Site icon Magpie by Jen Shoop

Moorings.

Every other morning, Mr. Magpie rises with the children at six, permitting me an extra two hours to doze, or luxuriate in that nether-world J.M. Barrie called “the place between sleep and awake, where you can still remember dreaming,” or lay in bed, thinking.

These early hours by myself moor me. I wonder, I read, I pray, I close my eyes and remember that in spite of the tremendous upheaval around us, the feel of my head on my pillow and the silky-cool of the sheets beneath me will not.

Other moorings:

+Books I treasure.

+My mother.

+Prayer.

+Good food.

+My siblings.

+Golden moments.

+Songs that transport me to happy days.

+My children.

+My husband.

Blessings, all–and moorings, too.

What’s mooring you these days?

Post-Scripts.

+Kind of into this midi-length nightgown, which reminds me of what my mother wore when I was growing up.

+Also eyeing this $25 nightgown for summer.

+The cut of this $88 dress feels very LoveShackFancy or Ulla Johnson. Into it.

+PSA: I have been stocking our activity supply bins with materials from Michael’s — Amazon is sold out of so much, or boasting absurd prices, but you can still buy washable paint at a reasonable price at Michael’s.

+Speaking of: I continue to update my roundup of toddler activities post! One major hit this week was Mother Could’s wipe-clean play boards. All you need is cardboard, shipping tape, and washable paint. Mini LOVED this activity.

+Just ordered mini some of this wash-off nail polish so we can do a manicure morning some time soon. I just know she’s going to go wild over the blue color — “blue is my FAVORITE COLOR,” she says, at least three times a day. I am honestly not crazy about my three-year-old wearing nail polish, but this stuff washes off in the bathtub!

+Love the idea of wearing this tunic over a white swimsuit (<<on sale!).

+That swimsuit would also be ultrachic with these ($35!) white linen joggers, or this beyond adorable lemon-print skirt (also available in chic dress form!)

+Such a sweet dress — has a Luli & Me vibe, but costs about a third of what that brand would charge.

+Love all of California Baby’s products, but especially their detangler and their bubble bath.

+The quiet hour.

+Officially hooked on this French pharmacy facial lotion. I wish they sold it in bigger sized tubes!

+Hill is eerily close to walking…I have now seen him stand, unassisted, for stretches of five or ten seconds, on his own. AHHH. In a haze of anticipation, I ordered him summer walker shoes: these sandals in the tan color and his first pair of Cienta t-straps (in navy — but I also love this denim/mid-blue colorway). Also eyeing these boat shoes and these itty bitty NBs.

+OH – and in my hunt for Cientas in Hill’s tiny foot size, I came across a bunch of amazing pairs on SUPER sale: I love these green ones and these red ones (sadly neither small enough for Hill).

+Contemplating this easy-to-wear pink caftan (on sale!) as a new entrant into my “quarantine night gown dressing” category.

+Spring style steals for under $100.