The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
The two sales I was most excited to shop this week were Little English (40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY — you may need to be an email subscriber to access) and La Coqueta (25% off select items). I’d stowed a bundle of holiday clothing for my children from both stores in my carts and waited for the sales to materialize. I was so determined to get everything on my list at Little English, I actually set my alarm and check out promptly at 10! It looks like there’s still good stock of most stuff, though. I was focused on this sale because my children had selected their own Nutcracker outfits (we go in two weeks) from L.E. and are very excited to wear them. I am ecstatic about this because my daughter has grown increasingly picky about clothing, and I was thrilled to see her excitement over an outfit she chose and that I absolutely adore: this sweater with this skirt. My son was excited about this sweater. And, of course, we needed the Nutcracker pajamas (for mini and micro) for the full effect. My exact order here, and thoughts on why The Nutcracker tradition means so much to me here.
At La Coqueta, I bought my daughter’s Christmas dress (I again solicited her opinion, and she chose this one of her own volition — I would have preferred this tartan or velvet but I’m just happy she was drawn to one of the gorgeous designs) and my son’s tartan Christmas shirt. I think I’ll buy him some green cords to go with it, but have time to score that element. I also bought my daughter one of their iconic Arrieta dress coats. Mini chose the green color.
Thrilled that I’ve crossed several holiday occasion outfits off the shopping list!
My other top buys / promotions of the week:
+UBeauty is offering 20% off sitewide, plus free shipping, with code JENSHOOP. Ladies! Please try the lip plasma! My favorite color is Rose — gorgeous, natural, my-lips-but-better color. I can’t stop yapping about it. Love it so much, I’ve gifted to two girlfriends! Even their lip plasma gift set is included, and this was one of my top recs for a holiday gift for a woman you love. It has a $120 value, is regularly priced at $78, and you can get it for under $60 with free shipping! Also a good time to treat yourself to their Super Hydrator, which I am LOVING. I wear the lightest shade.
+The Petite Plume sale is still going on (20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY and I know many of you already bought the exact “holiday journey” print (seen above) that the brand sent my children. I will be coordinating with them on Christmas morning with these white/red trim jammies. I also love their traditional tartan nightgowns / jammies — this little romper is the cutest gift for a new baby.
+Alice Walk is 20% off sitewide with code BF2023. I am writing this while wearing this cotton weekender sweater. I can’t stop myself from reaching for it — it is so warm and soft and I love the neckline. I can wear over my de rigueur turtlenecks (under $20 right now) and pointelle tees (25% off)! I also absolutely lovethis half-zip. So soft and has a nice long length to cover the rear. My Dad bought my mom some of their sweatshirts for Christmas a year or two ago (directed by yours truly) because she goes for walks every morning but rarely splurges on athletic wear / athleisure. It was such a thoughtful upgrade!
+My Amazon Black Friday buys: this weighted eye mask (several Magpies have written in since I shared this yesterday to say they could not live without it — would be a good White Elephant gift while discounted) and this Schleich set for my son. Sharing all my top Black Friday finds here. If you are a parent with a young child, I cannot urge you to buy the Tonies Box more while it’s 30% off. This is staple/core enjoyment in our home, and I love to surprise them with new Tonies figures on holidays, as stocking stuffers, on random rainy days.
+THE pointelle tee from Leset deserves its own bullet point (25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY). I wear these constantly…! I’ve received a bunch of questions about sizing. I do think this brand runs a tad snug/slim. I would size up if you’re in question. I took my true size (XS) and it does fit but if you’re at all concerned, go a size up! All my top picks from Shopbop’s Black Friday promo here, and my favorite finds for men from the Shopbop promotion here.
+The Doen sale (discount automatically applied)! I can’t believe my beloved Amina blouse is included. You’ve seen me wear it countless “What I Loved Wearing” posts over this season! It appears to have sold out in my burgundy but the black patterned one is fab and easy to pair as well — plus, even less expensive than the red (under $100). I just noticed that this pointelle turtleneck (what is it with me and pointelle?) is on sale for $83…tempted…
P.S. Dorsey is not running any sales/promotions this year, but all my top picks for holiday jewelry and gifts here.
P.P.P.S. Just a reminder that my Thanksgiving prayer is here in case you want to print it (you can also find it on Instagram here). It always brings a tear to my eye.
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A Magpie reader wrote me a lovely note earlier this week letting me know that she and her best friend often talk about my musing on “the years that ask and the years that answer.” (Which one is 2023 shaping up to be for you?) I paused for a minute and realized that ever since we moved from New York City to Bethesda, MD, I’ve been living amidst a string of years that answer, and answer, and answer. Life feels solid and comfortable in a way it never did in New York and Chicago before it. I think this is partly the ages of our children, partly the sensation of buying a home vs renting (honestly, more precisely, the sensation of not having to move in the imminent future), partly the fact that we are through our baby years and no longer have that “will we have another?” question asterisking our “dream talks,” partly our stability in our respective careers, and partly the fact that we are back in our hometown after a wild adventure flying the coop. We had to ask a lot of questions, and then handle a lot of fallout from their answers, to land here. My 20s and 30s felt like one long call; I am finally listening to the response. Anyhow, today, I want to say that if you feel you are wandering, and you are coming up on a decade of years that have relentlessly asked, there will be an answering year. You will look back and see the once-immaterial breadcrumb trail that brought you to a place of rest, and you will also see that the experience was not only worth it but wakening.
Below, I’m republishing some thoughts on the long trail for my fellow wool gatherers from an essay I wrote a year and a half ago for a gal who once interned for me.
*****
It is OK to take the long road,
to earn the title “wool-gatherer,”
to be the handwritten cursive subscript under the 12-point Times New Roman font,
to move beneath, rather than with or against, the grain,
with meanderings so under-the-radar that they are dismissed as insignificant.
It is OK to take the squiggly path,
that draws you from arranging name tags on the reception table at the Phillips Collection
to stammering through academic papers in ancient towns in Italy
to gliding through rehearsed presentations to large audiences
to starting and shuttering a business
to writing for a living —
just an example.
It is OK to feel that you have been searching for something you can’t quite put your arms around,
each phase a phantom hug —
but know that the footprints that brought you here
+More on that ill-fated academic paper in an ancient town in Italy.
+The moment I realized how little my peers thought of my choice to pursue English.
+Do you see a difference between the way those of us who studied the humanities and those of us who studied STEM approach the world?
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Shopping Break.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+Mesh and tulle have been such a trend this season (mesh shoes, mesh-detailed dresses, mesh tops — Doen’s holiday collection had so much tulle, too!), and I just ordered this inexpensive mesh turtleneck ($22!) to pair with holiday looks. Thinking of wearing it with this tartan skirt and some great heels to a festive holiday tea.
+If you are looking for a dressy top for a formal skirt and don’t love the mesh vibe, this one is it. Could even be styled for black tie wear.
+An adorable way to deliver treats to neighbors/friends this holiday season. I bought something similar to hand out pecan bars last year. Note the dimensions/size — these are petite!
+Just placed a big order at Gap with some random buys, taking advantage of some seriously good Black Friday discounts there — my daughter loves “fuzzy socks” so I got her these as an Advent calendar surprise (and these for my boy, who will obviously want to follow (sock) suit! he wants everything she has!), some holiday shoes for my girl (she wanted this pair from La Coqueta, which felt spendy even with discount, so glad I found these!), skating gloves and hat for my girl, and these $10 Santa jammies for my son.
+This under-$100 tartan lady jacket is SO good. With jeans and little velvet furlanes?
