My Latest Snag: The Molton Brown Body Wash.
I have been an enormous fan of Molton Brown for years now. I stock all our bathrooms with their handsoap and lotion, and have been a devotee of their bodywashes for ages, especially since most of the scents are gender neutral. Recently, I received a sample of their Heavenly Gingerlily Body Wash and I could not stop smelling myself. I noticed that the bottle was disappearing quickly, only to find that Mr. Magpie had gotten in on the good stuff, too — and he loved it. So, a full size was in order. Treat yourself!!
As an aside, loofahs are supposed to be fairgrounds for bacteria, so we’ve long since stopped using them. I’m intrigued by this well-reviewed silicone body scrubber as a substitute. (Check out reviews!)
You’re Sooooo Popular: Le Cashmere Crew.
The most popular items on Le Blog this week:
+Le cashmere crew ($100!) How can you not?! I’ve been wearing mine with my new silk scarf for a DAR kind of look.
+MUST READ THIS BOOK. I wrote a full review last weekend and a reader wrote in with some admirably strong opinions in reaction to my commentary. Worth a read! (I welcome the feedback!!!)
+Get that fuzzy mohair look that’s all the rage RN.
+Super cute corduroy dress for a toddler. Into mustard yellow!
+My secret to avoiding huge dry cleaning bills in the winter months: I wash all my cashmere and wool by hand in the tub/sink with this.
+Super sharp blazer. I’ve been v. into the blazer look so far this season — I’ve been layering my glen plaid one as well as a camel colored one over blouses and tees with skinny jeans all the live long day.
+Miu Miu vibes in the form of this pleated skirt!
#Turbothot: Building Cathedrals.
My dad is deeply wise. He’s seen things — in war zones as a member of the 81st airborne, in the 70s as a civil liberties activist (of sorts — I don’t think he’d identify as an activist), in courtrooms and boardrooms as a corporate attorney, in his tireless efforts to curb veteran homelessness in Washington, D.C., as a parent to five children, as a confidante to countless friends. He’s lived about 34 lives in one. He’s brave, measured, scary-smart. And he does not mince words. His taciturnity means that he’s not big on small talk (sometimes when we shoot the breeze on the phone, I’ll wait breathlessly — where is the hammer?! What bomb is he about to drop?) and that, often, you’ll be sitting at his side and amidst casual re-caps of the book he’s reading or the itinerary for an upcoming trip, he’ll drop a gem of life wisdom on you with no preamble, and it will sit with you for the next few weeks.
Just this past weekend, we sat in the cozy living room of his home in N.W. D.C. while mini played in front of us. We were talking about neighborhoods in Manhattan — would we ever want to try a different one? Or maybe move uptown? He commented that his brother had lived at 114th street back when he was pursuing an advanced degree in chemistry at Columbia, and that there was a lovely Catholic Church up that way. After a pause, he added: “The church was under renovation for some time. One day, a gentleman walked by and saw men at work. He asked the first man: “What are you doing?” And the worker replied: “I’m mixing concrete to put between these stones to build this corner.” He moved onto the next: “What are you doing?” And the worker replied: “Building a cathedral.””
My Dad looked at me: “Don’t forget that. You want to be building a cathedral, not laying bricks.”
Coda.
#Shopaholic: Towels and Thangs.
+I love Matouk linens. They hold up well and come in elegant designs. I have used their Auberge towels for years (<<currently on sale!), but am currently considering investing in a set of their Cairo towels. I am in love with the piping around the edge. What an elegant look! I want the white set with the azure blue trim.
+I’ve always loved Juliska’s berry & thread pattern. It looks gracious, Southern, inviting, approachable.
+Speaking of gracious: contemplating ordering one of these boxwood wreaths for our front door, or maybe this smaller one to hang permanently somewhere on a wall. They’re seasonless! I might tie a burlap bow on it during the winter, or maybe a black and white grosgrain one.
+I’m sending a box of these to a friend deserving a special surprise.
+Gucci vibes from this $120 sweater.
+This coin and key purse would be a really lovely gift for a college-aged student (or a Manhattanite who walks her dog regularly and does not want to tote a full bag every time she does). Goyard-esque!
+A simple, sleek solution for a nursery without much space for a changing table. (Honestly, I would have loved to have this in my master bedroom during the first few months! We ended up changing her at the foot of our bed most of the time. It would have been clutch to have a little station like this.)
+These tweed Monse heels are haunting me. I have literally nowhere to wear them (#kittenheelsorflatsonly RN) but I adore them. I’m imagining wearing them with deconstructed lighter-wash denim and this statement blouse when I’m in the mood to be trendy.
+Moms: what training potty did you use? I’m inclined towards this one. Pls discuss.