Magpies! I have to gush over the prettiest Christmas cards that Erin Wallace designed for me — swoon! I reached out to her because I liked the look of a lot of her pieces, but was hunting for a non-photo-centric holiday card, and she was such a joy (and font of creativity!) to work with. She is a speech pathologist by day and creates gorgeous paper as a side hustle — I love her gorgeous gift enclosure cards, stationery, and birth announcements and am confident she will be able to help you with whatever you have dreamed up for a future invitation or moving announcement or what have you. These lunchbox notes and laminated placemats are also adorable!
P.S. More of my favorite desktop finds here, and a roundup of my work from home essentials here.
Botanical prints have been a major vibe for awhile now, owing partly to the wild popularity of the grandmillennial trend. Today, I thought I’d round up a few amazing botanical print finds…
This is a guest post by my sister, Elizabeth Sites, an expert in early childhood literacy. You can read her tips on promoting literacy at home in the face of the coronavirus pandemic here.
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The holidays are approaching, and for me, there is no better gift than that perfect book for just the right person. I love writing a personal note on the inside cover, but in the face of this pandemic, I have had to settle for a card mailed separately. (It bears noting that my favorite D.C.-area bookstore, One Page Books, will kindly write a note for me if I request it!)
Because I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of picture books over my career as a reading specialist-trained educator, aspiring picture book writer, and library-obsessed mother of two young boys, I hope I can inspire a few fun gift ideas for you this season and beyond. In this post, I’m focusing on recently-published works (i.e., books published in the last five years) to share my perception of current market trends. At the end of this post, I include a footnote on how to decipher which books are appropriate for your child’s age (or the age of a child you know!).
I will note when a book is especially geared to an age group, but if not designated, you can assume the book is best for ages 3-8. I also asterisked my absolute favorites but all the books on this list are fantastic! Bold-named author/illustrators are considered especially “hot” in the publishing world right now. Enjoy!
+Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Irene Chan (2019) – I love this book from one of my favorite authors; so many opportunities to have rich discussions with a child about ways to be kind.*
+Best in Snow, Full of Fall, and Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre (2016, 2017, 2020) – Just a few of her wonderfully-photographed and thoughtfully-written books.*
+Triangle, Square, Circle by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (2017, 2018, 2019)
Just Plain Hilarious Books:
+Life on Mars (2017) and The Wall In The Middle Of The Book (2018) by Jon Agee. In my opinion, the all-time funniest author. I don’t think there is a single book of his I haven’t laughed at…and I’m pretty sure I’ve read them all! These books in particular are clever and well-executed.*
Fairies: Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking (2018 – part of a number series) – ages 1-4
Sharks: Shark Nate-O by Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie, illustrated by Daniel Duncan (2018) or Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Scott Magoon (2018)
Silly-Spooky Things: Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown (2017)
Mermaids: Part-Time Mermaid by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cambria Evans (2018)
+All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman (2018)
Hope you found a good book idea or two and that you share in my love of children’s books! Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season. You can follow me on Twitter @LizSitesWriting for more book suggestions and please do share your suggestions in the comments!
Footnote: Which Book Is Appropriate for A Child Aged ___?
Here are some notes on deciphering which books are appropriate for your child’s age:
0-2: Board books are usually best because babies have been known to chew on books! (See my post here for even more ideas.)
3-5: Read-aloud picture books aimed for this age often have shorter word counts and heavy use of picture clues to support the story. Emergent and beginning reading books for this age group may have one word or up to a sentence or two as the levels advance on each page. One example is the BOB books series. Sometimes, Mo Willems’ books can be read at this age level, depending on the child.
5-8: Read-aloud picture books may have more advanced concepts and plot lines. Beginning-to-independent level books for children to read by themselves at this age still use a formula of decodable text with high-frequency words. As children advance, they may start to read “Early readers” such as Frog and Toad, National Geographic books, and early chapter books.
8-12: Publishers generally call chapter books aimed at this age group “middle grade.”
12-18: Publishers generally call books aimed at this age group “young adult” or “YA.”
