Packing Light: CM Summit

I’m sorry for the silence yesterday, I’m in New York for the CM Summit and wifi has been tough to come by. But! Travel means Packing Light, and this time I thought I’d show you what I brought while I’m still here.

This is what I wore for the first day of the conference:

The dress was a steal at H&M, as were the safety-first neon tights. The librarian shoes are thrifted, and the bracelet is from a little boutique in Seattle. I look embarrassed in this photo because I’m about to start leaping around in the middle of the street.

See? I’d just come from champagne at The Algonquin with Laura and Liz, and I was feeling exuberant. Liz has me all caught up on The Real Housewives of New York City, so this trip is already paying dividends.

Friday Mixtape!

I’ve always wished I knew more about music, and this is part of my Life List project to listen to 1,000 new songs. Right now I’m up to 228, and on Fridays I share some of my new favorites.

“Dog Days Are Over,” Florence + The Machine
via Just a Titch

“Send Someone Away,” José; González
Via Natalie Smith

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“Bend,” Ben Sollee
via Denise

“Ghosts,” Laura Marling
via Natalie Smith, uber-intern

Still looking for more music? Here you go: Mixtape 1, Mixtape 2, Mixtape 3, Mixtape 4, Mixtape 5, Mixtape 6

PS22 Chorus Sings Phoenix’s Lisztomania

While I’m gathering up this week’s Mixtape, take a minute to listen to these kids singing “Lisztomania.” I find their sound so moving; I much prefer it to the original. Listen to them!

(Huge thanks to Alison Gresik for including it in comments.)

Lifescoop: The Best Camping Gadgets Under $50

No point in being uncivilized while you’re escaping civilization, take your tech along with you. These reasonably priced gadgets make camping a little more comfortable, but don’t leave you wondering whether it would have been cheaper to buy an RV. Read more…

The Big Eat: Secret Breakfast Ice Cream

Meg and Rahul had us over for dinner last night, and we had Humphry Slocombe’s Secret Breakfast Ice Cream for dessert. It’s bourbon with cornflakes, and yes. Yes to that.

As of last night, I’ve tasted 24 things on 7×7’s Big Eat list, and I recommend doing this if you live in the area. I’m learning so much about food.

Letter to My 20-Year-Old-Self

My friend Cassie is doing a project where she asks people to write letters to their twenty-something selves. I sent her mine and if you like it, check back here Monday for “20 Things I Wish I’d known in My 20s.” In the meantime here’s the start of my note for Cassie:

Dear 20-Something Maggie,

Hello, sweetie. This is just a quick note to say thank you for everything you’re doing for the team.

First, thank you for not filming, photographing, or otherwise recording yourself having sex. Good call. And speaking of sex, your suspicion that you are preternaturally fertile is correct. So thank you for being attentive about birth control. Read the rest…

Elsewhere: Mighty Haus

Bottle Opener Roundup

So many clever ways to open your beer. And your husband will still use his teeth.

Champagne and Chocolate Wednesdays!

Today we’re having mimosas to celebrate our new intern, Natalie Smith. Hooray for Natalie!

Natalie is toasting a satisfying report card, a summer job, and Mojo, the Great Dane who is her very favorite neighborhood dog.

The whole team is toasting lucky pennies, speedy recoveries, and getting our shit together.

What are you toasting today?

And the Bass Player, Too

Me: Crap! I need to text that bartender back.
Bryan: …
Me: Said your wife.

Momversation with 9 By Design

http://blip.tv/play/gew%2BgeHQEAI%2Em4v

This week’s guest mom on Momversation is Courtney Novogratz from Bravo’s new design show 9 By Design. She runs Sixx Design with her husband, and they travel the world designing homes and hotels with their seven kids in tow. I love their work, so it was a cool surprise to have a chance to talk travel with her this week.