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I’ve noticed brushed knitwear popping up all over the place lately. I absolutely love the way these knits look paired with leather/faux-leather or dark wash jeans — the high contrast between is so fetching. I just received the brushed cashmere sweater above and plan to pair with the G. Label leather skirt (only a handful left — look for less here) so many of you loved from this post. Meanwhile, this J. Crew brushed cashmere pullover has been a bestseller the past two weeks!
In terms of leather/faux-leather bottoms, I love any of these paired with this skirt (or my G. Label) or a pair of straight-legs like these or these (look for less here; investment option here). For a different (and equally chic) leg silhouette, try these or these.
And if you love a pleat, this skirt or this one would be very chic!
I read in a recent Suleika post about her concept of “energy multipliers” — the small things we can do when recovering, or warding off gloominesses or desperations of various kinds. I was immediately intrigued by her inclusion of Frank Conroy’s prologue to Stop-Time in her short-list, and I searched for it online, and could not find it, so I ordered the book, along with four others that were languishing in my Amazon cart. I rarely order hard copy books anymore, finding it much easier physically — and in some ways semiotically — to read my Kindle in the little slivers of spare time I have available to me. But on that particular gray afternoon, I was craving the kind of tactile comfort only a physical book can offer. (I added this, then, to my own growing “energy multiplier” list: a paperbound book.)
As I was hunting for the prologue, I found this excerpt from Conroy’s memoir:
“Night after night I’d lie in bed, with a glass of milk and a package of oatmeal cookies beside me, and read one paperback after another until two or three in the morning. I read everything, without selection, buying all the fiction on the racks of the local drugstore….I read very fast, uncritically, and without retention, seeking only to escape from my own life through the imaginative plunge into another.”
The words jabbed like an unexpected thorn. For a long stretch in my teens and twenties, I was embarrassed by how little I read. I was, in fact, reading a lot for school, but not for pleasure. I don’t think I read more than one or two books per year outside the curriculabetween the years of 2000 and 2009. This disturbed me because it seemed to me that every smart and bookish person I knew had a voracious appetite for reading, well-formed opinions on the latest crop of fictional masterworks, and a childhood defined by reading inexhaustible piles of whatever she could get her hands on. I was industrious crafting this persona of the legitimate scholar and measuring the delta between her and myself. I now see this for what it was: bald insecurity peppered with a little bit of earnest self-measurement. Once, somebody said “if you think Jen’s smart, wait until you meet her sister.” And perhaps that echoed a bit deeper in the well than I’d like to admit. And then there was the devastation of not getting into the Ivy League school I wanted, and watching four of my best friends matriculate to the Ivies instead. And, even as early as the sixth or seventh grade, I had come to the clear-eyed understanding that I was good at test-taking, and probably not much else, and that that skill had unfairly enabled me — and would continue to unfairly enable me — to vault to the top of the dean’s list every single year from first grade on. This always makes me think about how we assess students, and how there is probably no universally good, or fair, way to do it. Because yes, I could ace a test, and regurgitate dozens of pages of notes, and this measured for discipline and the kind of social intelligence required of figuring out a teacher and learning to give her what she wanted in the blue book, but this was frankly no match for the uncannily quick mathematical mind of Alexander Savedra in third grade (I hope you are well, Alex), or the sheer brilliance of my friends Molly and Ellen in high school.
But I digress on the assessments. Mainly, I think about all of this, especially my severe self-evaluations, and I find it such a waste of energy — now. But at the time I felt that I’d been socialized my entire life as a book girl, and that I was failing at this one identity. I was not a numbers girl, not a sports girl, not a music girl, definitely not a party girl–I was a book girl, and I was secretly bad at it. This view of myself bled into other habits and beliefs that took a long time to recognize as pernicious.
I think for this reason any time I come across the narrative of the child prodigy who pickled in his/her own book brine, I wince. It’s strange, how this happens: no matter how much time you have spent unlearning, or working through, these illusions of youth, certain resistances to logic remain. Or perhaps certain subterranean emotions override the rational.
But as I read Conroy’s words, and I felt the tip of the thorn, I also thought, and for the first time in relation to my own readership, of something I used to tell the undergraduate students in the writing courses I T.A.’d at Georgetown University: good readers are slow readers. I’d pocketed this from an Approaches to Pedagogy course I’d taken, and I liked its generousness, especially for students who found the reading load heavy, and as a shorthand for the close reading and textualist lenses I favored.
But now it occurs to me that maybe all those years of reading in small quantities was how I learned to read deeply, and thoughtfully. And not to say one is better than the other — I bristle at the word “good readers” now — says who, exactly? the reading police? — but to say that maybe I was a different kind of reader, and that was OK. And that for every destination, there are many legitimate paths.
As recently as this year, I have had people imply or straight-out tell me that you must do x to write well, or you must do y in order to be a true creative, or you can’t do a or b in long-form fiction without c or d. I trust these are well-intentioned, and I often find them interesting, but ultimately, I must remind myself that they are arrows in a corn maze. They are likely to point me nowhere, or far into a horizon-dissolving matrix. I think true creative conviction asks us to be Theseus, forging our ways out of the rule labyrinth.
So, I suppose Conroy and I are on tenuous footing — or perhaps I needed the wall of those words to hurl myself against. Sometimes I find the writing of others fills the exact shape of a wound in my heart, and sometimes I find it a convenient whetstone. And both, by the way, are correct, as are hundreds of other ways and reasons to read.
Well, Magpies, as we say —
Onward —
Post-Scripts.
+Bonus coffee, and other ways to focus on the positive.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+The four books I ordered: Bright Poems for Dark Days, a poem anthology edited by Julie Sutherland, Edith Hamilton’s Mythology tome, Frank Conroy’s Stop Time memoir, and Megan Nolan’s Acts of Desperation. The paperback version of the Nolan has a racy cover (warning!), but I discovered it via a perfect Reddit thread about what to read when you’re depressed you’ve already read all of Sally Rooney’s books. This was the number one upvoted response. Has anyone read? And what are you reading, anyway?
+Julia Amory has released ball skirts, and they are stunning. She talked recently about the fact that her parents prohibited TV in their house, permitting only old movies, and that this film diet profoundly shaped her sartorial sensibilities. You can see it!
+Alice Walk released a gorgeous new cashmere crewneck. I absolutely love and live in their pieces. They’re what you want to put on when you open your closet. I specifically love this cotton weekender over a plain or pointelle tee with Agolde jeans when I want to be comfortable at my desk.
+Another casual, just-what-I-want-to-wear piece: my AYR Early Mornings Tee. Perfect mid weight, somewhere between a sweatshirt and a tee.
+Trust me, you’ll live in these. Sorry; it’s just a fact.
