I was looking for the technical term for “a group of ladybugs,” but I’d just seen a goldfinch, and so I accidentally typed:
“What do you call a group of goldfinches?”
A charm, it turns out: a group of goldfinches is called a charm. And a group of ladybugs is called a loveliness.
And so I drew in my hand a happy parapraxis—a fortuitous Freudian slip. Because everything was saying the same thing:
That we anoint ourselves by renaming the ordinary, or the singular. And that we shine when drawn together.
Excerpted from Small Wonders
Post-Scripts: A Round of Mid-October Bonuses.
It helps to name the simple and ordinary things you love — truly, say them out loud. My October bonuses, a canticle to the commonplace and charming:
New words from a favorite voice
Sunday morning puzzles (my son has been wearing elements of his Pokemon trainer Halloween costume every day since he received)
The rolling Virginia landscape, dressed for October
Happy colors
Wingspan + Kingston Negronis
Owl matryoshka!
Farmstand pumpkin picking (Hill still wearing elements of his Halloween costume)
Little Halloween parcels
Morning poetry
Bad book girl hygge
Pantry pumpkin bread
The bats descend
*Landon’s Kingston Negroni recipe here, and the pantry pumpkin bread recipe here.
The Daily Scout.
+Most urgently: Rothy clogs are 25% off, including my new leopard print ones (you can see me wearing a crochet pair in one of the snaps above). I love these so much, I gave them to my best friend for Christmas last year and own them in multiple colors. They have this incredible arch support that feels like a foot massage. I wear these more or less all the time in the fall and winter.
More fabulous finds from my reconnoiteuring below:
+Heads up that this fringe jacket and these Donni-inspired taffeta pants ($120) have been FLYING the past day or two among Magpies. The latter are already low stock or out of stock in several colorways. Come in petite and tall inseams!
+Reformation’s Regenerative Jo sweater has my full attention. Major The Row vibes with a great slouchy fit. And do we not love the name?! Jo March energy!
+30% off at Loeffler Randall! Standout piece: these tall flat suede boots. Absolutely perfect with fall mini, midi, and maxi length dresses and skirts. I also love these mesh ballets (so cool with dark rinse denim and a chunky knit) and this statement jacket!
LOEFFLER RANDALL MESH FLATS (30% OFF) // DAZE DARK RINSE JEANS // HART BEZEL EARRINGS (USE CODE JEN10) // EVEREVE BANDANA SCARF ($60) // REFORMATION JO SWEATER
+A great performance-level winter jacket brand (like, will actually function in snow and sleet) to keep in mind: Save the Duck. Some of their styles have Herno and Canada Goose vibes but cost much less and are little more under-the-radar. I noticed this gorgeous navy style has already nearly sold out at Shopbop, but there’s a full size run here, and then love this belted puffer.
+Obsessed with these marbleized gift tags for fall gifting! (Also love their holiday options!)
+Leset Kyotos, now available in an XXS! I take the XS and find the fit is a bit generous.
+Splatter bowl in the center of our dining room table (pictured above) here. How gorgeous!? I’m obsessed. It’s inspired by the centuries-old Italian “schizzato” technique. This may well be my new “go-to family gift.” I love the wide, shallow shape — perfect for arranging fruit, layering a salad, serving pasta, etc!
+OMG this little cardi! (More fabulous under $200 finds here.)
+OMG this gorgeous navy wrap sweater from Goop is over 50% off. (While you’re there, I recently gave a girlfriend one of these Goop Beauty ritual sets. Such a luxe little gift and full of items I absolutely love. The idea of sending a friend “a ritual” also felt really special and on point. Use code JENSHOOP20 for 20% off their beauty line!)
+I cannot stop thinking about this spectacular Zimmermann coat. The colors!!! The button closures! The collar! She’s perfect!
+One of my most-worn shoes in the evening during this time of year: a pair of brown suede mules with a 2.5″ heel I got from Scarosso one or two years ago. They sadly no longer make the shoe but this one is very similar (and costs less). Looks perfect with fall floral dresses and skirts, with silky statement pants, etc. I really love the silhouette. This similar one in the chartreuse suede is on my mind, too! Imagine with brown, navy, rich plum, etc! Personal tip: I find the suede / suede-effect versions look much more expensive than the leather versions on most shoes under $200.
+Gorgeous, super-breathable bralettes. Sexy/pretty/comfortable!
+Seen above: pumpkins on the porch candle — and a cute Halloween puzzle! And Hill’s Pokemon catcher costume from Etsy! Our nesting owl dolls are from Heirloom Art Co, but they’re sold out — similar here.
+Oh! And got a few Qs on Instagram about Landon’s flannel workshirt in the photo above. It’s from here. A handsome huntsman vibe! Actually, this striped henley from my menswear roundup (from the same brand!) was a bestseller from that edit!
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I’m laughing at Hill doing puzzles while wearing gloves! It’s like he needed a little extra challenge. Has he seen the Mark Rober video of building a puzzle robot? My girls are big fans.
My October bonuses so far:
The bonus summer weather we’ve had the past few days…soaking it up before it cools off tomorrow.
Leftover carrot cake from my mom’s birthday. Delicious and super easy – more like a quick bread but in sheet cake form. Would share the recipe but it’s from my daughter’s Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs.
Fancy date night dinner in a few weeks to look forward to – we don’t get out much!
I made pumpkin bread, too! It is from Magnolia Kitchen vol 2 and is marbled with cream cheese filling. So good! Still want to try those pumpkin bars you shared.
Dressing for the office! I’ve been back at work for four weeks and I’m still having fun picking my outfits!
These are so lovely. Esp loved your note about “dressing for the office.” I know some people get tired of that; so lovely to think of it as a gift/opportunity/exciting part of the autumn.
xx