My Latest Hunt: The Birthday Dress.
I turn 34 on June 26th, and have been casually on the lookout for a dress to wear to my birthday dinner. I don’t need a new dress because I have plenty, and my fallback is a white tiered Self-Portrait that I have only worn once before but that is SO DARN PRETTY (similar in ethos to this) I have been looking for any excuse to pull it out of its garment bag. But still…it’s MA BIRFDAY. I love this (shown above), this, this, and this.
You’re Sooooo Popular: The Sale Summer Blouse.
The most popular items on Le Blog this week:
+Two darling statement blouses for summer — this one and this one — both on serious sale!
+The new “Gone-Girl-on-a-Train-in-the-Water-” thrilleryou must read this summer.
+The latest addition to my organization addiction.
+I can’t believe the price on this adorable blush dress.
+Obsessed with this scent.
+People are losing their minds over this sunless tanner…
+These beauties are finally on sale!
#Turbothot: Are You a Repeater?
My siblings and siblings-in-law and I got into a funny debate at our family reunion when it emerged that one of my sisters will occasionally like a song so much that she will replay it five or ten or even fifteen times in a row. This gave way to a protracted, passionate conversation about whether it was weird or not to be a “repeater” in the way only siblings or very close friends can dive into petty topics with fervor and hyperbole without royally offending anyone (to my knowledge…) — and we discovered that there was a fairly even split among us. About half repeated songs regularly and the other half determinedly did not. What was interesting about the conversation was that the non-repeaters were overbearing in their conviction that repeating songs was “weird” and “not how music was meant to be listened to,” and the repeaters were all sheepish about their habits: “I feel guilty, but I can’t help it!”
Was this a case of rule followers (non-repeaters) against rule skirters (repeaters)? A case of curfew-keepers against curfew breakers? And why did the repeaters seem to know that they were breaking some invisible law of music-listening?
What do you think?
For the record, I’m an alternative, third kind of music-listener: the very occasional repeater. (This seems consistent with much in my life: I’m a little of this, a little of that, but wear only a handful of labels comfortably: wife, Catholic, and — more recently, after extensive soul-searching — mother and writer.) Only rarely, when I’m really into a song, will I listen to it two times in a row or a handful of times over the course of an evening — but the thought of listening to the same song backtobacktoback feels claustrophobic to me.
What about you? Repeater? Non-repeater?
#Shopaholic: A One-Piece.
+I am DYING over this white one-piece. I very much do not need another swimsuit — I barely use the drawer-full of them I currently own! — but I think I might need it.
+I already own this Mara Hoffman cover-up kaftan in a different colorway, but it’s on sale, PLUS AN EXTRA 40% OFF NOW!
+I’m digging this easy tunic dress — I kind of like the shapelessness of it, with lace up brown sandals?!
+A straw bag with a hand-painted monogram?! YES PLS.
+My dad gave my mom a pair of these (with a little guidance from yours truly) for their 38-year anniversary. So sweet.
+Do you use a primer before you apply makeup? This stuff is supposed to be amazing.
+I love the look of these for storing dry goods.
+This crib or this crib would make SUCH a huge statement in a chic nursery!
+In love with this acrylic x-bench — though I should say I’ve had really good luck finding amazing x-benches at Target, and this in the gray-and-cream cabana stripe has my full attention right now! I might put it under the window in our bedroom…
+ADORABLE.
I tend to get really into songs, I used to burn CDs with the same 30-40 songs on rotation from high school through college. Certain songs just make me happy. But my sister’s boyfriend takes it to another level, he trained for a marathon and would just listen to the same song on repeat his whole run. CRAZY!
That is repeatership on A WHOLE NEXT LEVEL — woah!!
I’ve had same debate with friends! I fall into the song repeater category. Remember reading years ago that Dick Clark was as well and thinking I was in good company. On flip side, I’m not a movie repeater. Very few flicks can catch my attention twice.
Good company indeed! But I am a movie repeater — I could watch my little collection of rom coms (heavily featuring Nora Ephron in the credits) every night while falling asleep until eternity…
I firmly believe in celebrating your own birthday, so I can’t wait to hear what dress you choose! And I love the random (and very thought-provoking) discussions you have with family and friends, this one included. I am a wholehearted repeater. That said, I’ve never been someone who is passionate about music. THAT is what I feel guilty about…and odd for not being passionate about it. Music is beautiful! And emotional! What is wrong with me?! I remember in middle school (ugh, those mortifying teenage years!), I was in class and the teacher went around the room, and asked each of us to say out loud who our favorite musician was. I think I said some obscure Top 40 artist, of whom I can’t even remember, which was even more mortifying. So if I end up liking a song, I LIKE it. And have no problem putting it on repeat, in the solitude of my home or car, for as long as my adult self wants 🙂
Love your ownership of your repeatership and your general lack of interest in music. Whatev! You do you! I’ll keep you posted on my dress choice…xo
First of all, re: birthday dress … my 34th birthday falls exactly a week before yours and I say, go for it! Dresses come and dresses go, but there’s no reason not to treat yourself to a new frock to wear on your birthday, I say! I bought myself a 10 Crosby Derek Lam shirtdress (because I’ll be at work during the day on my birthday, womp) but have really been craving something light & floral, so I’ll keep my eye out this weekend.
Re: repeating — I fall somewhere near you. On occasion I have repeated the same song twice, but never more than 3 times in a row, and it’s a rare occurrence to begin with. I love listening to music, but hardly ever by repeating like that! Such a funny debate to have with your siblings — maybe I’ll bring it up with mine next time we’re all together 🙂
P.S. Love your dad’s anniversary gift to your mom — so sweet!
I appreciate the vote — I’ll pass that along to Mr. Magpie 🙂 Hehe.
Would be interesting to learn whether there’s an even split of repeaters vs. nons in your tribe! xo