My Latest Snag: Pajamas for the Children.
I’ve been on a pajama-buying tear lately. I just realized that both of my children have either outgrown or worn out most of their pajama drawers, and we were looking a little raggedy at bedtime. I was able to purchase a few pairs of TBBC pajamas for only $15 a pop — not sure how many are left as of now, but run! — as well as these football jams for my son and these nutcracker pajamas for my daughter and myself. I shared a lot of other adorable holiday pajamas for children earlier this week, and am planning to buy Petidoux ski print jammies for micro and skate print jammies for mini as well as these arctic train ones for both! I find that Petite Plume can usually be worn two and sometimes even three seasons — I size up a bit! My son was still wearing a size 2Y (!!!! — and he is 3.5) up until a few weeks ago — the pants were like flood pants on him, but I had a hard time giving them up, because both children had worn them!
This Week’s Most Popular: Winter and Holiday Finds.
06. KHAITE VIVIAN BOOTCUT JEANS
11. MEN’S QUILTED FLEECE PULLOVER
14. TODDLER NUTCRACKER PAJAMAS
16. PEHR BINS
17. FLEECE JACKET
18. SUGAR PAPER X TARGET GIFT WRAP
Weekend Musings: Compliments.
When I was twelve, navigating the unwelcome changes of puberty and ill-at-ease in my own body, a baby-sitter told me I was pretty. I remember exactly where I was: filing out of the back of Annunciation Church, sun filtering through stained glass and onto my sweater. We must have been there for a pageant, or an awards ceremony, or some other school event at which my mom needed extra hands. “You look so pretty,” she said. “Those cheekbones.” And she pressed her hand to her heart and looked off longingly, as if to pantomime envy.
Superficial, yes, but I consider it one of the kindest compliments I’ve ever received, mainly because I hungered to hear it at that age. I think back and wonder if she knew this, if my evident need for reassurance spurred the comment, as I have never had particularly pronounced cheekbones, and certainly not at that pudgy age. For years (and years), I would turn my face this way and that in the mirror, straining to see what she had seen, wondering if others saw me that way, too. I have long since lost track of that sitter but I wish I could go to her, put my hands on her shoulders, and thank her. What might have been a throwaway comment for her became a touchstone for me.
You may have borne witness to this sentiment in the interaction between my fictional characters Lee and Frances in this short story. So much of me is baked into that story — not all in the same character, either.
What’s the kindest compliment you’ve ever received?
Shopping Break.
+This waffled sweatpants and sweatshirt set look like heaven. (Both pieces on sale for around $40 each!)
+25% off sitewide at Proper Table using code PROPERTHANKS. I’ve featured their acrylic coasters and placemats a lot recently (including in this edit) — easy-to-keep-clean tableware for busy families. Their coaster sets would be a great gift to give friends along with a bottle of wine. And trust me, you need their placemats!
+This top makes me happy. Velvet AND hot pink!
+More hot pink goodness: satin mules (perfect for pairing with sparkles), this gorgeous dress, and this happy striped sweater.
+And WOW these pink and red ornaments!
+Just added a few of these $6 waffle layering tees to my cart for micro. I also added these star-print leggings to cart — good to have some backups to keep in my bag / in his backpack!
+A splurgier option, but these pima knit tees from 1212 are exceptionally soft and well-made.
+These textured towels are chic.
+Love this cubby-style bookshelf for littles — we have a similar one in our playroom and it used to be in mini’s bedroom. SO good because it keeps everything at their eye level / accessible to them. Amazing how much more likely they are to play with toys, read books, etc when they can see them easily!
+For heirloom items / special books, use these floating shelves!
+Somehow these Supergas (in such a good color!) are on sale for under $40.
+Love this tree skirt from Julia Amory.
+Velvet bow jumpsuit — under $150 and so fun.
+How chic is this baby mat?
+Perfect holiday earrings.
Recently, I had a friend text me after we had seen each other at a memorial service. She told me that she’d spoken with my children (ages 12 & 9) at the service and said they were “respectful, creative, and funny”. That might be the biggest compliment I’ve ever received. I think my kids are amazing, but to know that other people appreciate them and that they are shining bright apart from me was just what I need to know when I’m slogging through the hard parts of parenting. Sometimes it takes years to know if anything you’re doing is working or if you’re even doing it right. I so appreciate my friend taking the time to share that bit of joy with me.
Hi Marthalynn – Wow – what an incredible compliment, and testament to you! This really resonated with me: “Sometimes it takes years to know if anything you’re doing is working or if you’re even doing it right.” My husband and I have been talking a lot about this lately as it feels like we are just forever reinforcing the same rules, the same principles, the same lines, and sometimes it feels like it’s pointless. Like, it would be embarrassing to admit how often we say “bottoms in seats” during the dinner hour. Our children always find conniving ways and reasons to get up and meander around, or to “sit” on their knees, or to mess around in their chairs. AHH. That’s a small example but there are so many venues in which parenting sometimes feels sisyphean. Anyhow, thanks for writing that, and for sharing that compliment — it makes me think there is hope for us still! Ha 🙂
xx
When I was on a study abroad trip in high school, our teacher (guide?) told me that if she had a daughter she’d want her to be like me. That made me feel really good.
More recently, one of my friends told me that she and her sister (also a close friend) had recently had a conversation about how I always “show up” for people. My close group of girl friends and I have all moved away from each other in the past few years, and we are all in the “mothers with little kids” phase in our lives, so it has been hard for us to get together (even without factoring covid into the equation!). So the fact that they’ve noticed that I’ve made every effort to see them whenever possible meant a lot to me. 🙂
What a lovely thing for that teacher to have said — and also what your friend said of you. You sound like the kind of lady I want around! :). xx
I got a face/head massage the other day (utter heaven) and afterwards the woman told me that I had the softest hair she’d ever touched (!) Then she asked me what hair products I use and I said drugstore shampoo and conditioner. Lol. But she must touch a lot of hair, so I took it as high praise.
Wow! That is high praise!!
xx
When I was in high school, I declined taking a photo with some friends. I don’t remember exactly why… maybe I wasn’t having a good hair day? My science teacher (female) exclaimed that I was beautiful and encouraged me to not decline being in the photo for such a silly reason. Will never forget it. She had a point!! Forever grateful for that interaction and what it taught me! Beyond that, a friend once told me I had a natural gift for making people feel comfortable in conversations… love a compliment not focused on looks too!
What a great lesson – that would (will) stick with me!
xx