Five years ago today
Also in here: I have a lot to say about gifts
Hi! It’s Wednesday! I hope it’s fallish where you are. The maple trees are turning color here in Manhattan Beach, but that’s about it. Still, I can’t stop thinking about this Maggie Smith poem I heard Julia Louis-Dreyfus read on her podcast.
Today is my Charlie’s fifth birthday! We got him a Chiefs t-shirt, an rc car, and his own paring knife. He was born four days late and without drugs, just as the first snow of the season began falling in Kansas City. His birth and his life are some of the greatest accomplishments of my motherhood. I’ll never be able to listen to this without thinking of him. I love you to pieces, Charlie Steele.
Some of my favorite Charlie-isms lately:
“Finn-it-inny, and beyond!” = what Buzz Lightyear says
To Eleanor when she broke a rule of their game: “Well, then, I guess you’re just isk-ollified.” [disqualified]
“Mom – I had two chocolate cookies and a chocolate drink. Looks like I’m the chocolatiest boy in America!”
today’s bouquet
My friend Lexie gave me THE BEST compliment the other day: “I love what kind of mom you are.” Isn’t that just so kind? I’m going to start saying it to the moms I love!!
YOU GUYS. I absolutely gobbled up the book Women Talking this week. May I borrow the 7th grade silent reading time command, DEAR: drop everything and read.
Hi, can I have an unwrapped cucumber please?
Everything has been about FIVE at our house lately. Fun fact: here’s where the high five comes from.
One of the few Substacks I pay for is SFGirlByBay – I just can’t get enough of her gorgeous coastal taste and incredible inspiration boards.
Hercules x Elphaba, this is absolutely bananas. (via Nate)
Also bananas: this trailer for Planet Earth III!
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, this is the week to send out invitations! It’s always fun to receive an invitation, even if you already know you’re invited (plus it’s helpful to have the address and start time handy). Related: an excellent guide to gatherings. Also related: at the kids table, we do paper plates.
And the winner for Cutest Named Kids Item goes to: the Big Helper.
gifts and their guides
Here’s a little ramble about gift giving, if you like!
My two biggest feelings:
It’s such a kind act to listen to your loved one and notice what they really want, rather than just get them something trendy from a gift guide.
If someone is shopping for you, tell them exactly what you want.
If you already have gift guide fatigue, please feel free to ignore mine. I can promise there will be absolutely no grilling equipment and possibly WAY too strong of opinions, but that is a risk I simply must take. ❤️
Tomorrow will be the Highly Opinionated Gift Guide for Children. Here’s a men’s gift guide I originally shared in September.
in my basket
I haven’t really worn silver since I was a teenager – my parents gave me this Tiffany rose ring for my sweet sixteen and I just put it on this morning! – but these heart earrings would be really cute for the holidays.
Someone grab this amazing floral dress! $128!
Don’t mind me shopping in the boys section 🙃
Holiday looks from Doen are here!!! They shot the collection on film in Paris and it’s reminding me of Maddie and Will’s wedding. How incredible is this gauzy gown? The layers of lace on these sleeves, omgggg. I am so into black with black tights.
deck the halls
Sorry, I know it’s still early November, but… I don’t care. Skip this part if you’re not doing Christmas yet! (I see you, Nate Steele.)
Scandinavian cottagecore style stockings. YES.
This letter ornament would be beautiful tied onto a present as a gift-tag. (via Jen)
Oh this mini nativity. Oh oh oh.
I just ordered this daily advent calendar. Love the suggestion of using the pages as wrapping paper.
For those with a masters degree in Christmas cards: custom vintage postage!
last thing
Most clicked link from last week: my favorite Levi’s ($55 at Target!)
Readers today: 1,331
A quick heads up – usually Handpicked is a Wednesday-only endeavor, but tomorrow you’ll get an extra email from me, featuring a very opinionated gift guide for kids.
Have a beautiful week, thank you so much for reading.
Putting Women Talking on my list!
"I love what kind of mom you are!" OMG.