Site icon Magpie by Jen Shoop

Micro-Queries, Micro-Thoughts.

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.