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My Latest Snags.
A new Alice Walk sweatshirt, in the sage green stripe. Truly the best. A nice (longer) length, dreamy cotton, elevated gold hardware. I also picked up this clear makeup pouch I wrote about earlier this week and (random) these redness-reducing eye drops, which I’ve heard are a major secret for looking more awake and alert!
Mr. Magpie and I have been talking a lot about motivation this month. January is a low tide for many reasons, but the question is: how do we keep at our goals (whether professional, fitness-related, hobbyist, creative) when we’re feeling lethargic?
I’ve been repeating two Magpie reader mantras this eternal January:
“Sometimes you just have to move the dirt,”
and
“It’s not ‘I have to do this,’ but ‘I get to do this.'”
The former is terra nova, home base for the disciplined, of which I consider myself one. I can clip into “just get it done” mode with relative ease — a muscle I believe I developed as a high achiever in academics throughout my youth. The latter phrase, on the other hand, feels like a gear shift: it’s the quickest way for me to enter into a mindset of gratitude. I was dragging my feet when heading to my training session this week, and I thought of those words, and I realized how lucky I am to have the time and resources to exercise in the first place, not to mention a strong and healthy body that can move and lift and run. If you have ever been seriously sick, or recovered from a surgery or injury, you also remember that moment in convalescence in which you asked yourself: “Will I ever feel normal again?” So, I marched into that studio in praise of a normal day.
Anyhow, the two phrases act like a carrot and a stick, or good cop/bad cop, perhaps. One is warmer (just look at all you have!), and the other like a slap on the wrist (get out there and do the thing). Funny that some days I just know, intuitively, which approach I need to trot out.
How do you stay motivated?
Post-Scripts.
+More cool girl socks. These are the kinds all the chic peas are wearing with New Balance 9060s.
+My daughter was DELIGHTED by this Usborne “transfer” book I surprised her with last week. You use a pencil or ballpoint pen to draw over a transfer sheet and the image magically appears on the page behind it. Will be purchasing more!
+I’ve been looking for cashmere beanies in solid colors that aren’t crazy expensive. Found these at J. Crew and these at Everlane in such great colors! All under $60, some as low as $23.
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A potpourri of thoughts and musings today…
+Are all of your friends around your age? I came across this quote in Leslie’s newsletter this week (from a reader of hers): “A friend once told me she had a goal to have a friend in every decade because everyone shares such a different experience of life in conversation.” I reflected for a minute and realized, outside of my mother and my youngest sister, I don’t have any female friends a decade older or younger than I am. Clearly, I’m missing out! What about you? How did you / do you make friends with women outside of your immediate age bracket?
+We kicked off the design of our formal living room with our interior designer, Kelley Proxmire, this week. I love the fabrics we selected (seen above). We’re basing the room around the rug seen above, which Mr. Magpie and I found at Jayson Home in Chicago several years ago. (BTW: Jayson Home is currently running an insane sale, with an extra 20% off sale prices — don’t miss this gorgeous table, these bar stools, these Staffordshire dogs for book case styling.) The room will have formal seating for receiving guests and enjoying cocktails, and a little game table tucked into the corner so Mr. Magpie and I can enjoy our game hours in style. (We have been very into Duel lately.)
+Listening to Rhye’s album “Woman” on repeat. It’s over ten years old, but feels modern to me. Major Sade vibes; good beats for a low key work session.
+I just finished listening to Nancy Meyers’ interview on Ben Mankiewicz’s brand new podcast, “Talking Pictures.” I found Mankiewicz a little off-putting at first — the opener felt self-aggrandizing, and he occasionally talks over (and corrects!) Meyers, betes noires* of mine. I couldn’t tell whether these gaffes were the result of nervous energy or the speed bumps of starting anything new (it is the first episode of the podcast). Anyhow, one interesting part of the conversation: Meyers talks about the phenomena of “who almost played a character” in Hollywood, and how wild it is to imagine one celebrity filling in for a role that made another’s career. I love that game, too. Did you know, for example, Kim Basinger declined the role of Annie in “Sleepless in Seattle” before Meg Ryan was cast in it?! And can you imagine a world without Meg Ryan in that movie?
