Just Another Week of Adulthood.

Ho-hum, just another week of adulthood:

+On Saturday, I received my come-uppance for cheating on Amazon Prime.  I had placed an order for this Boon baby bathtub from Jet.com, Amazon’s competitor.  (Mini has outgrown her Puj sink insert tub, which I’ve loved.)  I did so because the same style at Amazon says it will ship in 1-2 months (?).  Well, the Jet order came and the bathtub was speckled with some sort of sticky yellow liquid substance (trying really hard not to say the word urine, but there it is — that’s what it looked like.  Urine.  URINE!) and A DEAD BUG.  Blblblblb?  Mr. Magpie and I marveled for about 30 minutes about how this could have happened.  Jet clearly has a long way to go when it comes to its ops — how could QA let something like that be packaged?!  It’s one thing to find something damaged in transit, but to have something clearly stained and disgusting be boxed and shipped?!  So.  Not going to take any risks on Jet in the future, because now I have the added delight of needing to rebox the tub in the ENORMOUS box they shipped it in, tote it to the nearest Fedex center, and wait on a refund.  Another delightful detail: I tried to initiate the return on my phone while nursing mini, and after the usual rigmarole of forgetting my password and having to re-set it and then cursing myself for having such a long email handle, which is oh-so-un-fun to type with one hand on a smartphone, I learned that Jet.com does not permit you to process returns on their mobile site.  WOOHOO!!!!  Sooo I went ahead and ordered the one from Amazon.  Mini can deal with her legs sticking out over the edge for another few weeks…and Jet.com is now blacklisted from the Magpie shopping universe.

+On Sunday, we realized our hot water was not working.  One $600 plumber trip later, we’re back in business.  Perfect timing, too, as we have a lot of family coming into town this weekend for minimagpie’s Baptism.  Not stressful at all.  (As our laundry basket of minimagpie’s soiled clothing was mounting.)

+On Monday, we set out for our usual 3-mile morning walk with three goals in mind: purchase coffee filters for our pour-over coffee ritual at the one coffee shop we’ve found that carries the brand Mr. Magpie prefers, pick up dry-cleaning, and ensure mini magpie takes her morning snooze while on said walk.  Foiled, thrice.  The shop was out of filters; the dry cleaner asked me to come back later in the day; and Emory resisted sleep until the moment we’d turned back onto our street.

+In preparation for said Baptism, we have had the housekeepers do a deep clean, sent Tilden to the groomer’s, and made about fifteen trips to various stores (Costco, Binny’s Liquor, Mauriano’s grocery about five distinct times, our butcher, etc.).

Nothing out of the ordinary here for any other adult, but does it ever feel like your entire life is just one long cycle of errands and mishaps?  (P.S. — More signs that I’ve become an adult.)

On a cheerier note: 10 picks.  Also, perhaps I should take a moment to cool off and revisit all the things I love right now…

Pick No. 1: Statement Earring.

How rad are these spattered/speckled metal earrings from Sibilia ($88)?  Also love these ($78).  I tend to get a lot of compliments when I wear jewelry that’s on the edgy side — I think because my fashion sensibility tends toward the feminine/ladylike, and the contrast is that much more stark.  For example, I always get a lot of comments on these beauties by Mignonne Gavigan ($125), which I’ve worn with everything from a navy cocktail dress to jeans and a t-shirt.

Pick No. 2: The Striped Flat.

How freaking adorable are these striped flats ($75 — other colors available, too!)?  The inner prep in me loves them.

Pick No. 3: The Striped Dress.

Speaking of striped and preppy, I loveeee this striped dress ($80).  It feels like the perfect “back-to-school” pick, even though I’m not in school anymore…I’m imagining it with my white Rockstuds ($775) for a work meeting.

Pick No. 4: The Leather Bag.

I’m obsessed with this new structured leather tote from Cuyana ($195) — it looks like the more expensive Mansur Gavriel totes that always fly off the shelves.  I think I might need the black one — I just realized I don’t own a black tote!  SO CHIC.

Pick No. 5: The Bib Top.

I guess I’m beginning to think about my fall wardrobe because, looking at the above, I’m struck that most of them are perfect transition-to-fall pieces — the bib top below ($59) being no exception.

 Pick No. 6: The New Glasses.

In a similar back-to-school vein: I’ve had the same eyeglass frames for like ten years.  I wear contacts on a daily basis but every now and then opt to give my old peepers a rest.  I just decided I’d like to upgrade my eyewear by trying out Warby Parker — which I’m sure everyone has already heard of, but you can order them for at-home try-on for FREE!  I am torn between the Finch ($95 — a classic!) and the Rose ($95 — a little more of a statement!), so I ordered these for comparison’s sake.  Stay tuned!

 Pick No. 7: The New Kicks.

I already own a pair of gray Supergas, but recently saw a chic pea wearing a pair of navy ones ($65) and I think I need them.  I wear mine with everything from a striped maxi to jeans and a tee.   (Speaking of stripes: I am pretty much dying over the cute striped basics from Pam & Gela, like this henley, and this bow-trimmed sweatshirt.  And more striped favorites here.  Am I nuts to also want this Fifth Label striped tee?  It looks so comfy.  Perfect with my favorite lounge pants.)

 Pick No. 8: The Bow-Shouldered Polka Dot Top.

OK, I’m sorry if you’re tired of bow-shouldered everything (and because I’m sure you’re dying to know, the white eyelet dress I ordered for mini’s Baptism DID arrive and it is perfect!), but this silky J. Crew top ($88)!!!  I’m in LOVE.

 Pick No. 9: The Patterned Scarf.

I raved about my obsession with bandana-print pieces recently, and Intermix just put a bunch of Manipuri scarves on sale PLUS an extra 30% off.  I love this equestrian print one ($59, plus 30% off ) and this pastel pink one ($59 plus 30% off).  Wear wrapped around your wrist or your bag handle, or even in your hair.  ALSO: these adorable Alexandre Birman gingham sandals are on sale for $174!!!  I wish they were in my size.

 Pick No. 10: The Monogrammed Acrylic Pitcher.

Some of my most-used serving wear pieces include a monogrammed acrylic pitcher and set of matching tumblers.  They’re perfect for summer entertaining — no risk of broken glass, and they tend to retain the temperature a bit better than glass.  Mine were a gift from Pottery Barn, I believe, but I found a super affordable source on Etsy: get your own monogrammed pitcher for $30!  Great gift, too!