Jen's Weekend Drafts: Mischief and Magic in Raleigh.

+MAGIC + MISCHIEF IN RALEIGH!: I am on a high from the most gorgeous evening in Raleigh, in conversation with my longtime friend Inslee. A packed house and a wonderful conversation, with the most thoughtful questions from Magpies (a group of Magpies is called a mischief) at the end — I would expect nothing less. We talked about how to work your way through writer’s block, how to handle copycats, what I hope to work on next, how I found my publisher, and more — and Inslee shared a tearful moment with me when we talked about my piece “Lucky to Be Children.” I’d had no idea the musing had resonated with her; what an honor. There has been something alchemical about the events around the book, and I think it has to do with seeing my words in the world in a different way, drawing so many of us together! Sometimes I think the point of writing the book was not the book, per se, but the opportunity to have these powerful and intimate nights with so many smart, generous-minded women. On cloud nine. I laid in bed until 1 am reliving every moment. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

All images above were taken by the lovely Anna Teem. (TYSM, Anna!)

I received a lot of questions about my dress. It is Emporio Sireneuse and was a generous gift from the label for my book tour!

Before we move on from Inslee — reminder that her gorgeous calendars are OUT for the 2027 year! A perfect gift for mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, special teachers and friends, babysitters, etc! The boxes are part of the magic. They make for such a pretty presentation as a gift, and then you can use as a keepsake holder. I also love to use the pages of the calendar for various things — after I’ve finished a month, I sometimes trim the calendar page to make bookmarks, etc.

While I was there, I picked up one of her needlepoint canvases from a collab she did with very popular needlepoint brand Coco Frank to give to my MIL and this ladybug print to give to my daughter (we’ve called her “Ladybug” since she was a baby!).

Finally: check out these fish prints in her shop! Adorable for a boy’s room or a study or a coastal-style kitchen. They’re a topseller at Inslee’s boutique.

+READING FICTION + MENTAL REST: Agree completely with this note:

+EMMA M. LION AUDIOBOOK LOVE: Speaking of fiction, several of you have raved about the narrator of the Emma M. Lion audiobook series, Genevieve Gaunt, and how COOL is this moment where Helen Mirren says (in conversation with none other than 007 himself, Pierce Brosnan) she’d love to work with her at some point?! Thrilling! I have a couple of the audiobooks downloaded and queued for “comfort reads” for upcoming dentist appointments, waiting rooms, etc!

+WINNER OF EMMA M. LION GIVEAWAY: And speaking of Emma, delighted to announce that the winner of the Emma M. Lion giveaway (books 1 and 2) is Jordan! (I tally up all the entries and then use a random number generator to pick the comment # of the winner.). Will email you separately to coordinate!

+”GET IN THE CAR ELIZABETH”: Ultra niche, but I’m confident the correct Magpies will appreciate this. The comments are hilarious (“I’m not Elizabeth but I got in the car”). Now if we could just have a “get in the car, sassenach.”

+SHEET PAN PANCAKES? I’d literally never heard of these until a week or two ago and now I keep seeing them all over the place! I’m kind of inspired to try this pumpkin recipe for my kids. I like the idea that you can pop it in the oven and it takes care of itself (no nursing the griddle). Does anyone have a good recipe for this preparation to share?

+DECORATING WITH FALL BRANCHES: Inspired by these two Pinterest snaps to bring some branches inside this fall! Simple and so dramatic. McGee + Co has fabulous urns and vases for this use. I love this and these! BTW, I just discovered that the faux fern autumnal wreath from McGee + Co I shared earlier this week was discounted and I got it!

+MIDDLEBURG BOOKS CELEBRATES THREE YEARS!: If you’re a local Magpie, you might consider driving to Middleburg Books today for their three-year anniversary. They are giving away t-shirts, cookies, and of course book recs. I learned that the shop features some nods to one of the owner’s favorite books, The Secret Garden, which — if you have been reading along for awhile — you know I have a vague daydream of adapting to a contemporary fictional context. I love the motifs of convalescence, communing in a secret and shared garden, and of course neighborly love! Imagine the plot resituated between two teens in contemporary suburban America. Love.

Related: I will be in Middleburg next Friday (10/9) for a book chat with the store’s owner at the nearby Castle Gallery (details here). I hope you can make it! It will be a fun intimate night of conversation, wine, and books!

+WEEKEND SHOPPING:

+I ordered this gorgeous Ann Mashburn dress and it is SO GOOD. Perfect contender for Thanksgiving / fall cocktail party / etc! The silhouette is fantastic (I prefer it belted). She also just released the cutest sherpa Paola bag! (I own this bag in a tartan for holiday season. Such an easy and chic shape to carry.) And don’t miss these beautiful striped turtlenecks!

+Finished this bronzer and immediately reordered. If you have similar coloring, get the luminous color. Gives you the best little kiss of sun and super glowy! I love to apply with the fatter side of this perfect brush — had a 58,000 person waitlist?! — and totally merited. It’s basically the only brush I use. I only packed this makeup brush while in Raleigh this week!

+Snagged a pair of these barrel cords from Ruti! Available for pre-order. I got the navy. Use code JEN15.

+J. Crew has a good look for less option with a slightly less exaggerated barrel. Great colors!

+Other fab new arrivals at J. Crew: this collared pointelle cardi and these reversible knit scarves.

+Fall Suzie Kondi sets are here! Love this chocolate color. These are such an elevated loungewear choice!

+Party-ready makeup set from Westman! Would also make a great gift.

+New Colby colors! (Use code MAGPIE10). A great staple for holidays.

+Love this fringed cardigan jacket from The Great. I own a very similar style from last season at Guest in Residence and it’s perfect for this in-between weather, and it works over dresses/skirts just as easily as with jeans and cords. Also loving this cowboy motif sweatshirt from their latest drop.

+Adorable gingham Barbour!

+Great sale finds over at Weezie – 20% off – including powder room hand towels and personalized cosmetic kits! Good gifts!

+PETITE KEEP X HOMEWORTHY: My friend Alison of Homeworthy fame just released a gorgeous set of keepsake boxes for baby memorabilia with the company Petite Keep. I’ve been looking for something like this for years, as we currently have baby shoes, baby cups, gifts from Baptisms, etc strewn about in closets. You can have your children’s names embroidered on the interior and initials engraved on the lock! Absolutely adorable and such a pretty presentation. Hill was, of course, obsessed and immediately “donated” his Elmo to the box.