Over champagne in NYC a few weeks ago, my chic girlfriend Stephanie asked, “What are you asking for this year?” I don’t need a thing, and Mr. Magpie and I like to surprise one another anyhow, but the first item that sprang to mind was a pair of fabulous, flat statement boots. I have been wanting to buy a new pair of everyday boots for a few seasons now — something dressier than my No 6 clog boots and with a bit more flair than the Madewells I’ve been wearing quite a bit this season. “I’m too practical to wear heels nowadays,” I admitted sheepishly. It’s true. I even think twice before putting on my beloved kitten heeled Aquazzura boots because it is hard to run after a three year old in any kind of heel! I immediately thought of Nicholas Kirkwood’s Casati series — especially these tall boots — but, like, a pair of Chanel lace-ups or Gucci logo ones would be epic. (Would I find the logo too limiting?). If you’re on a similar wavelength but aren’t as interested in something quite as flashy, I personally think these simple and elegant ones from Alexandre Birman or these Everlanes would be the perfect mates with literally any outfit.
Two items on this list I’ve lusted after forever are a pair of Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra earrings (would wear every day) and the Celine Sangle bag. I’ve been hoping to buy the bag for myself after hitting a personal milestone but still have a ways to go.
A few other items on my ultimate wish list…
01. EMILIA WICKSTEAD CLOQUE DRESS — SWOON. IT’S A TOSS UP BETWEEN SOMETHING BY EMILIA WICKSTEAD OR SOMETHING BY MARKARIAN, BUT EITHER WAY, A DRESS I’D NEVER BUY MYSELF BUT WOULD PINCH MYSELF WEARING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE
02. VAN CLEEF & ARPELS ALHAMBRA STUDS
03. GINORI TEACUP — THIS WOULD SPARK JOY EVERY MORNING WHILE ENJOYING THE 6.8 OZ OF COFFEE I DRINK EACH MORNING
04. DIOR LIP GLOW OIL — A SPLURGEY BEAUTY FRIVOLITY THAT I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY
05. GUCCI VERSIBLE LOGO CARDIGAN — IT’S SO EXTRA BUT SO GOOD…TWO LOOKS IN ONE, WEAR AS A SWEATER OR COAT, ETC.
07. ASHA HEART CHARM BRACELET — JUST SO BEAUTIFUL…I LOVE CHARM BRACELETS BUT ESPECIALLY THE MOTHER OF PEARL HEART ON THIS ONE
08. HEATHER SOICHER CERAMIC OWL — THESE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE OBJETS COME WITH A SCROLL OF WISDOM SEALED INSIDE…I FEEL LIKE THIS WOULD BE SUCH A SPECTACULAR TREASURE FROM A LOVED ONE
09. OLYMPIA LE TAN BOOK CLUTCH — THESE ARE JUST BEYOND GORGEOUS, AND COMBINE TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: FASHION AND BOOKS
10. SMYTHSON 2023 DIARY — I’M CONVINCED THIS WOULD GIVE ME EVEN MORE CONTROL IN MY LIFE…IT’S JUST THE PEAK OF ELEGANT DAILY DESKTOP ORGANIZATION
11. DYSON AIRWRAP — PEOPLE LOSE THEIR MINDS OVER THIS STYLING TOOL AND…I AM DESPERATE TO TRY IT
12. SAUCONY ENDORPHIN SPEED 3 RUNNING SHOES — THESE HAVE BEEN ON MY SHOPPING LIST FOR MONTHS NOW BUT I KEEP PUTTING THEIR PURCHASE OFF IN FAVOR OF OTHER THINGS…MY DAD SWEARS BY THEM!
13. DR. BARBARA STURM GLOW DROPS — HAVE WANTED TO TRY THIS BRAND FOREVER, AND SPECIFICALLY THESE GLOW DROPS…
14. CROPPED JACKET — CHANEL VIBES FOR LESS
15. NIKE DAYBREAKS — THESE ARE JUST CRAZY CHIC AND A BETTER PRICE THAN THE LOEWE FLOWS I’VE ALSO HAD MY EYE ON…BUT I ALSO LOVE THESE SIMILARLY PRICED ONITSUKAS
16. JENNI KAYNE SATURDAY SWEATPANTS — THESE LOOK ABSOLUTELY PERFECT
17. THE ODYSSEY TRANSLATED BY EMILY WILSON (HARDCOVER) — I HAVE WANTED TO MAKE MY WAY THROUGH WILSON’S TRANSLATION FOR A LONG TIME…WILSON IS A BAD ASS*! PLUS, THIS WOULD LOOK AMAZING ON OUR NEW BUILT-INS
18. FAT DADDIO CAKE PANS — THESE ANODIZED ALUMINUM PANS MAKE A HUGE (HUGE, HUGE) DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTCOME OF BAKING PROJECTS, TO THE EXTENT THAT STELLA PARKS ADVISES AGAINST BAKING CERTAIN THINGS IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE TINS. I HAVE A BUNCH OF ROUND ONES BUT WANT SOME SQUARE/RECTANGULAR!
19. DRYBAR GIFT CARD — ONE OF MY FAVORITE INDULGENCES IS HAVING MY HAIR BLOWN OUT
*The back copy reads: “A fresh, authoritative version―the first English translation of The Odyssey by a woman―this stirring tale of shipwrecks, monsters, and magic comes alive in an entirely new way. Written in iambic pentameter verse and a vivid, contemporary idiom, this engrossing translation matches the number of lines in the Greek original, thus striding at Homer’s sprightly pace and singing with a voice that echoes Homer’s music.”
A few fashion items currently at the top of my shopping list (more likely that I will buy myself): this pair of fabulous feathered pajamas I’ve eyed for two seasons now, this embellished maxi dress (NYE?), this Le Lion cardigan, and these legging/joggers (on sale in select colors here).
P.S. Festive Zara finds.
P.P.S. Marriage is an act of optimism.
P.P.P.S. Office upgrades.
my husband surprised me with the dyson airwrap for my birthday last year (honestly still shocked he knew it existed?) – it was on my radar in a “wonder if it would work for me / way too expensive though / probably not worth the effort to learn” way, but i’m astounded by how much i love it. i use the two curling sizes constantly, one for classic curls, one of more of a bouncy blowout look, plus i love the regular blowdrying function and have even managed to perfect the round brush technique… many thanks to tiktok tutorials for all of those different functions! i even pack it in the included travel bag for quick work/social getaways – it’s worth the space in a carry-on, which is saying a LOT. i think you’d love it!
Wow! What a gift! Good to know – interesting that Magpies feel so differently about this product!!
xx
I thought at one point you had purchased a dupe of the Dyson styler and would report back on it…did you end up not getting it or did I miss the review? I bought the AirWrap and ended up returning…too much effort/time when the curl would not stay in all day. Tried diff. ways of using it and diff. products to no real success…for the price (and time to do it…in fairness that may have gotten quicker the longer I used it) I needed to LOVE IT.
Hi! Yes, I use and love the Revlon 1 Step, which is like $50 —
https://bit.ly/3iWqWmD
It is my best friend. Not exactly the AirWrap but kind of a similar all-in-one styling tool.
Good to know about the Dyson!! Interesting!
xx