By: Jen Shoop

Last week, I took my children by my childhood home, a great stone house on the top of a hill in northwest D.C. The hedges and trees that encircle the property — many of which, in my youth, were new plantings at the hands of my father — have matured to the point that the home is nearly invisible behind their green embrace. I craned my neck; I drove around the block; I squinted, as though such maneuverings could brush back the branches and lay bare the edifice beyond.

“You can almost see–” I trailed off, tilting my head, and —

“This is the funniest thing…” I murmured, peering at the branches, audience only to my uninterested children. I eventually drove away empty-handed though not downcast, curiously finding myself captivated rather than frustrated by the obstruction. The foliage had consumed the stone.

I had been dwelling, the previous few weeks, on a lost girlhood friendship. You see, I lost two close friends in my 20s, one to cancer and the other to — to —

I don’t know what. I have spent over a decade feeling my way around the bruise, hypothesizing about the cause of injury. Even though our breakup felt in some ways like a slow motion car crash, both of us bracing ourselves well before impact, shards and debris visibly gleaming with danger before the sluicing, I still could not tell you the exact sequence of events, or who hit whom, or exactly when or where the collision took place. Just that, all these years later, I still find myself tender to touch when her name materializes. Moving home has splintered planks and dislodged earth in the carefully erected fence between us, and, though she no longer lives here, I find her woven winningly into the near-physical memories waiting at every familiar corner and streetlight of my new-again home here in the D.C. area.

I think, perhaps, this is the way:

To let those branches, now dense and full with age and new growth, soften and screen the dense beyond.

Shopping Break.

+The lovely ladies at Maxwell + Geraldine just sent me one of their gorgeous Kate dresses in the classic blue-and-white stripe. I cannot WAIT to wear it!

+This Zimmermann-esque dress is nearly sold out but SO good — under $30!

+J. Crew has some fab new arrivals especially love this striped cashmere sweater (reminds me of some of the La Ligne ones we’ve all been loving — P.S., you can still find a bunch on sale here) and this plaid top.

+This Emerson-Fry-inspired caftan is restocked — you just can’t beat that price!

+Love Chanel’s Deauville totes.

+Love these bold paper trays for your office desktop.

+Just bought mini these terry shorts to wear over her leotard after ballet!

+Another really good option for a fall wedding, and it’s under $250. Super sophisticated! More wedding guest dress ideas here.

+This under-$20 cleansing balm is a TikTok sensation and keeps selling out. (Read reviews — v intriguing.). It looks like a more affordable but just-as-effective variation on the Elemis makeup-melting balm I love.

+Reformation has further discounted a ton of their pieces — these adorable floral mules are only $70, this gorgeous floral dress is $148, and this timeless white one is $83!

+These architectural lamps are SO good and SO interesting.

+Little boy NB sneaks, on sale. More fall finds for boys here.

+This is my favorite dressing ever. It makes my mouth water just thinking of it. I used to be able to get it at Wegman’s in NYC, and I just realized it’s carried in my local Whole Foods (phew) but there was a time where my mom would actually carry bottles of it back in her suitcase from their home in Naples, FL!

+These napkins are already inspiring me to think ahead to Thanksgiving…gorgeous starting place for a tablescape!

+Emerald green is majorly trending — this top is tres chic. (More chic early fall finds in this hue here.)

+Buy these jellies now while they’re 70% off and save for next summer.

+TBBC just restocked lots of pieces in their popular Belle Mead Bow print — I was finally able to get my hands on one of their play dresses in this iconic print. One of my favorite pairs of jammies on mini in her infant days was their night night in this pattern! (Perfect bringing-home-from-hospital outfit!)

+Speaking of TBBC, if you waited until the last minute to pick a back-to-school outfit, you’re in luck: their entire back to school collection is 35% off with code SCHOOLDAYS through today, 8/25.

+Love the look of these unfussy sneaks.

+OMG this tiny fair isle cardigan and this under-$20 flounce trim one!!!

+Cute dishware for a space-loving little.

+Can’t stop lusting after all the sweaters…

By: Jen Shoop

*Slippers above an amazing $12 Amazon score! Both of my children adore these, and I love the retro (almost “Christmas Story-esque”?) styling.

It’s been awhile since I updated my list of favorite children’s books (and also, our favorite toys — maybe will revisit that soon). I thought I’d share the ones my children are particularly captivated by at the moment. Many of the books from my initial list are still (!) getting a lot of reads in these parts, especially Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans for mini (she is fascinated by the injured soldier and has recently started asking questions about why Madeline doesn’t live with her father — interesting to see her gears turn! There’s actually quite a bit of meat on this sweet little book and it is such a poetic joy to read aloud) and Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom for micro, who simply loves the illustrations, especially the one where the father bear comes home while Jesse is on the swing.

Our other current favorites:

Wake Up Mr. B. by Penny Dale. Fabulous illustrations and a must-own for any fellow Airedale terrier parents! (It’s uncanny how much “Mr. B” looks like our own Tilly, including in how she’s drawn stretching, moving, etc.) This is a simple, illustration-centric book with sparse prose and therefore lots of opportunity to narrate what’s going on, which keeps it interesting as a parent! A sweet vignette on the friendship between a dog and a child.

Bonapart Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler. I bought this for mini last Halloween (pro tip: order now before it sells out in the pre-Halloween rush, as it did last year) and she insists on reading it year-round. I love the general premise of trying multiple different tacks to solve a problem. Clever!

Hug by Jez Alborough. Admittedly, this one is not my favorite — there is only one word in the book (“Hug”) and you have to read it over and over in various intonations, but this is one of my son’s absolute favorites. He loves to point out the animals and he grows increasingly concerned about the tiny gorilla looking for his mother. The end of the book is sweet — mama and baby are reunited! — and micro absolutely rent my soul from my chest when he pointed at the mother gorilla and said: “You, mama” and then at the baby gorilla, “Me, Hill.”

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee. A super clever book that introduces the concept of meta-fiction to tiny readers — absolutely brilliant. Mini loves this book at the moment, and there are some humorous images and set-ups that truly tickled me as an adult. Great illustrations and great at suspense-building.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. A continuous mainstay in our reading repertoire.

Truck by Donald Crews. Both of my children were fascinated by this wordless book, especially when we lived in NYC and were doing some driving to/from Manhattan — I think the tunnel depicted in the first portion of the book is meant to be one of the tunnels out of NYC, and the entire vignette looks familiar to them. This book interestingly led to the first time Hill said the word “rain,” out of the blue! (There is a page where the truck drives through rain.). It’s funny how sometimes these wordless books can draw out great opportunities for practicing words.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. A classic. I love the way this book broaches the related concepts of permanence, time, repetition, age.

