I Need Some Courage

We don't watch much TV. I used to have a more than a handful of recordings in my DVR but now it seems like there are only a few shows that I record and watch with any regularity. 

One of the shows that my husband and I watch together is The Profit. In each episode, Marcus Lemonis goes into struggling businesses to try and save them. He makes an offer that's impossible to refuse; his cash for a piece of the business and a percentage of the profits. I highly recommend watching it. 

In last week's episode Marcus invested money in a business called COURAGE B. Besides an online store, they have 6 retail locations: New York, NY, Greenwich, CT, Bethesda, MD, Palm Beach, FL, and Aspen, CO. He totally whipped them into shape, and I have no doubt their business is thriving and that tons of people like me rushed to their online site. 

I'm obsessed with their signature handbag, the COURAGE Bag. It comes in 7 colors and is water and stain resistant. Sounds like just the bag for my lifestyle. It's going on my Christmas wish list (is it too early to be making my list?). 

COURAGE bag $195

Parlez-Vous Handbags?

On my trip to Paris I wanted to bring back something that I knew you couldn't find anywhere else. On my walk around Saturday I stumbled upon Faure Le Page - right next door to Chanel on Rue Cambon. I'd never heard of the brand before, but I liked what I saw. 

Founded in 1717, Faure Le Page started as a French firearms manufacturer, playing a big role in the French Revolution and remaining in the same family until 1913. Today, they've expanded to leather goods and have a beautiful store offering hand-constructed bags, wallets, i-Pad cases, hunting chairs, and more. 

I came home with this grey leather bag and know I'll get some great use out of it...and, I'm pretty sure there won't be anyone else carrying it. 

So if you're in Paris, stop by Faure Le Page or Galeries Lafayette (where they carry it) to check them out yourself. Au revoir.  

Too Many Totes

As I expressed in a previous post (here), one can never have too many jackets. Similarly, it is impossible to have too many totes. It just is. 

When I saw my friend Kelsey a few weeks ago with the most amazing gigantic, waterproof bottom tote bag, I was immediately smitten. 

Say hello to Merin Designs. These tote bags are designed in Seattle, by a mother of three young children. All Merin totes have a waterproof bottom, a key clip and cell slip and a detachable cross-body strap...everything you need in a tote. They come in medium and large.

I NEED one of these bags. ASAP. The gigantic totes are amazing! 

Now the tough decision...what color? 

Christmas at Consign Design

No trip to Sun Valley is complete without a visit to Consign Design, and my Christmas from Consign Design was nothing short of amazing!

First let me lament about the shoes that I left behind…these black suede booties with braided leather trim were fantastic…but a 1/2 size too big. Such a bummer!

I scored this fantastic Ralph Lauren sweater for only $50! I've already worn it a handful of times. Totally LOVE!

This Elie Tahari Sateen Coat had to go home with me! The gigantic collar and gathered hemline were just too much to pass up. The pictures do it no justice!

And last but not least, this arrived under the Christmas tree. Apparently Santa shops at Consign Design too (a.k.a my amazing mom). Pinch me! 

It's in the Bag

As you may have read in a post a few weeks ago, luxury doesn't necessarily mean quality, especially when it comes to handbags. A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with my hairdresser about expensive handbags.
Bottom line of the conversation, most of them are not worth their expensive price tags. I might insert one exclusion here, the Chanel 2.55 will always have my heart and someday I may justify the ridiculous price and buy one.

In the meantime, I thought it would be good to share a few of the brands that I think have prices and quality that match up.

1) Kate Spade
My first "expensive" handbag purchase was actually a Kate Spade Sam Tote. I bought it my Sophomore year of college. This is what it looked like. It was pretty much the signature Kate Spade bag and everyone had them (everyone being lots of girls in my sorority).

I think it was around $125. It was a big purchase for me. I remember eating s**t on the sidewalk outside of the YMCA in Tacoma, WA (I attended the University of Puget Sound) and scraping up my hands and knees, and more tragically, getting a gigantic scuff on the coveted bag when it was just a few months old. It was a sad, sad day.

Back to Kate Spade. Since then I have purchased a number of Kate Spade bags. The quality of the bags are excellent, most of the designs are timeless and they are functional for everyday use. And, they usually have at least 20% off one to two times per year. Here are a few of my favorites from the current collection.

 Bow Terrace Justine $328

 Cobble Hill Clarke $278

Cobble Hill Curtis $348

2) J Crew

J Crew's bags are on-trend, well constructed, functional and fashionable. They too have frequent sales that allow you to get the bags at a lower price (not something the luxury brands ever do). I don't actually own one, but I have many friends who do, and they having nothing but good things to say. Here are a few of the bags that I would gladly add to my collection.

 Tartine Satchel $325

 Biennial Satchel on sale $278

Biennial Hobo on sale $260

2) Cole Haan
I definitely have an allegiance to Cole Haan. In my Nike days, I received an employee discount that made the bags hard to pass up. While Cole Haan is no longer owned by Nike, I still believe the quality of their bags makes them worth the price. I have multiple bags that I have used and abused for years, and they are still in fantastic condition. And, they also have frequent sales of %25 off or more.

