RENEW FLEECE RAGLAN SWEATSHIRT — WEAR THIS SO MUCH IN THE WINTER AND IT IS ONLY $22 IN THE CHICEST MISTY (MAGPIE) BLUE COLOR?!?!?!; I OWN IN THE OAT COLOR, WHICH IS ONLY $33
The other morning, I was wearing a white dress with my hair in a low bun and I looked in the mirror and said: “I need gold hoops to complete this look.” Nearly all my earrings are studs or drops — and now I am determined to fill the void in my jewelry box. A few favorites:
Have you ever been to the Amalfi Coast? I’ve mentioned a few times that Mr. Magpie and I would love to take a vacation, just the two of us, to Italy in the not too distant future, and — besides making a trek to Frosolone, where my Italian great-grandparents were born and raised — I would love to make a stop on the Amalfi Coast. Below, a few pieces that are speaking to me inspired by just such an itinerary stop. (And if we can’t make it there, we can always buy the gorgeous Assouline coffee table book showcasing showstopping photographs of it! More great coffee table books here.)
I did buy micro and mini matching watermelon swimsuits for Sal E Pimenta on sale — this for mini and these trunks for micro. (Won’t they be perfect against their inflatable watermelon kiddie pool?!) I do find this brand runs really small, FYI. There are also some really good swim sale scores from Sal E Pimenta and other similar brands at JoJoMommy! And speaking of Sal E Pimenta: I did come across this adorable duffel I should have included in my roundup of chic travel gear for the entire family.
P.S. Lots of cute backyard and pool toys here. These blinged out goggles are very popular with the little ladies — I’ve noticed so many of mini’s little friends own them.
I sent this quote (discovered on the depths of Instagram) to a friend going through a rough interaction with someone in her life:
“Always say ‘my peace is more important’ when you find yourself reacting to something that doesn’t deserve your energy.”
Easier said than done when your emotions are at an eleven, but those words have been helpful to me in the past and I thought I’d leave them here.
P.S. The quote above feels akin to the logic behind “pressure is a choice.” I often revisit that quote, too.
Post-Scripts: Jenny Walton Inspo.
+Ladies, ladies. I saw Jenny Walton wearing this slip skirt in navy with a $39 Uniqlo sweater and I’m not above admitting I am 100% going to recreate this look from head to toe in fall. V. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Jenny wore hers with chunky Church’s sandals, which are not really my vibe (though she totally rocked the look!), so I would probably pair with Chanel captoes or a pointed toe flat like this or this.
+Lots of great LoveShackFancy scores on serious sale here, too.
+Just discovered a cool new drapery company that customizes your order to the dimensions you need at a reasonable price — brilliant! I am actually eyeing these for micro’s room!
+The brand also sells some fun throw pillows — love these. (More chic throw pillows here.)
+We have a great utility room in the basement and I think I’m going to buy a bunch of these racks for the space.
+Gorgeous blue summer dress from Saloni. Actually, moving made me realize I’ve neglected the fleet of Saloni dresses I purchased a few summers ago. The way they cut their garments is *chef’s kiss.* They are somehow able to create the most gorgeous, lean, flattering lines — and I am SHORT! I am currently wearing a navy dress of theirs from several seasons ago and it makes me feel like a million bucks. Love this jumpsuit of theirs for date night (at home OR out!).
We haven’t yet bought too much interesting stuff for our home with the exception of an outdoor dining set-up I discussed in detail here as we are still waiting to kick off our first projects with the designer, and, as has been well-documented here, I am exercising patience and restraint and aiming to go slow on decorating this forever home. A Magpie recently wrote to counsel me along the same lines, and I took it to heart:
“Well, my last piece of advice is don’t buy anything for your new home on a whim.  When my husband and I first started out I always wanted to fill space and have a proper home.  But Tom always said we should wait and buy quality. He was correct. I worked for Ralph Lauren creative services for years – simply meaning I did the interiors of stores. I wanted a ‘full’ house.  I’m so glad we waited for truly lovely pieces.  Also, ‘live’ in a room before hanging artwork or pictures.  I promise it works for the best. “
If someone with the aesthetic prowess of designing RL stores advises me to wait and gather slowly, I will happily follow her footsteps.
