R&R: I FORGOT TO TAKE A PIC ON, BUT AM OBSESSED WITH THESE NEGATIVE WHIPPED LOUNGE PANTS AND THIS WHIPPED BRALETTE — DREAMY…! I WOULD GO UP A SIZE IN THE PANTS; RUN A TAD SNUG IN THE WAIST
Trigger warning: This post touches on the topic of disordered eating.
This morning, I was running my regular route and realized I have been near-subconsciously mapping and anticipating its challenges. I found myself saying, “Only two ascents left, Jen — let’s go,” on the return, having divvied the route up into “flat roads,” “ascents” (mild inclines), “climbs” (steep inclines), and “recoveries” (downhills). I don’t know when I started to do this — I can’t recall using this language before this year — or how, exactly, I came by its parsing. But as I cruised down one of the steepest hills in my circuit, I was struck by the fact that I was “bucking up” for the ascents to come rather than appreciating the present, downhill recovery.
Sometimes I think it is harder to unlearn things than to learn them.
I consider myself proficient at fly-swatting when I see even a hint of the kind of thinking that used to support the disordered eating of my teens, when I would deprive my body and then “reward” myself with something pedestrian, like a roll with dinner, or a piece of pizza with friends. That version of myself feels so distant, I barely even recognize her, and yet — sometimes I find faint echoes of the same kind of self-discipline that undergirded my erstwhile unhealthy habits. Why was I fashioning my circuit into a pattern of “pain” and “recovery”? Why it that I was so focused on the ascents to come that I obfuscated the temporary pleasantness of running downhill, in shade, on one of my favorite stretches of the route?
This year, I stopped tracking my runs — no Garmin watch, no iPhone map. There was a time in my life where I was so intense about my pace and distance that if my watch was not charged or if it died halfway through a run, I’d talk myself out of running altogether or “scrap” it from my mental record: if it’s not logged, it doesn’t count. (“If a Jen runs through the woods and no technology is around to track it…”) I have been on a determined fitness kick in 2024, but I am doing it for feel, and by feel. I don’t care how fast or far I run. I have a loose sense for mileage because I’m often running the same routes I used to methodically track, and I generally know how fast I run (within a reasonable window), but I am done with celebrating or chastising myself based on stats. I have optimization fatigue. I don’t need to run 1% better than I did yesterday — I just want to get out there, feel my feet pounding the pavement, and move my body. I told a friend recently this switch initially “ran against my religion” but that I’ve been deeply happy with how it feels to exercise without the numbers. I turn 40 next week, and I am working out for the mental health benefits, to keep my heart healthy, and to feel strong and capable as I head toward middle age. “Giving up the numbers” brings me closer to those values and further from the occasionally unhealthy “discipline” of my younger years. And it just feels better, gentler, to run on the binary. (Did I run, or did I not?)
It is all a balance, of course. Sometimes we “keep our eyes on the prize” to motivate, to persist through challenging stretches. And despite my lifelong commitment to it, I don’t love the experience of running — it is hard, and most of the time, I feel like stopping and sitting down. Sometimes I need to do mental gymnastics (during steep inclines, I’ll count to ten over and over again or identify a mid-way mark like a tree branch or a driveway as an anchoring milestone) or seek outside encouragement (music! new clothes!) to get myself through. Charting my most-common route by its ascents falls into a similar category: a way of marking my progress, and easing myself through the tougher bits.
But will my busy mind ever quiet? Can’t I just run and accommodate the inclines and dips as they surface? Why am I forever the very busy spider?
In some ways, I love this about myself, and don’t want to change. I look closely at life’s interruptions and routines, and find they invariably become creative grist. Sometimes this means seeking asterisms among life’s unlikelihoods, and writing about it. Other times, this means reflexively reconnoitering my running route. It is all of a cloth.
But in other ways, I would like to unhook myself from the instinct to categorize and parse. I want to stand still and open in the middle. Accept the climbs, languish in the rests. I don’t want my mind to be skittering off like stones across water all the time. Right now, I crave a deep, cold plunge into the present.