+La Ligne launched a gorgeous brushed striped cardigan — wowza! If you’ve never ordered from them before, they just emailed me to let me know first time customers can get 15% off with MAGPIE15.
+A few really pretty finds at Dillard’s: this brocade top, this chiccc waistcoat, this lace caftan.
By: Jen Shoop
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
Heads up that many of the products in this post are on sale as a part of Sephora’s tiered beauty sale, which ends today — I tried to link to products on Sephora wherever possible for a little price break!
First up: I am loving these viral products from Rhode. I resisted for so long for some reason but I am in love with the consistency and staying power of both the adorable pocket blush and the peptide lip tint. They are selling these in bundles right now and I got the sleepy girl / raspberry jelly duo, both of which bost the perfect jammy hue for this season. Do I need all the pocket blush colors and more lip tints?! Eek.
Second: as you know, I’ve been a die-hard fan of Westman Atelier’s foundation stick for several years now — it’s an instant re-order / stock up whenever I find on sale — but I have to say, I’m lovingthis more hydrating formula from Iris & Romeo. Even though I adore the W.A. coverage and finish, it requires deep hydration to lay properly, and this Iris & Romeo is much friendlier to work with in these drying winter months. It wears just like your skin, but more luminous and glowy. I apply with my beloved Merit brush.
I have become such a fangirl of Iris & Romeo more generally. I have also been loving their treatment concealer. I actually had a long text exchange with my sister about this particular product, as we both agree that Cle De Peau is best in class, but I use I&R somewhat differently —
My sister and I have lots of lengthy conversations about beauty products; despite the “hahahah I love that” comment (shorthand for: IDK what to say) we love to go deep into the merits and demerits of every single beauty product we try. She is always introducing me to new brands!
Third: OK, what? This shaving bar from Megababe is the answer to my prayers?! It is so deeply hydrating — the razor glides so easily and your skin looks like a glass slipper afterward? I couldn’t stop touching my legs? What is this magic?! For $8, you must try this instead of your Gillette foam. Many Magpies have also raved about L’Occitane’s almond oil as a sub for shaving cream, and I ordered a bottle of that too — will report back after trying and comparing. I actually also picked up this apres-shave roll-on from Megababe because my skin gets so dry and irritated in the winter, and I’m also loving this product to negate razor burn / in grown hair / etc. You can buy both as a bundle for a discount here. But I can’t rec the shaving bar more — a great stocking stuffer! Update: Megababe just emailed me and offered us 15% off with code JEN15.
Fourth: I had tried this Westman mascara maybe a year ago and thought “hm, it’s fine.” I don’t know why but I tried it again and I’m now hooked. It’s a little more dramatic than our favorite $20 mascara — gives more inky volume — and I am loving it at the moment.
Fifth: Another slow start for me that I’m now hooked on: Saie’s Dew Bronze Soft Focus Bronzer. I got this over the summer and was a little puzzled by the formula. It’s not as spreadable as a blush or gel — it has a thicker consistency — and I was perplexed by how to apply. I tried again recently and I’m annoyed with myself for lacking the persistence earlier this year. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. I apply a few dots on my cheekbone, a swipe along my hairline, and a dot on the bridge of my nose, and then use the angled end of this $7 brush (really, really good makeup brush especially relative to price) to blend outward. It gives this great healthy sense of glow and dimension to your face. I’d say it’s more like a contour product than a true bronzer, but it really helps define your features. I’m hooked!
Sixth: I mentioned this a few times a week or two ago, but I have been loving this Flash Peel from UBeauty. A Magpie wrote to ask for more detail somewhere in a comment and now I cannot find it – but basically it is a thin, fluid-like layer you apply all over your face, and you wait five minutes before washing off with warm water. The first time I used it, I only left it on for three because I thought my face was tingling and worried it was maybe too strong for me? But after I rinsed off, I was so delighted by the results — smooth, glowing, glass-like skin that lasted days. I mean it really felt like a hard reset. I was so impressed I told Mr. Magpie to try it. Use code JENSHOOP for 20% off.
Seventh: OK, this is not technically new, but my skin has been very dry (peri-menopause? time of year? the peel?), and I have felt the need for an extra layer of moisture and hydration beyond my daily moisturizer. I have been using Maya Chia’s Plum + Chia Face Oil. It is a true oil — be warned of that – but it really leaves skin richly hydrated for a full day. I find I need to let it absorb for about 30 minutes before applying makeup or it’s still a bit oily on the surface, FYI. I usually wake up, do my skincare, let it absorb, and then apply my makeup after the kids have had breakfast.
Last but not least, not new, but if you buy nothing else from the Sephora sale, please treat yourself to this dry shampoo and hair towel. These are two of my top RWI discoveries this year. The dry shampoo smells like heaven and truly extends a blowout. You brush it on at the roots, sort of like old school baby powder. I don’t know how to explain this phenomenon, but it somehow makes the texture of my hair cool and beachy and preserves the bend at the ends. It’s really a magical product. I’ll never try another. And the hair towel! It truly dries hair more quickly and I love the elastic strap in the back that enables you to easily tuck the towel ends in and keep it all in place. And while we’re talking Crown, I have been leaning on their fabulous conditioning treatment recently. Between the cooler air and the Dyson AirWrap (which I love but I do find dries hair out), I have needed some intense hydration, and this stuff is fantastic.
P.P.P.S. Trust me, you will love the Dyson AirWrap (<<all my thoughts here).
By: Jen Shoop
Every few weeks, I receive an email or message from a Magpie who has just lost, or is preparing to lose, her pet, most recently this past week (thinking of you, Sean). I know this acute pain too well. I shared thoughts on navigating “the forethought of grief” in an essay I wrote before our Airedale terrier Tilly passed away here, but I also want to reassure you, if you are also enduring this specific loss, that life continues, in ways both painful and reassuring. One day, you will find yourself laughing at funny memories of her — her strange sounds and preferences, the time she ate an entire loaf of bread off the counter, the way she slept sprawled out on the couch. This sounds impossible now, but it’s true. I wrote narrowly about this phenomenon months ago in the context of a longer diary post, but wanted to pluck out a few pertinent paragraphs and republish those sentiments here, below the asterism.
Mainly, though, my message is to go easy on yourself during this time. I remember reaching for my preferred personal torment — guilt — by regretting all the cold mornings I’d sprinted begrudgingly through our icy walks, or all the months with a newborn during which she came last, but those sentiments are neither productive nor representative. We gave Tilly a great life, and you gave your pup a great life, and the simple truth is that you belonged to another for a span of beautiful years that now shine like Sunday morning in the rear view mirror. But let yourself feel it all — everything, even the guilt, is just a permutation of love. I felt in the days just before and after Tilly died like the softest person on earth — porous, tender to the point of dissolvable. And you, too, will make your way through it. Nowadays, I love when my in-laws and children reminisce about her; it makes me feel happy to have her name remembered. I think sometimes we are scared to talk about the deceased because we fear it might be painful. But I’ve found it’s the only true tonic, the only way I’ve grown around my grief. It’s the reason I still write about Elizabeth. And it’s the reason we keep Tilly’s collar and tags on our bedroom dresser, and I wear a ring with her initial. Onward friends — go easy.