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Long. It mildly offends me that this book is “recommended” alongside that “Dragons Eat Tacos” books, which is (unpopular opinion!) one of my least favorite children’s books! Grumpy Monkey is all about making space for one’s own emotions — not pushing them aside or attempting to imitate the mood of others. It does so with a light touch, and there’s a great ending vignette that is both heart-warming and hilarious. (It involves a gorilla with bandaids all over his rear end. I’ll let you guess how many four year olds love that premise…!)

The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler. Oh my gosh, this book. A simply though movingly illustrated book about a digger who tries to protect flowers from being uprooted in a building project and eventually replants the seeds elsewhere. My son is SO upset by the scene in which the flowers are torn from the ground — the illustrations are evocative! This is a great pick if you have a truck-loving little one and can’t stand reading “Goodnight Construction Site” again.

The Cyclops of Central Park by Madelyn Rosenberg. Oh I love (!) this book! It’s a whimsically illustrated tale about valuing the safety of home and the adventure of the outside world. Lots of New York haunts featured in it, too.

Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann. My daughter laughed hysterically the first few times she read this book. This is another one of those simple, illustration-driven books with minimal prose, but the premise is pretty funny: a gorilla unlocks the cages to all of the animals in the zoo and then they all pile into the zookeeper’s home. Not a particularly resonant message, but stimulating to young children, even tiny ones, who will enjoy pointing out the animals.

We’re Different, We’re the Same by Sesame Street. This one gets a lot of play in our home — mini is of course drawn to the Sesame Street characters, but it’s a thoughtfully illustrated book with lots to look at and, sometimes, a sort of “Where’s Waldo” vibe that sends mini searching for various characters. The broader premise is lovely, too — celebrating differences and at the same time calling out similarities.

The Napping House by Don Wood. This was one of my childhood favorites — I can remember my mother’s voice reading this with clarity. It has a great poetic sequencing, and the illustrations are evocative.

Wild Baby by Cori Doerrfeld. One of my son’s favorites — he loves pointing out the jaguar/cheetah that threatens the wild baby on every page and saying “oh no!!!” A sweet rhyming book about the limitless love between a mom and her baby.

What are your children’s favorite books at the moment?

P.S. Recent Amazon finds and — random and unrelated — this site is currently offering 20% off any full-priced item, including Yeti products. A good time to get a little price break on the Yeti Rambler Jr kids cup!

P.P.S. My favorite audiobooks (comments are a treasure trove!), though I haven’t been listening regularly to anything in awhile. I’m finding it difficult to find a space in my day for that at the moment. I now prefer to walk Tilly without listening to anything but the serenity of my suburban neighborhood (!) and simply find myself walking by foot far less. This reminds me of an old prompt: how do you find time to read?

P.P.P.S. Mom guilt.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image above via Ciao Lucia.

Q: Work bags!

A: Splurge pick is Loewe, which is having a major “It bag” moment right now — I love their Flamenco. I also like the throwback vibes of this Gucci — librarian-chic. I feel like I want to wear it with tasseled loafers and a trench! I also like the Rue De Verneuil totes, which are a bit more casual — but could definitely fit a laptop and would look so smart with a fall wardrobe. Clare Vivier’s simple tote is also a chic pick. I like the navy or the brown with the racer stripes! I still plug my Cuyana tote, too — it’s a workhorse (looks great after years of use), super elegant and understated, fits a laptop and everything else under the sun, and reasonably priced at under $200. If you don’t need to carry a laptop, I still think TB’s Radziwill bag is beyond and this Khaite is ultra-covetable. And if you’re in a more casual/trendy environment, this sherpa-trim Stand Studio would make a serious statement!

Q: Outdoor DC wedding in September.

A: It will probably still be pretty toasty here then — I shared a bunch of chic picks here, but my top picks are this Anthropologie, this Rachel Comey, this J. Crew, and this Ulla.

Q: The outfit in this pic!

A: It is Ciao Lucia! The ties in the front remind me of this Target score.

Q: Attractive mouthwash dispenser for my bathroom. Is there such a thing?

A: Quip makes one that looks aesthetically-pleasing/modern, but another route would be to decant your mouthwash into a glass carafe (look for less with this) and set it beside a matching cup on a tray. That would involve washing the glass a lot more, but it would look chic! Alternately, have you heard about Floris’ mouthwash? The bottle is gorgeous! You could use that and then refill with your drugstore variety when out. Ha!

P.S. More chic bathroom finds here.

Q: Dress for newborn pics that’s not white. A color or floral?

A: ByTimo has a lot of chic floaty options that would work — this blue gingham and this pink floral are gorgeous and figure-skimming (and with sleeves, which someone recently pointed out tends to be good for family photos). A bit bolder, but I love this Rhode or this Tuckernuck. If you’re comfortable with something a bit more fitted up top, I love this SEA dress — for a similar vibe in a looser cut, check out this $136 steal!

Q: A new everyday classic bag, preferably camel leather.

A: Khaite or Loewe will turn heads.

Q: Transitional outerwear.

A: I have a bunch of chic options in this post, but my top pick would be a quilted jacket like this or this. If you are more fashion-forward, this quilted, scalloped coat is MAJ and would go wonderfully with a closet full of Ulla/SEA/Banana’s new season. I’m also drawn to tweed longline cardigans like this or this. I’m also personally lusting after these capes and this reasonably-priced poncho.

A little heavier duty, but this coat…!!!!

Q: Cardigan in neutral colors.

A: I have been seriously eyeing this peplum cardigan for myself (also love this chunkier peplum variation), but the style is a little less versatile than others. A few other favorites are this ByTimo (look for less with this), this Alex Mill, this Gap, these chunky Jenni Kaynes, and this Kilte. Splurge: Khaite.

P.S. More chic sweaters here!

Q: Cotton fisherman cable knit sweater – not wool, nothing funky.

A: Is it funky if it has a funnel neck? I love this style, but they also have one without the funnel neck! I would probably size up and wear it a bit oversized with the sleeves pushed up to the elbow, or maybe order a men’s style in a size S.

Q: Winter bump-friendly dress for Baptism.

A: Congratulations to the baby! I love this Horror Vacui, this Cara Cara (I think this would accommodate the bump but not sure on waistline), the Nesli nap dress (will be launching a few plaid patterns this fall, so keep an eye out — alternately, you could “winterize” the blue with navy accessories/velvet shoes), this chic black LBD (very Jackie O.), and this Chanel-esque shift (would work if bump is small).

Q: A flush or semi-flush mount ceiling light for a toddler boy’s room.

A: This is sophisticated but I think can totally work in a boy’s room. I also like the look of this caned style and this drum style. For something a bit louder, this modern Crate + Barrel or this sputnik style (comes in tons of cool colors) would be fun. Finally, if you’re open to a chandelier, you must check out the fun styles at Stray Dog!!!

Q: Outfit for a 3.5 year old big brother to wear at his sister’s Baptism?

