Net-A-Porter just marked down a bunch of amazing things. This Horror Vacui top is in my cart — the perfect way to add interest to your favorite jeans. Also worth a gander:
Unrelated, but you must also know that Ralph Lauren has marked down it’s near-iconic flag sweater for children to around $60. Bought it in navy for Hill. For some reason, when I checked out, they offered me free fast shipping even though the banner at the top indicates free shipping on orders over $150!
P.S.
By: Jen Shoop
*Dress above by Borgo de Nor, currently 70% off (!!!), seen on Camila Carril while lounging at home — exactly where I’ll be donning my dressiest duds this year.
I don’t know about you, but I am desperate for any occasion to dress up these days. Mr. Magpie and I take turns taking mini to school and sometimes I put on a dress and booties when it’s my turn (and the weather cooperates) just because it makes me feel good. My sister and brother-in-law recently glammed up in coat-and-tie/heels and pretended to “go out to dinner” at home one night, lighting candles and fixing up fancy cocktails first, and then sitting down to a proper dinner on china after. Below, sharing some holiday dresses for the upcoming season — no judgment (in fact, mad props) if you doll up just to trim your tree at home…
I feel as though I’ve been on a children’s clothing shopping hiatus for the past few weeks, and now I am looking to add some new pieces to get us through this next leg of increasingly cold weather. Below, some of my favorite latest finds:
I mentioned in passing that Mr. Magpie has been using the Calm app, which promotes better sleep and a quieter mind. One thing he observed after only a few days of use was that he found it close to impossible to get through a single ten-minute meditation session during the daytime without interruption. This sparked a wide-ranging conversation on how much noise and interruption all of us contend with on a daily basis. Even when we are dialed in on our laptops for work, there are all kinds of chimes, pop-ups, and tones that remind us of the meeting in five minutes, or the message from a colleague, or the arrival of a new email. These alerts can be disabled, but do we do it? Not always. Even the presence of multiple tabs in a browser can occasionally feel like “noise” — the “other things” vying for your attention while you are attempting to just respond to this singular email. And all of that is only within the frame of your computer screen. Then we also have our smartphones, with their infinite notifications (news! emails! social media! wellness apps! reminders! phone calls!) and the technologies and appliances in our homes that beep and ding and, well, just make noise by virtue of functioning (a washing machine, the clang of radiator, the tick of a clock). And on top of that we have street noise (as I type this at 10:02 a.m. on Friday, I hear the lurch of a bus, wheels on wet pavement, someone shouting something) and of course the constant commotion of the loved ones we live with during this pandemic, when so many of us are at home together more often than not.
These sounds are not invariably “bad.” They are audible reminders of the very full and fortunate life that we have willingly built together and the technologies we have opted into. And I am still-astounded by the incredible conveniences that modern innovation has afforded us. I often tell Mr. Magpie that it feels like we are living out The Jetsons fantasy world — I basically have “robots” living in my home thanks to modern technology: “Siri, read me the news” and “Siri, call my mom” and “Siri, what’s the temperature outside?” I can run out of bananas and diapers, more or less press a button, and have them appear on my doorstep in two hours. It is unbelievable. And to have been one of the last generations with one leg on each side of the digital divide allows for peculiar wonderment: much to my daughter’s eventual chagrin, I will one day say: “I can remember the day my dad first brought a computer to our home, and it was about the size of an oven, and we shared it breathlessly, and it didn’t have Internet on it.” (“What on earth did it do then?!” Haha.)
But our conversation also touched on COVID-19, and how living through this pandemic and of necessity passing much more time together in a small space has intensified the noise and density of interruptions. There are always small feet padding around, more deliveries at the door, the echo of a voice on a business call, the clanging around of pots in the kitchen — it is a busy soundtrack and it is difficult to pass more than a minute in total silence.
And quiet is, I think, inherently healthful for us. (Do we all agree on that?) So what do we do in the case of a deficiency in it?
I think many of us have either cultivated tactics for tuning out or turning down “noise” or have adapted to its omnipresence with varying degrees of begrudgement. For example, I love using the “do not disturb” function on my laptop while focused on writing, and I have my phone automatically set to “do not disturb” mode from 10 PM to 7 AM every night. I try my absolute best to use the “one screen at a time” tech detox, though I admit I am horrible about it in the hour just before bed. On the flipside, I am so inured to them, I find myself virtually unbothered by certain types of notifications on my phone. I feel like they don’t even register half the time! So, too, with street noise unless it’s something truly jarring — it’s all just part of the fabric of my day-to-day life in Manhattan.
