Jen Shoop, Author at Magpie by Jen Shoop

By: Jen Shoop

My Latest Snag: Cropped Cardigan.

My favorite purchase this week was this new cropped cable-knit sweater from J. Crew. It had sold out in my size but a few were restocked and I snagged one. Word on the street (have heard from several Magpies) is that you can size up in this style without losing the vibe. See how I’d style it here.

P.S. More fun sweaters here.

This Week’s Most Popular: Winter Finds.

01. MERIT THE MINIMALIST COMPLEXION STICK // 02. ENCLOSURE CARDS // 03. ROPE BIN // 04. PALAZZO JEANS // 05. TUCKER DINING CHAIRS // 06. SQUISHMALLOW // 07. SCALLOPED SWITCH PLATE // 08. CITIZENS CHARLOTTE JEANS // 09. PUFF SLEEVED MINI // 10. LONG SLEEVED WHITE TEE // 11. DRAWER ORGANIZER

Weekend Musings: To a Daughter Leaving.

I recently came across Linda Pastan’s poem, “To a Daughter Leaving Home,” and was reminded of my thoughts on my daughter’s convalescence from an infection. It felt very much like a “leaving and returning” at the time; I wrote:

“My daughter returned to me

a few days after the [antibiotics] regimen was complete, skittering on fawn-like legs, her radiant smile

a sunrise.

“She came from a long, long way,”

Carrying her arch asides, the wry twist of her mouth, the crescents of her laughing eyes,

As though life released from amber.

A small return, a frivolous one, to be sure,

But I am reminded all the same of the search for Persephone,

Of the way motherhood can sometimes feel like long division, interrupted joyously

by return.”

When I read Pastan’s poem, in which the speaker uses the experience of her daughter learning to ride her bike as a metaphor for mother-daughter separation later in life, I felt, viscerally, the words: “I kept waiting / for the thud / of your crash as I / sprinted to catch up, / while you grew smaller, more breakable / with distance.” The emotional cargo arrived before the semantic: the vision of my daughter’s shrinking, vulnerable figure bypassed my mind and went straight to the tenderest part of me. Pastan goes for the pith, doesn’t she? Because aren’t all mothers Demeter, walking to the ends of the earth in search of Persephone? Wounded and steeled by the separation?

P.S. There is so much in that myth that gets at the complexity of motherhood; though much of Greek mythology marginalizes the female voice (hence the spectacular achievement of Circe, one of my all-time favorite books), I am convinced mothers had a hand in shaping elements of the narrative of Demeter and Persephone.

Shopping Break.

+Naghedi vibes for less.

+Gorgeous LWD. Note that this brand runs large.

+MAIS J’ADORE.

+Has anyone tried this lip oil before? It’s apparently gone viral on TikTok…

+Cozy coatigan.

+My Daybreaks in a fun new all-camel colorway. I noticed that a bunch of you ordered these spendy Chloe sneaks, too! So fun — such great colors.

+Fun printed mini shirtdress.

+On my lust list for the upcoming season.

+Cutie side table. Love the color and bamboo motif.

+OK, how beyond adorable are these gingham rainboots for girls?

+Sunhouse just launched the cutest spring capsule for littles! I am loving this dress. Contemplating it for Easter for mini.

+These ruffled pouches would be a sweet gift for a little girl, or a cute way to stow hair ties/ribbons/etc.

+Agua Bendita vibes for less.

+Another sweet little dress for a little love.

By: Jen Shoop

I have been focusing these past few WYSF installments on broader subjects I receive a lot of inquiries about — work attire, everyday dresses, weddings, etc — but I do also receive a lot of one-off questions. Trying to tackle some of those here today, in rapid-fire succession.

Q: Bag strap you’ve attached to your sherpa pouch. (Seen above with my Kule tee and Toteme cardigan.) Under $10 and lots of options. Quality is better than price suggests.

Q: An interesting coat. I’m so tired of the ones I have. This Ganni is fun. This Mango coat has sold out twice this season — a handful left in XXS. (Inspired by Toteme.)

Q: The planner you always rave about? This inexpensive guy. I live my life by it.

Q: New designer sunglasses. Love these Pradas.

Q: Work pants. Try these and these. Two different silhouettes. More work ideas here!

Q: Good leggings. Like a broken record: I love Lululemon Aligns (in a great new spring pink color). Less expensive option: these. I own multiple pairs. More fitness wear here.

Q: Birthday party dress for my daughter. This is fun.

Q: Raincoat for my son. Love this Amazon one. Really good colors, great quality, and love the striped lining.

Q: Boots for a trip to Europe. These are on-trend and can be worn with dresses or jeans. For something a bit more sophisticated, try these.

Q: Gift enclosure tags for kids. Have and adore these. Pro-tip: write all of your children’s names on it (e.g., ours say: “Emory and Hill,” or you could go with “Shoop Family” or “Shoop Children”) so that you can use them no matter who is going to a birthday party.

Q: What to read next? My tsundoku pile here. (Mixed in with a few books I’ve already read.). I just dowloaded The Marriage Portrait – heavily influenced by my Magpies.

Q: Last thing you bought? Will end here. I just bought this $25 polo sweatshirt from Target. It caught my eye in the store because it reminded me of my new Alice Walk half-zip, which I have worn an embarrassing number of days in a row over the past few weeks. It is great for layering, love the color (I got ice blue), and just makes me feel a tad more dressed up than if I were wearing a regular sweatshirt. The Target one obviously has a different silhouette (cropped) but I just loved the style, color, detail. Couldn’t be happier with this impulse buy!

P.S. Home organization favorites — you all loved this post!

P.P.S. If you’re a visual shopper, you might enjoy scrolling through my shopping feed here.