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+Julia Amory just released her toiletry kits in new colors. These are a must-have — I use them any time I travel. The best sizes and I love that you can toss them in the wash when dirty (just air-dry inside out).
+People are raving about this inexpensive drugstore shampoo/conditioner. Apparently Cameron Wimberley (of great hair, and “Southern Charm,” fame) swears by it. I might buy it for my daughter and test it on myself, too…
+For my corporate Magpies: these flats are a polished way to jump in on the netting/mesh footwear trend. For non-corporate applications: I keep coming back to these. (More sizes/colors here and here, but nearly sold out everywhere.) I think I’m going to order. (Upgrade pick: Loro Piana, here and here.)
+I keep thinking about pairing netting flats (like the ones above) with a full white skirt like this.
+A gorgeous white dress that’s business in the front and party in the back. I wish I had this in my closet right now because I’m going to an outdoor concert this evening and it is going to be HOT. That open back!
+I wear a pendant with the constellation for “Cancer” (my Zodiac sign) on it frequently — this one is similar and currently on sale for under $100. A really cute birthday gift or gift to self.
+A seriously fun bag for under $40. I’d remove the gold chain – I think that part looks cheap. But the bag as a clutch is a 10/10!
+Another great gingham dress for summer. Love love love.
Heads up that now through June 23rd, new customers earn 20% off their Shopbop orders with SHOPMY20.
01. I’m convinced everyone needs a striped tank (seen above) for summer. Pair with white shorts or jeans (as I did above!) and an oversized straw tote for everyday polish. This La Ligne rings in at under $100, and this similar Splendid (in my closet) is currently on sale for $40!
02. A timeless pair of white jeans. I had never tried Levis 501s and was, frankly, blown away. The fit is insanely good and yet somehow looks like it’s not “trying too hard”? Easy, understated cool. One of those pieces you put on and think: who is this woman?! I like her! I am 5’0 and you can see the length on me below. I may hem them by 1/2″ or so, but also might not? They really make your butt look good!
03. Crochet has been trending. I like the idea of these layered over your favorite one-piece, or paired with a simple white tee and a big leather handbag.
04. Black sandals were a big hole in my wardrobe until last summer. I’ve been surprised by how versatile they are – I like to pair with all-white looks when I’m feeling uninspired (white jeans, white tee, black shades, black sandals.). These are fabulous and will look equally polished with jeans and dresses.
05. The sealife-inspired jewelry trend continues. These are fantastic because they’re wearable for everyday but could also work with a cocktail dress.
06. Sophisticated white linen shorts. I recently saw a street style starlet wearing these with a blank tank and flip flops — she looked like a million bucks.
07. I love Clare Vivier’s quirky ballcaps. Throw on with a white tee and jeans/shorts for a model off duty moment.
08. A few great tops for dinners out, all under $115: this blue patterned one and this romantic bustier one.
09. I’ve seen so many iterations on raffia circle bags this season — this one will only set you back $55 but jumps firmly onto the bandwagon.
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A roundup of delightful beach reads on my radar for upcoming travel —
+Elin Hilderbrand’s Swan Song. This is, in fact, Hilderbrand’s swan song! She has retired from writing her Nantucket-centric novels — a summer beach house staple for years now. The plot sounds suspiciously similar to many of its precursors, but sometimes, all you need is an easy, formulaic read that will hit all the right summer notes: “when rich strangers move to the island, social mayhem—and a possible murder follow. Can Nantucket’s best locals save the day, and their way of life?”
+Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple. A new thriller from my favorite author of the genre. Basic premise: “Harkening to Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None, this high-tension thriller follows five couples trapped on a storm-swept island as a killer stalks among them.” Currently reading this! If you’re new to Ware, you must try The Turn of the Key, One by One, and The Death of Mrs. Westaway. Ware is the queen of throwback-style crime: Daphne DuMaurier-meets-Agatha-Christie.
