While writing out my “day in the life” post, it occurred to me that I’d never really given conscious thought to how much I enjoy waking my children in the morning and watching them run to me after school. These are filigree moments, insignificant in their repetition, but they make me feel connected to them and to their care in a specific, warm laundry kind of way. I have the same feeling in both interactions: these are my babies; they belong with me.
I also love —
My first step out into the cool morning air: a second awakening.
Warm, cream-lightened coffee — trite, but something I anticipate every morning, heralded and enhanced by the process of making it.
Opening a poetry book and witnessing its meaning blossom up and out the left hand corner of the page.
The feeling of creating in soft morning light.
Full-body limberness and mild fatigue after exercise.
Peckishness before sitting down to a home-cooked meal.
An evening walk that dissolves the language of the day.
Languid evening chats with my husband, recounting our days, and the quiet wind-down to bed that starts when I close up my office and eventually deposits me with a freshly-scrubbed face into my nest of bedding and books.
What about you, Magpie? What are your favorite parts of the day?
Post-Scripts.
+The saltings of motherhood.
Shopping Break.
+OMG, did you see these fab new totes at J. Crew?! Also come in a larger size. I’m obsessed. Love the leather tie detail!
+Exactly what I want to wear right now: an easy shirtdress, jellies, and this crossbody.
+WAIT great news — RMS Beauty gave us a code! Get 20% off with code JEN20! I know a lot of you tried to snag their incomparably wonderful tinted SPF but it had sold out in the lightest color shade at Nordies while on sale. Now you can get it for 20% off! You might also consider adding their legendary lip oil in the green tube (color: chameleon) — it changes into the perfect flush for your skintone using your pH!
+Love these poplin striped track pants (under $120!) for casual wear with a tee and a tangle of necklaces. It’s as if our favorite Rag + Bone sweatpant jeans married these La Ligne pants.
+These athletic shorts with this long-sleeved performance tee — blue on blue!
+The best-selling swimsuit from my swimwear musings here. This fit is a 10/10. I own in a past-season print and love it so much I might order this one, too!
+Two fab pieces of summer jewelry you LOVED from my summer jewelry edit: this turquoise necklace (high sell-out risk – just restocked, and they gave us a 20% off code: JEN20) and this colorful beaded one.
+New fabulous Tuckernuck arrival alert…!
+Also at J. Crew: great stripes here and here.
+A great pair of white jeans for summer. If you prefer a kick flare silhouette, try these (bestsellers!) or these.
+ME+EM magic: this striped shirtdress and this white seersucker (<< for a graduation! love it paired with chocolate brown accents or raffia shoes!)
+Cutest picnic basket (clever design – interior has two compartments, one of which is foil-lined to keep cool items cool) to bundle with your new picnic blanket for summer (use code JEN20 on the latter). I’m SO impressed with the latter. I just got mine and it is a really nice, thick material with lining on the underside to keep the dampness of the soil out. It’s also a fabulous, over-large size that can properly fit a family!
+Adorable gingham dress for your mini me — FOJ! Snag her a pair of these patterned athletic shorts while you’re there.
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Time with my son as a family – especially reading to him, bath time, and sleepy cuddles. My husband has been on a big Dr. Seuss kick and listening to him read to our baby (with his own laughter interspersed) is so sweet. Last night, I put the baby in his crib for bedtime, and he sleepily reached out for my hand and held it as he fell asleep. A golden moment!
My first sips of my favorite cinnamon spice tea
Curling up in my cozy bed and reading until I drift off to sleep (ideally with rain coming down outside)
The moment my husband and son return home from daycare pickup and both greet me with big smiles
The satisfaction of a complete closing shift and a house that’s ready for whatever the next day holds (I don’t do this as often as I should but I love it when I do)
I do love that feeling of “complete closing shift” — dishwasher going, countertops scrubbed and cleared, clothing put away. It’s such a feeling of quiet!
xx
The moment my children fall asleep, and their little limbs under constant tension relax and give way to baby soft cheeks and gentle snoring.
Sitting on the balcony in a high breeze.
Nodding to acquaintances as I go down the street, the joys of a small town.
The playground—I love the busy chaos after school lets out.
Seeing any of my friends who are huggers. The cheek kiss is very chic but there’s something about an enthusiastic hug.
Anytime it rains.
Putting on my pajamas post-shower, a rare luxury compared to passing out in my daytime clothes while putting the kids to sleep.
The Saturday market with all its vendors and my particular favorites among the vegetable sellers.
The moment we reach the forest during our hikes, after 20 minutes of slogging up city staircases, and suddenly the air smells different.
Love the way you seize on the specifics of each moment — the change in air, the hug versus the kiss, the post-school energy at a playground! I was right there with you. Love. xx