Creme de la Creme.

I was inspired by a recent spread in Town + Country that covered THE ultimate staples for your wardrobe and, well, life.  (Sometimes T+C, like Goop, is almost too much to bear — yes, everyone MUST have a “racing green” sportscar at some time in their life, dahhhhling.)  I figured I’d feature a list of THE ultimate to die for workhorses in my life–some pricey, some not.  These are the top 20 things that I could not live without or, conversely, that just make my life happy.

If I could only have one cosmetic for life, it would be Diorshow Mascara ($28.50).  It is THE BEST mascara on the planet and I’ve used it for years and years.  It gives you a full, dramatic lash without clumps or flakiness.  And it comes in this great jet black, inky formula.  Legend has it that one of the runway stylists for Dior was applying mascara on her models with a TOOTHBRUSH back in the day–and it eventually led to the development of the wand now found in the Diorshow mascara.  #Love.

After years of borrowing my mom’s, I finally saved up for a classic black Chanel quilted purse.  It was expensive.  But I wear it all the time, and it goes with everything from jeans and edgy boots for a night out to an elegant dress for tea at the Ritz.  And I fully intend to pass it along to future mini magpies — it’s a staple that will never got out of style.  (But the cost for a new one continues to increase!)

I wear jeans pretty much every other day.  Dress, jeans, dress, jeans, dress, jeans.  I absolutely LOVE JBrand jeans to this day.  They come in great washes, they last forever (and ever), and they’re understated–no big, flashy labels.  Runner up: JCrew’s toothpick jeans.  I have a few pairs of these and they just fit like a glove.

Nike running shoes are just the best.  Great colors, classic styling, and they make them so damn lightweight!

I’m a reluctant La Mer convert.  I tried to hold out for years and years, disgusted by the price, but GUYS.  Some things are worth the splurge, and this is it.  I read an interview with a dermatologist a few months ago that I’ve not been able to put out of my mind–he said that one common denominator among the women with the BEST skin that he treated was that they all used La Mer face cream ($210).  My skin has never looked better, brighter, smoother, more moisturized.  I’m a lifelong convert now.

For as long as I can remember, my mother has gotten a manicure every Friday at 10:30 AM.  The apple does not fall far from the tree.  I have inherited her weekly manicure habit, and I tend to gravitate towards Essie’s fantastic colors.  I really like gel manicures but I find they make my nails really week, so I typically do a gel for a month or two and then take a break for a few months.  I just recently discovered Essie’s new gel couture formula, which goes on like regular polish (no UV lights) but I SWEAR lasts 2x as long as a normal mani.  Typically, I have chips by around day 4-5.  (Hey, I cook a lot.)  With my first gel couture mani, I had my first SMALL chip on day 8.  DAY 8!!!

I am a relatively recent convert to coffee — I probably first started drinking it 3-4 years ago.  Now it’s literally one of my favorite parts of the day.  I LOVE Trader Joe’s vanilla soy milk — it froths up so well with my aerolatte frother ($19), a tool I literally use EVERY DAY.

I own Hanky Panky underwear ($100 for set of 5) in pretty much every color out there.  So comfortable, and they leave no visible lines.

The absolute best body lotion — super-moisturizing, but non-greasy, and this Life version ($23) is the ultimate in luxurious, elegant scents.  I also love this lotion in the Hesperides (grapefruit) scent.

I saved up for my Hermes H Hour watch ($2,725), but I wear it nearly every day and it makes me oh-so-happy every time I look down at it.

It took me a few seasons to order them, but these Valentino Rockstud flats in white with blush trim ($745) have been SUCH a staple in my wardrobe.  They go with EVERYTHING and add just the right level of edge and polish.  Plus, they still start conversations.  I also own a pair of heeled Rockstuds, but these right here take the cake.