Still, there have been about 200 purchases in the “utility” and “organization” arena, and I thought I’d share a few in case they can serve as shortcuts for women in similar boats:
+These navy piped outdoor cushions ended up working great on our inherited white-wicker couch and chair set. They look much more expensive than they are. My only other option was buying my own fabric and taking the existing cushions to a tailor to make some, which seemed daunting.
+I finally found a better solution for stowing my children’s Duplo collection. (They both LOVE Duplos and we’ve amassed a lot of sets over the past few years.) This $20 tub on wheels almost looks like a toy itself — like it could be a Little Tikes wagon! — but is the PERFECT size and weight for Duplos. The lid is easy for the kids to get on/off but it really stays put!
+My husband bought a new Weber kettle pro (with a little table attached — super handy!) and if you/your spouse is in the market, hurry! These were basically sold out everywhere/backordered everywhere else!
+Thermacell rechargeable mosquito repellant. I am shocked at how well this works. We were being destroyed by mosquitoes the first few days after we arrived! You turn this little contraption on 20 minutes before going outside and truly the mosquitoes LEAVE. You do need to buy refills for this little guy — just a heads up! We also have been keeping our tiny but mighty Vornado angled towards the children whenever they eat al fresco (basically every meal). The porch has great overhead fans but it’s nice to have this one pointed directly at my children to keep mosquitos at bay! They also make cute retro-looking styles!
+I have also been liking these wipes from Cutter — I swipe them on the kids when they are going to be traipsing around the backyard for a spell. I am terrified of deer ticks. A close family friend had Lyme’s Disease and it is no joke!
+We’re going to spray paint the wicker set with a fresh coat of white to make everything pop. A friend of mine urged me to buy one of these professional-grade sprayers to expedite the process — she just went through the same process with her own set and said her wrist/finger would have killed her if she hadn’t! I haven’t yet pulled the trigger on this because I don’t understand what paint I need right now…more to come on that.
+Our powder bath has a cool grasscloth covering the previous owners installed, and I added the largest size of this caned bin for under the sink, for holding toilet paper and spare hand towels. The two play together so nicely. I’m currently on the hunt for some splashy/fun hand towels in there. I can’t decide what color to go with, but there’s a lot of beige/white and I want a pop of something. Any suggestions? Maybe I’ll go with a dramatic monogram style like this. I also love the little linen hemstitch styles with fanciful patterns embroidered on them but I find them so uninviting to wipe hands with? (Also, require ironing…)
I read a quote two or three weeks ago that has sat uncomfortably with me for awhile:
“People-pleasing is an unconscious attempt to control someone’s opinion of you.”
Initially, I bristled at the idea that accommodating someone else’s wants, needs, or preferences was in some way self-serving, or self-aggrandizing. If anything, people-pleasing seems to me akin to self-erasure! I think back on my teenage self and feel my “people-pleasing” instincts were a manifestation of politeness at the expense of backbone, or lack of confidence, or fear of rocking the boat rather than a subtly nefarious desire to control another person. However, I’ve been riding this rodeo too long to know that when something nettles me for weeks on end, there must be something deeper going on. (Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.) I’ve been wondering ever since whether there is some connection between my “people pleasing” tendencies in my teens and early twenties and my discovery earlier this year that I have on many occasions in my life assumed too much responsibility for things outside of my control. Is it all of a thread? Something about owning more than I can, or carrying more than I should?
Tangent: it seems as though there is a spectrum that runs from selfishness to self-care to empathy to people-pleasing. I suppose the ideal spot is, to borrow that quote from my sister that I’ve shared previously: “holding your needs in one hand and the needs of others in another,” i.e., right smack dab in the middle of self-care and empathy.
What do you think? Does this resonate? Have you ever been prone to people-pleasing? How did you move out of it?
+OMG – Little English just restocked their classic quilted luggage for littles (which I just mentioned here!) and are offering a monogram on ALL FOUR PIECES of the set for only $1 through this weekend (7/18). The discount appears in cart. A great way to get a tailored and personalized tote at a reasonable price.
