The scene above reminds me of a crisp Saturday morning in Georgetown. I only wish I could meet my mom at Patisserie Poupon for a latte and pastry and then a manicure at Vicky’s across the street — hoping both remain in existence for years to come so I can fulfill that daydream at some point…
My Latest Snag: J. Brand Jules Jeans.
I used my 40% off promo code to snag this chic pair of high-rise, straight-leg jeans (a departure from my usual denim routine) in such an unusual and fun fall color. I’m now I’m so excited to pair them with cream/ivory sweaters and tops.
I’m also excited about my latest headband acquisition.
You’re Sooooo Popular: The Velvet Ballet Flat.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
+You all LOVE this velvet ballet flat. Such a good price and looks so high-end. I especially love the unexpected mustard yellow color!
+A refined fleece jacket for every day. Love. J. Crew nailed it with this design — the leather piping is so sharp and unexpected.
+My new jeans — I love that many of us will be twinning in our cool girl denim.
+My absolute favorite, ride-or-die bronzer. Have been using this for a decade I think?
+Ultra-chic quilted transitional coat for under $100.
+Adorable $20 vest for a little boy.
+Not too late to order personalized Halloween baskets for your little ones!
+Cute seasonally-appropriate rug for a kitchen.
+This houndstooth cardigan is in my cart.
Weekend Musings: A Prayer.
I’ve written about this a couple of times, but my mother, sister, and I have been in a digital prayer circle since the start of quarantine. I don’t think we’ll ever stop now — it’s been one of the most spiriting parts of my day for months now. The basic gist is that one of us (usually my mother) selects a prayer or novena that we commit to saying every day for nine or ten consecutive days (depending on the terms of the novena — they are usually meant to be prayed every day for nine days). We text one another the praying hands emoji whenever we pause to say the prayer, which is usually first thing in the morning, but sometimes little children or wonky routines get in the way and one of us will send a belated emoji at 3:44 in the afternoon or 9:02 p.m. at night, and it’s the loveliest way to snap back into a prayerful headspace when I least expect it and often most need it. The text chain has also created a space to advance intercessions on behalf of friends and loved ones enduring difficult times, which has the added benefit of reminding me to keep things in perspective. This daily practice has also made me feel deeply connected to my sister and mother during a time in my life where I am isolated from family. I write that with particular torment today, as we have just made the decision not to drive down and visit my parents and Mr. Magpie’s after all. With case counts again rising and Virginia now on New York’s list of restricted states (meaning that traveling to/from VA would require us to complete 14 days in complete quarantine), it wasn’t in the cards. We also remain wholly skittish about the possibility of transmitting the virus to one of our aging parents, especially with mini back in school. Hopefully I will see them at some point in early 2021.
At any rate, the prayer my mother selected for us most recently was *just* what I needed to hear when I was elbowing through the heartache of thinking that I am narrowing in on a full year without hugging my mother, and I wanted to share it here:
Lord, help me to remember
that nothing is going to happen to me today
that You and I together can’t handle.
Amen.
I shared that prayer on Instastory earlier this week and was overwhelmed by the number of Magpies who replied: “I needed to hear that.” One of you — enduring particular pain, no doubt — wrote: “This just made me cry this morning in a good way. Sorry for this corny message from a stranger but thank you so much for the much needed reminder.”
Deep breaths, Magpies. One foot in front of the other. And if you’d like to join me this week, why don’t we plan on saying the prayer above at 9 A.M. E.S.T. every day through next Sunday, October 4th? I’ll set a calendar reminder for myself and be thinking of you. Feel free to share particular intercessions with me via comment on this post, email, or direct message.
And if you aren’t comfortable with prayer but still want the community, take a pause at 9 A.M. and know I’ll be thinking of you, too. We got this.
P.S. A post on a particularly powerful novena and a Bible verse I said about two hundred thousand times during micro’s birth.
Post-Scripts: A Cute Nursery Lamp.
+This little bunny lamp is absolutely adorable for a nursery, especially in the gray.
+Just pre-ordered this dress for mini.
+This belted white top is perfect for work or with jeans for a polished look.
+In love with this needlepoint pillow.
+Super pretty fine-knit sweater for pairing with skirts.
+Eyeing these tie-waist olive green cords — such a good color!
+These chic suede mules were restocked!
+Would love to pair this chic houndstooth skirt with a sweater like this.
+More great sweaters for fall.
+Guess I’m in a houndstooth mood, because this vest is calling my name and I’m not usually a vest person. But wouldn’t it be cute with an all-black outfit?
+Two recent Magpie reader recs: this foot cream (rest in piece, LRP foot cream) and these pouches for “decanting” (HA — love that you used that word!) and organizing children’s puzzle pieces and small toy parts. Very excited to try both.
+Serena and Lily-esque counter stools for less.
+A girlfriend of mine asking for “traditional but not stuffy long sleeved dresses in girls size 6/7 for fall family photos.” She mentioned that she’s been having trouble finding options along these lines in older girl sizes, as traditional styles seem to end at size 4/5. My suggestions…
QUESTION EVERYTHING — THEY DO SUCH GREAT DITSY FLORALS
BELLABLISS — THEY HAVE SOME FUN LONG-SLEEVED OPTIONS (THIS MIGHT BE TOO FUSSY FOR HER TASTE BUT I LOVE IT)
BUSY BEES – LOVE THIS PLAID AND THIS HOUNDSTOOTH (<<THIS IS SUCH A GREAT DRESS FOR EVERYDAY; IT’S IN SOFT COTTON PIMA BUT LOVE THE PETER PAN COLLAR)
RACHEL RILEY — I KNOW SHE SAID LONG SLEEVED, BUT IS THIS NOT THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS DRESS?
CPC — THIS CORDUROY DRESS!