My Latest Snag: Tennis Gear for Mr. Magpie.
Mr. Magpie has been playing tennis once or twice a week since moving back to D.C. and has accordingly asked for some new duds. A few of my favorite finds for him:
NIKE COURT DRI FIT VICTORY 7″ SHORTS
ASICS GEL RESOLUTION 8 — WE WERE ON THE FENCE ABOUT THE STYLING BUT THESE ARE CONSISTENTLY TOP-RANKED TENNIS SNEAKERS FOR MEN
P.S. A post from earlier this year on tennis gear for women!
You’re Soooo Popular: Fall Maxi.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
+This under-$200 dress is perfect for fall weddings, and in the perfect on-trend shade of burgundy. J’adore. I’m dreaming of pairing it with velvet burgundy platforms.
+Smythe blazer.
+Ribbed square neck top — perfect fall layering piece.
+Gorgeous fall blouse.
+Top-rated hair blow dryer for $25.
+Chic ceramic lamp on sale for under $200.
+Evil eye necklace.
+Boxwood in clay pot!
+Chic, Doen-esque boho blouse.
+Target maxi.
+Best fabric storage bins.
+Carved heart necklace.
+Fall hair bows for littles.
+One of my all-time favorite candles for home.
Weekend Musings: My Favorite Movies.
What are your favorite movies of all time? I’m sure I have some holes in my repertoire, although — like many of you, I presume — I really worked on rounding out my filmography resume during this pandemic. Still, curious to hear your list. I’m asking specifically for “favorite” — not necessarily “the best movie ever” on technical counts, but movies you watch again and again and again, year after year.
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY*
AS GOOD AS IT GETS**
UNCLE BUCK
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
THE GODFATHER I AND II
BEST IN SHOW
SABRINA (THE NEW ONE WITH HARRISON FORD — CONTROVERSIAL, I KNOW)*
FATHER OF THE BRIDE*
YOU’VE GOT MAIL
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
CLUELESS
PRETTY WOMAN
PRIDE & PREJUDICE (KIERA KNIGHTLY VERSION)
LITTLE WOMEN (WINONA RYDER VERSION, THOUGH I DID ENJOY THE REPRISE)
TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE
*I watch these three movies about 50 times a year each. I put them on whenever I can’t sleep. I also love watching bad rom-coms when I can’t sleep. Have you ever seen Fools Rush In? It’s not good, but I love it, and how gorgeous is Salma Hayek?! Other rom-coms I love, some “bad-good” and others very good: The Proposal, While You Were Sleeping, Something Borrowed, Just Go With It, She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, American President, Midnight in Paris, Two Weeks Notice, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Begin Again, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Plus One, Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated.
**As far as I’m concerned, the best screenplay ever written. The dialogue is flawless. Acting is also ridiculously good!
I also have a very warm spot in my heart for a ridiculously silly movie called A Million Ways to Die in the West, which Mr. Magpie and I nostalgically re-watch every year or so. We watched it for the first time during a very difficult time in our lives, and I remember laughing through tears. Sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine.
This list omits holiday movies, which is an entirely different category we’ll get to later, and generally steers away from horror/thriller flicks, which I also really enjoy watching, especially on fall evenings with a good bottle of red wine or maybe a cocktail rimmed with spicy salt. Mr. Magpie and I love (!) the movie Scream and watch it every year around Halloween. Horror movies are so interesting in that they tend to be hyper self-aware and allusive; the really good ones foreground their own conventions in fascinating ways.
In terms of the best movies I’ve ever seen on a technical level (acting, cinematography, etc.), I was totally and utterly rocked by Manchester by the Sea whenever it came out. I mean, I could not function after watching that movie. It was spectacularly moving. More recently, I thought 1917 was superb — one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time, on every level — acting, pace, music, set, cinematography, etc. Other movies that have blown me away: Whiplash, Saving Private Ryan, Deerhunter, The Shining, Gladiator, Dances with Wolves, Braveheart. I wouldn’t say I watch those on a yearly basis though. Sometimes one viewing is enough!
What movies do you watch year after year?
Post-Scripts: Ulla Dress.
+This Ulla dress may have jumped to the top of my lust list for Thanksgiving.
+Good way to keep your sunglasses organized!
+More of my favorite organization gear here.
+These framed butterflies are exquisite. Similar: also love these framed intaglios and this framed arrowhead.
+Great pearl hoops for under $20.
+Love these pointelle tees!
+This chic bar cart is currently 20% off.
+Have heard really good things about this super-affordable foundation (like $6!). Just ordered a tube to try!
+Oo I love this cardigan, and it’s under $200.
+Ordered myself this $10 navy velvet platform headband. How good with a navy blouse like this or this, or a navy printed dress like this or this?
+My children are going to love this book — you apply bandaids to help the characters feel better!
+More great books for littles!
+Love these chunky knit stockings for Christmas this year!
+This bustier top would transform any midi skirt into an evening-appropriate look. Would also be chic with wide-leg trousers like these!
+Adore the simple, chic, and affordable letterpress cards from Ornament Press — xoxo and Thank You would be fab additions to your stationery folio. (BTW, these Sorbus bins are the perfect width for holding most stationery!)
+Perfect heel for a bride.
+YES to this jewel-buttoned cardigan.
+CHIC ribbed midi dress — would work with bump!
+These woven pumpkin napkin rings are so cute! Also love their timeless bow rings.
+Totally swoon over these bow napkins. I need them!
+More chic home finds here.
+Just added this Nike tank to my cart.
+Love this puffer vest for a little love.
+Love this daybed for a boy’s room.