Les Petits

It’s the little things that make my day — the perfect cup of coffee awaiting me in the morning {Mr. Magpie is a coffee connoisseur, and I benefit from that snobbery with French-pressed coffee made from the best, burr-ground beans every morning}; the pop of a bright, new scarf peeking out from beneath my LRR outerwear; the secret of a new, fun unmentionables layered beneath my wardrobe.  Today’s post is all about those “petits” that make my workdays that much brighter.

First, I love a bold pop of color, as you know, and these silk cashmere blend beauties from J. Crew ($75, J. Crew) absolutely brighten my life — love those bold, saturated colors, especially against a winter white wool coat.

They’d also make a lovely Christmas gift for a mother/mother-in-law/etc.  The perfect mid-priced indulgence.  I’m also convinced that I may finally need to give up my “less is more” approach to the iPhone and invest in a cheery, personalized iPhone cover from Rouge&Co.  I’ve always thought that the cover-free iPhone looked much sleeker and more grown-up, but I may have to trash that theory in favor of one of these two styles ($52 each, Rouge & Co):

I’m also loving layering colored jewelry atop patterned/printed dresses — you know I have a soft spot for Tucker dresses like this, which I would eagerly pair with one of Loren Hope’s long tassel necklaces ($185, Loren Hope — and while you’re checking her out, scope out this pearl cluster beauty, which I bought as a mother-of-the-bride gift for my mother):

If that’s too bold, test-drive with one of these eye-catching bangles (Lulu Frost for J. Crew, $68, J. Crew):

And, you know, a bold nail always makes my life.  I’m currently loving Lippmann’s “Daytripper” (L) and “It’s Raining Men” (R –$16 each, Zappos), and these ultra-luxe Tom Ford hues in (L-R) “Ginger Fire,” “Indian Pink,” and “Scarlet Chinois”  ($30 each, Bergdorf’s):

Keep them stowed in an equally eye-catching tub — I keep mine in a paisley printed MacBeth Collection tub (prices range depending on size — $25-$85, MacBeth Collection), and even just looking at the tub on my shelf makes me happy (and P.S. — you can get them monogrammed!):

While up in NYC last weekend, I scored some unbelievable deals on underthings from Hanky Panky and Eberjey at Scoop (love that store), and they have the BEST bold colors ($29 per Hanky Panky boyshort pair, Zappos; $36 per Eberjey bralette, Shopbop):

I mean, doesn’t that just put a little extra pep in your step?  Speaking of underthings, this little leopard romper is the cat’s meow (you can punch me in the face for the cheesy factor).  Totally unnecessary and impractical (you have to take it all off to use the restroom?!), but makes me smile ($71, Shopbop):

I’m in love.  You know I have a soft spot for leopard/animal prints, which is why I’m also fantastically head over heels in love with these animal-influenced affordable sloafers (cobalt blue AND animal?!  I die — Charles Philip, $98, Bloomies):

I’m, like, dead inside because they are already sold out in my size.  POUT in a major way.  I would totally rock them with my black skinnies and a little black fur vest or topper of some sort, and then a huge, bold, tangly necklace.  Dumb.  And — OK, not that these are “petits” in the cost sense — but these eye-catching Kelly Wearstler box clutches would be the perfect accent point for the outfit above ($850, Kelly Wearstler):

While we’re on the subject of Kelly, doesn’t this bold little scarfski ($215, Kelly Wearstler) make you so happy?!  Ugh, love all of these cobalt and black combos:

Kind of perfection with these uber-affordable studs (Carole, $6, Nordstrom’s):

While all of these little accessories make my day while I’m out killing it as a working woman (ha.  I often resort to listening to Beyonce’s “Diva” when I need a little pep and swagga), home-time is made all the better by the fact that Mr. Magpie has gotten into the lovely habit of pouring me wine and lighting my favorite candle in order to greet me (my favorites are Diptyque’s “Baies” — $60, Saks; Tocca’s “Florence” — $38, BeautyBar; or Voluspa’s “Verveine and Olive Leaf” — $22.50, Bloomingdale’s):

And, like the rest of the world, I am smitten with Anthro’s inexpensive “latte bowls,” especially in the smallest size, which I use to serve little aperitif-accompanying munchies, like olives and cornichons and “oriental snack mix” (Mr. Magpie loves the wasabis, while I fish out the sesame sticks):

What are your life-brightening tricks?!