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What Inspired Me This Week…
+ORANGE HILL FARM: A country home and citrus farm in Ojai, CA currently being designed by the one and only Mark D. Sikes (images from the Instagram account above and below). It’s difficult to tell which of the photographs are of the actual property and which are inspiration points for its design, but either way, the account is beyond dreamy.
+SLOW GROWTH: I started a new exercise routine this week (more on that in the next bullet), and have been soaking up messages and mantras that embrace the concept of “slow growth.” Nothing happens overnight; Monet had to grow his gardens before he painted them; etc. I was struck by this gorgeous poem by James Pearson. It makes it so simple, doesn’t it? Just take the first step. Move an inch in the right direction. Your focus is more important than your speed!
+HEATHER ROBERTSON’S 12 WEEK PROGRAM: This year has represented an aberration in my fitness routine. Most years, I run every other morning with a few weeks of break owing to illness, injury, travel or particularly busy stretches of life. I trust that I will always clip back in. This year has been mainly one long break. I tried to get into personal training sessions at the dawn of the year but found that they ate up so much time (1 hour session, plus travel time there/back, and usually a little extra time because I’m always early! — and my trainer could never meet just after school drop off, so I was often killing an hour of time, then having the workout, then sitting down to my day at 11 of 11:30, which was untenable). While I really liked the sensation of suspending my decision-making function and doing exactly what my trainer told me to do, automaton-style (does anyone else suffer from decision fatigue?! Sometimes Mr. Magpie and I have a difficult time deciding what to order for dinner because we’re so choiced out), I never left the gym feeling like I’d really worked out, as I am accustomed to equating “a good work out” with the pounding and sweating of cardio. Plus, it was expensive! Then I let illness and busyness and cold weather get in the way and, well, here I am, with maybe a few weeks of running and half a dozen hot yoga session under my belt in all of 2024. This disappoints because I really want to head into my 40th birthday feeling strong and healthy. I decided this week that nothing changes if nothing changes and started doing at-home workout videos from Heather Robertson. She has a 12-week challenge that is ideal for my current needs. I can do them at home with minimal equipment, they’re challenging but fast paced, and each day brings a new video — and I love variety. I’m hooked! This week, I tacked on a 3 mile run first to scratch my “I need cardio” itch to three of the sessions, but then just did the videos the other days. I feel like I’m already seeing more tone. I’m obsessed! Does anyone else want to join?
+NEW FITNESS GEAR: I ordered a few fitness finds this week: this bra (marmalade) and these leggings (indigo color) from Beyond Yoga, and these bike shorts from Lululemon. I love having colorful exercise clothes. Tiny spark of joy! I also ordered a few new weights and these exercise bands (you need them for the videos).
+AGUA BENDITA LOOKALIKE: OMG! This dress is under $100 and looks just like Agua Bendita. Run while you can – it’s already sold out in my size. (Compare to this by the brand, for five times the price.)
+SEZANE FOR MEN: Last weekend, Mr. Magpie and I attended the opening of Sezane’s pop-up shop in Georgetown. It’s a gorgeous space (note the moulding on the walls!), and the clothes and accessories are beautifully merchandised. (I’m wearing this Sezane dress, which was sold out for awhile but now back in stock in limited quantities!)
I was chatting with one of the Sezane team members, and she mentioned that Sezane had a men’s section (not carried in the Georgetown store, but online). I had no idea? I promptly ordered Mr. Magpie a few items to try — this knit polo in a great green-blue color, these swim trunks in the blue stripe, the shorts, and this green and white linen button-down.
BUTTON-DOWN // SWIM TRUNKS // SHORTS // POLO
+STYLING WHITE OVERALLS: Wait, I’m into the way Net-A-Porter styled these white overalls from RL. The white tee, the loafers! Not sure I’d do the scarf but everything else is major. Will be using as fresh inspo for styling the pair I own from Alex Mill!
What Inspired You This Week…
+ADVICE FOR SUPPORTING NEW MOMS: I organized some of your top recommendations on how to support new moms (from the comments on this post) into this Instagram post and it was viewed 30,000 times in just a few days. The suggestions are incredible and the through-line is: don’t do anything that will add even the smallest thing to her plate. Because of you, I now have a plan for supporting my out-of-state sister after baby arrives: I’ll be having diapers delivered to my sister, and also sending food in the form of either a Stocked by Three Owls New Parent Delivery (they basically stock your fridge with mealtime staples that last a few days) or UberEats gift card.
+WEDDING GUEST SHOPPING: So, so many of you ordered this beautiful floral Tuckernuck dress for summer weddings and other affairs (reminder that YOUROCK gets you 20% off). All of this week’s other bestsellers below!
+THIS WEEK’S BESTSELLERS:
CHIC SUMMER WEDDING DRESS // LOVE THESE STRIPED BEACH PANTS // BEST WHITE JEANS EVER // MY FAV SWEATSHIRT // DOLCE VITA SANDALS // GAP BUCKET BAG // BEST BEST DRY SHAMPOO // J. CREW JACKET // CUSTOMIZABLE MATCH BOXES // MY FAVORITE BRA // BOYS RL POLO // “GLASS HAIR” SPRAY // CROSSWORD PUZZLES // REALLY FLATTERING WHITE PANTS
The Heather Robertson fitness page is a great find – thanks for sharing! It seems perfect for the quick lunch break when WFH workout (to supplement days where I can’t make it to the barre or pilates studio!). Also, knowing that there is a Sezane store in georgetown is potentially particularly dangerous news (for my wallet!)….but it looks so dreamy!
Yes! I find it fairly easy to motivate myself to complete the work outs everyday because they’re 30-40 minutes, require little equipment, and can be done at home. They are really challenging but they move quickly! I’m hooked.
I hear you on the Sezane danger zone!
xx
Sezane has a men’s section?!!!!!! I have been trying to get my husband into an espadrille for YEARS. Maybe this is the summer that it will happen, Just what he wants for Father’s Day hee hee.
Right!? I was shocked. Good luck with your espadrille ambitions!