+Only a few of these gorgeous dresses left — perfect for a Baptism, bridal luncheon, etc. Reads Oscar de la Renta to me.
+Three great, minimalist, cotton/canvas totes for summer: this Cuyana (looks like Celine to me), this Dagne Dover, and this Paravel (I got the one with blue and red stripes! SO chic — they also just launched a few new colors).
+Has anyone tried Hoka One One running shoes? Chic and I read a few reviews online that, despite the thick sole, they are ultra-light and great for running.
I am newly obsessed with the brand La Ligne, purveyor of gorgeous striped sweaters and perfect minimalist dresses. I was able to find a bunch of incredible pieces on sale that I wanted to share, and I have to say the striped sweaters in particular are a great buy. They are classic and never go out of style! They also work on chilly summer nights or in the dead of winter. Just eterna-classic!
I also am lusting after this perfect black smocked dress…on sale for 40% off. Should I pull the trigger?! I’m not even a black dress kind of girl (patterns and colors, pls and thank you!) but this is just tailored perfection.
When was the last time you felt truly happy? Where were you? Who were you with? What were you doing?
It’s funny – with children, I find delicate slivers of that elated, full-to-the-brim feeling sprinkled throughout the week. I took my daughter on a “mama-Emu day” (Emu being a nickname we have for her) earlier this week: pediatrician for a wellness check and three (!) shots (!!), bagel shop for a car picnic, a haircut, the post office, then cupcakes as a reward. Amidst the moments of hesitation and the flood of vaccine tears and some plying on my part, the entire morning, I found myself glancing at her little flushed-from-the-90-degree-heat face in the rear view mirror as she narrated our journey: “Mama, are we in the city now?” “Mama, are we all the way to New York?” “Mama, why did we turn here?” “Mama, look at that big blue truck!” At one point, I looked back at her and there was cream cheese on her cheeks and her fingers were playing idly with her “Foxy” stuffed animal and her enormous hazel eyes were drinking in the whole world in enormous gulps. I thought my soul might burst out of my body. It was a near-delirious kind of happiness, the sort that leaves you laughing at inappropriate moments or smiling dumbly at the stoplight.
I feel similarly when rocking my boy to sleep, or during those unexpected moments of tenderness where he wraps his arms around me, or sprints over and takes my hand to show me something very important, like the sprinkler turning on in the backyard, or a spiderweb on a bush branch, or a plane flying overhead.
And, too, when my husband slips out of the bedroom when he first hears my son stir in the morning so I can continue to sleep, and yet I lay there, somewhere between awake and asleep, and I listen to his conversations and reprimands and laughs with our two children, and I think: this is good, God is good. And when he does those little husband things, with near-reflexive considerateness, not even out of conscious kindness, just — ho hum, this is the way it gets done for my wife! — like setting up my desk and desktop computer and new chair for me in my new office as a top priority during the move-in, and putting the non-shattered bedside table on my side of the bed (one was distroyed in transit — sob! — and he just, like, assumes that the broken one will be his), and figuring out — wordlessly — which day to take the garbage out to the curb, and bringing my glass of wine to me when I’ve left it downstairs, collecting condensation on the coffee table. And, too, when we are sitting together on our new patio after the children are down, talking about nothing and everything, the night spooling out in front of us into the still-shocking backyard, glittering with fireflies. Little dubloons of goodness that send my heart to the top of the flagpole and leave me wanting for nothing but more of him. (And one more, and one more, and one more…)
These are the little moments of glee, of near-reckless happiness, glimmering sequin-like throughout the drag and pull of everyday parenting and adulting which — let me be honest — has felt particularly leaden-footed these past few weeks, where, for example, all I need to do is empty this box into the medicine cabinet, or answer the phone call from the pediatrician, and yet there is chaos and rule-setting and cries for milk and bruises and the now-new process of defining boundaries in a now-new home. It has been a lot. Still, these tiny ducats of happiness gleam gold throughout.