But I had to ask — how do you deal with interruptions in your life? How do you carve out quiet space for yourself?
+These brush pots are such a chic way to organize pens on a desktop. I also love the eclectic small boutique (House of Cardoon!) that stocks them — this shop was founded by a fellow UVA grad and female entrepreneur. (Thanks, C., for the intro.) Thinking I might gift one of these with a rainbow of Le Pens to a fellow writer as a gift for the holidays.
+Contemplating pre-ordering this plum oil, which keeps selling out! Chrissy Teigen recently raved about it on Instastories and I have to say I’m intrigued…
+I haven’t yet ordered holiday cards…! Have you? This is gorgeous and so are these.
+After my comment about needing a new office chair in a recent post, a reader wrote in to say an interior designer had recommended this style. Chic and well-priced!
It’s the little things in life, right?! I recently had to part ways with this memory foam bath mat, which I absolutely adored for several months and then could not stand. On the pro side, it was the dreamiest feeling to climb out of a warm shower onto that plush, soft cushion. On the con side, it was next to impossible to clean. You *can* put it in the washing machine but then it’s always a hassle to balance with other heavy items (like towels) so it doesn’t make the washing machine sound like it’s dying. I also found that even when properly balanced in a load, it came out still looking not quite clean enough. So, I’m in the market for a new bath mat or two, this time more washing-machine friendly…
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED JONATHAN ADLER’S WHIMSICAL ZEBRA MAT (LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS) — OUR MASTER BED/BATH IS SO UNDERSTATED AND CIVILIZED; MAYBE THIS WOULD ADD A LITTLE TOUCH OF THE FRIVOLOUS
Ah! I’ve never been big into athleisure but I have to say I’ve been living in my expanding collection of sweatshirts this year. I have been loving this J. Crew sweatshirt in the camel over turtlenecks with light-wash denim, this lightweight hoodie for layering under coats, and this Isabel Marant in the ecru color with any wash denim.
Weekend Musings: Valarie Kaur, Self-Love, and the Community.
Earlier this week, I stumbled across an excerpt by Valarie Kaur, an author, civil rights attorney, and filmmaker, that I’ve been sitting with since:
“Loving only ourselves is escapism; loving only our opponents is self-loathing; loving only others is ineffective. All three practices together make love revolutionary.”
Kaur is talking about big and sweeping things here that feel a little daunting on a Saturday morning, eliciting something of the backwards stagger I experience when thinking about outer space and some of the mysteries of the Catholic faith. (What does she mean by “loving only others is ineffective”? I strain at that notion, though I understand on a functional level that it would be impossible to entirely give to others without tending to oneself.) But I thought it was a stirring extension to or inversion of something a Magpie wrote in response to my ambling musings on the often co-opted concept of “self-care“: Joyce wrote, “It can feel like we are being told to ‘self care’ our way out of…injustices or simply areas of life where we need outside help. (Personal example: childcare.)”. Both Kaur and Joyce are grappling with the conditions of self-love within a community — but from opposite sides of the telescope.
Any thoughts, or do you need your coffee first? (Ha. Bringing down the hammer at 5 a.m. on a Saturday over here.)
I’m devastated I missed out on these bejeweled holiday mules in my size in the green velvet (seen above), but signed up for the restock notification. Talk about a dreamy holiday shoe for a chic Christmas morning! (Why am I imagining myself in this feather-trim satin house dress situation while wearing them, with an enormous cocktail ring and a martini in hand? Haha)
PERSONALIZED KNIT HAT FOR A BABY. A girlfriend gave me one of these for Hill and it is one of my most treasured possessions. TBBC also has super cute ones.
RUNNING JACKET. Literally obsessed with this one by New Balance (on super sale). Thin but warm — incredible at regulating my temperature.
DAY PLANNER. I have been loving this undated planning pad for adding to-dos to tick off each day. Bonus: I’m a leftie, and there’s no binding to contend with.
MATERNITY LEGGINGS.These. Pricey but worth it. They hold their shape and never get saggy or threadbare despite infinite washings.