+Love these vintage inspired holiday bells for a garland/mantel!
+I’ve been looking for a few more items for my son’s bedroom refresh (see items I already have here), and I thought this little book caddy was adorable.
+Our favorite shampoo is 20% off with code GIVING20. A reader just wrote last week: “I purchased the Roz hair care set when you first posted that someone recommended it to you. Has been life changing for me! Can’t recommend enough.” I totally agree with her! My fav shampoo — super similar to Oribe, but less expensive (especially with the promo) and with a better lather.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
Today, sharing a roundup of great gifts for children as we head into the holiday season. This is targeted towards children between the ages of 3-10. We always try to give our children gifts across a few categories: something artistic/musical, something STEM, something sporty, and then something that is purely for fun. (Plus a bundle of books!). On the STEM side, this Botley robot was a huge hit with my daughter over the course of this past year. It’s a clever way to teach children the basics of programming — they must correctly sequence a set of commands for the robot to do certain things. She is always so proud of herself! On the sports side, my children have been loving these pop-up hockey/soccer nets. They’re great because they collapse flat — convenient if you are short on space, or hoping to bring with you to a park/play area. We will also be taking our children skiing for the first time this winter, and though we’ll be renting gear, if your little one is a snowbunny, a set of skis would be a great gift. On the artsy side, my children would love this monster making kit, this comic book set, or this paint box. And in the “just for fun” category, how beyond fabulous is this AG doll trunk?! My daughter currently has all of her AG clothes and accessories in little overflowing bins beneath her bed. I can’t tell if it’s my inner nine year old talking, but I’m obsessed with the trunk. I would have died over this! (I always really wanted Samantha’s brass bed…) I also freaked out over this limited edition Barbie remote control car! She has been playing with her Barbies a lot more all of the sudden, and we already have the house squared away…
I must put a spotlight on the Tonies Box, which is a Black Friday deal (30% off) right now! I cannot tell you how much my children love these. My daughter listens to hers every single night while falling asleep, and my son loves to play Legos and Magna-tiles in his room while listening to his. They are incredible, screen-free entertainment. My children especially love the sing-a-long ones.
One item we will 100% be buying is a digital camera for my son. He’s been consistently asking for one all year long so he can “take pictures of nature.” This one is so adorable! He also loves his Schleich sets and I think I am going to add this little winter set to his collection.
Finally, one of my favorite online children’s boutiques, Danrie, has an incredibly well-curated gift assortment this year. I love the Banwood skateboard and Dinkum Dogs set! They have a tiered Black Friday promo running — 15% off $100; 20% off $250; 25% off $400.
P.P.P.S. I organized many of these children’s gifts into this section of my Amazon shop. Amazon is running a few early Black Friday deals and I saw that iPad minis are 20% off. iPads are of course incredible for travel/sick days…!
If you want more Magpie, you can subscribe to my Magpie Email Digest for a weekly roundup of top essays, musings, conversations, and finds.
By: Jen Shoop
This week, I underwent the harrowing annual experience of a Thanksgiving week Whole Foods visit. Even when we plan our Thanksgiving meal prep with militaristic precision, there are still things we forget, or (in this case) weekend logistics that get in the way of the best laid plans.
The lot was gridlocked. I found myself waiting, with my signal on, for an elderly woman to get into her car so I could take her spot. The driver behind me laid on the horn, likely not seeing that I was waiting for this woman to turn on her lights and reverse out of the spot. I sat there for what felt like an eternity (but was in actuality under 30 seconds) waiting for the car to back out while this woman honked and gesticulated with increasing wildness behind me. I pointed to the spot, and tried to yell back: “She’s coming out!” and the woman screamed back: “There are other spots, lady!” I did not see any in my immediate vicinity, and at this point, the car was reversing. I finally pulled in and the driver behind me careened around, yelling obscenities out the window in my general direction. Nervously, I walked into the Whole Foods and immediately saw the angry driver enter the store behind me. I found myself waiting for punishment as I skittishly selected my carrots and brussels sprouts. When I stole a look at the woman, I could tell she was pretending not to see me. It is so much easier to unleash frustration on someone when you are not face to face. For a split second, I contemplated approaching her with some kind of message, but what was there to say? The likelihood a confrontation in the supermarket would yield anything good was next to nil. (I thought, too, of Mr. Magpie’s frequent adage when encountering a situation where it appears that one party has bats in the belfry: “D.N.E.” or “Do not engage.”) Moreover, I was, frankly, relieved that she chose not to engage with me. After, I found myself walking around the shop as though on tenterhooks. When I returned home, I was unloading the groceries and Mr. Magpie held up the $8 bottle of fancy cream I’d bought for the mashed potatoes. “Why’d you get half and half?” he asked. “We need cream.” I burst into tears on the spot.
He knew, of course, it wasn’t the cream. It’s never the cream.
I stood there, wilted. A swarm of thoughts surrounded me, and I took some time to filter through them while putting pen to journal paper. Below, some insights that I am burnishing as I head into the holiday season, when stress levels can run high and interactions with others can run amok.
My first rivulet of thought was: how could I let a total stranger upset me in this way? I do not think I did anything wrong, but — at worst — I introduced a thirty second delay into her life, and her response was disproportionate. I rationally see that I should be able to let her aggression bounce right off me, as it was unmerited and seemingly blindly directed. This reminds me of one of themes I have returned to month after month in my mid-to-late 30s, as I try to unstrap myself from the habit of self-blame: You cannot control the behavior of others. Her flare-up said little about me and a lot about her.
My second, and more generous, thought: the holidays can be stressful, and people act in weird ways during them. I should give her a grace note and move on with my life. Maybe she was about to hit the road for a ten hour drive and I was inching her closer to rush hour. Maybe it’s the first Thanksgiving she’s spending on her own. Trust me, I can invent a thousand sob stories that will sufficiently fill in the blank. It is hard, though, to extend that kind of understanding when you are offered something entirely different. Still, it’s a north star, and something I hope to keep in the front of my mind during this season in particular. This is a time that calls for a gentle headspace.
Third, the fact that I burst into tears over this altogether minor scenario suggests I need to prioritize rest. This feels next to impossible to accomplish this week, with plans chock-a-block, but I came across a quote a few weeks ago that said: “Rest is more than napping on the sofa. Rest is anything that makes our nervous systems feel safe enough for our stress responses to switch off so our minds and bodies can recover and restore.” I am sitting here, drawing up a mental list of what those things might be — an early bedtime, a light-hearted book, taking a break from my desk to drop off a little gift I picked up from Whole Foods for a neighbor.
Which brings me to my final thought: we publish the good news. Yesterday, I took my children to see a staged performance of “A Year with Frog and the Toad” (an adaptation of the series by Arnold Lobel) at Imagination Stage. It was adorable, with clever sets and silly lyrics and actors who give it their all. The performance tracks frog and toad around a calendar year, cycling through all the seasons, and ends with a darling Christmas cheer song that felt like the perfect way for us to ease into the holidays. My children were transfixed! The only reason I knew about this performance was because one of my neighbors generously offered us four tickets. I do not know this particular neighbor very well and was deeply touched that she’d thought of us. I sat in the theater and thought how special it was to watch my son double over in laughter, and climb onto my lap during “the scary part,” and kick off the holiday season in this festive way, all because of my neighbor’s generosity.
I have a point: I could either headline the Whole Foods visit as “The Time a Stranger Yelled at Me” or “The Time I Went to Buy My Neighbor a Thank You Gift for Treating My Family to a Special Holiday Performance.” I think we all know the one that sticks. We publish the good news.
