Q: Outfits for a baby girl to wear with her fur vest.
A: My two go-tos when mini was younger were: 1) Layering the vest over sweet diaper sets like this (currently on rare sale!), this, or this, paired with cable-knit tights (<<this brand is fantastic and really holds up) and tiny mary janes. Meep! Too sweet! The other option: 2) layer over a cozy rib knit set like this and finish with Donsje booties. Mini had a few pair of those boots and they were beyond adorable.
Q: Wallet!
A: I have a quilted Chanel wallet and a Prada card case and both bring me such joy every single day I use them. Strong upvotes for both. I also really love this current-season Gucci style (and the unnecessary but chic matching key case). For something a bit more affordable, I love the ones from Clare Vivier that can be personalized with shadow lettering. (Look for even less from Mark + Graham.). I also love this chic zip-around style from Neely + Chloe, which comes in great colors. They also have sweet card cases!
Q: Wide leg winter white pants.
A: For evening, these silky ones from Ramy Brook are IT. Can you even imagine paired with a simple cashmere crewneck in ivory or camel and then some glitzy earrings?! If you’re talking denim, I love the slightly cropped silhouettes from Ayr and Rag & Bone. For a full-length style, I’m drawn to this pair from M.M.LaFleur. And if you’re looking for proper trousers, I like these from Sandro and these from Halston Heritage. And for all-around wear (dress up or down), these from Apiece Apart!
Q: Ideas for styling top of Ikea docksta dining table paired with Serena and Lily Riviera chairs in navy.
A: Oo! What a chic pairing. Love. I immediately imagined a pop of green in the middle — maybe either two or three potted preserved boxwoods in different sizes/shapes (i.e., two of the sizes here or here) nestled against one another, or two of them potted in blue-and-white chinoiserie (this and this). I like that it offers height, texture, color. If this is in your breakfast nook, you could also keep a cake dome in the center and fill with whatever you have on hand — we nearly always have ours in the center of our kitchen island, featuring pastries/baked goods (store-bought ones are fine!). The particular cake dome I have (<<linked here) can also be inverted and used as a fruit bowl when you have an abundance of citrus, bananas, etc, which I also do frequently. If the cake dome feels like it’s “floating” in the middle (not sure how big the table would look in relation to the dome), you can add simple glass candleholders with white pillar candles to flank the dome to sort of section the area off, or you can layer a round tray beneath the dome. Twist on the theme: rattan tray (tie in with chairs) topped with a white footed bowl that you can fill with fruit or moss balls.
Q: Newborn stocking stuffers.
A: So sweet you’re already thinking of this — actually made me heart melt a bit! (Congrats, mama!)
THE BEST FLEECE BOOTIES (THE ONLY ONES THAT ACTUALLY STAYED ON MY BABIES’ FEET)
HIGH CONTRAST CARDS
INDESTRUCTIBLE BABY BOOKS (CAN BE PUT IN MOUTH, CRINKLED TO HIGH HELL, AND RUN THROUGH WASHING MACHINE!)
EVERY BABY’S FAVORITE BANANA
Q: Bedding and towels for little boys.
A: For bedding, I like these stripes, this toile, these stars, or this gingham. All of these would look great with a classic navy-trim duvet! Finish with a monogrammed lumbar in red piping (with navy lettering) or applique boudoir pillow for a tailored look, or top with this Katie Ridder pillow for a high-end designer vibe. (Major addition: these drapes to match!). For towels, we use a blend of Matouk Auberge and Weezie (you can see a peek into my children’s bathroom here). I love the bold monograms both have. These rugby stripe towels in navy would also be cute blended in with hand-towels from Matouk or Weezie!
Q: Fall flat knee-high boots.
A: I really love this pair from Anthro. I think they’d be the perfect compliment to all of the fall floral dresses we’ve been buying! This pair from Alexandre Birman is more of an investment, but is truly a timeless piece — the buckles make it feel very Hermes to me. I am sure we’ve overdue for a return of the tall riding boot, and you’ll be ahead of the curve with this!
Q: Fun dress/skirt/matching set for a long weekend in Mexico City.
A: This Mi Golondrina is spectacular and feels autumnal but festive. You could wear when back home with suede booties and a chunky knit! A few other fab finds for a festive night out:
NESLI NAP DRESS IN EMERALD
AGUA BENDITA (IF YOUR TRIP IS LATER — THIS IS PRE-ORDER ONLY)
THIS ROSEWATER HOUSE MASTERPIECE
THIS ULTRA-FUN MINI (UNDER $200)
FINALLY, CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS JOHANNA ORTIZ
Q: Blush bridesmaid dress — can be midi or long — for a July wedding on a farm in Vermont!
A: Enjoy! I like this blush Reformation, this on-trend Self-Portrait, or — statement! — this Marchesa Notte.
Q: New mom winter white dress to celebrate my son’s Christening. Kate Middleton vibes!
A: Congratulations! This is not white, but Kate has worn many dresses by the brand GOAT and this pink one (on sale!) would be so fetching paired with a headband like this. For a major splurge, this ODLR tweed boucle number is perfection and could be worn until you’re old and gray. This belted Self-Portrait style is also seriously chic, and I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve suggested this Sandro beauty. This Ted Baker would also be spectacular!