+Re: bete noire — a Magpie reader used this in a comment on one of this week’s posts and I could not wait to use it myself! I’d not heard the phrase in years. A bete noire is “a person or thing that one particularly dislikes.” Another source defined it as “anathema,” which of course brought to mind the charming Stanley Tucci; I think he used the word 323 times (exaggerating) in his memoir, which I cherished. The New Yorker described Tucci as “trim, gently muscled, bespectacled, a little arch, a little icy” in an article on his memoir a few years ago, and I’ve never forgotten the portraiture. “A little arch, a little icy” — ha! And yet the description does not quite capture what a charming companion he is in audiobook form.
+Re: Nancy Meyers. There are two really fun Meyers-inspired playlists to put on the next time you’re in a cooking mood: this one from Jess Nell Graves and this one from Michael Bernardini.
+I’ve heard SUCH good things about this well-priced cleanser, but it’s been sold out forever. Just got an alert that it was restocked this week and checked out immediately. Cannot wait to test. Description: “This skin-softening, humectant-rich glycerin cleanser effectively removes makeup, excess oil, and impurities while maintaining skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH.”
+Can’t stop thinking about this ethereal / vintage-looking dress ever since I saw it on Tara Moni.
+I shared this brief poem by Jane Hirshfield on Instagram this week. I love its pithy multivalence. Is it apology? A public performance of something intimate? A gesture to the porousness of memory?
+Really want to try this under-eye-brightening product from Trish McEvoy. It’s their bestselling product!
+Yamazaki Home has such chic, minimalist home storage solutions. This double decker drying rack is brilliant for a smaller kitchen, and I love the look of this cutting board organizer. On the subject of home organization: just ordered these to better organize the kids’ snack section of our pantry.
+This past fall, I bought a heavy-duty denim overshirt similar to this and I love it! So versatile and unexpected (for me). Especially love styling it with white, ecru, or black denim. It’s a bit out of my personal style comfort zone (slightly edgier / more androgynous?) but I’ve loved having it.
+A chic outfit comprised of pieces all $110 and under: Adidas sneaks, Gap jeans, Leset Margo tee, Gap cardigan, Target tote.
04. Splits59 Airweight leggings. My favorite for everyday/casual wear. Compressive but very thin. Do not look like performance wear to me — more matte.
06. Toteme-inspired jacket. This look has been everywhere the past few seasons.
07. Cotton fisherman sweater. Looks just like Jenni Kayne, but a fraction of the price. Go a size or two up for a slouchier / more oversized look. I take a small in these, but frankly could even go up to medium.
08. Long jeans. Not cropped / ankle — almost pool/puddle at the foot! Don’t know how I feel about this trend, but it’s out there — don’t shoot the messenger.
11. High-vamp ballet flats. Also love the ones from Schutz (I own in a few colors but especially love the chocolate brown). Both of these have a contemporary look to them thanks to the shape/style of the toe box.
Q: Everyday clothes for my three year old daughter.
A: I always kept a full stock of Old Navy leggings in white, navy, black, gray, pale pink. They’re inexpensive but have a nice thickness. I’d layer beneath cute cotton dresses from Luigi, Target, or Little English or pair with one of these cute floral blouses from Amazon or a sweatshirt from Zara. Zara in general has great, stylish sets, like these sweatshirts with these leggings. Add a big bow and some tiny Vejas or Cientas and you’re set.
Q: Work conference dinners in Miami. Will be freezing in side but hot out.
A: One of these sets from Julia Amory (pants, top) paired with a little cropped jacket/cardigan to wear inside and simple gold jewelry. You can also never go wrong with a striped shirtdress like this.
Q: St. Barths with friends – looking for statement resortwear.
A: I’m not sure what the parameters are for uniform / not, but my son wears these to school every day! Love them because they’re very easy for him to get on/off himself, and they occasionally come in great colors. He’s owned a mid blue and a spruce green! The navy are cute, too.
Q: Fitness clothes for my daughter – she’s starting basketball.
A: These pastel performance tees, these Under Armour shorts. Both come in great colors!
Q: Big girl bed for my daughter.
