+”ALL WE ARE IS WRITERS AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS WRITE”: I enjoyed this (slightly acerbic!) letter from Hemingway to Fitzgerald, which reads something like a bucket of cold water over the head (warning: language!). I especially loved his lines: “You see, Bo, you’re not a tragic character. And neither am I. All we are is writers and what we should do is write.” I think sometimes we (I) can overcomplicate the straight-forward. What does it mean to be a writer? What does it mean to be creative? Questions of identity, quality, craft, reception, etc. But then there is the clean answer that — if you are born to write, you write. I love that simplicity.
+GATSBY REVISITED: The scene from Gatsby with the shirts and Daisy/Jay is a touchstone moment in my adolescent imagination. I suspect the same to be true of many Magpies? The opulence and waste against the barely-submerged wreck of emotions? The wild immaturity of their actions, the feeling of things unfolded and heaped? It’s such an evocative moment.
For some reason — even though I did enjoy the Leo version more generally and could buy him as Jay — this scene from the most recent adaptation didn’t do it for me? It didn’t capture the hazy imprecision, the absurdity of it? I can’t put my finger on why and now I want to rewatch the movie in its entirety to gather my thoughts on the matter. I think it might have to do with the laughter and the narration. The text is imagistic and more powerful for it. Thoughts and opinions?
+NEW BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATIONS: Speaking of book to screen adaptations, I just tucked into the BBC adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s Trespasses, which I absolutely loved in book format. So far, the screen version has remained highly faithful to the movie, and I love the casting of Michael Agnew (so handsome!). It features Gillian Anderson (brilliant) and was just made available to the US on PBS. I know a lot of Magpie readers were also thrilled about the just-released-to-Prime adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s “The Love Hypothesis,” too! Hazelwood is not my personal favorite of the romance authors (cringing at that admission, as my sister LOVES her), but I will absolutely watch.
+20% OFF THE MUST-OWN BOOT FOR FALL: Reminder that these perfect boots — which sell out in the brown color every year — are currently 20% off. A perfect fall everyday boot. Rain-resistant, super comfortable, flattering on the ankle. I like them with jeans (kick flare, wide leg, classic) and also with dresses!
+ARE QUESTIONS ARE MORE ROMANTIC THAN COMPLIMENTS?: I thought this was interesting take! Certainly attention is a form of love. Certainly taking an active interest in someone else’s interests is a form of affection and tenderness. Then again, I often think about the stranger who said, in response to my post “10 I Love Yous”: “You can also just say I love you. So few people know to do that.” Food for thought!
+ANOTHER MDLO PINNED OUTFIT: Gosh, this outfit made me STOP and stare. I love everything! The tie-front blouse, the color play of burgundy against cerulean, the silhouette! Even the subtle nod to track pant styling, but made fancy in the form of velvet trousers!
I am absolutely loving the tie-front blouse/knitwear trend this season. A few favorites:
THIS CHARMING BODEN — USE CODE RMNV FOR 15% OFF
THIS TWP (ON SALE!) — LOOK FOR LESS HERE
THIS MADEWELL (UPGRADE PICK: TWP)
THIS ME + EM KNIT TEE — SEEN BELOW; RECEIVED AND OBSESSED!!!
You can wear this knit tee so many ways! With the scarf tied in front, with it untied in the front, worn like a bandana, without the scarf at all (it detaches from a button in the back)! And the front can zip up or down! SO GOOD. Comes in three great colors.
ALL OUTFIT DETAILS HERE
+READING ON THE RISE?: I found these stats interesting! I feel like I’m constantly fed the opposite news thread — that younger generations are reading less and less, that we have shorter and shorter attention spans, etc! — and some of the comments on this post point out that higher sales does not necessarily mean more readership. For example, existing readers could be reading more, or borrowing more from the library because they can’t afford to purchase books, etc. Still, hard not to find encouragement in the growth of independent booksellers!
+PROMO CODES!: We just created this hub for the best promo codes we have going on right now! I often receive emails/DMs asking for codes (you’re welcome to message me any time!) but I thought this could be helpful. You can always find it under the “Shop” Tab in the menu at the top of this webpage!
+SPEAKING OF SHERPA…: On the heels of my post on this theme (topseller: my little Marine Layer vest! BTW, I just discovered this is reversible!! The inside is a really cute ribbed plush/knit!), Marea just launched the cutest sherpa collection! I ordered this. It’s too good!
+CYKLAR LOVE: Just a moment to rave about Cyklar’s Naked Neroli products. The promise of the scent alone makes me look forward to shower day, and then all of their products are packed with skincare grade ingredients — despite being reasonably priced! I was introduced to this brand by enthusiastic Magpies last year and cannot quit. I now buy the body lotion in quantities of 2-3. They have some really great bundles right now, including this shower luxury set featuring their new semi-solid body scrub and this essentials set. These are on my shortlist as Christmas gifts for sisters/girlfriends this year!
+BIG BEAUTY SALE: Blue Mercury is offering 20% off almost everything this weekend. Brand inclusion to note: Dr. Diamond Metacine, which you can rarely get for more than 15% off! I use and love a lot of their products. I’ve been hooked on their plasma for the past six months straight (I use in lieu of a serum after vitamin c), I’m on my second tube of this eye “biolift” serum (pricey but lasts a long time — I find this incredible for depuffing and firming the eye area), and I’ve become a major believer in this liplift product. It brings color back into the lip and makes lips look full and plump — they say it “fills in the lines” in your lips. I am really pleased with the result. I notice as I age my lips have less color on their own! This really solves for that without being a true lip balm / gloss. It’s almost a liquid sensation.
Also, this bronzer (in the luminous bronze color) is my BEST COSMETIC DISCOVERY of the past few years. Have I mentioned it? I should credit the discovery to one of my mom friends who shared this over dinner last year. Her daughter (a high school student) had introduced it to her and lo and behold it is the most incredible bronze. Believably and super glowy / radiant looking.
Finally, this night cream! Viral for a good reason! They call myoxinol “nature’s botox.”
+BESTSELLERS: We are loving this dream-glow polo sweatshirt from Rhone! Obsessed with that sky blue color. Use code SHOOP20. A perfect mid or top layer for athleisure right now.
01. RHONE DREAM GLOW POLO SWEATSHIRT
02. THE ENTIRE RHOBACK GAMEDAY COLLECTION – OUTFIT YOURSELF AND YOUR HUSBAND FOR AUTUMN FOOTBALL!
03. GORGEOUS TAFFETA SKIRT (I ORDERED TOO)
04. MADEWELL PERSONALIZED SWEATSHIRT (CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS HERE)
05. SIDE-STRIPE TROUSER JEANS (CHIC CHIC CHIC; UPGRADE PICK HERE)
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