fireflies in mason jars, Tim McGraw on the sound system…

This is it.

Oof! I am overwhelmed by the prospect and anxious to get those keys. 30 days and counting…

In anticipation, I have been thinking about easy summer outfits for a barefoot summer — nothing fussy or starched, think Huck Finn in overalls and a straw hat — and thought I’d share some favorites here…

simple summer outfits for children

01. // 02. // 03. // 04. // 05. // 06. // 07. // 08.

Items above and even more below…

LINEN DRESS ($25!)

COTTON STRIPED BUBBLE

HILL HAD A PAIR OF RYLEE & CRU OVERALLS LAST SUMMER AND THEY ARE SO SWEET ON A TODDLING BOY, WITH OR WITHOUT A TEE UNDERNEATH

DENIM SHORTALLS

MUSLIN DRESS

PERSONALIZED STRAW BAG FOR CARRYING TREASURES

POCKET TEES

STRAW HAT

CHARMING MARY SWIMSUIT (ON SALE!)

LINEN TRACK SHORTS

SMOCKED JUMPSUIT

LINEN OVERALLS

GAUZEY SUNSUIT

LINEN HAREM PANTS

MINI WORE THIS BLOOMER SET AFTER HER AFTERNOON BATH SOOO MANY TIMES LAST SUMMER — AND MICRO HAD THIS SET…PERFECT FOR REALLY HOT AFTERNOONS

SIMPLE SHORT PAJAMAS — UNDER $20 AND IN NEUTRAL SOLIDS

STRIPED LONGALL ROMPER

MUSLIN HOODIE

P.S. Personalized clothes for children and warm weather shoes for little ones.

P.P.S. The magic of swings.

P.P.P.S. On siblinghood.

*Image above a still from Hulu’s “Normal People” series, an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name.

Without the diversion of dinners out, special events, and drinks with friends, we have found ourselves in front of the television most nights of the week for the past year and change. And you know what? That’s OK. God bless the content creators who have presented us with portals to other worlds and experiences. The absolute best thing I watched this past year was “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV. There is a lengthy, spot-on analysis of this tremendous show by author and critic Catherynne Valente that explains its magnificence far better and with far more exacting observationalism than I could. (Warning: her analysis bears a healthy amount of profanity.) She makes the point that in an age of social unrest, alienation at the hands of a virus, and political rancor, the show offers an alternative path forward, one marked by a goodness so pure it reads neither saccharine nor dismissable:

“I watched it all in one night,” Valente rights. “It hurt and I cried. I cried because I miss people so bad. I miss so many people so bad. And I miss believing the world could be like it is in Ted Lasso, that it could contain such people, such forgiveness, such grace, such kindness, such patience, without feeling creepy or weird or cringey or cheesy. Just pure. And hilarious. I just forgot, over the course of 2020, and 2019, and 2018, and 2017, and 2016, that any of us, at any time, could simply choose to be like Ted, and everything would change. Like a miracle. I forgot humans could be like that.”

She goes on: “It’s wholesome without being boring, kind without being trite, smart without being pedantic, so loving it’ll take your breath away, and gut-bustingly funny. Scripts so tight and hilarious that even one guy just saying his name and the paper he works for is not only a meme but makes you smile each and every time.

Do you know how [redacted] hard that is to pull off?

It is so much easier to be funny while being cynical. Everyone knows life sucks, it’s easy to get them onside by accessing that universal experience. To sneer and punch down and stand back from the world wrapped up in a sense of coolness that comes at the expense of everyone else and call that edgy. It is so much harder to stay funny while you’re being kind.”

I could quote much more of her analysis (she is especially sharp in her writing about the complicated and unexpected character of Ted, played by Jason Sudeikis), but I’ll leave it at that and implore you to watch this big-hearted, hysterical show that shone like a beacon of promise during this trying year.

Let’s see, what else did I watch and enjoy?

I thought the adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People on Hulu was superb — beautifully shot (a still from the show seen at the top of this post) and exquisitely acted, with tremendous nuance and subtlety. There are so many sections of the show in which the two main characters more or less make “hm” sounds to one another, or communicate with their eyes, and yet they, their reactions, their intentions are crystal clear to the audience. It is moving, it is cinematic, it is shot with true artfulness. I was frankly surprised by the quality of this show, having anticipated that there was no way the adaptation could live up to the novel, which I loved. FYI: this show is explicit. I had a couple of moms write to say they’d attempted to watch it with their daughters and had to turn it off. Just a heads up! (To my own mom: do not watch.)