***
Below, I’ve excerpted a few paragraphs from a diary earlier this year.
A week of transition: my parents moved out of their home in N.W. D.C. into a beautiful townhouse four minutes from us in Bethesda; my sister visited for likely the last time before her baby girl is born in a few months; and we continue to adjust to life without Tilly, a grief whose size I had not anticipated. “Meanwhile, the world goes on.” You know? Such a cruel and auspicious fact of life. You could be crying into your shirtsleeves realizing you’ll never hear Tilly harangue the garbage men again, and yet there they are, collecting the trash week after week: life continues.
As a part of their downsizing, my parents gave us the sectional sofa from their family room as it would not fit in their new home, and we installed it in the basement. The children were ecstatic: so much space to sprawl! They each have their own “wing.” “And,” said mini, “it was Mimi and Grandpa’s.” Its provenance added to the appeal: a sofa with a backstory. The sectional suits the space better, and enabled us to shed the shabby, decade-old, threadbare Jayson Home couch that had previously lived there and was at one time the most expensive thing we’d ever bought for ourselves, and therefore a point of serious pride as new homeowners in Chicago, IL. We brought that sofa to New York, and Tilly more or less lived on it there (I can still see her face propped up on the arm), as did we, during the many long months of pandemic life. We then brought it to Bethesda and demoted it to the basement, where the children often performed scary gymnastics from its arms and tuned into afternoons of Disney in its embrace.
This week, I arranged for a special “bulk pick-up” of the sofa with Montgomery County and watched as two men effortlessly tossed it into the trash compactor, which summarily ate it, leaving nothing behind. I was struck by the specific, searching ways in which the heart works as I stood there in my robe by the front door. The way that sofa carried so much — new homeowner pride; pandemic angst; a growing family in postures of recline and recklessness; the memories of our dog — and here it was, being unceremoniously flung into wasteland.
It made me think about the way things filter through our lives — what we gain and lose. The inheritance of the sofa, the loss of the dog. The things we assign value to, the things we tell ourselves not to be sentimental about. There I was, experiencing a powerful wave of Sensucht as I watched the sofa disappear, and I thought: it’s just a thing, Jen. It’s not Tilly; it’s not my New York life. But sometimes these objects are such convenient places to collect and pin the memories.
+Got these for my daughter’s dresser this holiday season. I know she’ll love incorporating them into her little world of LOL Surprise dolls, Barbies, Maileg mice, etc.
+Speaking of burgundy velvet, how spectacular is this blazer from VB!? With a wide leg trouser like this or this?! Get the blazer look for less here.
+I just received this blanket stitch wrap coat from Boden (I got the navy, but the green is fun!) and I’m in love with her. Toteme vibe but less expensive, and with its own twist. They also have a fun cropped variation. More Toteme outerwear vibes in this post.
+My slim cuffed Varley sweatpants arrived and I’m shook. THE most flattering athleisure pant on the market, and polished, too. I love that they offer the shorter (petite) inseam so my pants are dragging or ballooning. I’m 5’0 and the shorter length is literally ideal. I’m loving this brand’s outerwear options for more casual wear, like this red puffer jacket, and this red fleece. So cheerful.
+I’m going to see Sturgill Simpson perform live in a few weeks (!!!) and am so excited to break in my new Tecovas boots, which the brand sent me. I got them in a surprising black color because I already have those Isabel Marant Duerto boots in a taupe/brown/gray. I plan to wear the boots with a floaty fall dress — maybe this?
+Speaking of concerts, by the time I publish this, I will have seen Kacey Musgraves live in Baltimore! I love Kacey. I plan to wear head to toe Alix of Bohemia — this wild and fabulous coat, and this dress. Very Kacey coded.
+If you’ve been wanting to try Dr. Diamond’s plasma without the full investment, they now offer a discovery set. I personally think the plasma is the most powerful part of the duo — I went through two bottles of it and then felt guilty about the expense so am trying to work through my other serums and tinctures before re-upping. It really shrinks your pores.
Puzzle season — such a clever metaphor for self-care now that I think of it: seeking small bits of color, and shape, that fit.
A thrill to watch my boy fall in love with reading, and begin to see the text-heaviness of the world come into focus. We are deep in the phase of “what does ONLY spell”?
I brought my children to Georgetown Visitation, my high school alma mater, last weekend, and found myself throttled by memory on this visit. When I think of the school now, I think of Elizabeth; the two names ellide. Grief, and memory, operate in such a way that some places turn into people, or maybe it’s the other way around. Anyhow, I think so often of Elizabeth running across the slatted footboards of this specific stretch of balcony off the campus’ quad. I can almost feel her there now. I asked my children for a nice picture as I stood here wavering with farklemptness, and this is what I got — ha. But it’s OK; their silliness presented as an unexpected therapy. (What would it be like, I kept wondering, if she were still here? Would her children also stand with them? Foolish daydreams, but –)
Herds of memories here, in my high school’s Founder’s Hall, and through its iconic green gate.
My girl on the bench my classmates and I dedicated to Elizabeth.
My son, mainly delighted by the treats. We have entered a tough era of getting him dressed. To begin with — is this a boy thing? — the minute he gets home, he strips off all his clothes and refuses to wear anything but boxer-briefs around the house. You cannot ply him to put on a stitch of clothing beside. And when we are going out, everything in his closet is “too fancy.” They are not, of course! I have completely reversed my more stringent dress codes of their earlier childhood years, determining that was not a battlefield I wanted to die on. They have sweatpants and t-shirts aplenty, like all of their little friends. But sometimes, when we are going to dinner, or Mass, or visiting with grandparents, I request an actual pair of pants (jeans, even!) and a nicer looking top (even just a sweatshirt with a clean motif), and all hell breaks loose. He did however delight in his new Pehr shirt — it has a New York design to it that he loves, as a New Yorker by birth himself (the brand has other patterns). He has also liked this teddy bear fleece sweatshirt from the same brand, seen below.
I know all parents believe their children are the most beautiful creations on the planet, but he really took my breath away this morning. And per my previous note on clothing he deems “unfancy enough to wear,” thank God for Cadets shorts. He loves them, especially “the club” style (more of a performance material) and their retro-style mesh shorts, and so do I.
