I know I can’t be the only one who finds incredible relief in sitting in her parked car with no imminent intention of driving anywhere just after a doctor’s appointment, a stressful conversation, or a busy morning. It’s a specific kind of cosseting. You are in a small, portable cocoon. You are alone and safe, but can peel off to get away at any moment. Straight comfort.
Other specific, perhaps counterintuitive types of self-care:
+Taking off your Oura or smartwatch;
+Deactivating all sounds on your microwave because you don’t need that ruckus on a daily basis (major life upgrade we made in the past year; Landon and I can’t stop talking about how much we love it on mute);
+Breaking with tradition or family or “what’s done” to honor your own values and priorities;
+Going to bed early with wet hair;
+Listening, with great and perceptive interest, to your body (hungry at 11? eat lunch! tired at 7? go to bed!)
+Letting yourself be bored and “unproductive” (shadow-boxing with that term right now!);
+Unfollowing;
+Waiting a day before responding to a text;
+Driving ten or fifteen minutes out of your way to avoid I-495;
+DNF-ing;
+Treating your body as though it belongs to someone you love — making the appointment, drinking the water, etc;
+And always, per Mary Oliver: “letting the soft animal of your body love what it loves”
What other small, perhaps non-obvious ways to do you take care of yourself?
Post-Scripts.
+Related: what are your go-to comfort rituals?
+The movies and books that shaped Magpie readers the most profoundly as children.
+Reminder: you are the expert in your children.
Shopping Break.
+Have been layering a past-season Doen fair isle over everything this weekend. This Tuckernuck is a great look for less — perfect over jeans and a tee, a fall floral, a patterned blouse! It just works. More fair isle picks along these lines – at different price points — here.
+Current favorite outfit uniform I wear at least 2x a week: these jeans, this cashmere sweater, this long-sleeved tee, and this cashmere scarf. So comfortable and cozy. I love every piece.
+A lot of us ordered this perfect late autumn dress. Works for now through Thanksgiving and holiday. Dress down with flat boots and a little sherpa vest or sweater; dress up with a velvet mule and clutch.
+Ann just released her iconic mules in VELVET. A perfect holiday shoe if you don’t want to mess around with a heel.
+She also brought back this tartan masterpiece, which I ordered last year and cannot wait to wear again this year. The silhouette is beyond fab. It’s a forever dress to pull out season after season. I like to tie the sash “obi style” (not just in a bow in the front; you lay the sash flat against your stomach, wrap around the back and bring back to the front and then tie off in more of a knot).
+THE mockneck sweatshirt, now in ivory. Best best best.
+Just ordered this faux fur! I am so excited to style her with everyday denim as well as holiday looks. Maybe more excited about wearing her with denim. LOVE. I got her in the beige.
+I think these are my favorite holiday pajamas I’ve seen out this season. I love the alpine motif! Also comes in a nightgown for girls (so, so sweet) and adult sizes. Adorable. Similar vibe for a little less here.
+Quince also brought back its well-priced tartan jammies! Cute for a cousin Christmas Eve photo.
+If you’ve been intrigued by the Chris McMillan glass hair blowout spray but haven’t taken the leap — L’Ange is a great option that is currently on sale for $10 (almost 70% off). I used L’Ange for years before discovering Chris McMillan. They are very similar. Slightly prefer the McMillan scent and handfeel after but L’Ange works very well, too, and the price is almost too good to resist. All of their styling tools are also deeply discounted right now. People especially like their “duo” tool; I’ve heard it’s very user-friendly for creating waves that stay, even in hair types that typically do not retain curl well, because of the built-in cooling air setting that helps to set the style. I have a gal come to give me a blowout at home a few times a month and she always “sets” hair with the cooling function on her blow dryer!
+Chicest winter skirt. Simply pair with a button-down or cashmere crewneck and statement earrings. Done.
+Chanel vibes for much, much, much less.
+Re-sharing one of my top secret “RWIs”: these body-hugging long-sleeves. They’re, unfortunately, really good. Perfect stretch, sort of hold you in, super slim-fit, great colors. If you get a black/navy, you’ll find yourself reaching for it more often than you think.
+Drooling over these knit midi skirts from long-standing European brand Molli. Does anyone own one? They are spectacular. Lots of patterns available; this fair isle might be my favorite. Note the waist detail!!!
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