+Emily Henry’s Funny Story. Basic premise: Daphne moves to a small town to follow her fiance, who then breaks up with her to date his best friend from childhood. With no where to turn on such short notice, she moves in with the ex-fiance of her own ex-fiance’s girlfriend. Fake dating ensues — my favorite romance trope! I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Book Lovers, but it was still an easy, bright, transportive read with Henry’s characteristic sharp and funny banter. One of my girlfriends finished it in one day flat and wrote me: “It was delightful and warm and fuzzy and made me tear up a little,” but she did add [SPOILER ALERT – SKIP SENTENCE IF YOU’VE NOT YET READ] “there was a tiny bit too much rehashing over and over, and I didn’t love the third act breakup. Like, just talk to each other! But otherwise loved it all.” I felt that was a solid, on-point assessment.
+Carley Fortune’s This Summer Will Be Different. Basic premise:” Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again. It’s easier said than done.” The descriptions of the PEI setting and ambiance are worth a read on their own — deliciously evocative. (This book may have launched me into my #lakehousecore obsession!). The plot runs thin and ragged in parts (there are sections worth skimming), but I found the love interest fetching and the book overall charming.
+Tana French’s The Hunter. I’ve seen this multiple times at the pool this summer already! “It’s a blazing summer when two men arrive in a small village in the West of Ireland. One of them is coming home. Both of them are coming to get rich. One of them is coming to die.”
+Plum Syke’s Wives Like Us. Basic premise: “Take a grand English country house, one (heartbroken) American divorcee, three rich wives, two tycoons, a pair of miniature sausage dogs and one (bereaved) butler; put them all into the blender and out comes the impossibly funny Wives Like Us, the new novel from the best-selling author of Bergdorf Blondes and Party Girls Die In Pearls, Plum Sykes.” I feel like every woman on the UES is tucking this into her Hamptons beach bag this summer.
+Yulin Kuang’s How to End a Love Story. This book turned my head because it’s Kuang’s first published novel — she is also a screenwriter who has been adapting two of Emily Henry’s novels for film! In other words: she knows her way around a funny romance. Basic premise: “Two writers with a complicated history end up working on the same TV show… Can they write themselves a new ending? A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings.”
+Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast. Another top-rated and top-selling thriller author — I thought her previous book, The Guest List, was fun. Not as good as Ruth Ware, but fun — this will definitely make its way into my reading list. Basic premise: “It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared…But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.”
+Liv Constantine’s The Next Mrs. Parrish. I absolutely loved Constantine’s previous book, The Last Mrs. Parrish. The book shocked me — the twist was fantastic! — and it remains one of my thriller beach reads of all time. And here comes the sequel! Basic premise: “Daphne and Amber Parrish are thrust back into each other’s lives upon the resurgence of a long-forgotten threat, forcing a vicious game of cat and mouse where everything is on the line.”
+Jo Piazza’s The Sicilian Inheritance. A mystery-meets-beach-read! Premise: “A disputed inheritance and a family secret that some will kill to protect.”
+Now this is a cute serving options for picnics. I was just hunting for a solution — we have a few outdoor music concerts this summer, and I love to serve up snacks and charcuterie, but wanted a more attractive presentation option than just opening a bunch of bags on a picnic blanket. I also thought this was good looking for a true charcuterie board.
+Found my favorite summer cardigan restocked here! (More great top layers for summer here.)
When I was young, I loved Harriet the Spy, the Cam Jansen series, and Nancy Drew. It thrilled me that just by paying attention, by taking careful note of the happenings in my world, I might “solve” something. None of these characters had supernatural powers (well, Cam Jansen has a photographic memory, but that felt reasonably close to the ground), but they were heroines in their own right, using the power of observation and intellect to get to the bottom of things. Now that I look back, I see the childhood mystery genre as a warm, empowering on-ramp into the world of literary analysis, and, by extension, the pursuit of a reflective life. As with the heuristics of mystery, reading itself — across any genre — often feels like hunting for clues, tracing patterns. Which, as it turns out, are sound techniques for deep self-knowledge, too. I was reflecting on this the other day when I was sitting outside on our back patio, idly jotting down some of the sights and sounds of summer as a kind of diving board bounce before writing. I found myself contemplating them as ciphers in their own right, and then reflecting on the way I was reading my own agendas into the season. Hunting for green lights amidst the green leaves. Here are a few:
Cicadas — there is a time for fervor and a time for torpor;
Fireflies — look up, and don’t blink or you’ll miss it;
Hot chair / wet suit — life finds a way to receive and assuage your discomforts;
Late dusk — forget the schedule;
Tomatoes heavy on the vine — everything in its time;
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+If you loved the Doen Marianne in red but didn’t want to spend as much, check out this $118 look for less. A Magpie reader wrote me about it after ordering and insisted it’s just as good as the Doen!