Now that I think about it, is it possible to experience a full day of happiness? A full afternoon? Or does happiness always exist like this: in startling sips? I think back on a couple of fantastic trips, experiences, meals, special occasions, “golden hours,” and I feel as though maybe I’ve “rounded up” and written the entirety of the day off as “happy” when I’m certain, come to think of it, there were moments of stress or frustration or quietude tucked in there alongside the good. And what does it mean that I think about happiness as little dots along the seams of my days? What am I feeling when I do not experience that elation? Am I simply in neutral? I do not feel that my default state is on the negative side of the equation: I think that when I am not consciously sad or happy, I am sitting in a position of receptivity. Do you feel that way, too?
Shopping Break.
+Apparently clogs are going to be big for fall. I mean, I truly lived in my No. 6 clog boots last winter, but now I’m even eyeing actual clogs, like these, these, these, or these. What say you?
+I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love this label maker.
+I bought mini these $25 rainboots in blue — per her request for blue rainboots — and was surprised at how well they held up! Not as flexible rubber as Hunter, but nice! And the little hooks make them easy to pull on.
Mr. Magpie and I had the advantage of several months of lead time before our move to D.C. I have never experienced a move like this before — normally, the onset of a new job dictates moving logistics, and they tend to be accordingly harried and slapdash. This go around, we were able to set the terms, which abstracted some of the stress from the situation and enabled us to luxuriate in New York’s attractions prior to our departure. For those dwelling in NY or arranging an upcoming trip, sharing a few of the items on our tick list over the last few months:
+Empire State Building. Had never been and, frankly, it was lovely to be able to take it in under COVID protocols. We purchased timed tickets ahead of time, breezed through the exhibits, and spent about ten minutes circling the observation deck. It wasn’t quite what I had anticipated — “Sleepless in Seattle” and “An Affair to Remember” misled me into thinking you could walk in, jump on a set of elevators, and emerge on the deck? Instead, you must meander through a lot of indoor curations like cattle. When we did get to the top, I was struck less by the majesty of the city and more by the feeling of alienation from a city I thought I knew. Central Park looked so strange from that vantage! Still, an interesting take on the city. Did anyone else feel a little “smeh” about the expereince?
+Bemelman’s Bar at The Carlyle. The ultimate New York spot for a glass of champagne and live piano music. The walls were hand-painted by Ludwig Bemelmans (famed illustrator of the Madeleine series) and it is such a fascinating people-watching spot. (When we went, we overheard some entrepreneurs being pitched by a venture capitalist — yes, you heard that correctly. The VC was trying to win over the entrepreneur! I was desperate to know what the entrepreneurs had done to secure such fawning and attention!) The bar reopened just in time after a long COVID closure. You can secure reservations online. If you go, get dolled up!
+Mets Game at Citi Field. We went on the hottest day of summer and my poor pregnant sister was absolutely baking. We took lots of breaks in the concessions area. I personally think there are more attractive stadiums (Wrigley! Camden Yards!), but I love how easy it is to get out there from the city. Just hop on the 7 and you’re there!
+Sailboats at Central Park Conservatory Water. We made a big day date with friends of ours to sail the model boats in Central Park only to find that they are permanently (or semi-permanently?) closed. Womp womp. Instead, we let the children climb all over the Alice and Wonderland statue close by and then wander around Sheep Meadow.
+Picnic on the Great Lawn. Sheep Meadow is probably the most densely-packed open area for picnics in Central Park, but we grew to prefer the Great Lawn, which is slightly quieter, though then you have to contend with errant balls from the baseball diamonds there. Both do not permit dogs, which was a relief given that my children often wanted to run around shoeless in the grass. The Great Lawn has a spectacular view of the cityscape and is surrounded by gorgeous trees that are unreal in spring and fall especially, but gorgeously lush in the summer, too. We enjoyed a final Father’s Day picnic there, bringing treats from Salumeria Rosi and a bottle of rose. To be honest, this one was a little more difficult to appreciate given that we spent large swathes of nearly every single day at the Great Lawn while in peak COVID quarantine last summer, so it lost its luster a bit for us, but approaching the picnic with intention and gratitude helped me step out of my zone and realize what a magical spot it is, right smack dab in the middle of Manhattan.