My in-laws’ dog, McDuff, and my girl, sharing a special moment. Partly spurred on by that gorgeous, searching essay by Na Mee that I shared earlier this week, I thought a lot about our Tilly girl. It was such a gift to know she was leaving us, and to have that time to love on her before she went, to have the clear-eyed awareness that I was sitting in the middle of “the good old days” with her at my feet those mornings before she passed. Normal day, let me praise you…
Spurred on by my love for Rooney’s recent novel, Intermezzo, I re-watched the “Normal People” series on Hulu, which is a beautifully shot and acted adaptation of her first novel. There is a part in it where Connell talks about the first time he and Marianne dated one another, how he knew even as he was in it that it was one of the best moments of his life; how he’d never been happier prior, or since. I thought what a gift to know when you are in the swell of something exceptional. To hold onto it, and not let it pass you by unremarked, unadored, unanointed.
On Saturday night, Landon made fresh egg pasta, which he rolled into a fun shaped called malloreddus and served with a sausage-saffron ragout. He continues to consider this pasta cookbook by Missy Robbins a kitchen essential. I bought him these beautiful handmade wooden pasta making implements(and these cutters) last Christmas, and it was fun to see them in use. Tilly, at home on Christmas afternoon while we were at my in-laws last year, got a hold of one of the tools from the kit and gnawed its wooden handle. We were so annoyed at the time, but now we look at it and see it as another impression of the lost.
A stream of holiday packages arrived this week — tree skirt and table linens from Julia Amory; melamine tray, ornaments, and tags from Rifle Paper (not pictured: a ton of their gift wrap — AND they just reached out to offer us 25% off sitewide with code SHOOP25), an Embers candle from Linnea (like Diptyque’s Feu de Bois but less). We aren’t far off…
Contemplating buying a pair of these fabulous silk dupioni holiday pants from Julia Amory — should I go with silver or green? (Reminder that JEN-15 gets you 15% off.) // I love the idea of pairing the latter with a tuxedo style shirt (20% off with JEN20). // Perfect holiday drops. // A new holiday puzzle on its way to me. Will pull out on Thanksgiving. We are usually 1000-piecers but these 500-pieces options fit perfectly on the little table in our newly appointed living room, and are easier for our children to work on. // This velvet Doen dress is in my cart. // So many of my favorite beauty brands have launched the cleverest little gift sets for holiday — consider this Roz kit and these Merit beauties. Great for gifting, of course, but also for travel and on-the-go! // These taper candle holders would look so chic with these velvet bows tied around the base for Thanksgiving. // My new wicker trees.
By: Jen Shoop
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+BUT YOU CAN DO THE LITTLE THINGS: A beautiful reminder from Whitney Hanson, discovered here:
+ALEX MILL 60 SECOND GIFT GUIDE (Sponsored mention): Alex Mill has a fabulous set of curations of chic holiday gifts, organized into clever categories, like “only wears neutrals” (we all know this woman). A few of my personal picks: 1) This red fair isle sweater is an iconic gift (and a personal favorite in my own closet), and 2) you can’t beat their cult favorite Nico sweater. The latter somehow works with virtually any style – minimalist, maximalist, trendy, classic – and any age. These suede and shearling mittens will be in her possession forever — a forever buy. And how fabulous is this canvas tote with initials custom hand-painted onto the side?! Think about how much we all schlep on a daily basis — would be perfect for any woman in your life, from a grad student to a workerbee to a new mom. Alex Mill also has fantastic gift options for men: what man doesn’t look handsome in a beanie (especially in red)? And this sherpa fleece would be a welcome addition to any man’s coat rack. I also absolutely love this rugged lined work jacket — eyeing for Mr. Magpie, along with this masculine henley.
+EYEING + BUYING: On the fashion front, I had to order this little knit capelet from Zara. I can’t wait to layer over pointelle tees (<< a few Magpies have written to say they prefer the pointelle from Marea to the Leset I have been swearing by! Curious to try…) And I just ordered my second pair of Agolde pinch waists (TTS). I like the crop length for us shorties — though I still need to have this pair hemmed a bit to hit at the right part of my ankle, you could totally wear them as they arrive. I love all the barrels and wide legs but sometimes you just need a good classic straight leg to work with certain shoes, tops, blazers. And two festive additions to my wardrobe: a great burgundy cardigan (note the jewel buttons) — I like the idea of unbuttoning a few buttons and tucking into the Agoldes — and some fun holiday Mary Janes from Larroude.
Also this week: my Rhode order arrived. I finally gave into the hype and I’m obsessed. The colors are semi-sheer and buildable but they actually last a long time? Love the consistency of the lip tint. And while I’m a huge fan of the UBeauty lip plasmas, I do find the taste…not great, whereas this is completely taste/scent-free. And a fraction of the price. I don’t think it achieve the same lip plumping effects of the UBeauty but the colors are gorgeous and they stay! On a totally different note, in the past two weeks, both our dishwasher and our toaster died. We bought this chic upgrade for the toaster (our research suggested going either Breville, this brand, or Wolf and we liked the aesthetics of this one — plus users love them) and a Bosch for the dishwasher. Now the mini beverage fridge in our island appears to be on its last legs, too. Why does this always happen this way?
+FESTIVE DRESSING: I’ve been collecting lots of holiday fashion inspo here, but Emme Parsons sent me this spectacular pair of sequined flats (part of their just-launched holiday collection) and I felt it deserved its own little mention. I love the fashion-forward, dramatic vamp. My sister has been wearing a pair of flats like these (hers from Celine) for many years now. She’s always about 2-3 seasons ahead of the curve. I’ll never forget maybe 15-20 years ago, when maxi skirts and dresses were first coming into vogue for everyday wear, one of our mutual friends told me: “Jen, I saw your sister…wearing, like, a long skirt. Like to the ground. In Georgetown.” She was shook, or confused — and then lo and behold within a year or two, that exact gal was wearing maxi skirts regularly. She is such a great trend anticipator. Anyhow, she’s been wearing this shape of shoe for so long she probably finds it boring while I now find it fresh. Anyhow, can’t wait to style these with holiday looks this winter.
+BESTSELLERS:The Valentina sneaks! Now sold out in my espresso color at VB (I think the third time they’ve sold through that color in the past few weeks) but still available in limited size runs here, here, here. Also like them in this great heathered taupe/gray. These are my favorite casual shoe this season. I like the way they look with jeans and a sweater and of course with athleisure. So comfortable and chic! And the rubber insole gives a Loewe vibe for less than half the price. I was also delighted by how many of you bought the Phillip Lim Soleil bag — I have been wearing mine nonstop, too. It does not have a shoulder strap which initially felt like a deterrent but I actually find it very chic and easy to wear over the wrist/lower arm.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
I’m usually drafting these about five days prior to publication, hence the Halloween bats in the background! This was my Halloween daytime outfit.