+Goop has a new mascara! Of course I’m dying to try. I love so many Goop products — they just work. All my favorite Goop products here.
+I wore this one-piece to the pool last weekend and loved her. Full coverage and comfortable but in such a fun print — if you look closely, you’ll notice the cutest details: a ladybug, a little conch shell, etc! I recieved a number of compliments on it. I also have received so many compliments on my pool sandals. One woman swam over to ask me about them over the weekend!
+Speaking of the pool, I’ve been noticing a lot of ladies at the pool wearing hats like this this summer. I’m intrigued! Look for less here.
+And this has been my favorite pareo of summer. It literally goes with every single suit in my closet!
+Keep hearing good things about these white jeans. Apparently they sell out fast!
+Back to Goop for a second: their latest house label clothing collection is full of timeless pieces, like this spectacular and versatile LWD and this shrunken striped cardi. I find their knitwear exceptional. Beautifully-made, classic styles/shapes, with perfect, add-just-enough-interest details.
+Just bought Mr. Magpie these mesh lounge / athletic shorts for more casual wardrobe out in Colorado. Lots of handsome gear for men here, too. He absolutely loves this belt.
By: Jen Shoop
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One treat of living abroad was having access to the exceptional yet generally well-priced skincare and haircare products that you could score at the local pharmacy, which, at least in Lyon, had the air of a sophisticated department store and was occasionally and unapologetically closed at what I perceived to be odd hours. I specifically recall a handwritten note on the glass door of the pharmacy on Rue Victor Hugo in Lyon: “Fermeture exceptionelle,” with no explanation following, at 2 p.m. on a Saturday. I immediately conjured a maudlin tale of familial illness or bereavement but was at the same time baffled by this seeming lack of professionalism. It was, after all, unthinkable that a CVS would be closed at 2 p.m. on a Saturday in America. I came to appreciate this slender cultural difference, as it reminded me, in its various permutations, that people make the world go around. And so though I would often writhe against the inconvenient reality that certain shops would be closed for the lunch hour, or certain bureaucratic offices would be open only on the obscure third Thursday and second Tuesday of the month, I was also never more aware of a shared humanity: we all fall ill, we all eat, we all sleep, amen. At any rate, lucky for us, many of the items I discovered back then and in the years following are now available for purchase online, often with free shipping. Sharing a few of my favorites and some items with proper cult-followings that I have yet to try…
KLORANE SHAMPOO (THEY HAVE FORMULAS FOR ALL DIFFERENT HAIR CONCERNS)
EMBRYOLISSE (PEOPLE *DIE* OVER THIS MOISTURIZER/PRIMER — I FOUND IT A BIT THICK FOR MY NEEDS, BUT DEF WORTH A SHOT GIVEN ITS CULT FOLLOWING STATUS AND AFFORDABLE PRICE)
CAUDALIE ELIXIR (TRULY ADDICTIVE – GREAT FOR SETTING MAKEUP, REFRESHING SKIN, ETC)
NUXE DRY OIL — SO MANY FRENCH WOMEN SWEAR BY THIS MULTI-PURPOSE OIL (FOR FACE, BODY, HAIR)
NUXE LIP BALM — LOL AT THE DESCRIPTION: “A PARISIAN WOMAN NEEDS PERFECTLY SMOOTHED LIPS TO ASSUME HER KISS REPUTATION”; BUT SERIOUSLY, THIS GETS INCREDIBLE REVIEWS AND DOUBLES AS A CUTICLE CREAM
HOMEOPLASMINE — FOR EXTRA DRY SKIN/ULTRA-CHAPPED LIPS (APPARENTLY IN EVERY FRENCH MAKEUP ARTIST’S ARSENAL)
VICHY VITAMIN C SERUM — CURRENTLY USING MYSELF; I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO APPLY BUT SEEMS TO BE ACHIEVING THE INTENDED RESULT OF BRIGHTENING SKIN JUST AS WELL AS OTHERS I’VE TESTED!
