*Image above via Giorgio Armani.
**Unrelated to anything but one of my all-time favorite face masks is 50% off today only!
Q: Dress for a garden wedding at night in October.
A: My first thought was Agua Bendita — this navy one is spectacular, but this one could also work thanks to the long sleeves (doesn’t look TOO summery). This reasonably priced botanical dress would also be tres chic with a red lip and updo, and I love this SEA. More possibilities here.
Q: Activewear, especially leggings and sports bras for running.
A: My favorite sports bras for running — the ones I reach for morning after morning — are from Gap and Champion, both conveniently at or under $20/pop. For some reason I have hated nearly every higher-end sportswear brand for bras, including Lululemon, Alo, and Outdoor Voices. Gap and Champion are much stretchier, softer, and less restricting and I swear I’ve had styles from both Gap and Champion for at least six or seven years…? Definitely good value buys! I also love the Beyond Yoga racerback tanks (they have a built in shelf bra), and I do wear them running, but I am modestly endowed, so proceed with caution if you are differently built, as I don’t think they provide much support. But they are SO soft and SO flattering! I love the neckline and back. A few other chic sports bras I have been eyeing…
LOVE THIS NAVY WITH WHITE PIPING (IMAGINE PAIRING WITH A CLASSIC WHITE TENNIS SKIRT)
V MUCH INTO VICTORIA BECKHAM’S COLLAB WITH REEBOK…LOVE THE COLOR AND BACK OF THIS PAIRED WITH THE MATCHING LEGGINGS
For leggings/bottoms, check out Tracksmith. Some Magpies turned me onto this brand and the quality is incredible. I have found the brand runs pretty small and would advise sizing up!
Q: Outdoor dishes and silverware.
A: I love this well-priced beaded-trim set, which has a Juliska-esque vibe to it. Accordingly, upgrade pick would be Juliska’s Berry + Thread set in melamine! (Also love their matching acrylic cups.) I own and adore these botanical melamine plates and they would be a fun statement addition to the white beaded set. For outdoor cutlery, I love this reasonably priced bamboo set and Sabre’s gingham!
Q: Work shoes with good foot support.
A: This is definitely not my forte (I am forever drawn to uncomfortable and impractical, but very cute shoes), but I do have friends who swear by AllBirds when comfort/function is paramount. These flats are sleek and simple in black, and I also kind of like the Missoni vibes of the dusty pink pair.
Q: Entryway moment/furniture for space <24″ wide.
A: OKL makes a super-narrow upholstered console that could be just what you’re after. I would place a tall, thin lamp and a decorative bowl for keys on top! Alternately, forgo the furniture and splurge on a fabulous entryway light fixture like this and a bold runner (<<Missoni vibes for less). Annie Selke has the best bold patterned rugs at reasonable prices — also love this, which is similar to the one I had in mini’s nursery.
Q: Toddler girl book storage solutions. We have so many books!
A: I really love the Ikea Kallax system for toddlers. You can put woven baskets in the bottom row of cubbies and then use the top row(s) for books, and everything is organized and reachable by little hands! Very Montessori. And you cannot beat that price! The cubbies are also deep enough to get away with two rows of books if you need to — I did this when we were short on space in Manhattan and would rotate books hidden with the ones in front every few weeks. C+B just came out with a similar style bookshelf that is probably even better quality. You can also add some of these cute acrylic shelves (or wood ones) to some of your walls for added book storage space. Finally, a caddy like this or a cart like this or this are small, layerable pieces of furniture you could, for example, nestle alongside an armchair or tuck at the foot of a bed if you’re short on space.
Q: Little boy nursery finds.
A: Congratulations! A few favorite recent finds for a little boy’s room:
STRIPED HAND TOWELS (SO GOOD!)
CRIB RAIL COVER (GREAT FOR LITTLE BEAVERS LIKE MY SON WAS…)
NASH CRIB (HILL’S CRIB!)
NAVY DRESSER (COULD WORK AS CHANGING TABLE!)
GINGHAM DAY BED (!!)