P.S. Many of these books would be excellent gifts on their own or bundled with a stocking stuffer from this list. Bigger ticket items for babies here, small children here, and older children here.
What?! 40% off all clothing at Anthro today through this weekend — I currently have this sweatshirt in my cart but can’t decide between the camel or pastel blue colors. I have been LOVING turtleneck/mockneck sweatshirts over my tissue turtlenecks this winter.
Also worth a gander:
THIS SEQUIN DUSTER, A BESTSELLER IN RECENT WEEKS — PERFECT FOR FESTIVE AT-HOME HOLIDAY STYLE (PAIR WITH LEGGINGS ET VOILA!)
THREE PACK KNIT GLOVES — INEXPENSIVE AND UNFUSSY AND THEREFORE PERFECT BECAUSE GLOVES ALWAYS GO MISSING AND EASY TO KEEP A PAIR TUCKED INTO EVERY BAG/BACKPACK/COAT POCKET!
PRETTY PLAYING CARDS — SUCH A GREAT STOCKING STUFFER OR SMALL GIFT FOR SOMEONE YOU APPRECIATE BUT DON’T KNOW WELL…MY MOM USED TO GIVE EVERY CASHIER AT HER LOCAL SUPERMARKET A HOLIDAY GIFT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP BECAUSE SHE WAS THERE AT LEAST 3X A WEEK! THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT…
PRETTY SHIRT BOXES — JUST ORDERED SOME OF THESE TO HELP WITH HOLIDAY WRAPPING
CUTE STRIPED MATERNITY TEES — SOMEONE RECENTLY ASKED FOR AFFORDABLE MATERNITY WEAR! THIS WOULD BE ON MY LIST
A: I’m currently lusting after the merino ones from Tracksmith after a few readers recommended this new-to-me brand just last week! I currently use and love a range of the long-sleeved styles from Lululemon (listed here), this tee from Outdoor Voices, and a performance material running top from Athleta from like five years ago that I believe is this style, or at least a forebear of it, layered under this running jacket which keeps me quite warm, even when in the low 30s. Athleta also has their own line of merino running tees that I am eyeing for that reason.
Q: Pink sweater as a Christmas gift for my sister to wear with Levis and Vejas!
A: So cute! I rounded up my favorites at all price points here.
Q: Gifts for 20-month-old twin brothers (my nephews!)
A: Hill is about the same age — if you want to give them something to share, a Brio train set (a classic! Hill is into this already) or this little garage set (<<we are giving Hill this for Christmas). If you want something more individualized, give each a Janod wooden activity set like this or this. Your sibling will thank you — these toys are incredibly well-made, attractive, and learning-oriented. More ideas here!
Q: Chic slippers for around the house, under $100 preferably.
A: I like the quality and price point of the rugs from Erin Gates — and she designs many that are suitable for play rooms/nurseries without being too childish. I love this, this, and this — and we are currently using this in Hill’s nursery. We are using a Dash & Albert rug in my daughter’s room — my friend Jen, an interior designer, immediately recommended them for nursery/children’s spaces — and I love the playful stripes (ours is discontinued, but this is very similar, and I love this one in the blue colors).
Finally, if you have a higher risk tolerance profile than I do, I love the look of a thick white/cream rug like this in a baby’s room.
Q: Baby socks or slippers that don’t slip on hardwood floors.
A: I so hear you! We’ve had a number of incidents this year because my three year old daughter LOVES these warm camp socks, but they slide all ov erhte place. In general, I almost always buy my children’s socks in white because they go with everything and losing a mate doesn’t matter as much. I like the triple roll style from H&M and Gap, both of which have grippies on the bottom, and also these slightly more athletic ones from Amazon.
Q: Foot cream recommendation!
A: I just wrote about this earlier this week (great minds think alike), but I am devastated La Roche Posay discontinued their INCREDIBLE foot cream. I am trying something that’s just OK right now, but will be testing this baume from LRP next. I find their products rarely let me down.
Q: Gift ideas for my fiance, who wants to start helping me cook!