 Belport Leather Crossbody tote $348

Crosby Bucket Bag $298

Village Satchel on sale $229.95

I know there are plenty of other brands out there that offer beautiful bags at reasonable prices. Which are your favorite?

K.Slademade

One of the items on my Christmas Wish List  was a K.slademade crossbody bag. I have been coveting this bag for a while now and am hoping Santa delivers...(maybe I should send him this blog post?).

For those of you not familiar with K.slademade, let me introduce you. "Kelsea, owner and originator of K.slademade, has an ongoing love for all things American; which is a big part of why back in 2010 she jumped at the opportunity to become an entrepreneur, designing and selling handbags. While her taste has refined over the years, she continues to derive much inspiration from classical American heritage using only the finest and most durable leather, zippers, and hardware to create a classically straightforward, sophisticated yet simple line of handbags."

Really, you can't go wrong with any of these bags. They are all to die for!

Two Words: Shop HERE 

Free and Clear

Airport security drives me crazy! It was a hassle before having a child and is even more so now. One of my least favorite things is having to take my toiletries and put them in a plastic bag. Last week the blog Luella & June  introduced me to a fantastic solution to the plastic bag, the Truffle Clarity Pouch!

image via

These pouches hold everything: keys, headphones, toiletries and whatever else you want to throw in there. They are durable, and they come in really fun, bright colors! 

What are you tricks for quick and easy travel?

Designer Profile- Rebecca Ray

Last week on our quick pre-Christmas trip to Sun Valley I happened upon this awesome "equestrian inspired" brand Rebecca Ray Designs. "In addition to Rebecca’s couture handbag business, she also raises Champion English Setter show dogs, drives a small pony, and fills her home and studio with a collection of antiques from her global travels. Rebecca’s experiences in both the dog and horse worlds helped her design and create beautiful handbags adorned with gorgeous antique equestrian images and rhinestone pins that appealed to those who enjoy the sporting life." 

Here are a few of my favorite items from her collection. Not only does she make handbags, jewelry and other accessories, but also home goods. 

Designer Profile

Just like nearly every woman I know, I love handbags (almost as much as shoes), but since the arrival of the Mini Fashionista I've been toting around my MZ Wallace Kate that on most days resembles Mary Poppins's carpet bag. You want a squeaky giraffe? I got it! A change of clothes, perhaps? Done! You get my point...

That doesn't stop me from lusting after the Chanel 2.55, a Balenciaga or a Chloe bag. Now I can add a new brand to the list, Donatienne of Los Angeles. Creator Nikki Erwin has had a long love affair with handbags, constantly on the hunt for the perfect bag that can be worn day and night, a mix of functionality combined with stunning aesthetic. No longer having to search, Nikki created what she has always looked for, Donatienne. The result, a line of vibrantly colored, fun and functional handbags, designed, assembled and manufactured in the town where it was born: Los Angeles, California.

Here are a few of my favorites! I especially love the second and the fourth, and I am guessing I could get at least a diaper or two in there!

Vine to Swine

Tomorrow I will be faced with one of my biggest fashion challenges to date. My husband and I are celebrating our 5th Anniversay by going with some friends to a "farm to fork" lunch/wine pairing in Oregon wine country. So you ask, what's the big deal? Dressing for lunch at a winery should be easy....Here's where the challenge arises. After indulging in fine wine and food, we will be heading to the Oregon State Fair for another kind of cultural experience...

The weather is going to be sunny and in the mid to high 80's. So, assuming no outift change, what is appropriate for both venues? Based on items I already have in my closet, here is what I have come up with.

But let's be real...chances are I will bring a change of clothes!

Vine to Swine by speedy30 featuring glitter flat shoes

For the Girl Who Has Everything

Why not give her an ipad case that looks like a handbag? 

Marc Jacobs Quilted ipad Case $495

I think I prefer a handbag that actually holds some of my stuff too!

Designer Profile

I recently came across the Swiss handbag line Van Astyn. Their philosophy is to create unique leather goods from the best available materials, shaped by timeless and practical design and finished with precision and elegant detail. Their bags are meant to be part of your life, every season, year after year. Here is one of my favorites from the website.

Check out Van Astyn on Facebook to see more of their beautiful bags!

Beach Bag

Katie is heading to Turks and Caicos for a long 4th of July weekend...lucky lady, whereas the Mini Fashionista and I will be headed to the mountains of Idaho, beautiful, but not Turks and Caicos. Anyway, her beach vacation inspired me to post these beach totes from Jonathan Adler.

Cute, but maybe a bit too nice for the beach. Then again, I had the salesman at Goyard tell me that the St. Louis tote makes a great beach bag. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think a $900 handbag really belongs on the beach!

Countess Totes $198