A: Oeuf has some really fun styles — how great is this? If you’re looking for upholstered, love this Crate & Kids or the styles from The Inside (lots of fun patterns), or for a big investment, the ones from Coley Home. I’ve also always loved a classic Jenny Lind spindle style.
Q: Curtains — do you know of any shops that can customize to my specs that I can order without a designer?
A: Check out Lynn Chalk on Etsy. I’ve not ordered window treatments but have ordered pillows from her. Incredible quality with all the best designer fabrics. Very well-reviewed! Alternately, have heard good things about Pepper Home!
Q: A work heel that won’t kill my feet.
A: These Stuart Weitzmans are amazing. I believe I had this exact pair in my former professional life and I absolutely wore them into the ground. Look good with suits, skirts, etc.
Q: Coming home outfit for my baby, due in March. A: Congrats, mama!! I love the footies from Kissy Kissy, the precious pieces (including booties) from Livly, and the ultra-soft zip-ups from Kyte. All three of those come in NB sizes, which is what you’ll need unless your baby is enormous! Hard to believe, but my babies were swimming in even the NB sizes!
A: You should follow my friends Lauren and Stephanie! They’re both expecting and SO chic. But also, you might treat yourself to this striped tee dress (non-maternity but would work in early trimesters) or one of the ones from Skims. These are great bases that you can zhush with a long cardigan, fancy ballet flats, scarf, etc.
P.P.P.S. Our favorite coffee/tea gear, and elevated athleisure for coffee runs.
By: Jen Shoop
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Tuckernuck is running an incredible sample sale! My top picks below —
01. Probably the best buy: these Juliet Dunn sundresses (wearing mine above). I wore mine all last summer and it was the lightest, breeziest, sweetest thing for peak heat days. They’re spendy, though, so jump on the discount! More patterns here. Run large — you can size down. I took the 0 and it’s still very, very roomy.
02. Minnow terry shorts for your little man! I love these on my son — he’s had a few pairs the past few summers.
03. Dudley Stephens fleece! I didn’t understand the hype around this brand but they really are a great mid-layer — thin but warm with a dramatic turtleneck situation. I have the sage green color.
04. Still a splurge, but anything Agua Bendita is worth a look. This one is so spectacular — imagine for a bride to be or a special occasion in warm weather (birthday, anniversary, etc!)
05. Pretty peony statement earrings. Pair with an LWD for an easy updated spring look.
06. Reversible, wipeable placemats! These remind me of my favorite ones from Proper Table but less expensive.
07. This caftan reminds me of the super pricey ones from Pippa Holt, but only $50! (PSA that you can sometimes find the Pippa Holt ones on The Real Real!)
In 2020, I attended a commemoration of Mary Oliver’s life at the 92nd Street Y with my sister. The entire program was deeply moving, with celebrities, politicians, and writers reciting her poems and sharing a bit about how and why Oliver had changed their lives, and a recording of Mary Oliver reading “Wild Geese” that left the auditorium pin-drop-silent. But one moment that unexpectedly grabbed me by the heart was when the emcee for the evening recognized Oliver’s late-life caregiver, who stood reluctantly in the third row to a standing ovation. How beautiful to have a room full of poetry-lovers celebrating not only Oliver but the woman who had stood quietly at her bedside, and bathed and fed and clothed her, when Oliver could not. How rare to celebrate the people that stand behind the curtain.
I shared that memory on Instagram a few weeks ago and one Magpie responded:
“Main character energy is such a buzz word and is used with such positive connotation. But as a shy observer type, I think the supporting actress role really makes the movie.”
I loved this perspective, and I’ve been chewing on its since. On the one hand, as I wrote recently, I don’t want anyone to feel as if she is sitting in the nose bleeds for her own life. This is my one wild and precious life — let me live it, not visit it! (Not that the Magpie was suggesting this, exactly — but just setting some table stakes.) On the other hand, I think a true woman of substance “can give herself to others without self-diminishment or self-projection. She can listen without interjecting her own story; she can marvel without battling jealousy; she can endure unkindnesses without questioning herself. She does not need the last word, the biggest laugh, the adulation, the apology: she is full without the feedback. She stands still in her center.” Which is to say, she can also take the back seat, or the supporting role, when life requests it of her. There have absolutely been phases of my life as well as personal and professional dynamics that have called me to ride in the passenger seat. I’ve learned a lot from those situations, and they have enabled me to empower people I love and/or admire to do great things. This might mean moving where your spouse finds a job, saying no to an opportunity because it will not accommodate your children’s schedules, or showing up to support a friend’s small business time after time, or serving as the peacemaker in the family — to name a few examples. I know for a fact that I have been the beneficiary of people playing “supporting actor / actress” for me. I am thinking especially of Mr. Magpie, who carried the financial burden for our family for many years so that I could write full-time. I am thinking also of my mother, who set aside her love of being a Montessori school teacher to work inside the home caring for my four siblings and I, and of each of my siblings, for that matter, who have repeatedly, in matters small and large, said: “It’s OK, Jen, you can have it.”
