Jen’s Weekend Drafts: Relaxation Is Who You Are, Boho Street Style, + Designer Bag Shopping.

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+RELAXATION IS WHO YOU ARE: I came across a quote attributed to a Chinese proverb last week: “Tension is who you think you should be; relaxation is who you are.” Did your shoulders loosen up just a little bit? I love the visual of relaxing into oneself — not standing taut or strained or pretzeled around an expectation.

+GO TO NORWAY: Loved this quirky and resonant post from D. Coffyn. I felt a lump in my throat at “Befriend every dog.” Isn’t life better with them around? I’ve been missing our Tilly girl and am trying to convince Mr. Magpie to get a dog for the family for Christmas. Separately, love the injunction to become “the patron saint of fireflies.” Each year in late June to early July, they appear in unbelievable quantities in the trees around our Bethesda home. We routinely sit out on the front stoop to take them in for those two orgiastic weeks. So, yes, I’ll take that sainting title.

+BOHO MIXING AND MATCHING: This snap from Alice Pilate made me want to dress with more abandon — love the play of materials, styles, patterns, etc! She’s wearing a top from Milanese label Emily Levine, which I’ve come across a few times this summer — wonder if any stateside retailers will be carrying her in the future? The shoes (Alaia I’m pretty sure) also made me excited for this Amazon look for less pair I ordered a few weeks ago to arrive!

+GOOD WRITING ADVICE: I loved this excerpt from Ira Glass. It applies liberally to any creative undertaking, but of course I drew it to my writerly self. “It is only going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions.” Yes! Get out there and shake hands with that blank page! Or as Anne Lamott put it famously, write “bird by bird.” (In reference to this passage from her excellent book: “Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’”)

+EYEING + BUYING: This VB blazer might be my favorite item I’ve ever gotten from them, which is saying a lot because I’m obsessed with everything I have of theirs. The trim reminds me of the Celine styles, and I love that pop of cherry red lining. Just imagine with everyday denim (I have a whole post on pre-fall finds / early fall trends coming out this week, and I think barrel / darted / gaucho styles will remain relevant) and flats this fall…

BLAZER // ALLA GUILIA FLATS // LOEWE-INSPIRED HAIR CLIP // MERLETTE TOP // AQUA VANITY BAG // DARTED JEANS

+TUCKERNUCK’S NANTUCKET RED COLLECTION: I thought this collab between Tuckernuck and Murray’s Toggery Shop in Nantucket was so well-done. I want one of everything! Americana summer, indeed. Love these pants and this flag sweater. (As always, get 20% off sitewide with YOUROCK.)

+DESIGNER BAG SHOPPING: I’m really in the mood for a new bag for fall. A part of me wonders if I should see if I can buy something fabulous while in Italy in the late fall — would be such a fabulous memento of a great time, and you can often get a better price on the European designers when abroad. A few of the designer ones that I am obsessed with: one of the Loro Piana vanity bags; Bottega Sardine bags, vanity bags, or totes (drool in the brown suede); a Goyard bucket crossbody in green or another interesting color; a Celine Small 16. More realistic would be something under the $2K price point — a Savette Pochette, Toteme T-Lock, this Metier, or one of these gorgeous Tods bags (select colors on sale for almost 50% off?!). Under $1K picks: basically anything from Little Liffner, especially this or this, and this Altuzarra. I’ve been so impressed with my Watermill tote this summer – great quality and fantastic details. I also don’t see them carried much out and about. I’m currently trying to decide what shape / size is the best investment for everyday wear — like, what is something I won’t hesitate to grab that can fit the essentials and then some? I love a tote because I can just throw everything in, but routinely wear smaller buckets / crossbodies, too. The pochette is probably too impractical. What bags are on your radar?

BESTSELLERS: This under-$50 denim popover dress is reminiscent of Veronica Beard but at a much better price. Wear now with leather sandals and later with tall boots! Also can’t believe how many of you purchased this chic soap pump!

01. OLD NAVY DENIM POPOVER DRESS // 02. SOAP PUMP // 03. WIDE LEG CROPPED RED JEANS // 04. LONGCHAMP MINI BAG // 05. STRIPED DRESS // 06. ANCIENT GREEK JELLY FLATS // 07. LAKE KIDS PAJAMAS // 08. CHICEST STRIPED DRESS // 09. MONIKERS GAME // 10. LOEWE-INSPIRED HAIR CLAW // 11. NAVY SHIRTDRESS // 12. INNBEAUTY EXTREME CREAM