Author Archives: Sara

Spring shopping – Just the Bags

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Spring is my favorite season to shop for, especially since my birthday is in March so that means right about now have some extra birthday money burning a hole in my pocket.

First on the list is a new carry-all commuting tote that is lightweight and preferably handmade. Any new bag also needs to go well with my J. Crew army jacket from last season that I plan to wear (again) all spring.

I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy the Bookhou zip tote (#5) in the triangle pattern ever since I saw the small tote posted over at Door Sixteen. I love the simplicity of the black/white/leather combo, and the triangle pattern is so interesting to look at. The size looks just about right for my commute and nice long shoulder straps look like they will fit comfortably over the sleeve of every type of jacket. I am a little concerned with the fabric, since it looks rather stiff in the photos and I would prefer a softer bag. Also, while I like the black waxed canvas that lines the bottom I wish it was more weathered looking like the smaller Grey triangle tote bag. The Grey triangle tote seems more my style, but not sure if the bag is big enough to handle my daily commuting.

Update: And now there is a grey triangle bag!

Some other bags I’ve been looking at for Spring:

1. Everlane Classic Tote – Grey: Love the color and simple design, but worried the depth isn’t enough to carry all my daily essentials.
2. Longchamp Medium Tote: I love my large Longchamp so much I need a smaller one for the weekend.
3. Longchamp Medium Cosmetics Case: For all the extra stuff that always seems to be floating around the bottom of my bag
4. Park Slope Denim Tote: I still love my Queens Maptote, but time to update to my current nabe
5. Bookhou Zip Tote – Triangle
6. Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Compact Travel Cosmetic Pouch: Just because I love pink!

A J. Crew Camo Jacket to Celebrate Spring

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camo jacket

This weekend was the first weekend where it actually felt like spring in Brooklyn – finally! For out weekly trip to farmer’s market, I was happy to pull my favorite J. Crew camo jacket out from the back of my closet. I grabbed this one from the sale rack at J. Crew a few years ago for about $20. The jacket is oversized and slouchy, and a great weight for springtime weather. I kept the rest of my outfit simple, so the camo would be the focus: J. Brand skinny jeans, billowy black blouse and white Chucks, and for the Farmer’s market my Queens Map tote is always the perfect size.

Bag: Queens Black Maptote
Jacket: J. Crew – old (but similar:Gap Camo Utility Jacket and Chimala® Camo Jacket)
Sneakers: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Original Unisex Wayfarer Sunglasses (c/o Shopbop)
Jeans: J Brand

And here are some ladies that do camo jackets way better than I: California Dreaming, Move It, and Pink Camo.

Some Like It Hot (Pink)

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hot pink belt

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hot pink belt

I’ve tried to steer clear of the return of 80′s fashions for the most part. (Acid washed jeans – no thanks! I remember them too well from the first go round!) But hot pink…this 80′s trend I can wear day after day.

I’ve been half joking recently that my new thing is to wear a boring outfit – but then add on a crazy accessory like a statement necklace, or in this case a bright, eye catching acid hot pink belt for instant pizazz. This belt is from H&M where I was originally looking for a leopard belt, but they didn’t have one in my size so I ended up with hot pink, and couldn’t be happier.

Oxford button down: Uniqlo – Men’s
Jeans: Siwy (purchased secondhand from Housing Works) Similar here
Belt: H&M (No longer on web site, but here is a good option)
Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage in graphite (blogged here)
Shoes: Minnatonka mocs (purchased used from Ebay)
Watch: Swiss army, Men’s watch with a couple links remove. (Similar here)
Jacket: Madewell (Old – but love this one)
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Chilly “Spring” Morning

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It is still so chilly here in NYC – where is spring? Here is an outfit I wore to walk to the Farmer’s Market in Brooklyn last Saturday. I had planned to wear a t-shirt and some open toed clogs (more on that later!) but had to throw on long sleeves and my trusty faux fur vest as soon as I saw the weather report. This outfit is similar to my travel outfit, and faux fur + plaid is becoming one of my favorite combinations. Hopefully we can start getting some real spring weather soon and I can put away all my cold weather clothes for good.

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Original Unisex Wayfarer Sunglasses in tortoise frame (c/o ShopBop)
Vest: Urban Outfitters (sold out) – but here is a good option.
Shirt: JCrew boyshirt in mint strawberry plaid – found mine on final sale
Jeans: Gap distressed boyfriend jeans (old), but similar
Bag: WNYC Ecotote, my favorite. Pledge to get your own!
Shoes: Besimon Tennis Elastic Sneakers in grey

Travel outfits: Plane ready!

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travel outfit

We just got back from a trip to coastal North Carolina, where our main goal was to relax and enjoy some seafood & wine. We flew Spirit Air, where I have a weird habit of wearing five shirts on the plane so I can fit everything into my pocket-book and avoid paying the extra fees. So the result is I have to plan out my packing really carefully in order to fit everything into my Le Pliage. I forgot to take pictures of my outfits so the above collage is my dream packing list.

This was one trip where I was really happy with what I packed, instead of ending up with “packer’s remorse”. All clothes got equal use throughout the week, and were weather/event appropriate. Most importantly, I felt happy and confident in the clothes I wore, which made me enjoy my vacation just that much more. Once again I am loving my faux fur vest that I was able to throw over anything for a little extra warmth and fun.

