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+WHAT DOES A GOOD DAY LOOK LIKE? I loved this trio of questions from surgeon and public health specialist Atul Gawande. Per the caption: “Up until he began to focus on this with his patients, including those who were terminally ill, he wasn’t really concentrating on their well-being — just on keeping them alive. And the two are not the same.” Wow! Reminds me of Mary Oliver: “listen, are you breathing a little and calling it a life?” Sends a shiver straight down my spine. To the point: what does a good day look like for you? How can you rearrange your day to draw it into alignment with those wishes?
+SWEETEST ILLUSTRATIONS: Have you seen the beautiful illustrations by Lore Pemberton? These would be so gorgeous framed in a little girl’s room.
+PARENTING FOR INDEPENDENT CHILDREN: As expected, you brought it with the intel and input on raising children to be independent. Comments are incredible! I asked, in the comments section, what to do when children resist doing something on their own? My son has been pushing back on occasion. He’ll initially love the empowerment but then it becomes, “Mama, can’t you do it for me?” One Magpie pointed out this might be a situation where the skill-building imperative has replaced a common connection moment. Wow! I noticed afterward that my son routinely resists washing himself with soap in the bath – “can you do it?” I now wonder whether this was a moment where he’d receive affectionate physical touch and he still wants it? I’m determined that he learns to bathe himself but it’s made me a bit more tender in the lead-up. A big hug before bath, little shoulder squeezes throughout.
+OUT IN THE ETHER: A few new launches, sales, and oldies but goodies that I keep hearing about from a variety of sources.
LINEN SET // LR SANDALS // THE NEW NEW KHAITE BAG // RHODE BLUSH // BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE MASK // DR. METACINE PLASMA (SADLY WORTH THE HYPE) // TOTEME SHORTS ON SALE
First: Frank & Eileen can’t keep these linen sets in stock. I now own the white and get the hype: the pants have the perfect fit — slightly flared leg, body-skimming, and the waist-line does not dig in. It’s actually perfect and you actually feel like you’re in a Nancy Meyers kitchen in it. The linen is not scratchy. Just beautiful, breathable bliss. I pair with trendy sandals (these LRs, also seen below, are having a moment) to modernize a bit. And this is a situation where the separates come into heavy use on their own. Who doesn’t need a white linen button-down to pair with everything else in her closet? I’ve been wearing mine with the red gingham boxers (other boxer trend picks here). Perfect. And the pants are great over a suit or with a simple navy tee. Divine. A wardrobe workhorse.
Second: Khaite has released a new bag silhouette: the Lia. Already low in stock and guaranteed to be slung over the arms of chic New Yorkers this fall. Intriguing to me: of the four color options, one is a moody burgundy. So unexpected?!
Third: Rhode’s blushes have gone viral. I’ve still yet to try anything from this brand but have to say the hype is making a purchase imminent. The names of the colors are absolutely brilliant. I want all of them for that reason alone.
Fourth: Toteme is having a sale. Snag the logo shorts!
Finally: This mask has been around forever but I’ve been hearing about it in dribs and drabs recently from women with excellent skin. Apparently it smells horrible (Nicole Cassidy said she uses it only when her husband is out of town) but truly works. I think I’ll give it a try. And I hate to say it but this plasma…is really good. Damn! Now I’m officially hooked and it isn’t cheap. I do think it lasts longer than the website suggests — I’m well over a month in and only maybe 1/4 of the way done? I’ve been seeing more and more women talk about this and do think it’s worth the hype. Part of the reason I believe this is that, after using it for a month, I went in for a facial, and the aesthetician said: “You have absolutely beautiful skin… beautiful, beautiful,” she repeated to herself. What?! It’s possible she says this to every client. (I hope not?) But something in her tone made me hopeful…? Anyhow — I was shocked because I would never describe my skin as beautiful? I work hard to apply all the serums and moisturizers, I clean it religiously, but if I’m being brutally honest, I look in the mirror and mainly see my age, the dark spots, the wrinkles. She made me look beyond the pigmentation and signs of age and realize my skin is in good shape — much smoother, more even, with fewer pores and blemishes than ever before. I truly have to hand it to this plasma? (I’m cringing as I write this but I feel like it explains why I am committed to the plasma.) I will say that last time Blue Mercury ran a sale, they included it in the sitewide promo, so if you’re having palpitations about the price, you might wait for their next sale event. Or maybe if you’re a new customer at B.M., you can use the 10% off code for a little savings. OK, done. But I do think it’s worth a try if you’re around my age group!
+BESTSELLERS: My little butterfly earrings! I love them, too. Great for everyday — a fun twist on a classic solitaire. And they’re 30% off with code JENSHOOP. (By the way, the brand gifted me a few pieces and I specifically picked this necklace to gift to my wonderful sister-in-law. Something about the design reminded me so much of her and the way she’s taught me, in various ways, about ampersand thinking. The way multiple things can be true at once.)
01. EARRINGS // 02. STRIPED DRESS // 03. JENNI KAYNE HAT // 04. MOST COMFORTABLE LOUNGE PANTS OF LIFE (SIZE UP) // 05. DENIM MIDI DRESS // 06. MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL LIKE THE HAMPTONS // 07. DROP WAIST DRESS // 08. DRAGON DIFFUSION VIBES FOR LESS // 09. GINGHAM BOXER SHORTS // 10. AIRPORT ACTIVITY BOOK // 11. KRISTIN ESS TRAVEL SET // 12. SHELL CLIP