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Part of my everyday dressing formula rests on the shoulders of great wardrobe basics that I know I will enjoy wearing whether on their own or mixed in with trendier pieces: great white jeans, a perfect button-down, classic leather sandals. Sometimes it really does feel good to just wear the basics together, though, no trends in sight. You just can’t go wrong with a classic white tee and jeans! These ladies show us how it’s done…
Below, sharing some of my favorite classic style pieces at different price points.
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Last week, a Magpie commented: “Shorts! I love the version of me in shorts. They feel playful, childlike. And go perfectly with bare feet.” I was delighted (!) by this comment.
What version of me do I like best? In what spaces does she tend to appear?
I like the me I am when…
+I’ve just exercised and am sitting in my still-sweaty clothes outside on the back patio, in the sun. I am near-euphoric: grateful to be at rest, grateful to have the exertion behind me, grateful to be able to move my body. I feel settled-in and wrung out in the best way.
+I am in the midst of heartfelt conversation with a friend. I consider myself a good listener and I feel whole, called-upon, helpful when I am able to give my attention, my heart to someone else who needs it.
+I am in a playful mode with my children, which is not permanent, let me tell you! But when I am dancing, singing, joking, swinging them around, I feel buoyant.
+I’m wearing a new dress in a fun print — instant mood elevator and reminder to not take myself too seriously. I feel loose and vibrant.
+I have ticked off my to-dos or reassigned them to another day, and can “close down shop” for the day — it’s like releasing the hundred balloons I’d been clutching and batting all day long. I feel both accomplished and relieved. I can step into the day’s wind-down without the ping-pong-ing sensation of trying to stay on top of it all.
+I am holding one of my children in my arms. I feel charged with responsibility, full and heavy with love.
+I pause to think: “Remember when this was everything you wanted but didn’t know you’d be able to have?” For some reason, this happens a lot when I am running errands in my car — when I’ve just picked up groceries for my family, or just dropped off the children in the morning, or just dashed out to pick up an ice cream cake for a birthday. There is something about catching myself mid-swing, in the most pedestrian of motherly activities, that makes me think: “And here I am. Raising the children I dreamed of. Running the house I always wanted. Zipping around in my home town again.”
+I am walking out the door on my way to dinner with Mr. Magpie or friends. I love that sensation of approach: here comes a happy time. I lean into the perky feeling of wearing something that makes me feel good, and anticipate the fun of ordering cocktails and shared plates over laughter and connection.
+Strangely enough, when I have just left a doctor’s appointment that has been stressing me out. I become the most generous version of myself to everyone around me — at the butcher counter, in the carpool line, waiting to check out at Safeway. I find myself approaching others with the tenderness I’d like to be approached. I like seeing myself that way.
+When I have just tapped out a great last sentence to an essay. It’s always the last sentence. So much pressure on those final words! But when I manage to divine and bend the language so that it holds the rest of the paragraphs together in one intact embrace, I feel like — well, maybe like what an athlete feels when she’s beat her time or scored a point. A small thrill: I did that!
+I am with my husband on the back patio in the morning or at the kitchen counter in the evening, enjoying a smoothie or a sparkling water or a glass of wine and running through the day and our observations. I feel that I’m only half-living when I’m apart from him: the other half is suspended in anticipatory conversation, waiting for the moment when I can fill him in. No space between. I feel at ease, seen and held, loved and safe. I feel interesting, too — he wants to know what I think, and how I’m feeling.
In typing this out, I realize this is not so much about versions of me I love, but scenarios in which I feel my absolute best — most comfortable, most loved, most relaxed, most generous. It all comes back to the goal of a body and mind at ease, stretched out and at peace, laying in a hammock somewhere.
