Jen’s Weekend Drafts: One Small Thing at a Time, How to Describe November, + More.

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+BUT YOU CAN DO THE LITTLE THINGS: A beautiful reminder from Whitney Hanson, discovered here:

+HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE NOVEMBER? Earlier this week, I shared an illustration in which the artist Millie Putland described November as “the in-between month,” and a reader replied to say that November is “December’s introspective sister.” I loved that casting, and felt it fit with the poem below by Victoria Erickson. (How would you describe November? I loved your poetic renderings of September earlier this year!)

+ALEX MILL 60 SECOND GIFT GUIDE (Sponsored mention): Alex Mill has a fabulous set of curations of chic holiday gifts, organized into clever categories, like “only wears neutrals” (we all know this woman). A few of my personal picks: 1) This red fair isle sweater is an iconic gift (and a personal favorite in my own closet), and 2) you can’t beat their cult favorite Nico sweater. The latter somehow works with virtually any style – minimalist, maximalist, trendy, classic – and any age. These suede and shearling mittens will be in her possession forever — a forever buy. And how fabulous is this canvas tote with initials custom hand-painted onto the side?! Think about how much we all schlep on a daily basis — would be perfect for any woman in your life, from a grad student to a workerbee to a new mom. Alex Mill also has fantastic gift options for men: what man doesn’t look handsome in a beanie (especially in red)? And this sherpa fleece would be a welcome addition to any man’s coat rack. I also absolutely love this rugged lined work jacket — eyeing for Mr. Magpie, along with this masculine henley.

FOR HER: FAIR ISLE KNIT // NICO CARDIGAN // SUEDE AND SHEARLING MITTENS // TOTE

FOR HIM: WORK JACKET // CASHMERE BEANIE // SHERPA FLEECE // HENLEY

+EYEING + BUYING: On the fashion front, I had to order this little knit capelet from Zara. I can’t wait to layer over pointelle tees (<< a few Magpies have written to say they prefer the pointelle from Marea to the Leset I have been swearing by! Curious to try…) And I just ordered my second pair of Agolde pinch waists (TTS). I like the crop length for us shorties — though I still need to have this pair hemmed a bit to hit at the right part of my ankle, you could totally wear them as they arrive. I love all the barrels and wide legs but sometimes you just need a good classic straight leg to work with certain shoes, tops, blazers. And two festive additions to my wardrobe: a great burgundy cardigan (note the jewel buttons) — I like the idea of unbuttoning a few buttons and tucking into the Agoldes — and some fun holiday Mary Janes from Larroude.

Also this week: my Rhode order arrived. I finally gave into the hype and I’m obsessed. The colors are semi-sheer and buildable but they actually last a long time? Love the consistency of the lip tint. And while I’m a huge fan of the UBeauty lip plasmas, I do find the taste…not great, whereas this is completely taste/scent-free. And a fraction of the price. I don’t think it achieve the same lip plumping effects of the UBeauty but the colors are gorgeous and they stay! On a totally different note, in the past two weeks, both our dishwasher and our toaster died. We bought this chic upgrade for the toaster (our research suggested going either Breville, this brand, or Wolf and we liked the aesthetics of this one — plus users love them) and a Bosch for the dishwasher. Now the mini beverage fridge in our island appears to be on its last legs, too. Why does this always happen this way?

ZARA KNIT CAPELET // HEAVEN MAYHEN KNOT EARRINGS // RHODE LIP TINT AND CHEEK TINT DUO // HADEN TOASTER // AGOLDE PINCH WAIST JEANS // LARROUDE MARY JANES // J. CREW FACTORY CARDIGAN

+FESTIVE DRESSING: I’ve been collecting lots of holiday fashion inspo here, but Emme Parsons sent me this spectacular pair of sequined flats (part of their just-launched holiday collection) and I felt it deserved its own little mention. I love the fashion-forward, dramatic vamp. My sister has been wearing a pair of flats like these (hers from Celine) for many years now. She’s always about 2-3 seasons ahead of the curve. I’ll never forget maybe 15-20 years ago, when maxi skirts and dresses were first coming into vogue for everyday wear, one of our mutual friends told me: “Jen, I saw your sister…wearing, like, a long skirt. Like to the ground. In Georgetown.” She was shook, or confused — and then lo and behold within a year or two, that exact gal was wearing maxi skirts regularly. She is such a great trend anticipator. Anyhow, she’s been wearing this shape of shoe for so long she probably finds it boring while I now find it fresh. Anyhow, can’t wait to style these with holiday looks this winter.

+BESTSELLERS: The Valentina sneaks! Now sold out in my espresso color at VB (I think the third time they’ve sold through that color in the past few weeks) but still available in limited size runs here, here, here. Also like them in this great heathered taupe/gray. These are my favorite casual shoe this season. I like the way they look with jeans and a sweater and of course with athleisure. So comfortable and chic! And the rubber insole gives a Loewe vibe for less than half the price. I was also delighted by how many of you bought the Phillip Lim Soleil bag — I have been wearing mine nonstop, too. It does not have a shoulder strap which initially felt like a deterrent but I actually find it very chic and easy to wear over the wrist/lower arm.

01. VERONICA BEARD VALENTINA SNEAKERS // 02. MY PHILLIP LIM BAG // 03. THE BEST $159 YOU’LL SPEND THIS SEASON // 04. J. CREW SEQUIN GOWN // 05. HILL HOUSE AMARI QUILTED JACKET // 06. THE GREAT FLEECE // 07. FAIR ISLE LADY JACKET // 08. FRANK & EILEEN LOOK FOR LESS SWEATSUIT // 09. JULIA AMORY TREE SKIRT (15% OFF WITH JEN15) // 10. BODEN HOLIDAY PANTS // 11. TUCKERNUCK CARDIGAN // 12. FREDA SALVADOR ELBA LOAFERS