A: Navy blazer with an oxford and nantucket reds or khakis depending on season — timeless, and you can repurpose all of the pieces the entire season! (Oxford looks cute with shorts, jeans, etc; khakis work with polos/tees/etc.). Elephantito or Janie + Jack loafers!

Q: Every day fall maternity looks.

A: My formula was investing in good leggings and jeans as well as in-season statement shoes (clogs! velvet slippers! shearling mules!), buying Gap maternity tees in every color/stripe, and then swapping out trendy long-line cardigans and ponchos:

OLIVIA RUBIN

MOTHER

STELLA NOVA

TALBOTS

FAHERTY

MAJE

MANGO

ZARA

MARTA SCARAMPI

The great thing about this approach is that you can repurpose the shoes and cardigans when not pregnant! However, I’m also a big dress girl so I would have probably bought a couple of nap dresses in the tartan prints (they should be released in the next few weeks) to layer over maternity tights/turtlenecks. Earlier in pregnancy, I might have worn a sweatshirt dress like this or this with designer sneaks. Also, this on-trend dress would be perfect for a fall gathering (possibly Thanksgiving) and I think would work early in pregnancy.

Q: Black tie wedding dress for September that works with bump!

A: This is so tricky. Black tie dresses tend to be so expensive and I would probably not want to invest in something I know I may never wear again — hence, I’d turn to ASOS. Something like this would look so chic with a glitzy shoe like this, this, or this. These earrings would be great with the green of the dress! Runner up at ASOS: this lace top style in an elegant sage green. Pair with pearls or bows!

Alternately, this black dress MIGHT work with bump and could be worn after.

Q: Fall tops for nursing.

A: Congratulations! I actually think this boxy overshirt/shacket trend could be a chic ticket, layered over a nursing tank — you could go plaid (Isabel Marant started the trend, but get the look for less with this) or do some of the more polished styles from BR or Tuckernuck. Also love this wrap-style top, a timeless RL Oxford, and lots of the tops at Buru, which is a boutique specifically designed for nursing moms!

Q: An attractive or unobtrusive folding step ladder for use in our tall kitchen.

A: This Frontgate comes in great colors and boasts a sleek design. This white or black one also has a sleek architectural appeal that makes it look aesthetically intentional rather than purely functional.

Q: I know you like Kule — any other brands for basic ts, v-necks, long-sleeved ts?

A: J. Crew. To be frank, the quality is not exceptional (I find I retire them after a few seasons), but I love the fit and colors of their vintage cotton essential tee, which I own about ten of in white. I don’t like their “perfect fit” line but their essential / vintage cotton ones are super lightweight and flattering — something about where the sleeve hits on the arm suits me perfectly. I also turn to them for basics like henleys and tissue turtlenecks in fall. I also like Everlane’s box-cut tees in short sleeve and long sleeve, but those are less for layering and more of a statement on their own given their dimensions (i.e., slightly cropped / boxy). Finally, I love Outdoor Voices’ everyday white tee, which is not specific to athletic-wear and can be worn casually, too.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image above featuring Daydress’ quilted coats, set to launch soon.

If you’re coming from Pinterest, welcome! Learn more about Magpie here or subscribe to my Magpie Digest here! I’m so glad we found each other.

I am majorly tracking a cluster of peaking designers whose fall collections feel like a constellation of related trends that all play nicely together: patchwork, layered blockprints, quilting, oversized collars. It’s a nostalgic, homemade-looking vibe, as if all this time at home has led us to return to the handiwork and simplicity of decades past, too. A Magpie reader shared a fascinating article on the rise of the nap dress that makes sense within this cultural context, too: there has been a resurgent interest in the sphere of domesticity.

The designers at the tip of the sphere: Ulla Johnson, Caron Callahan, Horror Vacui, Sea, Nina Blanc, Mille, Daydress, Loeffler Randall, SZ Blockprints, Ganni. Take a gander at some of their pieces and styling work below.

From top to bottom: Horror Vacui, Daydress, Nina Blanc, SZ Blockprints, Ulla Johnson, SEA, Caron Callahan, Mango, Andion.

horror vacui dress
daydress quilted coats
nina blanc
ULLA JOHNSON TOP
nina blanc
sea jacket
mango gingham dress

Get the look…

fall 2021 trends

ROW 1: HORROR VACUI JACKET // ZARA VEST // SEA VEST

ROW 2: DAYDRESS // SABINA SOMMER // ULLA JOHNSON // DILLI GREY

ROW 3: SEA // GANNI // HUNTER BELL // FREE PEOPLE

ROW 4: MANGO // HORROR VACUI // MILLE

Even more picks below…

HORROR VACUI “IT” DRESS

TARGET STEAL ($30 AND TICKS ALL THE BOXES — LARGE COLLAR, FLORAL PRINT, FLOWY FIT, EVEN STYLED WITH CLOGS!)

STRIPED BLOUSE

HORROR VACUI JACKET

NINA BLANC VEST

MILLE DRESS 1 AND MILLE DRESS 2

SEA PATCHWORK TOP

GINGHAM DRESS (UPGRADE PICK: SEA)

ZARA VEST

HUNTER BELL TOP

LOEFFLER RANDALL VEST

MARIA DELA ORDEN DRESS

ANOTHER $30 TARGET SCORE

SABINA SOMMER DRESS

ULLA JOHNSON DRESS

QUILTED FLORAL CAR COAT

DILLI GREY

OVERSIZED COLLAR DENIM BLOUSE

$59 STATEMENT COLLAR BLOUSE

LR SMOCKED DRESS

QUILTED ANTHRO VEST

DAYDRESS

TARGET TOP

QUILTED PATCHWORK COAT

SEA COAT

CARON CALLAHAN VEST

SEA VEST

P.S. A few finds in a similar vein for little ones: this Old Navy, this La Coqueta, this Louisiella, this Long Live the Queen, this Cecil + Lou, this Zara.

P.P.S. 10 great buys for fall, predicted by you — the Magpie readership.

P.P.P.S. Utility buys for home and my favorite home gear.

By: Jen Shoop

The other day, I went running using an interval workout in the Nike Run Club app. It was difficult not only because I am finally easing back into my every-other-day running habit after a six-week-long hiatus owing to the move, but because I am still re-adjusting to the paludal humidity of the D.C. area (there have been points, as I have maneuvered back into this regimen, where I could have sworn I was actually moving backwards, the humidity suffocating my efforts) and my neighborhood is incredibly hilly compared to the relative flatness of my favorite running route around Jackie O. reservoir in Central Park. Beyond that, I’ve never done any interval training in my life, and my body reminded me of that negligence by the end of the workout. It was, however, strangely fun, possibly because of the novelty of running with a coach in my ear and possibly because the pattern of sprinting, then recovering, in sixteen brief segments made the time pass more quickly, or — perhaps — divided the overarching goal of running for thirty minutes into a smattering of tinier, more quickly achievable goals.

