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At some point over the past year, social media mega-influencer Tinx shared the concept of “the best beer.” She wasn’t talking about brand or style, but context — I think the first example she gave was: “the best beer is the first beer you have with your friends when you are getting ready to go out.” I mentioned this to Mr. Magpie, and he said two “best beers” are 1) after a hot day of manual labor — e.g., moving boxes or doing yard work, and 2) just after he’s showered off a beach day.
I love the concept and wanted to ask for your input on…
01) What is the best book?
02) What is the best bed?
03) What is the best meal?
04) What is the best outfit?
The best book is the one I put myself to bed early to read. I’m talking 8 p.m., favorite pajamas on, fully reclined and ready for a solid two hours of reading. Recently, this was God of the Woods for me. NPR’s Maureen Corrigan captured it well when reviewing GOTW: “I was so thoroughly submerged in a rich fictional world, that for hours I barely came up for air.” The other book that springs to mind on this front is Liane Moriarty’s What Alice Forgot. The way I tore through that book! I could not put it down. My answers to this prompt surprised me because I intuitively thought about the most delicious reading experiences versus criteria for the text itself (e.g., I wasn’t evaluating based on most literary, most meaningful, most artful).
The best bed is my own, currently, because as I age, I become more and more persnickety about being able to sleep well anywhere else. But a close second: my childhood bed when I was home from college. There was, simply, nothing like it after the disruptions of communal college living and sleeping on cheap mattresses with scratchy sheets. I loved the familiar sounds, the specific lay of light in the morning, the clang of the radiator, the crystal doorknob handle I’d open in the middle of the night to pee. (The home I grew up in was built in 1920.)
The best meal is the one shared with best friends — the kind that leaves us lingering around the table with the candles burning low as we fare la scarpetta and pour an extra glass of wine. Could be takeout pizza, could be an elaborate feast Mr. Magpie has dreamt up. The company is the crux.
The best outfit. My mind ran in two separate directions for this one. On the one hand, I thought about outfits that make me feel empowered and pulled-together — an on-trend pair of jeans and a great blazer; a killer dress (this Rixo recently made me feel like a million bucks). On the other hand, I thought about the clothes I put on after a long day. I’m thinking specifically of the day you’ve moved apartments, or after a long road trip, a grueling exam, or even a fun but full day at the beach, theme park, etc. I love the sensory experience of showering to wash the day off and then climbing into soft clothes. The Alice Walk gauze pants and a tank top were it for me this summer — the thing I wanted to wear after swimming in the Lake, hiking in Aspen, sweating at the pool, chasing the kids. (So N.B., make sure you pack a “post long day outfit” next time you’re on vacation.)
What about you? Any thoughts on the best beer, the best book, the best bed, the best meal, the best outfit? Please share!
Post-Scripts.
+How do you handle skincare while traveling?
+My Grub Street style food diary.
Shopping Break.
+Gap has come out with a chic barrel style pair of jeans for under $80, in case you skipped the Madewells. (BTW, I’m still waiting for mine to arrive?! Will style when they get here!)
+Love Everlane’s new wear-with-anything anorak. It has a fashion-consciousness to it. Also liking the look of their new off-duty sweats and hoodies, and I’m always a sucker for a knit polo sweater. Love the neckline.
+A very chic knit dress. You could wear now with sandals, or pair with a little cropped jacket and suede boots in the fall.
+If you’re after a pop of color this fall, red is the obvious answer but also I’ve been seeing a lot of cornflower blue? Love this little Ann Mashburn bag in the hue.
+Dreaming of this coat. Look for less with this or this.
+Soccer Saturday moms: one of the parents on my daughter’s team had one of these collapsible sideline benches. It was so thoughtful of her to bring — the kids not playing could sit there while waiting. (This would be good if you’re sitting there for multiple games!). And this is what I’d wear.
+Boss lady dress. Love it in the chocolate brown.
+This chic polo-style striped sweater from Tuckernuck is on sale. Great with jeans.
+I couldn’t get my hands on a pair of the Duntons (hoping they restock…) but ordered the similar Isadoras.
+ChappyWrap has some really cute limited edition fall patterns out. Love this one.
+Old Navy just released a cute quilted barn jacket.