+MET Museum. You could spend days here and still have more to see. The Frick is probably my favorite art museum in the city (small and impressive collection — I especially love the Sargents they have!), but we didn’t make it back there. MET is iconic and I thought it would be more interesting for my children. (I was wrong — they were pretty bored. Haha.)
+NY Historical Society. We went for the exhibit on Katherine Graham (CEO of the Washington Post). I mainly like this museum because it was walkable to us and they have small, focused exhibits on super narrow / super niche subjects, though I was underwhelmed by the Graham curation. The first room was a lot of text on walls that could have been read online, and the second room presented outfits worn by celebrities and dignitaries to the famous Black and White ball, which was apparently thrown in Graham’s honor. It was a strange setup for the inaugural exhibit in a new wing of the NYHS dedicated to showcasing pioneering women. I felt as though the design was problematic — half of Graham’s exhibit was about a social ball and the outfits worn, which seemed ill at ease with the general thesis of the previous room (that Graham was a bold businesswoman) and the wing’s purpose in general. I also felt that the exhibit did not explore some of the more interesting themes worth contemplating, i.e., Graham’s father purchased the newspaper with no background in the journalism business and then Graham took over with a commensurate lack of experience in publishing, yet Graham was taken to task for her lack of know-how and her father was not. Such interesting gender dynamics there, and the entire subtext of privilege/inheritance, too. Anyway, there was so much meat on the bone but the exhibit did little to provoke or stimulate conversation. But I digress. I still feel this is an interesting venue for taking in small sips of information.
+92nd Street Y — The Y was still doing mainly online programming when we left so I wasn’t able to complete this one on my list, but I have several fantastic memories attending programs and readings here and urge you to check out their in-person offerings once things are back in full swing. I’ll never forget the night my sister and I went for an In Memoriam poetry reading after poet Mary Oliver passed away. The evening was lowkey — the auditorium was not even full! — but was emceed by Maria Shriver and Hillary Clinton unexpectedly stopped by to read one of Oliver’s poems, too. My sister and I were just sitting there, blinking, from two or three rows away. The most powerful moment of the evening, though, was when Oliver’s caregiver stood and received a standing ovation for her tender care for HRH Oliver in the final years of her life. So incredibly moving, and such a powerful reminder of all of the wonderful people that make our worlds go around with little praise or acknowledgement. I still get chills thinking about it! I think Oliver would have appreciated the moment — its fairness, its tender-heartedness, its dignity.
+Jane Carousel, DUMBO — Such a fun day for the little ones. The carousel looks out towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Afterwards, we had pizza and ice cream. There are tons of amazing restaurants (and a new “food hall” with fun/high-end eats) there.
+Despite my grumblings on this front, we did make it down to the turf-covered plaza in front of the Metropolitan Opera. Much to my surprise, the kids loved it. For 15 minutes. But, it was convenient to let them run around before brunch in the area.
+Camp Toy Store — This was a last-minute, last-week-in-NY impulse decision influenced by a girlfriend who had been there the day prior, but Camp just opened up a spectacular new toy store at Columbus Circle and you can buy tickets to avail yourself of their many art stations on the second floor. There are toys to paint, a splatter room, splatter art, tie-dye, etc, etc. My children loved the art stations but I think they loved the toy store itself even more — there’s a little “race track” where kids can test out toys with wheels, a disco room covered in sequins, a car parked in the middle of the store that children can climb into, press buttons, and loads of well-curated toys. They were in heaven! Such a fun activity for a rainy day. I think we could have spent a few hours there.
+Intrepid Museum — We had been once before but I took the children and they absolutely loved this permanently-harbored navy aircraft carrier. One of the floors of the museum is child-centric, and my children could climb into cockpits and space shuttles. They loved it! Strongly recommend, even though climbing up and down the narrow ladders of the boat itself were too difficult for a two and four year old. No worries, though — just checking out the planes on the top deck, the Commander space ship, and that child-centric floor were enough to keep us busy for a good long stretch.
