*Image via.
My Latest Snag: Cashmere Scarf Collar Sweater.
I bought myself this cashmere scarf collar sweater while on sale and cannot wait for it to arrive. The scarf collar detail reminded me of a few pieces I’ve been lusting after from Toteme, like this puffer and this wool coat that’s been all over the place this season. I’m also drooling over this funky wool scarf/cape hybrid, which would look so fab over a slim-fit sweater or turtleneck tucked into high-waisted trousers.
This Week’s Most Popular: Winter and Holiday Finds.
1. PERSONALIZED AND CUSTOMIZABLE HARDCOVER RUNNING JOURNAL TO HELP TRACK AND PLAN WORKOUTS
2. AN UPDATED, CASUAL TAKE ON THE 1979 NIKE MARATHON SNEAKER WITH THE ICONIC SWOOSH IN A BLACK AND WHITE COLORWAY FOR VERSATILE WEAR
3. CREAMY BEIGE TONED LOUNGEWEAR SET WITH RAGLAN SWEATSHIRT AND RELAXED-FIT PANTS WITH DRAWSTRING WAIST
4. MIDI-LENGTH WOOL AND COTTON BLEND SUPER SOFT KNIT PENCIL SKIRT IN OATMEAL WITH A RIBBED WAISTBAND
5. CUSTOM-MADE HAND-STAMPED MINIMALIST SIGNET RING IN EITHER GOLD OR SILVER
6. EXTRA WARM WATERPROOF PUFFER JACKET IN A MONOCHROME PINK TARTAN PATTERN
7. BUTTON-FRONT BLACK CREPE LONG-SLEEVE TOP WITH BLAZER-ESQUE LAPELS AND DRAMATIC FEATHERED CUFFS (IN MY CLOSET!)
8. MEN’S BURNISHED LEATHER DURABLE LACE-UP ANKLE BOOTS WITH CONTRAST STITCHING AND REINFORCED TOE
9. SLIM TRAVEL-FRIENDLY LED LIGHT MIRROR WITH MAGNIFICATION AND BLUETOOTH…THIS PIECE IS ON SALE!
10. BUTTON-UP OATMEAL TEDDY LINER VEST WITH LARGE FRONT PATCH POCKETS…SUCH A VERSATILE PIECE FOR LAYERING
11. MONTHLY AND WEEKLY TAB ORGANIZED 14-MONTH 2023 SPIRAL-BOUND PLANNER
12. HOURGLASS-SHAPED WOOL AND CASHMERE BLEND CARDIGAN WITH A SUBTLE BELL SLEEVE AND RIB-KNIT ACCENTS
13. COTTON-BLEND COZY KNIT MOCK NECK SWEATER IN A MULTICOLOR FESTIVE FAIR ISLE PATTERN…HARD TO RESIST THIS WINTER CLOSET STAPLE FOR LESS THAN $20
14. RECTANGULAR NATURAL WOVEN SERVING TRAY WITH HANDLES WITH A RUSTIC ARTISANAL LOOK TO SUBTLY ENHANCE YOUR DECOR
15. SOLID BRASS PASTA CUTTER WITH HAND-CARVED BEECH HARDWOOD HANDLE
16. OVERSIZED STRUCTURED FLEECE TOTE BAG WITH CONTRASTING SIDE PANELS AND STRAPS — A PERFECT CHIC EVERYDAY PURSE
Weekend Musings: Those Winter Sundays.
I always wonder what to write about on high holidays, since I assume that my Magpies are preoccupied with festivities and family. However, at some point during the depths of the pandemic, one Magpie wrote to say how much she appreciated that I posted right through the holidays, as she was stuck at work and desperate for diversion, and it felt like the rest of the world had gone dark. I think about that note all the time, and I think about the way many people have “kept the light on” for me, too, often without knowing it.
For years, Mr. Magpie and I have talked about putting candles in our windows during the holiday season. I’ve always loved the inviting look and can’t help but point them out when we’re driving around town during the month of December. Close to a decade ago, Mr. Magpie ordered a set that never appeared — they were back-ordered, and we gave up. The next year, I picked up a set from Michael’s that were complete (excuse my French) crap and I ended up returning them after they teetered and toppled in the window sills for an afternoon. Then we were moving, then we lived in NYC and candles in apartment windows didn’t have the same appeal, and last year we were just-moved again. This year, Mr. Magpie bought a proper, well-made set from a garden supply store. He put them up one afternoon while I was out running errands, and when I drove down the street, I audibly gasped. They sparked such joy — not only because they are emblematic of so much of the good in the holiday season (the vision of waiting in the dark, the motif of warmth in home and hearth) but because my husband had known how excited I would be and had scurried around the house to get them set up for a grand reveal in time for my homecoming.
Mr. Magpie always leaves the light on for me. But that’s an obvious relationship to point to. There are also many friends and neighbors and family members who do the same, in small but meaningful ways. I am thinking specifically of friends who reassure me that something I’m navigating as a mom is neither weird nor worrisome. When my daughter had lice, I trepidatiously called one of the mothers in my daughter’s class to let her know, and I was frankly worried she might give me some kind of “ew, yuck” treatment. Instead, she said: “Oh, God bless her. I’m so sorry to hear that. How’s she feeling?” If she was panicking inwardly at the possibility that my daughter had given hers lice, you wouldn’t ever have known. She steamrolled right over any negativity and offered nothing but love and empathy. That is leaving the light on, too.
Challenging myself these next few days to leave the light on for the people in my life. One small and obvious way is to continue to post here for anyone who needs the distraction — whether because holidays are hard, work is calling, or these aren’t the holidays you celebrate.
Onward!
Shopping Break.
+Loving this Toteme-esque sweater (under $125!) in the perfect neutral hue.
