If I could have authored anything in the world, I would probably pick this exquisite haiku-like poem by New Zealander poet Ian Burgham:
These four lines resonate with me and my perception of my relationship with Mr. Magpie, conveying with succinct and at the same time expansive beauty the way in which so much of the world now arrives filtered through him and the lens of our life together. To me, this is poetry in its purest form: compressed emotion. I’m heavily swayed by the imagist poetics of Ezra Pound {I studied him closely while pursuing my M.A. in literature}, so I suppose I’m primed to respond strongly to poetry of this sort, but something about the shorthanded gesture of this four-line art piece feels like poetry should. It reads to me like a catch in the throat, a wince. But before I {literally} wax poetic on the above lines, and lest I digress too far from my original intent with this post:
And, in far less elegant prose, this is my other birthday message to you:
{get the print from Rockett St. George}
…and SCENE. Just had to throw some birthday love to Mr. Magpie, but now that I’ve successfully grossed you all out, I’ll turn to topics that will hopefully be more applicable to all of you: Valentine’s Day, which is just around the corner. I know, I know. Some of you consider it a “Hallmark Holiday”; others downright dread it. But since I love all holidays, I gladly embrace the occasion. Especially since it centers so delightfully on one of my favorite color combos: red and pink. And, listen up, all of you Magpie Men out there: below, a couple of lovely gifteroos to send along to your favorite magpie. First: who wouldn’t love this retro airmail-style stationery set (Lanvin, $95, Net-A-Porter)?
An old-fashioned love letter never goes out of style. Or – saw this old-school locketed diary ($370, Smythson), and just about died reminiscing over the dozens of locket-clasp diaries I kept as a young girl/moody pre-teen. Recreate that feeling of secrecy by gifting her this with a dramatic (Clueless era) feather pen ($63, Farfetch — or get the look for much less with this style for only $4.50 at Amazon):
Or, go the racier route with some lovely lingerie. Eberjey has a bunch of pieces in cheery pinks and reds ($36 for top, $32 for bottom — both from Journelle)
Too intimate? Try a lovely silken robe ($49-$52, Victoria’s Secret) instead:
Consider packaging it with some luxe, beautifully-bottled perfume. I am smitten with Fracas ($95, Sephora) and ESPECIALLY with Narcisco Rodriguez’s For Her scent (I keep finding myself in Sephora, spraying more on my self — $108, Bloomingdale’s):
Any perfume would be a lovely gift packaged with a perfume applicator ($44, A + R Store), which she can fill with any perfume of her choice:
If she’s less into lingerie and more into loungewear, how about this funky little kiss-print sweatshirt (~$30, TopShop) and a pack of days-of-the-week underwear (what a throwback! — Stella McCartney, $195, Net-A-Porter):
If she’s a clothes-horse (and my guess is that she is if she reads TFM), a girl can never go wrong with a classic wrap dress, especially in this just-right-for-the-occasion lipstick print (DVF, $365, Net-A-Porter):
Or — how about a heart-buckled belt (on sale for $122, StyleBop), a heart-print scarf ($95, Ban.Do), or the ultimate: a pair of classic red-soled Louboutins. I guarantee you’d make a woman weak in the knees with this Barbie pink pair. It’s the the stuff of dreams ($945, Barney’s):
If you have a serious fashion plate on your hands, these studded Valentino flats ($795, Net-A-Porter) would absolutely take her breath away. Or they would me. LOVE.
If it’s jewelry you’re after, a simple pair of heart-shaped hoops would be a lovely surprise ($68, Andrew Hamilton Crawford):
And it doesn’t get much sweeter than a necklace that literally spells things out for her…and encrusts it in diamonds ($1,610, Sydney Evan):
If something a little subtler is more up your alley, these small filled studs caught my eye. I love them in the rose gold ($90, Alex and Chloe):
And if you’re just not ready to say it in hearts and words, you can still get the message across with a sparkly bracelet (on sale for $49 PLUS TODAY ONLY extra 40% off with coupon code OURTREAT — J. Crew):
If your lady is more into delicate pieces, Saskia Diez has some lovely heart-accented pieces, like this ring (~$85), this bracelet (~$100), and these earrings (~$175)
Or, ensure that you are always on her mind with one of these “forget me knot” rings ($50 for colored styles; $300 for gold — Kiel Mead):
For something smaller, check out this cute lipstick-print iPhone case (DVF, $28, Nordstrom), a travel-size rose-scented hand cream (love this stuff — $10, L’Occitaine), or a heart-shaped coin purse ($160, Mulberry):
Or, how about these little friendship bracelets with heart charms at the end (~$20, Saskia Diez), or a simple heart key ring accent ($60, Smythson)?
Now, if you are a die-hard romantic, you might go with one of these beautiful pieces from Georgia-based company Sugarboo. They use reclaimed and organic-looking materials (think burlap and recovered wood) to create beautiful wall art with lovely phrases atop. I think these would be beautiful in a nursery — but also as meaningful way to get the point across to your loved one:
I have to say that I was gob-smacked by this beautiful letter from a mother to her children. So sweet. Wouldn’t it be beautiful to frame on a wall in your home?
OK, and scene. Lest I get too misty-eyed over here. In closing: a little love message from ME to YOU. Or rather, from the ah-may-zing folks behind Etsy storefront Rocks Paper Metal, who have oh-so-kindly offered ONE LUCKY READER a pair of these bomb neon earrings:
All you have to do is to leave a comment on this post saying what you’d wear them with. Oh, and be a peach and like them on Facebook. {And while you’re at it, consider liking me on Facebook and/or following me on Twitter. Or Pinterest. Or Tumblr. Sheesh, I’m all over the map. But let’s be social with each other in one medium or another!} I’ll announce a winner this Thursday morning!
