Jen Shoop, Author at Magpie by Jen Shoop

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…

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!)

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!

By: Jen Shoop

I just put out a call for this month’s “What Are You Shopping For” series on Instagram and there were tons of questions about what to wear to fall weddings! I thought I’d answer all of those questions here in one post…

SUPER LOVE THIS $218 DRESS IN THE BROWN/BLACK COMBO…CHIC!!!!

NAVY AGUA BENDITA

BR DRESS IN BLACK OR MARIGOLD

NAVY PLAID CAROLINE CONSTAS

THIS $100 MOON RIVER, WHICH I THINK YOU COULD TOTALLY DRESS UP — HAIR UP, HIGH HEELS

AUDREY HEPBURN MOMENT IN MOLLY MOORKAMP — WOULD WEAR WITH DRAMATIC JEWEL EARRINGS AND HIGH HEELS

THIS PATCHWORK ULLA

TIERED FLORAL DRESS (LONG SLEEVES, AND AROUND $200!)

THIS CELIA B

LOVE THIS $148 MINI IN RED

THIS SKIRT/TOP COMBO…SWOON!

ULLA JOHNSON IN A GORGEOUS TERRACOTTA HUE

THIS COCOON DRESS IS SLIGHTLY EDGY IN THE BACK BUT I LOVE THE SHAPE

THIS BALLOON-SLEEVED MINI — LOVE IT IN THE YELLOW PRINT!

THIS PAISLEY RACHEL COMEY (ON SALE IN A YELLOW COLORWAY THAT WOULD ALSO BE GOOD HERE)

THIS RICHLY-PATTERNED SIR

THIS EMERALD BOTANICAL FROM CARA CARA

WOWWW THIS MARKARIAN

REFORMATION’S NIKITA IN THE NAVY OR ANOTHER DARK/FALL COLOR/PRINT

THIS SCARF PRINT DRESS IN RED IS…SPECTACULAR! NO ONE WILL FORGET YOU!

THIS LA LIGNE IN BLACK OR RED FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE LESS DRESSY

THIS POLKA DOT SILK

THIS SCALLOP BIB DRESS

THIS RUFFLED MIDI IN BLACK

I am still a huge lover of Alexandre Birman’s Claritas for evenings out, but also feel called toward suede/velvet platform sandals (so similar to these Miu Mius!) this season, and these LRs are so pretty (and would be easy to wear all night long).

P.S. If you’re still shopping for late summer/warm weather wedding guest dresses, I’d start here!

P.P.S. Weddings, even (especially?) in the time of COVID, are so moving.

P.P.P.S. Such fascinating comments on this post.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image above via the ultra-chic Therese H. rocking an ultra-covetable SEA sweater and red Gucci loafers.

In case you are (like me) beginning to work on your fall wardrobe, I thought I’d share a couple of designer sweaters I love accompanied by looks for less. To be honest, I have made sparing investments in knitwear to date, often preferring to invest in denim and shoes. This way, I can lean into less expensive trends for tops/sweaters and wear the same shoes/denim season after season. This year, I’m trying more of a hybrid approach: investing in a few key sweaters (bonus when they are high-end but on sale!) that are more classic-leaning and then filling in the rest with looks for less. Below, a few favorites…