I’m wishing you all the happiest, coziest holiday season, but if you anticipate or find turbulence, I’m giving you a little squeeze and hoping some of my takeaways above might help smooth things out.
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Shopping Break.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+I did update the shopping section of yesterday’s post to include a few sales I came across post-publication, including Doen (don’t miss my favorite top!) and Lake. You know how I feel about their Relax Set — treat yourself! Incidentally, when I am upset about something, as I was after the WF incident, the most delightful self-indulgence for me is to take a hot shower, put on the Relax Set, slather my face with a hydrating overnight cream (currently loving this overnight skin recovery mask from EltaMD, and it’s 27% off with code JEN27), and get into bed with my hair wet (so relaxing for me even though I look like hell in the morning) to watch a cozy movie.
+I just ordered myself this NodPod weighted eye mask. I shared it a few weeks ago and one of my friends wrote to say: “This gives me instant deep sleep.” Um, yes pls.
+A perfect navy wedding guest dress, currently 50% off from La Ligne.
+AHHH. I’m so tempted to order the Dyson Air Wrap while it’s $119 off (tick the box for discount to apply). I’ve been on the fence about this purchase forever! I have been collecting all the best Amazon Black Friday finds I’ve come across here. My top rec is this incredible bluetooth speaker! It’s virtually indestructible. We use it all summer long when we’re hanging out in the backyard / grilling / traveling. I can’t believe the price right now. This soft-sided Yeti travel cooler would be handy for summer / travel…and a couple of great toy deals there, too, including on Magna-tiles and Lego.
+Ordering a set of these melamine tartan plates. These are ideal for sending off with a plate of cookies to a neighbor / hostess and not requesting the plate back.
+The entire internet is on sale, but leave it to me to find the one thing “excluded from promo” — still, I am contemplating order this chic pointelle turtleneck from Gap! While there, check out these adorable tartan-lined jeans for your son. My boy owns a pair! They’re currently 50% off.
+There are some great men’s buys included in Shopbop’s 25% off sale. I love these NBs, these vintage socks, and this puffer vest. Also – these are Mr. Magpie’s favorite golf shorts. My top men’s picks that are a part of the sale here.
25% off my favorite online retailer with code HOLIDAY! My obvious first recommendation is one of these Leset pointelle tees (seen above), which have gradually replaced all other tees in my wardrobe. I now have four — two short-sleeved and two long-sleeved — but do I need the of-the-season chocolate brown color, too? Truly perfect for layering beneath cardigans this season. So comfortable and soft, and I love the feminine details. A great and unexpected gift for a sister or girlfriend, too. I also love the idea of gifting these washable silk jammies to a woman you love. For some reason it’s what I imagine Cameron Diaz wearing to bed.
On the holiday dressing side, I just wore this pair of feathered pajamas with platformed heels last Friday for a martini party at my home. (One of my girlfriends dubbed it “holiday’s soft launch” — it was perfect!) They are easier than you think to wear and straight-up fabulous. Just make sure the rest of your outfit/accessories are dressy.
I ordered this red dress for an upcoming cocktail party (it just seems to sing: “Have yourself a merry little cocktail!”) and I’m now eyeing this darling velvet SEA. The neckline is so fun.
Finally, two forever pieces: 1) do not sleep on the softest ballet flats on the planet while discounted. These are butter-soft, right out of the box. 2) I’m obsessed with this chic little cropped blazer from BA&SH. Elegant, pulled together, but not too dressy. Throw on over a dress, pair with jeans. So easy!
If you want more Magpie, you can subscribe to my Magpie Email Digest for a weekly roundup of top essays, musings, conversations, and finds.
By: Jen Shoop
Ed. note: I updated the cover photo of this post after initial publication because the first was too blurry. I also updated the Black Friday sale section with fab finds!
Question for you — do you date your spouse? What does this look like?
I have friends all over the map on this front. A few tid-bits I’ve gathered over the years in discussing this with girlfriends:
“We take off work an hour early on Fridays so we can grab a happy hour drink together while our nanny is still with the children. This helps us head into the weekend feeling connected.”
“We arrive at the restaurant in different vehicles so it feels like a true “date”.”
“We go on dates to Costco — we have to squeeze “dates” in wherever we can.”
“We book a neighborhood sitter to come by so we can enjoy a cocktail at home, cloistered somewhere the children are not, but without any of the pomp/circumstance of finding a restaurant.”
“We calendar a monthly date so we have lots of time to find a restaurant/movie/activity and sitter. We always know exactly which date it’ll be, and we move mountains to maintain the commitment.”
“Once a year, my parents take the children for a full week. We catch up on dates during that time.”
Mr. Magpie and I prioritize time alone together and will go out once or twice a month in the evenings, just the two of us — usually for dinner, but sometimes for a musical or cultural performance. These are not pre-programmed (e.g., we don’t calendar them in ahead of time); I am instead opportunistic about keeping my ears open for cool happenings or interesting promotions at local restaurants and then pouncing when they materialize. We also take a lot of daytime dates, especially for lunch (and sometimes coffee). We both work from home so we’ll coordinate on a lunch date once or twice a month. I always feel like saying “it’s not a good day for this” when the lunch date day arrives, but invariably wind up feeling fulfilled and relaxed at the end of the hour. There’s a scene in “Wet Hot American Summer” where campers go on a wild bender in town that clearly seems to unfold over the course of many days, but one of the characters gets back to camp at the end of the scene and says: “It’s always fun to get away from camp, even for an hour.” That’s sort of how these midday dates feel — just an hour, but they contain several days’ worth of release. The topography of my daily stress changes.
We’ve also begun to conceive of “car dates.” Sometimes, Mr. Magpie will drive to pick up lunch and ask me to come along, just for a little square of twenty minutes to chat. More frequently, we are driving into D.C. for dinner with friends — a trek nearly always takes 30-45 minutes from Bethesda. For awhile, we begrudged these journeys, but now, we think of them “ante-dates.” Time to sit with each other and catch up. We put on good music and take turns holding hands and removing hands.
Last but not least, there have been a few nights this past year where we’ve mapped our romantic date nights at home. One recent one involved martinis, delivery burgers from Et Voila, and a scary movie. Pretty much perfect.
Looking across these “dates,” it seems to me that one through-line is simply announcing the occasion. Instead of: “do you want to run out and grab lunch?” it’s “want to have a lunch date with me tomorrow?”; instead of “should we watch a scary movie?” it’s “let’s have a date night at home and watch a scary movie.” There is something about marking off the time together as “dating” that puts me in the right head-space (and heart-space). It always makes me think about my husband from the outside in. Not the partner who fixes door handle and kills the spiders and pours the cereal for the children in the morning, but the handsome man who I am in love with!
Curious to hear your perspectives and advice on this front. How do you handle it?
+An interesting conversation on John Mayer (see comments). Such a polarizing figure, but generally beloved by us Magpies. John Mayer, the Gap kick fit jeans, and mobile ordering Starbucks at the airport: a Magpie starter kit.
Shopping Break.
The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
Everyone has started their BF/CM promotions early this year! Sharing my favorite promotions for the shopping super bowl this week below. I’m hoping you are sitting in your tartan nap dress with your Ugg slippers tucked beneath you, sipping a delicious oat milk latte, ready for some fun shopping.
