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Hodge Podge

By: Jen Shoop

Welcome to the weekly circus — the round of up items I have my (apparently A.D.D.-ridden) eyes on at the moment.  A few of you have told me that you like this kind of “everything but the kitchen sink” post a lot, so I’ll keep ’em coming.  Ready, set, go.

COVET1The x-based bench is not a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination.  I’m pretty sure that every bloggerina in the universe owns a pair, along with ikat pillows, a chevron rug, and a gallery wall.  (Just telling it like it is.)  So in a sense I’m a little bashful that this is my number one stunna this week, because I just read an interesting interview with Jamie Meares of Furbish Studio {I love that site a little too much…I snagged these puppies and this funky little doo-dad most recently}, the takeaway of which was: “Be yourself.  Stop copy-catting.” {The other takeaway is that she studied Literature as an undergrad.  Hells yeah, humanities!  Here’s to application-less undergrad degrees and how they can sometimes prove not so useless!}  Still.  When I saw that, I began second-guessing my plans to make a soft-pitch to Mr. Magpie that we definitely, definitely, definitely need a pair of coral x-based ottomans in our living room in order to introduce some color and offset the lovely hue in our new pillows.  But then I looked at the x-based ottomans again and really really wanted them, so here they are, at two price points (Hi: Serena and Lily, $650; lo: Ballard Designs, $189+ depending on fabric)

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And in case you’re wondering what the big fuss with these x-based ottomans is, check out these glam set-ups prominently featuring these little guys:

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Oh, and check out the uber-chic and yet attainable/livable digs of fellow Chicagoan Nathalie of Mint Love Social Club.  Those $60 x ottomans?  Get OUTTA here.  I wish they were still available.  Harrumph.

COVET2While we’re talking house (I’m obsessed right now — as I said, I go in fits and starts, wanting to buy a million things all at the same time to make some upgrades and then living with it for a few months before getting the decorating bug again), can we just chat quickly about how cool these lucite letters ($95 apiece) from her ladyship Tory Burch are?!

tb1Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 2.52.37 PM Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 2.52.43 PMCOVET3I love this dotted, tasseled scarf from DVF ($177).  I imagine wearing it as a sarong with HUGE (we’re talking face-shield-level) black shades on the beach and feeling very smug about it.

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COVET4Can I tell you a secret?  I started using some serious anti-aging products January 1st of this year.  A New Year’s resolution, if you will.  I know I still look very young — I’m carded more often than not, and — this is not a lie — I was once mistaken for a 12-year-old child when I was 21 years old.  So.  If I’m projecting an age that’s actually a decade my junior, why would I be worried about aging?  The issue is the very beginning of wrinkles.  ACK.  I’m 28, and I am starting to see wrinkles.  What.  So I pulled out the big guns and started using Stri-Vectin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles ($69) on the recommendation of a girlfriend of mine.  I’m liking what I see so far, though I’ll be the first to admit that I’m prone to the placebo effect, i.e., thinking that things are happening just because I think they should be.  (Also, I really wish Stri-Vectin would revisit their marketing and packaging decisions.  I know they’re trying to pitch a “science-forward”/”clinical study” feel, but it kind of makes me think I’m taking medicine, and I hate medicine.  And I like pretty packages that I can display proudly in my medicine cabinet rather than bury at the back of a jammed drawer.  Sorry, Stri-Vectin, you’ll be relegated to bottom of the drawer status until I see a classy new package.)  Anyhoo, all of this is to say I’ve also been open to testing out facial products other than Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer (which I’ve cherished for a decade now), and this Trish McEvoy multi-purpose product is now on my radar ($75):

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What do you use?  Any suggestions?

COVET5I know I just featured a pair of Erickson Beamon’s earrings in a recent covet list, but these ($360) are also phenom.  UGHHH.  I love.

Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 3.11.46 PMI’m so into lavender these days — I want lavender jeans, lavender pajamas, lavender walls, a lavender pencil skirt, lavender heels…

COVET6Case in point: this Alice and Olivia wonder ($495).  The texture is knit (like a sweater) – so fab!

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I feel like this dress is so not my style these days, but I just couldn’t get over the perfect design.  Feminine in the front, a hint of sexy in the back.  The genius/unusual fabrication and color choice.  Ahh.  A breath of fresh (spring) air, n’est-ce pas?  Perfect for a bridal shower, a late winter/early spring wedding with silver/lucite/pink accents.  Too good.

COVET7Now, I don’t need any other small leather accessories (seriously…never again in my life), but this Smythson card carrier ($280) is so lovely.  I love all of the details.

WALLETCOVET8Inspired by this post on La Dolce Vita, I’ve been craving a tropical getaway with lots of palm trees.  I want to wear these dramatic earrings (House of Lavande, $918), with this breezy white mini (to die for — $180), and these outrageous Charlotte Olympias, just for kicks (on sale for $622) — though you probably couldn’t walk, let alone kick, in those shoes).

palmCOVET9One of my favorite Christmas gifts from Mr. Magpie was an Aerolatte frother ($19).  I was feeling tremendous guilt for spending $4.50 or whatever obscene price Starbucks is currently charging for their skinny lattes when Mr. Magpie would so kindly make me coffee at home every morning.  But sometimes a girl just wants a latte.  Problem solved: with this little gadget, I heat up my skim milk on the stovetop or in the microwave, use this little doo-dad until it froths up, and then pour it into my coffee with some splenda.  New morning ritual.

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And to cap it all off with something truly left-field, this limited edition Cook + Gates duffel ($158) is just the sort of unexpected accessory you’d find on the arm of a REALLY cool fashionista, kind of like the first time we all saw the Cambridge Satchel and were like, “Uh, woahhhhh.  Someone’s got it poppin‘.” (Nicki Minaj voice.)  And now we’re bored of that.

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Take a looksie and let me know if you agree:

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…and scene.  Happy weekend!

 

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0 thoughts on “Hodge Podge

  1. I’m on a lilac kick too! I seriously adore you (English Lit major at the University of Michigan right hereeeee!) and that you infuse literary tidbits into your fashion blogskis. IT is just so up my ally. Just wanted to shower you with compliments apparently. xo! Meredith

  2. i’m a huge proponent of vitamin c serums for my face. it is the only thing i’ve ever used that i saw immediate results. Avon was actually my favorite vit C serum and then they stopped making it. UGH! i’m interested in the Trish McEvoy as well, i feel like it has been the buzz lately. i am obsessed with a super pale lavender that could almost be in the gray family. i feel like it is super flattering and fresh.

    1. Yes! I think I may take the plunge with Trish McEv…I’ll let you know what I find out. Thanks for the tip on SV. I’m still deciding on whether I think it works…
      And YES to lilac/lavender. So feminine and fresh.

  3. those house of lavande earrings…the prettiest! I’ll take a pair of those and a trip to the One & Only to show them off, please…great picks, as usual!

    xoxo

  4. you need to know that the trish mcevoy beauty booster tinted moisturizer is LIFE CHANGING. i reviewed it in full on the glossarie and i have never received more compliments on my skin. it’s worth every single one of the 7500 pennies you will spend on it.

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