THIS WIDGEON COAT WAS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FOR MINI WHEN SHE WAS UNDER A YEAR — THE VELCRO CLOSURE MAKES IT SO EASY TO PUT ON AND OFF A TINY ONE, AND I LIKE THAT THE HOOD CAN BE CINCHED
P.P.P.S. I still routinely cry (happy tears) thinking about my son’s birth.
By: Jen Shoop
During the Olympics, I read an interview with a coach who said: “I respect the athlete most of all at the start line.” That is, “showing up,” ambitiously putting yourself out there time after time, merits as much respect as audacious results do.
I was thinking of this the other day when my friend Grace, who recently relocated her life to Charleston, wrote on Instagram: “If you are thinking of taking a big chance, or making a big change in your life, but stepping out of your comfort zone scares you…DO IT! A wise person once told me that fear is the only thing that gets smaller as you get closer to it. Run towards the fear.”
I have found that it has become increasingly difficult to make big changes in my life as I get older. I am more entrenched in routines, carry more responsibilities, and have been on this earth long enough to be circumspect about the lure of “ease” in any pursuit. It is harrowing to begin again, to resume the posture of the novitiate, to abandon what’s comfortable. But I sit here and implore myself not to let my age and episodic curmudgeonliness stymie my aspirations.
I have so many friends on the starting blocks right now — awaiting first or second or third babies, starting new careers, easing back into the working world after maternity leave, leaving hometowns, returning to hometowns, contemplating career moves, enduring IVF —
And I just want to say that if you are among them, and waking up in sweats, or throttling yourself through all of the possible permutations of failure ahead, or wondering if you shouldn’t pack up your running shoes —
+This post simultaneously reminds me of this F. Scott Fitzgerald quote — which I have just learned to be an apocryphal attribution?!: “It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.’
+It also reminded me of this quote from Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming…”
+If you’re looking for fall-appropriate nap dress-like pieces: consider this Anthro, or check out this new-to-me brand, Neve and Noor: I love this dress and this one, both of which would look amazing with clogs.
+Those Neve and Noor dresses would also be chic picks for an early fall wedding, but more options here.
+These gingham hair clips are too cute for a little lady.
+Chic food storage (love for snacks on the go — colors are so good). More chic food storage picks here.
+Hunter finally released a good milk pink color boot for little ones! This color was so hard to find — I remember searching high and low for it for mini when she was younger. (Look for less with these $22 pairs in great matte pastel colors.)
+Ultra-chic sweater — very Parisienne. More great sweaters here.
+Speaking of sweaters, I did buy this chic cardigan and it arrived and it totally consumed me — way too enormous/oversized. The collar was bigger than my head! Wah. I think I may have to downgrade to something a bit more demure in proportion, like this or this.
+I have found super simple block typeface stationery extremely helpful over the years for condolences, more serious/professional/formal thank you notes, etc. This one is classic.
+More great affordable personalized stationery options.
UPDATED 9/3 — Will continue to update this post as I discover new promos!
Had to publish this one now because tonight at 8 PM EST, Minnow Swim is launching one of its rare sales (they run two a year). I always use the occasion to buy suits for next summer! Ladies, prepare your carts! I have these boardies for micro and this suit and this rashguard for mini in my cart. Though this brand generally runs TTS, I usually size up a bit when estimating for the next summer season. At the very least, the larger size should work by the end of summer? UPDATE: clothes are included, and I absolutely love these shorts on micro. They are cut short (above knee) and he has been wearing their khaki and blue and white striped ones heavily! Might need this sweater, too…
+Mango is offering 30% off orders over $150 with code EXTRA30. In my cart: this cardigan and this dress, as well as a few of these $12 tees I shared yesterday.
+Extra 60% (!) off sale prices at J. Crew, in addition to the 40% off promo for new arrivals (favorite picks here). That means this timeless navy blazer is under $100 (love the gold buttons), my favorite tees are around $6, this khaki blouse is under $30 (the color is so on point for fall), and basic tops for little ladies are under $10 — like this flutter sleeve style.
+Maxwell + Geraldine is offering 20% off sitewide (plus free shipping and returns) — as I mentioned earlier this week, I cannot love this dress more!
+J. McLaughlin is offering an extra 40% off all sale items, and there are some serious gems. I love this darling clutch and this tweed jacket, which is styled in a very vanilla way on the site but would look major with on-trend denim and a striped turtleneck. (Love stripes and tweed together.)
+Bellabliss: up to 70% off (discount automatically applied). This dress is the kind of thing I buy now and put away for Valentine’s Day! I ordered mini this dress for next summer or the one after!