NAUTICAL STRIPED HALF ZIP — HIGH: LA LIGNE BASTIEN SWEATER // LOW: ASOS

RAINBOW STRIPES — HIGH: OLIVIA RUBIN // LOW: GAP

SLOUCHY MOCKNECK — HIGH: ANINE BING // LOW: FREE PEOPLE

IVORY CABLEKNIT — HIGH: NILI LOTAN // LOW: H&M

PINK HALF-ZIP — HIGH: ISABEL MARANT // LOW: VARLEY

OVERSIZED ATHLETIC STRIPE TWEED CARDI — HIGH: GUCCI // LOW(ER): MAJE

PUFF-SLEEVED, MARLED KNIT CARDI — HIGH: ULLA JOHNSON // LOW: EN SAISON

DRAMATIC COLLAR — HIGH: SEA // LOW: &OTHER STORIES

FLORAL EMBROIDERED CARDI — HIGH: SHRIMPS // LOW: MANGO OR &OTHER STORIES

TEXTURED BALLOON-SLEEVED CARDI — HIGH: BYTIMO // LOW: TARGET

GREEN TWEED KNIT CARDI — HIGH: MAJE // LOW: MANGO

SLOUCHY PINK MOHAIR — HIGH: ACNE STUDIOS // LOW: COS

PUFF-SLEEVED IVORY TEXTURED KNIT — HIGH: ULLA JOHNSON // LOW(ER): TUCKERNUCK

KNIT COLLAR CARDIGAN — HIGH: BYTIMO // LOW: MANGO, &OTHERSTORIES, OR TARGET

NAUTICAL STRIPE PULLOVER — HIGH: KULE // LOW: H&M

BUTTON-UP CHUNKY KNIT — HIGH: ALICE WALK // LOW: MANGO

BUTTON-KNIT LONGLINE TWEED CARDI — HIGH: CHANEL // LOW: MANGO

FLEECE TURTLENECK — HIGH: DUDLEY STEPHENS (<<BUT ON SALE HERE!) // LOW: BURTON OR GAP

RHINESTONE-BUTTON CARDI — HIGH: HILL HOUSE // LOW: H&M (NOT A PERFECT MATCH, BUT IF IT’S THE BLING YOU’RE AFTER…)

Finally, two chunky cropped/fitted styles that remind me of past-season ACNE worth sharing: this Banana Republic and this H&M.

P.S. Lessons in baking.

P.P.S. More great fall finds.

P.P.P.S. Do you think you have metamorphosed between selves? Or do you see yourself as one continuous evolution of the same person?

By: Jen Shoop

OK, I am blown away by several of the pieces from Banana Republic’s New Arrivals section —

+This Zimmermann-esque balloon sleeved mini! It’s linen and I love it in both the Zimmermann-esque print and the understated chic “dry mustard” color. Wow. Major! So chic with a lace-up sandal like these for an early fall wedding or social gathering.

+This dress in the black or marigold is so chic — wow! Perfect date night dress, or even wedding guest dress depending on the dress code. Makes me think of Ulla Johnson, but under $200.

+THIS TOP! Again, reminds me a little of Zimmermann, a little of Ulla Johnson, and — in the solid khaki color — a bit of some of Hunter Bell’s pieces. I love the prints but I’m majorly drawn to the dry mustard color!

+This blouse would be so perfect for back to work, either in the white or khaki. Straight-forward with a twist!

+Adore the way this duster sweater is styled on the site in both colorways — it literally gave me new ideas for how to dress this fall. First of all, love the look where she’s wearing ecru denim tucked into brown boots and with HOOPS! I mean, SO chic. Who is doing the styling at BR?! I’m blown away.

+Do I need these drawstring pants, too? I actually love the way they’re styled with pointed toe loafers and a shacket!

+Finally, speaking of shackets, this canvas one in the cream color is insanely chic.

BRAVO Banana Republic! My head is officially turned. Will be taking notes from their styling from here on out…

On a totally separate note, I found a treasure trove of Cienta shoes on sale for 40% off at Gilt in great colors — navy, red, blue — just in time for the school year!

P.S. Three can’t-miss items I think nearly all of us own: this smocked top, this mama necklace, and this Dudley Stephens fleece.

P.P.S. Are you good at negotiating?

By: Jen Shoop

The other day, I was driving on 495 (a topic for another day, but it’s been…an adjustment getting back behind the wheel after four years of never driving, and I am trying not to make my newborn fear of highway driving “a thing” but YIKES! How do people drive 495 and 270 daily?! Horrifying!) and Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” came on the radio. I was immediately transported to summer in Chicago, circa 2015, zipping down Wacker with Mr. Magpie and our best friends, the windows down, the air warm and wild around us. We’d just finished one of those architectural boat tours of the city which are, in fact, a fantastic way to see Chicago and much less cheesy than you’d think. There was alchemy afoot between the girlishness of Ariana’s song and the carefree frivolity of the day and the feel of Chicago in the summertime and the windows down and the music up. I was young(er), and happy, and unencumbered. It felt natural to sing at the top of my lungs over the roar of the wind.

