What You’re Shopping For: February 2022 Edition, Vol I.

*Image above via Anina Hee.

Q: Girl beds!

A: I love the Jenny Lind spindle look in a child’s room — you can get a well-reviewed one on Amazon for around $230, or go with trusty Crate and Barrel’s version. I’m eyeing these for the top floor of our home, which has an enormous open space we’re currently using as a play area. I’d like to situate two twin beds under the eaves for sleepovers/guests/etc. These are so classic and would look fabulous with bold printed bedding. I’ve also always loved Room + Board’s architecture bed for a child’s room — it comes in fabulous colors! Last but not least, I love this style from PBK. Classic, clean-lines, coastal/preppy. If you’re looking for something custom and upholstered, check out Cait and Kids!

Q: Toddler boy dress shoes for 1 year portraits! To go with blue bubble and white knee socks.

A: Beyond adorable. I would go with a driver/loafer from Elephantito or Janie and Jack. Target has a great inexpensive similar style but it starts at toddler size 5, so that might be too big. If you’re looking for something more formal/traditional, saddle shoes in navy or ivory!

Q: A drying rack for after I hand wash sweaters.

A: I usually lay sweater flat on towels in our bathroom so that they keep their shape. (I hand wash using this wool shampoo and then this shaver after!). However, I would consider this collapsible style, which has a mesh layer you can use to lay sweaters flat to dry on top, and also the usual rungs for other items!

It’s funny you ask for a drying rack, though, because I’ve been in the market for one since moving. I have been eyeing one of these heavy duty Sheila Maid ones you affix to the ceiling. It has a pulley system and everything…kind of intense but the brand has been around for close to a century! Less intense and more practical for my needs (i.e. not sure I need the Sheila Maid classic when I do not hand-wash THAT much) — this retractible wall mount style. I like that I could mount this more at my eye level (I’m short!). There are also some aesthetically pleasing options, i.e., this brass wall mount for hanging items, or this one (so handy for steaming?), or this enormous one. Something like this would be great for a smaller space for hanging just a few items and then it lays flush with the wall when not in use. I saw that and immediately imagined its utility during swim season when I’m always hanging like six children’s swim suits from our bathroom faucet.

Q: Rehearsal dinner dress in Austin in July.

A: I received so many rehearsal dinner dress requests, I will share a post specifically on this subject, but also want to honor the specificities of individual requests. So — congratulations! A few dresses I think would be perfect in the heat of an Austin summer…

THIS FROTHY AJE

THIS LINEN ZIMMERMANN

THIS TIERED STAUD

THIS JOHANNA ORTIZ

Q: Dramatic floor mirror.

A: Voila!

Q: Dress for mom to wear in newborn family photos in February.

A: My criteria would be a) something I’m excited about wearing — I wouldn’t shy away from pretty colors, prints, details!; b) something that skims the body and cinches in under the bust / at natural waist; c) something with sleeves or at least short sleeves. I find dresses with sleeves are a good rule of thumb for family photos — one less thing for me to be conscious about. Personally, I wouldn’t worry too much about the seasonality of the outfit unless they will be outdoors! I think you can wear whatever pattern/color you want!

A few I would consider that fit this bill:

THIS EMERSON FRY

THIS ANTONIO MELANI

JULIA AMORY SHIRTDRESS (<<ON SALE IN A PRETTY PINK PRINT HERE)

PINK AND WHITE BODEN DRESS (ON SALE FOR UNDER $100)

THIS CARA CARA

THIS JONATHAN SIMKHAI

CLEOBELLA

LA LIGNE

MILLE

SELF-PORTRAIT

THIERRY COLSON

MI GOLONDRINA

SEA

Q: Bridal shower dress (I’m a guest) for early April in MA, under $400.

A: I would wear a dress like this or this with a white or navy cardigan (likely to still be chilly!). I like the idea of this pink pretty, this little floral or this pink gingham if it’s a more trend-forward situation. For something more demure/country club, this floral reminds me of Alessandra Rich and feels elegant and sophisticated.

Q: Large weekend bags.

A: I would go with this Paravel or this patterned Neely and Chloe! This quilted Brock x Minnow is also gorgeous.

Q: Mom and daughter matching swimwear.

A: Splurge: Marysia! More reasonable: Minnow (this for you, this for her) or this new collab between Born on Fifth and Dillards (this for you, this for her). Budget: this striped situation!

Q: Fiance birthday present — 35 years old, seems to have it all!

A: I would think through his day and interests — does he get really excited about great coffee? Maybe some fancy coffee gear or coffee (Mr. Magpie has been loving his subscription to Red Rooster coffee in VA). Does he like cooking? Maybe upgrade or supplement some of his kitchen gear. Into fitness? Maybe some stylish new fitness attire. (I just bought Mr. Magpie a bunch of the stuff from Alo.) Cocktails? Our favorite cocktail book and some great coupes. I have found Mr. Magpie really enjoys experiences, like tickets to a performance or a reservation at a special restaurant or a getaway to a B&B for the evening or a sailing excursion. If all of that still feels “done,” I always go for clothes. I find most men hate shopping for themselves but like looking well-dressed. Todd Snyder has great, contemporary-but-not-too-trendy pieces, and Mr. Magpie has loved the designer sweatshirts I’ve been buying him lately. He wears this one from AMI Paris and a Maison Kitsune one I bought him all the time — he layers over a button-down and nice jeans on the weekends.

Q: Birthday presents in under $50 range for boy preschool classmates. 4 yo.

A: Some great go-tos are Playmobil sets, Stomp Rockets, Ooly art supplies, Matchbox cars and playtape, and sensory play kits.

P.S. More great toys here.

Q: Evening event at Tavern on the Green in May! Need a dressy but festive look.

A: Fun! You can get way with anything in NYC. A few options that come to mind: La Ligne, Amur, Sika, Rhode, Sachin and Babi, and La Double J.

Q: Interesting navy trousers.

A: These are a fun statement! (I would look to Maria del Orden for inspiration in the styling of these sorts of pants!). These crop flares and these feel relevant, too. Veronica Beard does great trousers, and the details are always incredible. Finally, much more casual, but I love this pair.

Q: Wrap for wearing with dresses this spring when still cold at night.

A: Alice Walk!

Q: Black, show-stopping, black-tie dress for an LA wedding in May.

A: I love this La Ligne, this Anna October, this Sau Lee, this Hunter Bell, and this Johanna Ortiz. If you’re OK with a pattern/embellishment, also love this Caroline Constas and this Rebecca Taylor.

Q: Dress for my daughter’s Baptism in a few weeks. Catholic Church, under $350.

A: Congrats, mama! A few pretty dresses to consider…

THEORY

MOLLY MOORKAMP

EMILIA WICKSTEAD

MAJE

ANTONIO MELANI

SELF-PORTRAIT

Q: Something to treat myself for a work promotion/bonus – would love something I’ll have for a long time! Also, I’m pregnant- so leaning away from clothing items I won’t be able to wear for a while 🙂. Current front runners are Gucci loafers/slides but can’t decide!

A: I love this so much! I fully support the Gucci footwear investment (and especially love these and these, but the Brixtons in black are timeless), or you might also consider a pair of Chanel captoe flats. I wear my Chanel flats more than any other shoe in my closet. They are timeless, go with jeans or dresses, and never go out of style. Alternately, you might consider upgrading your wallet or card case! I have a Prada card case and a Chanel wallet that bring me joy every single day. Gucci has some great small leather goods out right now — love this and this.