+Very tempted by the discount on this Julia Amory dress…I own and adore one of the longer-sleeved styles, but do I need this short-sleeved one?! Although — mini owns this dress; should I twin with her in this?
I am super inspired by the silhouettes seen on chic peas Jules Sarinana (above) and Julie below. Above, Jules wears DL1961’s Hepburn Pants (on sale in one lucky size here; if you are lucky, you can find a very similar cut at Gap in khaki, but it’s running in extremely low stock). I believe Jules is wearing these Levis below (more sizes here; very similar: these white Mother jeans), and this $12 Mango tee! I feel like this silhouette would look fabulous with these pointed toe suede mules I ordered.
VERONICA BEARD (ORDERED THESE — THIS SILHOUETTE MAKES ME SUPER HAPPY)
A different silhouette, but I am also drawn to these kick flare crops, especially with a blazer (ultra-covet: one of these outrageous Blaze Milanos — you can find some on absurd sale here — but also love this J. Crew) and maybe a corduroy ballcap?
Unrelated to either of the above, I cannot stop thinking about these loud Zara pajama-style pants, to wear with a cutaway tank and black sandals. WOW. And also unrelated: do I need cableknit sweats like these or these? Chic!
“I’ve been down this road before I remember every tree Every single blade of grass Holds a special place for me And I remember every town And every hotel room Every song I ever sang On a guitar out of tune
I remember everything Things I can’t forget The way you turned and smiled on me On the night that we first met And I remember every night Your ocean eyes of blue How I miss you in the morning light Like roses miss the dew
I’ve been down this road before Alone as I can be Careful not to let my past Go sneaking up on me Got no future in my happiness Though regrets are very few Sometimes a little tenderness Was the best that I could do
I remember everything Things I can’t forget Swimming pools of butterflies That slipped right through the net And I remember every night Your ocean eyes of blue How I miss you in the morning light Like roses miss the dew.”
-John Prine
I recently heard this John Prine song performed live by Brandi Carlile, and my heart climbed into my throat without my fully understanding why. The next day, I found a video of John Prine performing the song live towards the end of his life and I sat with it in tears. It troubles me, how little I have left of my memories of my friend Elizabeth. Writing about her tempts me into believing that I am mitigating the loss, as if the preservation of the smallest details about her in language might somehow pin her permanently to me. Prine’s lyrics run along similar grooves: despite his insistence that “I remember everything,” we find ourselves lingering upon the image of roses without dew and butterflies that have “slipped right through the net.” That is, he paints the striations of grief.
In the face of these erosions and the largely futile epoxies we use to deter them, I will take to heart his reminder that “sometimes a little tenderness // is the best I can do.”
I wish I could remember everything, but today my tenderness will be enough.
+I have resisted these sneakers for years, but suddenly I am drawn to them. The velcro bothered me — did they look a bit too childish? — but all of the sudden I like the idea of wearing them with a striped dress like this or this. (Note, however, that in the latter image, the brand has styled the dress with clogs!)
+Speaking of — if you only want to dip a toe into the trend, consider this $35 pair (a dead ringer for Rachel Comey)! Imagine paired with a fall dress like this or with the your favorite jeans and this swingy tunic sweater we’ve all bought. These ones are also now marked down to under $50 (!) and Loeffler Randall just marked this cute pair down as well.
+OO this stool would look so sweet in a bold print (like the seahaven toile) in a nursery.
+I am in the midst of testing the Biossance Vitamin C oil and will share a full review soon, but wanted to mention that the other top two recs from Magpie readers were Skinceuticals and this Obagi one, which I found on sale! (Also available in a 20% concentration, also on sale.)
+I have two tops I bought from Forever 21 in my early 20s that I still wear every single season — one is a simple black crewneck nit and the other is a marled gray u-neck top. I am surprised they’ve made it so long, but I still love the fit of both! I recently stopped by their site and ordered this square-neck tee with similar optimism! The white or blue will be great with a skirt like this!
+Oh my goodness, I got a free sample of Diptyque’s Fleur de Peau and I am IN LOVE. I think I’ll be wearing this all fall. Super soft and feminine — sort of like cotton and fresh flowers? Amazing.
+SIMPLY adore this ruffle-edged sugar and cream set and the salad plates, too.
+Two great everyday dress for little ones heading off to school, both on sale: this Bisby and this pocket dress. I would pair the Bisby with Cientas (<<40% off and in the greatest shade of blue!) and the pocket dress with pink Vans or colorful Vejas.
+Can you EVEN with these shoes for the holidays?! Or let that little tartan bow be your tie in with your children in a family photo!
