*I know I have a lot of Magpie brides-to-be reading — so (!) exciting. I’ve been trying to keep my bridal shop page up to date. The exact shoes above are via Tatyana Kochnova. You might find my post on what I’d register for if I were getting married this year helpful.
Q: Shoes to wear to a wedding in October in New England.
A: If you’re game for trends, platforms or back in a major way. Splurge on these or save on these, or go slightly less bold in these. Alternately: these suede block-heel mules are genius because they’re seasonally appropriate but would be comfortable to wear and dance in. They serve up major Loeffler Randall vibes but cost a fraction of the price. Also love these glitter mules from AB, but these suede pointed-toe heels are similar and under $100! Finally, I’m majorly lusting after these Manolos for this fall/winter. Finally, these are my long-time go-to wear-any-season wedding sandals.
Q: Fall booties.
A: I’ve mentioned these a lot lately, but these kitten heel style ones have been my go-to silhouette for years and years now. I also own the more expensive but similar looking Birman Kitty booties and wear both Talbots and AB allll winter long. They are so streamlined and easy to wear, and I love the way they look with long winter/fall dresses like this or any of the fall nap dresses, too. For more of an informal look, I also wore these No. 6 clog boots ALL of last winter during the day, especially for school pick-up when I needed to trek through whatever New York winter had to throw at me. They are seriously warm, waterproof, and surprisingly easy to walk in (don’t feel as chunky as they look). If you’re looking for something in between, I have long loved these Isabel Marant boots. So, so chic.
Q: Non-tacky Halloween costume for kids and adults.
A: I’m similarly squeamish about dressing up as an adult, so I’m not your best guide here! I shared lots of cute Halloween costume finds for littles here, and personally would just start with something you like for your little and then craft yourself as the sidekick, i.e., if she is Dorothy, you go as a half-hearted (haha) cowardly lion with something like this paired with a slick fall outfit you like, i.e. this gorgeous coat. I don’t know — I’m never big into costumes myself! Am I a buzzkill?
Q: Dress for fall black tie wedding.
A: I have been working hard to keep the wedding guest section of my shop up to date since this is far and away the most-asked question I field, but a couple specific to the black-tie request:
THIS SIMPLE AND SLEEK BLACK GOWN
THIS BADGLEY MISCHKA (MARKED WAY DOWN AND WOWWW)
THIS SPECTACULAR FLORAL APPLIQUE
THIS EDGY TIBI — LOVE THE SHAPE (!!)
THIS SACHIN & BABI IS SPECTACULAR WITH A BIG SPARKLY EARRING
Q: Cute athletic clothes for my children for soccer, etc.
A: Currently, micro wears Petits Vilains shorts, Gap toddler tees (I also did just buy him an NYC tee, and if you are Chicago based, check out this cute online boutique for some Windy City swag for your mini), and, if chilly, Les Gamins sweatshirts and Maisonette joggers to soccer. Note that all of those items are unisex and come in great colors to mix and match! Also love:
PETIT VILAINS RINGER TEES — OR THE LOOK FOR LESS
CADETS MAKES AN ATHLETIC SHORT — NOTE THAT THIS BRAND RUNS VERY SMALL; SIZE UP AT LEAST ONE SIZE
LES VILAINS SHORTS LOOK FOR LESS
SOL ANGELES MAKES COOL JOGGERS FOR LITTLES, AND MANY ARE ON SALE AT GILT AT THE MOMENT
ADIDAS MAKES MESH SHORTS FOR GIRLS IN GOOD COLORS; PAIR WITH A MINNOW TERRY SWEATSHIRT
FUNTASIA TOO ALSO MAKES REALLY CUTE ATHLETIC SHORTS FOR SLIGHTLY OLDER GIRLS WITH SEERSUCKER
Q: Christmas outfits for 2.5 year old boy and 6 month old girl.
A: OO, next level planning. I love it. I’ll be sharing a post on Thanksgiving/fall special occasionwear for little ones later today and will for sure be sharing holiday outfits in the not-too-distant future, but I love a tartan ditty like this or this for a baby girl, and then cords and a festive sweater for him over a button-down. If you’re into longalls, CPC has some great festive prints each season, including tartan and embroidered corduroy. Personally, I don’t love the way this style fits on boys who have lost their baby fat — they looked so cute when Hill was a pudgy rolly polly but I’m starting to think he’s outgrown them (he’ll be around your son’s age at Christmas). This might be the last few months I can get away with rompers/jon-jons/shortalls/longalls for him…sigh. Anyhow, if you’re still game, I like those layered over turtlenecks.