STAIN REMOVER. I get this question *a lot* because I am often seen wearing white denim/cropped trousers in Instastories. I have found the best treatment for a spot is hot water and a little bit of Palmolive dish soap, applied directly and as quickly as possible in a dabbing motion. As a back-up, less powerful but still quite good, Dreft Stain Spray.
MARY JANES FOR LITTLE GIRL. My favorite for years has been Elephantito. They are nice and sturdy for new walkers but I love the styling — laser cut eyelet trim and pearlescent button! Also come in great colors and feature a velcro fastener. Just the best and built to last. These are easily the kind of shoe you hand down to littler cousins, siblings, etc. I also bought this under-$20 pair for mini in gold to go with a specific outfit and though the quality is nowhere near Elephantito, I like that they are a kind of soft, bendable material (easy to slip onto the foot) and of course the scalloping is darling.
CARDIGANS FOR A LITTLE GIRL. I usually buy J. Crew’s Casey in navy and ivory/white each season when on sale (currently 50% off!). FYI – these run small. They are simple, a nice weight, unfussy, and the price is right. I have also bought ones from Jacadi that have more interesting details like scalloped trim and pom poms (mini has owned both of these styles), but they are pricier and I find more difficult to launder. The J. Crew style can be tossed into the laundry with no sweat!
UNDERWEAR ORGANIZER.This transformed my underwear drawer!
LAUNDRY DETERGENT. I’ve tried so many but continue to come back to Tide. Nothing else seems quite as effective.
The coffee table has long been one of my favorite sites for home styling and aesthetic expression. Over the years, I have constantly re-configured this surface, adding new objects and books, zhushing with flowers, etc. Nowadays, I often keep the coffee table more or less clear because it’s just the right height for the prying eyes and hands of my two children, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have grand intentions for it in the near future. (And, occasionally, I will trot out the votives, transfer flowers hosted elsewhere in the apartment, and style my coffee table just for my evening enjoyment.). Below, a few of my favorite coffee tables followed by some ultra-chic coffee table adornments.
*Heads up: Today (November 12th) only, Boll & Branch is offering 20% off sitewide! Discount is applied at checkout. I mention my beloved sheeting AND bed blanket below — great opportunity to buy for yourself or as a gift.
Like all of you, I have spent far more time at home than I have in my entire life this year, and it has given rise to some intense organization projects as well as a new appreciation for the absolute best gear at home. Below, sharing my favorite items for a comfortable and well-maintained home:
MIELE VACUUM // Trust me when I say this is the place to invest. I had been getting by with a cordless option and with a dog, children, and heavy foot traffic in our tiny apartment, an upgrade to a proper Miele was the absolute best thing I could have done for everyone. It is so powerful, has multiple settings (for rugs, upholstered furniture, hardwood floors), and is brilliantly designed. These are built to last. Absolutely worth every penny. I also remember doing a lot of research to figure out the difference between their various models/lines, which are very confusing and unnecessary in my opinion, and this is the exact model I landed on: the perfect balance between utility/versatility for different floors and price.
SIMPLE HUMAN RECYCLER (ALSO AVAIL ON AMAZON) // A well-designed and sleek-looking divided recycler big enough for all the glassware, plastic, and cardboard we go through in our busy family. I specifically love the plastic “liner” bin that enables me to easily lift that piece out and carry it to the bigger recycling bins in our building. It also opens with the tap of a foot, the lid can be clicked into an upright position when removing the bag/bin, and the brushed stainless steel exterior means that it’s fairly resistant to smudges and fingerprints.
RUG PADS // These extend the life of your rug, protect your floors, add cushioning, and — most importantly — prevent rug slippage/movement. When I finally bought these for all of the rugs in my home, I felt like I’d crossed a new threshold into adulthood. (My favorite rugs here.)
PHILIPS HUE BULBS // We have, over time, as bulbs have died, installed Philips Hue bulbs in most of the lights in our home. These are controlled via our smartphones (and Siri, via our HomePod), where we have them configured to turn on and dim on a schedule that mirrors our lifestyle. It feels like the future to walk into a room and say: “Hey Siri, turn on the lights in the master bedroom,” and suddenly they are on. Or “Hey Siri, dim the dining room lights to 30%” and all of the lights go down to a romantic candlelit effect. You can also change the warmth/color of the lights. Often we like really bright light in the morning, but warm yellow tones in the evening. The starter kit might make a great gift for a new homeowner or a tech-loving friend.