Two shows I devoured on my own (could not intrigue Mr. Magpie to join in on these) and that have earned a second season (as has “Ted Lasso!): “Emily in Paris” on Netflix (which, I have been surprised to learn, a lot of people thoroughly despised — it is fluffy and absurdly far-fetched, but I’m not clear on the vitriol this elicits) and “Bridgerton” on Netflix (this show was a delicacy to enjoy, but man did it leave me in a state of cognitive dissonance — some thoughts in that post and some interesting discussion with Magpies in the comments section, too). Both represent total escapism, and are also deeply flawed.

We also thoroughly enjoyed re-watching the entirety of Seinfeld — it just never gets old. What struck me on this viewing was the magnificence of the physical comedy at the hands of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander. There are scenes where just the twitch of George’s lips had me rolling on the floor, and where Elaine’s eyebrows shooting up over her glasses left me in hysterics. These comedic actors are as good as it gets. Jerry is sort of the necessary anchor to their wild eccentricity, and he makes the show work for that reason, preventing it from spiraling out into the cringe-y wilderness of Larry David, but it’s George all day every day for me. So, so good.

What was the best thing you watched on TV this past year?

Post-Scripts.

+Valente is so right in her observations about pessimism.

+My children love Apple TV’s “Stillwater” series — it’s all about mindfulness and working your way through your own emotions. The most beautiful messages. They also love “Helpsters,” by the makers of Sesame Street, which introduces some very basic programming concepts but is overall about the idea of thinking through problems and solutioning. Genius! Mini is big on “making a plan” since watching this show, and I love that.

+Cute $20 floral sneakers for a little one, with velcro! These remind me of the Veja x Liberty sneakers I bought mini.

+In love with these well-priced woven frames.

+This cashmere cardigan, in the perfect shade of blue — wow. This is a major investment but I lived in longline cardigans like this while pregnant and nursing — so easy to throw on over a tank and leggings to feel covered and cozy. Would be a lovely push present for yourself.

+I always get questions about these coupes when I snap them on Insta. They are one of my most favorite purchases of the last year. Drinking champagne or a cocktail out of them just makes me joyful!

+You all LOVE these ceramic garden stakes!

+Well this charging cable is clever — the weighted knot keeps your device in place.

+Pretty, floaty, and smocked.

+This $60 fireplace screen is v. attractive.

+Even more great everyday dresses to shop here.

+Seriously the cutest raincoat — that gingham lining!

+This shop has the most gorgeous colors in grosgrain ribbon. Wonderful if you need for a specific birthday, project, etc.

+If you are a fan of blue and white striped button-downs, but one something with a little pizzazz…WOW this shirt!

+Seriously cool sunglasses.

+A good price for scalloped linen placemats — four for $60. I feel like they go for much higher elsewhere.

+Cute lil floral top.

+CRAZY chic new coffee table from S&L.

+This striped PatBo dress and this stunning botanical maxi! Two great alternative options to the wedding guest dress roundup here.

+Rattan umbrella stand!

+Unexpected, stylish buffet lamps.

+More chic lighting options here!

Tis the season for al fresco dining! In one of the homes we looked at recently, the owners had white wicker patio furniture similar to the set seen above and — though I had always been drawn to Aerin’s East Hampton collection, was totally won over by the retro-leaning look! You can get a similar style with Kingsley Bate’s Chatham set or — if the wicker is too fussy for your taste — this whitewashed set from Ballard.

A couple of other amazing finds…

patio and outdoor dining finds

01. // 02. // 03. // 04. // 05. // 06. // 07. // 08. // 09. // 10. // 11.

These and more finds below…

THIS STRIPED OUTDOOR RUG (!!!!) — I AM SO IN LOVE AND CANNOT BELIEVE THE PRICE; COMES IN GREAT COLORS, BUT I’M PARTIAL TO BLUE

MELAMINE PLATES REMINISCENT OF JULISKA’S BERRY & THREAD

FUN RATTAN BOW NAPKIN RINGS

WATERPROOF, ANTI-RUST OUTDOOR SIDE TABLE TO ADD A POP OF COLOR…DID I MENTION IT’S $35?

THESE BAMBOO-AND-GLASS LANTERNS ARE SO FUN

WOVEN FLATWARE CADDYTHIS GALVANIZED METAL ONE IS ALSO CUTE

FOLDING TABLE AND CHAIRS — $110 FOR ENTIRE SET — IN GREAT COLORS

RATTAN SERVING TRAY (UNDER $30)

BAMBOO CUTLERY — ALSO LOVE LAGUIOLE’S ICE BLUE SET

LOUNGE OTTOMAN — COULD USE THIS AS A COFFEE TABLE IN A SEATING AREA WITH A TRAY ON TOP

WRAPPED PITCHER FOR $20 (!!!)

