Musings + Essays
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Weekend Vibes, Edition No. 270: Small Kindnesses.

By: Jen Shoop

My Latest Snag: Pearl Clutch.

I have been eyeing Cult Gaia’s pearl clutch for years and I finally sprung for it in anticipation of my sister’s wedding next weekend. (I will be wearing this Agua Bendita dress. I find this brand’s sizing/cuts are strange. I always have to have them tailored considerably, and some fits simply do not work on my frame — specifically the square neck styles with sleeves. The torso just does not match mine and would require way too much re-working to make sense. In the case of my new dress, I found the sizing ultra-generous and had to have my tailor take in a ton of fabric. But she is a genius and it looks perfect now! The back is really pretty and I love the neckline, too. And that pattern! When I was having it fitted, two women came by to pick up their clothing and stopped to tell me how much they loved it!)

Regarding the clutch: I was really tempted by the gorgeous pink or green colors (<<if you buy here, you can get a gift card with purchase) but decided the classic pearl would be most versatile. You can get the look for less with this $128 style from Etsy.

You’re Soooo Popular: Spring Finds.

The most popular items on Magpie this week:

popular spring home and fashion

BLUE JELLIES FOR THE LITTLES — THESE ARRIVED AND I’M SO IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY! THE SIDE BUCKLE IS ACTUALLY A SNAP SO EASY TO GET ON!

WILD CARROT NOURISHING EYE BALM — I LOVE THIS STUFF (FULL REVIEW)

BLACK BUTTON-UP WITH PETER PAN COLLAR AND RUFFLE DETAILING

GLASS SOAP PUMP WITH WOVEN EXTERIOR

TWO TIER SCALLOPED PLANT STAND IN A GORGEOUS PASTEL GREEN

BUTTON-FRONT TEXTURED BLOUSE WITH BOAT NECK

FLORAL BLOCK-PRINT MINI DRESS — SUCH A CHIC, VIBRANT PIECE

HANDMADE FLOWER WOVEN EARRINGS (SEE ME IN THEM HERE)

HEART-SHAPED PENDANT NECKLACE…I WEAR THIS ALL THE TIME; GREAT FOR LAYERING!

COTTON POPLIN BLOUSE WITH TIE ACCENTS — ON SALE CURRENTLY

PERSONALIZED STATIONARY NOTECARD SET

MY WEAR-EVERYDAY CANVAS FLATS

CREAM MELAMINE DINNERWARE SET WITH BEADED RUFFLE RIMS

TIERED PRINTED MAXI DRESS WITH PUFF SLEEVES

BRIGHTLY PATTERNED HIGH NECK FITTED CROP TOP FROM BODEN

Weekend Musings: Small Kindnesses.

Earlier this week, Katie Couric shared a poem by Danusha Lameris titled “Small Kindnesses” (reprinted below). Lameris’ central observation is that the tiniest gestures of politeness and humanity are “the true dwelling of the holy,” forming “fleeting temples we make together when we say, ‘Here, have my seat,’ ‘Go ahead — you first,’ ‘I like your hat.'” My mother is exceptional at these slender generosities to strangers — she has been known to run a woman down on the street to let her know her hair looks great. She came by this earnestly: the gas station attendant who routinely filled my grandfather’s car stood in the pews of the church at his funeral. A good reminder (nudge!) for me.

By Danusha Laméris

I’ve been thinking about the way, when you walk
down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs
to let you by. Or how strangers still say “bless you”
when someone sneezes, a leftover
from the Bubonic plague. “Don’t die,” we are saying.
And sometimes, when you spill lemons
from your grocery bag, someone else will help you
pick them up. Mostly, we don’t want to harm each other.
We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot,
and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile
at them and for them to smile back. For the waitress
to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder,
and for the driver in the red pick-up truck to let us pass.
We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead — you first,” “I like your hat.”

Shopping Break.

+Ultimate date night top – and ON RARE SALE!

+A great $103 dress.

+Can’t get over this Rhode mini. The pattern is so good! And the cut so fun!

+Fun gingham mules.

+Adore this scalloped cake plate.

+These outdoor dining chairs are so chic!

+I think the best water bottles we’ve used for the children are the Yeti ones (only gripe: they are heavy!), but I do like to restock our supply of CamelBaks every now and then. They are much less expensive and I rarely have leak issues.

+These storage bins are a forever favorite. Select styles on sale!

+Have any mamas tried these no-iron children’s clothing labels? Contemplating these for day camp this summer.

+Oo this Sezane dress is stunning.

+J’adore this La Ligne in the yellow stripe.

+These blockprint pants are fab.

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2 thoughts on “Weekend Vibes, Edition No. 270: Small Kindnesses.

  1. Oh, I love this poem. I came across it a couple of years ago and it makes me emotional every time I read it. It has special poignancy for me, reading it today, after the horrific news out of Uvalde, Texas this week. Thank you for posting it!

    I adooore that dress you wore to your sister’s wedding! So chic — and great to know about potential sizing issues. I also covet that Cult Gaia clutch and may have to spring for it eventually when I need something for my own wedding events! Haha!

    xx

    1. Totally – the poem has new resonance. So interesting how that can happen when you re-read something at a particular moment in time. It can almost take on new color.

      The dress was SO good!! I loved it. The back sort of makes it IMO.

      xx

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