Perhaps true humility is knowing when to cede the leading actress role: when to take center stage and when to stand waiting in the wings. Maybe life is finding this balance, and what feels balanced for one may not feel balanced for another.
What do you think, Magpies? Do you find yourself shifting between roles, or do you see yourself more permanently as a supporting actress?
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+Cutest La Ligne-inspired sweater. Perfection for Valentine’s Day.
+I have heard such good things about these water-resistant Chelsea boots. SO chic and can be worn in rain/slush/sludge/snow! On my wishlist. Look for less here. I saw a mom at my children’s school wearing these (99% sure this exact pair) and they looked SO good!
+My friend Nan also recommended this suede spray for preserving other suede pieces that might encounter a stray splash/sludge moments.
+For my bow-loving friends: this pouch (on sale!) and these ballet flats. And speaking of LSF: their collab with State Bags is back!
+My children have spent SO much time in the snow this week. I am planning to buy them Smartwool base layers next season (on the rec of my skiing expert girlfriend, who has been taking her kids skiing for years) and making do with less expensive thermals right now — just saw these sets are $13!
+This brow gel has been garnering major hype. Still obsessed with Kosas’ AirBrow but tempted to try…
+Wish I’d had one of these waiting in the wings during our snow week. Speaking of snow week: this would have been the perfect book to download last week!
+Gorgeous marbleized papers for scrapbooking or wrapping little gifts.
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I pay a lot of attention to what surrounds me on a daily basis — does it spark joy? does it make me feel cluttered or peaceful? does it work well, or am I always fumbling for the right implement at the right time? is it conducive to or restrictive of my creative faculties?
A few items I love to keep close at hand throughout my work day —
+Clear lucite frames with important photographs and drawings from my children. Roots and branches!
+Biblical inspiration cards from Camilla Moss. I will occasionally glaze over and find my eyes settling on these cards. Always ground and reframe.
+A tall water bottle. I have been known to get so engrossed in my writing that I will not break to get water, use the rest room, etc! Sometimes I’m too focused. I have learned I need to have a full water bottle next to me a the start of any work session.
+My trusty daily planner, a task notebook for list-making, and a notebook for hand-drafting.
+A ceramic blade mini boxcutter (my exact style sold out, similar here). I open a lot of boxes and this has made that part of my life so, so much easier.
+My noise canceling headphones. Love love love. I keep them on this stand when not in use.
Tapping this list out, I am reminded of a very handy exercise I try to take on once or twice a year —
“Sit down for a second and think through your day, hour by hour. What petty frustrations bother you over and over again? Small things like coffee consistently not being hot, or phone running out of battery by 4 p.m., or having to prep your children’s lunch at 10 p.m when you’re ready for bed, or having a charger that is too short for you to use your phone in your bed. Write them out. Then, devise solutions for each. I think you will be surprised at how small grievances can pile up and create a kind of background “noise” that no one needs, and that many of these petty frustrations can be addressed rather simply.”
A few other recent desktop / office finds to consider…
LETTER TRAYS TO STOW IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS OR PAPERWORK YOU HAVE TO ATTEND TO AT SOME POINT (I’M IMAGINING TOP TIER FOR “THIS WEEK’S WORK” / BOTTOM TIER FOR LONGER TERM
PLASTIC ENVELOPES — LOVE THESE FOR KEEPING SETS OF PAPERWORK SEPARATE (E.G., MEDICAL FORMS, SCHOOL FORMS, RECEIPTS, ETC)
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Over the weekend, I pulled this furoshiki bag from Roop out of my closet — I bought it in 2020, back during pandemic times, and I’d nearly forgotten about it. Such a fun little piece, and I love the description on the site:
“Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport clothes, gifts and other goods. My shape is inspired by this, a combination of knots and my signature scrunchie strap makes me bounce as you walk!