First, I wanted to share a couple of one-off items that are great deals this week (most from “the big retailers” like Boden, J. Crew, etc whose promos seem to be changing every hour — but will generally be a good time to buy any day this week):
+this silver lurex turtleneck (will pair with this sequin skirt — look for less with this);
+this fair isle sweater (imagining with this hot pink mini or metallic jeans);
+and this face wash I’ve been yapping about (20% off with code BF23 and my favorite face wash, as described here).
Onto a few sites running particularly good promos this week…
+Tuckernuck. 20% off sitewide, 25% off orders over $500, 30% off orders over $1000 with code CHEERS. I’d use this promotion to round out the holiday attire wardrobe. Love this black watch tartan top (ordered) for more casual holiday gatherings; these coated jeans; these mesh LR flats; this tweed jacket; this velvet Ulla J.
I’m traveling to Tulum this winter, and have begun somewhat passively looking for resort wear picks. If you’re in the same boat, you might consider snagging this Hunza G (the stripes!), this Fanm Mon, or this Hannah Artwear.
+Lake Pajamas. 25% off sitewide. You know how I feel about their Relax Set — one of my absolute favorite things in the world. Now’s the time! I also love this holiday pattern — mini and I both have a set!
+Doen has discounted a ton of their beautiful pieces (no code needed). You know I’m a major Doen fan girl! I have worn this top (you can size down, runs big — I took an XXS and it’s still roomy; I’m typically an XS) and this dress A TON this season. I’ll be wearing this dress on Thanksgiving! And this plaid top is in my cart.
+Minnow. 25% off sitewide with code MERRY25. One of their two sales per year, and Minnow is my favorite brand for swimwear and boy’s casual wear in the summer months. I always buy my children a few swimsuits using this promo. Love this rash guard, these swim trunks, their twill shorts, and of course their knitwear! (You can see Hill in his here.)
+Jenni Kayne. 25% off sitewide. No code needed. Treat yourself (or your sister) to a luxe sweater! My sister lives in their knitwear and always nails that “quiet luxury” vibe. These are sweaters made for living — she likes to layer hers over leggings to chase her toddler around at the park. Perfect weekend wear. The Cooper is my top pick but nearly sold out. I own and adore their everyday sweater — great midweight layering piece –and love these striped crewnecks, too.
+Petite Plume. 20% off site-wide with code BLACKFRIDAY. My children will be wearing these come Thanksgiving night (the pattern also available in a soft pima cotton if your children prefer that style, but the standard style ones are NOT itchy — very soft! My children have owned tons of pairs!). I also love these tartan nightgowns for little loves. If you’re at a loss for what to get a cute newborn in your life, go with one of these itty bitty tartan rompers. ICONIC!
+Mirth. 30% off sitewide, no code needed. My Mirth caftan ended up being one of my most-worn dresses last summer. The dresses are all thoughtfully designed with unexpected details and lightweight, comfortable fabrics. This looks equally dreamy. And I love the loose fit of this for throwing on over a swimsuit in Mexico.
+Merit. 20% off with code PRIVATE20. One of my absolute favorite beauty brands. I waxed poetic about several of their pieces a few days ago. Now is the time to outfit your makeup bag for the new year. I especially love their minimalist stick, angled brush, and flush balms, and I’m a new admirer of their mascara, which separates lashes like none other.
+Kilte. Use the promotion to snag one of their washable cashmere sets. One of my girlfriends owns this set in two colors and looks beyond fab in it. (She pairs with ballet flats and silk scarves.)
If you want more Magpie, you can subscribe to my Magpie Email Digest for a weekly roundup of top essays, musings, conversations, and finds!
By: Jen Shoop
Above: view from top floor of Swan House in Atlanta. Spectacular in its fall regalia!
Last weekend, I spent two nights in Atlanta visiting with my best girlfriends from college (minus one, who couldn’t attend — we missed you, T.) I do not think I’ve laughed so hard in years. There were multiple instances in which we were literally crying with laughter as we re-lived college stories, compared notes on “what ever happened to…?”, swapped lore about the boys we dated and the dramas we created. It felt delicious to relax into a weekend whose predominant mode was laughter. More profoundly, though — there is something specifically unwinding about being with the girlfriends who knew you when. I’ve written in fits and starts about the unique intimacy of girlhood friendships — the way you style one another’s hair, swap clothing, curl up in twin beds in crappy rentals, find yourself in trouble for being unable to be together without dissolving into giggles — and how the dearness and intensity of those relationships seem to fade as you age, for reasons practical and self-protective (at least, in my experience). This past weekend made me realize that while we may no longer be preening one another while listening to Mariah Carey at full volume, there is a unique, un-recreatable understanding between us born of decades of shared history. We might be talking about career ambitions, marriages, children, but those conversations are anchored in a firm and long-tailed grasp of one another, as though we are seeing not just the ice cap but the entire berg beneath.
Sometimes I have an impractical thought: would my life would be fuller and happier if all of my closest friends and siblings would somehow decide to move within a few minute radius of me? Are people who live close to their best friends enjoying some kind of elevated, rarified life experience? Distance is an unintentional abrasive to close friendships. It is hard to stay in touch when someone is not woven into the fabric of your daily routine. It still gives me deep pause that I seem to have more frequent interaction with neighbors and members of my children’s school community than I do with my closest friends. Nothing against the neighbors/school — it’s just, how do they get the bigger share of my life?
And yet. This past weekend made me realize that we might be entering a new era of our lives that I had not anticipated. Most of us are nestled in long-term jobs and homes and have children that are firmly out of the toddler years and heading into (or already in) grade school. Much of the volatility of our 20s and 30s has dissipated. We were not only able to get 7 out of 8 of us together for a girl’s trip (! small miracle!) but were already talking about a girls’ weekend next year, and we launched new shared albums and Whats App threads (one of us lives internationally). We also have a slew of 40th birthdays just around the corner that may lead to imminent reunion. Are the 40s the time to reclaim female friendships? Does life in one’s 40s open up new opportunities to reconnect?
Also this week…
+My unofficial kick-off to Thanksgiving week: Thomas’s limited edition cranberry English muffins. I’ve loved these the past few Thanksgivings. You can find them (at least in DC) at Safeway. We’ve also had a puzzle out on the counter, are burning a holiday candle, and have friends coming over for martinis tonight to kick off the season. More great seasonal hygge finds here.
+I’m working on my zhushing my son’s room. We’ve been living in this house for two years and his room is in desperate need of some love. I’ve recently ordered this chair in the dusty odalisque blue (25% off with code BFSALE23), this throw pillow, this table lamp with the red shade, and this $30 waste basket (seen above). Such a random thing to be enthusiastic about, but the $30 waste bin is SO CUTE. Comes in lots of great patterns/fabrics. The pillow seen in the background is a Pendleton blanket pillow (similar here and here) that we’ve had for years, and the rug is Erin Gates. I’m now hunting for a better book/toy storage solution for his room. We did buy him this grow-with-me activity table awhile ago, and it’s been a major source of joy, creativity, action for him. We got it in the brushed fog color, which is really interesting and different. I love that it comes with taller legs you can attach as they get older, so it can eventually become a craft or homework table. The lip around the edge is brilliant because my son principally uses the table for Legos, and they don’t end up scattered across the floor. Strongly rec. I did not buy the matching drawer/bins that go beneath because I found the price absurd (as expensive as the table? — then again, they probably require just as much wood/materials), but now I’m contemplating for a more finished look. It would be nice to stow all his Legos and magnatiles in them when not in use.