PENDLETON CAMP BLANKET PILLOWS
HAYLEY MITCHELL PRINTS
ELEPHANT NIGHTLIGHT
REPOSITIONABLE GINGHAM WALLPAPER
LOVE THIS PETER DUNHAM PATTERN OR THIS KATIE RIDDER ONE FOR HIGH END TEXTILES IN A BOY’S ROOM
CHESAPEAKE BAY MAP
FRAMED RACE CAR PRINTS
MONOGRAM APPLIQUE PILLOW COVER
GIRAFFE FLOOR BASKET
THIS FLOOR LAMP
WICKER SIDE TABLE
Also — all of these toys are attractive enough to double as decor!
Q: Dining table and chairs.
A: I’m drawn at the moment to more formal/traditional in the dining room — I like this polished walnut table (tables with leaves are so wonderful when hosting bigger groups!) or this elegant style (you’d need a designer to help you get this one, but so chic!). For dining chairs, we have upholstered ones from RH and I love the look (get the style for less with these). I also like these similar square-backed ones.
If you’re after a more modern look, I like the clean lines of this Crate and Barrel dining table and this Parson’s style.
Q: Black nightstand!
A: This is SO chic and would make such a statement in a bedroom. You’d have to exercise restraint in what you keep on your bedside table, though! This caned style is also super interesting, and I like the simple/clean lines of this PB style.
P.S. More chic nightstands here.
Q: Masks kids will wear and not lose.
A: Honestly, the key for me has been a mask chain. We never lose masks with these! I like these for girls and these for boys.
Q: Baby shower dress! Nothing looks good on this third trimester mama.
A: Pshhh! You look amazing! But I do know how you feel…a few cute options:
THIS RACHEL PALLY — LIKE A BLANK CANVAS; SPICE IT UP WITH FUN EARRINGS
THIS BLUE GINGHAM (CUTE FOR A BOY MOM)
THIS CHEERY GINGHAM
Q: Pretty pajamas to wear in hospital after delivering baby girl in October.
A: I just saw that Petite Plume came out with beautiful hospital gowns, which are so practical and chic. Personally, I couldn’t wait to switch into my Gap nursing nightgowns, which I layered beneath a supersoft Eberjey robe. Both layers are ultra-soft and lightweight and made me feel like I was swaddled in comfort. I preferred a nightgown because I’d had a c-section and didn’t want anything like a waistband near my incision, but I also LOVED my Lake maternity pajamas those first few weeks and they’ve become my go-to gifts for new moms. You might also consider a Hill House nap dress (breastfeeding-friendly, and can be worn without bump!) — gorgeous!
Q: Classic pendant for a kitchen table. Trying to keep it under $500 if I can.
A: I love the look of this one (in medium size, right at $500), this one, and — on the “classic coastal” side, this one. More chic lighting picks here.
P.S. If you want your home to look like a Nancy Meyers movie.
Q: Chic diaper bags or bags for moms with littles.
A: High end: Chanel Deauville or Goyard St. Louis — just use pouches to stay organized! I have used my Goyard St. Louis the most for everyday as a mom, but I also like the MZ Wallace quilted backpack when I need to be hands-free (i.e., taking both children to a museum, etc.). For bigger outings/day trips, I have been loving my Paravel tote (a gift from my mom, who had it hand-lettered with initials!) and MZ Wallace’s Medium Metro Tote is the best utility pick for air travel with littles because it is SO LIGHTWEIGHT, holds a TON, and zippers at the top (sometimes crucial when jamming under a seat).
For something less expensive, I LOVE boat bags. So practical, durable, and inexpensive. Minnow also has a roomy style with a cute floral lining and I also think these Courtland ones with the floral initial designed by the talented Riley Sheehey would be cute as a girl mom!
Just came across these floral overnight bags, too — good for travel with littles!
Q: Wedding after-party dress.
A: This Rixo is beyond fabulous. This Maygel Coronel would also be SO chic, as would this sweet Cinq a Sept. Or maybe a little “something blue” is in order…and last but not least, I dream of wearing this Brock and it would definitely work for an after party moment.
To the magpie looking for supportive work shoes, try vionic! I have several pairs from them and they have built in orthotics. Probably some of the more “fashionable” support shoes I’ve come across, and I’ve been in the market for over 10 years due to a stubborn case of plantar fasciitis (eye rolling emoji). I live vicariously through all of Jen’s chic shoe finds! In reality I’m wearing my Chaco sandals, but at least my feet are happy.
And that walnut dining table is amazing!
Thank you for sharing, Stephanie!! I’m sorry about the plantar fasciitis — so painful!
xx