*Image above via Murashka.
Q: Cute winter clothes for myself and my son.
A: I shared all my favorite little boy finds here (all items I bought for my own son), but my current favorite uniform is corduroy overalls from either Little English (25% off with code BFCM25) or Osh Kosh paired with patterned turtlenecks and finished with either Hunter boots or Sperry boots, depending on weather. My other fool-proof outfit is long-sleeved Lacoste polos, which he’ll wear with jeans, cords, or even fleece joggers.
For you — I would pick up some reasonably-priced, on-trend knits, layer over tissue turtlenecks, and pair with a few new pairs of jeans (I picked up these and these) or cords you’re excited about. I’m also loving layering turtlenecks beneath dresses this season, including this tiered cord style and my Ellie nap dresses. Planning on doing the same with this plaid mini and one of Daphne Wilde’s styles, which are at the top of my shopping list at the moment.
And with everything: velvet furlanes!
Q: Sweater cape to wear over turtlenecks with jeans.
A: I received a few permutations of this question, and I like where your heads are at. I’ve been rocking this exact look. A few favorites:
AT THE TOP OF MY PERSONAL LUST LIST — A SPLURGE BUT SO, SO GORGEOUS
NOT A CAPE PER SE, BUT THIS TUNIC IS FAB AND COMES IN GREAT COLORS
A VERY FLATTERING STYLE — CAN’T BEAT THE PRICE!
NAVY KNIT (I’D FEEL LIKE OLIVIA PALERMO IN THIS)
THIS LEATHER TRIM STYLE IS TRES POPULAR
MORE OF AN OUTERWEAR PURCHASE BUT THIS IS JUST SO FUN AND DIFFERENT — COOL WITH MARANT BOOTS OR LUG SOLES
Q: The perfect teacher gift.
A: I’m newer at this because gifts were not allowed at mini’s prior school (we just contributed to a cash pool), but this year, I bought a few tins of my favorite holiday teas and am going to bundle with these monogram mugs for each teacher. I also like the idea of giving personalized note pads like these or these. I also can’t imagine a person who wouldn’t love these fleece-lined mittens on cold school mornings (they are my personal absolute favorites!). There are a bunch of other under-$30 gift ideas in this post — perhaps if you know the teacher well, something there might be a winning idea?
Q: Stationery for my 20-something son’s stocking.
A: Ooh, I love this idea! I might have to borrow from you! All of my favorite children’s stationery finds are in this post, but some top picks:
ERIN WALLACE (FIRE TRUCK)
CARA P DESIGNS (STARS)
PREPPY PRODIGY (PLANES)
LITTLE OH LOUISE (SUPERHERO)
Maybe bundle with some bright pens and a desktop caddy.
Q: Fleece/teddy jacket that is more dressy than sporty.
A: I got you! This J. Crew style is like a fleece that’s gone to finishing school — tres tailored. If you mean more in the sherpa/shearling direction: j’adore this & Other Stories! The details are great — love the collar and those welt pockets. Meanwhile, this sherpa/puffer hybrid would turn some heads!
Q: 30th birthday present for my boyfriend, who is impossible to shop for! Under $500.
A: Guys can be so tough to shop for! A few gifts that are total classics, almost all of which I’ve purchased Mr. Magpie…
NINTENDO SWITCH — EVEN GROWN UPS LIKE TO PLAY
OUTDOOR VOICES CLOUDKNIT SWEATS
STUBBS AND WOOTTON TUXEDO SLIPPERS
COMANDANTE MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER — FOR A TRUE COFFEE SNOB (DETAILS HERE, BUT THE ELITE CONSIDER HAND-GROUND BEANS SUPERIOR TO ELECTRICALLY-GROUND BEANS)
Q: A Christmas gift for my brother’s fiancee, under $50. Maybe a bride thing? Not sure.
A: So sweet! (Congrats!). What about a monogrammed jewelry round (with her new initials, if she’s taking a new name) with one of these must-have dazzle sticks tucked into the wrap? If you’re willing to splurge a bit more, these Shop Surcie ones are gorgeous, and I’ve gifted these sweet Smythson notebooks to brides-to-be in the past (alternately, you could personalize one of these plain ones). And one of my favorite gifts from my own bridal shower was an LL Bean tote with my new last name on the side! We still use it constantly, and it was such a thrill to have something with my new moniker on the side.
Q: More universal gift recs regardless of age or gender — ex: the dried pasta you like.
A: Love this prompt. A few things we absolutely love in our home that would be fun, well-vetted gifts…
PALACIO SPANISH CHORIZO (FAB APPETIZER TOASTED UP IN A HOT SKILLET)
NORDIC BAKING SHEETS — 33,000 FIVE STAR REVIEWS SAYS IT ALL
XTREME COMFORTS MEMORY FOAM PILLOW (THE BEST)
DARN TOUGH SOCKS (J’ADORE J’ADORE J’ADOREEE)
P.S. More food gift ideas here; more chic gifts for anyone here; and gifts under $30 here.
Q: Chic top to wear with wide leg winter white trousers in January for a rehearsal dinner in NYC.
A: Congratulations! And how incredible chic?! My first thought was feather-trimmed 16 Arlington or LaPointe, which are major statements but WOW. Cult Gaia has a similar one for a little less. A few other chic options in the same festive lane:
THIS KHAITE WOULD STOP TRAFFIC
Or you could go with this Sally LaPointe blazer….!!!
Q: A dress for Christmas Eve in the islands. (Cue mele Kalikimaka.)