P.P.P.S. Fun sweaters.

By: Jen Shoop

Every time I toss out a line, I receive a lot of questions about wedding attire for guests, brides, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride/groom. Today, I’m doing a deep dive into all aspects of shopping for these happy occasions, along with some unsolicited advice — ha.

For the Wedding Guests.

My own wedding forever changed how I felt about being included in a wedding. It is a true gift! You are wanted there! It is costly and labor-intensive to be invited. Lean into it! Celebrate the love! One of the kindest things my guests did for me was take photographs. Of course there will be a professional photographer, but my favorite picture of my own big day came from my cousin, who snapped a photo of Mr. Magpie and I walking victoriously down the aisle after we’d said our “I dos.” I also treasured the photographs my aunts and uncles took of the table settings, flowers, etc. It tickled me that they liked the flowers so much they thought to photograph them! Following their lead: it is a kindness to snap photos of the elements you like to later send to the bride or mother of the bride.

I have also made a habit of emailing the parents of the groom as well as the bride the day after the wedding to thank them and underscore the elements of the wedding that you most enjoyed. It is a lot of work to put on a wedding! Good to be a gracious guest.

Below, some chic wedding guest attire ideas for the spring and summer seasons ahead.

01. BORGO DE NOR GOWN // 02. PAM MUNSON CLUTCH // 03. ACLER MIDI // 04. FARM RIO DRESS // 05. SOVERE LINEN DRESS // 06. AMINA MUADDI HEELS // 07. OSCAR DE LA RENTA EARRINGS // 08. LULU’S KNOTTED MULES // 09. SOLACE LONDON DRESS // 10. SILVIA TCHERASSI GOWN // 11. REBECCA DE RAVENEL EARRINGS // 12. SELF PORTRAIT KNIT MIDI // 13. CRYSTAL MULES // 14. EN SAISON GIANNA DRESS // 15. CULT GAIA CLUTCH // 16. MONIQUE LHUILLIER GOWN // 17. EARRINGS

I also came across some fun spring dresses at ASOS at good prices: this and this are spectacular!

For the Brides.

My advice: return to center. You will encounter too many details, enormous emotions, different opinions. Something will go wrong! Someone will irritate you! Someone will forget something, or something won’t be delivered on time. To all of this, remember to return to center. That is, at the end of the day, if you are zipping away in a car having successfully exchanged “I dos” with your husband, that’s all that matters.

One small suggestion: delegate the areas of the wedding planning you don’t deeply care about. That might be transportation, or the welcome drinks event, or vetting hair/makeup vendors! There are other people who enjoy those details (or who will happily own them for you).

Lastly, take this for what it’s worth / if it’s a possibility given arrangements for your day: my favorite part of my wedding day was the sliver of time between our ceremony and reception, where the coordinator had arranged to have a private room for us with an assortment of the appetizers our guests were enjoying at cocktail hour, plus champagne. I will never forget that quiet moment — just the two of us — where we could take a breath and soak one another up. Hearts on stilts.

A few mood boards to whet the appetite.

STAUD WELLS MAXI DRESS // TWEED JACKET // TIFFANY FOREVER BAND // JIMMY CHOO LOVE FLATS // JENNIFER BEHR EARRINGS // TOTEME CAPE // EMILIA WICKSTEAD JUMPSUIT // REBECCA VALLANCE GOWN // MANOLO MAYSALE MULES // CULT GAIA ANNIKA CLUTCH // SELF PORTRAIT TAILORED MINI DRESS // MANOLO LINEN PUMPS // EMBROIDERED HANDKERCHIEF // POSSE LINEN MINI DRESS

NEEDLE AND THREAD LISETTE DRESS // CUSTOM WEDDING DRESS PATCH // ETERNITY RING // HEART CLUTCH // HANGER // ALEXIA MARIA BOW DRESS // CECILIE BAHNSEN BETH DRESS // RING BOX // KATE SPADE BOW HEELS // ANNA OCTOBER GOWN // TULLE VEIL // JENNIFER BEHR MINNA EARRINGS // AJE IMPRESSION DRESS // SALONI CAMILLA DRESS // AQUAZZURA BABE SANDALS

For the Bridesmaids.

My main word of advice here is…be a yes woman. In nearly every other context, I wholeheartedly advocate for you to speak up, make your opinion known, etc. Not now, though. Wear the dress and be happy for your friend! Below, a guide to some chic dress options if your bride has given you a color palette and invited you to select your own gown, along with some really fun accessories/shoes. Some of the shoes are “inspired by” designer pairs — super fun at a great price! P.S. A Magpie specifically asked me for a burgundy bridesmaid dress. I like the options from Reformation — this in velvet!

01. NORMA KAMALI DRESS // 02. MONIQUE LHUILLIER TULLE DRESS // 03. ULLA JOHNSON EMMALINE DRESS** // 04. ULLA JOHNSON CAMILLE GOWN // 05. JONATHAN SIMKHAI GOWN // 06. SOLACE LONDON GOWN // 07. AMINA MUADDI HEELS // 08. MIGNONNE GAVIGAN EARRINGS // 09. LULU’S KNOTTED MULES // 10. HAZEN & CO POPPY EARRINGS // 11. J. CREW DRESS // 12. NICOLA BATHIE BABY’S BREATH EARRINGS // 13. PEARL CAGE CLUTCH // 14. CRYSTAL MULES // 15. ACLER DRESS // 16. CRYSTAL BROOCH SLINGBACKS // 17. GANNI TAFFETA DRESS // 18. CULT GAIA CLUTCH

**Major look for less moment: this Aqua style.

For the Mothers of the Brides/Grooms.

