Q: Shoes to wear with HHH Louisa dress in red tartan for Christmas down in Florida?
A: I like to style my nap dresses for day with either Vibis or ballet flats — these silver ones would be really fun, and these $30 velvet ones would be right at home.
Q: Harry Potter Yule Ball dress.
A: Splurge, but why did this Bernadette statement spring to mind first? It feels robe-like in a Harry Potter adjacent way. Also love this red La Ligne with glitzy earrings and heels, this Veronica Beard (feels like something Emma Watson would wear?), this head-to-toe sequin HVN, this sequined Saylor, this pleated Ulla, and this OTS Aje. Or maybe something from one of these glitzy posts here, here, here?
Q: Presents for a friend’s first pregnancy (twin boys!) — baby shower, post-birth, etc.
A: What a dear friend you are! For baby shower, I would buy off her registry, as chances are, she has spent some time vetting what she wants. If you want to buy off-registry, or supplement, I nearly always tuck one of these Love-to-Dream sleepsacks in because it really changed my life when Hill was maybe two months old? He kept startling himself awake / would writhe out of his traditional swaddle (and we were good swaddlers!) and this enabled him to sleep for long. I also like to throw in a Wubbanub (God bless those names…), which are not only adorable but functional. The weight of the stuffed animal keeps the pacifier in baby’s mouth, and makes them easy to find (e.g., they don’t slip down the side of the crib into the netherworld). I also love to give Kissy Kissy footies (my favorite, favorite, favorite — a slightly wider fit that makes it easier to get on/off tiny baby, holds up spectacularly, gorgeous details) and 1212 onesies (also my favorite, favorite, favorite — very soft, two snaps at crotch, and a stretchy material that goes on over baby’s head easily). More inspo in this post on baby gear I wish I’d known about earlier and this post on layette finds.
Once babies arrive, I would focus on the parents. I would deliver a homemade meal, or have a meal delivered. I’ve mentioned this a bunch, but when we had mini, a girlfriend brought buy a big bag full of provisions from Eataly — cured meats, olive bread, fancy mayonnaise, olives, bar snacks, etc. It was heaven to have supplies for a midnight sandwich / quick bite whenever needed. I’ve paid that generosity forward and I usually assemble a bag or basket with bread from a good bakery, deli meats/cured meats, sliced cheeses, fancy mayo and mustard, fancy chips (truffle, etc), marcona almonds, dried fruit, yogurt covered pretzels, etc. Just things that are easy to grab and snack on when you’re up at 3 a.m. and famished. I usually like to drop this bag on a doorstep the day or day after the family arrives home from the hospital. I would not have wanted guests at that tender early time, and it’s magic to have a meal materialize when you’re in that haze.
One other thought — pay attention to the babies’ weights. One of my girlfriends delivered a preemie (and I know twins tend to be small) and I ran out to Baby Gap and bought whatever preemie sized items they had because the baby was swimming in newborn sized items!
Finally, check in!!! Just texting regularly meant the world to me. My girlfriend Steph would just send sporadic texts throughout the first few weeks — “Thinking of you, how’s it going?” and “How’d last night go?” and it meant THE WORLD to me to feel like I had an open ear / someone who saw me.
Q: A cropped turtleneck sweater to wear with a satin slip or skirt — thank you.
A: Chic chic! Love this one, this one (budget buy!), and this one, depending on the vibe you’re after.
Q: Best Secret Santa gift under $50.
A: Fun! A Pomegranate Puzzle (these are seriously the best quality puzzles and so fun to have out for the holidays), a Tara Andris desk calendar (don’t know how I lived before I had a desk calendar like this — I refer to it daily), a set of 12 appetizer plates from C&B (in constant use in house for snacks, bread plates, appetizers, coasters, etc!), cocktail napkins from Chefanie (love these and these), this Mama necklace, a set of Proper Table coasters, or an Emile Henry butter pot. Trust me, the butter pot will change your life. So excellent to always have soft, spreadable butter on hand. You put water in the bottom to create a seal/perserve. Two separate sets of recent house guests we’ve had bought them on the spot/before leaving after enjoying ours for the weekend.