+So, so many great meals out the last few months — highlights for me were aperitivi at Bar Pisellino, burgers from Red Hook Tavern in Brooklyn, donuts from WildAir (sandwiches are fantastic, but if you can get your hands on their sure-to-sell-out donuts, DO IT), and dinner at Contra (our farewell dinner, and it was so inventive, so memorable, and so NY! If you go, do not miss the soy and caviar dish. One of the most unusual and tasty dishes I’ve had in a long while!). We also ate at a lot of our favorite neighborhood joints (many of them detailed at the bottom of this post), and I especially enjoyed the delicious pork and chive dumplings and spicy beef noodle soup at Vanessa’s, which I think we ordered once a week for the last few months…
+Other activities we’d already completed within the last year that I would add to this list if you’ve not yet done them, all doable under COVID protocols: Storm King Art Center, lunch at Blue Hill at Stone Barns (so worth the trek and expense — absolutely one of my favorite meals we had in NY), Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo (Emory virtually lived there when she was an only child and we lived closer to it, but we made many excursions there with both children, too), High Line (very touristy/crowded pre-pandemic but not bad now, especially if you start your day at the Whitney Museum and then grab something to eat down there before walking up the high line with a coffee), Chelsea Market (there is a great seafood shop in there, The Lobster Place, which we bought most of our seafood from while living in NY, and a great butcher, Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, where we bought most of our meat!), Eataly (just so fun, and we also did a lot of our shopping here), Madison Square Park (mini’s school was close to this park; there’s a great playground there, lots of green space to roam around, and a Shake Shack right in the park for a glass of wine / snack of fries), Natural History Museum, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, and The Ramble (a forested area just north of the Pond — it feels like you are miles from Manhattan tucked away in there!).
I know I missed loads of amazing things to do in NYC, especially outside of Manhattan. Please chime in with recommendations!
+Going to be doing a utility-oriented post about lots of finds like this for our new home, but wanted to share this clever broom set-up: you buy the handle and can screw on tons of attachments. I’m strangely excited about the deck brush attachment, which I plan to use on our flagstone porch before we have company.
+Speaking of the new digs: currently itching to buy everything but biding my time and knowing that working slowly (and with the help of an interior designer in certain areas) will be the best strategy. Still, I have been angsty about getting the family room sorted. We are planning to buy a sectional and then I keep gravitating towards an upholstered ottoman as a coffee table. I think I’m crazy because I know it will get stained in a second, and you’ll need to use trays to keep items on top of it, but then again I just love the look…
+This dress looks supremely easy to wear on an everyday basis in the sweltering and humid D.C. area temps.
My favorite finds this go around. I don’t yet have access so have instead added items to my wish list in anticipation…
(01.)STOKKE TRIP TRAPP HIGH CHAIR — If I could go back and do it over, this is the only piece of baby gear I would swap out for what I purchased. I just love the look of this chair. Envious that my sister is buying one! I like the gray color that’s been discounted. So chic!
(02.)FP OVERSIZED DISTRESSED SWEATSHIRT — Have had my eye on this for awhile. Would wear tone-on-tone with Lululemon Aligns, i.e., the FP sweatshirt in green with the Lululemon olive green Aligns, or the sweatshirt in pink with the violet colored Aligns.
(03.)CHANTECAILLE FAUX CILS MASCARA — Many people have raved about this crazy expensive mascara. I’m going to see if my mom wants to go in on this two-pack with me so we can both test at a discount!
(04.) DAGNE DOVER ORGANIC COTTON TOTE — Love this unfussy but highly practical canvas tote. Would be great for children, gym, or work.
(06.)RAG & BONE FELT FEDORA — I saw this and immediately added to my cart. I think this would be so chic for an outdoor activity this fall…apple picking? Fire pit hang with wine? So chic with a fall dress or jeans and a fantastic sweater (currently hoping to get my hands on one of the ones from Alice Walk).
(07.)BOBBI BROWN EXTRA LIP TINTS — Mentioned these so many times over the years, but my favorite balm-with-a-little-extra-tint situation for everyday wear. Glides on, non-sticky, and affords just the tiniest bit of color. Can be applied without a mirror, which is a pre-req for me most days.
