Jen’s Weekend Drafts: Setbacks, La Maregold, Fancy Peanut Butters, + More.

Jen Shoop

2 months ago

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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: