Moss.

Looks like decoration,

and has no roots.

But it is also

one of the first plants to grow in the deadlands

abandoned by fire and deforestation.

Listen, anyone—even the overlooked, the underfoot—

can be the green chrism

that anoints the dark places.

Excerpted from Small Wonders.

****

I remember the morning these words came to me. I was straining to make my way up the hardest part of my routine running circuit — a comically steep incline at the top of a very long ascent — and I found myself focusing on the moss that lined the stone retaining wall alongside me, seen below. It was backlit by sun, and I realized that, despite passing it regularly, I’d never really noticed it before, as I was often too fixated on just getting to the top of the hill. This was right after the horrible wildfires in California and I was processing that tragedy and groping after some image, some avatar of hope. As usual, nature shows up right on time.

Post-Scripts.

+More lessons from Mother Nature here, here, here.

+Everything happens in its own perfect time.

Shopping Break.

+These denim shorts look like a perfect look for less for our favorite Agolde Parkers.

+I ordered these new pillows for our family room immediately. We used to have these insanely expensive designer fabric pillows in there but they wore through at the seams! Honestly, it was devastating but then I thought: OK, this is a well-loved place. My kids live here! They sleep on these pillows, they build forts with them. Thinking this will be a better fit for the space and LOVED the patterns!

+While you’re there: this caddy for outdoor dining! CUTE?!

+This $60 dress has been extremely popular among Magpies. Reminds me of the Staud Wells dress (<< currently on sale here in a very chic stripe!)

+Also popular the past few days: this heavy-weight short-sleeved tee.

+We have fresh bedding from Boll and Branch for spring and it’s giving me the best “clean slate” feeling. I chose this washed hydrangea blue set, which has this great lived-in look to it — sort of like your favorite t-shirt and just as soft — with this whipstitch-trim bed blanket.

+Can’t decide which color to get this shoe in, but I love the silhouette and find I reach for mules like these all the time. Raffia would go with everything but I’m drawn to this satin goldenrod or pink suede.

+CHIC denim jacket. I love the way a denim jacket takes everything down a notch. It’s like giving your outfit a cocktail, or letting your outfit’s hair down. Just so good. This works so well with a statement pant (like the Donni Taffeta or the Leset Kyoto or the J. Crew Luna), tee, and statement flat. I also love this unique denim jacket (for less $$) from Tuckernuck.

+OMG how cute is this netted bag with the bows?! Also available in a smaller size. These are such impractical bags but I’m so tempted…

+Reminder that my code — JEN20 — is still valid at Chappywrap! A great gift for yourself. I know we think of blankets with fall coziness, but they are so useful in the summer as a throw blanket for a picnic/beach/late night hang on the adirondacks. They also just released these really joyful lightweight throws that aren’t as heavy as the standard ones. These would be a really great housewarming gift or thank you gift for a grandparent or nanny or someone who has been really helpful to your family during the schoolyear.

+Speaking of gifts, my favorite graduation gift for a teen: a monogrammed canvas tote like this (fun pattern) or this (classic – I like the large with the regular handles as a gift). These do sell out / go into “backorder mode” this time of year, FYI.

+I feel like the aforementioned denim jacket will be useful year-round — but three spring-specific jackets that knocked my socks off, too: this Ulla J (the pattern!), this Julia Amory, and this Sezane (ordered for myself). Looks so good over a white tee with light-wash denim.

+Speaking of Julia Amory, did you see her new dress silhouette?! She called it “her sexy pilgrim dress” — lol! I love a big collar.

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