+DANDELIONS + GOOD MUSIC NEWS: The dandelion is quickly becoming the plant version of the cardinal in my imagination — both are avatars, spark birds, sites of great meaning-making! I write about the dandelion in my book (in the context of the idea that weeds are just flowers growing where we don’t want them to), and I just came across this gorgeous song from Ella Langley’s new album of the same title, “Dandelion,” and I’m obsessed with it. I just added it to my spring playlist, which I’m calling “Small Wonders Lets Her Hair Down.” (LOL!) It’s upbeat, it’s playful, it’s a little slouchy. It’s my book with loose hair and bare feet and maybe a flower crown. Anyway, I can’t stop listening to that track (and the other songs Langley’s pre-released from the album, especially “Choosin’ Texas” — something about this song is giving old school George Strait), and I’m counting the days until the entire album comes out on April 10. She is also major bangs inspo for me — I love the way she styles hers! (You may remember Langley from her duet, “You Look Like You Love Me,” with the smokeshow country singer Riley Green. And you might remember him from his steamy music video for his track, “The Worst Way,” which includes a fabulous homage scene to the baseball movie “Bull Durham” at the end. If you know the cereal bowl scene, you know what I mean.)
+MORE GOOD MUSIC NEWS: Did anyone else see that Sturgill Simpson (re-styled as Johnny Blue Skies) is releasing a new album that will only be available on vinyl, CD, and cassette? Landon texted me and said: “I guess we’re getting that record player after all.” (Thanks for your recs on that front here!)
+ANTHRO SPRING CODE: Anthropologie gave me a rare 20% off code to share with you: JEN20 today through Monday, 3/9 only! I recently ordered this dress, this fleece, and this top for myself! Anthro’s current-season curation is excellent! I dog-eared all my favorite Anthro finds HERE, and am spotlighting four top picks below —
STRIPED TOP // ALEMAIS DRESS // THE GREAT LACE TOP // MOTHER HALF PIPE JEANS
SHOP ALL MY FAVORITES — 20% OFF WITH JEN20 — HERE
+AWE + WONDER AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART: Local Magpies – how fab does this programming look: deep-dive meditations and lectures on some iconic artwork at the National Gallery of Art throughout the month of March. Love the idea of slowing down and really noticing one piece of art. A great way of practicing simplicity, slowness, focus.
+ON GETTING STARTED WITH WRITING: Could not agree more with this quote I came across from Scott D. Clary today: “Nobody becomes a great writer by studying great writing. They become a great writer by writing badly for a long time and slowly getting less bad. The reading helps. It cannot substitute for the volume of bad writing that has to happen first. There’s no shortcut through that part.” This is true of almost any skill or hobby or vocation, I would imagine. Lots of ugly first drafts, lopsided pillow-cases, etc. This is how we learn and there are no shortcuts. The older I get, the less I believe in shortcuts more generally. Most of the good stuff in life takes time and trying.
+EYEING + BUYING:
+You know my thoughts on Rhone athletic wear — probably the most under-the-radar athletic wear brand?! It’s just so good! Love this dandelion yellow jacket (a REALLY good athletic jacket that I own in white — cut wide so the hem sort of skims versus hugs the hips, and a nice light technical material) with these shorts for spring athletics. Use code SHOOP20. BTW, their men’s “Dreamstate” athleisure sets are SO good-looking, well-fitting, and well-made. Landon has a few of them. I call them his “retired professional athlete outfits” because he looks like, well, a former pro baseball player or something? Very attractive! And on sale in the exact bordeaux color Landon has — half zip here; joggers here.
+While we’re talking spring athletics: the best running socks in new fun colorways, and APL is offering a rare 25% off sitewide, including their best-selling techlooms in fab spring colors. I just got their new casual / lifestyle sneak — the colorblocking is so cool! — and it’s also included in the discount. I think the sale ends tomorrow.
+Mentioned this dress yesterday, but I just know it’s going to sell through. Under $200 but delivers major Zimmermann vibes. Perfect for Easter Sunday. I love that the silhouette of the dress, and I know a lot of Magpies prefer sleeved options. This is the ticket!
+Two separate Magpies messaged me about Rothy’s new espadrille mary janes (selling quickly in certain colors), saying how much they love them for spring.
+Fun look: these chic and unique skirted linen pants with a burnout tee (actually, my favorite in this vein is SoldOut’s — the fit is so, so good! It hangs it all the right places) and a statement necklace or bandana!
+This $30 bandana is SO cute — dandelion yellow again!
+Love this kiwi green top. Such a great pop of color white jeans and a statement necklace. If you like the shape of the blouse but not sure about the color, Tecovas has a great option in white for much less.
RHONE JACKET (USE CODE SHOOP20) // RHONE SHORTS // BOMBAS RUNNING SOCKS // APL TECHLOOMS (25% OFF) // BAUBLE BAR EARRINGS // ZIMMERMANN VIBES FOR LESS // JENNIFER BEHR NECKLACE // J. CREW TEE // MARE PERPETUA LINEN PANTS // BANDANA // ROTHY’S ESPADRILLES // ELLEME BAG // MIRTH BLOUSE // TUCKERNUCK HEART NECKLACE
+BESTSELLERS: This top led the pack! We love it!
01. CHICEST WHITE BLOUSE // 02. COLORBLOCKED FLEECE // 03. FOR THE SECOND OR THIRD WEEK RUNNING, THIS DARLING STRIPED MINI // 04. BEST SHAMPOO, 25% OFF + FREE SHIP // 05. POINTELLE TEE // 06. GORGEOUS CROPPED SUEDE JACKET // 07. HEART NECKLACE // 08. CASHMERE BANDANA SCARF // 09. CLOUDMONSTERS! (MY FAVORITE WALKIN’ SHOE) // 10. MADEWELL BLOUSE
Image via Victor Serban on Unsplash.
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Ah you have introduced me to a genre of music I have avoided aside from.Dolly Parton and some George Strait.
Yay for spring and this yellow (dandelion), and well all shades bring and spark joy!
Yay!! Agree! Hope you love the Langley music! I played her so much last week during those first hints of warmer weather here…great windows-down music.
xx