My Latest Snag: My Favorite Hand Soap.
Not particularly exciting, but I just restocked our home with Molton Brown’s Rhubarb and Rose hand soap. It is my absolute favorite — so elegant and not overly feminine (not too floral). I decant into this soap dispenser in our powder room (I also have the matching waste basket — love the pattern, and it goes perfectly with our grasscloth wallpaper, which has a kind of cane design to it).
P.S. My other favorite hand soaps here, at all price points.
You’re Soooo Popular: Early Summer Finds.
The most popular items on Magpie this week:
PINK SCALLOPED ONE-PIECE MARYSIA SWIMSUIT — ON SALE FOR 40% CURRENTLY
SLIP-ON LEATHER SANDALS WITH STATEMENT HOLOGRAPHIC STRAPS
LIGHTWEIGHT COTTON TIERED STRAPLESS MIDI DRESS …A PERFECT GO-TO SUMMER EVENT DRESS
SMOCKED GAUZY LONG-SLEEVE BUTTON-FRONT BLOUSE WITH RUFFLED COLLAR
GORGEOUS BILLOWY SLEEVE LINEN BUTTON-UP FROM BODEN IN A PAPAYA AND WHITE STRIPE
BLACK LACE BUTTON UP SHORT SLEEVE MIDI DRESS — ZIMMERMANN VIBES FOR LESS
WOVEN STRAW HANDBAG WITH VEGAN LEATHER TRIM AND SILVER HARDWARE
PERSONALIZED STATIONERY FOR THE LITTLES TO WRITE LETTERS WHILE AWAY AT CAMP
MEDIUM-SIZED GLASS HURRICANE CANDLE HOLDER
PINK AND BLUE FLORAL BREEZY COTTON DRESS WITH CONTRASTING TIE-STRAPS AND RUFFLED NECKLINE
LITTLE GIRLS’ PUFF SLEEVE MULTI-COLOR FLORAL SWING DRESS
TAN LEATHER FISHERMAN SANDALS FROM TORY BURCH WITH PLATFORM ESPADRILLE SOLE
HANDHELD CORDLESS LEAF BLOWER — MR. MAGPIE’S FAVORITE
HOTEL QUALITY LUXURY COOLING PILLOWS IN QUEEN SIZE — I USE THESE IN ALL GUEST AND CHILDREN’S BEDS
SET OF SIX ROUND WOVEN PLACEMATS WITH HOLDER — BOUGHT THESE FOR OUR PATIO
LONG-LASTING HAIRSPRAY FROM DRYBAR — MY SECRET TO KEEPING MY CHILDREN’S HAIR OUT OF THEIR FACE AND IN PLACE
SCREEN-FREE STORY-TELLING DEVICE…MY CHILDREN ARE OBSESSED
Weekend Musings: Moths by Jennifer O’Grady.
Last Monday, I invited my Instagram followers to share a one-word intention for the week. I was struck by how many of us are seeking permutations of the same: calm, quiet, reset, peace, grace, gentleness came up several times. It occurred to me this morning that one way to slow time is to sit with a poem. A poem rebuts the modern urge to skim. A poem must be handled carefully, each word a pea shucked into one’s lap and held there on angled knees. If you read too quickly, you will miss the magic.
So today, I thought I’d share a recent discovery of mine: Jennifer O’Grady’s “Moths.” I was taken by the way it maps the internal world onto the natural one. These lines in particular strike me: “translucent as a thought suddenly / wondered aloud, illuming the air / that’s thick with honeysuckle and dust.” The movement between the physical experience of a summer night and the metaphorical is swift and masterful. Gorgeous, well-shaped writing. Thought I’d leave it here for you to chew on, too.
Moths
Adrift in the liberating, late light
of August, delicate, frivolous,
they make their way to my front porch
and flutter near the glassed-in bulb,
translucent as a thought suddenly
wondered aloud, illumining the air
that’s thick with honeysuckle and dusk.
You and I are doing our best
at conversation, keeping it light, steering clear
of what we’d like to say.
You leave, and the night becomes
cluttered with moths, some tattered,
their dumbly curious filaments
startling against my cheek. How quickly,
instinctively, I brush them away.
Dazed, they cling to the outer darkness
like pale reminders of ourselves.
Others seem to want so desperately
to get inside. Months later, I’ll find
the woolens, snug in their resting places,
full of missing pieces.
-Jennifer O’Grady
Shopping Break.
+These wave hoop earrings are inexpensive but so chic — I have been getting a lot of use out of them this summer already. While at Madewell, check out some of their cute new arrivals, especially this tiered denim dress, which looks like something Ulla would issue, and these fun rope sandals.
+Obsessed with the cut and color of these jeans.
+This Saloni jumpsuit is SO good. I have to say that Saloni is one of my favorite, relatively under-the-radar labels — the cut/tailoring is always so exquisite. I think I now own five or six of their dresses. I always feel lean and long in their styles, which says a lot since I’m 5’0!
+This dress is insanely fun — love the pattern, colors, and unexpected collar! — and yet demure enough to wear to a lady’s lunch. Can’t beat the price!
+GREAT floor mirror, and currently on sale.
+These glass drinking straws come in such fun colors. We already have these rose gold ones but I’m tempted by these…
+These footed glasses are plastic – perfect for outdoor dining!
+OMG this romper for littles. It WOULD be from a brand founded by French sisters with the names Anais and Clemence. BEYOND. Also love this dress from the same label.
+I daydream about La Double J’s breakfast dress. So, so chic. Comes in a few fabulous patterns each season.
+These colorful woven hoop earrings are SO fun (and under $10).
+This D&G dress is on sale and beyond adorable. I rarely buy high-end designers like that, but I did purchase a D&G bustier dress for my honeymoon and every time I have worn it since, I have felt like a million bucks.
+Have always wanted to wear a nautical stripe sweater on a windy, overcast beach day.
+This necklace is so chic (and well priced) for summer. I like the idea of layering it with a few other shorter styles.
+This top and the matching skirt would be an unexpected and chic bridal look!
+Lake issued its popular patio dress in several new colors and I love their new swiss dot style too!
+This woven coffee table!
+Woven party bucket! Chic!
Love that dress! Tuckernuck has a June promo for 20% off with code Yourule. Purchased the clam shell charm pendant. Your recent sea life inspired post had me craving all things ocean related.
Yay! So interesting, Anne, as I’ve had a number of emails from readers saying the same thing about that sealife post. I guess a lot of us are excited about getting away / seaside renewal after a few years of COVID living where vacations, for many of us, were fewer and further between.
xx