I have major holiday hangover right now. It took us six hours to get from D.C. to NYC on Saturday (on a good day, it’s a four hour trip), and by the time we got to our building, unpacked, fed mini dinner, and put her to sleep, I felt as though I’d drunk four bottles of wine. I was delirious, hazy, nonsensical. So we ordered Thai, finished the final episode of Season 2 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (the first half of the series was horrendous; the second half incredible), and then I laid in bed putzing around on my phone for about two hours, chasing down insignificant queries I’d been musing over for the better part of the past few days. Below, what’s been on my mind…and also, before I forget, HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE!!!!:
+I love the way 90s “streetwear” labels have boomeranged back into vogue over the past few years. It started with Calvin Klein (thanks to Kendall Jenner, I love — and own in multiples — these bras of theirs), and then Gigi Hadid for Tommy Hilfiger, and suddenly formerly stale labels like Champion seemed cool. I recently saw a very chic lass wearing this Fila sweatshirt (see above for inspo) on her way into a posh gym uptown and I thought, “well hmmm.” Like every other well-intentioned woman in her 20s and 30s, I intend to be a bit more active in the new year, and I’m thinking I’ll start by enrolling in some yoga or pilates classes. To properly motivate myself, I might order aforementioned sweatshirt and a pair of in-the-same-vein leggings, like these. I’m also drawn to these (on sale!) in the pale pink, these, and this coordinating sports bra. And maybe a new pair of APLs. I’m drawn to these in the mid blue. AND. I think I might have just talked myself into buying one of these MZ Wallace totes (I’ve written extensively about my love for their backpack as a mom-on-the-subway) in the silver.
+I had a fantastic massage while on my mini vacation with Mr. Magpie and the massage table was heated. O.M.G. A few of you had written to say that a heated mattress pad had changed your life. I’m jumping on your bandwagon. This is currently in my cart. It appealed to me because it has “dual zones” — as I’m fairly confident Mr. Magpie will never, ever want his side of the bed heated.
+Returning to our petite apartment always has me looking for space-maximizing hacks. I am contemplating buying this for the back of the door to our fairly deep hybrid pantry-and-coat closet; right now we hang a few coats there but I think I’d rather cede that space for a more useful purpose, aka holding our overflow cleaning supplies (and even things like flour and sugar — those shelves look deep!) Reviews are strong.
+I’ve written a lot about white noise machines as a great gift for the holidays, but Mr. Magpie and I don’t use one in our bedroom, as we normally fall asleep with the TV on sleep timer. (I know – – tsk, tsk.) While at home, I noticed my mom had set up a white noise machine in our bedroom (as well as mini’s nursery!) and so had occasion to sleep with it. Oh MAN. I need one, STAT. I immediately thought of the Marpac Dohm, which I have gifted at least twice, to great acclaim, but I liked the fact that my mom’s had various sounds on it. I like the rain and beach settings. This one is currently in my cart, though I’m still searching around to see if I can find one with a remote or app associated as (lazy) I imagine I’ll be flipping it on after we turn off the TV…
+Hanky Panky is having an incredible sale — loads of styles in non-hideous colors available for about 50% off. I ordered a few of these. Can’t live without ’em.
+While in D.C., I was appalled at how dry my feet were. I’d hide them under a blanket any time I had shoes off. And I’d just gotten a pedicure a week prior! Ugh! I am currently debating the merits of this (which looks like a serious business — German! Medicinally packaged!), this (almost 1000 5 star reviews…!), and this. I really trust Origins as a brand; their face mask in particular has been a longtime favorite of mine, and my mom just gave me a tube of this one to try, too. I’m leaning towards the Aveda purely based on strength of review, though.
+My mother gave me a few sets of new Matouk towels for Christmas (joy of joys!): these, with the azure blue piping. I’m thinking I might add the coordinating quilted bathmat with a dramatic monogram to our master bath to complete the look. #Fresh.
+GUYS. I need new shoes like I need a hole in my head, but these beauties are over 50% off and SO ME and STILL AVAILABLE IN MY PIXIE-FOOTED SIZE. (These are 70% off but not in my size anymore…someone needs them badly.) And I don’t need these, right????????? RIGHT?
+Hosting book club in a week and thinking this is just right for the occasion. #VOLUME. Also love this blouson sleeve sweater, or this one (SO GOOD).
+While on this most recent trip, I noticed that my beloved Cuyana cosmetic kits are fraying on the inside — the liner is sort of coming apart and flecking off onto all my makeup, which is not a cute look. I have had them for awhile and used them heavily. I’m debating between ordering a new set or trying one of these Goyard-esque sets, which I’ve heard good things about. I’ve never tried this brand but I’m intrigued by all the personalizable options.
+So many of the kiddo brands I love are running insane sales and I’m having a hard time resisting the urge to buy all.the.things for mini. I’m legitimizing some of the purchases because I’m buying them a size up and saving them for next Christmas. I’m especially excited about this plaid dress, this gingham and this oversized-collar lovely and — OOF — also this dotted sweet thing, and this dress. Not on sale, but I love this petal-collar situation.
