*Image above via Mansur Gavriel, in response to one of the questions below about chic day-to-night bags! (The one above is their mini cloud clutch et j’adore.)
Et voila volume II. (Volume I here.) If I didn’t get to your question this go around, the third installment is coming next week!
Q: Chic loungewear I wouldn’t be embarrassed about wearing outside.
A: It seems like everyone is doing these knit sets with matching pants, cardigan/sweater, bralette, etc that look very chic — Le Set, Mango (see this look specifically), Donni. In general, I think having a matching set and intentional silhouette makes you feel more together. I have been eyeing them with curiosity though I keep reaching for denim, which just feels more finished to me. I’ve been looking at these pull-on jeans, which are so not my typical style but could look great with a pointed toe flat and turtleneck bodysuit. Another option? A knit dress like this or this, or a tee dress like this (!!!!) Comfortable, pulled together, and chic.
Q: The sheer floral blouse Madison Lecroy recently wore on a Bravo.
A: Had to look this one up — agree that she is SO chic in that top! Hers is by Zimmermann. You can get the look for less with this or this, and then this one is a super fun, fashion-forward alternative (over a white camisole) for under $30.
Q: A dress for maternity photos in March when I’m 32 weeks. Preferably with long sleeves!
A: Congratulations! A few options…
THIS HATCH DRESS — ALSO LOVE THIS POLKA DOT STYLE (ON SUPER SALE)!
DREAMY RACHEL PALLY — LOVE IN SEVERAL COLORS AND FUN TO DOLL UP WITH STATEMENT HEELS/A HEADBAND/A RIBBON/DRAMATIC EARRINGS
I’M PRETTY SURE THIS $55 STEAL WOULD WORK WITH A BUMP!
THIS DRESS IN THE CAMEL OR BLACK COULD BE ULTRA-CHIC FOR A SCALED-DOWN, SIMPLE SHOOT WITH A PRETTY BACKDROP — I’M IMAGINING LOOSE HAIR AND BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS
P.S. Probably not a fit for a portrait, but I would 100% buy this dress if I were pregnant! So my style.
P.P.S. Must-haves for postpartum life!
Q: Semi-flush mount lighting fixture for our foyer with a 10 foot ceiling. I’m thinking white and brass…?
A: Oo – I love living vicariously through my home owning Magpies! A few that stood out to me:
THIS ONE IS JUST PLAIN INTERESTING
DESCRIBED AS A CHANDELIER, BUT FUNCTIONS LIKE A SEMI-FLUSH MOUNT AND WOWWW PACKS A HUGE WELCOME HOME PUNCH
P.S. Great rugs.
Q: Something to wear for family photos, for both myself and my one-year-old daughter.
A: Check out Dondolo! They have some seriously cute coordinated outfits for mamas and babies. They have some super pretty pieces, like this gingham and this blue floral and you can coordinate/match with pieces from their baby collection.
If that’s too fussy for you, stick with all white for both of you, or white and blue. Easy to find pieces that coordinate in those looks, and both are timeless. Love the idea of mom in jeans with a top like this, this, or this and then your girl in a sweet dress like this, this, or this, or nearly anything from Luli and Me (I gasped at the sight of this) or Rachel Riley.
Q: Mittens or little gloves that don’t fall off an 18-month old.
A: These truthfully do not exist — or at least I have not yet found them! I instead use these ones with the string to prevent them from getting lost and really tuck the mitten cuffs up the sleeves of Hill’s coat. These or these are beyond precious, too!
For older children, I swear by these inexpensive sets from H&M. I like the colors, don’t feel bad about tossing them in the wash, and if they get lost, it’s not too painful because they are affordably-priced. I also think they are well-fitting! My toddler can actually fill them out and they seem to stay put better than other styles I’ve seen.
Q: Items for a sister-in-law pregnant with baby two.
A: New pajamas for her (my favorites were Lake and Cosabella) or — if you know her very well (I feel as though clothing can be an intimate thing to buy someone else, even moreso than pajamas which feel more like an accepted gift in the self-care category), a Storq maternity dress. I find that moms tend to be very practical the second time around, i.e., “eh, I don’t need any new maternity clothes, I’ll just make do…” but it’s so fun to celebrate with a special, beautiful set of pajamas or a maternity outfit that feels splurge-y. Beyond that, I’ve picked up ideas from just listening to my mom friends talk about getting ready for second, third, or fourth children — for example, my sister said, “I always wanted one of those Lovevery gyms, but they’re so expensive, and this is my third baby, so…” Voila! Perfect gift idea was born. Another mom friend mentioned that her friends surprised her with an Artipoppe carrier for her fourth child — !! It felt like such a splurge but why not make each pregnancy special?? I love to surprise tenured moms with That Thing They Claim They Do Not Need But Secretly Want.
P.S. More items for yourself or a loved one expecting a new baby and gifts for any girlfriend.
Q: Toddler bedding, especially pillows!
A: I love Pehr for infant and toddler bedding! How sweet are these sheets?