+I just discovered this really cute sneaker brand for children called Origo. I like that they have a Veja vibe but are a bit different. You can get 10% off with code MAGPIE.
+Love this lace top from Gap! Such a chic color of blue!
+We’re actually going OUT for NYE (we usually stay in, make an elaborate seafood plateau for two, and watch old movies), but we’re hosting a few friends with children the night before NYE, and I just added a few fun, festive finds to my cart: these disco ball picks, these headbands for the kids.
+Thinking about swapping out Tilly’s leash for this handsome Barbour one. I also want to mention that we love the Orvis dog beds for Tilly — they make them for even really big dogs (Tilly is 65 lbs, for reference) and they come in really handsome fabrics/patterns.
+I just ordered this handwash to try — have heard the exfoliating aspect is really amazing!
+Love the fit and wash of these Levis.
+Pin this Gucci pin onto an old tee/turtleneck/knit and feel like a million bucks!
+Adorable return address labels.
+I saw this Emilia Wickstead dress and swooned. It is unfortunately/dangerously on sale and in my size…!!!! Do I need this for Easter Sunday?!?
+Well this knit skirt/sweater set are CHIC.
+Gap has some really cute, simple puffer jackets for little ones in great color combos. Love this red with the blue hood for a little boy.
+Wait, this terry cloth headband is clever — you use it to push your hair back while washing your face.
+Love this bow dress. (More bow pieces here.)
+Three fabulous black tie ready dresses for winter weddings: this Saloni, this ASTR (under $130!), and this Rebecca Valence.
+Now this is a glass slipper.
echoing everyone below me – thank you for continuing to post thoughtful reflections and leave the light on for your community here. we’re spending christmas at home, unexpectedly, after being caught in the thick of yesterday’s storm and begrudgingly having to turn around on our trek to new england and come home. your posts and links are a great distraction from the disappointment i feel at missing out on our planned big christmas with extended family. hope you & your little ones have a magical christmas weekend!
oh, and also YES to that emilia wickstead dress! swooooon! you need it.
Right?! It’s the kind of dress you buy completely out of season because you just know it will be a joy to have in your closet for years to come…sooo tempted…
xx
Oh Erica! I am SO sorry to hear about the change in Christmas plans. That happened to one sister last year and another sister this year, and it is really so rough to head into a weekend of HIGH expectations only to have them dashed at the last minute. I’m sorry! I am hoping this means you’ll have a moment to recharge before 2023 instead, and that your next Christmas is EPIC! Karma is a queen 🙂
xx
thanks for the kind words 🙂 will be repeating “karma is a queen” to myself – love that reframe!
Yes!!!
LOVE the window candles! I think its the Williamsburg effect for me. When I was young, living in Florida and had never seen snow EVER, we rented a home inside Olde Williamsburg and the candles were in ALL the homes and it snowed and snowed and snowed. It was such a magical Christmas for our family. Then moved to Charlottesville and there were my Williamsburg candles everywhere again. It really is a Virginia thing. Now I live in Nashville and hardly anyone does it. I miss seeing them at Christmas and you just brought that delightful memory back to me. Thank you!
However, today I have unplugged our tree and all lights because we are doing a “rolling blackout” due to power needs across our city. Enjoy the Christmas lights for us today and tomorrow.
Merry Christmas to you, your family and all of your followers. I am so appreciative of you and your followers. We are a family of yours!
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear about the rolling blackout – what a bummer on Christmas!!! I had no idea, though, that the candles in the windows was a regional thing?! Thanks for opening my eyes to this.
xx
Love starting my mornings with you!
I’m an early riser whether it’s a work day or weekend.
Your careful and thoughtful observations are an antidote to the mindless scrolling that the internet so often facilitates.
I find myself slowing down to read your posts with my first cup of tea every morning before the rest of the house is awake.
Thank you!
Wishing you all good things at Christmas and in 2023.
Oh, Jenny – thank you so much for this generous note. I’m so fortunate to have such lovely, loyal readers who invite me into their day. I appreciate your thought companionship!
Cheers to the holidays and to a happy new year — wishing you the best right back.
xx
I agree, thank you for leaving the light on. After loss of family members, Christmas just isn’t the same. Your blog always brings me happiness, thank you and happy holidays!
Thank you so much, Val! You all leave the light on for me all the time in comments like these. So glad we’ve found each other via the wild west of the internet!
xx
I agree- thanks so much for keeping the light on. I’m not able to see my parents for Christmas this year because they both have covid and I’m frankly pretty devastated about it. So I’m looking for sources of light wherever I can this weekend.
AHHH — Anna, I completely understand how you feel. One of my sisters and her entire family got COVID right before the holidays and so they weren’t able to join and it just felt cruel, especially after now THREE years of rearranging our lives around this virus. It is not fair, not fun. As I noted to a reader above, though, “karma is a queen” — I feel like you’re DUE a big celebration / windfall of some kind in 2023.
xx
I, too, am very grateful that you continue to post through the holidays. It does seem like the entire internet goes dark and I treasure the community and thoughtfulness here, particularly during high-stress times. I imagine it takes a lot of work and effort on your part and just want you to know that I appreciate it.
Oh wow – thank you!!! I am so deeply happy that you find meaning/happiness/distraction/any good thing here. Wishing you all the best, Danielle. Thank you for your loyal commenting and readership!
xx
Thank you for leaving the light on for me. I’m going to try-very hard- to 1. Breathe. And 2. Leave the light on for family today. Have a blessed weekend.
Hi Jen – Getting to these comments the day after Christmas and hoping you were able to breathe this weekend! We are now safely on the other side, too :). Happy holidays, and wishing you kind seas in 2023.
xx