I’m made using only remnant, deadstock and vintage fabrics to be as green as possible. This means colours are super limited or one of a kind.”
I found an Etsy shop that sells furoshiki bags in even more colors here, too.
Above, I paired with my Doen Oleta blouse (sold out, but similar here) for a little polka dot x polka dot action, Gap wide leg jeans (run shy of TTS – I would size up), Tuckernuck blazer (nearly sold out in black, but I LOVE their striped option, or you can get similar here or here), and Dorsey earrings (exact style sold out, similar here).
02. The pre-owned Celine phone sling I just ordered last week! Cannot wait for it to arrive. Great for quick errands / carpool / travel / etc. Lots of inventory for gently-used ones at The Real Real. If you’re not into logos, they also have solid leather options. Also wanted to mention that I found an Etsy shop that does a cute “inspired-by” phone sling that looks a lot like the Loewe ones.
03. Toteme t-lock bag. These are enjoying a major moment right now. SO chic with the gold hardware and unexpected shape. Also comes in a clutch format.
04. A really fun acrylic clutch from Cult Gaia. Such a statement!
05. These Hereu bon bon bags are ADORABLE. Fun shape and lots of colors/materials available.
06. I own several Pam Munson bags that I rotate between all summer long, and I especially love their new “town and country” shape with the croc handles, which I would wear in the winter, too, thanks to the leather accents!
07. I’ve been getting a lot of wear out of my Lily & Bean Hettie bag the past few weeks. A great size for evenings out — carry lipstick, card case, phone, and keys.
08. The woven totes from new-to-me label Eilaf turned my head. Love this!
09. Amanda Lindroth totes — love the leather trim! I have one of their Birkin basket bags that I wear every single summer.
10. Obsessed with this funky checkerboard-patterned tote from Clare Vivier. They always have whimsical colors/details/patterns.
11. Love the cheeky woven bags from The Jacksons. I bought one of their “Big Eye” ones two summers ago and it was just FUN to wear.
P.S. So many of you have been purchasing the Dorsey Clemence necklace — she’s a beauty and currently re-stocked! I’ve been layering her with everything lately. More details on my favorite Dorsey pieces here.
03. Roz root-lifting spray (just launched last week!). I need all the help I can get with volume, especially while I am growing my hair out and can’t wait to test this.
04. Salt cellars. I mentioned this last week, but these chic little salt cellars arrived for our finishing salts and they spark joy — seen above.
11. Blockprint nightlight. (I bought one of the designs from this company for my children’s bathroom — so chic and I love the soft glow it affords them in the middle of the night!)
12. Most comfortable underwear ever ever ever ever ever.
Let’s ease into the week with another fun installment of icebreakers — I absolutely love to read your quirky, thoughtful, funny responses to these. Please share your answers in the comments!
01. If you could add a word to the dictionary, what would you add and what would it mean?
02. If you could erase any word from the dictionary, what would it be?
03. Most used emoji.
04. Vogue is writing a profile of you at the age of 75. What’s the subheading?
05. Least favorite part of your daily routine.
06. The secret to success is …
07. What would be your first question after waking up from being cryogenically frozen for 100 years?
08. Something you’re good at that other people find very challenging.
09. The biggest surprise about being an adult…
10. Something you’d tell your 10-year-old self.
I’ll begin:
01. If you could add a word to the dictionary, what would you add and what would it mean? We need more synonyms for joy. There are so many permutations for sadness, but not as many for “joy” in the way I use the word. (Triumph, jubilation, delight, glee — none of these quite nail the springy-but-full feeling of “joy,” as they all feel just a tiny bit twee. They lack the heft of joy.) Also, very technical, but from an aesthetic standpoint, I wish there were more more nouns without -ness at the end. For example, instead of acuteness, couldn’t it be acutoise, and instead of overwhelmedness, overwhelm? The ness feels clunky to write and say.
