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What I Loved This Week…
+ON SETBACKS: I absolutely loved and needed to see this infographic from BandaidforHeart this week. It reminded me of what Magpie reader Mia has told me several times over the years (thank you for your loyal readership!): “You can start a new 24 hour cycle at any time.” We don’t need to wait for tomorrow for a reset.
+NEW LAUNCH: Creative-turned-fashion-brand-owner Tara Moni just launched the third micro collection for her lovely brand, La Maregold. I had to order her Sammy dress! I was swooning over it. I had a long debate about the yellow vs pink print and ultimately went with the pink. It leapt off the page at me, and reminded me loosely of garden party-inspired prints from Emilia Wickstead and Markarian, but in a more tropical vein. I also loved these pants, which sold out promptly.
+PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS: Loved all the new Substack recs from Magpies here. I ended up subscribing to Brooks Reitz’ “A Small and Simple Thing” food blog based solely on Magpie reader Kelly’s description: “Brooks writes about food how I imagine Mr Magpie might.” She is 100% spot on in this observation. Like a few of you, I’ve already ordered the fancy peanut butter Brooks recommended. That post couldn’t have arrived at a better time because Mr. Magpie has been on a rampage against the standard supermarket varieties because they’re laden with sugar. We usually buy the Kirkland brand PB at Costco because it has none of the added sugar, but I find the jars taste stale rather quickly (perhaps because they come in enormous two-pack tubs). The literal day before I found Brooks’ blog, Mr. Magpie returned from Whole Foods brandishing the funny jar of peanut butter seen below, enthusiastically boasting: “and it’s in a glass jar.” Brooks commented in his post about his preferred peanut butter that “The name is so bad (but also – so good?), they must be CONFIDENT,” and I feel the same about this Teddy’s branding. The font, the clip art teddy bear in the seductive pose — what is happening? It’s delicious though. Will let you know how I think Koeze Company stacks up. (Any other fervent peanut butter recs?)
+LISTENING: To a lot of SZA, the Kacey album that just came out yesterday (!), and the audiobook thriller The First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. It’s a Reese book club pick, which has certain connotations for me at this point — typically good beach read material but often without enough substance to support a book club conversation? (Is that unfair to say? I don’t mean it as an insult, more as a “here’s a good starting point when you need a vacation type book.) It’s delivering! Very fun so far. I can’t wait to get in the car to put it on.
+INSPIRED BY: The color palette from this Molly Goddard collection. The coral with the lilac is…!
A few pretty finds in this delightful palette: this La Double J, this $129 Lost and Wander (layer beneath a blazer or denim jacket for date night!), this party-ready Alexis.
+SHOPPING: Beside the La Maregold dress, my most exciting acquisitions this week: some new fitness wear from new brand Greatness Wins (founded by Derek Jeter and Misty Copeland! — this half-zip, these leggings, this bra) and Left on Friday. I am obsessed with this sweatshirt from LOF. It has a great slouchy fit with a faded/bleached out quality to it that feels lived in. I also picked up these new sticker stamp sets from Melissa & Doug that just came out recently. M&D know a thing or two about entertaining children!
+TRAVEL FIND: Mentioned earlier this week, but love these large Calpak vanity cases for car travel. You can fit absolutely everything in one place and see where everything is! Photo below from a summer trip last year. The fun sunnies are $10, and inspired by Loewe.
What You Loved This Week…
+Lots of new recommendations in the florid conversation on perfumes unfolding here. Still trying to find time to make it down to the Le Labo store in Georgetown to smell Magpie cult favorite TN29 (“an eau de parfum that is an ode to the noble tea leaf and the craft that surrounds it”) and Baie19 (“petrichor”), but now also contemplating Hermes Nil de Jardin (“Green mango, lotus, calamus and sycamore wood all lie at the heart of this refreshing ode”), which came up several times. Most of the top vote-getters here.
+How charming is this: sixth graders at a middle school in Charlottesville read the poem “From Blossoms” alongside us this week, and shared my scansion in their classroom! (See the comments from their teachers here.) Love the visual of all of us gathering around those words, across generations, states, etc!
