TABLETOP SCHEMING. I am totally smitten with this Penny Morrison tablecloth. I actually discovered it through the founder of Proper Table Co, whose acrylic coasters and placemats (seen above) I absolutely adore. We keep a set of their acrylic (and therefore wipeable and condensation-friendly) coasters on our coffee table. I love that they are unbreakable, as my children are constantly fussing with our coffee table decor, and that — despite having high-end fabrics featured — require no laundering. Proper Table Co’s tagline is “party more, worry less.” Amen! I am eyeing these French check acrylic placemats and these chambray napkins for myself — I think they’d be fun to mix in with holiday tabletop, but honestly could be year round, too. The founder recently told me she’s been tickled by buyers mixing her acrylic pieces into more traditional and formal tablescapes. See her Instagram for inspiring ways to style. Love!
JULEP CUPS, ENCORE. OK, I will try to not mention these again, but I just finished arranging some burgundy-hued mums in these inexpensive julep cups (see above), and — I just love the look! So full and happy.
OPHELIA AND INDIGO MABEL DRESS. I mentioned this beauty earlier this week, but how stunning?! The brand generously gifted me this dress after we struck up a conversation. I wore this to dinner with my girlfriend Lauren Neff (if you don’t follow her, you must — so chic and a genius at layering patterns in her home and on her table) earlier this week when we finally got through what felt like two weeks of rain and it felt like just the thing. I actually styled it with navy flats and a navy padded velvet headband — the colors are actually a deep purple-blue but the navy kind of plucks on the right cord and makes the look feel a bit more “fall.”
LE DIPLOMATE. Speaking of dinner with Lauren Neff, our plans went haywire and we ended up canceling our reservations and dining in at her house. We ordered Le Diplomate. I have to say something controversial: when we first moved back to the D.C. area, Le Diplomate — heavily hyped! — was at the top of our dining list. We were totally underwhelmed by the experience. We felt the food was mediocre and the service busy/harried to the point of disconnected/detached? I know it’s a bistro, but it felt badly lit and uncomfortably packed (I still remember the couple sitting next to us — virtually on top of us — because it’s impossible not to listen in) without any of the romance of a true French bistro that tempers such inconveniences. I’ve been keeping that view to myself because I know how much people love that spot. But we ordered dinner in and it was absolutely delicious — I am now curious to go back to try again IRL. Anyhow, the matchbox above is actually a framed print of a drawing by Charles Ryan Clarke. Mr. Magpie and I have bought a few of these to commemorate particularly special dining experiences. They are a fun, personal, sentimental gift, and great to incorporate into a gallery wall.
ALEMAIS FALL FLORAL BLOUSE. I cannot get over this blouse! It has the best color combination to pair with every other fall color I love at the moment, and the detailing is insane. I’ve worn mine with (as seen above) cords, big earrings, and a cableknit sweater (generously gifted by Talbots! — I am in love with the color and texture) for a kind of everyday polished look, and with jean overalls (mine are these nearly-sold-out Madewells, but Gap has a similar style) for more casual wear. It would also look amazing with a skirt (or THE matching skirt!) for a dressier occasion.
HUNTER BLAKE LABRADORITE FLOWER EARRINGS. My favorite fall earring – I keep reaching for them to pair with everything. The stones in the center are a kind of hazel-green-brown that goes beautifully with olive, khaki, camel, taupe, brown. Perfection.
PADDED HEADBAND. I have been shocked by how frequently I’ve reached for my burgundy padded headband this fall. I keep thinking I’ll get tired of the look but then it always feels like the perfect finish, especially now that I have a pair of burgundy Vibi Venezia Mary Janes to coordinate with. Mine is actually Lele Sadoughi from two season ago (you can still find on eBay here) but this velvet Jennifer Behr in the Terra Cotta color is to die for. Get the look for less with this under-$30 style.
JANE WIN JOY COIN PENDANT NECKLACE. I wrote about this a day or two ago, but I cannot wait to add this joy coin pendant to my necklace stack as a reminder to “find joy in the middle.” This month is particularly full with Mr. Magpie traveling a lot, some entertaining at home, the children off several days, Halloween around the corner, and a busy social calendar. I was ping-ponging around the other day running errands in advance of a “fall fete” we are throwing for our neighborhood and I had to actually pluck myself out of the haste and fog and think, “God is so good. This is what you’re doing to fill your morning today? Preparing food and picking flowers for friends and neighbors to enjoy? Sit with that incredible gift — find joy in running these happy excursions.” Anyhow. The joy necklace feels like an appropriate talisman for this undertaking. I also noted that the site describes this particular necklace as a token/emblem for women trying to conceive: “Three hollyhock leaves meet in the center of this pendant, a symbol of fertility and positive energy.” Thought I’d share that because I’ve had many loved ones struggle through infertility, and many readers reach out asking for gifts/encouragement for friends in the same space. This pendant would be so thoughtful. However, they do have many different options representing alternative motifs — love, balance, strength, etc! — that might speak to you or a loved one.
VIBI VENEZIA MARY JANES. Mine arrived and I’m in love. I had been holding out hope for finding a pair in their marigold hue but then found these with the marigold trim and honestly couldn’t love them more. I wear them with EVERYTHING. Jeans, dresses, overalls, you name it!
P.S. Three days in NYC. Was just revisiting this post as I gear up for a trip back to the Big Apple in a few weeks. Is it strange that I have found myself thinking about my former doormen on multiple occasions this past week? Just out of the blue. I’ve written elsewhere about the wonderful strangeness of that unique-to-NYC situation where you develop deeply personal relationships with the doormen of Manhattan apartments. They knew more intimate details about our life than nearly anyone — when we were going out, what we were ordering, when my baby was being born (!). I digress.
P.P.S. On timing.
P.P.P.S. Gardening for yourself.