The Good Life

Ahh April!

For many it is feeling like the 

winter will never end but here in California it is feeling like 

the middle of summer (at least this week).

To me, April is always associated with

the spring break road trips- like the ones we took with the kids,

 Palm Springs, the college town (and food ) tour from Georgia

 to Indiana,

the amusement park tour (Ross and kids)...

it is also the time of year, where I can't get enough of

local nurseries, seed banks, gardening and 

getting my hands dirty along with plenty of sweat equity.

It is the time of year to take stock of details~

inside and out

 prepare for the next two seasons 

as we will fill them with outdoor living, 

laughing, cooking, eating and sharing with

 the friends and family 

who mean so much.

With that in mind, I am on hiatus...

taking time to listen to the birds sing,

pro create (ART ~FOOD~ FLOWERS)

go exploring and of course, smell the roses.

Here's to hoping you get out and do the same.

xo

Happy St Patrick's Day

THEY call it a diaper bag~  I call it a

handbag with plenty of pockets.

This evergreen and lime vintage inspired floral European cut velvet with coordinating evergreen wool tweed and evergreen water resistant lining is a cleverly capable, polished, traveled and trim - the sublime companion, amenable to every whim. An overnight stay or the black-and-white ball, everything's near at hand in a Cosmo Carryall. Cake is in the details. $349

No Shenanigans!

xo

New York City Sidewalks

Isn't this a fun tote to use for light shopping

around town?  So much better than one reading 

"I'm Green R U? "

 I love the newspaper print

and street scenes.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love NYC

so this is a match made in heaven...

How funny is it, that I also own a dress 

with a black and white street scene.

I promise, never to be worn together.

Too much of a good thing.

What's In Her Bag?

Today, a peek inside the bag of 

Emily Schuman who writes the sassy,

lovely blog Cupcakes and Cashmere.

MCM

MCM (Mode Creation Munich)

 is one of those 

luxury brands that has lead a quiet life.

Founded in 1976,  they have always prided 

themselves with their timeless designs, 

traditional craftsmanship, offering a

"heritage of elegance". 

The line of leather goods and apparel

has long been a favorite of seasoned travelers, 

celebrities and royals.

Honestly, I am only now getting to know the line and 

I very much like what I see.

Many of the bags are gorgeous, understated

classics in addition, there are offerings with

 modern, playful twists- think

Jackie O heading into The Pierre.

Plus, I love the print campaign 

with the iconic luxury lifestyle images-

offering up plenty of 'I want that'.

And while they do not sell

e commerce on their own sight,

the bags are available at Bloomingdales

and Saks and well priced, hovering

around and average of $600.

xo

Love the bold B & W stripes,

love the tan leather handle,

love the red lining,

 love the pouchy shape...

Spring 2011.

Diane Von Furstenberg $185

A Bag Is Not Just A Bag...

A handbag is not just something to carry our 'stuff'.
No, more often than not, it is an emblem 

of  lifestyle and the Sofia Coppola line of bags

for Louis Vuitton is evolving into a
gold standard for quiet, modern,
everyday elegance.

Check out these CHIC photos of
Sophia and her signature bag from the
fall 2010 campaign.

Happy Valentines Day

There is nothing so sweet in life

As love's young dream.

Thomas Moore

Fendi 2011 Croco Calfskin Top Handle

The elegant yet spiffy  handbag collection from Fendi's 

2011 Spring line is pretty genius, 

especially these top handles with the 

mixed leathers. So often,

I cannot commit to my one of my own brown bags,

mainly because I'm almost always 

wearing black shoes. But  these 

top handles would end that problem in a snap.

Anytime a bag combines black and brown,

I have to shout, 'GENIUS'.

Of course, Fendi being Fendi didn't 

stop at the basic black/brown/tan-and 

would we expect them to?

Fendi 2011 Top Handle w Shoulder Strap

Warning, the croco version is a tad expensive.

xo

What is in Her Bag?

Today's What's Inside The Bag is from
a spot of whimsy.
I love her up front frank and simple honesty
when it comes to describing her bag and contents.

1.  my everyday bag.  nothing fancy here, just simple and professional-looking.  i'm pretty sure it's actually from target.  big enough for everything i need all day + any work files i have to take home or around town.  i stopped using nice bags because i beat them up too bad.  they are now reserved for special occasions!

2.  tic tacs.  i usually go for mints over gum.  

3.  my crackstick.  i. am. obsessed.  

4.  sephora makeup mirror, always comes in handy.

5. chanel's rouge coco lipstick in mademoiselle (finally bought it for myself!).

6.  ipod nano.

7.  monthly cta bus/el pass.

8.  my current read: the happiness project, by gretchen rubin, which is actually a reread!  i'm clearly in love with this book, and the start of a new year is a perfect time for a refresher.

9.  my calendar.  my life blood.  stores all the information that keeps my life running smoothly.

 10.  vera bradley pencil/pen/highlighter case.

11.  of course, the cell phone.  nothing fancy, but gets the job done!

For the remaining items,  check out her blog!

