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Earlier this week, I wore a cashmere sweatshirt (seen above; all outfit details here) that I half-ordered because of its color name, “spicy mustard.” I would have ordered it even if it were named something more pedestrian, like “ochre” or “burnt yellow,” but “spicy mustard” grabbed me in a few ways. This is going to get weird, but bear with me: we’re in the diary.
First and most trivially, as a vinegar head, I love mustard. Hot dogs, sausages, pretzels are vehicles for the condiment; they play second string in its presence. What I mean is: mustard has main character energy. Aioli works hard for that title role but mustard doesn’t even have to lift a finger. Mustard would show up to an audition having barely looked at the script or brushed its hair, with a bumper sticker on its car that says I’m not for everyone, and that’s OK, and still land the part.
But mustard also has a special connection for me to Chicago, where it is the only sanctioned condiment on a hot dog — well, alongside relish, celery seed, hot peppers, tomatoes, onion, and a pickle. I’m describing a classic Chicago Dog; when you get it with all the aforementioned, condoned toppings, they call it “running it through the garden,” which always feels charmingly and unexpectedly poetic to me, especially coming from one of the gruff clerks at Fatso’s Last Stand on Chicago Ave. All this to say, you never put ketchup on a hot dog in Illinois. They take it seriously, too: there is a hot dog stand on Clark St called Weiner’s Circle where the staff is reputably fierce (scary) about this kind of thing. Which, I don’t know. I’ve been visiting a lot with my memories of Chicago lately, and there is something about the straight-forward, austere way of the Midwest that continues to appeal to me. I guess Chicago has a mustard vibe, too: I’m not for everyone, and that’s OK. It will snow in May, and present you with temps in the negative double digits, and stand fierce and iron clad, a colossus rising out of the plains, but it’s not peacocking or showing off. Some other places I’ve visited have a “pick me” vibe, but not Chicago — Chicago is unflashy, unbothered confidence. It doesn’t care if you don’t like it. (For the record, New York City doesn’t either, and it will make sure you know that. Take a ride on any Subway on a rainy day and you’ll see what I mean.)
To close this strange loop we’re traveling, the color “spicy mustard” also brought to mind the flawless movie “Picture Perfect.” Have you seen it? It’s one of my favorite under-the-radar rom-coms of the 90s, starring Jen Aniston, Kevin Bacon, and Jay Mohr. It’s funny, sexy, and most importantly features my favorite romance trope: fake dating. In it, Jen Aniston is an ad executive who pens the winning jingle for Gulden’s Mustard: “Number two, and that ain’t bad.” It’s not meant seriously in the context of the movie (although the example they give — that Cindy Crawford graduated second in her class — is perfect), but when I first saw it as a teen, it made a big imprint on me and my perfection-seeking ways. It let some of the air out of the room. Who cares about being number one? Let’s just be who we are, and be that well.
I have a point. This week, I seemed to find the theme just be your weird self everywhere I looked. In the recollection of the Gulden’s ad, in my happenstance musings on Chicago and mustard. And then Jedidiah Jenkins shared his rules for creating things for strangers, and in it, he wrote: “Be idiosyncratic. Predictability bores the brain. Say things differently.” I also came across a fantastic quote by the author Casey Gerald, in which he talked about the early stages of writing something: “It’s got to be weird before it gets good. Keep going.” Later, I was flipping through one of my notebooks, and I stopped on a page where I’d jotted down all these perfect lines from Anne Lamott (I shared one of them, on writing “bird by bird” yesterday), and one read: “If something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work. Write straight into the emotional center of things. Write toward vulnerability. Risk being unliked. Tell the truth as you understand it.” And also: “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.”
Some weeks, you wonder: “Is the universe telling me something?” And other weeks, there’s no question about it. Providence wanted me to be my truest self this week: Dig deep, write straight to the heart of things, don’t worry about who’s watching or what they’re saying, just dance, don’t look at your feet.
And I’m grateful for the reminders.
As always, advice on writing proves strangely transitive to life more generally — try carrying these sentiments into your week and see what happens. Big mustard energy.
Also this week…
Two dates with Mr. Magpie in one week! (Do you date your spouse?)
Mr. Magpie made us frozen cocktails just because — it was so fun. They’re called Manolito’s Swampwater, and he got the recipe from Punchdrink. Shout out to my Proper Table acrylic coaster (seen beneath my cocktail), one of my favorite small businesses. I love the founder. And these coasters are brilliant! Wipe clean, virtually unbreakable, etc. I love the patterns! I have a stack of these in our dining room, family room, and living room.
Bonus coffee! You know what this means for me.
Three fun deliveries this week: 1) Kate McLeod Daily Pebbles. I love these! They are exfoliating, dissolving little oil spheres that you use in the shower. They smell gorgeous and leave skin super soft. I have this on a growing list of possibilities for Christmas gifts. 2) A daily planner from Simplified, ready to go for 2025. Can you believe we’re barreling towards the end of 2024?! This planner has the perfect design for my preferred way of organizing my days — a column for to dos and a column for my schedule. I will say it’s pretty bulky. I tried one of these a few years ago but was much more mobile in my work at that time — often migrating to coffee shops, various perches in my apartment, etc. Nowadays, I do 99% of my work in my studio, at my desk, so this is less of a concern. But not great for commuters. If you are a commuter, try this lightweight inexpensive one from Amazon. Not as pretty and lacks all the bells and whistles but will get the job done! I’ve used them for years. 3) InnBeauty sent me this box and I was beyond delighted. Mr. Magpie and I both use the Extreme Cream daily and had just finished a bottle. A lot of people compare this moisturizer to Augustinus Bader, but I prefer Inn Beauty to AB, and it’s under $50, too. I think the consistency is better and the results are similar. Mr. Magpie says Inn Beauty leaves his skin looking “airbrushed,” and I know what he means – skin is so hydrated, plump, happy, firmed. It’s a wunderproduct. I am currently testing the Elastic Skin serum and Eye Cream – stay tuned! But I did notice they sell all three of these bundled for a discount.
A little Sunday shopping poetry for you, too —
Today is the final day of Saks’ Friends & Family promo. This gorgeous RL dress is still available, as are these chic and comfortable Loeffler flats. // Beginning to think about fall and even holiday special events, and this Zimmermann dress is a standout. I already have this in my closet, too. // I have been so obsessed with my Varley set (sweatpants / top), I think I’ll order this fleece next. Love the color! // Also love the color of these On sneaks. // Beauty brands are beginning to release the cutest giftable sets in advance of the holiday season – I want this Westman set for myself. // My favorite inexpensive sweat set. The fit is SO good. I love this cranberry option! // I have this Elleme bag in a woven leather but am swooning over the new chocolate brown and moss green options. The gleaming gold handle feels like jewelry! // These home scent papers from an old Parisian purveyor are so intriguing! You burn them in a dish and they perfume and deodorize your home.
ZIMMERMANN DRESS // VARLEY FLEECE // ON SNEAKERS // WESTMAN ATELIER SET // GAP VINTAGE SOFT SWEATSUIT // ELLEME BAG // PAPIER D’ARMENIE
Onward!