What are the versions of you that you love?
Also this week…
A lot of pick-ups and drop-offs at school! Their last week! We’re barreling right into summer camp tomorrow, so we’ll be back to the drill, but their camps are even closer than their school (like 5 minutes from our home, I don’t know how we got so lucky!) and camp drop-off just feels looser and lighter anyway.
Provisions for a friend’s birthday party! Some of our favorite happy hour snacks here.
Last day of school! I even remembered to pose them with the flag I’ve used for the past four years running. My exact one no longer seems available, but this is a similar concept. Brilliant because you don’t need a separate / new one for each school year and both kids can use the same! Also, mini is all of the sudden very into “space buns,” and has particular specs about hair strands being out in the front, not having them be too “high,” etc. I spent some time YouTubing…thank God for YouTube!
After school, I took them straight to the pool for lunch and a long swim. It was just what the doctor ordered because my daughter was weeping when I picked her up — endings are so hard! Her teacher is moving back to Ohio, so I think she felt the finality of it more acutely. We talked a lot about this as she sniffled in the backseat of the car: it’s OK to feel sad. Changes are hard. Endings are hard. That’s OK, I really understand how you feel. And also: things must end to begin again. And this just shows how good a time you had in first grade. She gave me lots of hugs all afternoon long — just needing the reassurance. (“Life’s happening, you will feel things, and you’re OK, you know?“). Interestingly, my son gently asked her over lunch “You don’t feel sad anymore, Emory?” and she said: “Just because I’m not crying doesn’t mean I’m not sad. You can be sad in different ways.” Woof! From the mouth of babes.
Two really happy moments this week: 1) starting Emily Henry’s latest (I finished it in a few days — it’s funny and distracting and romantic, but overall just OK. I found the story sloppier than her previous. I prefer Book Lovers, but how about you?) at the pool, wearing a Julia Amory pareo (really good looks for less here); 2) at the Kennedy Center with my mom to see the NYC Ballet perform “Jewels” (absolutely fabulous — the costumes, the music, the dancing, and my mom is a huge fan of Tiler Peck, who performed when we went!). On my lap, two beloved accessories: this $10 seashell hair clip and Merit lip oil.
Gifting season! One gift to myself is trying to wrap a bunch of gifts at once versus doing them piecemeal as needed. In this case, I knew the kids had a few birthday parties coming up and that the teachers had gifts, so I wrapped them all in one fell swoop. Joy Creative Shop makes it easy breezy. I love their Gwrap bags (cute patterns, just fold down the top and seal with a sticker), their personalized gift stickers with “The Shoops” on the tag so they work for any of the kids / any combo of our family, and of course these vinyl alphabet stickers, which I affix to lots of things, including Stanley water bottles (my current go-to gift for 7 year old girls — I have a few in my closet just waiting for future parties!). Also below: I love to gift Linnea candles in their seasonal scents, and I think I might order a few of the Hotel Lobby Hamptons candle to give as gifts this summer, too. One is en route to me for testing now!
Pool day must-haves: I’m obsessed with the cut of this Marysia one-piece (exact pattern sold out, more here), Minnow toiletry bag for essentials (hair ties, lip gloss, concealer, etc), and have we talked about the Supergoop glow stick?! It’s fabulous. It glides on so easily but provides serious coverage. I use it on myself and my kids for our faces specifically.
Delicious moments this week: this insanely good gelato (my mouth is watering — it’s tangy and the berry jam is unctuous…omg) with a side of folded laundry; morning coffee and drafting by hand outside.
When I came home from the ballet this week, Mr. Magpie was making friendship bracelets with the kids on the back patio. The absolute sweetest, and redolent of the summers of my own youth. He used this Klutz book (which I believe I also owned at age nine?!) and then ordered a ton of different colored threads. He organized this all on his own! A good moment to mention, given that it’s Father’s Day, how grateful I am for his care and ingenuity and presence as a father. The children have been proudly wearing their little stacks of bracelets all week long. Peak summer vibes! (Minus the afternoon where Hill insisted I make his best friend multiple friendship bracelets and had a melt down when I said I realistically only had time to make one and then spent nearly an hour making good on that deal. He’s a little too young to manipulate the threads himself, so there I was, making a friendship bracelet for a little five year old boy all afternoon. Ha!)
