Site icon Magpie by Jen Shoop

Weekend Vibes, Edition No. 296: On Compliments.

sky blue vw bug on fall leaves

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.

01. SEA PASCALI DRESS

02. CRYSTAL BOW PUMPS

03. VELVET PUFF SLEEVED DRESS

04. ALEX MILL TWEED BLAZER

05. FREE ASSEMBLY WHITE TEE

06. KHAITE VIVIAN BOOTCUT JEANS

07. PARIS PEARL BARRETTE

08. SMOCKED TARTAN DRESS

09. J. CREW FEATHER BAG

10. NILI LOTAN CORDUROYS

11. MEN’S QUILTED FLEECE PULLOVER

12. IPHONE CROSSBODY CASE

13. GIRL’S FAIR ISLE SWEATER

14. TODDLER NUTCRACKER PAJAMAS

15. JEWELRY ORGANIZING TRAYS

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.