*Image above via Rita Colson.
My Latest Snag: All the Things.
I did a lot of shopping this past week, buying lots of gifts, occasion-wear, and a lot of children’s clothing with all of the fabulous deals (many of which are still on-going). A few stand-out buys this past week:
THIS SEQUINED HOLIDAY DRESS FOR ME
LITTLE ENGLISH CANDY CANE JAMMIES (SIZE UP 1-2 SIZES IN THESE!)
SUNHOUSE CHILDREN’S SWIMSUIT (I HAD BEEN EYEING THESE FOR A LONG TIME — 40% OFF NOW!)
You’re Soooo Popular: Holiday Finds + Sweaters.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
FAB TUNIC SWEATER — SELECT COLORS ON SALE!; IF YOU PREFER A TURTLENECK STYLE, THIS ONE IS $41 AND FAB
MZ WALLACE MEDIUM METRO TOTE — HAVE USED THIS AS A DIAPER BAG! NEVER SEEN IT FOR 50% OFF BEFORE
MY MERCURY GLASS CANDLESTICK HOLDERS — PERFECT FOR HOLIDAY TABLE
SWEET KNIT CARDI TO THROW ON OVER EVERYTHING — LOVE THE SOPHISTICATED NUTMEG COLOR
MY FAVORITE WRAPPING PAPER — ALWAYS KEEP A FEW ROLLS ON HAND FOR CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AND IT’S CURRENTLY 30% OFF
VELVET JEWELRY CASE — GREAT GIFT, UNDER $15
STORY ORCHESTRA BOOK — GREAT STANDBY GIFT, AND CURRENTLY 50% OFF
SHERPA POUCH — STONEY CLOVER LOOK FOR LESS…GOOD GIFT FOR A TWEEN/TEEN
MY FAVORITE NEW JEANS — DREAMY BLEND OF CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY, AND THIS PARTICULAR WASH IS PERFECTION
FLOCKED REINDEER FOR TABLESCAPE / MANTEL-SCAPE…VERY MRS. ALICE WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG
FLOCKED TREE SET — GREAT PRICE AND FUN FOR LITTLE HANDS
$30 (!!) PLAID TABLECLOTH — I FOUND THE SAME BRAND IN LARGER SIZES HERE AND JUST ORDERED THE BIGGEST SIZE FOR MY HOLIDAY TABLE
NAME PUZZLE — HAVE GIVEN THIS AS A GIFT TO MANY TWO YEAR OLDS
PLAID ROMPER — CURRENTLY ON SUPER SALE
HELLY HENSEN CHILDREN’S PUFFER
Not seen above but had to include: these lounge pants for men. Mr. Magpie’s favorite and a great gift. Select colors currently on sael.
Weekend Musings: Thoughts on Joy.
I was reading something about C.S. Lewis earlier this week and noted that his spiritual autobiography is titled Surprised by Joy. I immediately thought about Rabbi Heschel’s words on prayer I shared earlier this week, in which he observes: “Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living.” At the same time, I recollected a statement I came across earlier this week on Instagram, in which comedian/celebrity/influencer Tinx asserted: “Female joy is often ridiculed.”
I don’t have a tidy summation of what these adjacencies mean when taken together, but it’s given me latitude to ask: What is joy? To me, it seems like the exclamatory version of happiness, as if happiness has absorbed a quantum of energy. Happiness can be quiet, steady, honey-like — but joy is always in high-key, staccato, sudden. Lewis’s phrase is interesting in that it feels as though I am always surprised by joy — in fact, is joy ever anything but a surprise? Happiness can occasionally be anticipated, but joy catches me unaware. I think that when I now find myself in its company, I will prompt myself to remember Rabbi Heschel’s words and reach for prayer, the necessary response to the call of joy.
Wishing you joy this season, whatever shape it may take!
P.S. These musings reminded me of this post on what happiness is. The comments were so interesting!
Post-Scripts.
+Gap has some fantastic deals going — love these hot pink leggings (you know how I feel about hot pink ATM), these beanies ($12!!! buy one for each of your girlfriends! love the hot pink in particular again), and these ribbed turtlenecks ($20 — #uniformstaple).
+These nutcracker-inspired (Clara-inspired) nightgowns are back in stock! $30.
+People rave about these OSFA swimsuits — on rare sale at the moment. Works with bump!
+These holiday sticker sets came in handy on Thanksgiving morning. Occupied little hands for a long stretch while Mr. Magpie and I flitted around getting everything ready! Great weekend morning activity.
+This top is a great buy — perfect for pairing with wide-leg trousers or holiday skirts.
+I brought my flares out of retirement this season — so glad I hung onto them. They feel fresh again. This pair is close to identical to the ones I own.
+A great purse brush. I am weirdly obsessed with the style.
+Cutest dog tags — bought this for Tilly for Christmas.
+Speaking of dogs, this is the dog bed we have for Tilly — I occasionally get questions about it when it’s the background of an Instastory. Ours is a blue and gray plaid they no longer carry but the tweeds are beautiful! Tilly likes being able to lean up against pillows, so the “sofa” style is perfect for her.
+Pearl embellished beanies at a great price! Cute for a little one (or do a mommy and me moment!)
+Rattan desktop caddy! Perfect for mail, pens, the miscellany that inevitably builds up…
+I know I’m being repetitive here but I find myself wearing my Ellie nap dress with a turtleneck beneath and a statement cardigan on top at least once a week.
+Note: this tissue turtleneck in the hot pink color is only $13 with code.
+More turtleneck + cardigan love here.
+If you like the lug sole vibe but find it a bit intimidating, check out these chelsea-style rainboots. Sort of like a calmer version of the bigger deal.
+This wool-blend wrap coat feels like Burberry but costs much less.
+Fair isle for all. Note that my top pick from this roundup is 15% off!
+A garden basket pretty enough to leave out, or style on a shelf, etc.
+Still dreaming of one day testing the Dyson AirWrap. I just can’t pull the trigger…
+Such a fab velvet look — 80s, but made modern.
+I always like a little pop of leopard, and this dress is a good one. I have a leopard Ganni from a few seasons back I wear at least once a season.