On New Year’s Eve, I didn’t feel like changing out of my jeans and sweatshirt — I was tired and cold and didn’t anticipate I’d make it to midnight. But I went upstairs and put on my black feathered pajamas and jewelry, and when I returned to the family room, where Landon had laid out oysters and crab claws and mignonette, I told him — and I don’t know where the words came from, or if I’d really considered what they meant — “a woman should be whimsical sometimes.”

Whimsical. By this I meant: a woman should leave the door open to trivial surprise and delight. She should permit herself to buy a bag of bulk sour candy on a Tuesday, should trace shapes in the clouds, should affectionately name at least one household object Harry or Timothy Chalamet or Jim-Jim. She should shrug off the mantle of practicality every now and then. She should rush to the window to catch the fireworks; have cake for breakfast at least once; buy a long white nightgown and wear her hair in a loose braid, imagining herself a Victorian-era heroine, even if only inwardly and to her own audience. She should speak in silly accents and shout-sing gibberish to her plants and pets. The world is hard-wearing; allow yourself these private softnesses. Yes, tie the satin ribbon in your hair; cheerfully ask for the pink tokens in the game instead of saying, “oh, whatever color is fine”; arrange small things in your cabinets or bookshelves by color or size. Whimsy is pleasure at its finest grind. It is the top-gloss coat, the froth, the double maraschino cherry. Yes, it is feathered pajamas in a family room with nowhere to go.

Listen, if you’re staring at January with grimness, if you’re white-knuckling it through the first few days of a punishing new routine — and I don’t mean to upend your goals, because goals are important — but might I suggest adding “whimsy” as a line item to your 2026 self-audit, if not to supplant something else then to offset it?

Where in your life can you chase joy in its smallest denominations? How might we practice whimsy in 2026? (Please do share your weirdest and smallest ways of finding whimsy in your own days!)

Post-Scripts.

+Writing this reminded me of a quote I absolutely love, by Dylan Moran: “People will kill you over time. And how they’ll kill you is with tiny, harmless phrases like ‘be realistic’.” Adjacent thought: no one is paying as much attention to your life as you are, so you might as well…!

+A woman of substance can also be a woman of whimsy. Many things can be true! Ampersand energy!

+On writing in soft pencil.

+Cashmere cardigans as low as $88. I really love that butter yellow color — pair with ecrus and whites.

+Shopbop hearts are updated. I’m in love with this Shoshanna dress. The pattern is so interesting and different — and I feel like the silhouette makes it versatile (pair with heels for a baby shower or Baptism or school event; pair with flats for a meeting; etc).

+Major La Ligne vibes for $63. And 100% cotton!

+You just can’t beat a crisp, classic blazer over a white tee and jeans. I was just thinking this would be a clever way to dress up our favorite sweatpants jeans (just restocked). I also followed a Magpie reader’s outfit formula suggestion: sweatpants jeans and big oversized white button down. Made me feel very pulled together despite the fact that I was essentially wearing pull-on fleece sweatpants.

+Another great button-down to consider, for a little less $$. I know many Magpies swear by this style. A little less oversized than my SoldOut one. If you like a more tailored look, try their tomboy. It’s my favorite button down ever. Such a small thing but the button placement is brilliant. I often struggle with button placement — like, I want the shirt unbuttoned to show some clavicle but not my undergarments!

+Other Sezane picks I’m into: this cream cardigan; this triangle scarf; this cute trench; these cropped jeans (run small, IMO; go up a size).

+The Early Morning tee in a great solid color.

+Really loving these dark rinse jeans.

+Eyeing this floor lamp for my studio — love all the chic shade options! The older I get, the more I hate overhead lighting — weirdly overstimulating to me sometimes. I’d prefer to write in dim natural light by the window! Anyway, I need more soft lighting via lamp and candle.

+Speaking of lamps: I think I also need this one, maybe for my daughter’s room? Color scheme would work. $50 and so adorable! While you’re there: the chicest faux suede trays for $25, and, if you’re lucky (because it’s sold out in my area), this gorgeous accent table.

+Chic coffee table books for a little living room refresh.

+Thanks to the Magpie who shared these adorable hobby mugs!

+Great everyday dress.

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