I also like the idea of these festive trousers on a little man (with a turtleneck) and this sister match.
I also adore (!) embroidered dresses like this or this on a little love. They have such a delicate, heirloom quality. Sold out in your little one’s size, but for others with larger baby girls, this dress is darling.
Finally, I have been eyeing this scottie dog smocked dress for actual years. It is beyond. Brother could twin in this if still small enough to fit into 2T.
Q: Dresses for a November beach vacation.
A: Oo, fun. I like this, this, this, or this. All feel seasonally appropriate but dressed-down/beachy. Enjoy!
Q: Drinkware and servingware to coordinate with Juliska berry and thread china.
A: If you want it to be super coordinated, I’m not sure if you know that Juliska has coordinating glassware/stemware? Otherwise, I spent a lot of time shopping to restock our glassware last year, and ended up with the items here. I really love these “cooler” glasses, which we use for water and also highball cocktails. Great everyday drinking glasses! The style is elegant IMO and I think it’d be a delicate, modern-leaning contrast with the Juliska. But if you want something fun/festive to add color, consider these pretty footed goblets in colors.
For servingware, Juliska also has coordinating bowls and platters, but any simple white serving piece will work! I find we principally reach for white serving dishes because they go with everything (and any tablescape) and show food nicely. Frankly, our most-used serving platters are rectangular/square ones like this — they’re even great for piling a salad on top of, or arranging a bunch of hors d’oeuvres artfully. A few other favorite finds:
At the same time, sometimes a bold statement platter is a chic way to add interest/dynamics to your tabletop. I have long lusted after these pieces from Juliska!
Q: I’m looking for white (plain white, no detailing) Peter Pan collared shirts — actual PP collar, not lace or a frilly collar — for my daughter. Size 5. And she’s long waisted so they can’t be too short. Long sleeves and short sleeves. Prefer no elastic at the wrist. I’m hunting like crazy and am struggling to find… any tips?
A: Basics like this can be so difficult to find. Have you tried Luigi? They do have a picot trim, but in the white on white colorway, almost unnoticeable. I find this brand to be solid quality and soft. We have also used and liked Little English in the past, though I find this particular style runs a tiny bit short and a tiny bit thick (not a bad thing, but not the best for layering). Otherwise, I can’t attest to the quality, but Zara makes a very simple style that could be worth a try.
If any of you Magpie readers have younger ones, Kissy Kissy makes the BEST peter pan collar onesies! The scale of the collar is perfect and I find Kissy Kissy to be the best quality for tiny ones. I was able to pass down all of mini’s onesies to micro and they still looked great.
Q: Host gift for my boyfriend’s parents. Meeting them for the first time and staying for a weekend.
A: I like food gifts for this kind of situation. They’re thoughtful but not too personal, they accommodate both the husband and wife (as opposed to a lot of hostess gifts, which cater to just the wife for some reason — you might score major bonus points with your boyfriend’s sweet-treat-loving dad!), and they may also contribute to easing their hosting responsibilities. I’m not sure where you’re based, but I like the idea of bringing a breakfast treat (like babka, cinnamon rolls, etc) from a fabulous bakery, or a dozen Levain cookies, or maybe a little gift basket with “happy hour” treats like cheese straws, rainforest crisps, spiced pecans, etc. I did a post on food gifts for gourmet lovers that might be a good reference point, too. If that’s not realistic owing to allergies/diets/logistics of travel, I have yet to meet someone who does not love an elegant candle or high-end hand soap. They’re definitely a safer play but — frankly, they work for a reason. If you’re looking for something more off the beaten path, check out this list of unusual gifts.
Q: I recently got engaged (yay!) and we’re planning an engagement party in early October. I’m looking for a dress for the party. Do I need to wear white for my engagement party? (I’m a bit curvier and always shy from white outfits). I love midi dresses that are flowy and feminine, but also unique with a touch of drama. And I LOVE bright colors and prints and puff sleeves. I would like to budget $500 or less for this dress.
A: Congratulations! I do NOT think you need to wear white. I would go with whatever makes you feel best and most yourself. A couple of pretty options that caught my eye…
THIS LUG VON SIGA (ALMOST SOLD OUT ON SALE; MORE SIZES HERE BUT NOT ON SALE!; SOOO GORGEOUS — BLUE AND WHITE IS A CLASSIC BRIDAL PALETTE!)