I consulted with my mother — a true expert — for advice for mothers of the bride/groom. She has successfully steered five weddings to success. Below, her lovely thoughts:

“Enjoy every moment! Remember that this is your daughter’s wedding, and not yours. You want it to be as perfect as possible, but an expression of your daughter.

Make a file with a master list of services you will need, like church, reception site, invitations, caterer, musicians, florist, transportation, gown, hair stylist, makeup artist.

Have a clear understanding of the size and style of the wedding from the bride. Then give the number to groom’s side. There will always be people that will not be included. It might be that it gets too big if you include, let’s say, the parents work friends, or cousins, or children. Better to have thought that through well beforehand. My standard line was “I am sorry but Ann’s guest list is complete.” Another issue to tackle is the “plus one”, or possible girlfriend the brother has been dating. Talk with them before the guest list is complete, and make it clear how awkward and difficult it will be to add someone at the last minute.

The gift registry should be reasonable! There may be a few aunts, uncles, and grandparents who might be giving a big ticket item, but if the guests are young, there should be some affordable suggestions. Maybe they can bundle a few of the smaller kitchen items, or two people could make a purchase together.

Wedding attire: Please have the bride wear comfortable shoes! She will be standing on her feet for a long time! Also, in my honest opinion, do not put “Black Tie Optional” on the invitation! Go one way or the other, as it is awkward.

Please have the bride write her thank you notes within a few days of receiving a wedding gift. This serves as a timely confirmation from the person sending the present, and makes the job less onerous for the bride.

For the mother of the groom:

Plan the rehearsal dinner, usually for both of the families, the attendants, groomsmen, and out of town guests. If that is too large, then invite the out-of-towners to a gathering after the dinner.

Check with the MOB about color or style of dress.”

01. BORGO DE NOR TATI DRESS // 02. SELF-PORTRAIT PANELED CHIFFON DRESS // 03. AGUA BENDITA MAXI DRESS // 04. MARKARIAN MOIRE DRESS // 05. DAMARIS BAILEY ROSITA DRESS // 06. TUCKERNUCK EARRINGS // 07. MONIQUE LHUILLIER DRESS // 08. STAUD CALLUNA DRESS // 09. EMILIA WICKSTEAD BIRCH DRESS // 10. RICKI FREEMAN FOR TERI JON CAPE DRESS // 11. REBECCA DE RAVENEL EARRINGS // 12. SELF PORTRAIT EMBROIDERED MIDI // 13. MANOLOS // 14. MARKARIAN GOWN // 15. LELA ROSE SHEATH DRESS // 16. ALEXANDRE BIRMAN PILLAR HEELS // 17. LELA ROSE QUILTED MIDI DRESS

P.S. Our song.

P.P.S. Let your heart be light.

P.P.P.S. The whole sky is yours.

By: Jen Shoop

*Seen above: the most precious personalized polo and sweatshirt from Saddle Stitches. She already has the Easter section of her boutique open if you’re planning ahead! So many adorable personalized, holiday-centric finds. You can also spot these heart leggings from J. Crew, some Silly Putty in heart containers I found at the $1 section of Target, and some of mini’s Maileg figures.

Do you prepare a Valentine’s basket for your little one? I’ve never done this before but have heard from a few mamas that they do this yearly! Below, some cute surprises for the wee ones, whether you are putting together a basket or tucking a treat under their pillow or at their breakfast station.

Valentine’s Surprises for Little Boys.

I feel like boys are often left out of the holiday! Treat your little man to some sweet surprises!

TUGBOAT HEART JAMMIES // GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU TONIES // NEEDLEPOINTED HAT // PERSONALIZED POLO // LOVE IS A TRUCK // BUZZ LIGHTYEAR TEE // CROCODILES NEED KISSES TOO // PLUS PLUS TUBE // MAGNATAB // WOVEN BASKETS

Valentine’s Surprises for Little Girls.

Pro tip: gift your children things you’d buy them anyway, e.g., shampoo and hand soap. Ha! It feels like a treat. I always give my children toothbrushes and toothpaste in their stockings! For some reason, this makes them very excited!

SQUISHMALLOW // I HEART YOU // COCONUT SHAMPOO // PERSONALIZED SWEATSHIRT // FLUFFY GLITTER PENS // MAILEG MOUSE // HEART PAJAMAS // SOHP SHOP SURPRISE SOAP // LOVE IS A TUTU // JELLY BAG

P.S. More ways to make Valentine’s Day special here. And what you should wear for the occasion here.

P.P.S. The “pinch” of watching your children grow.

P.P.P.S. Thoughts on things I’ve watched recently.

By: Jen Shoop

There is an interesting concept that I read about earlier this week called “the quarterlife,” which pyschotherapist Satya Doyle Byock explains as follows: “Quarterlife is the stage of life between adolescence and midlife. It is the first stage of adulthood, and occurs between the ages of twenty and forty, give or take. I began to use the term “Quarterlife” to refer to these years because I’d struggled with every other phrase we have available. The other terms are all pejorative and misleading in some way (young adulthood, extended adolescence, etc.) and they exist as modifiers to another stage rather than allowing this stage to exist all on its own.” Byock’s interview with culture commentator Anne Helen Peterson is well worth a read for an introduction to this postulation, though I’ve now gone a layer deeper and subscribed to Byock’s substack on the subject, because reading about this gave me the kind of satisfaction I experience when tidily arranging a row of book spines in the correct direction on a shelf. That is, she was “putting right” something I’ve hazily observed in slouching disorder for years now. She was giving a name to something that’s lain inarticulate on my tongue for years now.