I’d wear the yellow with a white tank, a hot pink Anthro maxi skirt I got last summer, and my cropped black leather jacket for some edge during these transitional months. Or I’d wear either color with my tallest, coolest black booties, skinny jeans, a white tee and that same black leather jacket for the ultimate cool girl outfit.
Love the neon yellow! I would love them to add pizzazz to my work wardrobe (aka suits). I’m envisioning a slim cut black skirt suit, black & white abstract printed silk top, black tights, and sky-high black suede heels. A little pop of neon to get rid of mid-week wardrobe boredom.
Oooh! Beautiful. Where is the blouse from? Need that.
Unfortunately the top is Banana circa 2008. But I do love these equally interesting black/white printed tops to add graphic appeal to a suit – BR Mod Pinktuck Shell (http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35356&vid=1&pid=450927&scid=450927002) and Derek Lam (http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/10-Crosby-Derek-Lam-Abstract-Print-Top-Contemporary/prod146180490/?ecid=NMCIGoogleBaseFeed&003=5840816&010=T4VMW&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=prod146180490skuJET).
Love them! I think they would look great with a black bathing suit coverup and a tan poolside!
Perfection — love the way they’d pop against the black!
So, I’m a Boston girl living in DC so in true New England fashion… I would wear the YELLOW ONES (love love love!!) with a nautical blue and white stripe top, tortoise shell Persol glasses, a hot pink gauzy sweater draped around my shoulders, clean, tailored and unfussy J.Crew khakis (hey, they were good enough for prep school ten years ago, no? why fix something that isn’t broken?), a CHUNKY gold Michael Kors watch, my go-to Bass and Co. loafers (pennies required) and a pop of peony pink lipstick.
Love it — classic Bass loafers! OMG. Some classics just never go out of style. Thanks for sharing, Kristen!
skinnies, wide striped 3/4 sleeve sweater, and flats! love them!
I know, aren’t they bomb? Thanks for entering, Sarah!
Hmm I would wear these on my honeymoon with a fabulous dress of course, in April after I marry my favorite person 🙂
Love that! Congrats on your (quickly) upcoming wedding! xoxo
I need to stop reading this during work hours…alas
I love that you noted on one of my favorite holidays as well – people who poo-poo on Valentine’s Day need a reality check: It’s a holiday that celebrates LOVE. And not just love of a significant other but family and friends too. Doesn’t our world need a little more loving? I say Valentine’s Day should be every day!
I digress.
To answer your question, I think those earrings would look FABULOUS with a black bikini, white caftan mini dress, some gold jack rogers and a TAN. And don’t forget the enorma-shades…
Can you tell I’m getting cabin fever?
Haha, love it. I’m totes on the same page about Valentine’s Day. And only you would come up with such a fab beach-time look! Miss you, Trish!
I’ve been looking for a little Valentine’s Day present to myself, and these earrings are definitely it! I’d love to pair them with a black velvet blazer with a white bow blouse and pencil skirt or wear them in the spring/ summer with a little white dress. Awesome way to add a pop of color!
Oh man, Katie. You are talking my language — I’ve been on the prowl for a nice bow-front blouse, and now I definitely need to find one and then buy these earrings to make this outfit a reality. Also, love that you’re buying yourself a Valentine’s Day prezzie.
LOVE these – so bright and fun!! I would wear them to my brother’s beach wedding in the Mayan Riviera:)
OMG can totally see you rocking them at a beach wedding. Amazing.
With a white oxford, and skinny jeans tucked into boots. Maybe a matching belt.
Can’t go wrong with that — now I’m wondering where I can find a neon belt…
I am LOVING the neon earrings!!
I would go out for a fun girls lunch wearing
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this lightly striped v neck from Nordstrum’s for 64 that’s flowy and casual and I would pair that with….
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these hot and fun neon skinny jeans also from Nordstrum’s for 160. And to pump the look up a notch I would add…
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this AMAZING bomber jacket from the back of my closet.
I would top this whole “neon rocker” outfit off with…
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these fun leather shoes made by pedro garcia grazia for 195
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this Jason Wu tote that’s on my wish list! (and is on sale for valentines day for 1595)
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this watch to make sure I’m on time for lunch, and I just love the pure white that just kind of cleans up the whole outfit. Annnnddd…last but not least, I would throw my hair back in a long curly/flow-y braid and pop in…
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THESE super cute earrings from rocks paper metal that will make my outfit say “yes I know I am wearing a bomber jacket and shoes with buckles but I am still super classy and like to look pretty”
Thanks for reading!
Aw! Wow, so impressed with all of the thought you put into it! Loveee. That Jason Wu tote is TDF — just saw it at Neiman’s on Sunday and pretty much passed out in the aisle with label lust. Thanks for entering, Clarissa!
You know me, I’m not much of one for bold or edgy looks, so I’d probably wear them with a plain structured black dress and a pretty updo, a la Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (minus the necklace). Plus black stockings & heels.
… I’m the girl who hates color, apparently. Except in those earrings.
Haha — love it, little Bella! I can totally see you rocking that.
We are two peas in a pod. That’s exactly what I’m wearing today…thanks for entering, Natalie, aka my soul mate!
Aah the earrings are TO DIE! I’m picturing them pop against my navy school boy blazer, skinnies, and flats.
Love the earrings! They’re both modern and classic. I’d wear them with an edgy, draped LBD and black suede platform pumps.
Love it! I’d style them the same way! Thanks for reading!