Around sprint six, however, my energy flagged. “Just two more,” I told myself. The coach in my AirPods, however, had a different tack:

“Do you know how many intervals you have left?” he asked.

“Two,” I thought.

“One. There’s only ever one left. The next one,” he insisted. In so many words: don’t think about the long game. Don’t derail yourself by worrying about whatever’s coming down the pike. Focus on the short-term, on getting through the minute immediately in front of me. To my genuine surprise, that sixth sprint was almost enjoyable. I resettled from my head into my body. I was able to keep at bay the calculations about how many more seconds I had and how many sprints lay ahead and instead focus solely on my breathing, on my feet hitting the pavement, on the movement of my arms.

Funny how sometimes the words you most need to hear materialize in the most unexpected places, isn’t it?

This week, my resolution is to focus on “the next one” in every realm of my life. Not “the one” — whatever that “one” may be — two days or two months or two years away. Just what’s immediately in front of me.

Post-Scripts.

+More on running.

+On the never-ending quest to live in the present.

+This breezy dress (would work with bump!) reminds me of something by Mille. This is so the vibe at the moment, especially if you layer under a chunky cardigan come fall, or perhaps pair with those shearling Birks in the interim.

+Chanel vibes via Talbots.

+The Vitamin C serum I ordered last week is now 30% off with code CREW30! This was one of the top most upvoted Vitamin C products when I polled you ladies.

+LOVE this new scalloped stationery from one of my favorite Etsy paper sources. I use this notepad from the shop daily!

+This gingham flatware is just so cheerful at a breakfast table.

+Never underestimate the power of Crayola Mess Free coloring sheets. We had some little friends over last weekend and the first 30 minutes of the play date involved happy, silent, mess-free coloring.

+A friend of mine recently asked what to take on a long car ride with little ones. Here are some ideas!

+I have heard really good things about this small, female-founded business that sells candles inspired by the signature scents of fabulous hotels.

+ICYMI: this $30 dress is a dream. This is exactly what I imagine wearing with clogs and a cardigan this fall.

+I have seen so many chic women trotting around in Horror Vacui — I love this dress, but just can’t figure out if the shape would do my any favors. I am intrigued by this dramatic quilted coat, however…

+Currently in my cart for my children.

+More adorable toys you won’t mind leaving out!

+Oo these $45 ribbed lounge pants belong in this post, n’est-ce-pas!? They remind me of some of the separates from high-end loungewear brand ARCH4.

+Speaking of ribbed knits, this cashmere sweater is on ridiculous sale and would look so sophisticated with a pair of trousers this fall!

+I’ve been meaning to put together a post of our current favorite children’s books, but I had to share this one, which was an instant hit in our home. My mom read it to mini and she LOVED it immediately — it has some silly sections and great illustrations, but the message is wonderful: It’s OK to feel what you feel.

+Cecil and Lou have two REALLY cute dresses out for fall: this plaid and this navy floral. PSA: I find this brand runs big.

+I saw this sweater on Julia Amory on Instagram and I am devastated I missed out in my size! It’s currently 60% off and she looked SO chic in it. Eyeing this one for myself…

+More on-trend sweaters at all price points.

+Cute lil dress for a lil lady.

+Fun shatterproof, reusable cups for an outdoor gathering.

+This pouf would be cute in a boy’s room.

By: Jen Shoop

My daughter has been begging me for more tees and leggings lately. I think this is because they are easier for her to put on herself (versus dresses with zippers/buttons/ties) and also, likely, because they are a bit of a novelty in her wardrobe. I have been hunting for a few tees and leggings I like and thought I’d share my favorite finds…

Tees for Little Girls.

HAND EMBROIDERED NAME SHIRT (SEEN ABOVE!)

FLORAL PRINT FROM EMILE ET IDA

STRIPES OR WHITE FROM PETIT BATEAU — BOUGHT HER A FEW OF THESE ALREADY; CAN’T BEAT THE PRICE, LOVE THE CLASSIC STRIPES, AND INCREDIBLE QUALITY

SOLID PIMA TEES FROM NANTUCKET KIDS — LAST TIME I CHECKED, THEIR PROMO CODE OF SUMMERSALE STILL GOT YOU 40% OFF EVERYTHING!

CHERRIES FROM BONPOINT

KULE

BASEBALL BAT PRINT TEE (ON SALE!)

THESE $22 AMAZON TEES COME IN SUCH GOOD COLORS AND PRINTS

RALPH LAUREN — THIS STYLE RUNS REALLY SMALL, SIZE UP

JACADI RUFFLE TEE

1212 LS TEES

ST JAMES MARINIERE TOPS — LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS

LACOSTE STRIPED TEE

CAT & JACK SOLID TEES ($4!) — THESE ARE HANDY IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC PAIR OF SHORTS/LEGGINGS AND WANT A CLOSELY COORDINATING TOP IN A SPECIFIC COLOR

PERSONALIZED BOW FRONT TEE

MAISON LABICHE (ON SALE!)

CHERRY/HEART PRINT — RYLEE + CRU VIBES FOR UNDER $10!

One strategy I have found helpful is proactively pairing tees with shorts/leggings that “go” with the pattern of the tee and stacking them in her drawers accordingly, i.e., rolling up the shorts with the tee that matches versus putting all tees in one drawer and leggings/shorts in another, in which case we might end up with Lilly shorts and a striped navy tee.

In general I find patterned leggings tricky, though — I tend to buy white, navy, and sometimes pink/gray solids from Old Navy that can go with more. However, I did snag a few pairs of these in the Liberty-esque floral prints — some as low as $4! — that have been popular with mini. A few other patterned leggings I liked:

THESE RIBBED ONES FROM MAISON ME COME IN GOOD COLORS

THESE ONES WITH HEART APPLIQUES AT THE KNEE

THESE STRIPED ONES WITH CHERRIES AT THE KNEE

THIS EIFFEL TOWER PRINT

THESE IN THE CORAL FORAL AND TAUPE STAR

Sometimes you can find cute leggings/tee sets — this one is super sweet!

Tees for Little Boys.

Boys I find much easier to outfit in simple tees. I aggressively search for Busy Bees Henry tees on sale and stock up whenever I find them — they are just the best quality and fit, and I appreciate the button closure. I also like:

GAP POCKET TEES IN SOLIDS

H&M 5-PACKS — COME IN A GOOD COMBO OF STRIPES AND SOLIDS

STRIPES FROM PETIT BATEAU

LES GAMINS

HADLEY & FINN

$16 MONOGRAMMABLE POCKET TEES

P.S. Bloomie’s is offering 20% off almost anything, including this rainbow striped Kule dress, which, with promo, is only $60!!!; this Reformation-esque dress (doesn’t it call to mind the Nikita?!), and this breezy tiered dress.

P.P.S. Recent Etsy finds.