EERO WIFI MESH NETWORK // Has given us the gift of faster, more reliable, and easier-to-monitor Internet. This replaces your old WiFi router and includes an app that enables you to track Internet speed, which has been handy whenever there has been an issue with the provider. (We can just show the discrepancy between the speed they promise and the speed we are getting.). Bonus: it looks good and the beacons double as nightlights.
O-CEDAR SPONGES // These are the best sponges I’ve ever used. They are thick, sturdy, absorbent, non-scratch, and they also bend/give nicely. Can you tell I spend a lot of time washing dishes? (We cook A LOT at home!)
OXO SHOWER CADDY // A strange thing to love, but this is just so well-designed! It never slips/slides around, has shelves at the perfect height (tall enough for most shampoo bottles), a hook for a loofah, and a soap tray.
TOSCA STORAGE BINS // J’adore these (dare I say it?) elegant bins for housing bulkier items in our pantry section.
UNDERBED SHOE STORAGE // Fellow women short on closet space: these have been my saving grace. The thing I love best about them is that they are very shallow in height, and my bed affords the slightest of underbed clearance! This was one of the only models I could find that would actually fit under the bed. I like that they keep all my beloved shoes dust and debris-free!
WHITE UTILITY BINS // Used for countless purposes in every closet I have. Great for organizing spices, holding dog gear, housing “backstock” lightbulbs and batteries, etc. Inexpensive, easy to clean, waterproof. (These are great for under-sink areas for that reason, too.)
MICROFIBER CLEANING TOWELS // I bought these begrudgingly when, after we’d fully moved out of our former apartment, I returned to supervise a crew of housekeepers to conduct a deep clean of the emptied apartment, per our lease. When I arrived, after unpleasantly schlepping a ton of gear and supplies on the Subway, I realized I’d forgotten rags to clean with. I dashed out to the local Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and they only had these. WOW. What a happy accident — these are a fantastic tool to clean with. I love that they dust even delicate surfaces (like porcelain, TV screens, Mr. Magpie’s expensive acoustics equipment) but can also be used with cleaning products on wood, marble, glass, etc. They are also deceptively absorbent without ever becoming sopping wet. I don’t understand where the liquid goes! Anyhow, they are fantastic!
BROTHER LABELMAKER // I use this vigor and joy. So handy for spice jars (label the tops!), drawers of the acrylic cube I use to organize first aid and medicine, and even the white bins above (i.e., LIGHTBULBS, DOG GEAR, etc.). No question about where things belong. (If you’re not a labelmaker kind of gal, these pre-written tags covering many common pantry items might be your ticket.)
ROWENTA IRON // Just the absolute best. I thought I was “bad” at ironing until I bought this iron.
BOLL AND BRANCH SHEETING AND BED BLANKET // I know this feels more “design” than “utility,” but these sheets truly enhanced our sleeping experience. They are cool and ultra-soft, and the blanket is one of my absolute favorite items I’ve bought this year. Ultra-soft and warm and just the perfect weight.
XTREME COMFORTS MEMORY FOAM PILLOWS // Just try it. It is like heaven! You can remove the fill to your liking, but this pillow never gets hot and always feels like a dream.
STORI PLASTIC ORGANIZERS // Love these in my cabinets and drawers for keeping everything organized/jumble-free.
*Image above of the stunning Halima wearing a major look by By Fang.
In one of the greatest compliments of my life, my brother-in-law once said that I dress myself “like a present.” I knew what he meant, too: ever the Magpie, I am always drawn to bows, ribbons, jewels, add-ons, details, dramatic proportions, embellishments. If I were a present, I’d be wrapped to the high heavens with a wide, white satin bow. Below, a few Magpie-like pieces I love…
P.P.P.S. Moving to revisit this piece when we were still so early into the pandemic.
By: Jen Shoop
Per several reader requests, a couple of ideas on edible gifts this year. I want to kick off this list with Scars and Stripes, a coffee purveyor run by veterans of the US military to which a Magpie reader just introduced me a few days ago (thank you, April!). Kismet — as today is Veteran’s Day. You can read more about the company’s novel approach to supporting veterans here.
