On Saturday, my husband cleared out the garden beds he fills with wildflower in the summer months, and suddenly, the rose bushes that vine up the side of the house came into view, most of them a dormant, twiggy tangle. But amidst the bark: lo, how a rose e’er blooming! A solitary dusty-peach rose, all on its own. How did it come to bloom in this off-season?
I’ve written so much about this theme of blossoming on your own timetable, but when I see it out in the wild, it feels like a hidden signature, a fragile calling:
You can be one bright color, the beacon bold!
And you can do it whenever you’d like,
even now, on this day shadowed by cloud and cynicism
I want to carry that purpose in my body this week, to fashion myself as an instrument for the kind of brightness that does not so much talk back to pessimism but stands on its own, singly shining. I want to resist the ease and cool of being a downer. How facile it is to forge a connection with another mother over some petty business at school. Why not reach for sincerity instead? How shallow and simple to be a “yes, but–” person, dealing in exceptions and criticisms? Why not reach for “yes, and–“? Let me come home from a cocktail party and list three positive observations about people. Let me remind myself “what does it matter to me?” the next time I reach for judgement. Better still: why not assume the best of intentions? Let me de-thorn myself. Let me let down the guard petals.
Onward —
Post-Scripts.
+On recovering from heartbreak.
Shopping Break.
+This shrunken cashmere sweatshirt is my actual favorite. I own in two colors from last season but…eeek, the new options are SO GOOD. Teak brown?? The nearly sold out green?! LOVE. This short sleeved cardigan they just released is also gorgeous.
+New holiday spectacularness from Tuckernuck!
+I’m on day four of wearing these featherweight Rag and Bone Sofie jeans. When I tell you they are the most comfortable pants I’ve ever worn…! They are ultra-soft (almost brushed in handfeel), featherweight. They basically barely touch your body. OMG! I love. LOVE. My code JEN20 still works at R+B; I can’t rec these more — take your true size. I just cut the hems myself at home for an unfinished look. I also own these jeans in this wash/material, which hugs you in — stretchier, firmer. My favorite pair of black jeans.
+I was just dreaming up an outfit around those black jeans: this leopard tissue turtleneck, these boots, this cardigan over top, this Phillip Lim bag, which I just found hidden in the back of my closet. A note on that cardi: it’s actually one of my sneaky favorite pieces; it has such a great shape and I find I need a black cardigan more than I would have ever expected.
+I just ordered this cashmere cableknit sweater in the perfect chocolate brown.
+I was pretty last minute this year with Halloween; we just ordered the kids costumes (hope they fit…) last weekend, but I did order a couple of cute things to surprise them with on Halloween! I always like to get them holiday jammies, and they’ve already been wearing these and these a lot. I found a really cute pair of $10 Halloween jammies here if you’re still in the market. Anyway, I ordered these cute little tote bags for both kids and plan to have them waiting at the breakfast table on Halloween filled with a couple of goodies: sticker books, a Mondo Lama activity (so up their alley — plus I imagine having them work on it on Saturday morning, in a post-candy haze, while watching the Charlie Brown Halloween and Thanksgiving suite of movies), hair clips! These and more ideas here.
PAJAMAS // HAIR CLIPS // STICKER BOOK // HAUNTED HOUSE ACTIVITY KIT // SQUISHMALLOW SURPRISE // GARLAND // CANVAS BAG // TABLETOP DECOR
+While you’re there: the best inexpensive sheets now come in so many cute prints! I had no idea. Love the tulip one for my daughter. We have the basic white and they’re truly a good quality sheet; I use them interchangeably with sets 3x the price. I also couldn’t resist ordering this DARLING $50 lamp for my daughter’s new desk, and did you see that Studio McGee released a holiday collection? These wicker trees are SO good, as is this tree topper and this bow-bedecked tree skirt, which reminds me of my mom.
+ICYMI: Rothys clogs 25% off!!! Run! If I did a “Magpie Favorite Things” a la Oprah, these would be top of the list. I wear them constantly around the house — all the time, no matter the outfit, and also to carpool — they can be worn outside thanks to the rubber sole! I own in the dove color, but did I just treat myself to the cozy boucle version as well? Of course.
+I’ve been meaning to share this slow-burn favorite face product of mine from Rhode. I love to do all my skincare, let it sink in, and then, a minute before doing my makeup, apply a coat of this all over skin. I don’t know if this is the intention but it really makes makeup go on so beautifully!
+These $150 burgundy suede heels are your Thanksgiving ticket. I actually own a few of this pair of shoes in different colors and they are comfortable and perfect. They have that Manolo vibe but $150!
+Back to Phillip Lim bags: I own and adore this bag in a taupe color (now sold out, but a few other great colors available) and get so, so many compliments on it. I know several of you picked it up last fall, too. It is so unusual and you never see anyone else wearing it. I’m also obsessing over this brushed plaid version of my black bag. (Side note: a larger version of my bag is on sale in this gorgeous chocolate brown!) The shearling is also really cute! I can’t tell you how much wear I’ve gotten out of this shearling crossbody from Soeur (available for a little less at Farfetch for some reason) this fall. It’s kind of surprised me, but it really does work with so much thanks to the neutral colors; it adds this great, unexpected element of texture and fun to any fall outfit.
+Actually love so many things at Soeur this season. Cool French girl flair — understated luxury with a little attitude. I’m into this sherpa vest, this felted wool coat, these silver screen movie star gloves, this sweater. Code JEN10 gets you 10% off sitewide!
COAT // VEST // TROUSERS // BAG // GLOVES // SWEATER
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