MILLE TOP (THE EMBROIDERED BOWS, VELVET TIES, AND SWISS DOT!!! — 15% OFF WITH JEN15) // TWIN DOVES DENIM (COMFORTABLE AND A GREAT EVERYDAY WASH — THE CROPPED LENGTH WORKS ON PETITES! RUN TTS) // RING CONCIERGE DIAMOND HOOPS
Mr. Magpie hadn’t heard about the concept of “the ick” until we watched “Nobody Wants This” and Noah, in a heavy-handed (pun intended) attempt to win over Jeanne’s family, accidentally grosses Jeanne out. (In the episode, Noah buys an enormous bouquet of sunflowers for Jeanne’s mother, uses a cheesy faux-Italian accent, and dresses in a try-hard way — and Jeanne is completely turned off. She tells her sister: “I can’t believe I let him touch me with those giant flower-holding hands.”) Over dinner in Italy, Landon and I were discussing the concept, and he confided that one of the most profound icks of his life was watching someone else eat an oyster. We couldn’t stop laughing about this (now a forever joke between us), and began to draw up a list of icks from the brief stretch of time in our adult lives in which we did not belong to one another. It feels tawdry, perhaps, to list them all out here, but man — once we got going, we couldn’t stop. Unkempt toenails, cringe-y comments, onion breath…!
We bent the conversation back around by talking about the opposite of the ick: what were the small things in our budding romantic relationship that gave us “the swoon”?
For me, these were:
Walking me all the way to the door, and waiting to hear the lock turn before leaving
Answering my phone call on the first or second ring
When he’d reach behind himself in a crowd to feel for my hand
The first time he used a pet name for me — Lord, I can still remember the butterflies
The focus on his face while he was playing baseball/softball
Related: him in a sports uniform of any kind (bonus for backwards hat), but specifically him in his ski gear — he was on the UVA ski team — and the way he’d snap into and out of his boots? (Niche I know!)
The way he’d arrive on my doorstep, freshly showered and shaved
Paying me earnest, direct compliments — no beating around the bush! Even in the earliest days of our dating, he’d tell me, directly: “You’re so pretty” and “You’re so smart” (!!!!). As I’ve written elsewhere, if there is anything more exquisitely thrilling for an eighteen year old girl, I have yet to hear about it.
His curiosity
The way he grabbed the check on our first official date as a couple and said: “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this”
OK, your turn. What were or are some of the swoons from the early days of dating? (I wouldn’t hate hearing funny icks, too…)
+A GREAT look for less for my brown VB Taylor jeans. My one gripe with the latter is that they are a very stiff denim without much give. I own the Pistolas in a different color and they are so stretchy and comfortable.
+J. Crew Factory has some really cute holiday pieces for little ones at great prices. I picked up these tartan-lined pants and this button-down for my son.
+Speaking of tartan — !! This Ann Mashburn silk santung shirtdress is SO spectacular. Dress up with velvet heels or dress down with some flats. Perfect elegant Christmas eve dress.
+Beautiful holiday season bling: this James necklace (my favorite style of their rivieres — I own in the 15″ length) and these emerald drops!
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I wish I’d screwed up the courage to take street style photos while in Italy, because the people there — especially the Florentines — were deeply chic. The only photo I snapped was of the above men on their way to work in Como; the men in Como were beautifully dressed. A lot of sharp, tailored trousers with perfect breaks at the ankle, trench coats, wood handled umbrellas (it was drizzly), loafers. And black, black, and more black. (And can you even deal with the gentleman’s briefcase above?!)
On the women, I saw a lot of wide leg jeans, blazers (especially in plaid and houndstooth), loafers, trench coats, and black. The vibe:
You can recreate the look for less with a blazer like this or this. I feel like the look was a bit oversized in Florence — almost worn like a top coat versus a blazer. So you could do this J. Crew Factory one I’ve been sharing but maybe go up a size or two to get the vibe? For loafers for less, try these or these (I also saw a fair amount of lug sole boots and loafers — these would be cool); for jeans, these.
I’ve been wanting a classic trench for awhile, and I ordered this well-priced Mango one. My plan is to see how often I reach for it / style it, and if it’s frequent enough, I’ll eventually invest in a Burberry. I also love Sezane’s take for something in between.
For affordable cashmere crewnecks, I can’t implore you to try Quince’s cashmere assortment more. They have $49 crewnecks in loads of colors, but in my opinion, the jewel is this $69 shrunken cashmere sweatshirt. The silhouette and fit read more modern/contemporary, and I find myself reaching for mine constantly. I have one in a marigold color that’s now sold out but I think I might buy in either gray or brown? The gray is calling my name. Imagine with great jeans and a blazer? I take my true size (xs) and find it’s flattering on its own or layered over a slim-fit button down (this one is my favorite). And final note on Quince cashmere: their sold-out-in-a-minute Mongolian cashmere cardigan is back in stock for pre-order. This has been the dark horse of my fall wardrobe. I wear it all the time — a perfect top layer over a fall dress, or layered over a blouse or tee with jeans. It has a nice structure to it and is unbelievably well made relative to price. (You can also upgrade to the Jenni Kayne Cooper, upon which it is probably modeled, although at least two Magpies have written to say they own both and can hardly tell the difference between the two.) I love it so much I am contemplating buying the black or brown? Can’t tell how much I’d wear the black. I am more of a brown / taupe / ivory person these days?
Back to Italy for a second: the other really chic thing I spotted was a family (I believe they were speaking Hungarian) at Passalacqua. The mother and daughter were both wearing (I’m almost positive) Emilia Wickstead; I’m 90% certain the daughter was wearing this to dinner. Wow. Even Mr. Magpie commented on them!
Will wrap up my thoughts on our Italian sojourn with a recap of our three nights in Como soon (details of our Tuscany visit here) — let me know if you have any other questions about our trip.