Or at least that’s how I remember that time but I am certain there were heavinesses on my mind and heart at that age, or if not heavinesses, questions and everyday stressors. A lot happened to us in Chicago. Not all of it bad and none of it so unique or trying that it sets me apart from any other woman in her late 20s. There were losses and embarrassments. It was mainly a coming of age. We arrived wide-eyed newlyweds and we left somewhat burnt out, but wiser and scrappier and with the tremendous blessing of our beloved daughter. Still, it took until a magical meal a year into living in Manhattan for us to fully emerge from that headspace. Then came Hill, a true and thorough joy — but also the dawn of a sustained period of exhaustion that in turn drew us straight into COVID, and, well, the first few months of the pandemic were pretty dark. Though it bears noting that the sun still rises everyday, and that we made it, and that there are so many families that have been through hell and worse and sometimes not back during this same time period. Soy bendecida, soy bendecida, soy bendecida.

Anyhow, Ariana’s song feels emblematic of those early, halcyon days in Chicago — pre-children, pre-entrepreneurship, pre-COVID. Still laboring under the apprehension that the world was our oyster. I’m sure this algebra will change as I age, but at the moment, I see my life drawn into four segments along an x axis, and some of these segments overlap: 1) pre-Landon, 2) with Landon, 3) with children, 4) with the pain and insights that came of closing our business. What I mean by #4 is that at some point in 2017, we closed a business we had built together, which is a lot less straight-forward than it sounds. Closing that business together was painfully drawn out, sort of like removing ten thousand porcupine quills from your skin one-by-one and very slowly. There were the early rumblings that it might be something we should consider. Not-so-frank, then-very-frank conversations with our funders. The trimming back of plans, the loss of staff. The million little, impossibly excruciating details — contracts to consider, accounts to close, people to tell, associations to quit. And behind all of those logistics laid bare a gaping wound with no doctor to treat it. Oh. Those were hard days. I write that and I feel compelled to qualify: but we ended up fine! we learned so much! we landed on our feet! I wouldn’t be here without being there! we were lucky to have the space to start that business together! at least we had the companionship of each other! this is all small potatoes compared to the travails of so many others! However, I still look back and absolutely freeze. I have the sense that when I look back at this x axis, I will forever consider the end of our business a turning point in my life, a phase somehow on par with other major shifts, like puberty, and matrescence, and becoming a wife. It was identity-changing: a collision of outlandish expectations with gut-wrenching realities.

Oof. A bit heavy there, but perhaps the broader tableau explains why I have a profound affection for that Ariana song, which is really not that great (though some of her other early songs were!), and whose lyrics mean virtually nothing to me (“baby come back,” in so many words). It is breezy and catchy and the opening chimes bring to mind steel drums and island time and the uniquely spectacular and old-timey joy of summer in Chicago. Maybe I am giving the song short shrift, though — there is something in the rise of her voice in the chorus that feels perfectly synchronized with the way I felt in 2015: in hopeful ascent. Which is not to say that the past many years have been a downslope, nor that I would change anything, nor that I would like to go back to that time. (I need my babies around me.) I have come to a place where I am “perplexed and awed / by how every little thing / added up and brought / [me] somewhere wonderful — or /where [I] always wanted to be.”

Still, that song. It draws me to a good place.

What song do you secretly love? Or rather — what unexpected song holds special meaning for you?

Post-Scripts.

+Another song I really related to a few months ago.

+And another.

+On our botched move from Chicago to NYC, Part I and Part II.

+Prayers for uncertain times.

Shopping Break.

+I mentioned recently I was going to start using hand soap dispensers in our kitchen and was leaning towards this inexpensive but elegant style. I also came across two styles that have won awards for their slick designs: this one by Danish company Zone and this one by German company Blomus.

+Y’all are loving this smocked top for fall, and I think it will be perfect with jeans but also layered underneath some of the nap dresses I’ve been seeing on preview from Hill House! I saw one that is very similar to this Emilia Wickstead style (<<only one size left here) I have been dreaming of for years now.

+Recently read that this Chanel lipstick in the “Boy” color is a fantastic nude on many skin tones. Intrigued…have definitely been in the mood to play around with cosmetics now that we are seeing more friends and have more on our social calendar.

+Oo! This is pretty for a date night this fall.

+It’s interesting — this post didn’t get that many comments, but I received so many emails and messages of solidarity around “the witching hour” from you lovely fellow mamas.

+5-pack of boys t-shirts in great colors to add to your fall shopping list.

+Massive sale at Farm Rio — this dress is SO good.

+I would secretly love to play this game.

+We searched high and low for a Haws watering can a few weeks back and couldn’t find one anywhere! I just found some in stock here in the 1-gal size. FYI! You can also get the look for a little less with this under-$30 one — love the green and copper combo.