A: So sweet! I wonder if an apron from Hedley & Bennett, his own chef’s knife (<<this is the one I use most consistently in our kitchen; buy him an 8″ or 10″ style — I use the 10″ but it did take some accommodation at first, since it feels very long when you first start using it!), or a Boos cutting board (this one with the juice groove is one of our favorites — great for catching stray mise en place bits or juices from resting meat) would be a good starting point. (Or all three, depending on budget!) I also have a bunch of my favorite items for the kitchen here.
Q: A gift for my sister who is currently pregnant with her third child.
A: Super comfortable maternity/nursing pajamas. I feel like good quality pajamas were the highlight of both pregnancies. I lived in these Cosabella pajamas — they are the absolute most comfortable and flattering ones that exist. I bought multiple pairs. They work post-partum, too. I also loved the ones from Lake Pajamas.
Alternately, love the idea of giving her something indulgent like a fancy face mask (<<this one is getting a lot of good buzz) or La Mer cream. Something that reminds her — treat yourself!
Q: A small holiday gift for our renter in Hawaii — he’s a single guy in the restaurant business. Ideas?
A: Luxardo cherries, wrapped up in cellophane with a big bow, for his next batch of Manhattans.
Q: Christmas presents for parents who seem to have everything.
A: Gourmet gifts are usually fun for parents. We do a lot of these for my parents-in-law and my own parents, too. I also like to think about what hobbies my parents have and graft onto those as I find they’ll be more likely to get used — things like puzzles (<<this brand is excellent!), great running gear, or a new kitchen tool (<<Mr. Magpie is obsessed with these).
Q: Fashionable, indoor, no-skid entry rug.
A: I love this style in the blue or gray (won’t show dirt as easily) — it’s designed for high-traffic areas and refreshingly modern.
Q: A chandelier that is a touch modern but goes with traditional decor.
A: This could be just the ticket. Elegant but slightly architectural. And this — swoon and gasp! I almost convinced Landon to buy it for our current apartment but we just couldn’t stomach such an extravagant investment given that we aren’t sure how long we’ll live in this unit. This Aerin style is also an amazing statement.
Q: A luxurious throw (under $300 though please).
A: I love mine from St. Frank. It’s gorgeous, soft, and lightweight — the perfect thing to throw on over yourself while laying on your bed reading. For something heavier-duty, is there anything more gorgeous than a 100% cashmere throw (many here are under $300)? Lastly, I have a faux fur throw that I absolutely love to snuggle under while watching movies. The weight is fantastic. People also seem to go crazy over the brands Chappy Wrap and Barefoot Dreams, though I’ve never tried them myself. I just know that they constantly sell out and cause a frenzy whenever marked down — probably because they are ultra-soft and cuddly. Not sure if either of those have the “luxe” vibe you’re after though.
A: How chic is this?! People LOVE this brand for everything from pillowcases (I gifted my bestie one) to eye masks (I own one!) You can also get a set sans bow.
Q: Seafood scissors/picks for eating crab legs.
A: I wouldn’t pay for seafood scissors — utility kitchen shears (we have two sets of these!) have served us well on this front and handle nearly anything else you need in the kitchen, too. Super heavy-duty (can cut through shell), go in the dishwasher (halves separate easily), stainless steel (not likely to rust), and I personally love the tabs on the tops of the scissors, which I use to puncture safety seals much more safely than with the tip of a knife.
For picks/crackers, we’ve always used inexpensive sets picked up from here and there (I think several of mine are from Sur La Table and Pier 1 actually) — if I were starting from scratch, I’d just do an inexpensive set like this (good reviews).
Q: Holiday scalloped placemats that I keep seeing all over instagram that won’t break the bank.
A: I hear you! They can be so pricey — over $100 per placemat! These are still not totally inexpensive, but I bought my mother a set of mats from La Gallina Matta, and they are wonderful — water and wrinkle-proof, and about 1/3 or 1/4 of the price of so many others in a similar vein. This Etsy shop also does a similar style for about $25/mat. More holiday tabletop finds here!
