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:
REFORMATION OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2
TRENDIER GRAND-MILLENNIAL SIDE: LUG VON SIGA OR AGUA BENDITA
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
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.