Slowly, slowly, I continue my unlearning of thought patterns that wound rather than yield.
Specifically:
+You cannot park a car going 80mph. If you want true rest, you must slow to an idle first.
+Yes, you can DNF. There are no medals for elbowing through a book you do not like. Life is too short.
+Every exercise session does not have to be “all out.”
+It is not your job / it is not your job / it is not your job. (To be said in response to about 50% of my waking-hour thoughts.)
+Expectations should be kept light and low, if established at all. Increasingly, I think expectations are the enemy of the good. Learn to let things unfold. Relinquish the illusion of control.
+Not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry.
+You can’t run the next mile now.
+”Stop measuring days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence.” (Alan Watts)
+The response can wait.
+There is little honor in solitary achievement; ask for help.
+Let people underestimate you. You do not need to establish yourself, your prowess, your purpose in every conversation. You do not need to correct people’s assumptions. Goodbye to all that.
+People will be better than you — that’s a good thing! Learn from them!
+I’m not for everyone, and that’s OK.
+I’m not going to be an expert at this on the first try.
+It takes a long, long time to become. Practice patience.
Post-Scripts.
+Other life lessons and desiderata.
+Reassurances for a rainy day.
+No, but really: let people be wrong about you. Incredibly difficult in real-time. Liberating over the long run.
Shopping Break.
+Nordstrom Rack just opened a Bethesda-area location (for locals: it’s on Rockville Pike in the same shopping center as the Barnes and Noble) and I stopped by this week. I was blown away by the designer denim assortment, and several of the styles are available online, too, at incredible prices: Rag + Bone Sofies, Frame Slim Palazzos in corduroy and denim, AG, and more. I did a full roundup of the best finds from our favorite designers (Veronica Beard, Faherty, etc) here. Major score alert: this Faherty blouse, which is under $50 at NRack but full price at Faherty.
+A full price item I’m loving from Faherty, though: this balletic alpaca cardigan. I wore with the AYR LaLa jeans (they arrived, they’re amazing, and I absolutely kept them). Get your true size in these. They have a perfect balance of stretch and structure, and the darker “Waylon” wash is 10/10. Cannot rave more about them. I think they may be even better on me than the Legends (which have less give and are more like “standing room only” jeans for me). I could and did work in the Lalas all day! Try code FRESHAYR.
+OMG this new black watch tartan dress!!!
+Speaking of dresses, I ordered three dresses to try this week: this Sue Sartor (Thanksgiving Option 1), this Cara Cara (Thanksgiving Option 2), and this velvet Tuckernuck so many of you have ordered.
+Sephora’s tiered sale starts today! A few gems to consider: these micellar cleansing pads which I LOVE as a first step in taking the day off; they are gentle but have a nubby/textured side for getting into areas along the nose and in the eyebrows where it’s harder to remove product with a face wash. I’ll admit I’ve “cheated” a handful of times when I’ve gone to bed late by just using this and falling into my sheets. I’ve also started carrying these with me when traveling as I feel deep guilt if I get makeup on a towel that doesn’t belong to me — a friend’s or hotel’s! Other favorites:
THIS 6-IN-1 STYLER — PRIMER, DETANGLER, PROTECTANT, STYLING CREAM! DOES IT ALL, AND WEIGHTLESS
INSANELY GOOD PEPTIDE SERUM — I USE DAILY AFTER VITAMIN C; INSTANT DEWINESS
FOR THE GLASSIEST, GLOSSIEST BLOWOUT; I USE OVER TOP OF THE VIRTUE — IT’S REALLY MORE OF A HIGH-SHINE FINISH/COATING)
MY CURRENT FAVORITE CLEANSER — VIRAL FOR GOOD REASON; GIVES YOU THAT SQUEAKY CLEAN FEELING AND HAS A GREAT, REFRESHING LATHER AND SCENT
ANYTHING CYKLAR, BUT ESP THE BODY CREAMS!!! DIVINE, DIVINE, DIVINE, I’M IN LOVE AND I DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS IT! I ESP LOVE THE NAKED NEROLI AND BERGAMOT
MY BELOVED HIGHLIGHTING MILK — MAJOR REGRETTABLY WORTH IT BUY
I ALREADY ORDERED THIS BLOWOUT EXTENDER AT FULL PRICE BC IT KEEPS GOING OUT OF STOCK, BUT IF YOU CAN GET ONE AT A DISCOUNT, JUMP!!!
AN OVERNIGHT MASK THAT REALLY HYDRATES — ALSO A GENEROUS SIZE
ALL MY FAVORITES HERE
+The alpaca scarf tee I love so much now comes in a long-sleeved format!!! GORGE!
+Slightly off brand for me, but I have to say – this is the sweatshirt I reach for before bed. I love its generous size and slouch and especially the wide, loose hem. It looks so cool with sportswear (layered over leggings, etc) and — just makes me feel like I’m wearing something from a big sis? I can’t explain how good it is. A thin, drapey but heavy weight. J’adore j’adore. A secret obsession of mine.
+You know my thoughts on henleys. The best. So flattering, comfortable, chic. I have my sights set on this style in about 3 different colors. While you’re there: this cozy limited edition fair isle wrap sweater!!!
+Goop just launched a Really Good gift guide section. These ice cream coupes caught my eye (can be engraved!) as a fun gift to pair with a Jeni’s delivery. (They’d also look insanely chic holding jewelry or styled on a shelf with matchboxes! Wait, do I want them for myself?!) I’ve also recently gifted a girlfriend this beauty ritual set (use code JENSHOOP20 for 20% off any Goop Beauty products!). It’s such a luxe presentation and I truly love and stand by the products. Meanwhile, I’m personally obsessed with the idea of this “smart” typewriter — has no apps or browsers but is very lightweight and boasts a long battery life. Love the idea of working on a concept without any of the distraction! Anyhoo, the site is full of unique curios and tech that feel thoughtful, considered, and elegant.
+Love this relaxed fit cropped cotton boxy tee. Has a vintage athlete vibe. So cool to style with athleisure OR jeans for that chic lived in look.
+Does everyone has one of these?! People rave about them, not only for the intended purpose (preventing wrinkles on the chest) but as a comforting/soothing way to sleep with something cuddled/hugged close. Maybe sort of like a pregnancy pillows — I actually missed mine after I gave birth, but they’re so big and bulky and they had to go.
+Magpies are snapping up these personalized holiday gift sacks. A great way to either gift all of your Santa gifts in one tote or wrap unwieldy items (sports gear, bulky sets, etc). Also great for then helping kids move their loot to their bedrooms.
+Prettiest bralette and underwear set. I have the bralettes and they are GORGEOUS — sexy, comfortable, breathable, pretty.
+Trending among Magpies: this perfect ribbed knit dress. Such a statement but also classic, refined, ladylike AND comes in a petite size.
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