I write a lot about forward momentum on Magpie. “Onward!” is our rallying cry. Perhaps this is in part because I’ve needed the foothold to propel me through some trying times, and it makes me feel vaguely hygienic, proper when I’ve felt askew, but I have also considered it a willed frame of mind, a conscious way of being. Keep moving. There is always tomorrow. The only mile that matters is the one you’re running right now. Onward!

One thing that Byock suggests is that individuals in their “quarterlife” have been absorbed by “the narrative that it’s a stage of life all about constant growth.” She goes on to explain that “these years really are meant to be more meandering than about perpetual, unreflective upward growth,” and that the false narrative of continuous improvement “becomes something of a prison of expectation and performance for people in these years.”

I thought immediately of a few loyal Magpie commenters who have shared, through movingly candid comments, that they feel “out of the norm” because they do not have a partner, they have not “figured out their career paths,” they do not have children, they do not own a house, etc. I have certainly related to all of these sentiments at one time or another, and occasionally for strings of years, in my “quarterlife.” The 20s were particularly challenging for me, as I compared myself to my friends, who were themselves all over the map — some with well-paying finance jobs, others eating ramen while in graduate school, some married with children by 25, others living the single life until recently.

Byock insists that meandering is the status quo in the quarterlife period, which, it should be noted, does not “end” until the 40s, and even then, I suspect is a moving target.

I am strumming too many strings at once here, so let me pluck on this:

The quarterlife is for wool gathering. It is for wandering. If you are feeling alone in your roam, wheels churning up mud in your eremitic offroading, while it seems that everyone else in your life is driving in a straight, orderly queue on well-paved territory,

You are not.

The quarterlife does not need to mean a ceaseless, upward spiral of growth and improvement. (Perhaps this is why I found James Clear’s Habits book so discordant, so irritating? I bristle at the optimization subtext, as though we are one hack away from perfection.) Though I have been writing for a long time around this message, and perhaps feeling a bit solitary in my musings on this subject (I self-indulgently considered my strange, squiggly career path as a key differentiator between myself and many of my peers, but perhaps the truth is that we all feel like rolling stones during this phase of life), I guess I needed Byock’s permission to sanction it, and her nudge to revisit our phrase “onward.” Permit me to apply some new spin. Onward need not be synonymous with straight-line motion. The quarterlife can and, in my experience, does, invite anfractuous movement. It can mean serpentine, then chelonian, maneuvers. Onward through it, onward in it: no feeling is final (Rilke), no perch is permanent, no pace perpetual.

Post-Scripts.

+On pursuing English as a career.

+The sandpiper.

+What does your job say about you?

Shopping Break.

+These striped boxer-style shorts are bestsellers, and I’ve seen them styled chicly for daytime wear, but I’d probably throw on over a swimsuit. The look was popularized by brand Frankies Shop (see styling examples here, here, here), and you can get their shorts on sale here and here. However, I think the Madewell pair is more wearable — less overwhelming on the frame!

+Pretty Easter dress option. Imagine with a sweet pastel cardi! (Cardi look for less with this or this.)

+Love a joverall moment, and the fit of this pair from Doen has me salivating. Love to style them with feminine blouses like this, this, this.

+A perfect nursery glider at a good price. I regret not having one for my son. His “room” in our NYC apartment was too small to permit one — we could barely fit a changing table, a crib, a tiny bench, and a few toy bins in there — and by the time we moved to D.C., he was well outside the rock-to-sleep phase. Still, I wish we had that for him.

+Salivating over this perfect dress.

+Love these boots.

+Ordered this French pharmacy brand body lotion and also this more targeted balm by the same brand to use on extra dry skin — as recommended by tons of Magpies! (Thanks for the intel!)

+Ordered this $35 tote in a feverish haze of excitement. It reminds me so much of the styles from Rue De Verneuil!

+Proper Table acrylic placemats, on sale! You know I LOVE these. We use them daily for dining with the children.

+Cute, well-priced rain jacket recommended by LOTS of positive reviews.

+Do not sleep on this teddy fleece sweatshirt, on sale. I live in it!

+ICYMI, Gap just dropped some interesting ponte black pants that could be exceptional for your work life: love this silhouette or the classic.

By: Jen Shoop

*Image via Zara. I just ordered two of these boxy striped tees for micro!

Today, a roundup of precious children’s steals — all under $30, most well less than that. Some of these are outrageous sale scores and others are incredible bargain buys.

01. LACOSTE POLOS — ON SALE IN SELECT COLORS FOR $26, PLUS EXTRA 20% OFF WITH CODE EXTRA20

02. SKINNY JEANS — LOVED THE ACID WASH

03. LILA + HAYES EGG HUNT JAMMIES — ONLY $24…BUY NOW FOR EASTER! OTHER STYLES FROM THIS GREAT PAJAMA BRAND ON SALE AS WELL, LIKE SCHOOL BUSES (BUY NOW FOR BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL!)

04. LUIGI KIDS PETER PAN COLLAR DRESSES — MY FAVORITE EVERYDAY DRESSES, ON SALE FOR $22…ALSO IN VERSATILE NAVY HERE

05. CIENTAS — 50% OFF IN SELECT COLORS…SCOOPED UP THE NEXT TWO SIZES IN NAVY FOR MINI AS SHE WEARS THESE TO SCHOOL!

06. STRIPED TEE — JUST ORDERED IN TWO COLORS FOR MICRO (HAVE NAVY AND RED OPTIONS!)

07. TODDLER OVERALLS

08. DINO SWEATSHIRT AND LEGGINGS

09. ANIMAL BASKETS

10. TODDLER TUBE SOCKS — SUCH GOOD COLORS

11. TARGET SWIM TRUNKS — THESE REMINDED ME OF THE SHORT STYLES FROM MINNOW, AND ONLY $10!…DON’T SLEEP ON THEIR ZIP-FRONT RASH GUARDS FOR BOYS, TOO! SUCH AN INGENIOUS DESIGN, SO MUCH EASIER TO GET ON/OFF

12. STONEY CLOVER VIBES — A GREAT POUCH FOR SCHOOL SNACKS, CRAYONS/MARKERS, AND TINY TOY SETS

13. TIE-DYE HI TOPS

P.S. More great affordable children’s finds here.

