This is probably my favorite party ice breaker of all time. It’s such an easy conversation-starter, and a natural way to laugh about ourselves and cultivate a shared bond over nostalgia for our youth.
The first musical recording I recall owning was a bootleg version of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” that my best friend’s older sister recorded right off the radio (probably 97.1 for fellow Washingtonians) using a cassette recorder. You could hear her click the recorder buttons, the lyrics were interrupted by horrible static midway through, and the tail end was clipped by the DJ’s monologue, but I treasured it. I remember listening to it over and over and over again on my clock-radio-tape-deck combo. That was the summer before fourth grade, if I recall correctly, and shortly after, I saved up my money to purchase Ace of Base’s “The Sign” album from Sam Goody. Who else owned this flash-in-the-pan classic?!
My most treasured CDs from that era were Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” — oh my God, I loved that album so much, and still do –, Dixie Chicks’ “Fly” album (likewise, still play this album at top decibel — great driving music), and Mariah Carey’s “Music Box,” which actually my sister owned, and remains a crowd pleaser when my college girlfriends and I get together. My parents had the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” at some point in this period and I loved that one, too. Sometimes Mr. Magpie will put on 90s pop while we are cleaning the house and — !!! It gets the people going!
What about you?
Post-Scripts.
+Songs with surprise meanings.
+A John Prine song that makes me weak in the knees.
+More lyrics to love.
+And a song that will forever remind me of falling in love with my husband.
Shopping Break.
+If you’re not in the mood to go all out with a statement dress this holiday season, maybe just a sip with this fun headband on NYE?
+Alternately, pair your stalwart LBD with these fabulous $119 disco shoes. LE BEST. I think I need these, too.
+40% off Hanky Panky! Just ordered this exact set. More of my favorite undergarments here.
+If you are a member of Zulily (free to join — it’s a flash sale site), there are some really good statement toys on sale, including this doll house and this play work bench ($30!)
+Tilly’s new dog tag arrived and I shared it on Instagram and received a ton of questions about it! So inexpensive and I love the cursive they use. I engraved our address/phone on the back.
+Two cute options for gift tags from Santa to your children: these vintage Santa heads and these letterpress tags.
+I love this pastel-colored Scrabble board.
+Has everyone already heard about this $8 oil-absorbing stone face roller? I’m intrigued. Gets great reviews. “LIKE BLOTTING PAPERS, BUT BETTER: This face roller is made of real volcanic stone, which soaks up excess oil instantly. It’s our secret for fresh, shine-free skin any time. Use it on a clean or finished face—it won’t mess up your makeup.”
+Love this funky mushroom pendant necklace. I feel like mushrooms have been all over the place lately in decor! Check out all the tabletop pieces in this motif from Mrs. Alice!
+Related: how cute are these hand-knit mushroom-motif sweaters for tiny ones? Also love these!
+Adore these sheets for a boy’s room.
+Found some of those Barefoot Dreams throws everyone loves on sale at Nordstrom Rack!
+I noticed that a few of the chic moms at my daughter’s school in Manhattan retired their Canada Goose coats for Mackage last year. Such chic winter-wear!
+This waffle-knit cardigan with the jewel buttons is ultra-chic.
+These $5 mugs are still in stock in most letters!
+Just re-ordered my favorite tea of all time. We blow through boxes of these — both Mr. Magpie and I are obssessed.
+Speaking of peppermint — this peppermint gift wrap!
+I know I shared these peppermint plates yesterday, but I think I need them. Imagine serving up a slice of cheesecake or chocolate cake on top. So dramatic!
+Another sweet pair of holiday pajamas. (More picks here.)
+Just pledging my eternal commitment to Tubby Todd ointment. We still use this constantly on the children — abrasions, irritations, diaper rashes, etc!
+RedValentino does such fun, whimsical outerwear — like this scalloped Barbie pink cape and this felted wool coat. Pair either with ACNE’s striped beanie or &OtherStories lookalike.
+This throw blanket and pillow set is too cute.
+Target also has some cute pop-up playhouses at reasonable prices — love this farmer’s market one.
+I’ve seen these baby keepsake trunks advertised before and I always dismissed them because I felt I didn’t have space in our NYC apartment for something like this. Everything had to be jammed in and configured and stowed as compactly as possible. (Thank God for the enormous vac pac bags — you fold up clothes and then suck out all the extra air using your vacuum hose and it shrinks everything down super-compactly.) Anyhow, with more space, I came across them again recently and thought it would be such a special place to stow items of special significance, like Baptismal candle, baby shoes, first locket of hair, special letters, etc!
+This popular chandelier is on sale at the moment, as is this chic flush mount!