+Beginning to outfit my holiday gift wrap supply. I obviously had to have this champagne-themed gift wrap from Dear Annabelle, and the gorgeous Merry Christmas tags are perfectly retro-chic. Both (and the entire site) are 20% off this weekend (discount applied automatically). I also love these gift tag stickers from Joy Creative Shop. I was just telling a friend that I’m not sure how I missed the memo of stickers for gift tags for so long — they are so much easier! No using tape or ribbon to affix to the package! These will be such a big help for all of the smaller gifts this year. Finally, I just ordered a bunch of the fill-in-the-blank thank you cards for kids from Joy Creative, including (not seen above) the holiday-themed ones. Going to make thank you note writing much easier this year. For more gift wrap inspo, see here.
+In the photo with my gift wrap goodies, you can see a glimpse of one of my most beloved home accessories, Half Past Seven’s rattan tray. It has a wonderful, gracious size that makes it ideal for a coffee table or bar area. This charming home decor brand recently sent me one of the pieces from their new colored glass collection, and I am now keeping this beautiful carafe in our guest bedroom. I believe they are running a deal where you can get 20% off with code THANKFUL. You might need to be an email subscriber to access. (BTW, if you’ve not read the comments on my “What Do You Keep in Your Guest Bedroom?” post, you must! Such thoughtful, gracious answers.) I have a list of items I still need to buy based on your recs — specifically looking for a laundry hamper (love the look of this, this, or this), not-too-expensive robes (any recs?), and a luggage rack (eyeing these because I like the lighter colors — will go better in our room than the dark wood I tend to see elsewhere). I also want to add chargers up there, per many of your notes.)
+Speaking of gifts, I brought two of my girlfriends in ATL gifts last weekend (two of them live there and hosted us for much of the weekend, so wanted to send a little thank you). I was legitimately excited to hand these over. One went to a girlfriend who texts with me frequently about clothes/beauty, and I couldn’t wait to introduce her to my fav UBeauty Lip Plasma. (I continue to think the UBeauty lip plasma set would be a great gift for any beauty lover. It’s included in my meaningful gift guide for women we love post.) I also tucked one of these Jillian Dempsey eye masks in there — I wrote about these recently but they are SO incredible for tired eyes. I now tuck a pack in my suitcase any time I travel, but they also come in handy for small gifting opportunities like this. I gave my other girlfriend one of these Camilla Moss Advent card sets. She has a strong faith and we’d talked at some point about the fact that neither of us do Elf on the Shelf in our homes. Nothing against Elfers (and we may give in at some point — who knows), but since we are already doing daily Advent calendar surprises, it’s just too much! Anyhow, I thought these Advent cards were a great way to re-anchor the season in its spiritual meaning, and knew she’d relate to that effort.
A few other miscellaneous notes…
+I had about fifteen tabs open with different sneaker possibilities for my son, and he chose this pair! He has the exact same pair currently, but in blue, and loves them. (They’ve been totally destroyed by wear and tear, though — little boy stuff! — and he needed a fresh set for the new year.) This exact style has been difficult to track down in my son’s toddler foot size, at least in colors that are interesting to him, but I did find them at this European site. I’d never ordered from them before and they do take about a week to ship, FYI. However, they’re currently offering 15% off with code 15BF, which more or less covered the international shipping, so I called it a wash. You can find this style for even less here ($30!!), and in most toddler sizes!, but of course Hill didn’t want the red. This specific pair of NBs are AMAZING for toddler boys. The velcro top makes them easy to put on, they stay put, and they offer a lot of foot support. I’d also suggested to him these Vans (such good colors/patterns — was shocked he didn’t want the space ones) and these Sauconys, but he was not taking the bait.
+Also this week: panic ordered him a pair of dressier shoes for Thanksgiving. Their constantly changing foot sizes and footwear needs are hard to stay on top of. I don’t know how you moms with more than two kids do it. I feel like I’m always crunching numbers and flipping to my “note” that has a list of their current sizes in different things! Anyway, Sperrys are classic and I was drawn to the velcro top. I also changed my mind on my children’s Thanksgiving outfits at the last minute and ordered my son this beautiful knit from La Coqueta. I love the leather button detail, and I thought the green / snowflake fair isle would mean he could wear it from Thanksgiving through Christmas. My daughter will be wearing this set from Sunhouse Children. We’re going a touch less formal than last year!
+Ordered a bunch of things to try from Shopbop, including this cocktail dress, this fair isle cardigan, this hot pink mini (thinking of pairing with something like this or this on top), this Alice + Olivia, and this SEA knit. I will probably not keep all of them but am weighing outfit options for a few upcoming events / activities. We have holiday cocktail parties, Christmas teas, a fairly formal Christmas Eve, a children’s Christmas party, caroling, etc! I’m also hoping to reprise my Kacey Christmas party from last year but time seems to be slipping right through my fingers. Need to get organized if it’s going to happen.
+Writing this several days in advance of the sale details going live, but Kilte will be offering up to 50% off starting today (11/19), and I am finally going to test one of their washable cashmere sets. Will be a dream for future long travel days. And this sweater is still one of my favorite ways to introduce color to my cold weather wardrobe! (You can see me in it here.)
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By: Jen Shoop
*I took photo above last weekend, while visiting the Swan House in Atlanta. Can you even!?
My Latest Snags.
I’m now looking squarely forward to holiday gatherings. This week, I snagged this $118 tartan top, this cherry red ALC, this tartan skirt, and this silver lurex turtleneck.
I’m proud of us this week, team. This roundup of bestsellers is absolutely incredible and I want it all. It also all somehow goes together perfectly?! CHIC! Y’all led me to order this Alex Mill cardigan. I had thought it would be a perfect casual Thanksgiving day outfit and now I see it will also work perfectly with tartans / Christmas, too.
**This is a Thanksgiving theme one but there are lots of Christmas/holiday themed options to consider as surprises for your children or gifts! 10% off all purchases with code MAGPIE10.
***This is my most-worn bra. I honestly never wear anything else. Smoothing, comfortable, flattering, works with lots of necklines/styles. Target has a diffusion line version that many Magpies have reported to be identical to “the real thing” and it’s about half the price.
Weekend Musing: Navigating Storms as a Mother.
“Never let your storm get your children wet.” Saw this on Instagram and had one of those drop-everything-and-stand-stock-still-while-I-digest-this moments, rapidly rattling through an audit of my recent moments of frustration and impatience as a mother. This morning, my children embroiled themselves in a standard weekday-morning spat (“stop LOOKING at me, Hill” and “Mama, Emory said I have a stink face”). I try my hardest not to involve myself in these run-of-the-mill sibling stand-offs, instead offering high-level suggestions: “Why don’t you leave the room / change seats / find something else to do / tune him out / tell her how you feel / etc.” This scenario pressurizes itself when I know the clock is ticking and we need to be out the door by 7:40, and yet there they are, splayed around the dining room table, fighting and not touching their oatmeal. I intercepted today, taking my son out of the room to talk him down and reassure him, and when I returned, my daughter was livid. “Why does he get all the attention?” she demanded. A fat tear rolled down her cheek.
What I wanted to say was: You are older, and these arguments are absurd, and why can you not simply ignore him!? What I hoped was that she would quickly eat her oatmeal and get into her uniform. What I desired was to state, baldly, that I am tired of refereeing these pointless, recursive contretemps, and that my involvement that day had nothing to do with giving one or the other more attention and everything to do with just getting on with it. But what I remembered was: “Never let your storm get your children wet.” It’s not that I was stepping into the day with an axe to grind, but that I was more focused in that moment on what would be comfortable and convenient for me. I was elbowing her raincloud out in pursuit of my own sunlight. We had a productive conversation afterward. We talked about what would make the mornings easier for her, and what attention she wanted. I was a little startled when she maturely asked whether she could sit downstairs and have her hair tied back now, and go up to brush her teeth after Hill was done, so that she could have more time to cool off without him around. (Typically, we do everything in sync: children eat, then children go upstairs to brush, then children come down for hair to be done, etc).