P.P.S. What’s in your house? A stirring prompt to reflect on how much you already have.

P.P.P.S. Chic recent Zara finds in one place here.

By: Jen Shoop

^{This post is sponsored by Shopbop.}

I wrote a week or two ago that I absolutely hated everything I wore for an entire week. (Does this happen to everyone mid-season?) I selected a range of chic new pieces from Shopbop — one of my longtime favorite retailers — to assuage my mid-winter wardrobe doldrums. The clear winners were this Apiece Apart dress, which you’ve seen me wear in a handful of other recent posts, and this sunshine-in-shirt-form top from Farm Rio. Sharing my entire try-on session below, along with notes on sizing/styling for each:

01. CITIZENS CHARLOTTE CROP JEANS. I cannot tell you how many Magpies have raved about these jeans — they are consistently highly-ranked. I took my true size (25) and went with the cropped length because I am so short (5’0). They were very flattering on, especially the pocket placement in the rear and the way they sort of skim but do not cling to the leg. I love the wash, too — my preferred everyday wash. However, I am still on the fence as to whether to keep them because they have a button fly (which I do not love) and they have absolutely no stretch. Maybe they give with a few wears? Maybe people like no-stretch because it really holds you in? But I think I’m used to something with a little more give and wasn’t sure if I’d be walking around like a tin man? I’ll tell you that my Agoldes also have very little give and I love the silhouette but I wouldn’t, like, choose to wear them while sitting at my desk all day. So I’m stuck! Are these jeans to wear when you want to look cute? Will they “give”? Should I try a size up? Help, COH ladies! I’m wearing them above with this ATM x Anthony Thomas Melilo white top — a great layering basic that hits at just the right length for a tuck. You can see it up close below.

02. APIECE APART SUN MESA MIDI DRESS. Probably my favorite piece I ordered. I took an XS and it is so incredibly flattering and fun. A little more interesting than your average shirt dress / striped dress thanks to the contrasting stripes at the sleeves. I also love the self-tie waist (key for us shorties so we can tie where our waists actually live), which is highly flattering. Would work with bump — just tie above-bump! And the neckline is so chic! Adore. I am imagining styling about 24 different ways in the coming weeks/months.

03. ULLA JOHNSON ERIKA DRESS. I had been eyeing this velvet confection for months and months — in fact, it was a leading contender for my holiday lineup. The color is delicious in real life, and I love all of the special details in Ulla pieces. (My sister recently observed that I almost exclusively wear Ulla for formal occasions, and she’s not wrong. I love the details and also find that her styles fit me in just the right ways to spotlight my favorite features — always, a defined waist and long, lean lines.) I had to return this one because it was too long on me — it needs to hit a few inches above knee to work proportionally, and this one hit right AT my knee, and would be too difficult to alter because of the detail at the hem. I was really bummed because I wanted to pack this one for dinner in NYC. Would be really cute with black opaque tights and platforms.

04. SALONI CHERIE DRESS. This little frock is beyond adorable. It’s giving feather-duster-seeking-lumiere vibes in the best possible way. I packed this for NYC but then it was rainy and cold and I didn’t want to wear suede heels, and it wouldn’t work with boots. I have this hanging in my closet waiting for another upcoming occasion.

05. ASTR GEMMA TOP. I love a fluffy white blouse, but had to return this one because the neckline was too difficult for me to figure out with a bra (you can see above). I think maybe if you are taller / have a longer torso, this might work better. (I’m 5’0 and petite). I love the peplum detail, though. So fun. I wore this with the much-hyped Khaite Vivian jeans and am not even going to show you a picture of what they looked like on because they absolutely did not suit my frame / proportions at all. I am way too short and hemming them would have destroyed the silhouette. But the flares on me actually looked like flares, like hit at the ankle instead of mid-calf to create the kick flare silhouette. I really wanted to love those jeans, though, because they look SO chic on others, and the wash is fabulous. I also like the mid-rise. Strongly rec you try if you are, say, over 5’5.

06. EN SAISON GIANNA MIDI DRESS. This dress is CHIC and more wearable than you think. On the website, I was wondering if it would look a little…too too. But the color palette is muted and the dress hugs the body in flattering ways. This reminded me of a piece by SEA, but is under $200. Would make a great spring wedding guest dress.

07. FARM RIO SUNNY DAISIES SAND BLOUSE. I’ve written a lot about this already, but I straight-up adore this top. I wore it to dinner with a girlfriend who was wearing all black and she said, “You’d think we’re in two different seasons.” She was probably wearing the more seasonally-appropriate look but HEY! It’s OK to wear color in winter! This puts the biggest smile on my face. Love the peplum at the waist, the bold colors, everything! Instant mood life.

08. SEA SONIA DRESS. Another winner. SEA just…gets me? I’m still not over how flattering the smocked top and midi/maxi length are. It just works on my body and makes me feel great. I also like how full-coverage they are (no adjusting of neckline / hemline / etc) but they don’t look too chaste, either. The patterns are fabulous. Brown is such an underrated color! I wore this out in NYC with a bright pink lip. Fun.

