Republishing a post from last year because I’ve been bowled over by all the ways in which friends and loved ones have kept the light for me recently, especially in celebrating my book’s imminent launch (!!!). I’ve lost count of the number of generous emails and “I’ll be at your book event on 4/23!)” texts and photos of hands I love holding Small Wonders. Cheers to these light keepers!
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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.
Shopping Break.
+Found a great look for less for my La Ligne Mini Marin sweater, and in almost an identical hydrangea blue to the one I’m wearing in this photo! (Would be perfect paired with these Donni pants.)
+Apparently this makeup brush had a 58,000 person waitlist (?!). I just ordered it, and it’s on sale at the time of writing! I like this brand’s blush/bronzer duo stick — I usually keep in my purse because it contains both in one and has great, buildable color. I noticed both were on sale while ordering more of these brushes for gifts for my daughter’s friends (I bundle with the clips or scrunchies and a cute pouch).
+Ordered this striped dress and these yellow jeans.
+Best button-front denim dress to live-in.
+A worthy investment button-down. The silhouette it creates is amazing.
+Gorgeous printed shorts. Pair with the matching top or a simple tee like this (<<I have this in yellow!)
+ICYMI: this tee dress is a great look for less for the Andie La Ligne!
+This striped initial totes caught my attention — such great colors!
+Oo Linnea’s rain candle caught my attention (“gentle rainfall, glistening flora, and morning mist”). Use code MAGPIE10 for 10% off.
+Another great fitness dress (different silhouette than our beloved Rhoback one).
+While we’re talking fitness: my favorite exercise leggings in a new lilac hue for spring, and the best running shorts were restocked. Love the blue color!
+Fun statement jeans.
+A chic twist on a pique knit.
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For years, one of the most cherished picture books in our family has been Hello Lighthouse, by Sophie Blackall. A lyrically written and beautifully illustrated story about the last lighthouse keeper of an island lighthouse. If you don’t know it, I highly recommend!!
Love this book, too!
Ordered this book – thanks! My son still loves picture books at bedtime! Thanks, both of you — xx
*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
Amen to this – wow! I read this comment and felt warmth wash over me. Thank God for women like you!! Having navigated new parent/mom groups several times in the past few years (like SO many Magpie readers), I will always remember the small and kind gestures from more tenured moms in the group who worked to bring me into the fold (even just widening their stance to let me into a huddle, or pausing a conversation to say, “does everyone know Jen?”). Hoping to pay that forward…
While I’m mentioning it, let me name a mom at my son’s school, Claire M. (who reads this blog – hi Claire!), who literally stopped a conversation at a gathering a few years ago to say, “Wait, do you know Jen?” after another mother (unintentionally, I’m sure) made the rounds to say hello to everyone else in the group but me. I so know how this happens – it’s so easy to clip into conversation with close friends – but this woman’s willingness to stop and make sure I was included has forever endeared me to her and served as a model for me…
xx