By: Jen Shoop
Bloomingdale’s is offering 25%+ off some amazing brands that we love in our home and that can be difficult to score on sale, including…
MINI CUISINART (MARKED DOWN TO $39 PLUS AN EXTRA 20% OFF — HONESTLY, I PREFER THIS SIZE TO OUR BIG ONE MOST DAYS! SO HANDY AND EASY TO PULL OUT TO USE FOR MAKING SMALL BATCHES OF HUMMUS, PUREEING VEG, CHOPPING NUTS, ETC)
STAUB COCOTTE — USED AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK IN OUR HOME…THE BEST
Bloomie’s is also running $25 off every $150 spent on beauty, which means you can score La Mer for $25 off, or buy a few Diptyque candles at a discount.
UPDATE: I have to publish a correction to this post after initially published: this Gehwol foot cream (mentioned below) is actually quite good when used religiously, every night, for several weeks. I suppose I was expecting the near-instant results the LRP foot cream (RIP) delivered, but this stuff is very effective — just takes longer. Strongly endorse.
I did a lot of beauty product testing this year, and I wanted to share a quick hits list of my favorite beauty finds this year. I put the full weight of my reputation behind each of these items — they are exceptional and I have yet to receive any disappointed messages from loved ones whom I have coerced into trying them, with the exception of the Revlon One-Step. A small few have said that it just does not work for their fine hair or that they find it too bulky/heavy to use — and it is heavy! I use two hands since I no longer need to also manage a round brush so I find it works out fine for me.
At any rate, these have earned “lifer” status for me — doubt I’ll need to buy any other brands in these categories…
BILLIE WONDER WIPES (FULL REVIEW HERE, THOUGH MY APPRECIATION FOR THESE HAS ONLY INTENSIFIED WITH TIME — THESE ARE AMAZING AND I CAN’T BELIEVE THE PRICE)
One devastating loss this year has been the discontinuation of La Roche Posay’s EXCELLENT foot cream. I am still not over it, in no small part owing to the fact that I have not had a pedicure since the beginning of the pandemic and therefore really have to take care of my tootsies! I have been using Gehwol’s Lipidro foot cream and it’s good but not great — not as thick and effective. It doesn’t hold a candle to LRP. I think I will try LRP’s baume next to see if it’s somewhat similar to their foot cream unless any of you have found a secret source…[ED. NOTE AFTER ORIGINAL PUBLICATION: A Magpie reader has written in to say that LRP baume is more of a lightweight face/body lotion and would probably not be thick enough for foot cream. Will continue to search! Stay tuned.]
Finally, two questions for you: what hyped beauty products are you intrigued by/eyeing? And, what are your beauty standouts from this year? (I love how many of you are highly-informed about skincare — just read the helpful comments on easing into a retinoid regimen here.)
Unlike many of you, I have worked from home for the past several years, so I was already accustomed to the discipline it required before the onset of this pandemic. We are all now WFH pros, aren’t we?
One big change, however, has been sharing “office space” with my husband, which means that sometimes I lay claim to the big desk and enormous Mac screen and other times, I sit on the couch or at the dining room table with my laptop. One thing that has helped me stay organized in spite of these (sometimes multiple-times-a-day) dislocations is keeping a portable pouch of office essentials at my side. It means I am never guessing where my Airpods are, or forgetting something essential in the bedroom when Mr. Magpie is on an important Zoom call. Below, my top picks for creating your own portable office essentials kit:
LITTLE JEWELRY POUCH — WHO ELSE TAKES OFF HER EARRINGS AND OTHER JEWELRY WHILE WORKING?!
I also usually keep my Kindle in there with the best intentions of reading while eating lunch, but alas, it has not yet happened — not once. Oops.
P.S. Gap has some very cute items out right now for low key WFH-on-the-couch vibes — I love this pullover and this tie dye sweatshirt (also comes in the sweetest baby set). I know tie-dye feels like the stage of the pandemic where we were all baking banana bread and designing charts for our children’s days, but I still like the look. Haha.