P.S. My favorite things: winter 2018 edition, practical advice on preparing for motherhood, and some of my all-time favorite products.
I hear you about being more active! Last year I resolved to join a gym, and admittedly did a good job about going all year … until mid-November, when I started traveling so much that I barely went once during the last six weeks of the year. Definitely feeling the need to start my routine back up again, and I invested in a new Outdoor Voices set to help motivate me. 🙂 Yoga and pilates are a great way to get back into the swing of things … I also like barre as well!
Speaking of workout gear — how do you find leggings as a fellow height-challenged person? I tend to stick to capri-length (which are more like ankle-length on me) … OV’s 3/4-length leggings are basically full-length on me, so I have them in about 5 colorways. I love the look of brands like Alo but feel like they’ll be long on me! Do you get yours tailored? xo
Hi! I don’t get them tailored — I probably commit a faux pas and just wear them a little bunchy in the legs :/ Alo does run a little long. If possible, I stick to capri length like you do 🙂 xo
Thanks so much! For some reason, bunchy leggings are one of my pet peeves, so I tend to bypass any brands that don’t come in 3/4 or 7/8 length. This is good intel on Alo. Le sigh… first world problems! xo
the best thing I have ever ever ever used on my dry feet has been the Kopari coconut melt. A tiny smear after the shower and then on go my socks. I swear I now have baby feet. I love it for a total body lotion actually and I have super sensitive skin and it has been the only thing I can use after I shave and won’t break out with. But for the feet and elbows, it’s a game changer.
Ooo, I’ve heard really good stuff about Kopari’s melt. Great tip. Love that it’s versatile, too — can be used elsewhere! xo
Ugh post-holiday travel was BRUTAL this year. Even though we flew back home a couple of days after Christmas, there were so many issues lingering from the day before that there was a very real chance we’d have to had spend 2 days in Dallas. Luckily, everything worked out.
When my feet get terribly dry (seemingly all the time now, given I almost only wear sandals these days), I use heel genius at night with socks. Works like a dream.
And all these baby clothing sales are killing me – but I’m a bit wary of buying and storing for awhile now as the baby is starting to get particular over what she wears! It started with her shoes (and NOT wearing mittens while back east even though it was freezing –
plus nobody around her could wear them either, sigh) and I fear that her clothes will follow suit. As long as she’s still willing to wear bows though…
Oh MAN, Jennifer — I hadn’t even thought about that! Mini can also be stubborn about putting on socks/shoes and taking off said socks/shoes. And we just can’t get a mitten or hat to stay put. But so far I’ve had no complaints about clothing…fingers crossed. So hard to say no to these precious looks, right?! xo
I can’t believe my first time commenting on this blog will be to recommend a foot care product, but the Baby Foot Peel seriously works. It is so (so) disgusting and you should probably plan to do it when Mr. Magpie goes out of town but your feet will be as advertised-as soft as a baby-afterwards. We have a Dohm in every bedroom in our house and I travel with them I love them so much. I’m impressed you live in NYC and don’t have a sound machine!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Oo thanks for the rec. Had actually never heard of that product before. I am comparing it to another foot peel mask on Amazon by Lavinso and am swayed by the slightly stronger reviews (and lower price) on the latter…but will definitely be trying one or the other. Thanks for the caveat, too 🙂
Will be joining you in the white noise machine obsession crowd soon!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
xx
Tried to say “A huge sigh”. I hate spell checker!! ;(
Me too — but I got it 🙂 xo
I was thrilled beyond words that you are going to get the heated mattress pad! It’s a GAME CHANGER!!! My husband turns his side on as he begins to get ready for bed, then climbs into a warm bed (did I say HEAVEN!) and turns it off. Who doesn’t love getting into a warm bed and releasing a HUGE with and a vocal Awwwww! You MUST!
I have a Barrington bag and love it! Very well made and looks fantastic. I am a monogram freak, so of course I love it!
Enjoy your day!
Happy New Year!
Yes! Thanks for the TWO recs 🙂 Happy new year! xoxo
Cannot recommend a Marpac white noise machine enough. It’s been the best baby product we bought and at 15 our “baby” still uses it. When we moved into the city we bought one for our room to combat all the street noise. I always make sure there is room in our luggage for it when we travel too.
Happy New Year!
Hmm this is really making it hard for me to choose what to buy!!! Thanks for writing in!!! xoxo
I drove south from NJ to NC on Saturday and it was brutal! And everything here is totally in line with my thoughts for the new year – I have a new vigor to get things together after having some much-needed time off. I guess that’s what’s great about rest, huh? Top-of-mind is the never-ending battle to get my downsized space organized, and to add things I love to where I live. Happy new year!! xo
Yes! I love how a little break can reinvigorate everything. Same page!