P.P.P.S. I hardly remember the gal I was in my late 20s.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image above via Nina Blanc featuring their gorgeous gingham collared top.

A few great blouses I’ve been eyeing lately…

late summer blouses
TOP: SEA // HORROR VACUI // SEA; MIDDLE: ULLA JOHNSON // HUNTER BELL // THE GREAT; BOTTOM: ALEMAIS // J. CREW // BANANA

THIS SAGE GREEN GINGHAM — LOVE THE SCALLOP DETAIL, WHICH BRINGS TO MIND HORROR VACUI!

Y’ALL HAVE BEEN LOVING THIS UNDER-$100 COLLARLESS TOP

MORE HORROR VACUI VIBES FOR LESS ($115!) — OR HORROR VACUI ITSELF!

I JUST ADDED THIS UNDER-$30 TOP TO MY CART IN THE DARK GREEN…REMINDS ME OF ANDION AND A MICRO-TREND I’VE BEEN SEEING OF QUILTED TIE-FRONT GILETS FROM LOEFFLER RANDALL, HORROR VACUI AND A FEW OTHER BRANDS!

THIS GINGHAM NINA BLANC

LOVE ALL THE DETAILS ON THIS BY THE GREAT

THIS PUFF-SLEEVED MAJE, MARKED DOWN TO UNDER $70 — BRINGS SO MUCH INTEREST TO YOUR FAVORITE DENIM!

ADORE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SEA BLOUSE, BUT ESP THE QUILTING

THIS BALLOON SLEEVED STYLE IN KHAKI ($120)

ULLA VIBES FOR UNDER $30

HUNTER BELL DAKOTA TOP

ADORE THIS COFFEE GINGHAM EMERSON FRY

THIS LACE-DETAIL REBECCA TAYLOR STATEMENT (LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS)

THIS SMOCKED COLLAR LR — LOVE THE BUTTONS!

THIS BOW-FRONT ULLA — ALSO LOVE IN THIS PRINT

THIS DRAMATIC OLIVE GREEN LINEN

LUG VON SIGA SCALLOPS

THIS VERSATILE J. CREW

SEZANE’S CHLOE BLOUSE

SEA DITSY FLORAL

MILLE FLORAL

THIS POPLIN “BISHOP” TOP

A few pants/jeans I’m eyeing for fall, BTW…

THESE NILI LOTANS IN ARMY GREEN

THESE TOTEMES

THIS $31 PAIR FROM AMAZON IN THE TERRACOTTA COLOR

THESE DENIM JOGGERS (IMAGINE WITH CHANEL FLATS + THIS CARDI)

P.S. This tiered floral dress has been super popular on le blog — great for transition-to-fall. It has sleeves, too, which I know many of you find appealing for things like family photos! More great dresses here.

P.P.S. Do you agree with this: “Love isn’t a fact. It’s a hunch at first. And then later it’s a series of decisions, a lifetime of decisions. That’s love.” I’m not sure.

P.P.P.S. Thinking of sharing more fiction soon…in the meantime, what are you reading?

By: Jen Shoop

SEEN ABOVE: BACKPACK // NAME STICKERS // MUSHIE UTENSILS // RAINCOAT // BENTGO BOXES // RAINBOOTS // WATER BOTTLE // ZIPPERED POUCH // BIN // NAPKINS

We just got our list of school necessaries and I’ve been busy trying to track down cute options in each category. You know I love any challenge to make life more complicated than it needs to be. Ha! Thought I’d share a few finds for each. You’ll note I tried to stick to two major colors — seafoam and pink — to make it all work together.

Outdoor Blanket: Given that the children spend a lot of time and often eat outdoors, we were asked to provide a small quilt or outdoor blanket. I had long been looking for an excuse to buy one of these sweet block print quilts, and I snagged this adorable elephant print one, though I also love this flower print and this fish print.

Cloth Masks: We like the ones from Gap and Old Navy (though Old Navy doesn’t have any good prints at the moment) — I have purchased the masks from several other (often more expensive) brands, but these are the ones mini prefers, and I like that they are adjustable as well as non-precious/non-expensive. I found the game changer last year was a personalized mask chain. She LOVED this and it made life so easy for her when taking on/off to eat or drink — and she never lost a single mask! If you’re looking for something for a boy, I like this style.

Large Labeled Bin: To keep her spare clothes, etc., organized. I got this one and will affix one of her personalized name stickers on the front.

Pencil Box: There are SO many adorable personalized options on Etsy, but I ended up with this style in the matte “soft mint” color to coordinate with the seafoam, and did her name in white on top. I also considered ordering the decal from this shop and putting on an inexpensive Target box. I’m filling the box with Ooly markers and Faber Castell colored pencils.

Cloth Napkins: This is Montessori, after all 🙂 I bought her these adorable rainbow gingham ones. I also liked these polka-dot ones and these striped ones. In my search, I also discovered a trove of heavily discounted napkins at Williams-Sonoma — love these striped ones, these sealife ones, and these embroidered citrus ones.

Plate, Cup, Utensils: All Mushie.

Water Bottle: Yeti.

Slippers: Mini’s previous school also had indoor shoes, though they were required to be Natives in navy. At her new school, the only request was a soft pair of slippers, and the teacher mentioned a lot of girls like ballet slippers for this purpose. I am torn between buying a second pair of ballet slippers (just purchased her a pair for ballet on the weekend) or maybe going with a pair of classic Minnetonkas?! I loved these when I was little and then wore them again all the time maybe a decade ago when they came back “in.”

Large Reusable Bag: I have several wet/dry bags but because this is specifically for soiled clothing, I wanted a bag that could be thrown into the laundry and washed itself, so I went with this one from Bumkins. Wet/dry bags we love as alternatives: PBK (can be personalized), these Etsy finds (remind me of Roller Rabbit, and these ones remind me of Love Shack Fancy!), and Grace + James.

Blanket for Nap Time: I asked mini which blanket she’d want to bring from home for this (we have so many from her younger years — I must have received ten blankets as gifts when she was born!), and she chose a sweet Monica + Andy print one. These are super soft and come in really great prints, colors, patterns, etc.

Not on the list, but I did order her one of these Stoney Clover-esque pouches with her initial on it for items like glasses wipes, eye patches (she has amblyopia), etc. I actually had made up my mind to order her a Stoney Clover backpack for school but when I mentioned the prospect, mini had other ideas — she just wants to use the same backpack she used in Manhattan, which was emblazoned with her former school’s logo. (All the children at her previous school received the same backpack.). So, there we go! (If you’re still on the hunt and not liking what you see, have you seen these $30 striped ones on Amazon, these personalized blush denim ones, or these Liberty London lettered ones?

And, a few great (chic!) buys for your back-to-school list: these $25 rain boots (the pulls make them easy to pull on, and they come in such good colors); this $30 lined rain coat; Bentgo boxes.