Q: Fall wedding dress for a guest!
A: I have loads of chic options here and here! For black-tie, I can’t get over this navy slip dress situation (under $250 and so devastatingly chic). I’m imagining it with a little feather/fur stole and a low bun. For cocktail attire, love this patchwork Ulla, this floral SEA, and this olive paisley Cara Cara.
Q: Need a good gift idea for an 8-year-old niece.
A: I recall being really into games at that age — maybe classics like Operation or Guess Who? Klee Naturals has these fun all-natural makeup kits that I would have absolutely loved, too. My mom gave me an enormous pink play makeup kit for a birthday around there and I spent HOURS doing my makeup, my sisters’ makeup, my friends’ makeup, etc. If you have an artist on your hands, Ed Emberley drawing books are fabulous, especially bundled with Ooly drawing implements. I would have loved this Ooly set at that age, come to think of it! Finally, you can’t go wrong with Lego!
Q: Black velvet blazer that is more dressy than worky.
A: If it’s gotta be black, it’s gotta be L’Agence. So incredibly chic and saucy. Right now I’m kind of freaking out imagining myself pairing it with these dramatic feather-trim pants for a major moment. (NYE?!). Reiss has a great one, too. But if it can be navy, Zara has one that is so fabulous.
Q: Diaper bag organization!
A: Pouches are the answer, and I shared all my favorites here. I specifically like using these large wet/dry bags now that I have two children, so I keep all their must-haves in easy-to-grab pouches monogrammed with their respective initials. Bonus is that the interior lamination means if you need a place to store soiled/wet clothes, you have one on hand! When my children were super young, I loved this ToteSavvy insert, too — especially great for a Goyard (my diaper bag), which has more or less no structure. Great to keep bottle in one place, diaper in another, etc. I always had what I needed and knew exactly when I was due for a refill, forgetting something, etc. Once the kids got a little older, though, I found pouches easier to use since their on-the-go needs fluctuated by activity/season/time-of-day/etc.
Thank you for all of the ideas for how to style the ikea dining table! I’ll be browsing antique shops in Georgetown for chinoiserie this weekend!
Yay!! Enjoy! Try the Christ Child Opportunity Shop!
xx
Thank you, Mia! This is great advice! I have seen Dagne Dover backpacks/bags on others and love the way they look. Checking them out right now. I also like the idea of a crossbody like this since it should fit the new iPhone (unlike phone cases – it seems there aren’t a lot of options for the 13 Pro yet, at least not a case-with-strap situation). Thank you again!!
Magic 8 balls are the best gift for 8th birthdays! Unexpected and retro and always well received.
Oo great intel! Thanks Renee!
Thank you for the CDMX suggestions – I’m on a deep dive of Farm Rio now (how did I not think of them?!) and have several things in my cart that are perfect. I’ve been lusting over Johanna Ortiz pieces for a while too… so tempting. They’re all so beautiful!
Such a fun trip! Farm Rio is perfect for the occasion — so festive and light-hearted!
xx
I need to order a new wallet (my simple J. Crew continental style has held up well, but needs replacing now). I am overthinking it because I am not sure I need such a big wallet anymore. I find myself in need of a practical (but somewhat chic?) solution for carrying a phone , card or two, mask, etc. on the go now that I typically walk my son to school (and am often chasing both kids around the neighborhood). I have been using an old running fanny pack some days and just holding my phone on other days. I see crossbody phone clutches, chic(er) fanny packs, and phone cases with lanyards attached (though it seems few are available yet for the iPhone 13 Pro). I am thinking lightweight and durable (like the MZ Wallace Metro tote of wallet/fanny pack/crossbody solutions).
I’ll bet you have helpful ideas!
If I may chime in, Jess — I love my Dagne Dover phone sling (can also be a tiny shoulder bag or belt bag) for this purpose! The style is “Mara”. It has a dedicated exterior sleeve for a phone, and I can fit my card case (though it does have a few card sleeves inside too), a small bottle of sanitizer, lip balm, a small pack of Kleenex. I love that I can use it even while I’m also carrying a backpack and not feel like I have too many bags. Only caveat is I wish I had gone with black/a dark color, as I tried washing it and some stains from sunscreen etc did not come off. But I get so much wear out of it! I debated between this and MZ Wallace’s metro belt bag but it was twice the price and I have 3 other MZW bags already and wanted to try something different. Nordstrom has some Dagne Dover products if you want to check them out in person.
Hi Jess and Mia! I’ve also heard great things about the Dagne Dover — I have that and a few other phone sling options here that might be worth contemplating:
https://magpiebyjenshoop.com/chic-phone-slings/
I feel your pain, though, Jess — I know the exact needs you’re talking about! I can’t speak highly enough of this leather fanny pack from State Bags:
https://bit.ly/3x9Wx6U
I feel like the dimensions and styling are JUST right. Some fanny packs are so big or athletic looking — this is more on the fashion-forward side, and the leather makes it feel a bit dressier. It’s smaller than other fanny packs I’ve tried, which I prefer personally.
Right now, I’m SERIOUSLY eyeing this sherpa fanny pack from Loeffler Randall, too:
https://bit.ly/3avOibc
So cute!
xx