Two items not pictured above that I’ve ordered to try since this try-on session: this swimsuit from the much-hyped Hunza G line and these pretty pink wide-legs. I shared more items I’m eyeing here.

P.S. Words I repeat to myself in moments of anxiety: be not afraid.

P.P.S. A metronomic approach to grace.

P.P.P.S. 20 chic Amazon finds.

By: Jen Shoop

More everyday style inspo today — pieces you can remix in countless ways without feeling boring or redundant. The kinds of styles that are “basics plus,” as a Magpie recently put it. Inspired by the following mood board —

And some pieces I’d buy to put in this effortlessly chic category of shopping…

01. RELAXED RAGLAN SWEATSHIRT

02. H&M STRIPED SHIRT

03. MANGO CROP FLARE JEANS

04. EVERLANE COTTON PARKA

05. DAGNE DOVER VIDA TOTE

06. RAG & BONE BUTTON DOWN

07. DL1961 HEPBURN JEANS

08. RIBBED SOCKS

09. NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS

10. J. CREW CARDIGAN

11. MARNI MINI TRUNK BAG (50% OFF!!!)

12. COS TEE

13. TB HANK SNEAKERS

14. MANGO CROP FLARE JEANS

15. BODEN CHUNKY WOOL CARDIGAN

16. FARM RIO SKIRT

17. J. CREW ELSIE PUMPS

P.S. More recent finds along these lines here and here.

P.P.S. What was your leading goal or intention for the new year? How’s it going?

P.P.P.S. What do you eat when your fridge is bare?

By: Jen Shoop

Last week, over cocktails at Dante in New York City, I mentioned to Mr. Magpie that I have grown to treasure these quick trips back to Manhattan because they remind me that I have range.

We’ve been talking a lot about that concept since in our evening unwindings. What does it mean to have range?

When I used the word, I meant that I am capable of more than I think. I have sensed a comfortable kind of torpor settling over me as I round out my second year living in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Not intellectually: if anything, the still water here has afforded me unusual fecundity on the writing front. It has felt as though the fish swim close to the surface, and I need cast only a single net for a decent haul. But, otherwise: I see aspects of myself stymie in the cocoon here. I know the people, the streets and back streets, which lights will always be red. It is easy to fall into an unassertive rhythm. Is this necessarily bad? I’m not sure. But when I visit New York, I find myself alert, electric, light on my feet, aware, calculating. It feels sanative to navigate my way up and downtown, over to Brooklyn, dodging detritus, tuning into and out of the menagerie, running up the wet steps.

In New York, I am also, of course, a version of myself without children–a strange and liberating and heart-felling mode. I find myself reflexively casting after their whereabouts and needs, only to remind myself: oh! They are in D.C.; I am here. There is someone else to fill their milk cups and remind them that Thursday is gym day and no, you may not have a second cookie. I am, instead, some doppelganger of myself. Do passersby assume I am a mother? Are there tells? In D.C., motherhood is imprinted on me wherever I go. The school magnet on our car; the outline of car seats in the back row. The yogurt pouches and granola bars on the grocery conveyer belt. The size of my bag, the occasional spill of its telling contents onto a counter: matchbox cars and bandaids and those damned heavy Yeti water bottles. In New York, my motherhood feels invisible. And it lays lightly, too. Though I worry over them, though I miss them, though my heart contracts when my son tells me: “I cried last night because I want you in the house” and reminds me that he dutifully squeezed his palm so that his kiss would reach me all the way in “Yoo York,” I am fleet-footed. I bask in my aloneness. I can sit in a cafe with a book! I can decide to pop into a boutique! I can duck into a wine bar for a five p.m. glass with my girlfriend! And it is all impossibly breezy. I think — let me say this kindly, with love, with no bitterness — I have forgotten some of my own preferences, that I even have preferences? At home, even the smallest desire is sandwiched between the wants of my family and what must get done. For example, I might want a salad for lunch, but Mr. Magpie might want tacos, and so we must negotiate. I might want to zip out to get a manicure, but the children will be home in thirty minutes, and if I do go, I must divine some logistical plan to make it happen — coordinate to have the sitter stay late, etc. I might not be hungry, but it is six, and the children must eat at six in order to allow for enough time before bed. In New York, I am beholden to only my own wishes. It is, temporarily, thrilling. I feel myself extend into my own extremities. What do I want to eat? Am I even hungry? Do I want to lay in the hotel bed watching bad television? Or perhaps write in shallow sprints in a coffee shop? Fries and a glass of champagne at the bar? Room service? I mean, the options are staggering and delightful and about as foreign to me at this stage in my life as, say, waking up in Tahiti.

I feel as though I am rediscovering myself on these trips, as though I am more fully extending myself. I’ve got range.

Post-Scripts.

+Motherhood is a surfeit.

+Dream talks.

+Birding.

Shopping Break.

+J. Crew brought back the Elsie pump!!! This is my favorite pump of all time. Perfect heel height and I love a pointed toe. I own these in four or five colors. One of my girlfriends claims she prefers it to her Manolo BBs, which have a similar silhouette. The heel shape of the Elsie is slightly different than the styles I have but still love — buy in the black and thank me later!

+Swooning over these D. Porthault-esque towels.

+I polled my Magpies for their favorite body creams. The three that came up many, many times over: Necessaire, Kiehl’s, and Goop.

+These brushes remain a staple in our household. I have multiple and love them to use on my daughter. Great at detangling and a perfect size.

+Many of you have asked for an Amazon storefront over the years — I organized many of my favorite Amazon finds in one place here. You can also now always access it via the {Shop} menu at the top of the my blog’s home page. Happy shopping!

+Found trendy Inuikii boots on sale here!

+Pretty freshwater pearl heart earrings — only $32!