I am leery of parenting slogans that insinuate that mothers must assume sainthood status by putting aside our very natural swings of emotions in order to properly fulfill the role. I also rarely take kindly to a phrase that begins with “never do this…” (I am a rule-follower by nature, but something makes my skin crawl when I’m on the receiving end of that kind of blanket instruction.) So perhaps the phrase needs some massaging. But I have to say, I’ve been finding it a handy rubric. Am I doing this because I’m lost in my own storm? Are my private stresses/frustrations spilling over into my role as a parent? I know I’ll never be able to totally unthread my own concerns and anxieties from the way I lead my life as a wife, parent, sister, friend, writer, but I can at least see when I’m permitting them to over-color my actions.
What do you think?
Post-Scripts.
+Another great Alex Mill cardigan. Endlessly versatile.
+Obsessed with the silhouette of these coated jeans. Imagined with a metallic mule like these (40% off with code BFCM23).
+If I’ve not mentioned it recently…this dry shampoo is one of my top three favorite beauty discoveries this year. Enables me to get an extra day between washes.
+This is our exact tree topper. We bought ours at the ABC Home store in Manhattan a few years ago! It’s paper mache so easy to set atop the tree without it tilting.
+Petite Plume sent my family some holiday pajamas, and I was beyond thrilled — I have bought so many pairs of their jammies over the years for my littles. I selected these for myself and these for my children. I was so torn, though — I almost got them these skiiers instead because we are taking them skiing for the first time this holiday season and I figured a ski motif would have a longer “season” than the more explicit holiday ones. Such great patterns! All are 20% off right now with code BLACKFRIDAY.
+Merit is running a 20% off sitewide sale with code PRIVATE20. I love so many of their items, but especially their complexion stick and angled brush, which I use daily.
+Your mother / sisters need these terrycloth headbands. I use when washing face / applying mask. Slightly ridiculous but functional.
+If you waited to the last minute to order a Thanksgiving dress…expedite the shipment of this Zimmermann to yourself. (More Thanksgiving ideas here.)
+Proper Table is offering 20% off sitewide with code FF20. If you’ve been a Magpie for awhile, you know we use their acrylic placemats daily. Great for kids — can be wiped clean — but have more upscale designs than you’d anticipate.
P.P.P.S. Sharing a children’s gift guide next week, but a preview here.
If you want more Magpie, you can subscribe to my Magpie Email Digest for a weekly roundup of top essays, musings, conversations, and finds.
By: Jen Shoop
*Excuse the fuzz on my desktop above, but I looked down from my screen for a second and liked the artful spread in front of me. (Isn’t the Flyte 7.0 packaging gorgeous?) Earrings off because I was wearing my headphones at my desk. I need a dish for them now!
A few weeks ago, my Internet friend Alex Steele shared a thoughtful roundup of gifts for men who say they don’t need anything, and one of her recommendations was slippers. She explained: “I figured this out because Nate tries to steal mine! I (we) like my cheap Costco ones.” I thought this was a clever prompt for divining useful gifts for a loved one, and, curious, I asked my Magpies: “What’s something your husband steals from you?” (Nosy as ever, would love for your to share your own response to this in the comments.)
I was surprised to find that about half of the answers were skincare products — eye cream, face wash, hand cream, shower products, hairspray, and even one “Laneige lip mask”! (Other common response: phone charger. Which makes me think all our husbands need rechargeable, external phone batteries in their stockings. Mr. Magpie was, by the way, appalled that I had not consulted with him when I bought mine in advance of my Atlanta trip. I’m pretty sure he would have preferred I buy the Apple brand one. Take that as you will.) Anyhow, what an interesting theme? I’m sure some of you gender scholars have systemic thoughts on why this might be (“beauty” is such a gendered space!), and we could sustain a long conversation about it, but my pragmatic side is simply suggesting that when you go to buy your husband his holiday gifts, don’t overlook the items he’s constantly stealing from you. These will make great stocking stuffers.
I would not split hairs about buying things that are specifically marketed to men when shopping for your husband, either. For example, Mr. Magpie and I share face wash. We’ve been testing a fleet of different brands and often have differing opinions on them, but our perspectives rarely have to do with things I would classify as “male” versus “female” points of differentiation. It’s usually more about feel and scent. I lovethe Motif face wash. It’s creamy and hydrating with tiny but sporadic microbeads (e.g., not nearly as dense in beads as Tata Harper) in it, and I’m obsessed with the way my face looks and feels afterward — soft, hydrated, prepped. Mr. Magpie doesn’t care for the creaminess and I think is after more of a foaming, fresh feel. Mr. Magpie has been using and liking this Vetted DermLab cleanser while I work through the Motif, but I think his preferred one this year was Youth to the People, which I also really, really liked. It gives you that squeaky-clean, fresh-faced feeling — but without the dryness. He did not like the Goop diffusion line cleanser. I was pleased with it, especially given price-point, once I figured out you really need to wet your face and lather up the product in your hands first, but he found the scent deeply off-putting.
Anyhow, if your husband also pilfers from your medicine cabinet, a few products I would recommend tucking into his stocking. Not that it really matters, but I think the packaging on all of these are pretty gender neutral. More importantly, they all work.
+Eye cream — Biossance. I’ve been really hard on this beauty category and continue to hunt for something that will totally blow my mind, but this has grown on me as I’ve used it over the past few months. I’ve now reached for it over several other brands for months on end. It is hydrating but quick to absorb. Right now, you can buy this special set where you’ll get two for $76 (vs one for $56). Perfect solution — you can each have one in your beauty cabinet.
+Face wash — Youth to the People, per my notes (and Mr. Magpie’s approval) above.
+Hand cream — Aesop. Honestly, this would be something good to buy in bulk — like 3-5 of them to give away as gifts to those “oops I forgot to get something” or “I want to get her something, but I have no idea what.” Anyway, this is a divine product, and the scent is orange-herbal; he’ll love it. You can also splurge and buy the bigger size that he can work through throughout the year. Mr. Magpie typically applies hand cream after washing his face, before bed, so I think this would be a good product to nest into his routine. Just keep the pump bottle right next to the hand soap at his sink.
+Shower products — Oribe or Roz hair care will please just about anyone on the planet. Great lather (Roz even better than Oribe IMO), luxurious scents, tried-and-true results. I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria in Buckhead (Atlanta) last week and they had Aesop shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom. I was really impressed with that, too, and they have great, herbal-leaning scents. (I think that their travel set of shampoo / conditioner / balm / cleanser would be a nice gift for a frequent traveler.) For body wash, we’ve used Molton Brown for ages and ages. It really is the best — it lathers up so nicely and lasts forever. Plus, great scents that Mr. Magpie likes, like Black Pepper.
Before we move on from this subject, may I also implore you to tuck one of Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Deodorants into your man’s stocking? Mr. Magpie speaks (!) in (!!) exclamation (!!!) points about this product. Here are his enthusiastic endorsements: 1) does not stain shirts; 2) does not smell strongly — he hated that his old deodorants smelled like, well, deodorants; 3) lasts a super long time. He loves this so much he has a subscribe and save arrangement with them!
