Sister Act

My three sisters are the best gifts my parents ever gave me.  They’re different as can be, and they’re all plain freaking awesome.  We’re as close now as we were when we were wee little rugrats, playing “Barbs” {even then, we were prone to abbreviations} on Saturday mornings.

I’ve been thinking a lot about them lately as we navigate different junction points in our respective lives.  While I, as leader of the pack (ha — we all know that big sisters look up to little sisters, too), contemplate different life moves with Mr. Magpie, my next youngest sister is burning the midnight oil as she completes her second year of teaching wee ones to read in her first grade classroom and generally making the universe a better place with her boundless generosity and concern for others.  Meanwhile, the next youngest is busy kicking ass and taking names as she wows the world with her outrageous creativity and devilish sense of humor (she made THE Sarah Jessica Parker laugh in a meeting) and interviews for fashion design jobs in the Big Apple.  At the same time, she’s nurturing — with that beautiful sensitivity and solicitude of hers — a long-distance relationship with one of my favorite young men on the planet (also a secret TFM advocate — I hear that he has some of the ladies in his office reading.  Love ya, A!  I’ll send some emoticons your way later today).  Finally, the littlest prepares for summer programs/internships as the resident family genius while she rounds out another intense semester of U-Chicago undergrad studies, where she’s been dazzling classmates with the sheer weight and breadth of her intellect.  Oh, and being the sweetest little lady you’ve ever met all the while.  {Down-to-earth and brilliant?  Never the twain have met, until she was born.}

All of our lives seem pointed in such dramatically divergent directions, with such different stressors and priorities, that I often marvel over the fact that we fall in sync with one another so easily and naturally, without fanfare or pause.  Seeing my littlest sassy-pants sister after a few weeks is just like seeing her after an afternoon away — we snap right back into place.  (And then she quickly bores of my bossiness and insistence upon labeling her a “hipster.”)  So today’s post is about companionship and sisterhood — about being two peas (or, in our case, four peas) in a pod.  I’m liberally adapting that concept to feature products that are two-of-a-kind.  Things that just belong together.  {And psst.  While I was putzing around Pinterest, saw this hilarious little snap and instantly thought of my next youngest sister, aka partner in crime, who took the blame more than her fair share.}

Sistah Scenario #1: Neon Accents

Um, YES to this necklace ($325, Madame Mathilde).  And YES to this clutch ($59, ModCloth).  And YES to the two of them living together in happy harmony.

Wouldn’t these be lovely accents to a breezy white dress?!  OK, OK, despite yesterday’s post to the contrary, I’m clearly not fully ready to divorce myself of all of the BRIGHTS and NEONS that have dominated the past few seasons.

Sistah Scenario #2: Nautical By Nature

As you know, I’m into the preppy nautical vibe.  This duo of collectibles {striped tote — $228, J. Crew;  needlepoint flats — $174, ByPaige} makes my heart sing.

Sistah Scenario #3: American as Apple Pie

Hello, gingham (shorts — $55, J. Crew; Miu-Miu heels — $595, Bergdorf’s).  Preferably not worn together, unless you are Carrie Bradshaw.

Sistah Scenario #4: Geek Chic

Grab some stylish specs ($95, Warby Parker) and throw all your nerdy essentials into a classic canvas tote (J.W. Hulme — $260, ShopTwigs):

The twinsies above kind of make me want to go back to school…

Sistah Scenario #5: Zebras on the Loose

If you follow my {covets} page, you’ll know about my obsession with this wallpaper by Scalamandre.  Get the look in bits and starts with this scarf ($25, Fred Flare) or these pillows ($72 each, Dwell Studio):

Sistah Scenario #6 — Pure Gold.

OK, sometimes you gotta make room for a trio.  How slick do these items look together?  {Glossy iPhone case ($35, Shopbop), crystal-encrusted cocktail ring ($255, ShopTwigs), and glitterati heels (Miu Miu, $730, Net-A-Porter.}  Pair with LBD and head to Vegas immediately.

Sistah Scenario #7: Peachy Beachy (?)

I can already imagine my Mom’s ears pricking up when she sees the words “peach” and “beach” together — two of her most favorite things.  Mom, this one’s for you.  Hat — $15, Les Pommettes; kurta — $70, Rikshaw Design.

Sistah Scenario #8: Confetti!

I’m a huge fan of sparkle and glitter.  So I love the thought of these glammed out drops ($150, Amrita Singh) with this boxy glitter clutch ($69, Nine West):

THANK GOD FOR LITTLE SISTAHS!