+These trousers are crazy chic. Would add to my what to wear to work roundup!

+Ellifox has a great sale going. These bunny jammies for little loves are on sale for $24. Buy now for Easter!

+Chic rug.

+These rope storage bins are well-priced for a nursery. One for toys, one for stuffies, etc. More great storage gear here ICYMI!

+A great dopp kit. I have one of these in a gender neutral green that Mr. Magpie usually use on work trips — nice, roomy size (long enough for toothbrushes/skincare/etc) and I like that it can sort of squish into any shape of bag.

+This gorgeous chocolate brown puffer!

By: Jen Shoop

Pink is, always and forever, my favorite color. The moodboard I put together below has me salivating over styling with shades of pink. If you’re into the pink teddy coat seen above, you must consider Mme Mink’s teddy coat. I own it in blue and it is divine.

Whether you’re shopping for Valentine’s Day or not — a range of pretty pink pieces to brighten up your Monday.

01. FREE PEOPLE GOLDEN HOUR MAXI

02. GUCCI FLATS

03. BY MALENE BIRGER SWEATER

04. SAFIYAA CAPE MINI DRESS

05. ROLLA SAILOR JEANS

06. TURTLENECK SWEATER ($25!)

07. MANGO PLEATED KNIT DRESS

08. HILL HOUSE DRESS

09. SELF PORTRAIT CHIFFON MAXI

10. TWEED BUTTON DRESS

11. PEPLUM CARDIGAN

12. PAM MUNSON HEARTS DRESS

13. STRIPED SHIRT (UNDER $25)

14. SAMSOE SAMSOE DRESS

15. PADDED LINER JACKET

16. KULE TEE

P.S. Tapping into versus shying away from pre-internet energy.

P.P.S. 18 wardrobe-refreshing basics.

P.P.P.S. New fitness finds!

By: Jen Shoop

I had just accepted a leadership position at a small Chicago-based non-profit focused on building the financial health of low-income teens, and I was both under-experienced for the job and struggling with pre-existing imposter’s syndrome — a winning combination for crippling self-doubt. The weekend before my first day on the job, Mr. Magpie and I went out to dinner with a new friend and her husband, the latter of whom we’d never met. Though I generally avoid caricature, he fit the “finance bro” persona to a tee, right down to the fleece vest and distracted but excitable conversation. I noticed that he seemed only interested in talking with my husband, which was an immediate turn-off. A pet peeve of mine is when the men only speak to the men, and the women only speak with the women, at a dinner table. One treasured commonality between all of our closest couple friends is that conversation flows all ways when we are together, and there are no unspoken tensions about who should be sitting with and conversing with whom.

At some point over cocktails, the subject of my new job came up, which I quickly shuffled under the placemat in search of a different topic.

“What are you doing for them?” persisted my friend’s husband — the first time, I think, he had directed an inquiry my way.

“I’m their Chief Innovation Officer,” I replied, which was factually true, but — I must admit — a small but flinty way to suggest that he might not be the only person at the table with interesting things to contribute. He looked up at me with excitement.

“F&%* yeah!” he cried, enthusiastically.

I will never — not ever — forget that exchange. Forgive me for including the profanity, but it makes the message, and they were his words, not mine. I was completely caught off-guard by his unexpected excitement about the position, and I laughed in confused and amused response. What was it — had I surprised him? Had he written me off as something else? Was he only interested in people in positions of seniority? Was it the status? Was it the implication that I might have a more interesting back story or higher level of intelligence than he had estimated? Was it the general notion of a c-suite position focused on innovation?

I have no idea, and I’ve long since stopped wondering about his impression.

What I have continued to return to was the unanticipated hype he afforded me. In a flash, I was able to shed some of my misgivings about my appropriateness for the role and see, instead, the incredible opportunity in front of me. I saw, too, that maybe the CEO and Board had sensed something in me that they valued beyond experience. I might not have had what I needed on paper, but they must have seen the telling arc in my career history, my willingness to try new things, my ability to move quickly, my all-hands-on-deck mentality. Perhaps those qualities mattered more to them than ten years at the helm of an adjacent non-profit. Perhaps they wanted agility and ambition rather than pedigree. And that made me feel better. Charged-up. Worthy, even.

Here is my point:

Sometimes you need to jump outside your own world. You need to think about what you are doing from the lens of a ten-year-old you, or your grandmother, or a distant cousin with an entirely different lifestyle, or a peer in a completely different industry. Believe it or not, people envy elements of your life. People admire them. People are intimidated by them. Some of the things you find natural and normalized are akin to space travel for a neighbor. Some of the things you doubt in yourself others see — quite easily — as manifest.

Today, I want you to think about something you’re harboring insecurity about, and imagine how others entirely outside your everyday world might see it, or not see it, related to the broader sweep of your life and livelihood. Chances are, there’s someone out there just dying to offer unanticipated, much-needed hype.

Post-Scripts.

+A more detailed look at imposter’s syndrome — aka, that time I embarrassed myself in front of Caroline Kennedy.

+A former version of myself.

+In case you’re worried about what other people are thinking of you.

Shopping Break.

+J. Crew has some cute new arrivals — love this ponte dress and this boucle jacket.

+Such a fun cover-up — would honestly wear as a dress.

+This top is just fab. Loretta Caponi vibes.

+The sweetest sandals for little ladies — waterproof, velcro closed, and have a sturdy rubber sole.

+More children’s resort finds.

+Cutest tote bag for a mama, on sale. Comes in a few trim patterns, but super love the monkeys or the hearts.

+Oh my gosh, I need this peplum cardigan in the prettiest pink color.

+This Veronica Beard jacket is fabulous (and on sale).

