My Latest Snag: AYR Tees.
After eyeing them for years, I finally treated myself to two Ayr tees: their wildly popular French Fry and their short-sleeved Sno Cone. I love layering with stripes, and pattern-matching striped with other prints (for example, patterned Hermes scarves look fabulous against a striped tee). What drew me most to these (besides the hype) was the fact that they are perfect “tucking” tees. I love my Kules, but Kule has a slightly thicker, boxier shape that makes them difficult to fully tuck into high-waist denim. The AYR is a perfect tuck (see below). I also love the dropped shoulders and the slight taper of the arm — a bit fuller at bicep, narrower at cuff; it’s as if the shirt has done all the heavy lifting for achieving that perfect French girl coolness. Wanted to mention that they are still running a 20% off any two tees promo! (Go in on it with a girlfriend?!)
P.S. I’m still toting my The Jacksons woven tote everywhere. So cute!
This Week’s Most Popular: Early Fall Finds.
The most popular items on Magpie this week:
COZY IVORY CASHMERE RIB-KNIT CARDIGAN IN AN OVERSIZED FIT FROM JENNI KAYNE
HIGH-RISE TAPERED OLIVE CARGO PANTS IN AN ANKLE-CROPPED LENGTH…SEE ME IN MINE HERE! SIZE DOWN A FULL SIZE — TRUST ME
RICH RED FLORAL TIERED LONG-SLEEVE MIDI DRESS WITH SMOCKED BODICE AND EMBROIDERED STATEMENT COLLAR — IN MY CLOSET WAITING FOR A CHILLY FALL DAY!
BREATHABLE CASHMERE SHORT SLEEVE SWEATER WITH OPEN COLLAR IN AN EYE-CATCHING GOLDENROD — ALSO IN MY CLOSET; GREAT VALUE FOR CASHMERE!
STUDDED COGNAC AND BLACK LEATHER SLIP-ON CLOGS — WILL BE WEARING MINE ALL FALL
SIMPLE WHITE CERAMIC TABLE LAMP ALONG WITH A CHIC WOVEN RATTAN LAMPSHADE — I PUT THESE IN OUR UPSTAIRS GUEST BEDROOM…THEY HAVE A CLEVER DIMMER SWITCH BUILT IN!
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE HERRINGBONE DOUBLE-BREASTED BLAZER WITH WIDE LAPEL AND GOLD STATEMENT BUTTONS…THIS IS A FALL CLOSET ESSENTIAL
RETRO-INSPIRED COLORBLOCKED MULTICOLOR CASUAL SNEAKERS — LOEWE VIBES
RUFFLED THREE-QUARTER SLEEVE MIDI DRESS IN A DARK BLUE GINGHAM PRINT WITH A SMOCKED BODICE AND STATEMENT COLLAR
GOLD OPEN LINK CHAIN NECKLACE WITH ADORABLE CRYSTAL EMBLAZONED MIXED CHARMS
DECORATIVE CERAMIC VANITY TRAY IN A WHITE AND GREY MARBLED PRINT — I USE THIS TO KEEP MY SKINCARE CORRALLED ON MY SINK!
SNAP-FRONT OVERSIZED COLLARED SHIRT JACKET IN A CLASSIC HOUNDSTOOTH PATTERN (UNDER $50!)
BUTTON-UP COLLARLESS PEASANT BLOUSE — STAUD VIBES FOR $22!
KHAKI DURABLE UTILITY JACKET WITH CONTRASTING CORDUROY COLLAR — BARBOUR STYLE FOR UNDER $50
WILD CARROT MOISTURIZING EYE BALM IN A PORTABLE STICK FORM FOR HYDRATION ON THE GO
Weekend Musings: At Eye’s Level.
Earlier this week, I took a midday stretch outside and noticed a little nest in one of the trees in our tiered garden beds. My sister-in-law had noticed it when visiting us in June — she is far more attentive to these things — and I’d frankly forgotten about it in the intervening weeks, despite regularly walking right past it on my way to the garage.
