Loves — I am just back in town from the most gorgeous vacation in Sag Harbor, so I am a little short on time tonight, but I thought I’d sit down and jot a quick note your way while Mr. Magpie whips up a batch of bucatini all’amatriciana in the kitchen (one of those dishes for which we nearly always have everything on hand)…
Oh, Sag Harbor…! I am in love. We had such a wonderful time we’ve already started planning a second return before the summer’s out. I’m not sure whether we’ll return to Sag Harbor or visit another town in the Hamptons, but suffice to say we are complete and hopeless devotees of the Hamptons. Sag Harbor felt quiet, quaint, approachable, languorous — but sophisticated, well-designed. I loved the mix of old-school five-and-dimes and ice cream shops alongside higher brow restaurants and boutiques. Hard to believe we were just two hours outside of Manhattan; it felt like a moon-length away. Just perfect.
A couple of quick things that made the last few days extra special:
+A Granite Wear clam steamer. This is the legit real deal that everyone on the Chesapeake Bay uses to steam blue crabs. Mr. Magpie has wanted one forever, and this trip led to its purchase, as we feasted on local steamers (divine, dipped in butter) and lobster (equally divine, also dipped in butter). This would be such an incredible gift for a blue crab / seafood lover.
+Mr. Magpie swears by this cookbook for figuring out how to prepare lobsters, steamers, etc — and all the accoutrements for oysters (mignonette!)
+While in the Hamptons, I decided mini does, in fact, need a Minnow Swim suit. This is en route, just in time for her first swim lesson this weekend! (This less expensive similar style looked adorable on her, though.) Separately, I’m so sad I missed out on this rash guard style! (More rash guard picks here. And a full rundown of my picks for mini gear at the beach here.)
+This purchase has to be the best $20 I’ve spent all season. We use it constantly — for picnics and playdates in the park, that time we listened to the Met Opera al fresco, and, more recently, on the beach! Must buy. I wish it were a little more insulated/waterproof on the one side, but it’s super thick and absorbent nonetheless and comes with a little strap that enables you to roll it up and throw it over your shoulder.
+Things I wish we’d purchased in advance (rather than spending an arm and a leg at the last minute at the local hardware store): a soft-sided cooler (I love this and this for the wine), a beach umbrella (how darling are this or this or this?; value pick: this one), folding beach chairs (adorable, but this one is probably the most realistic).
+Less practical but just darling: this monogrammed insulated bag for toting snacks.
+I brought these melamine dip plates along for mini — they’re the perfect size for a little snack, and they can’t be broken!
+Everyone was wearing Birkenstocks. Everyone. They’re not really to my taste, but I have to admit a lot of the ladies were totally rocking them! I saw one ultra chic pea wearing a top knot and a muumuu style (muumuus for the win!) printed tunic dress with a pair in pastel pink and she looked ridiculously put together. I spent some time searching for her dress online (why did I not ask where it was from?!) and couldn’t find anything that looked exactly like it, but I did come across this $36 boho tunic dress which nail the vibe — just much shorter — and it’s currently in my shopping cart. (Also considering this.)
+I am obsessed with this preppy hat. I need it! I want to wear it with something like this.
+This is such a good idea for traveling with a dog!
+EPIC Intermix sale — an extra 40% off all sale! — and I am eyeing this, this, and these.