On to a scattershot roundup of other beauty insights and reviews:
+I just received a few products from new-to-me beauty brand Flyte7.0 and noticed that they’re already running a 30% off promotion (no code required) for Black Friday. I’m liking this high-shine lipstick product — very hydrating and easy to apply, and the color Das Model is a perfect “barely there / natural” color — and this illuminating primer. (The primer falls in the same category as RMS Beauty’s Radiance Serum, which I still love, but has a thinner consistency that makes it easier to apply.) As I get older, I feel like I have needed lip color / lip product and brow gel more and more. Does anyone else feel this way? These two products (brow gel and lip color) seem to frame my face better and make me look more youthful. I don’t like to use that word, youthful, in the context of beauty, because — well, I’m 39 and I look 39 and that’s OK! But I do think elements of “youthfulness” are appealing and worth working towards in a beauty regimen, e.g., brightness, glow, balance, evenness. In this case, I’m finding the brow and lip products bring vivacity, color, and evenness to my visage in ways that perhaps I used to naturally achieve? Anyway, I think lip products might be my most-purchased beauty category at the moment. For years, lip color was an afterthought, typically applied when going out in the evening but routinely skipped during the day. Now, I must have something on my lips. I’m still obsessed with UBeauty’s lip plasma and wear that most of the time (the Lady color is absolutely perfect). It meets my baseline criteria of “can I apply this without a mirror?” and “is it hydrating?” but has the added benefit of plumping/filling lips and leaving the prettiest, most natural color. I love it so much, I brought a tube of it down to Atlanta for one of my girlfriends last weekend. The Flyte lip color passes my baseline criteria, too, and I love the color options. Early impressions are favorable.
+On the brow front: I’m still completely obsessed with Kosas AirBrow. It’s one of those unicorn all-in-one products — fills, gels, colors — but is virtually fool-proof. I’ve also been using the Westman Atelier brown pencil when I’m really getting done up because it does a great job of totally filling in/shaping areas that are looking a tad sparse. Like all women who lived through the late 90s/early aughts, I completely overplucked and still have a bald spot beneath my right eyebrow. (I’m determined to keep my daughter away from her brows forever.) This product is so helpful for that situation, and also for evening out my two brows, which are not symmetrical. It requires a steady, focused hand but I’m learning.
+I also have a couple of new items I’m using from Merit: their new 1980 brow gel, their clean lash mascara, and their signature lip color (in Millennial). Several of these items are included in their limited edition “Gloss Set,” which the brand recently told me is close to selling out. It’s a good buy if you want to sample/test a few different products in one go — note that some of the products are mini/travel size. ICYMI: I’m obsessed with Merit. I’ve been leaning on their complexion stick daily for the past few months (See my five-minute, five-product everyday makeup routine here) and still love their flush balms. I alternate between those and Goop Colorblurs. Of the new products I’m currently testing, I’m most impressed by their clean mascara. It separates lashes better than any other mascara I’ve tried. I feel like one swipe multiplies your lashline. Heads up: I just received a mailer that says you can get 20% off sitewide Nov 18-21 using code PRIVATE20, so you might want to load your cart now and buy tomorrow.
+I’ve already raved about these products this week and I know many of you have already purchased, but get thee to Hanni. Their concept is “shower care / skincare for the lazy girl,” and I love the way all of their products perform double duty or cut application time in half. For example, their splash salve is applied in-shower, and takes the place of post-shower lotion, while their water balm is a hydrating mist that requires none of the process of applying lotion, waiting for it to absorb, etc. I don’t know why it is that these feel like such a dynamic revolution for me, but they really do seem to be simplifying my shower time. I also absolutely LOVE the results. Your skin feels like a goddess’? I just got out of the shower a few minutes ago and I swear to God, my skin has never felt so smooth and silky. You need these. You can buy the duo here.
+Julia Amory just re-stocked her site with her amazing toiletry sets in new patterns and sizes. They just updated the sizing so the largest one is really big — could fit a hair dryer! I really love these because they’re lined and have a few pockets on the inside (great, I find, for stowing things like serums that you don’t want clanking around, prone to spillage), and you can toss them in the laundry when they get dirty. (I launder on a gentle cycle with regular detergent and then leave to air dry). I also find the sizes helpful and generally easy to wedge in wherever you have space in your suitcase. Finally, the patterns are so joyful! Strong upvote for these. I will also say my best friend was using the Dagne Dover toiletry case last weekend and I slightly envied the brush pouch she had. (The large DD case comes with a long, thin narrow sub-pouch perfect for makeup brushes!) However, you can also buy a silicon makeup brush pouch for $11 here — this appeals because you can then simply rinse out the interior every few trips. I added this to the “travel gear” section of my Amazon shop, along with a few other recommendations that have been trickling in since I wrote this post. (For example, one of you recommended this ultra-compact pill case perfect for medicines and supplements while in transit.)
+This is a total and unnecessary splurge, but I received these Noble Panacea radiance serum doses as a gift and…they’re amazing. I would probably not buy myself, but mama mia do I feel lucky to have them. I’ve been tossing a few in my makeup bag when traveling so I don’t need to pack or decant one of my serums, and each mini pouch contains the perfect amount of serum for a single use. The serum itself is divine. Skin looks glossy, gleaming, happy, radiant. Ay! A major splurge but delightful.
+Really, really love these eye masks from Jillian Dempsey. I’ve been throwing one in my suitcase for travel and they actually brighten and enliven the eye area, making it look as though you are better rested than you are. I tucked one of these into the parcel I gifted my girlfriend in ATL (along with the UBeauty lip plasma). A true delight. I also have in my medicine cabinet Goop’s eye masks but haven’t yet dipped into them. I heard such good things! I might stop using the Dempsey ones and try the Goop ones instead, because the Dempseys are great for gifting and travel! Might as well conserve them.
+As I’ve written about before, I like to remove my makeup with a beauty balm and then cleanse. I find this process thoroughly removes all of my makeup (sometimes I need to use a q-tip dipped into an eye makeup remover to get all traces of mascara, too). I’ve tried a few different balms and my favorites are Farmacy and Unnaturally Natural. I’m just about to try Versed’s formula. Price is right! Has anyone tried this brand? I’m intrigued.
+Still using and reluctantly liking Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream. I’d wanted to try this product forever but had major sticker shock. I received a bottle as a part of a PR package and could not wait to test. A few weeks in — I think it’s an incredible moisturizer. I love the results. But I do think I’ll have trouble legitimizing the price on a re-order. The TL;DR: it’s a great face cream, but not convinced it’s worth the price? We shall see once I finish this bottle…
P.P.P.S. A few weeks ago, I looked into the mirror and saw my grandmother in my own reflection. Thoughts on the experience.
If you want more Magpie, you can subscribe to my Magpie Email Digest for a weekly roundup of top essays, musings, conversations, and finds.
By: Jen Shoop
This report is a bit less about new releases/launches (see past installments of this series here and here) and a bit more about all the fashion finds that have been bubbling up to the top for me over the past few weeks. These are the items I’m seriously considering, researching, lusting after, shocked by…
01. AMAZON PILLOWS — I cannot believe the price on these scalloped decorative throws, which are reminiscent of Matouk. I’m eyeing for either my daughter’s bed or perhaps the guest bedroom. Come in tons of colors!
03. ALICE +OLIVIA BLAZER DRESS. There’s this line in an old Sex and the City episode where Carrie tells one of the gals: “Girl, that’s not even yo style!” My sister and I say this to one another any time we’re dressing out of character but look good nonetheless. This is a major “that’s not even yo style” pick but I can’t stop thinking about it? SO fun and fabulous. I also have this slinky Black Halo dress in my cart, which is also a “not yo style” pick but it’s just leaping off the page at me?!