P.P.S. I positively live in these Birdie velvet mules at home, which are sadly now totally sold out. These are a ridiculously chic upgrade, but the thought of slipping my feet into cashmere is…dreamy. All are the perfect complement to your Nap Dress.
I felt as though I was waiting for life to happen to me for much of my teens and early twenties — angling for even the slightest brush with drama, or good fortune, or fiasco. I recall moodily listening to songs whose words of heartache or enterprise did not match my own circumstances, desperately willing them to ferry something other than phantoms borne of my own imagination. Would you believe that a young and desperate fifteen-year-old Jen drove down Connecticut Avenue with her provisional license in hand, blasting (my God, this admission both dates and humiliates me) REM’s “Everybody Hurts” followed by Puff Daddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You,” aping heartbreak to which I laid no claim? I compulsively read books whose piquant narratives were unimaginably different from my own and simultaneously interpreted my own life as pathetically devoid of intrigue. I manufactured dramas, like the time I slammed my clutch on the ground, sprinting away from Mr. Magpie at the wedding festivities of some of our friends, because I felt I was owed a proposal that was at that time, unbeknownst to me, in the works.
Oh, of all the things — to have had Mr. Magpie’s heart but still insisted on seeing what I did not have? I was writhing toward the future, or at least toward an emotional spark — or better yet, to my naive and excitable sensibilities, fireworks. I was desperate for the shape of something substantial. And, of course, largely and unforgivably blind to the prodigious gifts I had.
I can’t remember when I stopped thinking that way. Was it a moment? An incident? One of the many losses or challenges or even beautiful happenings of the past many years? Or was it a gradual slackening, a loosening of my grip on the notion that life had not yet begun for me? Was it the way that we learn to cling to our own blessings as we observe and occasionally shoulder the burdens of others? Or perhaps simply the slow, inexorable maturation of self that happens as we make our way through myriad decisions and uncertainties and tears and laughters?
I don’t know. I do know that it has occurred to me at various fraught junctures of that past few years, that perhaps too much life is happening to me. Can we just slow down now? I think. I want for nothing. And I mean that in every sense of the phrase, even the selfish one: that is, I want nothing more to happen to any of my loved ones, even if my imagined moratorium forecloses on possible future boon. I want everyone freeze-framed in good health and happiness, in various permutations of ascent and success. I would of course prefer for us to all be beyond this pandemic but please, please — nothing more. I am satisfied here at this perch. I recognize this entreaty to be just as foolish as my youthful desire to fast forward to my future self, and that part of maturity is surely facing the unknown with — if not acceptance, then grit, seasoned with healthy and learned-the-hard-way circumspection.
At my wedding, my Dad read, in a voice uncharacteristically choked with emotion, with eyes unexpectedly rimmed with tears, the beautiful words of “The Exhortation Before Marriage,” a relic of pre-Vatican Catholicism I’ve lauded elsewhere:
“This union, then, is most serious, because it will bind you together for life in a relationship so close and so intimate, that it will profoundly influence your whole future.
That future, with its hopes and disappointments, its successes and its failures, its pleasures and its pains, its joys and its sorrows, is hidden from your eyes.”
At the time, I heard only the rhythm of the prayer and its solemnity of form and expression, and I reacted strongly to the import of it being read, tearfully, by my beloved father. It was moving because it was moving to my dad. Beyond that, on that hazy August evening, I felt nothing but anointed in life.
Now I sit here and read those words and realize that I did not take seriously enough the threat and joy of things hidden. And I feel moved in a different way.
I think, in short, that at some point in the last decade, there has been a shift in ballast, and it all hangs on the tenor of my apprehension of “that future, with its hopes and disappointments, its successes and its failures, its pleasures and its pains, its joys and its sorrows.” At 36, I find myself planted firmly on the other side of something — some eidolon I was busy constructing for a large swathe of my younger years — and the achievement of this view is accompanied by a renegotiation with optimism, or perhaps, because I do not consider myself a pessimist, an accommodation of reality.
Post-Scripts.
