Splitting this month’s queries into a series of posts — will get to the next chunk next week! As always, adore your questions and welcome them.
Q: Sneakers! You posted a picture of a woman in New balances the other day that were so chic!
A: Oh yes! I would say Veja and New Balance (seen above) have eclipsed Golden Goose in terms of street cred in NYC — and lucky for us, both brands are a fraction of the price of GGs (which I will continue to happily wear, BTW). My favorite specific styles in those brands are the Veja Rio Brancos and the New Balance 327s.
Q: Classic, kid-friendly dining chairs to go with a black wood dining table.
A: These caught my eye (with the black trim) because in general upholstered chairs are a nightmare with small children. (These are similar — perhaps a bit more architectural/glam — and the fact that the cushion is black would bring me peace. Will not show stains!). That said, we do have and love our upholstered dining chairs — we drape mini’s with a towel at dinner, which is not exactly the chicest look I’ve ever seen. You could always consider the performance fabrics or dark patterns that Ballard Designs has. They have loads of options!
If you’re open to more of a casual look, these S&L chairs are very kid-friendly. You can basically wipe them down with a sponge. Bistro chic!
Q: Cute recycling bin/system.
A: Weird to say, but I love (!) our Simple Human recycler. It’s so well-designed. The metal does not show fingerprints, the pedal enables you to open the top with hands full, and you use liners on one side (for glasses/plastics that often have residue/can drip) and a removable insert on the other (for cardboard). This means when you’re ready to take out the recycling, you just grab the insert by the handle and the trash bag by the drawstring and off you go. Just brilliant!
P.S. More home gear I love.
Q: Ski wear.
A: I haven’t been skiing in ages, but will admit I daydream about a chic slope look…
SKI JACKETS: MONCLER, THIS $70 AMAZON SCORE (READ REVIEWS!!!), HELLY HENSEN, PERFECT MOMENT
PERFECT APRES SKI SWEATER: HERE, HERE, OR HERE
P.S. This is the perfect thriller to take with you on your ski escape. The final few chapters in particular — I was just grinning ear to ear, eyes wide, breathlessly reading!
Q: Child-sized umbrella for three-year-old girl.
A: These Floss & Rock ones come in the best patterns and are color-changing! I also like the ones from Hatley and Totes.
Q: My baby shower.
A: Congratulations!!! Rachel Pally’s Isa dress has been very popular with many Magpie moms in the past — flattering, simple, can be worn post-pregnancy, and can be dolled up with fun accessories. I would also strongly consider this Sleeper Dress — so gorgeous and works well when nursing! (Also love this style, and comes in great prints that work for baby boy or baby girl!). A simple style like this might also be chic with some major accessories (imagine dolled up with lots of pearls!)
Q: A cute and comfy desk chair that doesn’t break the bank.
A: A reader turned me onto this style (recommended to her by an interior designer) — so chic!
P.S. More chic office and desk finds here.
Q: Top handle satchel for under $500.
A: No hesitation: this Hunting Season bag (on sale for just under $500). Timeless and SO chic. I also love this Neely & Chloe style, which made my round-up of amazing bags for the season here. If you’re looking for a bigger bag, I have been eyeing this Pam Munson for awhile now!
Q: Baby play mat.
A: For tummy time, this heart-shaped one from Hill House is adorable, and I love all of the items from brand Louelle, including their classic play mat (you can monogram!). For a play surface for slightly older babies, people love these tile foam mats, because you can configure them to whatever space you have. I also still love our Gathre mats — they are not cushioned so not great for tiny babies, but wonderful for messy toddlers!
Q: Men’s gloves.
A: These are perfect.
Q: A keepsake box for a baby boy (to keep mementos, cards, etc).
A: This one is structured, with boxes for specific mementos, and I love the way it fits into a box that you can line up on a bookshelf. (Another similar option here.) For something more free-form, a few pretty attractive treasure boxes:
JONATHAN ADLER HAS GORGEOUS LACQUER ONES
THESE SIMPLE BIGSO BOXES IN BLUE
P.S. Absolutely love these monogrammed baby books.
Q: Accessories for bedroom and bathroom.
A: A few fun finds to liven up your bedside, dresser, and bathroom counter:
CORRAL MISC ITEMS (STRAY CHARGERS, PAPERS, ETC) INTO FABRIC BOXES LIKE THESE
UPHOLSTERED BENCH FOR FOOT OF BED (OR PUT TWO SIDE BY SIDE IN A FUN FABRIC)
BEDSIDE WATER CARAFE (MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I’M LIVING IN A HOTEL) — THESE HANDPAINTED ONES ARE ALSO STUNNING
BUD VASE FOR YOUR DESK OR BEDSIDE
GORGEOUS MONOGRAMMED SCALLOPED SHOWER CURTAIN
LOVE THESE ACRYLIC FRAMES FOR PHOTOS, MEMENTOS, CARDS, HAND-WRITTEN NOTES, ETC
Q: Sweater for baby boys.
A: A few of my favorites, many of which Hill owns/has owned:
RALPH LAUREN FLAG (JUST LOVE THIS SWEATER – BOTH MINI AND MICRO OWNED)
I ALWAYS FIND GREAT STEALS AT H&M, LIKE THIS CLASSIC STRIPE
CUSTOMIZED CASHMERE SWEATER FROM BABY & TAYLOR (A SPLURGE BUT ONE OF MY TRUE TREASURES THAT I PERSONALIZED FOR HILL)
MONOGRAMMED ROLLNECK SWEATER (GREAT PRICE)
CLASSIC CABLEKNIT FOR UNDER $20
JANIE AND JACK SHAWL COLLAR (ON SUPER SALE)
Q: 2-3″ heeled strappy sandals for a bachelorette weekend in Miami. (Covid-safe!)
A: An investment, but I swear these heels will be in your closet for the rest of your life. Classic, an ideal height, and just so sweet. I own these in a taller heel height and am eyeing in the kitten heel permutation! More on-trend at the moment are the 90s-throwback heels by The Row (on sale) and By Far. The latter comes in such great Miami-friendly colors, but white is a classic!
P.S. More bride-to-be finds here.
So fun! Can I enter another query?! Great maternity swim suits! Open to two pieces (with a higher waist) and one pieces. Would prefer to spend under $100 because this is our third and final baby, but open to a bit more for the perfect find! 🙂 I own two Summersalts and love their style in general!
Hi! Congratulations!!! So fun. ASOS always has fun maternity finds…love this scalloped polka dot maternity suit:
https://bit.ly/2NiTmYa
This black one with the frill top is also chic, especially with a huge pair of black shades:
https://bit.ly/3aeI0gQ
And then this H&M one is amazing:
https://bit.ly/2LODMDc
xx
Thank you for this q, Em! Fellow third timer and after this morning’s swim, I realized my regular suit will fit for another week at most. Last pregnancy, I relied on a Jolyn bikini and it really held up — but the bottoms were definitely on the skimpy side. I think they have full coverage ones now though; I’m going to order one and see how it goes. That H&M one is also super-cute and springy!
Yay! Congrats!! Thanks for chiming in here. xx
I’m thinking of buying the Roger tennis shoe by the On brand. Sporty and cute!
Love a new pair of kicks!! xx
Oh my gosh I’m obsessed with my on clouds! I need these!