Q: A really good, “heavy” old fashioned comforter. Not Pottery Barn. Not a duvet.
A: I would look at Company Store’s options — love this pattern, and it’s super discounted! I’ve been very impressed with their bedding. Ralph Lauren also does great, traditional patterned comforters, like this toile and this paisley.
Q: Brown suede bag.
A: Splurge: the Khaite Lotus. (Mouth waters). More reasonable: Banana actually has a fabulous bag out this season I’ve been eyeing — love the shape, the logo-less-ness, the rich chocolate color! Staud has a similar one in a slightly different shape that turned my head, too. APC also has their popular Grace bag in a chic suede option. Last but not least, J. Crew has a classic-looking suede tote out this season that would be practical and elegant.
Q: Easy slip-on shoes for school drop off.
A: Depending on your vibe/the weather in your parts: shearling Birks, Gucci Princetowns, Vibis, No 6 boots, sherpa loafers, Rothy’s loafers.
Q: Something to wear to a 20-year high school reunion.
A: Something that makes you feel GREAT! Nothing you’ll be adjusting/tugging/etc. I was just thinking the other day how much I love the look of button-downs and oxfords, but find myself constantly pushing up the sleeves, re-tucking, etc. I mean, I’ll still wear them, but that’s the kind of thing I would avoid at an event where you want to feel comfortable. (Mine was fun but slightly dizzying!) Personally, I would wear a patterned fall midi dress paired with ballet flats or booties depending on weather. A few dresses I would consider that feel festive/fun but not over-dressed:
More dresses along these lines, including less expensive options, here.
If you’re more of a jeans girl, go that direction and pair with a fun top like this or this. (More great statement tops here.)
Q: Chic winter boots for around town — have Sorels, Bean Boots, Uggs.
A: Try a lug-sole — I have been loving these Madewells from last season this fall (this season has a slightly edgier lace-up variation). I like to wear with slightly cropped jeans so that the hem kind of plays with the top of the boot/some tucks in/some doesn’t/ a little camp sock shows, but would also look great paired with a dressier style of legging (I know a lot of you bought this pair of ponte pants from Emerson Fry for this exact reason!). Sam Edelman has a similar one in a waterproof formula that might be even more practical if you’re somewhere that expects precipitation regularly. And Target has a great lookalike pair for under $40 that many Magpies have bought.
Q: A holiday dress for my daughter with smocking.
A: I love this tartan one from Trotters — mini has a nearly identical one from Anavini I’m squeezing her into one more year! I also love this Il Porticciolo. Dillards has a similar tartan style for a little less. I treasure a few of the smocked Proper Peony holiday pieces I bought for mini when younger — something like this or this would be precious.
Jen- thank you so much for the ideas for my pregnant friend! In the event she doesn’t assemble a baby registry, I’m thinking one of the following two options for pre-birth: (1) maternity lake pajamas + the onsies/pacifier you recommended or (2) maternity robe + matching newborn pajamas for the babies (might be nice for photos in the hospital). Post birth, I love your food delivery idea and thinking I’ll add some type of jewelry with the babies’ initials. Thank you again!
SUCH sweet gifts – you are a dear friend!!
xx
This is DUMB question …doesn’t the butter get wet in the pot? I tried one once and maybe I did it wrong ???? Do you just swipe the top of the butter before serving?
Hi Nancy! The top of the butter may have a tad bit of moisture, but the key is to just fill the bottom of the basin a little bit so that the lid barely kisses it. Just enough water to create a kind of seal. It takes a little trial and error to get it right, and we’ve learned you have to replace the water every few days.
xx
Thanks. I must have put too much water in.
Let me know if it works better for you with less water!
xx