The Secret Signals of a Successful Life + Other Weekend Musings

+SIGNS OF SUCCESS: Someone told me this week that “the ultimate sign of success in life is peace with oneself, with where you are in life.” I thought that was fascinating and even counter-cultural/counter-intuitive. Do you agree? What are the markings of success in a good life? I think I would agree. Happiness is an inside job after all.

(On a facetious level, there was a woman in NYC who used to walk an enormous St. Bernard through Central Park. I always thought “owning a dog that big in New York City is a major flex.” Like how big must her apartment be?! Lol!)

+CORMAC MCCARTHY AND THE ROLE OF THE UNCONSCIOUS IN WRITING: My Dad and brother are re-reading some McCarthy together, so he’s been in and out of our shared conversation lately. I found this excerpt from a New Yorker essay by Nick Romeo on McCarthy and the role of the unconscious in writing fascinating:

To what extent is art “craft” and to what extent is it pure and unmitigated inspiration, some voicing of the primordial or instinctive? I was reflecting on this the other day because sometimes I’ll peck out a pattern of words that sound right, that feel right for a sentence or mood, and then need to cross-check whether the words make real and expressive sense. Sometimes it is a melodic intuition. Other times, I am hemming and hawing over the phrasing for a long time.

+FOUR FAVORITE FINDS FOR THE WEEK: This faux fur jacket (selling fast – I got the sand color) to style with jeans and boots; this oversized multi-wick candle in the “forest fir” scent we’ve been burning in our family room (smells absolutely divine and I love the scale of it — use code MAGPIELN for 20% off!!!); my new mechanical keyboard (OMG, the ASMR of typing on this thing?! Landon researched and found me this and I’m in heaven); and my new velvet trim holiday robe. She’s going to be my new winter personality. Zsa Zsa Gabor vibes. Imagine running down the stairs with it pluming behind you. Do I also need a little feather-trim mule? Lol.

+WHAT DOES THE “RIGHT PERSON” FEEL LIKE? I found this perspective interesting! I think Landon was both, though.

+FRENCH GIRL HAIR SECRETS: Inspired to try a French twist thanks to this!

+LITTLE LIBRARY CORNER: A friend of mine had this book out on her coffee table and I ordered it on the spot! It’s a collection of “objet trouve” photographs — the author would go out every day and take a photo of something specific that caught her eye or attention. Is this not the Magpie way?! I love the way it centers the “joyful witnessing” of life — the happenstance encounters that make us lean forward when we slow down to notice — and reminds us that “The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper” (Eden Philpotts).

The other book I want to recommend this week: the history smashers series for kids! We learned about these from my friend, whose two daughters (7 and 9) are hooked on them. They are very well-researched history books that do a great job with story-telling and intrigue! My son has not been able to put the Titanic one down, but they have a bunch on all different topics — women’s right to vote, the Mayflower, the space race, and more! Great Christmas add-on / stocking stuffer. I got the box set as a gift for my nephew.

Not a reading book, but I ordered one of Johanna Basford’s coloring books (discovered via a Reddit thread) this week and it is so charming! My daughter and I have kept it out on the kitchen counter and will work on it together when we’re in the area.

+SALES AND PROMOS TO KNOW ABOUT: Ooh Magpies, we are speeding into sale season! A few standouts:

+Ruti pants are 22% off this weekend! I feel like these wunder-pants no longer need an introduction here on the blog because I’ve been singing their praises for so long, but they truly are a fabulous everyday alt to leggings and a dream to travel in (do not wrinkle and sublimely comfortable while still looking chic). Plus, dress up or down easily.

+In the kitchen: Hedley & Bennett professional-grade aprons are 20% off (discount deepens with spend) — THE best gift for a devoted home cook. Landon wears his daily. Also: Geometry deepened our Magpie discount code on the best kitchen towels ever. JEN now gets you 35% off (!!!) sitewide. I just ordered some new ones for the holiday season and added a couple to give out as hostess gifts wrapped up with a big satin ribbon! Would also make a good stocking stuffer for a sister, mom, etc. My favorite holiday motifs here, here, and here.

+L’ange haircare/tools are deeply discounted! This glass blowdry spray was very popular among Magpies when I shared last weekend and it’s still 70% off. It’s a great alt to Chris McMillan for about $10. Lightweight, protects hair, leaves hair glassy smooth. And reviewers lose their minds over this 2-in-1 curling iron / flat iron — apparently very easy to use and the cool setting enables you to “set” the look so that it keeps.

+20% off everything at Rhoback. The youth polos are a great gift for a nephew/godson and the q-zips are basically a fool proof gift for men. And treat yourself!

+Holiday decor sales! 25% off at Terrain — I’m fixated on these beautiful paper pendant lights?! And these?! And up to 40% off at McGee and Co. I adore these bow stocking holders and this little potted plant, but the sale also extends to a wide range of their bestselling furniture items, including their iconic Molly skitchen tools (40% off), their Willoughby bed (also 40% off!), and beautiful stoneware and wicker vases.

+Boll and Branch gave us early access to their Black Friday deal! 25% off sitewide with code CYBER. The most popular item I’ve featured of theirs this entire year is their signature comforter set. This is a magical product — it has the look and loft of a duvet in a cover but it’s one effortless layer (i.e., you don’t need to remove the insert, it doesn’t get all bunched a the bottom, etc). Simplifies life considerable and is a nice mid-weight. I think a lot of us bought this for children heading off to college / teens / etc! Just one less step. My personal favorite B&B items are the waffle bed blanket (we use these year-round but I especially love them in the winter! — p.s., I think 25% off is the lowest I’ve ever seen it) and their signature sheets, which somehow achieve the perfect balance of coolness with softness. Just love. I’m also obsessing over these new alpaca tartan pillows, part of their collab with Chris Loves Julia.

+Can’t mention the bedding sale without also sharing the best deal of the year on the best mattress ever (30% off!!!). Trust me. Instant sleep upgrade. Now just waiting for the 8 Sleep pods to go on sale…(I have my sights set on this for Landon’s big Christmas gift).

+UNEXPECTEDLY MOVING: Landon sent me this reel (wait until the end, there’s an unexpected twist) and I’ve been thinking of it all week. The concept that “everyone wants to be a repeat customer” of the human experience reshaded my entire outlook last week. The ultimate reframe.

+BESTSELLERS: This tasseled silk dupioni top continues to be wildly popular among Magpies! A perfect holiday statement that can be worn with jeans, trousers, skirts!