While we’re on the topic of back-to-school and the start of fall, I did want to share a few cute Halloween pajamas, as these always sell out insanely fast…

GAP

THESE FROM GRACE + JAMES

CARTER GHOSTS – THESE REMIND ME OF CASPER!

LITTLE ENGLISH

PETIDOUX

LOVE THE PATTERNS FROM LILA AND HAYES!

If you want a special pair of back to school jammies, these ABCs are beyond!

P.S. More school finds.

P.P.S. Fall finds for little boys and girls.

P.P.P.S. A really tough parenting moment.

By: Jen Shoop

The trail of ants down the paper-towel-wrapped stems of the saturated fuchsia and milky pink peonies clipped from the bush right off the kitchen, a mesmerizing nuisance on the short ride to school as I clocked the order and metronome of an other, formican universe, and a mild embarrassment when the posy was deposited shyly into the palms of my teacher, her mouth an “o” of surprise, her eyes warm and watery at my mother’s considerateness, at the unexpected gift.

Or the spring-loaded screech then too-fast slam of the screen door, which nipped at ankles and forbade discretion

On my mother’s morning errand, amidst the melee of five mouths to feed and ten sticky hands to wipe,

Down the steps to the flagstone patio, where my father had replanted her cherished peony bushes.

Even with syrup dripping off the table into a pool on the floor, and with my sister wailing from her high chair, and with the imminence of “Jennifer, put on your shoes! Time to go!”, I principally recall the measured, satisfied pace of my mother as she reappeared in the kitchen door frame with those peonies, as if their temporary manifestation in our home was itself a beneficence.

I did not get the fuss over that plant, nor the way my father lingered in front of the apple blossom tree that rained late-May petals onto our circular driveway, whose dip and curve was visible to me from the perch of my childhood bed,

Where my sister and I would cast magic with words far past bedtime, in those borrowed and forbidden hours, and my mother would occasionally sit rubbing my aching legs when I complained of growing pains, the presence of her face when I’d blink my eyes open from sleep nothing short of a miracle.

Perhaps it was that late-May snow-like petal fall that first hinted at the majesty my parents celebrated whenever my father would slow his car to an idle in front of the forsythia on the right side of our driveway in March, a riot of electric yellow against the dead-and-gray of late winter, where spindly grass poked through stubborn patches of ice, and we could still fog up the glass of the window with our whispers.

“But isn’t it beautiful?” he’d ask, gesturing at the forsythia, harbinger of imminent thaw, and we’d murmur or nod in bewildered or shrugging assent, shifting in our seats, anxious to return to play.

Or the way he’d drive the back way home from Church and put his car in park on the far side of our home, at the foot of the hill on which it sat, and point out recent plantings from Johnson’s on Wisconsin Avenue, or the growth of the boxwood hedge he’d installed at the property’s perimeter.

At the time, I could neither fathom nor feign their interest in such things. But now I see

When morning schedules have limited give, and time for tending to the plants in our own yard requires elbowing around plans, and entire months hurtle by in a blink,

Their care and nurture,

Their marking of the seasons,

Their every admiring comment at the blossom-then-fade a reminder that

Time is a gift.

Post-Scripts.

+Moving back to the D.C. area has triggered a lot of lovely memories that took place in my childhood home. A few favorite glimpses from this period captured elsewhere on my blog:

D.C. AND THE PAROCHIAL WILD

THE SWINGSET IN OUR BACKYARD

BARBIES WITH MY SISTERS

MEMORIES OF MAY, FIRST COMMUNION, PEONIES OFTEN COME RUSHING IN, ENTANGLED

+More on my parents.

+On our decision to move home to D.C.

Shopping Break.

+I am loving this statement blouse.

+If you are a Bugaboo mom, we absolutely love (!) this cozy foot muff in the winter. Currently 20% off!

+Two other great blouses: this Staud and this under-$100 En Saison, which brings to mind Ulla Johnson.

+And two chic sweatshirts: this Clare V. and this Velvet, whose color j’adore.

+This sweatshirt dress is chic!!! Pair with cool girl sneaks and hit the road.

+These longtime popular melamine plates are back in stock! Great to keep on hand for outdoor dining, or to give away with parcels/trays of treats on them at the holidays.

+This dramatic bed is seriously cool — it looks like it belongs in a chic hotel in Barcelona!

+This under-$100 dress is absolutely adorable.

+In love with these everyday earrings.

+This polo sweater midi dress looks far more expensive than it is. Pair with super polished flats for a Ralph Lauren vibe.

+A cute and inexpensive set of birthday plates for little ones. I actually really like the lidded cups that are included in that pack, though I use them more for snacks on the go for mini, who is really beyond using snack catchers.

+If you don’t want to invest in a labelmaker (though it is one of my favorite home gear purchases ever), you can buy pre-fabbed pantry labels for common items here or here.

+I love ghost chairs.

+This gorgeous tailored Brock Collection dress is 65% off…

+Handy dividers for a little lady’s dresser — great for organizing underwear, socks, hair bows, etc.

+More great home organization gear here!

+This was one of my most-worn dresses this summer, and it’s now like $50! I ALWAYS get compliments on this.

+The Dudley Stephens look for littles, for only $12!

+Another sweater I’m drooling over. (More great sweaters for the fall season here.)

+&OtherStories has some really fun new offerings — loving this white blouse (so elegant!), this printed maxi, and this frilled denim mini.

+This under-$50 cardi could be a great wear-with-everything staple, but especially to throw on over fall dresses.

+This ring is seriously fun. I haven’t bought a cocktail ring in ages and ages, but this is intriguing me.

By: Jen Shoop

Some fall finds with interesting textures to mix and match for a rich, layered look…

chic fall textures 2021

KNIT WRAP JACKET // PLAID TOTE // CABLE KNIT TROUSERS // SHEARLING BIRKS // ALEX MILL CARDIGAN // $10 TWEED HEADBAND // SEA SWEATER // CORDUROY BASEBALL CAP // VELVET FUR SLIDES // CHLOE JACKET // CHLOE TROUSERS // CORDUROY HEADBAND // CASHMERE SOCK BUNDLE // MANOLO MAYSALES // VELVET HAIR TIE // SHEARLING CHANEL

Even more incredible cozy layers and textures below…

VELVET FUR SLIDES — I WORE THESE ALLLL FALL/WINTER LONG AT HOME LAST YEAR WITH MY TARTAN NAP DRESSES

THIS ELEGANT JACKET IS UNBELIEVABLE — READ THE DESCRIPTION: “GIVES A SUBTLE NOD TO A TRADITIONAL KOREAN GARMENT KNOWN AS A HANBOK”

$10 TWEED HEADBAND

CASHMERE JOGGERS — AND THESE TRACK-STYLE CASHMERE PANTS ARE 80% OFF!

CANNOT BELIEVE THIS DRESS IS ONLY $60 — LOOKS LIKE MISSONI

THE SEA SWEATER ON EVERYONE’S MIND

$30 FLEECE – LOVE IT IN THE IVORY COLOR!

