My Latest Snag: “Big Girl” Bedding for Mini.
Mini has outgrown her toddler bed — and then some. We have been meaning to transition her to a “big girl bed” for a long time now. We finally ordered her a proper mattress (the Saatva Youth — we LOVE this brand’s Zenhaven mattress we bought earlier this year for ourselves, the result of weeks of research on Mr. Magpie’s behalf) and will transition her toddler bed to a full size bed as soon as it arrives. I had the fun task of filling out the rest of her bed, and bought her two sheet sets to begin with (will continue to round out backup sets over time, but as any parent knows, it’s critical to have at least one back up set at all times). I bought her this set from the Company Store in the ditsy star print and this gingham set from Gap Home. I like pattern mixing in the children’s rooms — so fun. These will go with the “swan” duvet I already have for her from Pehr (sold out), but if I didn’t have that on hand, I would have contemplated this Hill House or something from Biscuit. (And P.S., if you have a smaller child, I love all the patterns from newer bedding label Gooselings, all for toddler beds!). I ordered a few extra of my favorite affordable but high quality pillows for her bed since she’ll have more sleeping pillows now. The last step will be ordering her a cute decorative pillow. I like the ones from Peppermint Bee and Southern Shades.
This Week’s Most Popular: Early Fall Finds.
The most popular items on Magpie this week:
BLUE AND WHITE PINSTRIPE BUTTON-UP SHIRT
COLLARLESS TWEED JACKET WITH CONTRASTING GOLDEN BUTTONS AND WAIST TIE FOR A PUT-TOGETHER FITTED LOOK
HIGH-WAISTED FLARED BOOT-CUT PANTS MADE FROM KHAKI COLORED CORDUROY — THE FIT OF THESE IS SO FLATTERING AND A PERFECT ADDITION TO YOUR FALL WARDROBE
RICH GREEN KNIT TURTLENECK IN AN OVERSIZED, COMFORTABLE FIT WITH EXAGGERATED RIBBED HEMS
DRAWSTRING WAIST STRAIGHT LEG PANTS MADE FROM A SWEATER MATERIAL SO SOFT YOU’LL NEVER WANT TO TAKE THEM OFF…PLUS, THERE ARE POCKETS!
CLASSIC BUTTON-FRONT CASHMERE CARDIGAN IN AN EYE-CATCHING HOT PINK HUE — MADE FROM SUSTAINABLY SOURCED MATERIALS TOO
KNEE-HIGH WESTERN-INSPIRED BLACK FAUX LEATHER BOOTS
SET OF FIVE COLORFUL AMERICAN-MADE PENCILS WITH WIZARD SPELLS PRINTED IN GOLD LEAF — ONLY $10 AND PERFECT AS A GIFT!
GORGEOUS OVERSIZED CHUNKY RIB-KNIT TURTLENECK WITH CONTRASTING STITCHING ALONG THE SLEEVES FROM RAG + BONE
SET OF NINE ELEGANTLY PRINTED HALLOWEEN THEMED PAPER PLATES
BOLDLY PRINTED MONOGRAMMED CELLPHONE CASE THAT COMES IN SUCH A CUTE RANGE OF COLORS
WOVEN CORN HUSK PUMPKIN FOR CHIC, BUDGET-FRIENDLY FALL DECOR
SET OF CHOCOLATE BROWN LINEN CLOTH NAPKINS WITH CONTRASTING WHITE SCALLOPED TRIM — INSTANTLY ELEVATES ANY DINNER PARTY!
STAINLESS STEEL JULEP CUP WITH ELEGANT BEADED EDGES FOR SOME EXTRA FLAIR ON YOUR BAR CART
RETRO-INSPIRED TORTOISE PATTERNED CAT EYE SUNGLASSES
WESTERN STYLE SUEDE BOOTIES FROM SAM EDELMAN WITH CHIC KITTEN HEEL
Weekend Musings: Moving the Dirt.
Earlier this week, I went on a deeply unsatisfying run. I hated every minute of the workout. I could not get into a groove and wanted to stop and walk the entire time. I ground it out, but it was an unpleasant experience — this, coming from someone who already finds running “a necessary evil.” (I am not one of those passionate hobbyist runners — for me, running is a means to an end, or several: breaking a sweat, clearing my mind, and elevating my heart rate. It’s also conveniently cheap and portable. You can run anywhere.). Afterward, I polled my Magpies on Instagram: “How do you motivate yourself when you just ain’t feeling it?” Most of the answers pooled into one of three responses:
- Put on motivating music.
- Commit to ten minutes and if you’re still not feeling it, throw in the towel. (Though, usually, ten minutes in, you can motivate yourself to grind it out or you’ve gotten into a rhythm.)
- Bribe yourself with something fun afterward.
These are all excellent, tactical pieces of advice. But the one that really stood out to me ran as follows:
“Sometimes you just have to move the dirt.”
I truly felt that in my bones. It was, in different words, what I’d told myself every step of that unsatisfying run, and how I’d made it to the end. Nothing particularly awe-inspiring or mood-lifting — just: “Keep going. Grind it out. This sucks. Keep moving. Move that dirt. Get to that next tree.”
Inspiration will come and go, so you must learn to be disciplined. This is true in creative matters, in entrepreneurship, in academics, even in relationships and motherhood. Some days you are gliding on through, lifted by motivation and grace. Other days, the skies cloud over and your feet feel as though quagmired.
On those days: you just have to move the dirt.
Shopping Break.
+Another great statement loafer for the fall season. Major Gucci vibes, but the exaggeration of the hardware makes them feel not too copycat. This ladylike style (under $50) is also fab in the chocolate brown. (More loafers here.)
+PSA: Clarins Double Serum is 25% off! This is my ride-or-die skincare secret. I will not leave it.
+Well this fall dress is spectacular (and under $150). Order now for Thanksgiving!
+ByTimo has some really fun pieces out at the moment — this quilted mini and this corduroy one! (You can get the latter look for less with this.)
+Speaking of corduroy dresses, this Madewell one is fun.
+Drooling over this houndstooth blazer. The tie!
+GASP. These shoes!
+I couldn’t believe how quickly my tree topper sold out this year! Will keep an eye out for a restock. I do have to say my other frontrunner would be this gorgeous dove from Fig and Dove!
+This Etsy shop has adorable personalized cocktail napkins. Love these for a fall oyster roast!
+I’m hunting for boots for my son this fall. These are a statement but I’m kind of loving them?