Dis + Dat.

Just your run o’ the mill all over the place post on what’s been creeping through my pea brain these dayz:

I just finished the book The Couple Next Door ($18) for my book club, which has been touted as “the New Girl on the Train” and “The New Gone Girl.”  We all agreed it was pretty shoddy writing — especially the problematic representation of female roles, i.e., “the temptress next door who doesn’t want children and who seduces married men” and “the tired, mentally-unstable mother who has lost her good looks and attractiveness” — but that none of us could put it down!  Lots of twisty turny moments — a great mental vacation.  I read it in 2 days flat and it felt like a little treat — a little bowl of ice cream! — after a hard day of work.  I decided I needed another book of that ilk to save for a future day when I need a mental break, and this one ($13) came highly recommended.  We’re reading this non-fiction piece for book club next.  And, for my other book club, we’re reading the fantastic book The Silent Duchess — super quirky, super rich, lots of meta-fictional elements to contemplate.  It’s one of the more intriguing texts I’ve read this year.

This is going to sound super fangirl-ish but ever since I read that the uber chic Emily Weiss (founder of must-read beauty blog Into the Gloss and sister cosmetics brand Glossier — love their boy brow eyebrow gel/wand, and have a few friends who are VERY impressed with their affordable serum collection) only travels in cashmere sweatpants (zomg, what a luxury), I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for options.  They’re typically too pricey for my blood.  Then I found this affordable pair from Everlane ($140).  I’m going to start with the navy!

Bow-front blouses and dresses are all the rage this season (AHEM, love this button down), and these bow-bedecked sweaters ($80) felt like a unique take on the trend.  LOVE.  I like the idea of layering it on top of a white oxford with black skinnies or a black mini skirt and my Gucci mules.

I saw the chic-est lady with her golden doodle at the dog park last week — she was wearing all black except for some cheeky leopard loafers.  Along these lines:

I intend to recreate with these $128 loafers from Madewell.

I’d been on the hunt for a good fall candle for awhile.  I’m slightly picky/weird about candle scents — I really cannot stand all these pumpkin chai spice latte scents; they all feel so manufactured and sickly sweet.  In general, I’m not huge into candles that smell like food (vanilla, cinnamon, cake, etc.)  I popped into the Diptyque up in Bucktown over the weekend and discovered their Feu de Bois ($62) — basically, burning wood.  It is so cozy and rich — even a little masculine.  Mr. Magpie loves it.  SOLD.

This pleated, faux-leather skirt is $95 but looks so much higher-end.  I envision wearing it with a silky blouse and some simple pumps (I own these in like 4 colors).

Love the unique shape and heft of this sweater ($138) — and it comes in the best, coziest, girliest colors.

Gap nailed the current trends with this chunky knit turtleneck dress ($69).  I even like the idea of layering a tissue-thin turtleneck ($34) underneath as temperatures plunge.