A few weeks ago, I wrote about an early patron — my seventh grade English teacher, Mr. Caulfield — and invited Magpies to share their own work in the hopes that I might be able to shine a light on some of the bold-colored creativity amongst us. I am thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s “Caulfield Awards,”: Sophia Stid, a poet and PhD candidate and Provost’s Fellow in Creative Writing at the University of Southern California, and Caroline Bromagen, a Kentucky-based artisan specializing in custom frames and intaglios.
These women are talented artists and gorgeous souls; we are so lucky to have them in the Magpie fold. Bravo Sophia and Caroline!
Sophia Stid.
Sophia shared with me a small anthology of her beautiful poetry, noting “I love that the root of the word anthology means “a gathering of flowers” — think of this as a little bouquet of the Magpie universe!” She also observed: “Poetry, to me, feels like a way of finding the human texture in the blur of daily life, and dwelling there, lingering a little longer.” I especially loved the poem below, which brought to mind Elizabeth Bishop’s “Sestina,” one of our canonical Magpie texts, with its evocative portrait of a moment of quiet domesticity and the universes it can contain.
N.B.: Julian of Norwich is the first woman known to write a book in the English language.
Sophia has published two chapbooks of her poetry that you can order here. I love that she created a Spotify playlist accompaniment for one of them — rich mood-setting and a great at-home-cozy-and-creative vibe.
Caroline Bromagen.
Caroline is an artist and mother who decided, at the dawn of 2025, to take her passion to the next level. She wrote: “I made it my 2025 goal to be creative every day and I have seriously committed to it.” For years, she has been cross-stitching, making custom intaglios, and crafting frames for objets and photos for friends, using wallpaper, marbleized paper, paint, “or anything that catches my eye to wrap the frame” — true Magpie energy there! (Magpies are drawn to shiny objects!). When Caroline reached out earlier this fall, she commented: “We went to Ireland last month and while there I decided that I wanted to try to sell my frames. When we got home from our trip, I made several frames so that I could have something to list on Etsy.”
I am so inspired by Caroline’s decision to start. Success is made possible at the starting line — but it takes serious courage to crouch down and dig the heels in there. Her story reminds me that “if it’s a calling, it will keep calling.” Caroline has been quietly working on these projects on her own for years! She’s chasing what makes her lean forward. Bravo!
You can contact Caroline here to commission a custom frame; she is also selling her frames through Lexington, KY based boutique Frances M (in case you are local). They posted about Caroline’s frames here!
Post-Scripts.
+No one is paying as much attention to your life as you are — so you might as well…
+Shaking hands with the blank page.
+Are you a hummingbird or a jackhammer?
+I’m a gerund girl.
Shopping Break.
+This puffer coat has been wildly popular among Magpies this week, and is nearly sold out.
+Love this cinched-waist knit from J. Crew.
+I’m loving everything Julia Amory has been releasing for holiday: this velvet top (love the idea of this with black satin), this cranberry ball skirt and the matching top, this organza dress, this velvet jacket! (You can get 15% off with code JEN-15.)
+I bundled a few of the joyful paper products from my line with Marion of Mamey Design for holiday gifting here and am offering free ship on orders over $50! This will be so helpful to your new year self. I’m obsessed with the habit tracker for seeing and celebrating new habits, and the weekly planner is such a helpful centering exercise on Monday morning!
+I keep reaching for this cashmere polo sweater. It’s soft and exactly the neckline I want? I love the way it looks layered beneath a fall jacket. Other Alex Mill favorites: this chunky wool dream (the collar!), this cozy cableknit Donegal that I’m convinced will transport me to a broody cottage in Ireland, and my new personalized tote!
+Upscale cozy boots. (You know I love my Inuikiis, though — so cool in this chocolate color!)
+This knit scarf!
+Loving this plaid overshirt, worn as a jacket.
+Gorgeous late fall new arrival dress option from La Ligne.
+Perfect late fall cords. Look for less here.
+A small but pointed way to get in on the leopard trend. Would look so good with a camel or black coat — or a red one for that matter!
+Fab twill scarf to layer over your shoulders or beneath a blazer. The colors are so perfect for all things late fall.
+Speaking of fab scarves — OMG! A fair isle version of the triangle scarf!
+Have been so into fringe this season (obsessed with my La Double J scarf!) — how cool is this skirt?! Pair with a simple navy cashmere turtleneck.
+Over the top Celine logo fair isle…!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
Image via.