All of the sudden, both of my children HAVE sized out of their pajamas. I have been purchasing from some new brands, and I have to say that I adore our new pajamas from Nella Pima (seen above) — I bought mini the hearts and micro the stars and both prints remind me of high end linen company D. Porthault! They are sublimely soft and nicely cut — similar in cut and quality to TBBC, whose patterns I also adore.
For slippers, you know I love these bunnies, but I just ordered mini a pair of Minnetonka slippers for school because they are meant to wear “indoor slippers” there during the day. You can get the look for less with these from Target for $15! For home, I am eyeing these cozy slippers (also available in larger sizes) for both of my children for the winter. So snuggly! You can get the look for less with these. And for babies — these sweet crocheted ones from Tartine et Chocolat!
P.P.S. On muscling through a tough parenting period: “And what to do then but embrace the mercurialness? To squat at her side and tinker with toys, to brush the hair out of her eyes (but not insist on re-tying her hair — no, no, that would be too much and too precarious at this moment), to sigh inwardly, to study that perfect little face and peer into those expressive little eyes and wonder at what is going on inside and what measure of it belongs to my own skill as a parent.”
Q: Dress for a garden wedding at night in October.
A: My first thought was Agua Bendita — this navy one is spectacular, but this one could also work thanks to the long sleeves (doesn’t look TOO summery). This reasonably priced botanical dress would also be tres chic with a red lip and updo, and I love this SEA. More possibilities here.
Q: Activewear, especially leggings and sports bras for running.
A: My favorite sports bras for running — the ones I reach for morning after morning — are from Gap and Champion, both conveniently at or under $20/pop. For some reason I have hated nearly every higher-end sportswear brand for bras, including Lululemon, Alo, and Outdoor Voices. Gap and Champion are much stretchier, softer, and less restricting and I swear I’ve had styles from both Gap and Champion for at least six or seven years…? Definitely good value buys! I also love the Beyond Yoga racerback tanks (they have a built in shelf bra), and I do wear them running, but I am modestly endowed, so proceed with caution if you are differently built, as I don’t think they provide much support. But they are SO soft and SO flattering! I love the neckline and back. A few other chic sports bras I have been eyeing…
V MUCH INTO VICTORIA BECKHAM’S COLLAB WITH REEBOK…LOVE THE COLOR AND BACK OF THIS PAIRED WITH THE MATCHING LEGGINGS
For leggings/bottoms, check out Tracksmith. Some Magpies turned me onto this brand and the quality is incredible. I have found the brand runs pretty small and would advise sizing up!
Q: Outdoor dishes and silverware.
A: I love this well-priced beaded-trim set, which has a Juliska-esque vibe to it. Accordingly, upgrade pick would be Juliska’s Berry + Thread set in melamine! (Also love their matching acrylic cups.) I own and adore these botanical melamine plates and they would be a fun statement addition to the white beaded set. For outdoor cutlery, I love this reasonably priced bamboo set and Sabre’s gingham!
Q: Work shoes with good foot support.
A: This is definitely not my forte (I am forever drawn to uncomfortable and impractical, but very cute shoes), but I do have friends who swear by AllBirds when comfort/function is paramount. These flats are sleek and simple in black, and I also kind of like the Missoni vibes of the dusty pink pair.
Q: Entryway moment/furniture for space <24″ wide.
A: OKL makes a super-narrow upholstered console that could be just what you’re after. I would place a tall, thin lamp and a decorative bowl for keys on top! Alternately, forgo the furniture and splurge on a fabulous entryway light fixture like this and a bold runner (<<Missoni vibes for less). Annie Selke has the best bold patterned rugs at reasonable prices — also love this, which is similar to the one I had in mini’s nursery.
Q: Toddler girl book storage solutions. We have so many books!
A: I really love the Ikea Kallax system for toddlers. You can put woven baskets in the bottom row of cubbies and then use the top row(s) for books, and everything is organized and reachable by little hands! Very Montessori. And you cannot beat that price! The cubbies are also deep enough to get away with two rows of books if you need to — I did this when we were short on space in Manhattan and would rotate books hidden with the ones in front every few weeks. C+B just came out with a similar style bookshelf that is probably even better quality. You can also add some of these cute acrylic shelves (or wood ones) to some of your walls for added book storage space. Finally, a caddy like this or a cart like this or this are small, layerable pieces of furniture you could, for example, nestle alongside an armchair or tuck at the foot of a bed if you’re short on space.
Q: Little boy nursery finds.
A: Congratulations! A few favorite recent finds for a little boy’s room:
Also — all of these toys are attractive enough to double as decor!
Q: Dining table and chairs.