A: Mele kalikimaka indeed! Enjoy! I love…
THIS MOLLY MOORKAMP, WHICH COULD BE WORN WITH SANDALS, BUT FEELS LIKE A POINSETTIA
THIS JEWELED JAMMIE SET WITH SILVER PLATFORMS
THIS MINI DRESS WITH HOLIDAY COLORED JEWELRY/SHOES
TIERED LA LIGNE IN IVORY WITH A TARTAN, RED, OR GREEN HEADBAND
Q: Ivory or cream cropped straight or wide leg pants to wear with navy sweaters…maybe corduroy?
A: Chic chic! A few styles worth consideration…
PEOPLE LOVE THESE ANTHRO ONES
THESE MAX MARAS ARE IN MY CART — LOVE THE BUTTON DETAILING AND HIGH WAIST
STRONG DIANE KEATON VIBES — TBH I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT PLEAT-FRONT TROUSERS AFTER SEEING THE FAB INSPO BY MARIA DEL ORDEN
THE MOTHER LODE (SIMILAR VIBES FOR LESS HERE)
Not ivory, but I feel it incumbent upon me to mention again these $30 Target cords and these navy velvet Max Maras, which are just soooo chic.
Q: A statement desk under $600.
A: I love the simplicity and clean lines of this PB style. Add a statement lamp like this or this and/or desk chair and you’ll have the chicest work perch on earth.
I also like this lacquered grass cloth style — or, for a totally different vibe — this wood desk, which feels like it belongs in a writing cabin. Just looking at it makes me feel productive, as though I’d be inspired to write a modern Walden.
P.S. Chic desktop accessories and all my work-from-home essentials.
Q: Reasonably priced (under $350) chelsea boots.
A: Love this look — I shared a bunch of chic lug-soles, many in a chelsea style, here. I have to say that Madewell just generously sent me these lug sole boots (under $200) and JE SUIS OBSESSED. I’ve never worn this style of boot and it makes me feel v relevant. I also super love these waterproof Sam Edelmans, especially in that on-trend ivory hue. For a more polished look, check out Aeyde’s styles, like this sophisticated black pair or this twist-on-a-chelsea in suede.
Q: Bridesmaid (black, long, formal) black tie wedding dress for an April wedding in D.C.
A: This is spectacular. I’ve heard such good things about this brand! I also love this dress, though the bust area could be a bit too va-va-voom depending on the event, and this one looks fun to twirl in. Finally, this one has a Jennifer Aniston-on-the-red-carpet simplicity to it that I’m drawn to.
Q: Every day bag (small).
A: Are you tired of hearing me talk about my new J Link bag from Marc Jacobs? It truly is the perfect size and the colors are so interesting — it goes perfectly with everything in my fall wardrobe! It comes in a few other colors/sizes, too, in case you prefer black or ivory. I also love this Hermes-inspired mini bag, especially in the fun yellow color, but it comes in other colors (including saddle brown). For an investment, a girlfriend of mine has one of these Loewe Hammock bags and it is SO chic (and configurable!). Other options I love:
THIS CELINE-ESQUE APC (TIMELESS!)
Oooh, I would love an expanded list of notebook/stationary recommendations. Like really beautiful notebooks for special occasions. And nice pens! Writerly gifts!
Hi Dana! I love this prompt. I am a prolific snail mail contributor :). For stationery, I shared some favorite options here:
https://magpiebyjenshoop.com/the-best-affordable-sources-for-stationery/
I am also loving the whimsical styles from Cara P and have ordered a bunch of hers, including recently:
https://bit.ly/3HvuBzo
and
https://bit.ly/3cqKJ78
For notebooks, you must look at the styles at Papier. Lots of personalization/pattern options:
https://bit.ly/3oNWs5z
Like, these (with your name on the front) are so chic:
https://bit.ly/3HBHubk
And they have fabulous grandmillennial-esque florals, too:
https://bit.ly/3oE1FN4
xx
Hi Jen!
Yes, Cate is correct. I was looking for stationary for my three sons 27,25, and 23 years old. Something mature, but not stodgy. I’m trying to encourage them to write not just email or text. Sorry to be unclear. Thank you for the recommendations! I’m sure someone happily ordering for their little one! Xx Kim
Hi Kim! You were not at ALL unclear; I’m not sure how I glossed right over the “20-something” and just imagined my own young children. I love this idea as a gift! I shared a bunch of my favorite affordable personalized stationery sources here:
https://magpiebyjenshoop.com/the-best-affordable-sources-for-stationery/
A few picks specifically for men…
+This Etsy shop has more masculine motifs, like pointer dogs, bees, golf clubs, blue crabs: https://bit.ly/3qPGnyM — and I like the fonts they use!
+This is handsome in green or brown (black feels to staid): https://bit.ly/3CycuFe
+On the more whimsical side, I think this set could be fun in masculine colors like navy/red or yellow/green: https://bit.ly/3DAy2Tc
xx
Those teas you recommended for teachers look so cozy and delicious. My husband and I have both worked in education for over a decade, and we joke that this time of year is mug-mas because of the amount of mugs we receive. I can’t speak for all educators, but we’ve cherished hand-written notes from our students and their families more than any other gifts.
Yes! Nothing like a sincere, thoughtful thank you note.
So good to hear from teachers on this front! Thank you!
Ahh! “Mug-mas!!” Such a good point. Thanks for the note – will bear this mind moving forward! I love the emphasis on a hand-written note, too. Will be sure to include this year.
xx
Wow Jen! You’ve outdone yourself today! What a great roundup – and I’ve ordered five sets of those teas for various teachers and daycare workers – love that idea! I’m going to bundle with Starbucks gift cards in case they are coffee drinkers and to really address all their caffeine needs this season!
Just a note. I believe the stationary request was for an adult son!
Yay!! And Cate — OMG. How could I have missed “20-something” in the question about stationery? Where is my head! Thank you!
xx