I’ve been thinking about that Anne Lamott quote about how happiness is an inside job. You won’t find it in other people, things, jobs, accomplishments; it lives — it must live — deep in the seams of who we are and how we live our daily lives. And so I must ask myself: do I like the way my everyday life feels? Do my daily actions align with my supposed values? Even more narrowly: how am I spending my time? (How you spend your days is how you spend your life!) If the answers to these questions aren’t rosy and reassuring, I tell myself: don’t panic — but start editing. One diagnostic I am finding illuminating in this vein: an informal end-of-week examen. A moment to ask whether I really paid attention. I look back across the calendar (and my iPhone, as I take a lot of pictures every week) and reflect on how I spent my days. For me, the simplest audits are: Did I spend time outside? Did I date my husband? Did I do the creative things that fill my cup? Did I move my body? Did I really listen to my children? This was a good week on most rubric points. I felt myself clipped into many of the things I value and love most; I made space for the slow and rest-oriented.
A photo diary of some of the salient points that came up in this week’s examen:
Birding in Montgomery County — Hill impressed our guides by identifying a Carolina Wren by call and being the first to spot both a red-tailed hawk and a pileated woodpecker! We’d heard the woodpecker but not seen it, and he spotted it out of an enormous thicket of trees. My little noticer! I was proud of Emory, too; even though it was rainy and cold, she hung in there with nary a complaint, just quietly observing the world. I felt a deep kind of happiness on this rainy family excursion. We were outside, together, and I could tell that Landon and I have normalized this low-key, low-profile activity for them. This reminded me of my Dad, actually: he used to take us on very long (ambitious!) hikes in Colorado all those summers of my youth, and I love it to this day. I’m so grateful for the early introduction he afforded me. I feel as though I’m paying this gift forward to my kids.
Dating my husband: we went out to lunch twice this week (once to celebrate the pre-order launch of my book! and a second time just because), and also ran errands together. A date can just be going to pick up the kids together — having that ten or fifteen minutes to talk, alone, or listen to music, or do that thing where you start and stop holding hands across the console in wordless agreement as to how long you should hold on. A big priority for me this year: taking advantage of our flexible, self-defined schedules in order to go on last-minute lunch dates, take afternoon walks, run an errand together.
My preferred way to start the engine in the morning: read something resonant — something that sends me in at least four emotional directions — then do a diving board bounce by hand-drafting in my notebook — and then I’m off to the races, shaking hands with the blank page. Mary Oliver always gets the job done, and I especially love this slim poetry tome. The title is a 10/10. Can you imagine sitting down to your desk and coming up with the title “Owls and Other Fantasies?” Whooooweee, she must have been flying at a creative 110 MPH that day. (I’ve also been enjoying this gorgeous dried flower art book for visual inspiration.) Side bar: note all the gorgeous serif fonts above! Fonts can be art! Hence its inclusion in this list of chic book things. (P.S. The Rosa Gardenia box contained scented wax tablets that I tied to a few hangers in my closet. The font is beyond. I also have the scented clay pomegranate from this brand and am obsessed with it. The packaging is outrageously chic. I bought it in Florence (where the company is based) a few years ago. It slowly release the most gorgeous scent that perfumes a room just like a diffuser or candle might, but a little more gently.)
Separately: mornings are sacred things, aren’t they? So full of promise.
Chic food things. Nourishing the body but also having fun, appreciating its full sensory appeal. (Landon always says: “you eat with your eyes first.” He’s very thoughtful about how he plates our dinners every night! Grateful for stores, like The Organic Butcher, who get this memo.)
Living, and editing, in color! I picked up some bodega roses and arranged them in little julep cups moonlighting as bud vases this week and they have sparked so much joy for me. Thinking I might make this more of a weekly practice, or maybe I need to figure out a dried floral arrangement that can permanently live in my studio, a la Saint Maide. And I love the way our cookbooks are (generally) arranged by spine color. A little everyday whimsy for ya.
How was your week?
Sunday Shopping.
Headnotes:
+Updated this post after initial pub to let you know my two Clarins mask obsessions — this de-puffing one and this cooling and firming one — are 50% off today only at Sephora. RUN. I always have these in my beauty cabinet; they are essentials. I bought one of each!
+Marion and I discounted most of our paper products to 50% off! Now’s the time to get organized with paper products that support you. I love our weekly planning pad; and the notepad and post-its always feels like a deep exhale (they read: “take things as they come” and “go lightly,” respectively).
+These $$$ foundation drops are, regrettably, worth it. I will do a complete review after using for several consecutive weeks, but alas I fear the hype is valid. This stuff blends into skin so beautifully, providing coverage and glow with an unbelievably natural finish. This product seems to be trending everywhere and is selling out in select shades, FYI. Note that you can get 15% off your first order at VB by signing up for emails.
MAMEY X MAGPIE NOTEPAD, PLANNING PAD, AND POST-ITS 50% OFF // VB FOUNDATION DROPS
Other finds and favorites:
+I ordered this belted bandana-motif cardigan this week. I shared it a few weeks back and haven’t stopped thinking about it. I imagine pairing it with these wide-leg knit pants for working in the studio or a travel day. The pants are from Buck Mason! I wore this felted chore jacket of theirs this week and so many Magpies commented on Instagram about how much you love this brand! I also adore their pima cotton tees (shrunken / cropped fit) — what else do you love of theirs?
+Discovered this cool athleisure brand this week and ordered this sweatshirt and these matching joggers for Landon. The pieces are unisex!
+We’re down to the final few of these gorgeous olive-and-gold bead statement necklaces.
+Chic home and office finds for the week: these gorgeous pinch bowls (can be used so many ways — as ring dish, for salt, for condiments!); these sculptural bookends; this marble tumbler and frame.
+I’ve been hearing these $28 scalloped bras rival Eby in terms of comfort. Has anyone tried?
MARY OLIVER POETRY BOOK // SCALLOPED BRA // BANDANA MOTIF CARDIGAN // BUCK MASON KNIT PANTS (UNDER $100) // CUTS UNISEX SWEATSHIRT // EAST FORK PINCH BOWLS // SCULPTURAL BOOK ENDS // ERIN MCDERMOTT NECKLACE // FRANK AND EILEEN BUTTON DOWN // TAKE THINGS AS THEY COME NOTEPAD // CABANA MARBLED TUMBLER // SANTA MARIA NOVELLA SCENTED WAX TABLETS // MARBLE FRAME
P.S. – Rag + Bone Sale!
Also, OMG – I feel a bit like a broken record with all the Rag + Bone coverage but this is (as you know) probably my favorite denim brand (right up there with Mother) and they launched an end of season sale offering even deeper discounts on some pieces we’ve been loving:
+The reversible Nonie jacket is now $200 (orig $548).
+CHIC, low-profile sneaks for $120. (Dolce Vita price for a designer shoe…)
+Tweed blazer for $200 (orig $658!).
+Ankle length wide-legs for $100!
+This epic convertable jacket (Marfa Stance vibes) — originally over $1000, now $300.
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Hi Jen! I’m hoping to order another Alice Walk wrap and am curious about the colors you were drawn to when choosing. I know many colors are sold out right now, but I find they come in and out of stock often so this question is not limited only to the colors currently in stock on the website. Thank you in advance!
Hi! Ugh, they are SO good. I own and love the chocolate brown color (which is in stock!)! The other colors I’m drawn to: cappuccino, barbie pink, ice blue, pale pink, and heather toast!
xx