We drove to Como from Lupaia in Tuscany. I’m reticent to recommend the same mode of transit, as it was a long schlep (six hours thanks to an hour-long jam owing to multiple car crashes), and I can’t say the A1 is particularly scenic north of perhaps Bologna. It is flat and squat highway driving, some of it through long tunnels. It may have been more palatable had we been able to stop in Modena (our original plan — we’d have loved to visit the Ferrari museum and one of the famous acetaias in town), but flooding deterred us and we drove straight. Still, there was something ease-filled about being able to leave when we wanted, not having to herd our luggage from taxi to plane/train, not contending with car rental return. We just got up and drove, and our travel agent Allison had arranged to have our car picked up from our hotel the following morning. Big, huge warning though: driving along Lake Como is harrowing. The roads are ultra-narrow, sometimes with less than a few inches clearance on either side, and they bend almost like switchbacks. We narrowly steered our boat of an SUV through the Passalacqua gates. But then —
Reader, words cannot adequately communicate the opulence and over-the-top-ness of this diadem of a luxury hotel perched on the west bank of Lake Como in Moltrasio. As a writer, my job is to bridge the lived physical with the abstract, and in this case, my casting in language will fall laughably short of true experience. Every detail of every inch of this immaculately groomed and designed hotel astounded me. We pulled up to the spectacular awninged main building and a woman wearing a long black robe (we meant to ask about this uniform — it read as “monk-like” and must have some sort of grounding in Como history) escorted us immediately into the reception area while our bags were taken discretely to our room and our car was wordlessly parked for us. The receptionist then guided as across the magnificent property of terraced gardens, pools, tennis and bocce courts, and other miscellaneous manicured lawns that lead down to the hotel’s private dock on Lake Como, at which a fleet of elegant wood-paneled boats wait.
The view from the front doors of the Passalacqua hotel.
Looking back towards the hotel from one of the terraced gardens at Passalacqua.
We wandered through the exquisite dining rooms, libraries, and hotel bar — all elegantly and traditionally appointed — and through the cave-like sauna, pool, and spa before arriving at our corner suite, which overlooked a greensward onto the Lake itself. I hope you will not consider me inane, but when the door closed behind us, I actually welled up with tears. Mr. Magpie and I have never stayed in anything approximating the luxury of this hotel. I had a fleeting sense of impostership. This, for us?! Mr. Magpie poured us a glass of the sparkling wine they had waiting for us in the room, and those sensations gradually dissipated — ha.
Waiting for us in our suite — sparking wine, treats, and clementines. (The entire mini bar was complimentary and restocked daily). Upon arrival, the receptionist gave me a corsage!
Had to snap a photo of myself to make sure I was actually alive / real.
The view from our room. I couldn’t stop swooning.
As recently as five years ago, the property was privately owned; after its purchase, the mansion was re-outfitted, maintaining many of the original details and preserving the traditional spirit of the place (the original owner of the mansion was named Passalacqua, and his crest boasted a three fish pattern — an insignia that can still be found everywhere in the hotel), but incorporating modern amenities. Because of this, the hotel marries contemporary, new-world finishes with Como’s more iconic ornate feel. Think handsome brass light switches, bedside adapters, wired and hidden speakers in both bedroom and bathroom, heated towel racks and floors, a TV disguised as a mirror, all alongside velvet drapes, elaborate intaglio ceilings, and upholstered everything.
The service here is impeccable — discrete, friendly, highly trained in the art of hospitality. We joked that there was likely a staff-to-guest ratio of 3:1. They even have a full-time florist arranging flowers at the station seen below all day long. After we pinched ourselves at our good fortune and I lollygagged and swooned out the window for a good thirty minutes, we wandered down to the outdoor bar that overlooks the pool to enjoy a (35 euro…! be warned!) cocktail. But when I tell you this place is magic…! The romance of these opulent mansions against the drama of the lake and the sheer drop of mountains around it! All I can say is that I understand why Verdi and Puccini composed their operas here.
View from the Passalacqua outdoor bar.
The florist’s station at Passalacqua.
After our cocktail, we wandered through the tiered lawns again. The hotel was remarkably quiet during our entire stay — it often felt that we were one of only a few patrons — but we also wondered whether that wasn’t strategic on the hotel’s part in some way. They do a good job of spacing out guests in the dining room and only permit a few patrons in the sauna/spa/pool at a time. We availed ourselves of the sauna, steam room, and pool two days in a row, and had the entire place to ourselves both times. Wildly romantic and luxurious.
View from the top terraced garden of the hotel; you can dine here on pleasant nights.
The hotel’s clay tennis court.
After exploring the property on our own, we relaxed in our room, showered, and changed for dinner, which we had pre-booked at Passalacqua’s sister hotel, The Grand Hotel Tremezzo (GHT). Our agent had steered us to consider either GHT or Passalacqua for our stay in Como, and I spent some time deliberating between the two. There are many Reddit threads debating this exact topic if you’re interested. It seemed to me that most people were raving about Passalacqua and that while many well-traveled Redditors have strong connections to the more traditional and long-standing GHT, there were some rumblings in the margins that it has gone ever so slightly downhill in the past year or two. I can’t speak to that, but I can say that we have nothing negative to say about Passalacqua — only a rave, five star review. The other hotel I might consider if we go back is The Mandarin Oriental, across the Lake. Several Magpies raved about this hotel in the same breath as Passalacqua, and the captain of our boat (more on this below) specifically pointed it out as one of the most revered destinations in the area, alongside Passalacqua and GHT.
If I am honest, I regret that we had dinner at GHT’S La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi. It’s 30 minutes from Passalacqua, and we were tired. Mr. Magpie did not want to drive after seeing the types of roads that wrap the Lake, so we arranged through the concierge to have a private car take us, wait for us, and then drive us back, which was extremely pricey for a dining experience that was similar to what we could have had at Passalacqua (where we would end up eating two nights later, and I much preferred the latter). While underway, we saw a pedestrian struck by a car, which was terrifying, and also sort of what we’d been breathlessly expecting. I don’t understand how the cars fly around those roads like they do while pedestrians are pinning themselves against the walls of buildings to let them by. A dark point of the night — though it did seem the gentleman struck was OK.
It was interesting to see the sister property, which felt even more ornate and traditional than Passalacqua, with a resplendent foyer and set of ballrooms. I am aiming to be polite and recognize how special and opulent the dining experience was at GHT, but it was my least favorite meal of the trip. It is a deeply romantic venue — on a terrace that overlooks the moonlit Lake — but I felt pandered-to in a way that I didn’t like. There were multiple comments by different servers along the lines of “the woman gets what the woman wants,” “let me guess, the lady wants the lobster macaroni,” and wink-wink-nudge-nudges to Landon, and I was given a menu without prices while Mr. Magpie’s did have them. I can appreciate tradition, and the staff probably has a sophisticated lock on their usual customer profile, but the entire thing left me a tiny bit…hm. We had of course known this going into the dinner, but the prices were extreme. We still exchange sarcastic comments on the plate of steamed vegetables we ordered to the tune of 38 euro. This place is a destination, and a flex, and I get that, but still. On the flipside, the experience taught me something about Mr. Magpie and I: while we appreciate fine, traditional dining in small and special doses, I think that when traveling we tend to prefer the more authentic local cuisine in smaller trattorias and cafes as a way of learning and appreciating a food culture different from our own. Anyhow, bring out the world’s tiniest violin. It was all magic, it was all over-the-top, and I was pinching myself every single minute — but trying to keep it real in case you are following my notes for future trip-planning. I would probably skip GHT and if you are in search of a fine dining experience, go to Passalacqua! More on that below.