I was reminded, all of the sudden, of a poem by Edward Thomas, a British war poet who was killed in action at the Battle of Arras in 1917. (My father is a prodigious student of the war poets and even self-published a book comparing that genre to the combat poetry born of the Vietnam War some fifty years later. I must have encountered Thomas the summer I edited his manuscript while in graduate school.) Anyhow, the poem, titled “Birds’ Nests” was strikingly a propos:
“The summer nests uncovered by autumn wind,
Some torn, others dislodged, all dark,
Everyone sees them: low or high in tree,
Or hedge, or single bush, they hang like a mark.
Since there’s no need of eyes to see them with
I cannot help a little shame
That I missed most, even at eye’s level, till
The leaves blew off and made the seeing no game.”
Another reminder to focus on “what’s at eye’s level” in my life. To live where my feet are planted. It is haunting to think I might only notice what’s in front of me when the foliage has run thin.
Onward, Magpies —
At eye level —
Shopping Break.
+Yet another fun fall dress from Hunter Bell. They are nailing it this season! I’m not usually into minis but I really love the ones from HB and Doen…thinking they would look super cute with sneaks or flats or clogs…
+OMG I NEED THIS. I had been eyeing the SEA vest (which is SO fab) but this gets the vibe for less than half the price.
+Another GREAT platform sandal for the season ahead — this one under $150. (As you may recall, I cannot wait to bust mine out for this season.)
+Love love love these textured pillows to mix in with patterned ones.
+A great pair of straight-leg cords (in case the J. Crew demi boot cuts aren’t your vibe).
+Fun statement cardigan for $50. Gives me Ulla/Isabel Marant vibes.
+Great striped dress for fall – perfect with sneaks or ballet flats. Would work with bump slash ideal for wearing while chasing little ones.
+This Kule sweatshirt is on sale for under $60 — I own one of their sweatshirts and it’s one of my absolute favorites. It has a tailored fit that looks a bit dressier than your usual sweatshirt.
+Did I mention that my son wants to be a witch for Halloween? Ha! Love it. I found this $10 hat from H&M, which might be just the ticket…this reminds me: did you read The Humbug Witch growing up? This was one of my favorites and my daughter LOVES it now, too. A great addition to your fall library.
+This LaDoubleJ dress is pure fun. Milestone birthday material. (Look for less with this!)
+Cute table lamp.
+This straw tote transitions nicely into fall weather thanks to the leather handle.
At eye’s level. Reminds me of that line in Mary Poppins about not being able to see past the end of your nose. I myself rarely noticed the paintings hung in the classrooms during my freshman year of college. And last night I wasn’t paying attention to the shirt Geoff wore until we got home. To be fair he was in an apron most of the evening. But I find myself thinking of so many other things and forgetting my surroundings. It’s why i rarely listen to podcasts and audio books because my own thoughts get in the way. I guess this is a good time to pause and reflect and get outdoors, back to basics and enjoying life at a slower pace.
Amen to all of this! I agree – sometimes good to have the jolting reminder to “get back to basics.”
xx
Your little witch will be so cute! My 5yo daughter wants to be a shipwreck (I think she’s picturing the Titanic) and I am NOT crafty! I keep hoping she’ll change her mind but so far no luck. In years past she’s been a penguin, a fish, and an octopus, so I guess we’re expanding our undersea theme?!?
Going to do my best to pay attention to the things within the foliage of life this week. Since school has started, my brain feels slightly less scattered so this feels more doable than it did last month!
A shipwreck! That is SO creative! I love it.
I agree with you re: the start of the school year. I have felt so much more able to focus and take on more things without feeling as stretched-thin. Same boat!
xx
Hi there:
Love your blog! Could you please tell me how the French Fry tee shirt runs.? It looks like the neck might be up high– which bothers me in tees.! Thanks, Marianne
Hi Marianne! Thank you so much for the sweet note. Happy you’re here. You know, when you wrote this I realized I’d not noticed that while wearing it, and I went back and tried it on because it does look a little higher in the pic / when worn than the average tee. But it does not bother me in the least! Maybe it’s sort of an optical illusion because the collar band is just wider in general? I don’t know – but it definitely does not feel snug / higher at the neck.
xx