Jen’s Weekend Drafts: On Doing Things Scared.

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+DOING IT SCARED IS ENOUGH: A few months ago, I had to make a tough decision that I knew would go against the wishes of the people involved in a particular matter. In the grand scheme of things, this was a minor matter, but I was more or less undoing work that had already been done and throwing a wrench in plans. I knew in my bones it was the correct thing to do, but it was hard all the same, which in turn made me feel disappointed in myself. Like, where’s your backbone, Jen? You know what, though? I chose to give myself grace. I reminded myself: You aren’t a robot. You don’t have to be gallant in every action. Doing the right thing scared is enough. I can’t tell you how much this has spilt light on other scenarios in which I am unable to do something to the degree I want it done. Maybe I wasn’t my best self as a mother, or maybe I didn’t nail the final paragraph, but I’m aren’t going to get it all done perfectly all the time. Most of the time, getting it done is good enough.

+SOMETHING THAT MADE ME LAUGH: This roundup of clever alphabet commentary made me laugh this week. (“T is basically the last great letter before the alphabet completely goes off the rails.”)

+TORY BURCH ROMY TOTE: Tory Burch just launched a new bag shape this month, the Romy, and I’m obsessed with it. I think a lot of us are in pursuit of “carry everything including the laptop” bags for work, mom life, travel. And how CHIC is Michelle Williams with hers?! I especially love the gray. Also comes in a petite size and a bucket style. If you go with the bucket style, try that gorgeous butter yellow!

+EYEING + BUYING: On my radar! Wanted to specifically mention that this beautiful little embroidered jewelry case is 25% off with code BEMINE through 2/14. You might remember I have this in a different motif. So charming.

RHONE HALF-ZIP // RHONE JOGGERS // CELINE TRIOMPHE OVAL SUNGLASSES (ON SALE!) // SKIMS TEE // THATCH NECKLACE // TORY BURCH ROMY BAG // UGG SLIPPERS // L’HERITAGE JEWELRY CASE

+VALENTINE’S DAY READING: I loved this roundup from Beach Reads and Bubbly on the best romance novels to read in advance of Valentine’s Day, organized by level of spice.

+THIS WEEK’S BESTSELLERS: These chic and cozy fair isle joggers and these wide leg cashmere lounge pants (I own and love in gray) took the cake! I’m imagining so many of you Magpies ski slopes bound with these. Perfect apres.

01. FAIR ISLE JOGGERS // 02. BEST CASHMERE LOUNGE PANTS // 03. DOEN JUNE TOP // 04. WIDE LEG JEANS // 05. WHIPPED HENLEY // 06. UGG TAZZ PLATFORM SLIPPERS // 07. DENIM VEST // 08. ANN MASHBURN VELVET FLATS (ON SALE!) // 09. BEST INEXPENSIVE EVERYDAY SOCKS // 10. J. CREW JEANS //

+GWYNETH’S BEAUTY REGIMEN: I’m always a teensy bit skeptical when celebrities claim they only use the beauty products from their own lines, but then again, I’ve met enough entrepreneurs in my lifetime to know that a lot of them are truly, earnestly evangelical about their own products. Anyway, I really loved what Gwyneth had to say about her own skin in a recent Goop email:

“I often say I feel my best when my skin is in good shape. And that’s true: I feel most confident—most me—when I’m barefaced. But that doesn’t mean I strive for perfect skin. That would be a very disappointing way to live. 

What I strive for is really to feel beauty: connected to all the wisdom that came with my crow’s-feet, channeling a sort of Maine-woman-in-the-summer free spirit. I want to look in the mirror and see skin that looks taken care of; I want it to feel hydrated and nourished. I want it to look like the best skin I can have today, not 10 years ago. I want it to look how I feel: exactly my age and better than ever. 



But being ruthlessly honest: Part of the reason I don’t obsess over my skin is because I have the unique privilege of obsessing over our goop Beauty formulas. I know that when I stick to my routine, my skin will get as close to perfect as it can.”

And apparently this her exact routine. I’m here for the “Maine-woman-in-the-summer” vibe! I also truly love several of the products she mentioned, especially the instant glow exfoliator (I always have a back up for my back up). She didn’t mention this in her lineup, but I truly believe her Vitamin C is one of the best products in that category on the market. Very concentrated and I love the viscosity of it — not too runny.

+MAGPIE READER FAMILY MOVIE FAVORITES: So many great suggestions for family movie night in the comments here. I put together a list of the top vote-getters below — not a ton of surprises (classics, all) but maybe handy to keep in one place and refer back to. I was, however a little startled by how often “Parent Trap” came up, though — the number one rec across Magpie readers! Will definitely be watching this in the near future.