Site icon Magpie by Jen Shoop

What You’re Shopping For, March 2021 Edition, Vol II.

shopping

Jump on in, and let’s go shopping!

(One more installment coming next week, but see the first installment this month here.)

Q: Need a semi-formal/formal bridesmaid’s dress for an April wedding in spring colors.

A: Woohoo! You might have some good luck looking at this post or this post, but a couple of dresses that have totally jumped out at me in this category:

THIS MIKAEL AGHAL

REFORMATION OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2

MARKARKIAN MAGIC

TRENDIER GRAND-MILLENNIAL SIDE: LUG VON SIGA OR AGUA BENDITA

BOLD IN SALONI

CAN’T GET OVER THIS GORGEOUS J. CREW — HARD TO TELL HOW FORMAL IT WOULD BE IRL

Q: Would love your advice on a gift for my husband, who will be graduating from business school in May. He’s been working his butt off — working full-time and finishing his program in 2.5 years — and I’m so proud of him.

A: Congratulations to him! What an accomplishment. So sweet. Hm. My mind went to the practical — a new laptop bag (<<Mr. Magpie has and loves this handsome style) for all his new business, a fancy Montblanc pen (very executive), letterpress business cards, a new piece of technology he needs (anything from AirPods to a laptop).

But this could also be a good opportunity for a milestone gift, like a handsome watch, a Tiffany money clip engraved with initials or a date, a beautiful belt from Paul Stuart (a few years ago, I bought Mr. Magpie an alligator belt from there), or statement shoes from Gucci or Stubbs + Wootton depending on style/profession.

Q: A chic mouse pad.

A: This personalizable leather one is so chic, or this one with shadow lettering. I also like this minimalist geometric style and this faux-marble (both under $14).

P.S. More chic workspace finds here and here.

Q: Dress to go to an outdoor Lake Michigan wedding this July.

A: Depending your read on the formality, I am swooning over this eyelet maxi (great price, too!) in the blue, this Reformation, this fashion-forward $130 steal, and this Agua Bendita.

Q: I’m a mom of two little boys expecting a girl. Would love help finding sweet hair bows.

A: Congratulations, mama! Yay! A little girl! For every day, I love the ones from Wee Ones. Great quality and colors! For statement/patterns, I found great ones at this Etsy shop and have recently gotten into the bows with longer “tails,” like this personalized one from Winn and William. I just bought one for mini’s fourth birthday and it was beyond darling. For when mini was tiny, I used PoppyBow’s headbands with the thin elastic bands. I found that most other brands carried headbands with thicker elastics that I did not care for as much.

Q: Gifts for my husband’s 35th birthday.

A: Happy birthday to him! I have shared some great gifts for men here and here that might fit the bill. A few of Mr. Magpie’s favorite recent gifts from me have been a Hedley & Bennett apron (he is a big cook), a Maison Kitsune sweatshirt, new Vejas, and a fancy manual coffee grinder. I also have good luck buying him new clothes from Todd Snyder. A few times a year, I go in and buy him a couple of head-to-toe looks from there. I’m currently eyeing these gingham shorts for him. He’s pretty game to try fashion-forward styles — but I would probably re-style this in the preppy lane with a white Lacoste on him.

P.S. Random, but we bought my daughter a Turkey Hill ice cream cake from the freezer aisle of the corner grocery for her birthday and it was delicious. Way more delicious than I remember ice cream cakes being! So fun, too!

Q: A floral jumpsuit for my tween who is 5’1 and 100 lbs (women’s XS?)

A: Check out this one from Faithfull, which is youthful. (I actually own it myself in a different print!). More sizes on sale here!

Q: Counter stools — not into the bistro S&L look.

A: I hear you! I like these upholstered ones (feel like what Nancy Meyers would have), these bleached ash ones (so striking!), and this chippendale style depending on the vibe of the kitchen.

Q: Statement stud earrings.

A: You know I love Nicola Bathie — something like this would be a mainstay in my daily wardrobe! I also have a pair of gold Chanel clip-ons I get a lot of wear out of. Big flower studs also always speak to me — I love both these by KJL and these. If you’re thinking more for formal events, something like this will never steer you wrong!

Q: Spring/summer mom/diaper bag for park visits.

A: A few that have caught my eye recently:

THIS MONOGRAMMABLE CLARE VIVIER (STRAP FITS OVER SHOULDER)

I WEAR A PAST-SEASON STYLE OF THIS BAG ALL SUMMER LONG

A STONEY CLOVER WITH INITIALS ON THE SIDE

A SPLASHY NAGHEDI TOTE

Q: Dress for brother’s rehearsal dinner! It will be outside, on the East Coast, in early April.

A: Oo that’s tricky given that weather can be cool in early April. I would probably go with something with long sleeves that can be worn with closed-toe pumps, like this tiered botanical, this sweet floral, this embroidered maxi, this Cara Cara, and this Cynthia Rowley.

Q: Cute but easy practical sandals to wear with nap dresses.

A: Two great, unfussy sandals that will go with anything from nap dresses to jeans: these understated leather slides and these simple banded ones in the white or blush.

Q: Love the Hill House nap dress, but a bit out of my budget. Something similar for spring?

A: I love the aesthetic, too! A few that have a similar vibe: this Old Navy, this Zara, and this tiered style.

P.S. A few more cute dresses under $50 here.

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