must-shop sample sales January 19 - on Gilt: Tucker, Final Sale. on Rue La La: Romygold. on Refinery29 Reserve: Stephanie Johnson travel cases, Public bikes, AlleyCat Trade & Beth Lauren Jewelry.
My wishlist for Fall/Winter included a fitted, casual, fleece blazer/jacket to wear when I don’t need a coat & when I don’t feel like wearing a sweater. The key for me, was FITTED; I needed to replace a fabulous black lightweight fleece DarylK jacket from last year that I wore to death until the piping in the shoulder starting poking me and couldn’t be fixed 
The key for my body shape is to wear tops/jackets/sweaters that cinch in at the waist and fall softly over my hips – not something easy to find. And since I don’t work in an ‘office’ where there are actual ‘other people’ (as much as he likes to think so, my dog is not a person), I wanted something casual for informal meetings and afternoon shopping trips.
I was not entirely sold on this sweater by Casch Copenhagen when I saw it on the hanger at Anthropologie, but I’m willing to try anything, so I did. To be honest, it took a second to get the hang of the buttons – yes, they’re meant to be ‘off’ a bit, or ‘playful,’ if you will – but as soon as I had it all buttoned up and situated right, I was sold. It fits me perfectly, cinches in just right at the waist, and is the ideal length for my short torso. I have worn it over long sleeves, and once over a tank top, and I didn’t find the material itchy against my skin at all. It’s quite warm, but not warm enough to take the place of a heavier coat in very cold weather, but it’s good enough for me in Atlanta. I found the size to be true, I took a large, and it’s just right to layer over a turtleneck or other long sleeve shirt; if you want to do more layering, you might want to size up.
Overall, I’m incredibly impressed by this jacket and happy to have such an innovative piece in my wardrobe. At first glance, I thought this might be a piece I would get tired of after a year, and at that price, I wasn’t going to take that chance. But after trying it on and thinking about it for a few days, I knew that this was something with longevity that I could work with. And the rest is history…
This is literally the second smallest bag I own, and I was skeptical at first that it would suit my needs at all. You see, I like to carry big bags. In some ways, I will admit, my bag serves as a sort of security blanket, much in the same way that for many women, their long hair brings them comfort and safety…you know what I mean. Even though I have (only recently) made a slightly cool peace with my hips, I still feel better carrying a big bag that hits right at my hips because it makes them look a little less wide (work with me here…). And I’m not a small girl; I’m short, but not small, and I feel that a bigger bag fits my total look better – I just look too unbalanced carrying a small bag.
Anyway…neuroses aside…I truly love this bag. The color (Rust) is something I don’t have already, and I have worn it with black & brown with equal satisfaction. I don’t wear this bag when I’m wearing burgandy or red though – it clashes a bit too much. The leather is very soft and sort of distressed, and the hardware is gold. The shoulder strap is detachable, and although I usually carry the bag by the handles (either at my elbow or on my shoulders), I keep the shoulder strap attached in case I want to switch it over. The bag holds more if you carry it by the handles, and honestly, this is almost a ‘bottomless’ bag! It almost seems as if you can keep adding stuff and it’ll keep holding it! Last week I was traipsing around between Dr’s appointments carrying the November Vogue, a bottle of water, my iPod and wallet/makeup bag in the mini city tote and it held up wonderfully! Another bonus is that the bag is generally light as it is, so you can add more and although it gets heavy, you don’t have to consider the heaviness of the bag itself (as you do with Botkier). Case in point: (my homage to BryanBoy)
I have to be honest, I didn’t photograph the wadded up receipts and tissues at the bottom of the bag, but I didn’t think you’d miss those anyway. This is what’s in my AC mini tote RIGHT NOW:
1. November Vogue
2. Video iPod with my favorite episode of The Office and the latest Grey’s Anatomy loaded for my viewing pleasure!
3. Ricola Throat Drops
4. Clif bar (chocolate chip peanut crunch)
5. Prada lip balm
6. Rosebud salve
7. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
8. Hobo International Wallet *LOVE*
9. Reallllly old Leif cosmetics/drugs/misc stuff bag
10.Mobile phone
Anna Corinna also makes a larger version of this bag that many women love. I’m glad I got this one though, it suits me perfectly fine – and things don’t get lost in the bottom. Although I don’t have a problem with it, many women have been disappointed in the leather and finishing of the bag. It is ‘rustic,’ if you will; some of the edges are raw (on the shoulder straps, etc.), but overall, I find the quality and workmanship to be very good.
Wow…I have been obsessed with this scarf since I saw it a month or so ago at Mr. Charles. It’s one of those things you never knew you needed, but once you see it, you MUST have it!
I finally got it this Friday from the lovely ladies at Mr. Charles, and I’ve hardly taken it off. Granted, it’s not really been cold enough to wear it until today, but I wore it anyway. I am one of those people who freeze when the temperature drops below 70, especially if I’m inside in the air conditioning, so I can pretty much wear sweaters and scarves all the time. I also find that if my toes are warm (yay for UGGs) and my neck is covered, I’m pretty toasty – and consequently happy.
I’m not very much of a ‘hat’ person, and I love to wear scarves, so this is truly the best way to keep warm. Becuase the hood is attached to the scarf, it stays put if you wrap the scarf around your neck a few times, thus keeping your ears warm. Then, when you go inside, just pull the hood down, and you’ve still got a stylish scarf – without the crazy hair that follows removing a cap.
It’s also very Katherine Hepburn to me for some reason, and reminds me of the scarves women wore in Hitchcock movies while riding in Cary Grant’s convertible to keep their hair in place. (It’s fun to pretend anyway…)
Yay for big, fun umbrellas!