The DVF wrap dress ($398) is such a staple.  I have 4 or 5 of these that I’ve collected over the years.  They’re comfortable, flattering, polished, chic, and timeless.  I can wear these as easily at 32 as I will be able to at 42, 62, or 82.  They just never go out of style.  The Outnet often carries a smattering of styles on sale–right now, I love this one ($179) and this one ($159)–as does Off Fifth (see this one, $159).  I’ll never forget that when my bestie got a promotion, she marched right over to the DVF store and bought herself one of these babies.  It’s the perfect “I’ve made it” reward.  And I guarantee you’ll wear it forever.

Joy Mangano’s My Little Steamer Mini ($19) is a must.  This little steamer heats up in a second, packs up compactly for travel, and is so affordable it almost seems criminal.  But this is how you can elevate your look from “put together” to “A PLUS WORLD ROCKER.”  You’d be surprised what a difference a quick steam can make on your average outfit.

Nars’ Roman Holiday lipstick ($28) goes on like chapstick and affords the prettiest pale pink sheen.  This is my everyday color.  For a more dramatic statement (typically evening wear for me, though I have occasionally been elevating jeans and a white button down with a shock of red lipstick), I’m obsessed with the Nars Audacious lipstick formula ($32).  PS — This coffret of 8 Audacious lipcolors would make such an epic Christmas gift for a makeup lover ($125).

I love Lululemon’s leggings ($98) for running.  They suck everything in–and are hence very flattering–and are very thoughtfully designed (pockets in all the right places for things like keys, credit cards, etc.)

Cuyana’s monogrammed travel kits ($110 for set of 2) are not only an elegant solution for cosmetics while traveling — they also come in handy on the regular during my workweek.  When I have long days planned and know I’ll need to touch up towards the end of the day for an afternoon/evening event, I’ll store my staple cosmetics in the smaller version.  They also make an epic gift for a loved one (especially a new bride with her new initials!)  They are made of the best leather and look far more expensive than they are.

My Mom gave me one of these gorgeous little leather Prada card cases ($240) in the prettiest shade of pink last year, and I use it CONSTANTLY.  Mr. Magpie and I take lots of walks / excursions with the beast and I don’t want to be encumbered by a bag.  I just stow this little card case and my phone in my pocket and I’m golden.

I’m never without a book.  I learned this from my parents, who will never go to any event where there could possibly be a wait without some reading material.  I don’t care for digital e-readers–I know, I know, I’m such a luddite, but there’s nothing like the physical experience of holding a book.  It shapes your understanding of the narrative.  To fuel my addiction, I live by Amazon Prime and have books shipped to me on the regular, supplemented by a wishlist a mile long.  Next on my list: The Regulars ($17).  I like to read a blend of all of the top books of the moment (even though I’ll admit there’s a lot of crap out there) and more substantial literary works.

I always have a candle lit in my house.  My seasonal favorite is Diptyque’s Feu de Bois ($62 and so cozy — like a wood burning fire place!), but Tocca ($39) is another favorite.  I’m really into their Florence and Yma scents.  Seda’s Japanese Quince ($25) is another favorite.

Mr. Magpie always have music playing in the house.  We have a Sonos home sound system installed throughout our house and I had no idea what a lifechanger it would be.  The way we have it configured, there are speakers in the ceilings of all of our rooms and then little knobs on the wall that control the volume in each room.  Then, you control music selection from your phone through an app that integrates with Apple Music, Pandora, iTunes, and dozens of other music services.  I am OBSESSED.  We often just listen to Pandora stations, but sometimes I’ll configure a specific playlist for a dinner party.  I love that you can turn off the knobs in specific rooms or have the music playing throughout the whole house.  Genius.  Not sponsored, just an awesome, awesome product.  I also have a subscription to Apple Music, which was a great choice for me.  I was downloading a ton of the latest hits from iTunes and spending a fortune each month–especially when I was working out regularly.  Now, for $10/month, I can download as many songs as I want and make whatever playlists I want.  Then, when I get bored in a few weeks of a song, it’s no sweat.