My Latest Snag: New Jeans + Easter Outfits for My Children.
This week, Shopbop sent me two pairs of denim and I’m all set for spring. I picked the two pairs that Magpies have been raving over for a LONG time:
1) The Citizens of Humanity Charlotte Crops, but sized up one size (I had previously shared that, in my true size, I found them too constricting to be comfortable for sitting at a desk all day long!), and they are the perfect everyday wash. I cannot tell you how much I love the fit, wash, shape, etc. Dreamy. Also so deeply thankful that they were available in a cropped length, which means no hemming required. (I’m 5’0.)
2) Agolde Riley Crops in Zephyr. I also sized up in these based on reviews. They slightly slim in around the waist in a flattering way. Note the unfinished hem if you’re not a fan of distressing! I would say both these and the Charlottes are a tad roomy in the waist — I wish they made half sizes? — but I am far more likely to wear them since they’re comfortable, and would not size down. A Magpie wrote to let me know a tailor can take in the waist, so will be looking into that!
In other shopping news, this week, I finally ordered my children’s Easter outfits. I’d been hemming and hawing for awhile, but chose this smocked daffodil dress for mini and this pastel plaid button-down for my son (somehow 50% off). The moodboard for their look is here. I also found a few other Easter basket stuffers — this hidden pictures puzzle book, a pastel Lip Smacker, and these inexpensive Dover sticker books, which are great for quick distractions. My MIL recently gave my daughter a joke book and she thinks it’s, like, the best thing ever. This Easter-themed one would be another cute option. All my Easter basket filler suggestions here.
This Week’s Most Popular: Spring Finds.
We have been shopping the prettiest palette, n’est-ce pas?!
01. MISOOK LAVENDER SHIRTDRESS // 02. FISKARS SCISSORS SET // 03. PINEAPPLE STREET (STAYED UP WAY TOO LATE READING THIS MULTIPLE NIGHTS THIS WEEK) // 04. J. CREW STRIPED MAXI // 05. J. CREW FEATHER TRIM BUTTON DOWN // 06. PERSONALIZED SCALLOPED NAPKINS // 07. JACK ROGERS SANDALS // 08. GAP LINEN STRIPED DRESS // 09. FREE ASSEMBLY TEES* // 10. CITIZENS OF HUMANITY CHARLOTTE CROPS // 11. WAVY PHONE CASE
*A full review of these inexpensive, 100% cotton tees here.
Weekend Musings: On Excuses.
Do you know the stationery brand Memo Press? They have a lovely Instagram account and I found myself going deep into their archives, drawn in by the beautiful calligraphy and paper. I paused for a long time over the following:
I was, first, humbled. I thought immediately of my post on balancing motherhood with work earlier this week. Was I making excuses? Trying to wriggle out from beneath the sensation of guilt I had been feeling? I also thought about that time I showed up late to an event in my daughter’s classroom that I was supposed to be volunteering at and held up a party for 35 Kindergarteners. I wanted so badly to be able to trot out an excuse of some kind — to deflect, to let myself off the hook. But Nightingale makes a strong case for being direct and intolerant of any kind of hedging or bluster. My Dad is the same way. I’ve never once heard an excuse escape his lips. I wrote some time ago that he is “a straight and good person,” borrowing from the line in “As Good As It Gets” (top ten movie for me) when Melvin says: “I might be the only one who appreciates how amazing you are in every single thing that you do…and in every single thought that you have, and how you say what you mean and how it’s almost always something that’s all about being straight and good.” Nightingale, my Dad — they’re “straight and good” people, and I aspire to join their camp.
On the other side: how many excuses do you accept? I am generally (I believe!) a forgiving and accommodating person. We all make mistakes; grace is the name of the game. But I do find myself more circumspect around people who are quick to justify or seek exoneration for their actions (or inactions). I never feel that I can fully trust those people. I would much rather have someone say: “Oh my gosh, you’re absolutely right, I had the wrong information — my bad” or “You know what? I shouldn’t have said that” versus “I’m POSITIVE someone else told me this; it’s their fault” or “Well, what I was trying to say is…”
What do you think?
And by the way — wow. I was absolutely overwhelmed by all of the direct messages I received on my post about balancing motherhood with work. It’s so interesting: sometimes, I write, and a flood of comments materialize. Other times, my Magpies send me long and vulnerable messages via email or direct message. I think the volume of conversations I had privately this week reflects the sensitivity many of us have around this topic. That is to say: few of us feel we are doing it well, and yet we labor under the misapprehension that others are, or are at peace with their arrangements. I can tell you now that this could not be further from the truth. We’re all in the same boat. Hang in there — I’m sitting right next to you.
Shopping Break.
+Swooning over this this sweet-as-can-be sundress. This brand runs big, FYI.
+A cute Easter tabletop/mantel decor idea: buy some branches (preferably cherry blossom) from Trader Joe’s / Whole Foods / bodega and hang these little Easter egg ornaments on them for a centerpiece.
+Love this boldly patterned blouse tucked into ecru/white denim.
+Absolutely adore these Hermes-inspired sandals in the fun bubblegum pink. My sister and several close friends own and love these sandals. They’re basically indistinguishable from Hermes. I see so many well-heeled ladies in them and don’t know whether they’re Hermes or not unless it somehow comes up in conversation.
+Obsessed with this mixed media tank dress. So minimalist chic. Pair with leather sandals.
+I love these safari print pajamas for children. I hadn’t looked at the Hannah prints in awhile and these are too good to pass up!
+This reversible spring jacket for girls is beyond darling.
+Cire Trudon makes the most extravagantly scented candles ever. You know how a “rule of thumb” when selecting a paint color is to make sure it’s difficult to describe? Like, it should never be: “this room is blue.” It should be: “this room is like a green-gray with some moody blue to it.” (I think I learned that from this book by Allegra Hicks, which makes a great coffee table stack piece.) Anyway, the same is true of Cire Trudon candles and their scents. They are so delightfully complex and evocative. You get so many different hints of scent — truly unbelievable. They also throw their scent well and last a long, long time. I especially love Josephine. Whoever writes the copy for their scents should win an award: “Josephine sneaks the senses into an enchanted garden blooming with pungent kaffir lime, exotic Egyptian jasmine and warm Indonesian sandalwood. Dazzling and regal, the imperial blend will pull you into a euphoric sensory experience.”
+I’m not a shorts girl. I repeat, I am not. So why do I really want to try this pair?! They look so flattering!
+The cutest boxer briefs for a little boy. I accidentally bought my son boxer briefs (thought they were briefs!) and now these are the only ones he will wear.
+This athletic dress is seriously cute.
+Cute way to engage your children in the garden.
+Caitlin Fisher introduced me to the brand Paris64 and now I can’t un-see this adorable little box bag. I need it.
+Talbots has some really cute items out right now — this top reminds me of my Lee Matthews blouse!
+These sandals for girls are, like, really cute. I usually aim for metallic or white sandals for my daughter because they go with everything.
+MAJOR SEA vibes for under $175. Adorable!
+These wide-leg cropped chinos get great reviews and come in SUCH fabulous colors.