A: I’m drawn at the moment to more formal/traditional in the dining room — I like this polished walnut table (tables with leaves are so wonderful when hosting bigger groups!) or this elegant style (you’d need a designer to help you get this one, but so chic!). For dining chairs, we have upholstered ones from RH and I love the look (get the style for less with these). I also like these similar square-backed ones.
A: This is SO chic and would make such a statement in a bedroom. You’d have to exercise restraint in what you keep on your bedside table, though! This caned style is also super interesting, and I like the simple/clean lines of this PB style.
Q: Pretty pajamas to wear in hospital after delivering baby girl in October.
A: I just saw that Petite Plume came out with beautiful hospital gowns, which are so practical and chic. Personally, I couldn’t wait to switch into my Gap nursing nightgowns, which I layered beneath a supersoft Eberjey robe. Both layers are ultra-soft and lightweight and made me feel like I was swaddled in comfort. I preferred a nightgown because I’d had a c-section and didn’t want anything like a waistband near my incision, but I also LOVED my Lake maternity pajamas those first few weeks and they’ve become my go-to gifts for new moms. You might also consider a Hill House nap dress (breastfeeding-friendly, and can be worn without bump!) — gorgeous!
Q: Classic pendant for a kitchen table. Trying to keep it under $500 if I can.
A: I love the look of this one (in medium size, right at $500), this one, and — on the “classic coastal” side, this one. More chic lighting picks here.
Q: Chic diaper bags or bags for moms with littles.
A: High end: Chanel Deauville or Goyard St. Louis — just use pouches to stay organized! I have used my Goyard St. Louis the most for everyday as a mom, but I also like the MZ Wallace quilted backpack when I need to be hands-free (i.e., taking both children to a museum, etc.). For bigger outings/day trips, I have been loving my Paravel tote (a gift from my mom, who had it hand-lettered with initials!) and MZ Wallace’s Medium Metro Tote is the best utility pick for air travel with littles because it is SO LIGHTWEIGHT, holds a TON, and zippers at the top (sometimes crucial when jamming under a seat).
For something less expensive, I LOVE boat bags. So practical, durable, and inexpensive. Minnow also has a roomy style with a cute floral lining and I also think these Courtland ones with the floral initial designed by the talented Riley Sheehey would be cute as a girl mom!
Let me pause with the fall inspo for a sec to say — it is HOT in these parts and though I am buying like it’s mid-November, I am living in peak summer. I have been living in this Maxwell and Geraldine dress (seen above) that was generously sent to me a few weeks ago. (I’m wearing it with this engraved heart necklace that so many of you also now own — I can’t believe it’s under $40!) It’s a gorgeously lightweight material, and I love the loose skirt that barely skims the body. So easy to wear in heat! A few other dresses in a similar vein that can really withstand high heat and humidity:
STILL GETTING A LOT OF WEAR OUT OF THIS SIMPLE MINI* IN WHITE — SIMILARLY, LOVE THIS CROCHET COLLAR MINI FOR A BOHO MOMENT — WHICH I PAIR WITH HERMES ORANS AND BIG SHADES
I OWN THIS IN YELLOW (ALSO LOVE IN THE LIGHT GREEN) AND FIND IT’S THE SIMPLEST THING TO THROW ON WHEN RUNNING AROUND BEHIND MY CHILDREN IN THE SPRINKLER — INEXPENSIVE, UNFUSSY, LIGHTWEIGHT, FUN! — BUT MUST ADD THAT THE LAST FEW TIMES I’VE WORN THIS, I’VE GOTTEN A TON OF COMPLIMENTS?! I THINK YELLOW IS AN UNDERREPRESENTED COLOR
WEAR THIS $34 DRESS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK AND NOW SO DOES MY MOTHER
*By the way, Everlane is currently running a sale and my favorite box cut tee is only $13 in a chic-for-fall taupe, and I am stocking up on these basic tees while they are only $10. (I mentioned last week that Everlane is one of my favorite sources for layering basics/tees.) I also absolutely live in this fleece in the winter (I have it in oat, but the pale sage turned my head) and it is somehow only $22?!
**Also: thanks to the Magpie who alerted me to Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty promotion, where they mark down select beauty products for 24 hours for 21 days in a row. Tomorrow, 9/1, my favorite face mask from Origins will be 50% off! I wrote all about it here! And on September 10, this fabulous facial cleanser from Indie Lee will also be 50% off. I love this gentle cleanser — I always travel with it. You can see the entire schedule of promotions here.
The Christmas card photo outfit recommendation requests are rolling in. I’m sharing a bunch of pieces that will play nicely together so you can pick and choose what jumps out at you. I wouldn’t be afraid of mixing plaids, especially if they are in different scales (i.e., a big check on you and a tiny check on her).
