In the Bag

I am a bag person, have been for years. When I was 16 my cousin took me to Coach and gave me free-range to buy any bag I wanted. I still have that logo hobo clip bag 15 years later (I can't seem to part with it). 

Usually I buy a bag, carry it for a few weeks and it gets stashed in the pile of misfit bags in my closet. Either the pockets don't work right or it doesn't fit my iPad, or some other silly thing that keeps me from adoring that bad I needed to have. Every year or so I purge the bags and donate them to Dress for Success or to the convent for the sisters who teach at my college. It's gratifying to give them away to new homes, but after completing Financial Peace University, I know I can't spend that money just to give the bags away.

Flash forward to this spring. I went to the local outlets not knowing what I would buy and stumbled upon this beauty.

I worried it was too big, that the color was too bold and that it would get dirty all the time.

I was wrong on all three counts.

This bag has been carried every.single.day since I bought it in April. To work, to NYC, shopping, to the beach. And everywhere I go (seriously, every day) someone compliments the bag. I've decided that if I had a dollar for every compliment, I could have purchased the bag. 

I love everything about the bag. Of course, the Tiffany blue color was the main reason I splurged. And the adorable multi stripe lining makes it fun. And the leather. Ahhhh, sumptuous.  I'm usually a pebbled leather person, but saffiano leather is now my new favorite. No scratches, no discoloration, and a neat pattern.  Plus, this bag doesn't get dirty which was also a concern. Just brush it with a baby wipe and it's back to new. It fits my pocket requirements, too. I need a zip compartment for my wallet and I like my phone to be on the outside and I like my iPad to fit comfortably. 

Good on all counts.

 Here's what was in the bag before I cleaned it out:

Too many lip glosses (I pared this down to three-a pink gloss, clear gloss and lipstick)

Tide to Go pen

Nail file

bandages

Altoids

Bug spray

my Mozart pill box (it keeps Motrin, Benadryl, Asprin and Zyrtec)

 2 Purells (why???)

Random receipts

A reusable bag

my inhaler

glass cleaner

lotion 

powder

too many pens (I kept a ballpoint and gel)

the yellow envelope holds coupons

yes, I carry a checkbook!

my Pleated Poppy mini case holds the many store cards we all carry

And my student ID-I'm starting graduate school in the fall!!

Aren't these really the essentials?

Phone

Sunnies

Wallet

Charger

Nametags

 Here it is empty:

 And all loaded up:

Here it is in action in NYC:

bag: Kate Spade Newbury Lane Briar tote

Currently the outlet is selling it in black. It seems to pop up on eBay in other colors. 

What bag have you loved carrying this summer?

Style Splurges

Someone recently left a comment and asked how many cardigans and jackets I owned. I went and counted them up only to discover that the answer was too many (about 100 of each). Even if they were a minimum of $20.00 each (and that's a dream amount, trust me) that's just too much money. As my mother would say, it's probably not the best idea to wear your assets on your...well, you know where she meant.

Now I am learning the lesson of saving on the trendy items and semi-splurging on the classic, luxe pieces. Classic and luxury for me may not be the same for you, however. Luxury for me is Banana Republic, Jcrew and Talbots, not real uber-expensive items like Manolos or a Louis Vuitton bag, even if I wish it was. All the splurges on this list (save for the last one) were $100 or less. My personal splurges have to be items that go with several pieces I already own, have a traditional fit, and are neutral, go with everything colors.

The recent items that have been splurges are:

-White tailored fit, no iron shirt from Brooks Brothers (but on sale at the outlets).

Source: brooksbrothers.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

It's great with a suit, under a sleeveless dress, or under a tank.

Here it is 2 ways, one for work and one a little dressier:

Jcrew Driving Scarf (at the outlets)

Source: jcrew.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Normally I buy scarves at Marshall's because they tend to be trendy, but this one was too eye-catching to ignore. I think I loved the colors, that I have cardigans and jackets to match through the seasons, and the 100% silky softness.

-Clarks sandals 

Source: endless.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Shoes are typical splurges for me because I hate shoe shopping. If I find a great pair of shoes that I know are comfortable, can be worn for a while before wearing out, and come in great colors, I'll spend $50-$100. But I also look for coupons, outlet sales, etc. Clarks has a frequent buyer card that after spending $400 you save $40 on your next purchase. Since both my husband and I buy at least 2 pairs of shoes each per year, we do end up saving quite a bit with that incentive.

-Vera Bradley Convertible Bag in Black

Source: verabradley.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

I like me a nice bag. I have since my cousin took me shopping my junior year of high school to pick out any Coach bag I wanted (I opted for the Hobo Clip and I still love it). I've amassed a silly collection of Vera, Coach, and Dooney and Burke bags, but this one microfiber bag is perfect for travel, day-to-day use and outdoes any pricer bag I own. I'm very pleased with it.

-My Hermes scarf, the biggest splurge of all.