THESE SCALLOPED RATTAN CHAIRS ARE ACTUALLY DESIGNED FOR INDOORS BUT — IMAGINE STYLED AT A BREAKFAST NOOK JUST INSIDE A SCREEN DOOR TO USE WHEN THE WEATHER PERMITS

FUN PALE GREEN DINING CHAIRS

STRIPED NAPKINS — S&L MAKES SHOCKINGLY SOFT DINNER NAPKINS!!! MANY GUESTS HAVE ASKED WHERE THEY ARE FROM BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST SO PLUSH!

RATTAN LANTERN

CERAMIC GARDEN STOOL — GREAT AS AN OCCASIONAL TABLE

FLOWER-SHAPED PLACEMAT

OUTDOOR DINING CUSHIONS IN GREAT COLORSTHESE $17 NATURAL ONES ARE ALSO CHIC AND A GOOD DEAL

WELL-PRICED OUTDOOR PILLOWS: OPTION 1 AND OPTION 2

TILE-LIKE MELAMINE SERVING DISHES

P.S. More outdoor furniture and decor finds here.

P.P.S. My latest beauty reviews.

P.P.P.S. I guess my move to D.C. answered the concerns I shared in this post, about my children and their alienation from cricketsong.

My Latest Snag: J. Crew Blockprint + Smocked Dress.

I am so, so happy we are entering dress season. I am much more at home in a dress than I am jeans or pants of any kind for that matter. I just ordered this under-$120 J. Crew dress and cannot wait for it to arrive. (They had a seriously strong collection of new arrivals earlier this week.) I also just noticed that there are a few XS black Nesli nap dresses left and I think that might have to happen, too. Not usually a black gal but that looks like a dream to wear, and I have this fantastic black Furoshiki bag from Roop to pair it with…

While we’re talking dresses…please note that almost all clothing is 20% off at Anthro this weekend only if you are an AnthroPerks member (free to join). I currently have this Daphne-Wilde-esque shirtdress in my cart, and the promo includes pieces from covetable small label Hunter Bell!!! I’m swooning over this scalloped, striped top.

You’re Soooo Popular: The $28 Sweatshirt.

The most popular items on le blog this week:

+This everyday sweatshirt ($28!) — love the length for wearing over leggings.

+This classic beadboard bed.

+This Ulla-like $100 dress in a chic ecru color.

+Fun shades.

+A custom grasscloth-wrapped console at a great price. (I guess a lot of us are furniture shopping!)

+The D. Porthault-esque shirtdress I have not shut up about in the last two weeks. (Sorry, but we are all so excited about it!) The colors and details are so good.

+$15 shades reminiscent of Celine. I own these — love that you can throw them in your bag without being too stressed about them. At this stage in my life, I basically will not buy designer shades because I have scratched, crushed, and lost several pairs, and I am usually very careful with my belongings! I just find they are easy to damage!

+This stylish, sporty hooded jacket — 40% off! Buy now and be happy next fall. Think of your future self!

+Gorgeous intaglios. We seriously considered buying one of these for my MIL for mother’s day but ended up buying her one of the Hunt Slonem bunny plates with two bunnies on it, one for micro and one for mini.

+Lovely smock-detail botanical print dress for $50.

+Ultra-chic rattan-wrapped side table for $120. Looks like S&L!

+This maternity- and nursing-friendly dress at a great price! I would have bought this in a flash if I were expecting.

Weekend Musings: Radical Acceptance.

Have you watched any (or all?) of the Oscar-nominated films from this year? Mr. Magpie and I watched Nomadland on Hulu earlier this week, and Frances McDormand was resplendent in it. It’s an interesting, stirring movie that falls somewhere between documentary and fiction. After some thought, I’m not sure the narrative was best suited to a full-length feature film — I found myself wishing it were instead an eight-part documentary series trailing the lives of the characters we meet, many of whom were based on real-life individuals and performed by non-actors anyway. I feel this format would have been better-tailored to the way the film suggests themes and tends to dial in on detail (in high relief) but sort of tapers off when we are reaching for a central thesis, or denouement.

Still, there were moments that took my breath away, especially the bits in which characters explain with rawness the reasons why they have chosen to live their lives “houseless” — PTSD from war, grief over the loss of parents, a hunger to experience life in a nonconformist way. In one such scene (not spoiling anything), a character explains that he took to a nomadic life after his son took his own life. In this exchange, he lingers for a moment on the way grief can completely consume people. He pauses and says: “Some people never get out of it, and that’s OK. That’s OK.”

I was arrested by that man, by the way he modeled radical acceptance. Having witnessed several loved ones enduring unbearable grief, it is agonizing to imagine anyone permanently stuck there. But there was something in the way he seemed to look unflinchingly at the bereaved and say, “It’s OK to feel the way you are feeling, and for however long you need,” that set a new standard in my own aspirations for engaging with friends living through tough times. There is, I think, a natural (or learned) desire to turn away, or to distract, or to focus on the positive, or to set sights on the future. But to sit in radical acceptance, to put no expectations or limits on another person — that is love!