And now for our daily dose of the delightful and frivolous…
+Truly, if I were going to make an investment this winter, I would splurge on a Max Mara camel wool coat. The Madame is iconic but I also love this elegant style from their diffusion label, Weekend Max Mara, for one third the price. I also really love Reiss’ Leah style — perfect length.
+Though I typically alternate between Mad Hippie’s Vitamin C serum and Vintner’s Daughter, I recently read a few raving reviews about Vichy’s formula (and then, as of the time of writing this, found it was $4 off on Amazon) so I’m giving it a try. TBH, I find that most topical Vitamin C products work great. I also loved the one I tried from Ole Henriksen — it was my first serum and I was stunned at the results. I’ve liked every Vitamin C product I’ve tried since. But I’ll report back on Vichy — if it’s as good as the rest, why overspend? We can save our money for Westman Atelier.
+Eyeing this ear warmer for cold mornings. Not sure if it’d be great for running given material, but looks so amazing for walks through the park. Speaking of running, I had to publish a caveat on my post raving about Lululemon Aligns — an employee of Lululemon commented that Aligns are not made for running and that they will pill more quickly when used as such. Just a heads up! I don’t want to lead you to an early Lulu demise by drawing you to my wanton ways — ha. I personally will continue to run in them because they just feel great, don’t slide down at the waistband, etc., and will gladly replace when needed.
+Speaking of fitness gear, one Magpie commented that she’s been wearing 90s-vibe cotton basics (oversized college tees, etc) while exercising lately and I can’t unsee it. Do I need these $31 Lacoste tennis shorts to follow suit?! (I see you, Katherine — style icon!)
+Are we all getting tired of headbands? I thought I was towards the middle of summer but then I came back around. Now I have convinced myself I need this style for the holidays.
+If you’re still shopping for that person you don’t know that well but who you must give a gift to — why not a pretty ornament? They are both impersonal and personal in the best ways.
Time for your second cup of coffee and a delightful roundup of amazing sale finds today…
+I have a post on my favorite beauty buys of 2020 coming out soon but had to mention today that you can score one of them at a discount using Sephora’s current promotion of $15-$25 off a purchase of $75 with code 2020SAVE through Wednesday, 12/9. Specifically, I implore you to try an Artis brush. The Oval 7 is a good starter brush because I find it versatile enough to be used for foundation or concealer and probably even something like eye primer. Maybe bundle with your favorite lip product (this is mine — currently price matched to Nordstrom’s discount) or your go-to winter moisturizer (addicted to this) to get to the $75 threshold, or even just stock up on some more of everybody’s favorite facial cotton (le best le best le best).
+Lacoste is running an excellent promotion (30% off!) on their classic children’s polos, including in great staple colors like white and navy. Stocked up for next summer. I’d say these run TTS. They are also running 40% off their long-sleeved polos, which Hill has been living in this fall/winter.
+Zulily has discounted some Laura Mercier products — buy carefully, as some of the items are hardly discounted at all, but some of their amazing caviar eye sticks are marked down to around 40% off. My mom introduced these to me a few Christmases ago (she loves to stuff our stockings with beauty products), and they are my favorite for evening/festive/holiday. They are just the right side of shimmery. Not too much — just enough. I also love an eye product that you can slick on and adjust with a fingertip. (I’m lazy like that.) This formula glides on and is easy to build in intensity with a few extra swipes. I love the cashmere color.
Our magnolia garland has looked so lovely running down the center of our table for the past few weeks. It’s fairly dry now, so I’ve moved it to the top of our sideboard for the time being to make way for holiday tablescapes, though I do think the magnolia would look just spectacular for Christmas, too. One bonus I hadn’t fully thought about when I bought the garland was that — unlike cut flowers — it has a long lifespan! We’ve been able to enjoy it for weeks! I will definitely do garlands moving forward! I’m currently contemplating this holly garland, though I also love this bay leaf style…
A few other holiday tabletop finds:
PLAID TABLE RUNNER — I THINK THE GARLAND LOOKS MUCH PRETTIER SET ATOP A FESTIVE RUNNER