The next morning, we enjoyed one of the epic “complimentary” breakfasts in the hotel dining room. (Complimentary in quotations as you are paying a lot of money to stay at Passalacqua.) You can order anything you’d like a la carte, and then they have two rooms in the kitchen lined with an unimaginable assortment of cakes, pastries, jams, spreads, cured meats, tinned fishes, cheeses, butters, fruits, yogurts, eggs, breads. It was staggering and beautifully displayed. Neither of us are big breakfast eaters, which is a shame. I could barely finish a bowl of yogurt and a cappuccino, and they brought out a four foot tall server of different special bites and brioches and the like, and then seemed surprised when we declined to order anything off the menu!
The dining room at Passalacqua, ready for breakfast.
One of two rooms full of breakfast offerings.
Even my purse had a throne at Passalacqua.
After breakfast, we had chartered one of the hotel’s boats for a private tour of Lake Como. This was the high point of our trip to Como. It was so romantic and so beautiful, and I liked the privacy of it — just Landon and I canoodling in the back of the boat, our conversation just for us over the hum of the motor. The captain did idle at a few strategic parts of the Lake to indicate points of interest — Clooney’s house being one of them! — and offered to let us walk around Bellagio (one of the most popular towns on the Lake, with good shopping), but we decided we were happy to stay where we were and view from the boat. The boat itself (named “The Didi” and built by Lake Como’s legendary Cantiere Colombo shipbuilder) was one of those glorious retro lacquered-wood beauties, and came fully stocked with wine, beer, soft drinks, etc and a sun deck and swimming platform we could have enjoyed had it been warmer. We toasted ourselves with glasses of champagne while taking in the sights. It was something else — a major golden moment. If you are planning a honeymoon, and contemplating Como, just know that this is it. As romantic as it gets.
Mr. Magpie aboard the Didi on Lake Como.
Me on the most romantic place on earth with the LOML.
After the boat, we wandered into Moltrasio in the rain and stopped to eat at a restaurant Landon had flagged called Trattoria La Moltrasina, on Via Francesco Raschi. It was empty save for us, and we enjoyed delicious plates of pasta (Landon had lobster and I had a mustard green and orecchiette dish) in its warm, clean dining room, before navigating the stepped, terraced streets and plazas back to the hotel for an afternoon in the sauna/steam room/indoor pool.
Exploring Moltrasio in the rain.
The indoor pool was something out of a movie — you walk through dim caves (which I am sure date back centuries) that have been modernized with jewel-like light fixtures to arrive at a long, narrow rectangle of a heated pool boxed in by tall panes of glass that overlook one of the gardens. We were alone in the pool, and it was raining, and wow.
We cleaned up and enjoyed a cocktail at the plush indoor bar afterward, where we were thoroughly charmed by the waitstaff and the bartender, the latter of whom had designed many of the elaborate cocktails on the menu and was eager to explain their complexities.
The hotel bar at Passalacqua.
We had been toying with the idea of walking back into town for dinner, but it was dark and rainy, and we instead opted to put on a movie and order room service. This was the only time we ate pizza on the entire trip (!), and it was absolutely delicious! The Passalacqua kitchen was a serious business — that crust was incredible.
View from our room at dusk.
Room service night, complete with Passalacqua’s insignia-emblazoned slippers.
In the morning, we had a private car take us to old Como itself, where Allison had arranged a food tour of Como for us. The food part of the tour was underwhelming, but it was a fantastic way to learn about the city, the region, and its proud history by foot. Como is charming, and full of chic people, and our guide was delightfully eager to share her hometown with us. We had hoped we might try the region’s famous perch and risotto dish while on this tour, but this was not on offer — I do regret not trying it while in the region; you might make a note to order it when you first have a chance. The highlight of the food tour was the gelato from Gelataria Rossetti — the only time we had gelato in Italy and delicious. I had a concord grape flavor I still think about.
Exploring old Como by foot.
After the food tour, we went back to the sauna/steam room/pool for a second visit, and then read and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. If we had a little more gas in the tank, I would have liked to visit one of the beautiful museums or public gardens we’d driven by in the boat, but we also had pretty rainy/drizzly weather while in the area, and were flagging a bit towards the end of our trip.
We decided instead at the last minute to splurge on our final night by dining at the Passalacqua hotel, and I’m so glad we did. It was the cherry on top of an other-worldly, sumptuous trip. We went in hungry (possibly the only time we’d felt hungry the entire eight days) owing to the meager offerings on our food tour, and I’m so glad we did. The food was incredible, and rich, and well-portioned. When we arrived, we were the only patrons in the dining room, and there was a pianist playing elegant jazz piano just for us. I mean, can you even?! We ordered a foie gras appetizer, white truffle pasta (how could we not?), and sole meuniere, which was filleted table-side. Every single course was exceptional, and the waitstaff deeply attentive, and I felt like a little princess in a soap bubble of a dream. I will never in all my years forget that night, the lavishness and glamour of it all.
Dinner at Passalacqua, with a pianist!
My handsome date.
A little private dining nook — every corner is just so romantic.
In the morning, we ate a quick final breakfast before heading to the Milan airport. If I could have had a few extra days, I would have loved to visit Milan — three nights felt perfect for Como and I don’t know that you need more? — but suddenly we were boarding our plane and bidding Italy arrivederci…!
As always, feel free to send any questions via the comments, and please share if there are things we missed!
Scheduling this republished essay from the archives in advance of the election’s results. Not sure what I will be seeking this morning, but love is always a good start.
***
It’s just that,
we are here for such a short time,
and with our loved ones for even shorter.
Strange to think that we might pass more hours this year with parents at our children’s schools, or neighbors, or colleagues, than we will with our own cherished elect.
There is a Sufi meditation prompt:
“If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do?”
Then:
“And if you knew you were going to die in two hours, what would you do?”
Visions of seeing the Northern Lights, of tasting oysters just-plucked and still-hearty with Puget Sound merroir, of standing, chest heaving, at the summit of a fourteener,
give way to curling up with my babies,
and leaning my head on my mother’s shoulder,
and holding my husband’s hand.
It is so small and simple, what matters most:
the notes on the counter in familiar cursive: “Jennifer – I thought you might like these,” and “Not yet ripe,”
the dog ecstatically wagging her tail — her body radiating with recognition and joy — at your return from the supermarket,
the sticky popsicle kisses, the stick-figure drawings shoved under your door in the morning,
the withdrawal — without prior coordination — of two spoons from the drawer for ice cream after dinner,
the squeal of glee from your son when he catches sight of you, surprising him with school pick-up,
the way he sprints across the playground, arms windmilling through the air,
the animal pureness of his response: this chirp of recognition, this irrepressible need to press his face into your arms,
the daily, ambling phone calls with your mother, talking about what you ate for dinner and whether or not you will be at the anticipatory Mass,
the “You make me happy,” whispered while watching a movie under blankets in the air conditioning of your basement.