+Love the idea of pairing a bolster pillow in a designer fabric with simple all-white bedding (we are still loving these Target sheets, which we originally purchased as back-ups but now use frequently).

+Adore these scalloped bowls.

+Fun vintage-style sweatshirts. Love the Chamonix one.

+Has anyone tried any of the cosmetics from Well People? I was just reading good things about their concealer.

+High-quality, unfussy baby footies in great colors.

+Love this lunchbox for a little love.

By: Jen Shoop

PAM MUNSON X INSLEE PATCHWORK BAG. My dear friend Inslee designed the artwork for this gorgeous hobo-style tote bag by Pamela Munson, which launched earlier this week, sold out, and is now available for pre-order. The colors are vibrant and playful and will go with everything in your closet. Perfect with an all-white ensemble, or pattern-matched (as I prefer). Cannot wait to wear all spring and summer! I also cannot write more enthusiastically about Pam or Inslee — both true talents and free spirits in their own ways. I love everything that they put out into the world.

APIECE APART STRIPED DRESS. This dress is even better than I had anticipated. It arrived and I’m actually itching for mildly warmer weather to roll it out. It is so flattering on, with a self-cinch waist, and the perfect amount of volume at the sleeve. I love the wide shirting stripe and contrast stripe on the sleeve, too — just a fun, elevated option for everyday wear. (I included this in my everyday dress WYSF post last week along with a slew of other fabulous everyday styles.)

FARM RIO DAISY TOP. I wrote about this yesterday, but it brought an instant smile to my face. Such a joyful statement for these mid-winter months. I don’t care if it’s not “seasonally appropriate” — I wore this out in NYC with high-waisted denim and felt like a ray of sunshine. The peplum and trim add additional depth/interest/artistry to the top, too.

HBO THE LAST OF US. Have you been watching this show? It’s a post-apocalyptic zombie-style thriller based on a video game and the first episode had me absolutely on the edge of my seat, covering my eyes, screaming, squeezing Mr. Magpie’s hand! Wow! It’s hard to believe the production value — just ONE episode felt like one of the best adventure/thriller movies I’d seen in a long time.

ILIA MULTI STICK. A reader wrote about how much she loves this multi stick and I, too, am a sucker for these lip/cheek products that are easy to apply so promptly added to cart in the poppy color. I love a bright color. I can’t decide whether to buy this or to go with the Jones Road Miracle Balm, which seems somewhat similar. I’d had the latter on my mind all week long after spending an actual hour of my life watching the “get ready with me” beauty videos by Jeanne Does Makeup. Doesn’t she make you want to have fun with your makeup bag? Anyway, not sure which direction I’ll go in for a new lip/cheek color but it will be one of these two. Any tie-breaking intelligence anyone wants to share?

DOEN RENOIR TOP. This arrived in the mail and it is such a fun little statement. I love the way it looks layered with a few gold pendants (you can see my everyday jewelry picks here), tucked into high-waist denim, and paired with a lug-sole boot. I feel like the boot kind of balances out the feminity/innocence of the top.

JACADI BABY WEAR. I’d all but forgotten about Jacadi, but I popped into the Flatiron store while up in Manhattan this week to buy something for my cousin, who just had a baby. I actually gasped at this little bow dress (perfect for a Baptism or baby flower girl or Easter?) but ended up getting her one of these Liberty print knit sets, which felt more practical for a winter Brooklyn baby. How precious?

MAMEY DESIGN CARDS. Oh my goodness. I had been following Marion of Mamey Designs on Instagram for awhile and fell in love with the darling stationery styles she has for littles. She generously sent me stationery for both mini and micro and I literally squealed when I opened the package! The colors, the inventiveness and detail of the designs, the fonts! She is a true artist and these cards are just beyond special. I had to have this cute vintage defender style for my son (a lover of all things with heels) and this crayon style for my artistic mini, but there are lots of options, and she also does stationery for grown ups.

GALENTINE’S DAY. I had a little Galentine’s Day with mini earlier this week. After I put my son down to bed, I let her stay up late watching a movie with me in my bed. Of course, I rolled out the new Lake PJs for the occasion so we could twin, and then pulled out all the stops with movie theater snacks/popcorn/candy in these melamine heart bowls from Target. She was in heaven — as was I! It was such a special memory with my girlie. A fun idea for you and your own mini in the coming week (or even on Valentine’s Day!). More VDay finds for littles here.

TARGET LAMP. These inexpensive Target lamps were such a cute addition to our upstairs guest bedroom. The rattan shade adds interesting texture, and you can’t beat the price! It has a Serena & Lily vibe, but only $65. You can see it above alongside my tried-and-true favorite candle (Diptyque’s Baies) and a stack of Matouk Auberge initial towels, which I own many sets of and which I’ve also gifted to many friends. It’s special in that it feels like it’s monogrammed/personalized but obviously much less than actually having something customized.

My Latest Snag: Cropped Cardigan.

This Week’s Most Popular: Winter Finds.

Weekend Musings: To a Daughter Leaving.

Shopping Break.

For the Wedding Guests.

For the Brides.

For the Bridesmaids.

For the Mothers of the Brides/Grooms.

Valentine’s Surprises for Little Boys.

Valentine’s Surprises for Little Girls.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

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Motherhood

My Latest Snag: Cropped Cardigan.

This Week’s Most Popular: Winter Finds.

Weekend Musings: To a Daughter Leaving.

Shopping Break.

For the Wedding Guests.

For the Brides.

For the Bridesmaids.

For the Mothers of the Brides/Grooms.

Valentine’s Surprises for Little Boys.

Valentine’s Surprises for Little Girls.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Post-Scripts.

Shopping Break.

Newsletter

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