04. TOTEME T-LOCK CLUTCH. I’ve seen this all over the place and am deeply envious. Love the unusual oversized shape and glossy gold hardware. I’m torn between this or one of the Savette ones, which has a more tailored vibe. Love both! Which do you prefer?
05. ZARA HEELS. Just so fun! And under $50. I love the way they styled online, with a casual pair of jeans.
06. HERNO JACKET. I think I’m going to ask Mr. Magpie for either this coat or a new handbag (either the Toteme or Savette mentioned above) for Christmas. I’ve worn a Canada Goose coat for the past six years or so, and it’s been excellent (especially for Chicago and NYC temps) but now want something a bit dressier / less sporty, and warmth isn’t QUITE as big of a factor in our more temperate DC environment. Herno is still performance grade but not quite as athletic as CG.
07. MZ WALLACE LARGE METRO TOTE. On the heels of my posts about traveling with more ease and comfort, one Magpie wrote to rave about the virtues of the larger size of my M.Z. Wallace. (I own the medium in rose gold; you can see me wearing it for scale here.) She mentioned that it has a sleeve that slips over the roll-a-board handle (SUCH a pro) and lots of pockets for stowing important stuff. I’m eyeing one for upcoming travel…I like this gunmetal color.
08. BA&SH MEREDITH JACKET. I have been getting so much wear out of this silhouette this season — I love to layer these cropped blazers/jackets/coatigans/jackets/cardis over thin base layers with great jeans. I find this is such a versatile look. Polished but not over-done. Amazon has a $40 cardigan and Zara a $50 variation to get this look for less, and I’ve been wearing this textured Talbots one non-stop. I brought it with me on my girls’ weekend because it was dressy enough to wear over dresses at night but casual enough for jeans.
09. AMAZON SEQUIN SKIRT. Cannot believe this is under $50 (and getting good reviews). Love the burgundy color. Cute for holiday!
10. MARGAUX DEMI FLATS. My girlfriends were talking about this brand while we were down in Atlanta. We all love the Chanel vibes for the reasonable price, and I appreciate the expanded sizing, as my feet are tiny. The colors are also incredible! I really want a pair of silver flats but the red ones are also beyond.
11. BERKSHIRE PRESS MINI FA LA LA NOTES — A longtime Magpie reader, Monica, started this beautiful stationery line and I was charmed by these petite holiday notecards. Perfect for jotting down a special message (“I saw this and thought of you because…” and “I know 2024 will be bright for you because…”) while dropping off gifts this holiday season.
13. NARS LIP COLOR IN DRAGON GIRL — Recently wore this red lip for a special event. I’d not worn a red lip in ages and I think the dragon girl color is perfection.
14. DEE OCLEPPO VELVET EMBELLISHED SANDAL (SEEN ABOVE) — I could not resist these. They contain absolutely everything I love in a winter special occasion shoe. Velvet! Bow! Embellishment! Realistic height! Surprisingly comfortable. Vibe for less (sans embellishment) here.
15. TARTAN TUCKERNUCK TOP — This is on its way to me now. I always find there is a small gap in my holiday wardrobe for more casual gatherings in the days leading up to Christmas. I’ve got the dressy part nailed down but am racking my brain for what to wear while, for example, baking cookies with my siblings, or dropping by for a glass of wine. This blouse is perfect for that and I love the Loretta Caponi-esque details.
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Q: NY girls’ weekend in December.
A: Love this for you! Just got back from a trip to see my best girlfriends from college and it was so, so fun. I can’t remember the last time I laughed harder! You can honestly get away with whatever in NYC. I’d probably rec some fun/on-trend jeans like the Agolde Dames, coated jeans, or faux leather kick flares and pair with a fun/festive blouse like this, this, this, this, or this for dinner out. Also love a bold feather moment for the season — this or this with patterned tights. (Would finish with a black platform pump — have heard these are shockingly comfortable and walkable.) For daytime: comfortable jeans, a cute little cropped jacket, and good walking shoes (either sneakers or flat boots) with a crossbody bag.
P.S. You didn’t ask, but on the subject of trips: a Magpie just made a strong case for the larger version of my M.Z. Wallace tote for travel. It has a sleeve that slips over the roll-a-board handle and has lots of other pockets. Think I need.
Q: Any suggestions for a men’s milestone gift that is in that tricky over 500 but not quite 5,000 range?
A: A wool topcoat from Ralph Lauren. Landon bought one for himself maybe a decade ago and it’s in constant use in the winter season. He can wear it over formal wear (suits, blazers, etc) but also dress it down over cords and sweaters. So handsome — he’ll never regret it, and the styles will persist until he’s 90! His parents bought him a classic Burberry trench coat when he was in his 20s, and he’ll have that forever, too. I personally think the wool topcoat is the better investment, but both are timeless. If he’s on the more casual side, buy him a Herno jacket. It’s the “quiet luxury” vibe x 1000 — handsome, understated, well-tailored. Other thoughts under $1000: a leather wallet from Hermes, a Loro Piano belt, Gucci loafers.
Q: Do you have any recommendations for an ice bucket for entertaining? It’s the only thing my mom asked for this Christmas. She’s 63 and has pretty classic/understated style, and I’d like to keep it under $100 if possible. She wouldn’t like a monogram, but I’m open to pretty much anything outside of that. Also, do ice buckets come with the scoop? (I’m 24… I probably should know if they do or even if “scoop” is the right word, but I don’t!) If so, I’d love to get her one that includes a scoop.
A: This is so sweet and specific. I love the heirloom look of this Pottery Barn one.
Q: Heavyish coat for me, my husband, and my children.
A: Dressy/wool: this VB for you, the aforementioned RL for your husband, this La Coqueta for a girl, this Mayoral for a boy. Puffer/athletic: this Herno for you, this Herno for your husband, these Helly Hansens for your littles.
Q: Boots to wear with looser fit / baggier style jeans.
A: I’ve been doing a lot of recon on this question the past few weeks. I think these are absolutely perfect. After scrutinizing hundreds of photos, I really think you need a slim/contoured boot silhouette with a more delicate heel to balance everything out. These and these are similar and would also work well.
Q: I’d love some recs for a few pj sets! Unfortunately Lake isn’t in the budget but hopefully you have some leads on “look for less”…
A: Check out Honeydew! This set reminds me of the Lake Relax set and they have cute patterns, too. Most of their sets are under $50.
Q: 40th birthday dinner at Hotel Bel Air.
A: Oo! Happy 40th! I would personally get dolled up in a FAB dress like this, this, this, this, or this. Go big! If those are too loud, consider a statement top like this, this, or this with great jeans. Mr. Magpie’s boss (the most bad-ass woman!) once said “my life started at 40.” Onward!
Q: Leather jacket.
A: This VB — selling out fast, everywhere. It is SO good, and it’s reversible. Otherwise, anything Saks Potts. I also like the unexpected silhouette of this Alexis style — I’m not as big into the moto jackets right now, which seem to dominate leather jacket silhouettes, so this feels refreshing.
Q: Christmas nightgown for my toddler.
A: This Petite Plume. Currently 20% off as a part of an early Black Friday promo!
Q: SIL’s rehearsal dinner in Chicago in December. Pregnant and trying to conceal.
A: This velvet Rhode could be good — cinch the belt above belly and no one will know. I also feel like Tuckernuck tends to have silhouettes that skim the body but never hug it — skim there!
Q: Elegant black top to wear to holiday parties. I’m not big into feathers, embellishment.