Post-Scripts: Gift for a Newly-Engaged Friend.

+Adorable gift for a newly-engaged friend.

+This under-$70 outdoor rug looks SO much like a higher end brand…LOVE.

+Fun $42 flip flop — a little more interesting than your basic flip!

+In case you don’t follow me on Insta, I shared photos of myself wearing all five of my most-worn-at-home dresses earlier this week and added one extra I neglected to mention: this $33 Amazon steal, which is so flattering and comfortable! I own it in the blue and white which seems to be low in stock as of the time of writing this post. I also love it in the solid navy!

+Another great caftan option for summer. Tres chic! Still hoping I can one day buy one of these La Vie Style House ones — an investment to be sure. (I own and LOVE this caftan!)

+In love with these raffia hoops!!!

+A great simple linen tote — I would personalize by adding my initials using these patches.

+Clever nesting patio tables.

+Roman shade dreams.

+These rose tidbit plates are so pretty! They remind me of my mother.

+Bought this stationery for mini a few months back — she loves blue.

+Heard really good things about this $8 lipstick/liner duo from Courtney Grow, whose beauty recommendations have not steered me wrong. I first learned about Westman Atelier blush (my favorite) from her nearly a year ago and she also introduced me to Living Libations cleansing oil, which I use every single morning.

+Seriously cute everyday pants as an alternative to jeans!

+You better believe I preordered this gift tags and wrapping paper set.

+Love this top-and-skirt look.

+Scalloped ceramic planters!

+OMG this dress has a zipper down the front — officially the most chic and most nursing-friendly dress I’ve come across. (And I recently rounded up a ton of cute options.)

+Just the prettiest face mask I ever did see.

+In love with this shoe in the perfect shade of blue.

+Thank you to the reader who recommended this $15 swimsuit for little ladies! Love the Minnow-esque style and simple stripes.

I have this fantastic cherry red Saloni dress from a few seasons back that I pull out every summer and it always makes me feel like a million bucks. Sadly, I think Saloni has retired the shape (the Fara), but it was more the color than the style anyhow. (Although, if you’re a fan of the label like I am, get thee to The Outnet for their latest drop of discounted Saloni. This just came in and I think has dethroned the picks in this post for my optimal FOJ look. And OMG this! A great everyday dress!)

Red is such an unexpected color for me — I tend to gravitate towards blues, whites, and pastels — but it’s an instant mood-elevator. Red is sassy and confident and eye-catching. It calls to mind a smear of lipstick, or a sip from an ice-cold coca cola bottle: the color is sensory on its own. Pair it with a wonderfully designed article of clothing, and we’re off to the races. Note to self: wear red more often.

A few of my favorite red finds this season…

red fashion finds 2021

01. // 02. // 03. // 04. // 05. // 06. // 07. // 08. // 09.

The items above and even more great finds below…

SWOONING OVER THIS $69 ORTIZ-INSPIRED FLORAL

THESE EMBROIDERED SHORTS!

ANOTHER SHOWSTOPPING SALONI

GUCCI POOL SLIDES

ADORABLE CHERRY-PRINT BLOUSE

THIS TIMELESS SHIRTDRESS IN FETCHING RED IS MARKED DOWN TO $65

RED LACOSTE HAT — IMAGINE WEARING WHILE RUNNING IN WHITE SHORTS/TANK OR PAIRING WITH A RED BIKINI

GET THE ILLESTEVA LOOK FOR $12

OKURRRR THESE KISS-PRINT SAINT LAURENTS ARE BEYOND — IS IT BECAUSE I WAS IN LOVE WITH RACHEL ZOE IN THE AUGHTS AND TEENS THAT I AM DRAWN TO A PLATFORM? I CAN’T HELP IT!

A GREAT COVERUP IN COCA COLA RED

TIERED GINGHAM SKIRT

FLORAL DROP EARRINGS

FUN WOVEN TOTE

DO I NEED THESE RED RUNNING SHOES

FOLD-UP DUFFEL – PERFECT FOR GYM OR TRAVEL

SUCH A GREAT PRINTED DRESS

NOT TO WEAR, BUT THESE RED ACRYLIC GLASSES ARE AMAZING

P.S. The three most popular items featured on my blog in 2021: these under-$50 sandals, this Target dress, and this fun stationery. Last year in early May, we all bought a flutter-sleeved white top from J. Crew very similar to this year’s style — just so easy to wear with shorts, skirts, jeans, etc. A little more interest than a basic white tee. And I love this flutter sleeve style for little ladies, too — such good colors.

P.P.S. In need of a glassware refresh? These $6 juice glasses are still my favorite glasses for everything, from a little sip of OJ in the morning to a light pour of rose in the evenings.

P.P.P.S. Sweet reunions.