I’ve received this question many times from Magpies, so thought I’d share with the class. It’s interesting that so many of you have asked for my favorite Substacks (versus blogs, creatives, etc) — I think this is because Substack (a platform creatives can use to post content and then send it out to readers via email/newsletter) has become shorthand for a return to oughts-era blogging, and I believe Magpie belongs to that category, too. More thought pieces, more opinion, more long-form writing, more text. (You tell me, though! Do you like it?)
I also think the question gets at the ethos of this one: where do you find meaningful stuff on the Internet? There are a lot of sharp writers talking fashion, food, motherhood right now on Substack; it has an aura of authenticity.
I am pretty choosy with my subscriptions because I am inbox zero gal — unless I really take the time to read a newsletter each time it arrives in my inbox, I unsubscribe, but these have past the test for me:
Morning Person by Leslie Stephens. A long-time favorite focused on cultivating our best selves. Full of fascinating little blurbs on self-care and wellness; literature; psychology; etc. I am drawn to her candor, strength, and thoughtfulness. She is the kind of woman you want to be friends with!
Magasin by Laura Reilly. Ultra-sharp fashion writing, focused on runway and nascent trends, with occasional drift into op-ed. Insightful, researched, insider-y type fashion talk.
Tell Me More by Emese Gormley. The co-host of the “Lipstick on the Rim” podcast with Molly Sims — she shares fantastic, evangelical, detailed reviews of things she wears routinely, from beauty to fashion staples. Refreshingly earnest.
Hand Picked by Alex Steele. A lovely curation of quotes, short musings on motherhood, fashion and home finds, parenting thoughts, and occasional guest contributions (including one by yours truly), all written from the framework of “less is more.” Alex is a wonderful woman and talented photographer. We crossed paths on the Internet and have become text friends since — she is thoughtful and encouraging in ways I would expect of an old friend.
Ruhlman’s Newsletter by Michael Ruhlman. You might remember him from his best-selling Soul of a Chef book, but this is Ruhlman unbuttoned: loads of fascinating, opinionated rivulets of thought on food, travel, cocktails, writing, reading, theater. His admiration for his wife (a best-selling author herself) shines through in the winningest way. He has a pithy, quaint way with words (e.g., he’ll use “theater house”) that I find soothing. And I love when he goes off the rails on a subject like why he’ll never use potholders. So charming and real!
Sarah’s Retail Diary by Sarah Shapiro. A smart look at what’s going on in retail in a given week — sort of a Cliff’s Notes for brand launches, collections/collaborations to be eyeing, and other business-of-fashion details, like companies changing leadership, being bought/sold, bringing on new creative direction. To the point and highly observant.
Yolo Intel by Yolanda Edwards. Phenomenal, detailed travel writing with loads of restaurant recs and hotel reviews. I’m newer to her, but I could spend (and have spent) hefty portions of afternoons reading her posts and daydreaming. A good companion to our conversation on how to plan a fantastic vacation.
Please share your favorites in the comments section!
Post-Scripts.
+Shaking hands with a blank page.
+In case you need encouragement to take a big step.
+The whole sky is yours. (Onward!)
Shopping Break.
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+As a follow on to this list: Emese Gormley shares my enthusiasm for the SoldoutNYC Everything Shirt (now available for pre-order in all sizes, shipping 4/19), and has a code we can use — EMESE15 for 15% off! It is a really, really good investment. It looks like something that could have been made by a high-end European retailer and cost north of $1,000. The most luxurious, silky handfeel. Very oversized/boxy – I would have sized down if I could. I took the XS an find myself wearing it with cuffs rolled, tucked in. I had a few requests from Magpies to show it on — seen below. Somehow makes jeans and flats look like a million bucks. Note length! I’m 5’0 and it runs south of mid-thigh. (Worn with this bag, these $10 Amazon sunnies, Margaux flats.)
+Of course I’d find the two items not included in the Shopbop 20% off sale to want to buy this week (one of my epitaphs must be: “not included in sale” — I just have a knack for it), but I can’t stop thinking about this unusual SIR dress (for dinners out) and this toweling top from Zimmermann(more sizes here and here) that Nicole Cassidy wore on vacation. She styled it with the matching shorts (again, sets are big for spring/summer) but I might break it up and pair with a denim short or white beach pants because I have a hunch the style will overwhelm my frame (I’m 5’0). I also love it in this long caftan version.
+If you like the terry set look but not the Zimmermann price tag, you might consider: this set from Araminta James or Kule’s terry separates.
+Not terry, but I just ordered myself one of these gauze two-piece sets from Amazon of all places. So easy for the pool. Comes in a ton of colors.
+One Shopbop sale find I neglected to mention yesterday (late discovery) were these popular woven flats (Bottega-esque) and fisherman sandals from Freda Salvador. I was JUST ogling at them via my post on Saturday morning, and I know many of you liked those pieces too.
+Magpie reader rec: this decorate-your-own water bottle kit. Ideal for 6-9 year old girls. I’ve tucked this away for a future gift idea myself! Also just found these cute watercolor kits as a possible Easter basket stuffer or party favor.
+Few Moda reached out to me last week and asked if I’d be interested in trying a few of their pieces. I know many of you love this brand, and specifically their Didi mini and East cocktail dress, which many of you have written to me about. Few Moda produces their designs in the same factories as higher end retailers, and offer them for a fraction of the price — you can get an even deeper discount if you pay a membership fee, but the prices are still very reasonable even without the membership. I chose this punchy mini (reminded me of Juliet Dunn — I can’t wait to wear barefoot on the first warm day of spring) and this sweet midi (Reformation-inspired for sure). Will share my thoughts once they arrive!
+I’ve resisted the mesh trend for months now because I haven’t found a piece that calls my name. These LRs are changing my tune. I’m obsessed with them?! I really think I might go for them.
+Adidas and Farm Rio launched a collab yesterday! These pool slides have such a great vibe.