At the end of it all, I don’t need to have lived large. In fact, I think I am on the right track if it feels as though I am living lilliputian instead.
It could be that my entire universe fits on a couch,
That true happiness fits snugly in the palm of my hand, and squeezes it.
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+The lovely sister-owned small business March Hare sold out of their spectacular double wrap watch (I own in black — Cartier vibes but under $400), but have now restocked for pre-order. MAGPIE20 gets you 20% off.
+Our toaster died from over-use last week (waffle breakfast fiends) and we just ordered this chic style as a replacement/upgrade. (Also looked at Smeg, but have heard they are enormous and not particularly reliable.)
+I have to say — these mildly ridiculous platform slippers are one of my favorite possessions. So snug and cozy. I bought mine last fall and wear them every morning and evening. Like pillows. I also like the non-sherpa option. Other slippers worth a look: the Bombas Sunday slipper and, not a slipper exactly, but I also wear these a lot around the house: these Rothys clogs. They have such great arch support — almost feels like a massage under your foot.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to write today, when our attention is, importantly, elsewhere. So instead I will share a few points of inspiration that I’ve found life-affirming or beautiful or both in the past week.
+“Yes” by Na Mee (scroll down to the section titled “Prompt 310” — although Suleika’s prologue is also lovely and worth a read). I wept when reading this beautiful essay on loss, grief, and pet adoption. I think this might be one of the most achingly beautiful passages I’ve read in months:
***
“In my first family, not even my mother was home when she gave birth to me. She had snuck away to Busan, the furthest place a Korean can go before they walk into the ocean. Almost two months later, she agreed to let my father take me to an orphanage. My intake paperwork says that I was cute. The physician wrote that I was “probably adoptable.” I went from an orphanage to a foster family to an airplane to America to an American family. Everyone I ever knew in Korea left, including me.
They say I cried the entire way, which is fourteen hours, which is a long time to tread water. Sometimes, even now, I drown in the wake of a goodbye. I know, and Bear knows, that some people never return. I too can be alone. And, I too have tried to pry open the last door someone walked through.
Six months before I met Bear, my father (who adopted me) unexpectedly died. When grief appears on your doorstop, it brings everyone it knows. All my goodbyes bobbed at the surface.
Came in waves Left"
***
“All my goodbyes bobbed at the surface.” I mean, the craftsmanship, the centricity and visual potency of that feeling of loss. Then, at the end of the essay, this gem:
“I noticed him spin in the rain, I noticed him wait in the sun, I noticed us changing. Training Bear trained us both to sit in a world of loss and stay in it, two seconds more at a time. Again and again, Bear made me come home to my goodbyes. And, home to my hellos, to new beginnings, new ways of being.
I’ve trained him to walk on a leash without dragging me. I’ve trained him to walk off a leash and return to me. But, the best command is heel.
Heal, I’ll say, and this means we walk next to each other.
Every dog trainer will tell you, timing is everything.”
You don’t need me to tell you the many ways this made me feel. Over the weekend, my daughter told me she still panics when she accidentally drops her little bouncy ball in the house, thinking Tilly will lunge for it, and eat it. She used to make herself sick ingesting any manner of plastic toy, but she especially loved those five-and-dime rubber bouncy balls my children will bring home in goody bags. I’d usually confiscate them or ban them inside — they were too tempting for our airedale. Funny, that the impression, the instinct, remains with my daughter. Our lives become mosaics of the people (and pets) we love.
+Riley Sheehey’s book art — she has been hand-detailing the covers of antique books. Absolute treasures.
+The Author Clock: a whimsical timepiece that gives you the time via book quote. There is also a web browser version of this by Johs Enevoldsen– I sometimes keep it in an open tab and tap over when I’m hungry for inspiration.
+I am still clinging to that moment where Andrew Garfield talked about how mysterious art is, how it draws us to places we didn’t know we needed to go, or couldn’t otherwise access. It reminded me of a quote by Whitman I have in one of my notebooks: “Do you know o speech how the buds beneath you are folded?” We all cabin these complex inner networks of root and reference just waiting to be called upon by the right sets of words.
+Millie Illustrates’ Guide to November. Charming illustration, and I thought the phrase “the month in-between” was provocative. Poor November! October gets all of the upswing and December is the party? Is that how we feel? I’m not sure – Thanksgiving feels robust to me, but the string of weeks in early November do feel a bit like no man’s land, when I am sheepish about listening to holiday music, and unsure whether tartan is acceptable. How do you feel about this month — chapter 11 of 12?
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+And a couple of quick notes on things I’ve recently ordered, or added to cart, or contemplated.
GIFTS: Appointed launched its desk calendar and I am already looking forward to having it up on my desk come January. I am constantly pulling up my calendar on my phone — extremely handy to have it accessible at a glance. (I believe the code MAGPIEBYJENSHOOP gets you 15% off. I also believe their notebooks would be a spectacular gift for a paper lover, journaler, note-taker, etc.) I also love the ones my girlfriend Inslee releases each year (also just launched). Either of these would be lovely gifts for someone in the “impossible to shop for” category — they are lovely, artful, and useful. The Inslee ones feel apt for an MIL. I have been organizing gift ideas here in case you’re in the mood for some early shopping. I have to say these metallic trim, limited edition Stanleys would be a great gift for a teen, or a teacher. Try the code COLLECTIVE20 — some exclusions apply, but I think most of the Stanley website is 20% off.
STYLE: Recent orders I’m excited about here. I wore this coat to my in-laws over the weekend and loved the way it felt layered over a sweater — layers of warmth and hygge — and the button details are exceptional. And, I mentioned this yesterday, but Sezane’s Sunday drop was so good. I ordered this skirt and a top that’s already sold out (!), but I also had two dresses — this and this — in and out of my cart, taunting me. And! I ordered my second pair of Agolde pinch waist crops, this time in a darker wash (TTS). I love the au courant barrels and wide-legs, but sometimes you do need a classic straight to make certain silhouettes work (blazers, boots).
HOME: Already in holiday home decor buying mode. I’ve placed a few orders from Target — the brass card holder we all loved last week and then this set of three wicker holiday trees (large, medium, small) from Studio McGee, which will assuredly sell out. I am regretting not adding these card clips to my last order. I can imagine they’d be so handy for holiday parties. And, I ordered this fabulous tree skirt from Julia Amory (JEN-15 for 15% off). I’m sure this will sell through. More early holiday decor finds here.