Packing list for spring trip to coastal North Carolina
1. Madewell denim shirt in Campground wash (I also have a polka dot Gap chambray that is sold out, but here is a similar one.)
2. J Brand Jeans
3. Striped shirt
4. Ray-Ban aviators & my regular cats eye reading glasses
5. Warm cashmere scarf
6. Faux Fur vest (similar)
7. Moccasins
8. Army jacket
9. Grey sweatshirt
10. Flannel shirt
11. Longchamp Le Pliage (previously blogged here)

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12. Leopard button down (mine is from H&M)
13. Gap jeans in black
14. Hot pink belt (mine is from H&M but not on line)
15. Black Ballet flats
16. Probably fake LV clutch I bought at a stoop sale last summer

view from my wine glass

Time to relax!

New Blog Widgets & a Faux Fur Vest

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Faux fur vest from Urban Outfitters – clearly NOT made in the USA. Sold out, but similar here. Some other ideas: 1 // 2 // 3.

It may be snowing once again in NYC tonight, but I’m in the process of giving my blog a little spring cleaning. Blog layout has changed slightly as I switched from Mon Cahier to the classic/simple Twenty Twelve. I just love how super basic and uncluttered this new theme looks to me.

I also added the “My Current Bag” post on the right, where I can keep featured whatever bag is my main bag of the day. I’m still carrying around my Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Tate tote since it is just so simple, lightweight, and easy. Once the weather gets a little warmer, and I can start wearing less bulky coats I am planning on switching back over to my Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Tote in green to start welcoming in some warmer weather.

In addition, I added a “TBB Most Popular Posts” widget further down on the right column where you can see my Top Five most viewed posts. Hopefully something interesting will pop up there!

Is it Spring yet?

My No. 6 Clogs

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no. 6 clogs

I’ve had my No. 6 clogs for about a month now and they have become my go to boots – the first shoes I reach for every morning when getting dressed. I am so happy that I made my purchase, and only wish I hadn’t waited 3 years to finally make the purchase.

To save some bucks I purchased my boots secondhand on Ebay. I know some people think used shoes are super gross, but I’ve had really good luck with Ebay shoe purchases. I always wipe down the inside with a clorox wipe, and then spot clean with warm water and some soap, especially scrubbing the bottoms. When these shoes arrived I had a temporary case of buyer’s remorse since they were REALLY beat up. The wood under the toes was completely worn down and wood was chipped on the sides. The leather on the front top and sizes was a scuffed and grey, instead of black. I was really worried I had wasted my money on shoes that really should have just been dropped in the trash.

However a local cobbler saved the day and was somehow able to fill in the missing worn down wood on the front, add a new front sole, and shine up the leather. The boot are still clearly not new with some chipping on the side and a worn heel, but my plan is to get those repaired later on.

Sizing for the No. 6 clogs is tricky! Since I am in NYC I visited the store on Centre Market frequently and kept trying on new pairs until it felt right. I had to size WAY up for the boots. My normal shoes size is a 9, which usually translates to a 40. The girls at No. 6 kept suggesting a 39/40 for me but I could feel my toes rubbing at the front. I finally sized up to a 41and they felt HUGE. Both too wide and too long, but since there are no half sizes I figured that was my only option. Then I waited months for a pair of 41′s to finally go on sale on Ebay so I could make my move!

Next up are shoes for spring and summer. I still love my Swedish Hasbeen sandal wedges, but I am also interested in a pair of the No. 6 peep toe mules in ash or mocha.

Jacket: Eddie Bauer Stadium Coat (blogged here)
Hat: American Apparel
Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny Jeans
Bag: WNYC Ecotote – pledge to get yours! (also blogged here)
Boots: No. 6 5″ Leather Buckle Boot - via Ebay

Boots to survive the Zombie Apocalypse

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We recently started watching the Walking Dead on AMC and I am beyond obsessed. The episodes are so scary that I have trouble sleeping at night, but it is beyond worth it. In addition, imagine my surprise to see one of the main characters wearing a fantastic pair of harness boots day in and day out.

I wrote about my Frye Harness boots last fall, and the trouble I had incorporating into my wardrobe, and I feel Lori’s character gives them a whole new twist with her grunge apocalypse style. I really like how Lori wears a pair of straight leg jeans and then rolls them above the boots.

I think I will give grunge apocalypse a shot this fall…hopefully with no actual zombies!

Coach Legacy Duffle

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Coach Legacy Duffle

This bag is a great example for me of “shopping your closet.” I purchased it about 2003 or 2004 at a Coach outlet while visiting my grandmother in South Carolina. At the time I spent what I considered a fortune on the bag, and when I brought it home I felt guilty about spending so much money on it. In addition, the bag couldn’t hold the (at the time) large camera that I carried around with me daily, so the bag was sadly folded away in the back of my closet where it stayed for the most part. Fast forward to this spring when I was sadly attending my grandmother’s funeral and this was the first bag I reached for since I had such warm memories of my many trips to visit her.

Ever since then this bag has been back in a frequent rotation. It is too small for a daily commuting bag, but PERFECT for a weekend bag. The best feature is the adjustable strap so I can wear it as an under the arm pocket-book, or extend the strap to wear as a cross body bag. Here is the lovely Michelle Williams carrying a very similar vintage-looking bag.

It doesn’t look like Coach is still making this bag, but here are two similar bags: Legacy Leather Large Duffle and Coach Classic Leather Duffle.

What bags do you find when you “shop your closet”?

Serious Clog Action: No. 6 Clogs 5″ Leather Buckle Boot

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No. 6 Clogs

Any longtime TBB readers know that I’ve been longing for a pair of No. 6 clog boots for going on over three years now, but I was struggling with a serious case of sticker shock. I came close to purchasing a pair last spring, but just couldn’t pull the trigger. But FINALLY they are mine! I discovered a used pair on EBay in my (rare) size, and after a last minute furious bidding war I won the auction, and the boots were on their way from Berkeley, CA to my apt in Brooklyn, NY. Stay tuned for a detailed review, cobbler feedback, and clog sizing info!