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Aware.

By: Jen Shoop

I missed posting on Thanksgiving.

I also skipped posts on Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales (do they ever feel super overwhelming to you??!?!  I almost made it without buying anything on Cyber Monday, but then decided I needed a robe from Plum Pretty Sugar, because I’d been eyeing one of those pretty things FOREVER; this velvet clutch from Ann Taylor (!!!!!); a new pair of slippers from J. Crew; and Boy Brow from Glossier).

I even refrained from commenting on the election.

I realized the other day that sometimes that these absences speak louder than the content I do post.  Sometimes I’m genuinely too tied up (Thanksgiving being a prime example — we had my parents-in-law in town and I was trying to get through a ton of daily tasks for work, too), and sometimes I’m just feeling overwhelmed (does anyone need another list of all the sales going on for Cyber Monday?!), but sometimes I just don’t think this is the right space for some topics (ahem, politics).

And sometimes these absences sit awkwardly with me and I wonder–do my readers think differently about me because of this?  Are they waiting for me to comment on something in current events, or acknowledge a huge trend, or something?  Funny how silence can be deafening, and how writing this blog has built this unique relationship between me and you.  I think about you, my reader, all the time — what you’ll be interested in, what you’ll hate (probably the choker I featured recently…amirite????), what you’ll want more or less of.  It’s interesting to me because I used to tell the students in my writing class that writing shouldn’t feel solitary–or you’re doing something wrong.  You’re always writing to an audience, whether an academic paper (where you’re essentially talking to and acknowledging your professor’s perspective, if you’re doing it right) or a poem or a memo or even some copy on a website.  Who will be reading it?  What do they want?

So, just a little love note to you to thank you for being here, for being at the other end of this long and winding and often very fluffy bloglet.  You’ve given me a lot of happiness over the last few years.

In other words, a belated Thanksgiving post, thanking you for being here, for coming back, for reading along all these months and years.

And with that.

Some things I think you might like:

Pick1

How fun are these gold tasseled flats?!  You’ll love ’em even more when you realize they’re under $60.


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Pick2

These simple and elegant peplum tops ($59) in crisp black/white are just the thing for an office holiday party, done up with some major blingy earrings or a big statement necklace and some simple black pants.  If you like even MORE drama, check out this even flare-ier top for $72.

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Pick3

Especially if you were to juju the top up with these fur-trimmed LR heels ($450).  C’mon, throw a little whimsy into things!

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Pick4

GUYS, THIS DRESS ($280)!!!!  It’s, to me, the perfect sophisticated NYE dress.  Not overly glitzy but has just enough pattern and texture to say “hello, I’m ready to party.”  I feel like this is something Serena Van Der Woodsen’s mom would have worn and slayed in on Gossip Girl.  I know, a deep cut.  But think about it.  With her perfect blond hair?  OK, guys, who am I?  You know you’ve turned a corner when you’re admiring the mother’s style on a TV show.  But she was such a babe!

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Pick5

There are so many BonBon knock-offs out there right now, and I can’t hate.  $275 for a pair of earrings is a little steep.  These silver ones ($98) caught my eye.

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Pick6

I thought this crushed velvet dress ($148) and plaid heels made for such a sweet holiday look on the blogger behind The Cheeky Been.  And that dress looks super forgiving for the 23 rounds of holiday cookies I’ll be indulging in when I get home.  My mom makes trays of different cookies; my favorites are called “Horns,” and they are from my Italian grandmother: a flakey, buttery pastry wrapped around apricot jam and topped with some chopped walnuts.  OMG are they GOOD.

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Pick7

Ugh, these Prada backless mules ($550) are perfection.  I mean it.  Understated, upscale perfection.  Very Calvin Klein in the 90s at the peak of minimalista chic.

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Pick8

This asymmetrical top ($98) is SO loud and I loveeee it.  Other options: OMG, this ($60) or this ($98).  Or this, too.

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Pick9

I have spotted Stuart Weitzman’s Grandiose mid-calf booties ($525) all over the place and have become increasingly convinced that I need them.


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More affordable variations available here ($126) and here ($160).

Pick10

This little kit of DryBar blowout-extending goodies ($29) would be such a great stocking stuffer / mid-week pick-me-up.  All in mini-sizes, so easy to throw into your work bag / weekend tote to make yourself look gorgeous on the go.

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0 thoughts on “Aware.

  1. I hadn’t seen the Drybar mini’s yet AND that J.Crizz top from your last post happens to be on sale, so thanks for bringing a smile to my face Magpie!

  2. I, for one, would just like to say how much I enjoy the absence of those topics that EVERYONE is talking about. I love that I can come to your blog, read about fashion, beauty, sometimes about your business and family stories, and just enjoy a few minutes away from all that. I am not one to talk politics, or obsess over the news, so I truly enjoy that you keep this blog as it should be, light and lovely. You talk about your struggles with your new business and keeping balance in your life, but you don’t belabor the fact. I read several blogs, and yours is always my favorite of the day. So keep up the good work, you’ve created a space that is a great place to be.

    In other news, I’m buying that peplum top, so thanks for sharing that one!

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