+Had to get these socks for mini. Love the retro styling!

+Running out in and out of the backyard all the time makes me realize how handy clogs will be this fall. Just slip on and go!

+These mules are super similar to a popular pair by Loeffler Randall — but under $40.

+Love the vibe of this herringbone blazer with distressed denim.

+OMG these hand-embroidered tees and bows!

+Love this dress in the bold fall print!

+Can’t stop thinking about this cardigan. Also love this one with the velvet bows!

+Eyeing this body oil for myself. This brand is pricey but the products are so elegant!

+These little boy sneakers remind me of Gucci! Also love this $25 khaki colored pair. So chic!

+Only a few sizes left of this darling kilt from Bellabliss’ precious new arrivals!

+These cosmetic bags frequently sell out.

+Cute sherpa vest for a little man.

+Fox jammies!

+Still can’t get over this cocktail dress…Thanksgiving?!

+Thoughtful and chic gifts.

+It doesn’t have to be the blue iris.

By: Jen Shoop

I’ve been sharing a lot of children’s clothing posts over the last few weeks because, after slowly and opportunistically filling out their summer wardrobes over the past many months, I am suddenly shuttled into buying for fall! There are some amazing fall finds for girls here and boys here, but you must know about Gap’s 40% off promotion, which ends tonight! I just did a big haul and here were my favorite finds:

PULL-ON JEGGINGS FOR HER AND DENIM JOGGERS FOR HIM

NEW TARTAN MASKS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

STRIPED JAMMIES AND HALLOWEEN JAMMIES FOR MINI — SHE LOVES (!) HALLOWEEN PAJAMAS!

MY FAVORITE ROLL SOCKS FOR TODDLERS — I ALWAYS BUY TONS OF THESE AT THE START OF THE SEASON

ADORABLE SHERPA VEST

THIS BARN JACKET IS LIKE $20!

PULL-ON JOGGERS IN NAVY

LS POCKET TEES

THESE ARE JUST NOT OUR STYLE BUT I REALLY THINK THESE SHERPA BIRK-LOOKALIKES WOULD BE SUPER CUTE IF THEY ARE YOUR VIBE!

THESE VINTAGE-INSPIRED SOCKS

I also picked up a few items from Old Navy since they will let you combine a cart and shop from both spots at once. I got a bunch of pairs of these everyday leggings in white and navy, this puffer vest in the dusty red, and this striped rugby tee.

I am struggling to find simple, not-exorbitantly-priced LS tops for mini for this fall. She’s sized out of the toddler basic LS tees at Old Navy, which is what I used to go with, and so many other places are either $42/top or emblazoned with graphics. J. Crew is a good option but I find the shirts run really narrow/long and they just don’t fit mini properly. Will keep hunting and report back!

Oh – and if you’re shopping for yourself instead of the LOs, a few good Gap snags:

THIS LONGLINE PARKA

THIS FEATHERWEIGHT TEE LOOKS GREAT FOR LAYERING/LOUNGE

THIS CHUNKY CARDI

THIS CORDUROY CAP!

I also have gotten a few questions about what micro will wear to soccer — for now, we’ll be leaning on his Petits Vilains shorts (he has a few pairs) and t-shirts, and will migrate into pull-on joggers and Les Gamins sweatshirts when it turns cooler. He’ll wear with these Nikes in the red, white, and blue. You can get the Petits Vilains shorts vibe for less with this 3-pack on Amazon, which comes in great colors! Also kind of love the retro styling of these tube socks. I just love that throwback look! Too cute.

Speaking of Amazon finds, I did end up ordering micro this rain coat in that great mid-blue color and was surprised to find it’s basically back-ordered in that color until October run. So, run! I also snagged mini the child version of my favorite Amazon fleece for a twin moment this fall.

Currently hoping for a Janie + Jack promo so I can snag a few other pieces for micro sooner than later!

P.S. More well-priced children’s finds and lots of chic toys (that would make fantastic gifts).

