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Weekend Vibes, Edition No. 281: On Being of Use.

The Fashion Magpie Weekend Vibes

My Latest Snag: SuperGoop Play Sunscreen.

I feel as though everyone has already tried this sunscreen, but I bought Supergoop’s Play sunscreen for our beach vacation and it has been excellent. Somehow everyone has avoided burns despite hours and hours in the sun on the beach, at the pool, etc. — and I was skeptical as this sunscreen really glides on easily and leaves no trace of white. I also love the faint rosemary smell. You might remember that I also raved about Soleil Toujours earlier this season, and I love that formula as well — I feel like it is ultra water- and sweat-proof. You really need to scrub to get it off. Both are excellent sunscreens for active families!

For little children, I love Babo cream for bodies and stick for face! It does leave white residue but I personally like that I can see how well-applied / full coverage it is.

P.S. Swimwear with extra coverage for additional sun protection!

You’re Soooo Popular: Summer Finds.

The most popular items on Magpie this week:

LIGHT PINK PULL-ON RELAXED-FIT PANTS MADE FROM A SUPER SOFT SWEATER MATERIAL

SIMPLE LONG-SLEEVE CREWNECK SHIRT WITH SIDE CUTOUTS

BEIGE CHUNKY KNIT RIBBED CARDIGAN WITH OVERSIZED BUTTONS

GORGEOUS HALTER MAXI DRESS WITH FLOWING SKIRT IN A MULTICOLOR GEOMETRIC PRINT

RECYCLED COTTON REUSABLE TOTE BAG IN A BLUE STRIPE PATTERN…PERFECT FOR BEACH DAYS OR SUPERMARKET TRIPS

NUMBERBLOCKS MATHLINK CUBES ACTIVITY SET FOR THE LITTLES

BREATHABLE GAUZY COTTON SLEEVELESS MIDI DRESS WITH CHIC BACK CUTOUT IN MUTED ORANGE

LIGHT BLUE FLORAL ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT WITH PLUNGE NECKLINE — THIS TIMELESS SILHOUETTE IS ALSO ON SALE FOR OVER HALF OFF CURRENTLY

HIGH NECK STATEMENT MAXI DRESS WITH SMOCKED BODICE WITH GATHERED SLEEVES AND STUNNING OPEN BACK

MINT GREEN CLASSIC ITALIAN LEATHER BI-FOLD WALLET WITH ZIP POCKET AND SNAP CLOSURE FROM GUCCI

WOVEN RAFFIA SLIP-ON SANDALS WITH LOW KITTEN HEEL…IN MY CLOSET!

LONG-SLEEVE GAUZY COTTON TUNIC WITH STYLISH BUBBLE BUTTON-FRONT DETAIL IN LIGHT BLUE

MULTICOLOR STRIPED SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT AND ELASTIC WAISTBAND SHORTS SET FOR LITTLES

LIGHT BLUE STRIPE AFTER-BATH PIMA COTTON WRAP DRESS

POPLIN SHIFT DRESS WITH SMOCKED NECKLINE AND SCALLOPED VIBRANT BLUE CONTRAST TRIM

Weekend Musings: More Marge Piercey.

I’m on a Marge Piercey kick, I guess. (See some of her wise words from earlier this week here.) I loved the poem below, titled “To Be of Use,” which I quoted earlier this year here in relation to living a well-designed, or design-conscious, life. More meaty considerations pertaining to work ethic and purpose emerge in the stanzas below, but I specifically responded to the line: “I want to be with people who submerge // in the task, who go into the fields to harvest // and work in a row and pass the bags along,
// who are not parlor generals and field deserters // but move in a common rhythm // when the food must come in or the fire be put out.” Don’t we all know and love the people who, in a communal house, unload the dishwasher and take out the garbage and wipe down the counters? The people who, at a group meal, arrange the food and tend the fire, without being asked and without needing instruction?

to be of use

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

Shopping Break.

+Obsessed with these earrings. The size, the color, the shape! Under $80, too. Would look fabulous with a little white top.

+A perfect white tee.

+These trousers for fall! Also love these, which I already own in a different color. Both on sale!

+This patterned front-zip dress is ultra-chic and would work well for breastfeeding moms.

+Perfect linen button-down.

+Believe it or not, these white Reeboks are the new-new-new in cool sneaks to pair with dresses — or jeans and a blazer.

+Into J. Crew’s new cropped barn jacket silhouette.

+Perfect snack organizer.

+Everyone loves these two pairs of jeans: Agolde Riley and Citizen’s Charlotte.

+These ultra-soft, non-restrictive tanks are my favorite.

+This green floral jumpsuit is insanely chic.

+Aligns in hot pink!

+Perfect cropped navy sweatshirt.

+Lug Von Siga magic.

+Ordering these inexpensive rugbys for micro’s budding fall wardrobe.

+The Liberty floral jammies are absolutely perfect. Earmarking as a gift for my mom!

+Party heels!

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