thefashionmagpie

Pour Les Bebes

In Americana, Gifts!, Home Decor, Mini Magpies, Nautical on May 18, 2012 at 12:01 pm

So many friends and acquaintances are moving on to the child-bearing years of their lives that I foresee a lot of baby showers in my future.  I want to be known as a solid gift-giver, so I’ve done my fair share of research on the some off-the-beaten path gifts that will hopefully bring a genuine smile to the mama to be.  First up — a seriously darling baby blanket ($100, Donna Wilson) for the preppy mother.  Lovely, gender neutral pick.

Speaking of prepster gear, imagine a wee little tot in this adorable sailboat tee ($38, Baby’s Got Style) with a pair of itty-bitty boat shoes ($35, Cheeky Little Soles):

For the little gal, how sweet is this sailboat-print sundress ($68, Pink Chicken) with a pair of classic Salt Water sandals ($35, Zappos)?

Alternately, how beyond precious are these little onesies ($18-$22, Hanna Anderson):

 

 

 

I kind of like the idea of packaging baby gifts in these mini-suitcases ($45 for 4, Baby’s Got Style) and tying a big white bow on the handle:

 

 

For a big ticket gift for the nursery, how whimsical and sweet is this teepee ($120, Cath Kidston)?!

Or, what about a classic pull-toy like this patchwork-color elephant ($25, Ella and Elliott):

Or maybe one of these precious knit giraffes ($49, Yada Yada):

I also love the idea of the classic piggy bank as a gift.  {I still have the one I received as a wee babe on my dresser!  It’s silver-plated with a Peter the Rabbit engraving on the front.}  These Jonathan Adler styles ($78, Jonathan Adler) caught my eye:

Alternately, these Serena and Lily Sausalito baskets which can double (triple?) as a baby napping space, a toy chest, or a laundry hamper ($150, Serena and Lily):

 

Perhaps bundle with one of these funky little baby blankets from Little Hip Squeaks ($40, Little Hip Squeaks) — they even have a mustache-print one!

 

For a BIG TICKET gift (O.M.G.), check out this ride-on Saab Roadster model ($600, Ella and Elliott):

And, finally, the most darling top-and-bloomers duo I’ve ever seen ($40 for top; $24 for bottoms):

I mean, are you kidding with that ruffle?!  LOVE.

Happy weekend!

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Miami (Ad-)Vice

In Accessories, Beach Wear, Brights!, Florals, Fresh Combos, Jewelry, Pastels, White on May 17, 2012 at 10:55 am

I’m back from Miami, tanned and rested.  (Read: sunburned and lazy.)  Turnberry Isle was phenomenal — its staff was spectacularly friendly and indulgent; the food was delicious (helloooo, trio of duck-fat fries from Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak…uh, yes.); and our accommodations were fit for a queen (and her king).  While I was a wretched mess by hole 11 of the golf course {gr}, the ample time spent worshiping the sun, downing cocktails, and listening to the Steve Jobs’ biography on Mr. Magpie’s iPhone left me completely satisfied and woozy with happiness.  I also got to roll out some of my louder fashion pieces, which left me more than thrilled.

A flamingo-pink maxi skirt ($395, Intermix) with a simple white tank ($19.50, Madewell), an enormous necklace ($45, Swell Caroline), and some silver flats (Zanotti, $595, Intermix):

 

I’d finish with a white cross-body (mine is the “Boyfriend” style, also by Rebecca Minkoff but no longer available — $195, Shopbop) and one or more of these CC Skye screw bracelets ($92, Boutique to You):

 

Or, throw all of your essentials for the pool into this woven tote ($68, Juicy Couture):

For golf, I wore J. Crew shorts and a vintage white Lacoste polo, but I easily transitioned to day-time hanging by pairing the shorts ($45, J. Crew) with a denim button-down ($80, Madewell) and a tangly statement necklace (Assad Mounser, $430, Net-A-Porter):

And finished with wedges (OMG…these are from the Webster for Target collection — $39, Target)

Perfect with this little cross-body ($110, Madewell):

Evenings called for silky little numbers, like this Amanda Uprichard lovely (on sale for $98, RGBSF) with statement earrings ($250, Helga Wagner):

I like the idea of finishing with these loud espadrilles (Kate Spade, $205, Zappos) and this darling ombre clutch ($198, Anthropologie):

 

I wore quite a bit of hot pink (including this little number, in the short version), like this Naven number ($335, Singer22), paired with lively earrings (NOIR, $110, Endless):

I’d finish with this fun clutchski ($450, Kotur) and some nude heels (Miu Miu, $695, Net-A-Porter):

 

For more casual, post-pool dining, I opted for flowy maxis along the lines of this darling colorblocked style (loveee the colors! — $334, Matches), paired with throw-it-on-and-go statement jewelry like this lovely necklace ($149, Club Monaco):

Finish with gold sandals (Dolce Vita, $69, Zappos) and a roomy gold clutch ($138, J. Crew):

 

I also managed to score this Webster for Target ($39, Target) dress just before leaving on Saturday.  It’s the most perfect Floridian dress that there ever was…and you can’t beat that price!  I wore mine with chunky green earrings ($65, J. Crew):

 

Any ol pair of flat sandals and a straw clutch work!

And now — I was SO MOVED by all of your lovely comments and entries for my three-year bloggiversary giveaway!  I love you all for reading with such sensitivity and kindness.  Here’s to many more years of Magpie!  The winner of the giveaway is: Erica Garcia!  I’ll be in touch so I can get your Magpie Surprise over to you!  xxxx

 

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Guest Who?