Final note: this hair perfume is my secret weapon this summer. I can’t stand the smell of tired hair, and it happens a lot more quickly in the sweaty summer months. Total splurge but the scents are divine (there are others available). And, yes, I’m wearing THE SHIRT OF SUMMER below. I know we all own it!
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What Inspired Me This Week…
+ON REPEAT: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” from her new album. I love the 80s synth and her voice takes on a Dolly Parton quality in the chorus. You must also check out the music video — mob wife vibes with the actor from “Saltburn” in it. Incredible production value!
+SIX LUXURIES IN LIFE: I loved this post on Instagram, with the caption: “If you woke up with even half of these, you’re rich.” Well-timed reminder. Slow mornings are the hallmark of summer, and I’m going to curl up into them!
+FROZEN APEROL SPRITZ: Absolutely going to be trying this recipe ASAP. Heading to the grocery for oranges now…! While we’re talking spirits, some thoughts on making excellent cocktails at home here, and two great summer bevs: margaritas (the only recipe you’ll ever need for them) and mai tais. If you’re not a spirit drinker, I did just discover this incredible online retailer that has loads of zero-proof pre-mixed cocktails, spritzes, bitter drinks, NA beer, etc! How good does this jalapeno-orange sparkling drink sound? At the Sezane store opening in Georgetown, they had these non-alcoholic spritzes — love the packaging and nice to have an alternative for non-drinkers when hosting this summer.
+BOXERS WITH BUTTON DOWNS TREND: Can’t get enough of this look (image below via Lucy Williams)! To recreate the look below, try these under-$40 shorts from Anthro (or these viral Frankie Shop ones) and this Gap button-down! One of my favorite brands for wardrobe basics, Sold Out NYC, just launched sets in this vein and I scrambled to snag the red (top / bottom). I’m obsessed with the idea of this outfit, my Hermes Orans, and my Altuzarra Watermill (now available in fun new colors – how good is the blue and white?).
+RESTOCKS: I wore this past-season dress in lavender a few weeks ago and had so many questions about it — Madewell just brought it back in the chicest navy stripe. Run! (A great alternative if you missed out on the striped Cosima.). Lake also just restocked their can’t-keep-in-stock Relax Set in dusty blue. I own this set in several colors! Dreamy, and such a great gift.
+LETTING IT GO: I received a small flood of emails and DMs about this post on letting things go. Made me think how much we carry, quietly, in our hearts! Sending love.
+APPOINTMENT STACKING: I realized this week that I have unintentionally grouped all of my yearly doctors appointments in late May / early June – dentist, OBGYN, derm, etc. I actually think this is a helpful clustering, now that I reflect on it: I’d rather enjoy eleven months of not thinking about it and one succinct month of dread than a sprinkling of appointments throughout the year. I do think I’m going to punt them back to September next year, though — the end of the school year and start of summer are always chaotic enough; why am I layering in extra hurdles? September sounds promising because the kids will be ensconced in a school routine and it will be like giving myself a fresh start. I mentioned these thoughts on Instagram and many of you chimed in to say that appointment stacking is the best way to get it all done. Rip off the bandaid, then treat yourself to something — a massage, a great meal, a day off, some retail therapy…
+THE STRIPED TOP FOR SUMMER: Wow, this top continues to fly! You can see my wearing mine here — it’s such a great shape and a silky but structured material. Love. I think I’d pair next time with my white Agolde jean shorts.
J. CREW DRESS (OLD, SIMILAR HERE, HERE, HERE); FRP COLLECTION BAG (10% OFF WITH MAGPIE10); J. MCLAUGHLIN BELT (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // MARGAUX SANDALS (FINAL DAY TO USE CODE MAGPIE35 FOR $35 OFF A FIRST ORDER) // LA LIGNE CARDIGAN // RDR EARRINGS (OLD, SIMILAR FOR LESS HERE)
