The first rule of birding is to look at the bird. Not the guide book, not the camera, not the type of tree it is sitting in or the berry it is pecking at. Study its markings; absorb its movements and song and unique ways of being.
The bird–like the day–will be gone before you know it; behold it while you can.
An important corollary to this rule: look at the bird in front of you. Don’t dismiss the gray catbird or Northern cardinal, ordinary as they may be, in pursuit of the the painted bunting. Expectations are the forever enemy: find joy in the common, and the cosmic will take care of itself.
There are other rules, too, but come to think of it, most of the rules of birding–and of living a soulful life, for that matter–say the same thing:
pay attention, practice patience, look closely,
which are just different ways of singing alleluiah.
Post-Scripts.
+11 forever-chic things (most of which are free).
Shopping Break.
+You can channel birding wisdom by wearing a Magpie Birding Club hat.
+Frame’s popular Slim Palazzo jeans are back for summer — these can be difficult to find in stock in all sizes. I love the white of course but that thyme color is calling my name….
+Other great white jeans: Madewell’s darted barrels (go a size down) and Mother’s Rambler Zip jeans (go a size up). I do not own a pair (yet), but have also heard fantastic things about AYR’s Pop jeans.
+And speaking of AYR — they released their early morning tee (“magpie reader core” — we all own and love these) in a fun shade of artichoke green!
+Back to Frame: spendy, but I can’t stop thinking about this boxy denim top with its crochet collar. So chic with white jeans and leather sandals. In general loving the idea of a short-sleeved denim shirt like this or this.
+Always looking for ways to get Dyson products on sale and noticed QVC is offering 15% off to new customers this month. You can get their dryer here and their AirWrap here if you’re a first time shopper! (You might remember that the AirWrap changed my hair life.)
+That said, I had my hair blown out at home last Friday (PS – my Glamsquad code still works — $20 off for new users with code JenniferS; $15 off for repeat users with code JenniferS15) and I mentioned that I really wished I could get more volume at the crown / at my hairline, and the technician used these rollers secured with these clips after blow-drying each section really got the job done.
+On the subject of birding: just ordered this sweet watercolor set to work on with my daughter this summer!
+Calling all members of the scent enclave: have you already discussed Maison d’Etto?! They sent me their discovery set and I was bowled over. I’ve been gifted many scent discovery sets in my days and I never mention them because I’m usually underwhelmed (or overwhelmed) by them. I absolutely loved several of the scents – especially Durban Jane (warm but refreshing; pink pepper, ambrette, sandalwood, cedarwood; eliciting “cocoon like feelings of home”) and Macanudo (fresh, crisp, bold: vetiver, cut grass, neroli; “the feeling of grass and soft powder of a polo field underfoot”; the freedom of a child’s laugh”). I actually ordered a full size of the Durban Jane as I was just out of my previous daily perfume, Ex Nihilo’s Lust in Paradise, and plan to use the remaining mini bottles for travel. Will be fun to connect trips to specific scents. In general, I would compare the scent complexity and femininity of Maison D’Etto’s scents to Byredo — and the packaging is just as chic, too! I think the candle of Macanudo would be absolute perfection for a library or study or studio. I am SO excited by this brand! Last little gushy note: the olfactory notes that accompany the scents are beyond poetic. Someone give that copy-writer a raise! (Of “Rotano”: “Touched with the salty minerality of a 4 pm ocean breeze rolling inaldn and dust settling on a freshly washed saddle.” OMG. I mean, I’ll buy the candle, but when is the book coming out?!)
+In the summer, I up my exfoliation to accommodate the sweat and SPF. I run a lot outside in the summer, and find I can be prone to breakouts if I’m not consistent. Some of my favorite exfoliators are Goop’s GoopGlow (both a chemical and physical exfoliator; review and code here) and Dr. Dennis Gross’ peel pads (Lan and I use these every other night!). I’ve also tried the Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 but didn’t really notice much of a change. Maybe I need to give it a second shot? Any huge proponents of that product here? One product I am going to be trying this summer (just received) is Dr. Brandt’s award-winning exfoliant. Will share thoughts on how/if it compares to GoopGlow, but I’m intrigued by the clinical claims it lists on the site. Has anyone tried any of Dr. Brandt’s other products? I’m definitely interested — this is a skincare line specifically formulated for more mature skin, and it targets issue areas I relate to. Two of its bestsellers are this “no more baggage” eye cream and this wrinkle-smoothing cream.
+Another beauty brand focused on mature skin that I cannot stop yapping about: Sarah Creal. I mean, her stuff just WORKS. I have been wearing her concealer daily (does not settle into fine lines, but does provide coverage) and am OBSESSED — OBSESSED — with her 12hour peptide bronze luminizing balm in the Extra Extra shade. OMG. The color actually stays put and is so natural and glow-enhancing: it really looks like sunkissed skin. If you’ve ever used Merit’s bronzing balm, it’s similar in terms of semi-sheer, buildable color but much longer lasting and a more deeply pigmented. HUGE fan.
+Updated my Shopbop hearts! So many great finds there right now!
ADDISON BAY ATHLETIC DRESS // RMS LIP OIL // PISTOLA DRESS // MAYAMAR NECKLACE // YVES DURIF BRUSH // LETITIA ROUGET PLATES // SAM EDELMAN JELLIES
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