We are in a kind of weird in-between bedding phase at the moment. Mini outgrew her infant quilt and even the toddler-sized quilts felt small for her — she is tall and likes a lot of fluffy blankets, especially after one night where, bleary-eyed, I was changing her sheets after an accident and ended up just giving her an old queen-sized duvet to cover her up and she LOVED it. We will I think soon convert her toddler bed into a full-size bed, actually (she has this amazing bed that converts from crib to toddler bed to full bed). At any rate, for the meantime, I bought her an inexpensive but well-reviewed twin duvet (seriously so impressed with this — it is so fluffy and cozy AND MACHINE-WASHABLE!!!) and covered it with this Pehr twin-sized duvet in the swan print, and also bought her the matching sham, which we put on top of our favorite (full-sized!) sleeping pillows. Mini has used a full-sized pillow since she was probably two, just covered with some monogrammed Hill House shams! The twin sized duvet is obviously too big for the toddler bed, but we just roll it up at the foot of the bed in the morning. She loves it!
Q: White bedding with texture.
Q: Quality pajamas and undergarments.
A: For pajamas, I love Eberjey, Lake, Cosabella, and Recliner. I also love my dreamy pajama sets from J. Crew (I think I have three or four pairs), but I hesitate to characterize anything from J. Crew as “quality.” I find they will die after a few years of wear!
For underwear, I shared my favorites here!
Q: Toddler size-8 booties for my daughter that will go with everything — she outgrew all.
A: Oh yes. So familiar with this! I would snag these inexpensive Gap ones since we’re midway through the season. Metallics go with everything and they are super cheap at the moment! We also have gotten so much use out of these Uggs in the chestnut color. The commute to school has us walking at least 15 minutes each way in the cold air every single day, and it makes me feel better that her feet are super warm and snuggly in these. If you’re willing to splurge, I have major heart eyes for Age of Innocence boots — something like this would go with everything from jeans to party dresses — and this pair from Dulis is timeless.
Finally, on the more casual and trend-forward side, but I can’t stop looking at these cool lug sole boots for toddlers from Native! They come in the best color and look SO chic. I would wear them! Actually I might have convinced myself to order for mini just now….
P.S. Children’s shoes I love.
Q: I have a brand new office and need some chic accessories/art to decorate.
A: Oooo, congratulations, and perfect timing! Voila et voila!
Q: Day to night bag.
A: High end: Chanel. Literally goes with everything and every occasion, at every age and through every fashion cycle. My best fashion investment. More reasonable: Anya Hindmarch, Mansur Gavriel, or Clare Vivier. Affordable: J. Crew devon bag — you can swap out the strap (even with one you buy elsewhere, like I did).
Q: Leopard flats.
A: Oo yes please.
First: I own this pair of Veronica Beard flats in a different pattern and j’adore. I can’t believe they are marked down to $65 at the moment!! Someone needs that pair!
Second: love these from Margaux.
Third: For something a little more comfort-oriented, people rave about Rothys, and I love the contrasting colored stripe on the heel!
Fourth: perfection, in shoe form.
Possible solution to the mitten problem: mittens that zip to the shirt sleeves!
https://www.etsapparel.com/products/cubbies?variant=3788890369
These are brilliant!
I know!!! I really liked the Filson, for the styling and the appropriateness to his work environment. But I couldn’t convince him…he is one of those difficult-to-shop-for people.
Thank you for the suggestions — will look into these!
I hear you! Mr. Magpie has Opinions with a capital O on things, too 😉
Hi Jen!
Aaah, toddlers have a way of going through growth spurts mid-season, don’t they? I feel like mine did too!
A request, if you don’t mind, for your next “what you’re shopping for” post:
Men’s briefcase please! My husband works in the casual Silicon Valley tech atmosphere and dresses fairly casually (but not as casual as joggers and a hoodie!) and definitely not in suits, unless going for an interview or doing a presentation. He needs a briefcase that is professional looking but not too TOO, if you know what I mean? Something for everyday but also something that would work for an interview. I had ordered a Filson (the original twill) for him last Christmas — I loved it, but he nixed it as he was worried the cotton twill material would show dust/wear and tear easily? (And I was so pleased with myself for finding it on sale for $199!!). He is frugal in general, so something $300-ish (or under that would be even better) if any such briefcase exists!
Merci beaucoup!!!
Hi Mia!
Oh no! I wish you could have convinced him on the Filson — it’s well-reviewed for sturdiness and offers a lifetime warranty!! They are virtually indestructible! But, it wasn’t to his liking, so let’s look elsewhere…maybe the Away bag is more to his liking??
https://www.awaytravel.com/travel-bags/everywhere-bag
Nylon, less expensive. It looks like you’d need to buy a shoulder strap separately.
Beyond that, maybe take a look at The Wirecutter’s recommendations?
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-briefcases/
I have to caveat Wirecutter — I find that their recs are suspiciously/irritatingly absent of aesthetic consideration. I used to find their recs spot-on but now I tend to use them as one sounding board and compare and contrast to other sites/my own aesthetic tastes/even Reddit threads!
xx