P.P.S. A reader asked what I’m doing to get ready for the back-to-school routine (BTW, some cute back to school outfit inspo here). We still have a little while to go — mini’s first day is until after Labor Day — but last year, we worked hard the week prior to school’s start to make sure everyone was fed, dressed, ready to go by the time we’d need to leave for school. That way, it was much less jarring on the first day — we already had a week of practice under our belts. Our school had also suggested making some sort of visual countdown available to children, as they have no sense for time. (What’s a week to a toddler?!). There are all kinds of ways to do this — I’ve seen tear off calendars (tear off a page each day until you get to 0) and even homemade chain links using construction paper that you hang from some part of the child’s room. Each day that passes, you remove one link, until there are none left, and that’s the first day of school! We just used a wall calendar, which has been very helpful in general with mini. She does not like surprises, and, on the flipside, it helps her get excited about upcoming celebrations, activities, special occasions, etc. We got her this Peanuts one since she loves Snoopy, and it came with lots of little stickers for things like play dates, doctor’s visits, etc. She has fun putting the stickers on the right day, and part of our bedtime routine is letting her cross off today and discussing what’s coming up tomorrow. Anyhow, we’ll use the calendar to continuously point out the start of school.

P.P.P.S. 15 must-have newborn items.

By: Jen Shoop

I basically overhauled most of my skincare regimen at the start of 2021 — one of my new year’s goals was to take better care of my skin — and so I have been testing and reporting back on tons of new products over the past nine months. However, there are a few hero items I have used for years and years and years that I will never abandon in favor of the new new, and I think the longevity of my commitment to them speaks volumes. These are products that have stood the test of time, whose quality and effectiveness are consistent and impressive. I have used many of these for over a decade — some since my teen years!

They are, in random order:

TATA HARPER’S REGENERATING CLEANSER

GUERLAIN BRONZER (I WEAR SHADE 03)

LAURA MERCIER EYE BASICS IN LINEN — I OFTEN WEAR THIS IN LIEU OF EYE SHADOW; EVENS OUT AND BRIGHTENS EYELID, AND I LOVE THE LINEN COLOR!

CLE DE PEAU CONCEALER (I WEAR IVORY)

PANTENE PRO-V (IT’S THIS OR ORIBE — NOTHING ELSE…I’VE BEEN TESTING THE OLAPLEX AFTER SO MANY GREAT REVIEWS AND I PERSONALLY THINK PANTENE IS STILL BETTER)*

FRESH BODY LOTION IN HESPERIDES OR LIFE SCENTS

BIODERMA MICELLAR WATER

ORIGINS ROSE CLAY MASK — LOVE HOW THIS FEELS WHEN IT HARDENS ON YOUR SKIN AND THEN YOU WIPE OFF WITH WARM WATER AND YOUR SKIN IS SO SOFT!

ELIZABETH ARDEN 8 HOUR CREAM — HEALS/MOISTURIZES ANYTHING

NARCISCO RODRIGUEZ HER PERFUME — I KEEP RETURNING TO THIS PERFUME; MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE

OPI BIG APPLE RED — LOVE A BRIGHT RED MANICURE

MASON PEARSON HAIR BRUSH

BOBBI BROWN EXTRA LIP TINT IN BARE PINK

HOT TOOLS CURLING IRONS — I’VE HAD SOME OF MINE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL

GOODY HAIR TIES — NOTHING FANCY, BUT I’M NEVER WITHOUT A FISTFUL OF THESE IN ALL MY BAGS/DRAWERS

What are your ride-or-die beauty products you’ll never abandon?

*I wrote about this hi-lo dichotomy on hair care in this post. So interesting to read about where other women splurge/save, too. Also: hats off to the reader who mentioned you can often score Oribe on sale at TJ Maxx!

**Will eventually share full reviews of all my latest beauty discoveries (it’s been a minute since my last installment), but I do have to put out a little plug for this $10 brush now, which I bought for mini. She has a children’s Mason Pearson brush upstairs and one of these downstairs, as I often do her hair while she’s finishing up breakfast. I honestly think it’s slightly better for detangling than the MP for a little one. It grabs fine hair really nicely and works through snarls and snags (ahem, yogurt/syrup in hair) wonderfully. I have been wanting to try Yves Durif’s expensive detangling brush (currently sold out) but may honestly just buy a second one of these for myself for post-shower!

P.S. On my beauty lust list at the moment.

P.P.S. This section of my blog has a complete list of all my favorite beauty finds at the moment, including more recent discoveries than the items above.

P.P.P.S. Ice cream moments.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image above via La Coqueta featuring their showstopping velvet ballerinas.

On the heels of last week’s post sharing fall basics for boys, wanted to share some chic items I’m eyeing for mini’s fall wardrobe…