(08.)NUNA RAVA CARSEAT — Hoping this doesn’t sell out before I gain access to the sale, but we are super impressed with this carseat for mini and can’t wait to buy micro’s. ICYMI, the headline here is that the seat cushion can be fully removed and tossed in the laundry. Crucial for me. Their infant carseat (which we loved) is also on sale!
(09.)LITTLE GIRAFFE BABY BLANKETS — Both of my children love these ultra-soft, ultra-thick blankets. Hill still sleeps with his every single night.
(10.)SHERPA TEDDY COAT — Love these on a baby. So sweet. Darling gift, too!
(11.)ON CLOUDFLOW RUNNING SHOES — Heavily hyped! Every time I mention a running shoe, I remember that many of you have urged Magpies (and me) to go to a running store to get properly fitted, and I think that’s good advice. However, for the only-occasional runner, this is a good deal on a shoe that many people LOVE.
(12.)EZ PZ FEEDING MATS — OK, let me be honest about this one, because it has its pros and cons. I was SO obsessed with these mats when mini was between the ages of 1-2 because it would suction and stay put on her high chair tray and prevent food flinging / dropping. It also made it easier for her to scoop food out by herself since the bowl wouldn’t be slipping all over the tray. I also LOVE the colors, size (not too big!), and simple design. However. I do think that silicone products absorb the smell of dishwasher detergent to a distasteful degree. (Taste your child’s food next time you’ve run a silicone bowl through the dishwasher!). I think this issue could be mitigated if you hand-wash using unscented dish soap (I loved Dapple for hand-washing bottles — works just as well as Palmolive IMO but no scent, and I think it would work well in this situation, too), but not sure if anyone is up for that? Maybe there are unscented dishwasher pods?! Anyway, just a flag on this one. I do think they are well-designed, just be aware of the smell issue!
(14.)OLD SKOOL VANS FOR A TODDLER BOY — Micro had a pair of these in red that I thought looked fun/slightly edgy with his otherwise pretty straight-laced/preppy wardrobe. Imagine with tiny dark wash jeans and a navy gingham button-down.
HANKY PANKY UNDERWEAR — The time of year I stock up. Usually you can only find Hanky Panky on sale in bad colors or garish prints. This is not the case with the Nordstrom sale. I think I’ll just buy multiple pairs in the “desert rose” (nude) shade to wear under all my summer dresses.
CLARE VIVIER CROSSBODY — Great fall everyday bag, especially for my urban mamas hoping to remain hands-free. Snakeskin is like a more interesting neutral. Goes with so much more than you think! If you don’t like the color of the strap, swap out for one of these inexpensive ones from Etsy. I did that with a bag last fall and was IN LOVE with the result. I matched my strap to the red color of my Canada Goose coat and it made me feel so pulled together.
I have been seriously lusting after layered gold necklaces lately — especially gold coin necklaces! You can take a shortcut to the look by buying a set that comes paired…
And on the bolder end of the design spectrum when it comes to necklaces, still salivating over this Lizzie Fortunato and the cheerful rainbow styles from Roxanne Assoulin.
P.S. What are you reading? If you need some inspo, I have a ton of posts on books here. I’m currently on a mental vacation, reading this heavily touted beach read.
Thank you to the reader who pointed out that my beloved Serena & Lily Blake dresser was just marked down — $1,000 off! I wrote extensively about this dresser in a post a week or two ago. It is so good. A few other fantastic finds that are a part of the tent sale:
P.S. Seriously jealous of those with early access to the Nordstrom sale because I’m worried this Nuna carseat will sell out before I can buy it! We bought this exact carseat for mini but were waiting to buy one for micro so it wouldn’t clutter our NYC foyer before the move. (Micro was using this excellent and very lightweight travel carseat in the meantime. Cannot recommend it more, especially for airplane travel. It is SO light, you can lift it with one hand, but gets excellent safety reviews. Did I mention it’s somehow only $60?!). I can tell you now that the Nuna carseat is WONDERFUL because mini often gets carsick and did so on the drive to DC last week and YOU CAN REMOVE ALL OF THE CARSEAT COVER AND LAUNDER. Game changer for us.
