Jen’s Weekend Drafts: Niche Things We Love.

+WE’RE NICHE PEOPLE: I loved your detailed recommendations on “niche specialty food products” from earlier this week — one thing I can say about this community is that we are niche people. We like the specific and well-thought-through; we can go spelunking into obscure poetry just as easily as we can the ins and outs of specific denim brands. I love this for us. A few other very niche things I love (what would be on your list?):

+Downloading 3-4 Kindle Unlimited romances at a time (always having to “return” titles I have downloaded);

+The very short but delicious micro-seasons in which you can locally find ramps and/or morels;

+The “Icelandic Waterfalls” soundscape on my Hatch while winding down at night;

+Dried lilac or botanical wax tablets from Santa Maria Novella to perfume a closet;

+The limited-edition Tartufo sandwich from Fossette Focacceria x AP Pizza (prosciutto cotton, stracciatella, argula, black truffle honey — GEEZ!);

+Knowing the calls of all the birds that nest in our backyard — my son and I frequently test one another, but I can reliably pick out the cardinal, the chickadee, the blue jay, the white-throated sparrow, the catbird, the mourning dove, and the red-tailed hawk by song;

+Scandinavian gummy candy, especially those sour strawberries with the creme filling?;

+Reminiscing with girlfriends about very specific events and shenanigans in college and the people we only vaguely remember who were involved;

+Pimiento cheese spread from Bread Furst;

+The final scene of “Whiplash” with Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons — Landon and I rewatch this several times a year;

+Anytime the word “etcetera” is used without abbreviation;

+Letterpress anything;

+Seamus Heaney’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech (another constant, impulse re-read);

+This mezcal-infused daiquiri;

+Appointed notebooks and ultra-fine-tipped pens (the more needle-like, the better);

+Limited edition botanical stamps from the USPS.

I know there are more; these flew from my fingertips most readily, so I’ll pause there. What comes to mind for you?

+ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN: I couldn’t stop listening to this rendition of the theme song from Disney’s “Robin Hood” by Isabel Dumaa. OMG! What a voice! (P.S. We all agree that Robin Hood was the hottest animated character, correct?)

+PUT YOURSELF ON THE LIST: A simple but effective reminder:

+SMALL WONDERS EVENTS: We’ve just finalized details on a third D.C. area event to celebrate Small Wonders, this time at D.C.’s renowned Politics and Prose (Union Market) on May 21. Magpies, it is almost impossible to explain the thrill of this opportunity. I grew up shopping for books at the Politics and Prose on Connecticut Avenue, and I’ve had it as the dream venue for my book for — well, forever. I will be in conversation with my friend Chesley McCarty, who has the most incredible eye for architecture and design in the D.C. area.

All of my Small Wonders events listed here, and (ICYMI, lol) you can pre-order here!

I am trying to make each of these very different and very special and I cannot wait to meet you in person. At the Wonderland Books event, for example, Mr. Magpie will be opening up some delicious wine and Caroline’s Cakes has offered to send over their delicious cake bites! If you are planning to come to one of these, let me know via email! Most of these events do not require tickets/RSVPs but I’d love to know who will be at which so I can look forward to meeting IRL!!

+MARIA SHRIVER KNOWS MAGPIE?!: This week, Maria Shriver posted some of my writing to her feed…!!!!! Had to share with the group chat. Beyond flattered!

+JANE FONDA TO STAR IN THE FILM ADAPTATION OF THE CORRESPONDENT: I know some of us had mixed feelings on this book, but pretty amazing that Fonda was cast in a film adaptation of this mainly beloved book. What do you think?! More details here.

+EYEING + BUYING: Some fab finds from the week:

+Obsessed with this Erdem-inspired floral midi skirt. Love the idea of pairing with this boxy white vest top.

+The silhouette of this swimsuit is next level — I own in a different pattern from last summer. LOVE this season’s.

+Swooning over this crochet-trim jacket, especially paired with barrel jeans (looks for less here, here).

+Best body oil. LOVE. Another niche favorite thing.

+Lemon cake bites — a great gift, baby shower or wedding shower treat, Easter table nibble, etc!

+Cocoon cotton bedding! Obsessed with the look of this — almost looks like a gauze material? Anxiously awaiting its arrival!

+Most special ladybug gemstone necklace.

VERONICA BEARD TOP // J. CREW SKIRT // ERINESS LADYBUG NECKLACE // FRAME CROCHET JACKET // TARGET CROCHET FLATS // HILL HOUSE SWIMSUIT // CAROLINE’S CAKEBITES // COTTON COCOON BEDDING // OSEA BODY OIL // DOEN TOP // MAREA TOP AND SKIRT // RATTAN HANDLED TRAY (ON SALE!)

+BESTSELLERS: You all are loving this spring wedding guest / Derby-perfect dress and these netted Staud-like flats for the second week running! $35 and very on-trend. (A complete guide to my favorite spring shoes here.)

01. TARGET FLATS // 02. PRETTIEST SPRING COCKTAIL PARTY DRESS // 03. STAUD ROMY DRESS (DIVINE SILHOUETTE; MORE COLORS HERE AND HERE; LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // 04. EASTER DRESS // 05. LULULEMON STRIPED ATHLETIC TEE // 06. NEOPRENE EVERYDAY TOTE // 07. CROPPED UTILITY JACKET // 08. INDOOR/OUTDOOR RUG // 09. VINTNER’S DAUGHTER ACTIVE BOTANICAL SERUM // 10. BEST ATHLETIC JACKET (FIT AND FEEL ARE DIVINE; USE CODE SHOOP20)

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