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What I Loved This Week.
+WATCHING: Shōgun on Hulu, a miniseries that follows “the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious woman samurai,” set in 16th Century Japan. I am hooked. It has the empire building and culture clashing elements of “Game of Thrones” with less-lurid violence and, so far, better script-writing. Cosmo Jarvis, who plays the adventurous and clever English sailor John Blackthorne, is fantastic (and swoonworthy) as one of the leads.
+INSPIRED BY: Courtney Grow in red pants (mentioned earlier this week! — she’s wearing $1300 The Row pants, but I think these Sezane crops would nail the vibe for less) and dramatic liberty florals from Horror Vacui, seen on both the brand’s model and on street style starlet / Pilates instructor Alice Pilate. (I bought a Horror Vacui skirt several years ago that I still wear season after season, and it never fails to fetch compliments. You can find great past-season options on TRR, or get the look for less with this Doen.)
+HANDBAG TREND: Courtney is wearing The Row’s Idaho bag above, which reminds me that a lot has been written over the past year about the return of the East-West bag. A few I love in this general shape: Savette’s pochettes, Pam Munson’s Park tote, Demellier’s Vancouver clutch, Hereu’s Fleca bag, and this Amazon steal?! I added these and a few others to my “trending handbags for spring” collection here!
+LISTENING TO: The incredible birdsong in my backyard! I use the Cornell Bird Lab Merlin app to identify which birds I’m hearing — the app will “listen” and ID them for you. The most prominent (and, in my opinion, most charmingly singsong) is nearly always a Northern cardinal. A few weeks ago, I shared that many, including myself, believe that cardinals are signs that those who have passed are with us, and a Magpie reader wrote to me to share this ditty:
“When red birds appear, the departed are near.”
This tracks, as I feel strongly and routinely visited by my friend Elizabeth in our home here in Maryland. In the mystical way of the world, Kacey Musgraves just last week released a track titled “Cardinal” where she explores similar themes. We’re just living by asterism over here!
+LAUNCHING: DVF launched a diffusion line with Target this morning! Historically, these collabs sell out quickly! I am partial to DVF because I considered her wrap dresses the ultimate work wardrobe investment when I was fresh out of college. I’d save up my money and sift through the sale racks at Neiman’s and Intermix for discounted dresses and managed to amass a handful that I absolutely loved. I remember Katie Couric wore a red sleeveless patterned DVF wrap dress once and I had to have it — and I was able to track it down and make it mine! I wore it with such pride. And when my best friend landed a big job in finance, we made our way to the DVF in Meatpacking and she bought her first wrap dress there, too. Anyway, BIG fan. I am a little underwhelmed by the shapes/silhouettes in this collection, but I absolutely love this matching set: top, skirt. I had a really cute romper from DVF in that exact shape that I loved. I wonder where it went?!
+DRINKING: A pina verde, from Punch Drink (<<recipe linked). We had a very ripe pineapple on hand so Mr. Magpie made some fresh pineapple juice and came across this recipe, which also stars cream of coconut, lime, and green chartreuse. Such a fun Saturday evening drink. P.S. All my thoughts on making great cocktails at home here.
+JOAN DIDION LORE: I love Joan Didion’s famous packing list from her days as an itinerant journalist. So sparing and calculated, and yet clearly the result of much trial and error as well as thoughtful deference to her own comfort and routine. The list of a woman who knows herself, is it not? It’s made me think about what we take with us and why — what it essential and not, how we care for or neglect ourselves. I’m afraid I’m not much of an essentialist. In fact, I am a persistent overpacker. But this, too, reveals: I have trained myself to imagine in multiples. There is never one set and bound itinerary. We might do this, I could see myself wanting to wear this, and what if we decide to run into the ocean? What might be on your “essential packing list”? Do you find the task similarly challenging? What does it say about you?
+CLEANSING: I think I’ve found the perfect face wash: OSEA’s Marine Cleanser (10% off with MAGPIE10). I’ve been writing enthusiastically about this since the day I started using. You can really feel it working — cleansing! — but does not leave skin too tight. It really feels like it accomplishes something other than just sudsing on your face!
+SHOPPING: Two new candles for spring, from my favorite (slightly more reasonably priced) candle purveyor, Linnea: rosewater and rhubarb (10% off with code MAGPIE10)! For a splurge, I’m obsessed with all the scents from Cire Trudon — complex, rich, fabulous. I also have a fun package from Emerson Fry en route that includes this top I’d been eyeing for weeks!
What You’re Loving.
+PEANUT BUTTERS: Who knew so many Magpies were peanut butter aficionados? Your comments on this post did not disappoint. The top recs that came through, from all over the U.S.!:
TEDDIE (TOP VOTE GETTER — WE’VE BEEN USING AND LOVING — FROM MASSACHUSETTS)
KOEZE (VIRGINIA)
OLD HOME (MINNESOTA)
NORTH SHORE GOODIES COCONUT PEANUT BUTTER (HAWAII)
CB’S NUTS PEANUT BUTTER (WASHINGTON)
SMUCKERS NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER (NATIONAL)
+PRODUCE CLEANING: A lot of questions about our produce-washing routine (in response to this post). This article from America’s Test Kitchen does a better and more reputable job of explaining! I do think it’s important to let washed produce drain in a colander and then fully dry on kitchen towels if you’re washing in advance — otherwise, the moisture from the solution expedites molding! We use this pretty little glass jar (with spoon!) to keep the Arm and Hammer out on the countertop without the unsightly box.
+MAGIC PLATFORMS: OK, we both loved these. I keep speaking in exclamation points about them. You need them! Buy while on sale here. Several of you also chimed in to let me know you own, love, and wear them constantly in warm weather.
+OTHER BESTSELLERS: Lots of dresses this week! I love the ones you picked. I own nearly everything in this collage with the exception of the Doen dress and this Khaite-inspired tote (currently on sale)…do I need them?!
01. LAKE BRUNCH DRESS // 02. BARDOT DRESS ($129!) // 03. MADEWELL TOTE // 04. ALIX OF BOHEMIA PANTS // 05. DOEN FLORENCIA DRESS // 06. SEE BY CHLOE PLATFORMS // 07. MOSS BUNNIES // 08. J. CREW SWIMSUIT // 09. RAINBOW HATCHING EGGS // 10. PIN ART TOY // 11. BODEN STRIPE SHIRT // 12. ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS // 13. LA COQUETA DRESS // 14. MILLE SAFFRON DRESS
P.S. Strange to remember the early days of the pandemic. It does feel like we’re still processing that time, doesn’t it?
P.P.S. The headwater of a Hail Mary.