+Most-requested from readers in email/DM: link to the vinyl letters to personalize children’s water bottles; sizing info on Sold Out Everything shirt (runs very boxy – you can size down); sizing info on Damaris Bailey dress (runs right on the nose — fit was very tailored but no extra space; if in question or between sizes, go up).
+Magpie rec: A lot of us bought Hunza G suits this week while on sale at Shopbop (will keep eyes peeled for other promos to buy at a discount, too!) and one Magpie commented that the “inspired by” styles at Target are EXCELLENT if you want the look for less.
+And, finally – bestsellers:
01. FRANK & EILEEN PATRICK SHIRT (SEE ME IN MINE HERE AND HERE, I LOVE HER)
02. KITSCH TERRY CLOTH SCRUNCHIES (WEAR WHILE DOING YOUR HAIR STRENGTHENING OILS)
03. HUNZA G PAMELA SUIT — FULL REVIEW HERE
04. HANNI SPLASH SALVE — OBSESSED; FULL EFFUSIVE REVIEW HERE (MY FAVORITE PART OF “EVERYTHING SHOWER”)
05. ADIDAS SAMBAS
06. PLASTIC DOCUMENT ENVELOPES — MY TOP TIP FOR CORRALING DESK/KITCHEN PAPERS
08. ANCIENT GREEK ELEFTHERIA SANDALS — MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE
09. SOLDOUT NYC EVERYTHING SHIRT
10. HATCHING EGGS — IN MY CHILDREN’S EASTER BASKETS; MORE IDEAS HERE
12. H&M WOVEN BINS — SERENA & LILY LOOK FOR LESS
13. TARGET STEAL — AVAIL IN THREE COLORS!
Happy weekend!
Ahhh – definitely familiar with Teddie as their factory is a couple towns over from us, and I was dying at your comments about the branding — I’ve definitely found myself standing in front of the PB section at Whole Foods and wondering the same! lol
I have another natural, no-sugar PB contender: Justin’s (the classic flavor!) Minimal separation, even if stored at room temp. We go through a ton of PB and it’s been our jam for a few years now.
Also! On the Hunza G “dupe” front: have you heard of or tried Youswim? Their fabric is nearly identical to Hunza G (and is also made in England!) I have 2 suits by each brand and while I slightly prefer Hunza G’s cuts, I appreciate that Youswim suits are a little less expensive — I got one during their sample sale, which was amazing because it was like $80 and is essentially perfect! My only slight word of caution is that their answer to the classic square-neck one piece has a higher-cut scoop in the back, which I feel is not as flattering. Similar bum coverage though!
And: I absolutely adore SZA, particularly Ctrl. I first grew a soft spot for her as she grew up a few towns over from me, but she’s been a major figure in my listening habits over the past decade. Love her music!
xx
Hadn’t heard of Youswim — thank you!! Immediately checking out!!
xx
HiJen,
You should try blanched almond butter. It is a healthier choice, free of lectins. Check out Dr. Gundry’s site. I buy Barney’s brand at Whole Foods.
I really enjoy your posts and stories. I think you are an excellent writer!
Thank you so much – for the compliment and the rec!
xx
I love that reframe too! I’ve written it down in various places as a reminder.
I used to get this particular brand of PB when I lived in Ohio, and it was also from one of those lesser-known brands/smaller companies. It was just peanuts and salt. I wish I could remember the name. But the funny thing about it is that there were actually instructions printed on the label on how to stir it! (as in, “take a stiff butter knife, insert it through the center to the bottom”, etc etc — I mean, really specific! It always made me crack up)
How cool that the Magpie community can have a very enthusiastic commentary on peanut butter!
Right!? I now have a long list of PBs to try! Love the specificity of those instructions on stirring! HA!
xx
Just ordered some Teddie. Question: do I have to store it in the refrigerator? Some said that their PB made with same ingredients is stored in the refrigerator. Reddit page doesn’t mention storage. Just curious? How are you going to store it?
We usually do refrigerate our PBs. I’ll let you know once I test! Maybe they’ll have a note on the jar! Mine is still en route!
xx
Just saw the Teddy brand on the shelf of my local Publix after ordering it with shipping yesterday! Ugh!!!
Oh NO! Well, at least — if you love it, you’ll know where to get more! xx
Adding a second vote for Smuckers All Natural! You do need to keep it refrigerated to stop it from separating but the taste is so good. Never knew I was so opinionated about PB until I got to college and everyone tried to tell me the kinds with sugar are better lol.
Hehe! I had similar discoveries in college, and then especially after, living with girlfriends — like, you DON’T do laundry every three days? Or you DON’T always keep xyz in the cupboard? Just things you grew up with and took for granted and had no idea how wonderful/lovely/etc they are.
xx
I live in France where peanut butter is thin on the ground but in the first 30 days of my son’s life I consumed 40 (small) jars of Skippy. These days I like SunPat (British), and I overheated my KitchenAid to the point of smoking by running peanuts through the meat grinder’s smallest metal die (worth it, excellent peanut butter, I just got overambitious and did too many at once). I mixed in local heather honey and Maldon.
We make the best peanut butter cookies! 2 cups peanut butter, 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup rice syrup, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. On 180C for 10-12 minutes. I bring these to all my new mom friends, they’re tasty and great protein.
Seafolly has a similar pucker textured suit but more rear coverage and thicker straps! Great postpartum.
Thank you for the recipe — and swimsuit rec! Not familiar with Seafolly!
xx
I’m a huge fan of a local Minnesota peanut butter brand, Old Home. Only two ingredients – peanuts and sea salt. Must be kept refrigerated. It took a little while for our palates to adjust, but now most other peanut butters taste overly sweet.
Thanks, Denise! I now have a list of several PBs to try! xx
If you’re interested in Hermes fragrances, do give Le Jardin Sur Le Toit a try! It’s incredibly fresh and spring-like without being cloying. In the same vein of Carthusia Mediterraneo but with better lasting power.
And Le Jardin de Monsieur Li! The whole collection, really.
Thank you! I am so obsessed with all these perfume recs, I think I need to make a special “perfume shopping” trip this week to smell a few of these!
xx
I must try the Target swimsuit – thank you! Summer is coming!
Yay! Let us know what you think! xx
Love Smuckers natural PB. No sugar & can buy at Target. Happy weekend!
Happy weekend! Thanks for chiming in!!! xx
Teddie is fantastic, both in taste / quality and mission! They contribute a portion of the proceeds from every jar sold to Best Buddies International, and are avid supporters of The Greater Boston Food Bank, an amazing organization serving all of Eastern MA. They’re also highly committed to sustainable efforts in their production and distribution. For any magpies in / around Boston or visiting, you can call the factory and request a tour (with tasting!), that is not advertised on their website. They have a collaboration beer with Night Shift, the craft brewery across the street, which is an incredibly rich and indulgent breakfast-style porter – highly recommend!
This is so cool! Mr. Magpie’s cousin (also Bostonian) wrote me to let me know about the porter, too!
Thanks for sharing!
xx
I’m from the city that Teddie is made in! I used to live right next to it and it smelled GLORIOUS!!
Their branding is hilarious but ICONIC (here in New England at least…) and I’ve had so many fancy nut butters and literally nothing beats Teddie for me. I can’t believe how cheap it is and that it’s made in my weird little hometown.
CB’s nuts peanut butter… made in WA state, one ingredient (unless you get the salted version), organic, comes in a glass jar, and doesn’t separate, even at room temp. Peanuts from USA, and more recently, Mexico and Argentina too.
Oops… did not mean to reply to Patty’s comment!
Thank you! Living for this little treasure trove of fancy peanut butters!
xx
Love it! I had no idea this brand was so beloved – had so many messages like this on Instagram, too! Love!! It’s delicious. Can’t imagine waking up to the smell of PB!!
xx