+LOVE THE QUESTIONS THEMSELVES: Absolutely love this provocation, this idea of approaching areas of uncertainty with something soft and unfolding, something warm and loving, versus the default of fear or anger or upset. Gorgeous (and challenging).
+DYING IS THE OPPOSITE OF LEAVING: While in New York, my editor told me about the naturalist poet Andrea Gibson, who passed away last year, and I am in a state of complete awe. Before Gibson died, they wrote a poem imagining the after-life and read it to their wife on camera; you can see it here (bring tissues) or read it here. It moved me so deeply. I’m overwhelmed by Gibson’s bravery in looking directly at death and the forethought of grief, and specifically the line “In my back pocket is a love note with every word you wish you’d said.” I felt the deepest consolation in those words, that the things we wish we’d said might still be legible. “Dying is the opposite of leaving.”
+THE ART OF SPECIFICITY: Writer’s Digest published a craft essay I wrote on the use of detail in writing this past week. I could talk about craft until the cows come home — it was such a treat to explore this aspect. Excerpting a bit below:
“When I am straining for a specific detail, I find that I sieve out the inessential, and leave readers with just what they need. Strangely, perhaps, the more exacting the example, the more accessible the writing becomes. Perhaps this is because we leave less room for doubt or improvisation on the part of the reader. We tell them about the blue room with the salt-stained paint and the patchwork quilt and the gardenia and grief in the air, and they follow us to that room with those credentials. They sit with us there and cry or watch the weather in the window or finger the quilted coverlet.”
Related: when I was in Charleston, I found myself snapping photos of a lot of close-up details, like the shutters above. This is in general a practice I gravitate towards when I’m feeling overwhelmed: dial in on life in its smallest increments. This might be — packing lunch, noticing the flowers at your front door, taking photos or writing about the very specific and profoundly ordinary. It really helps me live where my feet are.
+GOOD SHOPPING NEWS FOR MY DMV MAGPIES: Hill House is coming to Georgetown! We’ve welcomed Tuckernuck (photos here — this store is spectacular and worth a visit just to check out the interior) and Sezane this spring, too (Sezane just opened its doors this week). A fun shopping afternoon itinerary in formation. Start in upper Georgetown with coffee at Yellow, then wander down to this trifecta closer to M. Other places to check out: Catbird for customizable trinkets, L.A. Burdick for gorgeous and giftable chocolate art, and some smaller boutiques all up and down the corridor: Amanda Hagerman, Manse, A Mano. Maybe cap it off with a spritz at Osteria Mozze or lunch at La Bonne Vache or dinner at Lutece or Chez Billy Sud. I feel like Georgetown ran dry for a minute there — fewer intriguing restaurant options, less interesting shopping — and now it’s back!
As an aside, Hill House has brought back their dreamy Delphine skirt in some great patterns for spring. I absolutely love this skirt — it is SO comfortable and chic and I love to style with a great flat sandal and a polished tee. I find their dresses incredibly comfortable and often travel in them. The nap dress was my favorite thing I wore in Disney — quick-dry, comfortable as athletic wear, but still cute.
+SATURDAY FINDS:
+A perfect lounge set: reverse fleece sweatshirt (Mick/Stevie energy) and sweat shorts in a punchy tomato red color. BTW, this brand’s Harley tee is their best-selling item and has a great rock energy, too.
+These tidy striped jammies are so charming to me. Love the red piping!
+Cord heart necklace — fun and playful layering piece, and on sale for $38! (More colors available.)
+The star of the Staud sale IMO. Runner up: the chicest mules in a Barbie doll pink.
+The aforementioned very comfortable travel day skirt (pair with a white tee and layer beneath a cardigan), and matching top.
+Best everyday SPF. Obsessed! Have Landon hooked too.
+A book tour MVP: this de-puffing wand. I had so many late nights, celebratory meals and cocktails, plus travel — and I found this a total lifesaver! It feels insanely good on — like applying an ice cube to the face — and really calms things down. My other skincare MVPs while very busy the last two weeks here.
+Not sure how much longer Boll + Branch’s 15% off promotion (use code PREVIEW) is going to last but I know a lot of you ordered these washed hydrangea sheets. I’m obsessed with ours. It’s like sleeping in your favorite t-shirt.
REVERSE FLEECE SWEATSHIRT AND SWEATSHORTS // STRIPED JAMMIES // CORD HEART NECKLACE // STAUD STRIPED MINI (ON SUPER SALE FOR $113!) // HILL HOUSE DELPHINE SKIRT AND PHEOBE TOP // BEST DAILY MILKY SPF // STAUD BRIGITTE MULES (ALSO ON SALE) // THERABODY DEPUFFING WAND // BOLL AND BRANCH WASHED HYDRANGEA SHEET SET // SCALLOPED APPLIQUE PILLOW
+A JOKE FELLOW MILLENNIALS WILL UNDERSTAND: LOL. This song is forever connected to that epic moment in “She’s All That” when Rachel Leigh Cook comes down the stairs after her “makeover” (heavy quotes because she’s obviously just as gorgeous, maybe moreso, wearing paint-splattered overalls and glasses throughout the entire beginning of the movie). This is a great karaoke song! P.S. – does anyone else keep a running list of karaoke songs on their iPhone? We’ve done karaoke a bunch of times with friends and I love to have this on hand. Ha! PS – Landon and I randomly came across Sixpence None the Richer’s music video for this song and it is SO charming and exactly what you want it to be.
+BESTSELLERS: This incredible mascara. Who’s gotten her tube?! Is it not the best?! It’s transformed me into a tubing mascara girlie.
01. ELITE TUBING MASCARA // 02. RHOBACK FITNESS DRESS // 03. CHICEST PRELUDE-TO-SUMMER KTICHEN RUNNER (USE CODE JEN15)* // 04. FAVORITE RUNNING SHORTS, RESTOCKED IN GREAT COLORS (USE CODE SHOOP20) // 05. STRIPED MINI DRESS // 06. THE KEY TO A GREAT BLOWOUT // 07. FOR MR. MAGPIES (SOMETHING WE CAN BORROW, TOO) // 08. WASHED HYDRANGEA BEDDING (OBSESSED WITH THIS LIVED IN SHEET SET — 15% OFF AT TIME OF WRITING; USE CODE PREVIEW) // 09. LADY JACKET FOR SPRING // 10. GORGEOUS STRIPED DRESS
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May I recommend Andrea’s poem after accepting the fictional award for setting a world record for goosebumps. The poem is just beyond, it is to me such an encouragement to look at the ordinary and be in awe of it. They read it here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/video/158220/andrea-gibson-reads-acceptance-speech-after-setting-the-world-record-in-goosebumps
Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this! And what a great prompt, too — thank you for sharing this —
xx
I recommend Come See Me In the Good Light, a documentary about Andrea Gibson! It was screened in my town last year as part of the lead up to Sundance but I think it’s on Apple TV now.
Thank you, Dale! I’ve heard about this from a few Magpies via DM and email too — will stream! Have heard its moving but also beautifully life-affirming and funny and charming. Can’t wait.
xx