We bought this scarf on our honeymoon to Paris (one of two actual souvenirs) and I do have a regret about it. I wanted it to be a noticeable Hermes, so I bought it in the traditional Hermes orange. Now, it's gorgeous and I love it and I will always treasure it, but I should have opted for a navy or black scarf. I would just get more use out of it.

What are some style splurges for you? Or what pieces do you invest in (jackets, boots, etc). I hope to do a post next week about my favorite saves. There are just so many pieces in my wardrobe that I have happily purchased for a steal and they have been wardrobe staples almost by accident.

 

Stylish Blogger Award

 I was awarded the Stylish Blog Award by Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin. 

She has great style and an amazing way of coordinating her accessories (especially the ones she creates herself). And she always leaves the sweetest comments over here. 

Rules:

Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.

Share 7 things about yourself.

Award 7 recently discovered great bloggers; and contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Things about me:

1. I usually read at least 4 books at a time 

(1 fiction, 1 nonfiction, 1 faith, 1 audio)

2. I love watching reruns of House, NCIS and Law and Order. 

And can watch episodes over and over.

3. I've always been crafty and have vivid memories of selling lanyard keychains off the back of my parents' boat.

4. I love old photographs and love stumbling across ones I haven't seen before, especially those featuring my parents and grandmother.

5. I love PBS documentaries. And Antique's Roadshow. After each appraisal I announce (either to my husband or an empty room) if I would keep the item or let it go.

6. I wake up very late on Saturday mornings, usually no earlier than 11 AM if possible.

7. I adore a great handbag and am still on the endless quest to find the.best.one. Currently I'm sporting a Kate Spade outlet find, but I also love me a great Vera Bradley or Tignanello tote.

I'm awarding Paige at This Little Life the stylish blogger award because she is the most stylish person I know. She was the first person I knew who wore a flower pin and had the guts to mix patterns. Plus she has the best collection of jackets. And she's always put together, especially as an expectant mother. 

a poppy by any other name...

would never be as sweet as the delightful creations by Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy. 

I love supporting handmade, but especially love when the artisans are as delightful as Lindsey is. 

Check out her blog (and of course her shop) and see what all the fuss is about. I'm linking to her blog with other ladies who are showing off their Lindsey loot.

My favorites are her posy pins. When I ordered my first batch this past year they challenged me to be a little bolder with the color choices I wear. And since then they've become a wardrobe staple. Some drab outfits have been saved by my husband reminding my to "add one of those flower pins."

Now they live on top of my dresser in one of my favorite depression glass bowls.  They add some extra color to the room and when they're out, I remember to wear them.

Favorite ways to wear 'em?

Piled high on a sweater:

To brighten a scarf:

To make a cardi more exciting:

And keep a sweater shut:

And of course, don't forget to wear your petal drop necklace with your posies!

These necklaces are totally adjustable and coordinate with your flowers.

 And can be dressed up or dressed down

And love layering short beaded necklaces with a petal drop.

And those ruffled scarves - just perfect!

Thanks to Lindsey, I wear mustard yellow all the time and love it.

So enjoy wearing your posies, petals and ruffles...they make for a brighter day!

Scarpbooking Tools = Style Helpers

You read that right: my scrapbooking hobby has saved many outfits

 with the tools and products that have saved a nearly  un-styled day. 

How you ask? Here are my little secrets.

(Photo taken in the sweltering hot summer)

Hate when belts are too long and they just hang there or stick out? You could use those little velcro dots, but that means you have to wear the belt the same way all the time. 

Enter the ATG gun. 

I'll argue that this bulky tool can also let you reuse uncanceled stamps with ease, but that's another post.

You just hold out the side of your belt, swipe on some adhesive and you are ready. It doesn't loosen through the day and it's totally invisible. Plus, the goo easily peels off post-wearing and has not yet left residue on my belts.  You can also use GlueDots or GlueLines and get the same results (for the non-scrapper, that is a cheaper solution).

Hate that your belts don't go to the perfect length (you could use a hole right between the ones already punched or just need it a tad longer or shorter)?

Time for the Crop A Dile!

Sure, you could try the ice pick or paper piercer trick, but for a clean, smooth punch that you can make in narrow or wide, depending on what you need, the Crop A Dile is awesome. The hole looks like it was meant to be there and you can easily see where you are punching.

 It's effortless and I think I use it more as a styling tool now than when I scrap.

And finally, this trick saved these pants.

The day after I bought these pants, we had a flood in our bathroom. 

I bleached the bathroom. 

I took a shower and put on my brand new pants.

 I leaned against the bleached sink. 

I bleached a perfect spot on my pants. 

Right in the front.

For a couple of months I tea stained the bleach, tried magic marker, tried sharpies. 

What worked? Staz On Ink Pads mixed with Distress Ink by Tim Holtz. 

Using several colors, I blended them to mask the stain and save the pants. And it stayed on after a wash.

Have any style tips that come from something completely unrelated? I'd love to hear!