I just learned the other day about the Boston Light — the oldest lighthouse in America, and the last one actively-manned. I fleetingly imagined mists and ships in search of shore, thumbed through fragments of what I could remember from Early American history, conjured Dom and his family from Wild Dark Shore — but mainly I thought about my sister in law, and the way she keeps the light for me. I thought then more generally about the sisters and sister-figures who raise us, and the hundreds of tiny ways in which they do this: switching things on, filling the room with warmth, shedding light where we need it.
Cheers to those women, the lightkeepers, the ones who —
Make plans and keep them // Calm your nervous system just by showing up // Show up, in every way, period // Explain how things work and reveal no judgement that you didn’t previously know // Keep mints and medicine and reusable shopping bags in their purses // Say “of course you should” and “of course you will” at all the right moments // Save you a seat // Remind you not to google your symptoms // Make space for your moods // Use the plural when you’re expecting the singular: “we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it” and “let’s get to the bottom of this” // Stand in as your emergency contact // Weed out unattractive pictures of you even if it’s a good shot of them // Draw out the best version of yourself
Post-Scripts.
+The sisters who draw up the sun.
Image via.
Shopping Break.
+Currently wearing this fab fair isle zip-up. I love a statement piece like this because I just throw on with jeans and a pointelle tee and immediately feel chicer. (Similar vibes for less: this ivory wonder, this brown beauty, and this style from a new to me brand.
+If you’re looking for a great everyday tote that can withstand whatever motherhood and our busy lives throw at us, two washable, chic options: this Alex Mill (love the personalization options) and these bandana-print Call It By Your Name totes. Both great options if you’re looking for a diaper bag that’s not a diaper bag.
+LOVE these new dining chairs at S+L. I was just hunting for something like this to replace our upholstered dining chairs…love!
+Holiday attire lineup loading…!
+I LOVE this stabilizing mask as a Monday morning reset. You can also use a cleanser, but I love to leave it on for 10 minutes and then wipe off with a warm wet towel. Skin is squeaky clean but also well-hydrated (amazing combo of exfoliating acids and soothing niacinamide / aloe vera). It gives the best fresh slate feeling! I literally say “ooh!” after I take it off. Would also be good for those times you want to redo your makeup for an evening event and need to get everything off and start over. I’m so impressed with this product, I am considering ordering this discovery set with some of their other bestsellers. New convert!
+Officially in cord season! My favorites: these Pistolas (great for petites), these leg-lengthening Frames, and these wide leg Spanx ones. (Also intrigued by their new barrel style?)
+Speaking of cord: this wide wale dress. YES! With a tall suede brown boot?!
+I had the best, most productive weekend clearing out my kids drawers and closets — I had still not cycled out their summer stuff! It felt great to set aside bags to donate, hand down to cousins, etc, and I got a clearer picture of what we were missing in my daughter’s wardrobe. I continue to be impressed with Mango Kids for her. She doesn’t like the smocked / frilly / pastel stuff I do — ha. Mango has basically mini versions of things I’d wear. I buy head-to-toe sets because it makes styling so easy for her — she likes to have “outfits that go together.” I got her these cords with this sweater, these knit pants with this leopard sweater, and she already has this sweatshirt with these jeans. Such cute outfits!
+Such a chic suede flat at a great price.
+Back to niacinamide: I loved these inexpensive drops I used over the summer, and just re-ordered. I feel like they’re more marketed to the tween/teen market but they’re really good! A Magpie mom said her teen daughters love it and that she started borrowing from them, too. This actually gave me a good idea as to what to give a couple of the baby-sitters for Christmas this year (one of these sets, or this lip kit!). I think my code JEN15 still works!
+I also thinking gifting these balms would be chic and different for a girlfriend gift this season.
+Already picked out a football sweatshirt (Washington Commanders!) for my son for Christmas. I feel like these will sell through as the season progresses…
+Love this jacket! I keep coming back to it. Just so unusual.
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*Use the plural when you’re expecting the singular* yes!!! A million times yes!!
I was thinking about your note the other day about being less judgmental and choosing the kinder path and I think it’s so welcoming to connect in a positive way. I’ve been trying to go a bit above and beyond lately since I’m one of the more established moms in our playgroup, and it’s such a joy to be able to show up in that way