DOUBLE-FACED SHIRT JACKET (THE PINE COLOR — SWOON!)

CORDUROY BASEBALL CAP

PLAID TOTE

LOEWE SUEDE SNEAKERS

I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THIS CHLOE JACKET AND THESE CHLOE TROUSERS…A VERY SIOBAHN ROY MOMENT

MANOLO MAYSALES

LOEFFLER RANDALL WOVEN LOAFERS

SHEARLING BIRKS

ALEX MILL CARDIGAN — SUCH A GREAT PRICE!

CABLE KNIT TROUSERS — THESE LOOK LIKE A DREAM

DROOLING OVER THESE CAPES

BARBOUR FLEECE

UGG SLIPPERS (BEFORE THEY SELL OUT — HAD A HARD TIME FINDING THESE IN OUR NANNY’S SIZE WHEN SHOPPING LAST CHRISTMAS!)

TEXTURED KNIT CARDI

CHECKED TAFFETA TOP

RIPSTOP TOTE

FUR TRIM CLOGS

CORDUROY HEADBAND

VELVET + BROCADE FLATS

SHEARLING CHANEL

VELVET HAIR TIE

CASHMERE SOCK BUNDLE

REVERSIBLE QUILTED COAT

P.S. More great fall coats here.

P.P.S. A trick for falling asleep.

P.P.P.S. Do you consider yourself creative?

By: Jen Shoop

My Latest Snag: A Bunch of Small House Purchases + Some Back to School Buys.

Nothing super exciting, but I’ve been slowly making my way through a lengthy list of small items I’ve wanted to buy for our house since moving in. I really like to take my time to research each item versus rushing to buy a bunch all at once, but this past week’s progress included…

EGO EDGER*

SHORT-TERM COUNTER STOOLS**

SOAP DISPENSERS FOR KITCHEN AND POWDER ROOM

KITCHEN RUGS (GOT THE LONGER ONE FOR IN FRONT OF OUR RANGE AND THE SMALLER ONE FOR IN FRONT OF OUR PRIMARY KITCHEN SINK)

*We now have the electric mower, edger, string trimmer, and leaf blower. These purchases have brought so much joy to my husband, I can’t even tell you. They are electric (work off rechargeable batteries) and SO quiet compared to gasoline-powered models. We have a lawn service, too, but Mr. Magpie just loves mowing the lawn — I don’t understand it, but it brings him pride/pleasure, so here we are. The leaf blower might be a good gift…

**We will be working with an interior designer on our kitchen/family room soon but we really, really wanted counter stools to use immediately. This set ($140 for 2) fit the bill and I love the design and the great blue color! Plus, they arrived in two days!

I also bought a bunch of fall items for the children this week — soccer shoes for micro; a few pairs of Cientas and blue Vejas for mini; a bunch of Gap basics (many of which are still marked down!); a raincoat for micro; new kick shorts (she wears these under her dresses every day), socks, and undies for mini; a sherpa fleece that matches my own; and mini’s first-day-of school outfit. I ended up going with this black watch tartan jumper and matching top instead of the La Coqueta (details on that and other back to school outfit ideas here) because it can still be very hot here in the D.C. area in September, and I didn’t want her in a thick long-sleeved dress. I figure the jumper could even work with a SS peter pan collar top if it’s hot the day of.

You’re Soooo Popular: Transition-to-Fall Dresses.

The most popular items on le blog this week:

+Tiered floral dress.

+This fab Target score dress!

+Adorable scalloped-edged personalized stationery — I ordered a set too!

+Discounted Dudley Stephens fleece!

+Insulated cups in pretty colors.

+Reformation’s Edita dress.

+We all love this smocked-neck top from J. Crew.

+Ultra-chic woven basket.

+Bottega-inspired pouch for under $100.

+Wool dryer balls — a great upgrade to your household! More details here.

+Fab splash pad for end-of-summer backyard hangs! (My children LOVED this.)

+Chic and simple side table.

+Knotted toile headband.

+These cableknit tights are just the best for LOs.

+Sweetest pleated trench for a little lady!

+Weird to get excited about floss, but this stuff is realllllly good.

Weekend Musings: Drags and Lifts.

Every now and then I write a post that follows me around for days, a shadow I cannot shake. Sometimes this “stickiness” is constructive: I tinker with a concept, go back and edit, work through my own thoughts, emerge on the other end at some new level of understanding or awareness. (“I write to know what I think,” etc.) I was hoping my post about some of the ups and downs of our lives in the past decade earlier this week might yield clarity along these lines, but I remain at an impasse. Relieved and starstruck and fulfilled by where I am now, but still sad — even bitter — about some of the things we lived through. How do I let those heartaches go? Do I want to let them go? In some ways, they productively shape my outlook and decision-making now. In other ways, they are nothing more than drag when I am in perennial search for lift. It’s likely the answer that I need to continue to think on them and work through them, not erase or ignore, as attractive as that sounds.

Anyhow, just some ambling post-scripts that have been nettling me at odd hours of the morning, noon, and night since publishing that post. While we’re in this “behind-the-scenes” and unplugged mode, I want to add a learning borne of the last ten years that did not fit neatly into my musings earlier this week and that I therefore excised, but that I have come to truly believe:

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Thomas Jefferson

If you had shown me this quote a few years ago, I would have rolled my eyes. Often, especially in entrepreneurship but also in any complicated office environment, there are so many factors beyond your control — the movement of the markets, the trajectory of the industry, peers competing for positions, bosses with bad attitudes or inferiority complexes, the financial health of the organization, the existence of competitors, the arrival of COVID, poor workplace culture, lack of resources, timing of business idea, etc. Hard work is, frankly, only a part of the success-making equation in this context. And yet. I see now that persistence and industriousness over time — I mean long swathes of time, like decades of my life, across academic settings, multiple professional ones, and some entrepreneurial endeavors — have led me to this moment where I feel challenged and rewarded by what I am doing in measures beyond my wildest dreams. I don’t mean to be self-congratulatory; I mean to remind myself to always lean way in. Work ethic does pay off. It may not seem that way for you at the moment — you might be burning the midnight oil at a job you hate, or years away from the title you want, or starting over in a new career — but hard work is noticed, and rewarded, over time.

Post-Scripts: Work Outfits.

+Been getting a lot of requests for fall work outfits. First, pleaseeee check out Banana’s new arrivals. I got so many DMs from you about this chic launch and we are all losing our minds over it, especially this top in the khaki color and basically all the dresses. I didn’t even mention this wrap style but OH! SO good. One of you mentioned that a friend who has a closet full of Ulla Johnson showed up a lunch in it in the butterfly print! Another reader with an insider’s connection to the brand mentioned that they have a new CEO and that this is their first launch, with a bigger and very exciting launch coming in September! Wheee! GO, Banana!

