Thought I’d send you off into the holiday week with a fun little getting-to-know-you-better post. (Your responses to my “Getting to Know You” post were a delight to read, and every now and then, a new-to-the-blog reader will chime in on the post and it’s just the dearest, most amusing way to get to know you.) Imagine it’s me and you sharing a coffee…spill all, my friend!
If it’s on the menu, I always order…caesar salad as a starter.
Most overrated virtue. Assertiveness. Much prefer humility and a light touch.
I wish I were more…like my mother.
Least favorite word. The first thing that came to mind was “relax,” as in someone telling me: “just relax.” This hasn’t happened in a long while but the thought of it makes my skin crawl. More to the point: I did an extensive roundup of words I hate here. Particularly egregious: “synergy,” “hack,” and “studentry.” I forgot to add the word “utilize” to that list. “Use” works just fine 100% of the time.
What word do you most overuse? Extraordinary. I know this because Mr. Magpie claims I mispronounce it and laughs every time I use it — which, as it turns out, is too often.
Favorite street. I’ve always loved the feel of Georgetown between R and Volta — it’s partway nostalgia from my youth (I attended high school there and then lived there for many years post-college), partway the intrinsic charm of the gorgeous row houses and red brick pavers. Nowadays, there are certain blocks of the Upper West Side that positively fill my soul with joy whenever I walk down them with Tilly — especially right now, with Christmas trees in windows and wreaths on doors. But I think I will forever love East Cooper Street in Aspen, Colorado. The majesty of the Rockies, the quaintness of small-town bakeries and cafes, the glamor of high-end designer stores. Everything in one place. Perfect.
Favorite book as a child. Too many to count, but the ones that immediately spring to mind: Nancy Drew, the Boxcar Children series, The Secret Garden, Harriet the Spy, the Bobbsey Twins series, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Baby Sitter’s Club series. There was also a series about a girl who went away to horse-riding camp that I absolutely adored.
Go-to middle-of-the-night snack. Toasted english muffin with Plugra butter.
Least favorite trend. Athleisure.
Last time you laughed really hard. A week ago, at a gathering with some girlfriends and my sister, where we drank too much wine and talked about “Olive, Again.” The best part is that I can’t even remember what specific things were so funny — but when Mr. Magpie asked me how the night went, the first thing I said was: “We laughed a lot.”
Last thing you ate. A limited edition peppermint Oreo.
Last time you cried. Probably five minutes ago. I can’t keep track; I’m a crier.
Celebrity crush. Young Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Penelope Cruz.
Favorite music to work to. Chopin’s Etudes.
Least favorite scent. Too much axe body spray. Blech.
Dream birthday cake. Yellow with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. Basically, funfetti.
Best gift you’ve ever received. Gifts in the abstract sense? Too many to count. My life is an embarrassment of riches. But in the material sense — probably my Kindle, which Mr. Magpie gave me a few years ago. It transformed me into a much better (more frequent) reader and helped me through breastfeeding mini.
Most people probably don’t know that I am actually…kind of silly. My sisters and I are loony tunes together.
Best purchase of 2019. Rug for our master bedroom. I feel like an idiot but why did I not realize how much better and cozier a bedroom is with a plush rug underfoot?
Favorite moment from 2019. Micro’s bird kisses just after he was born on May 31st.
Biggest challenge of 2019. Adjusting to life as a mother to two (specifically, accepting changes in my relationship with my eldest — changes I am still grappling with and occasionally crying over), getting through the sleepless exhaustion and mania of caring for a newborn, and moving in Manhattan while all of that was going on. (Glad I can put this behind me.) All good things in the long run, but emotionally and physically trying.
And…go! Answer all or pick and choose whatever you like.
Post Scripts.
+Investments that are worth it.
+Nail polish for little ones! I have been dreaming of the day I take mini with me for a manicure. She still feels a little young to enjoy it…but maybe we could do an at-home one with this set.
+This toile top is fun.
+How gorgeous are these ramekins?! $30 for 4 — and I always find a million uses for my ramekins and little dip bowls!
+Adore so many of the new prints by 1212.
+Some REALLY amazing deals on Emilia Wickstead pieces like this dress and this blouse.
+Now is the time to start collecting ornaments for next year — so many have already been discounted! This is one of my favorite ones — I gave it to Mr. Magpie a few years ago — and it is already discounted. I know I’ve written about this elsewhere, but I pick a new ornament for each family member every year. Maybe I’ll buy next year’s now! (This year’s? An oyster for Mr. Magpie, a koala for micro because he clings to me like a koala bear — I have to pry his fingers off my sweater or hair multiple times a day! — and so that’s become his informal nickname around here, and a ladybug for mini, because that’s always been our nickname for her.)
+Loving this new pink variation on a dress I’ve been seeing allll over the place on the chicest of chic peas.
+I added and removed this adorable toy car from my shopping cart fifteen times while shopping for micro’s Christmas haul. He’s way too young for it but I love its styling and the fact that it’s an homage to Aspen!
+Can’t believe this happened just about a year ago from now. I’m so used to Mr. Magpie’s new look!