02. If you could erase any word from the dictionary, what would it be? Hack (used to mean “shortcut”). I object to it philosophically — I think this term misleads people into believing that there are secret passages through hard things, especially in the realm of entrepreneurship. There are none, unless you consider money a hack.
03. Most used emoji. The red heart.
04. Vogue is writing a profile of you at the age of 75. What’s the subheading? Published author retires to a life of reading and cooking in her mountain cottage with her husband.
05. Least favorite part of your daily routine. Washing my face at night. It feels like a hurdle before pouring myself into bed.
06. The secret to success is … From my limited successes, I would say discipline. Inspiration will not always find you, so you must learn to be disciplined. Lather, rinse, repeat.
07. What would be your first question after waking up from being cryogenically frozen for 100 years? “Where is Mr. Magpie?” (I’d force him to be frozen, too.)
08. Something you’re good at that other people find very challenging. Hitting publish on something I’ve written every single day.
09. The biggest surprise about being an adult… How limited your time is.
10. Something you’d tell your 10-year-old self. Keep writing.
Your turn!
Shopping Break.
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+People have been raving about this slip dress — apparently very flattering, and works with bump. First heard about it from Katie.
+How cute are these Valentines that come with little paint palettes?! I know a bunch of the ones I shared here have sold out already — time to order STAT!
+Speaking of BA&SH – they’re running a new year sale, with an extra 20% off if you use code NEWYEAR20. Don’t miss this chic denim blouse, this knit cardigan, or this tweed jacket.
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Well, this week came in like a lion — and stayed that way. The children were home all week except for Thursday owing to Monday’s holiday and three snow days, and we had no childcare save for a couple of hours one afternoon, when a neighborhood gal came by to play with the children in the basement. I was reminded, shudderingly, of the intensities of quarantine life, and I was ill-prepared to revisit those specters. The children are older and require less supervision than they did during peak COVID times, but still — the week was a maelstrom of shifting meetings, forgetting about phone calls (!), bundling the children up and down, endless snacks and whining sessions, too much screen time, too little patience. I was not my best self despite reminding myself, multiple times, that I was where I needed to be, and that this, too, is the job. School cancelations, sick days, long stretches of no childcare – these are expected elements of motherhood, not exceptions from it. Difficult to wrap your mind around when you are barreling into a week with a robust list of objectives and errands on tap, but the truth nonetheless, and I strained to accommodate its reality.
A friend of mine recently shared this quote with regards to parenting (I think she might have gotten it from Dr. Becky):
“It feels hard because it is hard.”
I needed to remind myself of that, too. Anyhow, enough with the tiny violin. There were also some high points to the week…
+My best friend is a big kahuna at LVMH and managed to score these spectacular J’Adior slingbacks for me from a sample sale, seen above and below. (You can find similar on The Real Real.) I’m besotted with them. I had hoped to wear them this weekend for a dinner out to celebrate Mr. Magpie, but I have a hunch the weather has other plans in store for me at the time of writing this.
+The children’s untrammeled joy in the face of so much snow! Proper, sleddable snow! Mini in particular surprised me – she spent hours in the snow, either by herself or with a little boy that lives two doors down. Micro enjoyed the first day or two but then ran into a bush while sledding, scraping up his face fairly badly, and decided he preferred staying warm by the fire for the rest of the week. The children were obsessed with this Flexible Flyer “Snow Screamer” sled (our exact style here) — it’s ultra lightweight foam material so it really flies down the hill. We also have one of these heavier duty LL Bean saucers. Mr. Magpie did a bunch of Reddit research two years ago and these were the top finds. (We also have a beautiful old-fashioned wood sled, but I am frankly a little nervous about it — we had them when we were kids, too, and I think my Dad told me a friend of his had a finger cut off because of the “blades” and I’ve never looked at them the same way since.)
+I’ve shared their snow gear a bunch recently, but bibs and gloves are Northern Classics; mini is wearing her Reima parka, which micro also now has in a yellow color, but for some reason insisted on wearing his Helly Hensen twister jacket in a past-season color (reversible), which is now a tad small. Their boots are Kuling and nearly sold out online. I really love these because they’re heavy, heavy duty on the sole but have a nice slip-on style (no velcro) that cinches with a toggle. These ones look very similar and I’d go for them if you’re in the market and Kuling is sold out. Not seen above, but my daughter LOVED playing with this snow mold. Funny to look out and see a tiny, perfectly shaped snowman.