+Two other chic work finds for more conservative offices: this tweed dress and this Chanel-esque shift.

+These $12 caterpillar jammies! OMG.

+Urgent: these fur-lined clogs are 40% off all of the sudden! You can see them styled here.

+For your Peppa Pig-loving little.

+These dual-ended eye shadow sticks are brilliant — two color options in one product.

+Unfussy striped tee for a little one. Sometimes basics are so hard to find!

+Still loving this hot pink running top.

+WOW this coat. Can’t unsee it…too chic! Love the cut.

+This cardigan is goals.

+More great outerwear here.

+These earrings are stunning and only $60!

+Some amazing finds at Tory Burch’s private sale — I am drooling over this bib front dress, this windbreaker, and this fall floral.

+Fun statement shades for fall.

+Just added these suede boots to my son’s fall shopping list.

+Darling patterned turtleneck for a little lady. Imagine paired with this cute jumper from this roundup of adorable finds for little girls.

+Why do I want these GG sneaks?

+Ordered one of these tees for mini!

+If you have a little one between the ages of 1-2, I loved these little sets for mini after bath! So soft and cozy. Perfect lounge for a tiny little lady.

+Grasscloth side tables.

+SOL Angeles joggers for littles, on sale!

By: Jen Shoop

*Image of Joan Small above from Mario Testino’s celebrated towel series.

I often apply a face mask while getting ready for an evening out. The four below are the ones I most often reach for —

Clarins Lift Affine V-Facial Intensive Wrap. I wrote a full review here, but my love for this mask has only deepened with time and use. I often do not even think I look particularly puffy or bloated, but this mask somehow depuffs and chisels my features with every use. It is unreal! I often use this from my cheeks/nose down to my neck (you are supposed to avoid the eye area) and a different mask on my forehead, which seems to me does not benefit as much from de-puffing action.

Origins Rose Clay Retexturizing Mask. I am in general drawn to masks that harden and then must be removed with warm water. I think anyone who came of age in the 90s remembers the Julep mask (which must have recently gotten rebranded — remember the OG bottle with green mint leaves on the front?), which was my first experience with a facial mask and I assume the same to be true of many of you. (Incidentally, this mask is still pretty good! I had occasion to test it a few years ago and was impressed!). Anyhow, ever since, the experience of leaving a clay-like substance to harden and then be wiped away with a warm washcloth = synonymous with self-care. I just love the feeling. The Origins formula is fantastic and leaves skin baby soft and slightly flushed, as I mentioned earlier this week. This is the mask I nearly always use on my forehead while Clarins is working its magic on the cheeks and below. BTW, you can score a 1 oz size to test for only $8 at OffFifth. (Toss in cart when buying a faux-diamond band for your next travel excursion.)

Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask. For the reasons outlined above, I love a clay mask, and this one is my second favorite (just behind Origins). I tend to use it when I want a deep and thorough clean feel, whereas the Origins mask just seems to smooth and soften skin in general. Fresh’s formula makes me feel as though my entire face has been totally scrubbed clean, pores and all.

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Face Mask. Ladies, run. This has been SO hard to find (discontinued?) and I just found a cache of it at Zulily. This actually might be my favorite face mask of all time simply because I use it so frequently. I often wear it to bed when my skin is feeling dry and dull. It is super-gentle and super-effective. My favorite overnight treatment! It is ultra-hydrating and rejuvenating and it smells like heaven. I have given this as a gift to at least three or four women I love. I know many of you are also mega fans — RUN!

Kate Somerville Exfolikate. (Currently 20% off with code!). OK, this is not exactly a mask — it is described as “a two-minute facial” — but you can leave it on your face for up to two minutes and it’s a dream for breathing life back into dull skin. It is bracing, refreshing, toning. This is your best bet for a quick pick-me-up for a dinner date when short on time. For some reason, this brand and this product were all the rage maybe five years ago and it’s sort of gone quiet since. It is SO good though!

There are also a couple of face masks I want to try that have been sitting in my shopping cart for a long time —

Chantecaille Bio-Lifting Face Mask. At the very top of my lust-list, as it has been recommended the world over. It purports to solve for wrinkles and fine lines. I find this brand to be very expensive but very effective.

Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask. This is one of those cult-favorite products I’ve heard mentioned countless times — apparently it fizzes slightly and leaves a squeaky-clean-to-the-pores feeling. I’m so intrigued!

Leah Lani Meli Glow. I’ve read about this now a few times — it apparently smells like a tropical smoothie and leaves skin impossibly glowing, illuminated, and hydrated. I also love that this is a female-founded small business.

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. This is more of a treatment than a mask, but apparently it really turns on the lights in your skin. I have been intrigued by this clean beauty brand for awhile — I know a few of my friends are huge devotees.

What about you? Any must-try face masks you want to throw into the ring here?

P.S. My other top recs for getting ready before a night out: Eberjey romper and Weezie SS robe — I hate the feeling of sweating while blowing my hair, and these two are my go-tos for staying cool. I love that the Weezie robe has short sleeves that don’t always get in the way while I’m blow-drying or washing my face. That said, this HHH robe has been sitting in my cart in that pretty trellis floral print as we head towards cooler weather…so fluffy and darling! I also swear by these DryBar hair clips for sectioning hair while drying, these for keeping hair out of face while applying makeup (do not cause any kinks/creases in hair!), and of course my Revlon One Step, which continues to be one of my favorite discoveries of the past five years. I literally HATED drying my hair and would often just give up and let it airdry and then feel unkempt, and this transformed all of that for me. Best $40 I’ve spent in a long, long time. I’ve mentioned this elsewhere but my only gripe is that I find it difficult to achieve volume with — I get a great smooth, straight blowout with it, but not much oomph. I’ve been playing around with these hot rollers over the last few weeks — after I blow dry, I section a couple of the areas right around the top of my head and wrap them in hot rollers for about ten minutes. I’m actually really impressed with what I’m able to do with the bangs part of my hair (i.e., the top section of my hair, right along the part) now with the hot rollers, but the rest is still a work in progress.

P.P.S. How do you take care of yourself?

P.P.P.S. Remember my dilemma about what to do for counter stools in our new home? We decided we are going to wait to invest in something while working with our interior designer and bought these in the great stormy blue color as a stop-gap, as we really needed a place to perch at the end of the island, and they are inexpensive (2 for $140!) and arrive in two days. They’ll go great with the blue and white striped kitchen rug/runner set I bought (I bought the 2×3 size for in front of the sink and the 2×7 size for in front of the range/stove). You can’t beat the price for a little colorful face lift in the kitchen! Also, we did end up buying the Ume soap dispenser for our kitchen sink, which at first I thought might look a little modern, but Mr. Magpie loved the style and the fact that it won some design awards, and on second glance, I realized it did kind of work on top of our white farmhouse sink!

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