If you want more Magpie, you can subscribe to my Magpie Email Digest for a weekly roundup of top essays, musings, conversations, and finds!
My Latest Snag: Denim Over Shirt.
I snoozed and lost on the H&M denim shirt that was in my cart (still a few sizes available), so I upgraded to this Goop style, which is on sale for $118, down from $395 (!) and is sure to be a better quality. Fully intend to copy the styling on the site, layering over a knit turtleneck and pairing with dark-wash denim for a modern take on the Canadian tuxedo, but also love the idea of layering over a tee and leggings for drop-off. Two other options if you’re in the market for something similar: this slightly edgier/more rustic variation from Madewell and this cropped and streamlined iteration from Banana, on super sale.
This Week’s Bestsellers.
01. SERENA AND LILY CHAIR // 02. GAP CARDIGAN // 03. COUNTER SPRAY // 04. FRAME JEANS // 05. BEST DRUGSTORE EYELINER // 06. FARMACY MAKEUP MELTING BALM // 07. ORIBE ROYAL BLOWOUT SPRAY // 08. TUCKERNUCK DRESS // 09. BIRKENSTOCK BOSTONS // 10. MOTHER CORDS* // 11. DORSEY CLEMENCE NECKLACE // 12. TALBOTS TEXTURED CARDIGAN // 13. SLVRLAKE JEANS // 14. J. CREW WESTERN BOOTS // // 15. RECHARGEABLE TRAVEL MIRROR // 16. TEAK CORNER SPOON / SPOODLE (MY NEW FAV KITCHEN IMPLEMENT)
*Similar looks for less here and here.
Weekend Musing: To Be Great, Be Whole.
I have been thinking this week about the terms “excellence,” “success,” and “greatness,” synonyms plucked out of a couple of different thought streams. I write these words gently, as I know they are in some ways anathema to the current zeitgeist around avoiding toxic burnout / productivity culture. But bear with me —
I’ve been writing about the notion of “what we want to be known for,” and the way it blots out a lot of noise while simultaneously encouraging me to improve, or at least focus my efforts, on what matters most. As Jeanelle Teves put it, “Not every task is created equally. What are the key projects to devote your best energy to? In other words, what do you want to be famous for? Deliver these with excellence.” What does excellence look like in a creative field, I wonder? Is it the discipline of daily practice? Is it warm reception from an audience? Is it the kind of writing that just feels good to write? Is it the email from a reader who lets you know (to adapt a phrase from Sean Thomas Dougherty) that she had a wound in the exact shape of my words? Equally, what does excellence look like in motherhood? I know Teves was writing about the workplace, but I found the provocation put pressure on how I define “excellence” or “success” when adapted a bit to the realms that matter most to me.
Separately, I came across a beautiful little poem by Fernando Pessoa, who wrote:
To be great, be whole: don’t exaggerate
Or leave out any part of you.
Be complete in each thing. Put all you are
Into the least of your acts.
So too in each lake, with its lofty life,
The whole moon shines.
These lines reminded me of some of my meanderings last week, where I observed that how we do anything is how we do everything and talked about owning our role as the protagonists in our lives (to borrow from Pessoa: “don’t leave out any part of you!”). They also led me to ask: “do I agree with this definition of greatness?” What is greatness? Is it the goal? As Pessoa fashions it here, “greatness” seems to have a lot to do with being well-aligned, with drawing out our truest selves, with avoiding the impulse to make ourselves smaller.
What does greatness look like to you?
Post-Scripts.
+How to style Adidas Sambas (and the best new colors to buy!)
+Hill House just launched the cutest short hotel robe. I read that the code TIKTOK20 will get you 20% off your order! I also love this dark floral for fall/winter — comes in a chic dress (note that it’s styled with Adidas!) and fab midi-length skirt. And this would be so cute with loafers now and tights/heels when colder.
+Joy Creative Shop is running a warehouse sale! My weekly planner is included. I use this solely to stay on top of the kids’ meals, activities, playdates, reminders, etc. The sale also includes adorable thank you notes for kids.
+Fun statement heels for fall/winter parties.
+The perfect dress for a fall affair.
+Lots of great Zimmermann on sale at The Outnet — consider this denim top and this spectacular skirt.
+Love this croc boot! If you’re in the market, some more great styles (all under $500) here.
+An enormous, washable pouch for all of your baby/kids gear.
+A great solution for the kids’ bathroom in the middle of the night — keep these plugged in so they can make their way without turning on all the lights. We use something similar to these in our hallways, too, so they can find their way to the bathroom / our bedroom.
+Cute play makeup set for a little one.
+If you’re shopping for fall knits — start here! Upgrade pick: anything from Allude. This one is dreamy.
+I keep hearing rave things about these leggings from Athleta. Has anyone tried?
Those Athleta leggings are AMAZING. If you don’t need/want pockets, I also realllllly love the Elation 7/8ths too – they’re all I wear workout wise these days. Last for ages, wash well (delicate, and I line dry though I don’t know if you need to). Don’t fade and last for ages, and holds you in but not to the point where they make you crazy. Love!
Yay!!! So glad I mentioned. Am absolutely going to try after this rave review and that of Jenny below!
Oops, just saw that you were asking about Salutation Stash. Read this before properly caffeinated. 🙂
High praise, Jen…magpies rush to read you blog before they’ve had a full cup of coffee!
Awww shucks :). Thanks for inviting me into your morning!
xx
I love those Athleta leggings. Wear them regularly for walks and barre class.
Very similar to Lululemon Align, I think. But a little more “hold you in” to them.
I think you’ll love them, and they also have a version with pockets which is helpful (Salutation Stash).
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear a rave review of these!!! Thank you!