*Image via PJ Havel.
My Latest Snag: School Gear for Micro + Miscellany for Home.
I already shared some of my latest school gear finds for micro (who starts next week!), but the short list:
THIS LUNCHBOX IN RED WITH AN AIRPLANE MONOGRAM
POUCHES FOR SPARE/SOILED CLOTHES
I’ve been tackling some organization projects at home, so have been ordering pieces from this post, as well as a handful of other small household items I’ve been meaning to purchase for awhile now in anticipation of house guests in 2022: monogrammed hand towels, waste baskets, decorative pillows, and of course the new mattress! (More bedding/bedroom finds here.)
You’re Soooo Popular: Brights + Home Gear.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
STATEMENT SHORTS ON MEGA SALE
TRIAL SIZED DUO OF MY FAVORITE VITAMIN C OIL + A GREAT MOISTURIZER
FAVORITE LS RUNNING TOP — SELECT COLORS ON SALE; SIZE UP
ATTRACTIVE CLOSET STORAGE
COMBO QUILTED / TEDDY COAT (ON SALE FOR $122!)
THE BEST $12 UPGRADE TO YOUR SKINCARE REGIMEN (TRUST ME!)
$60 PUFF SLEEVED TOP (COMES IN SEVERAL GREAT COLORS)
Weekend Musings: A Different You.
I came across this quote, apparently attributed to Leonardo DiCaprio (insert spectacle-wearing emoji), earlier this week:
“Every next level of your life will demand a different you.”
I thought this was an interesting take on both the demands and opportunities that come with progress and age. I wrote a few months back about how I scarcely remember Jen-in-her-20s, flying all over the place and giving presentations and working on some optimistic solutions for serious social problems pertaining to educational attainment. I think the quote above contextualizes my thoughts an interesting way: as you grow and take on new challenges (whether personal or professional or artistic or athletic), you field the often-uncomfortable push to change but also the opportunity to be born again. To be a different — hopefully better — version of yourself.
On a totally different note, the quote also reminded me of something Mr. Magpie told me in the early days of building our business together. He made the observation that what you do to earn your first customer will be different from what you do to earn your first ten customers. And that will be different from what you do to earn your first 100. And then your first 1000. And so on. This was absolutely dead-on-the-nose. A first customer might be born of a longtime personal relationship — someone willing to stick their neck out and try something because they know and love you. The first ten might be born of careful conversations with people in your network, and likely involves coupon codes and trials and hand-holding. But at 100? You’re looking at ads and conferences and marketing ploys that get you in front of 1000s of people. And at 1000, you’ve got to scale that up further: thought leadership that gets you in front of decision-makers, targeted ads, etc. And so on. I think of this often, in different contexts, even non-business ones. The basic takeaway for me is that growth is not a continuous churn of doing the same thing and getting the same output. You learn, change tack, try new things, retire what’s defunct. You become a new you along the way, exercising new muscles and wearing new hats. So, yes — every next level demands a new me.
Shopping Break.
+My girlfriend has this Gucci cardigan and I’m so envious. It’s a statement but subtle and can be worn with sooo many dresses in your closet. Sneakily wondering if I can squeeze into the size 12 in children’s and pay 1/3 the price?
+Santa brought the children these hatch-in-water toy turtles and they have been such a huge hit! You drop in cool water and they slowly emerge from their shell over 72 hours. The children have been enjoying checking on them.
+Totally swooned over this sweater.
+Perfect casual everyday pants to pair with statement knits.
+Testing a new conditioner on mini. We’ve been fans of Noodle + Boo forever but just thought I’d switch it up and I absolutely love this brand’s spray-on mineral sunscreen — the entire family uses it. The spray sunscreen is actually on sale at a good price right now, too, so I bought a few canisters now. (Come warm months, it’s always $21/bottle.)
+Gorgeous dress for a new mom at a Christening/Baptism. Stylish but not too flashy for Church.
+Barefoot-elopement-on-the-beach dreams. Or this.
+A fabulous scalloped fruit bowl for $30!
+Easy $25 LBD to have on hand for a last minute date night.
+Love this as an everyday tote in warm weather.
+This dress is gorgeous for a formal spring affair. Along the same lines, love this LSF maxi (on ridiculous sale!)
+This LSF mini (also on sale!) also just makes me smile. Love ALL THE BRIGHTS for 2022.
+Love this sherpa laptop pouch. Might just use it as a pouch, period — love tucking things like this into my everyday tote.
+These flats are fabulous. These are similar and about half the price — and y’all are in love with these!
+Just the chicest top ever ever ever. Also love this one. More great statement tops here.
+OMG THESE FLATS.
+Cute shower curtain.
+So many friends are still in waves of quarantine, isolation, exposure, etc!! UGH! Hang in there. I have been sending this doodle mat or these matchbox cars bundled with this playtape set to friends in those situations with small children at home. (More thoughts on parenting in isolation/quarantine here.)
+Love this collared sweatshirt.
+Into this crisp, sophisticated top — under $35!
+The Avenue has a great Christmas sale section — I am thinking I will order a few of these to give away Christmas treats on next year, and this gorgeous cardi is finally on sale!
You must buy that Gucci sweater in a size 12. I’m sure it will work for you. And hey, you can pass it down to mini in a few years. Two for a third of the price!
Win, Win!
AHH! You’re tempting me!
Ooh that Gucci cardigan – I’m such a sucker for all things Gucci!
Me too!! This one is the perfect amount of flashy and demure 🙂