In Accessories, Brights!, Cocktail Dresses, Dream Wear, Florals, Intimates, Romantic, Shoes, Sundresses on May 16, 2012 at 11:16 am

OK, apologies for a) my absence the past few days {I was in Miami with Mr. Magpie} and b) the dumbest title for a blog post ever.  Let’s move right along.  I’m running this in response to many, many requests for a “What to Wear to a Summer Wedding” post — and I can totally commis(erate).  We’re finding ourselves smack dab in the middle of wedding season, and it’s time to develop a strategy for what to where to what.  First, some house rules:

1.  Never wear white, cream, or ivory to a wedding.  Bad manners.

2.  As a general proposition, I avoid lace at weddings.  Sort of an extension of the rule #1 — just avoid anything that might lead people to think that you are “upstaging the bride.”  (Or trying to.  Everyone knows there’s no one as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day.)

3.  If the dress code is not clear to you, always opt for a cocktail dress.  This is almost universally appropriate, even for more formal events that you might think merit a floor-length style.  You’d be surprised at the range of events you can attend with a sweet little cocktail number on!  Anything from a backyard wedding to a formal evening affair at a city club.  And, if you ever have any questions about what a dress code means, consult the master.

4.  Weddings are happy events.  Avoid black.

OK, item 4 isn’t really a rule so much as a strong suggestion, and I know it goes against every grain of our being as women.  I feel as though the LBD is the panacea to the woman’s every fashion woe.  I get it.  It’s slimming, it goes with pretty much any pair of shoes, and it tends to be highly versatile.  But at a wedding — even a formal one — it’s good to let yourself live a little and step out in color to suit the joyous occasion.  Also — let’s be honest.  Who stands out in an LBD, unless you’re Claudia Schiffer or something?

With those rules in place, let me begin with my top picks for this season: first up, I love the way that the maxi trend has enabled us to reimagine the floor-length dress.  Within the context of this trend, you can pull it off without looking like you’re trying to crash a royal ball in Austria.  So, I would strongly advocate the Rebecca Taylor corset dress ($475, Rebecca Taylor — also available in a splashy watermelon color here) with some stunning earrings (I know I just featured these, but they are too good — $138, Suzanna Dai):

{BTW, if you like the idea of the maxi dress but aren’t willing to shell out 500 big ones, check out this slightly less expensive ($350) Miguelina style, which I’ve had my eye on for awhile or this $260 French Connection style in lovely petal pink.  TDF.}  If you’re into the Rebecca M. style above, it would be perfect with these fairy princess shoes (Valentino, $995, Net-A-Porter) and a pleated chiffon clutch ($130, Bloomingdale’s):

 

For another soft look, consider this darling floral print dress ($250, Coggles) with topaz-centric danglers (Bounkit, $550, Charm and Chain — OR get the look for less with this $120 pair from Bauble Bar!):

I envision it with taupe or gray heels – this simple PLV pair would do the trick, though these Louboutins are pretty much the golden ticket to paradise, especially with this bow clutch ($35, AWear):

 

This would most definitely POP with a fun coral lip (Nars gloss, $24, Bloomingdale’s; YSL lipstick, $34, Nordstrom):

In a similar vein — but with a bit more color — check out these darling Thread floral print numbers ($222, TheOutnet):

 

And, P.S. — for you brides out there, the white version of the above dress would make a stunning rehearsal dinner score.  In fact, the entire Thread line is worth scoping out for all things wedding-related, whether you’re a bride, a guest, or a member of the bridal party!  Check out this linen seersucker number for a more casual seaside wedding, for example.  Love.  The above dresses would look adorable with a pair of white, ivory, nude, or blush sandals/pumps/etc.  Personally, I think white/ivory sandals can be super tricky.  Most of them look tacky and prom-like.  You could either spring for something expensive and showy, like these Zanotti wonders (WOW. – $750, Net-A-Porter), or go the easy route with a pair of nude or blush heels:

Keep additional add-ons to a minimum.  That fancy shoulder does all of the high-stepping for you.  I might add only a pair of cluster pearl earrings ($99, Max and Chloe) and a statement bracelet ($400, Mariam Haskell):

 

 

P.S. — for more statement pearl jewelry, check out the line Juliet and Company.  Love their affordable collection!  Another line I love for wedding guest attire?  Zimmermann.  I scored the loveliest nude/gold maxi from them that I’ve worn to three weddings (three! and I am usually terrible about re-wearing things.) with big statement earrings and bow-toe heels.  This royal blue style ($345, Shopbop) caught my eye as a little something different.  Perfect with some dazzling sparkly statement earrings (Elizabeth Cole, $232, Beauty):

{Like the dress but want options?  Consider this comparable $128 style; this similar-looking floor length variation (on sale for $139!); or yet another maxi-length style in this same cobalt/galaxy blue for $276.}  And P.S. – if those statement earrings are too dramatic for ya, check out this $130 Ben Amun style instead.  More wearable.  I like the dress above with the Kate Spade “Charm” in silver ($325, Bergdorf’s):

 

Too pricey?  Check out this $140 style instead.  Love.  And I kinda think this funky lip clutch would be a cool addition ($390, Lulu Guinness):

Now, if I had my pick of any dress on the planet to wear to a wedding, I’d blow my bank account on this stunning Notte by Marchesa style (even on sale, it’s out of my league — $752, MyTheresa):

Holy Mackerel.  If that were in my closet, I’d wear it every day of the week and twice on Tuesday.  Heart palpitations.  I’d pair with a bold red lip and simple heels and call it a day.  ALSO.  Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a SPECIAL MAGPIE TREAT!  Just leave a comment on this post (thanks for all of your beautiful words of support!), and a winner will be announced TOMORROW.

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