+These three makeup brushes are my MVPs at the moment. The $8 Tik Tok viral one is really, really good. I’m very impressed! I use all three of these for foundations, gel blushes and bronzers, concealers, highlighters. I especially like the Rephr for applying my Chantecaille bronzing tint. I almost paint it on to my cheekbones and around the frame of my face and bridge of my nose. You can really get a realistic looking sunkiss with it.
+Above: a double turtleneck kind of day. It’s been COLD. Just a reminder that this season’s striped J. Crew tissue turtleneck is currently on sale for like $10. I love layering with these!
+I took my children out for errands one snow day (roads being totally fine…) and emerged with two thoughts: first, my daughter is suddenly so capable. She loves to be charged with little assignments that give her autonomy. A girlfriend of mine nudged me in this direction when she told me that she sent her six year old daughter to drop something in the mailbox across the street. Her daughter’s eyes were saucers, and she stood at the edge of the lawn looking left and right to check for traffic for a good five minutes. Ever since, I’ve been looking for small ways to afford my daughter similar license. I had her drop something at the neighbor’s and she marched over there with purpose and glee. We also permitted her to walk over to another neighbor’s house to ask a little boy to go sledding a few times, unchaperoned, which lit her from the inside out. At the grocery, I asked her to return to get something in the produce section. I love the slight shock and determination on her face when I empower her to undertake these tiny charges. The second thing I noticed from this outing: how often I go to great lengths to avoid bringing my children on errands with me, and how beneficial they actually are for the kids. Let me be real: bringing children along often makes simple run-in-run-out type errands much longer. There are also often complaints about going, and dragging of feet. Then there are requests in the candy aisle, and toes run over by shopping cart wheels, and squabbling about who gets to ride on the end. But there are also these wonderful moments to empower your six year old to grab bananas, and to talk about how to pick ripe fruit, and to explain why we can’t buy Lucky Charms, and to get the children excited about what’s going to be on their plates, and to randomly hold your son’s hand on a Wednesday morning. We also popped into a bagel shop and they were delighted by heart shaped bagels, which they shared on the way home — such a small thing that brought them tremendous excitement. Finally, I philosophically believe it’s important for kids to see all of the duct work that goes into a well-run home. Like, food doesn’t just appear on the shelves — it costs money, and it takes time to procure. Determined to do a bit more of this in 2024.
+I wrote about these earlier this week in response to an Ask Magpie question, but these stackable velvet jewelry trays are such a great way to stow and organize jewelry (particularly costume/statement).
+Back during the pandemic, I got into the practice of carving out a “10 minute buffer” between the end of my work day and the start of my evening mom duties (bath, dinner, bedtime, etc). I had found it highly difficult to toggle, instantly, between creative mode and mom mode, and nearly always found myself short-tempered because of it. The buffer really helps with role-switching — a liminal space to decompress, take a minute to clip out of one headspace and into the other. In a funny way, the commutes of our former lives offered us this built-in buffer, but so few of us have that neutral, quiet, “between” time separating our professional lives from our personal ones in our hybrid/remote work culture. Anyhow, I was less able to honor that practice this week given no childcare, but on Thursday, the one day our nanny was able to make it in, I actually closed down my office and sat on the floor and just breathed for a few minutes. I felt like a different woman afterward.
+Above: happy things in focus! My new Nike training shoes, my Kule tee, and some cheeky socks. I’m wearing my new sweats from The Great. They’re fine, but also not “it.” They run kind of narrow on the leg but are really loose at the waist, which is not the most flattering on me — and I find myself constantly adjusting the drawstring. I do like the faded wash and ribbed cuffs, though — and the length is ideal for us shorties.
+Last notes: the most gorgeous hats for beach (you can replace the ribbon! I adore mine); another cool Adidas Handball colorway; these wooden kitchen implements are very chic; and a look for less version of the popular Toteme scarf coat. (Quince also has one but it keeps selling out — sign up for re-stocks!)