ADORE THIS DREAMY COCO SHOP DRESS (SELECT SIZES ON SALE HERE)
THIS BACKLESS FLORAL IS SPECTACULAR
A BIT OVER BUDGET, BUT THIS AGUA BENDITA
I feel as though all of these dresses have the quality of being festive/celebratory/statement but also feminine and not too-bridal. If you do boomerang back to wanting to wear white, I just updated my bridal shop section again before publishing this post with some new fantastic white finds, including this Zimmermann lookalike for under $50!
Q: Stylish coat for fall trip to Paris.
A: Lucky duck!!! My immediate thought was this wrap style, which also comes in a chic sage color. (Vibe for less with this.) Sophisticated and neutral — my observation (though I haven’t been back in years and years) is that the Europeans tend to favor neutrals. I remember feeling slightly squeamish about my bold color choices back in the day. A trench is also a forever-chic piece, and this Rebecca Taylor has just enough interest to it to feel fashion-forward. This tweed L’Agence would also be crazy chic. Finally, I can’t stop daydreaming about this Rachel Comey with, like, wide-leg tweed pants and heels?! Oh my goodness, crazy chic. It is pink, but a kind of neutral-pink. I can’t even with the shape — it’s SO good.
Q: Baby Christmas pajamas.
A: Love all of my ahead-of-the-game Magpies! Year after year, I buy the holiday jammies from TBBC. This year, I love the toy soldiers and “deck the halls” prints. I also always buy new Petite Plume for the holidays — I am smitten with their Antique Toys print (also comes in proper pajamas format AND a romper, and don’t miss out on the matching sleep mask!) this year, but the tartan is traditional and darling, too.
For those shopping for Halloween pajamas instead, here are some cute pairs, and here are some great costumes!
Thank you for the response to the juliska question! Very interested in the coordinating berry and thread high balls and double old fashioned glasses for drinkware… they were sold out when I submitted the question but are now back in stock! However, I’ll likely save those, and coordinating servingware, for a future wedding registry. The dinnerware was a splurge for us since we are also re-purchasing all of our furniture and various other home items at the moment after a big move. Thank you for the “cooler” glasses you recommended… those are the perfect price point and exactly what I was looking for! Will be purchasing shortly.
I purchased the Juliska berry & thread dinnerware after reading about them so often on the blog… otherwise, would definitely have ended up going the Vietri lastra route. I definitely like them and think they’re a great long-term investment but find that the items look more gray than I anticipated. It’s not too noticeable but something to consider when/if you look into these items yourself 🙂
Good to know on the dinnerware — hm! I’m sorry about that! I think you’ll love those cb2 coolers!
xx
I’ve hated dressing up for Halloween since high school – even in college, it was more stressful to me than fun!
For your next round, this is less a shopping question and more of an inspiration question, but if you were to re-do your bedding, what would you get and how would you style it?
Love reading these posts and imagining fellow readers celebrating so many milestones – congrats to all!
Oo great question!! I have to think on the bedding one. I have loved Matouk’s scalloped linens for a long time but I’m just not sure…will think on this!
xx
I’m not into dressing up for Halloween either, but for the past few years I’ve been wearing a leopard print midi dress from Banana Republic (which is something I wear at other times during the season) and a cat ear headband. I’ll most likely go with that option again this year, but I think it might be extra fun because I could dress up my almost 4 year old as a cheetah — the girl can SPRINT, my relatives laugh at how easily she can outrun me! She doesn’t tolerate actual costumes either or anything not 100% cotton, so I’m just using cheetah/leopard print leggings and a long sleeve shirt in the same print both from Old Navy, and a cheetah ear headband. Full costume for under $15!
How about dressing up as Holly Golightly? That would be fun yet elegant!
Chic! Love an Audrey Hepburn moment! Also like your go-to Halloween getup. I have a pair of satin Aquazzura mules with a crystal spider at the toe that I wear every year. My little Halloween flair 🙂
xx
I do not like Halloween!!! So I am with you. As far as dressing up as adults, I will usually wear a cute outfit or whatever I want to wear, and throw on a pair of cat ears. Makes me feel better about being a Scrooge.
Exactly! Just the bare minimum with a peak fall outfit. xx