There is an old fable in which the moon asks her mother to weave a garment for her, and the mother, observing her daughter and her monthly shape-shifting from crescent to full and back, replies that the task is impossible. Over the centuries, philosophers have pinned different morals to the story, mainly dialing in on the moon’s mercurial desire, her demand for impractical possessions. But when I think about the shape of this story, I see something else. I see the quiet accommodations of the mother, who, watching her child change from a distance, refuses to confine or limit. I see her thoughtfully anticipating on her daughter’s behalf. I imagine an enormous sweep of cloth, and a mother tilting her head this way and that, the fabric folding and pinching between her fingers, and her warm voice saying: “You’re better just as you are, no hems or seams to hold you in.”
I see, in other words, a mother I want to be. I see her steadfast acceptance of the wax and wane of the spirit, her good permissiveness. Today, I want to say yes to everything about my daughter, too: the wild wave of her hair, its messy tuck into a loose ponytail, the tart arch of her replies, the mischievous crescent of her smiling eyes, her Artemisian will, her watchfulness, her gorgeous imagination, the falcon soar and plunge of her mood, her easy nurture of her brother, the widths between us, and our many convergences, too.
Post-Scripts.
+On rediscovering my daughter at all of her ages.
+Motherhood can feel like a slow and painful division.
Shopping Break.
+Alice Walk’s fabulous, bestselling wool cape was just restocked for fall! This sells out every season. I own in the mink color. She is so gorgeous. I love the way she looks paired with a slim cashmere crewneck, wide leg jeans, and a boot for a late-fall outdoor gathering.
+Love the color and fit of these crimson red straight leg jeans.
+La Ligne Colby pants in the perfect olive green color! (Uniqlo just released a $29 look for less, too.)
+These $148 sneakers have a much higher-end look — vibe is Toteme meets Veronica Beard.
+Two pretty dresses with great patterns/colors for transition-to-fall: this Julia Amory and this Spartina 449.
+A really chic riding boot for fall. I feel like the photography/styling on Shopbop doesn’t do them justice — check them out at Staud. CHIC.
+Gosh this is a gorgeous evening gown. I feel like you could wear it in summer with a barely there nude heel and in fall with a suede brown platform.
+Toteme has updated its now-iconic “scoat” (scarf coat) to include fringe. So chic!!! (Quince has a great $200 look for less for Toteme’s original whipstitch style here.)
+LOVE this striped knit.
+Cute personalized packing cubes for a little boy.
+Time for a fall puzzle!
+I love the statement this simple gold button detail makes on this gray sweater. It’s outfit-making!
+The pattern on these floral towels reminds me of D. Porthault!
+Our favorite barrel-leg jeans (under $150) in a new pieced denim format.
+Barn jacket season! So many good options, from Doen’s bestselling Pascual (just restocked) to Old Navy’s $59 blush pink to this fun tartan-trim Boden.
+Love these tortoise frames.
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Jen, as a daughter and a mother of a daughter, you stopped me in my tracks! How natural and how rhythmic, the tidal pull of your love