This project was brilliantly executed by 

Ashley from A Hasty Life

xo

Brights + Stripes And A Bold Spring

scanned from Bazaar
This Spring season is shaping up to be 
one full of brights, stripes and bright stripes.
I am loving these  MayaBags I found at Barneys.
They are made in Belize, hand woven and signed by 
the artisans. The colors are fun and I love the 
tasseled ties on the sides. $450

Look inside, we would find...
Sunglasses
Coin purse
Bike lock key
Bandanna Scarf
Receipt


xo

What is in Her Bag?

How cute IS this whole package?

Above and below we are looking at the contents

of  'a happy go lucky Southern Belle' who runs the 

awesome(!) blog called 

"Pink Preppy Lilly Lover". 

It is via a recent blog roll thanks to 

Ashley of A Hasty Life.

Literally, I cannot say enough about 

the cohesive look: contents ~ meet concept.

Talk about walking walk and talking the talk.

Hello!

1)  Lilly Pulitzer "It All Started with a Juice Stand" Coin Pouch

2)  Lilly Pulitzer by LeSportsac Mini-Umbrella

3) Kate Spade Day Planner with Lifeguard Press Lilly Pulitzer Pen

4)  Getting a headstart on my Valentines!  Swarovski crystal pen, Cupcake notecards viaMolly Lou Gifts

5)  The lifelines!  Blackberry Curve, iPod Touch, Canon SD1400 IS digital camera

6)  Pink Coach Small Wallet (perfect for travel - just enough for ID, cash and credit cards)

7)  Lilly Pulitzer playing cards and score pad (never know when you might be able to squeeze in a game of gin rummy!  Great for long plane rides too.)

Still Life, Real Life...Livin Life

xo

Black Style

This bag is chic...and it's very expensive.

It is a style which is iconic and yet always new.

For most of us this type of bag is hardly an everyday

carryall but still it is always nice to have the ladylike

options in our rotation. 

Fitting right in with Victoria Beckham's usual 'simple-but-still-edgy' fashion sense this Hexagonal Chain Crocodile Bag leans on clean lines and contrasting textures to create timeless, high-class appeal. Matte black crocodile leather gets a typical rectangular fold-over flap treatment, but with concertina-style sides for added interest and a shiny goldtone hexagonal chain shoulder strap. Inside it's lined in very structured beige leather and, like a large wallet, is divided into three compartments with several pockets and a removable zippered pouch.Luxist

Let The Novelties Begin

What is it about novelty handbags?

I don't know, it must be the frivolity of Spring.
Oh, I have had my share.

These by Rebeca Ray Designs 

are classic...pretty, sweet and...(a little) dorky.

Rebecca Ray specializes in handmade couture handbags and fashion accessories inspired by her love of dogs and horses, as well as old-fashioned art and antiques. Her designs vary from colorful ruffled totes like the ones shown here to sophisticated leather satchels, belts, jewelry, and accessories, as well as printed home decor items like pillows and placemats. Many of the bags include removable vintage brooches (if you look closely you can see them above), a choice of over 400 antique images, and are completely hand-sewn by the Amish near Chagrin Falls, Ohio where Rebecca Ray Designs is based.
"The Reilly" on the right and "The Katie" on the left they're essentially boxy little tote/purse hybrids with funky, artistic fabric patterns, pretty ruffles, authentic equestrian hardware, and protective feet on the bottom -- plus of course the antique brooch embellishments and option of vintage images and I mentioned earlier. $545-575.

via Luxist
xo

Handbag + Skirt = Convienient

This would end my quest for a fanny pack...

now, if only it was black.

. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1895.

A Dose Of Sunshine

Today is too beautiful (sunny & 70 ) not to 

think about how fantastic and refreshing 

the bright colors of Spring will be

this year- whether teamed with the 

neutrals like black, white, navy or camel

or mix and matched like brights.

Washington Mews Maryanne Bag

Kate Spade $425

Head In The Sand Melinda

Kate Spade $ 425

Head In The Sand Quinn

Kate Spade $395

 XO

• 
  

What is in Her Bag?

Jessica Quirk of 

whatiwore.tumlr.com
I love Jessica and her grass roots ambition.
From college to blogging and soon to come,
her own book on dressing, shopping and 'random situations'...
The What I Wore Book
Now, let's see what's in her bag:

Take away....
Love your work and work at what you love.

xo

Black Squared

We don't need words to do the math.

xo

For The Love Of Winter-White

As much as I enjoy black, I really do love 

the look of a white handbag- yes, even in winter.

Just like I love the look and feel of white jeans in the ~off season,

(you watch ELLEN, right?)

so goes it for the white bag. For me,

if nothing else, it's like, thumbs up to you

winter-take that. 

Crisp white bags (leather, no fabric, please)

are a great juxt a position to gloomy gray days.

Think about it, if all it took was a white handbag

to lift a gray day... then so be it!

Chloe

Miu Miu

Coach

xo

You Can Never Have Too Many Basics...

There's a new way to look at basics... like

black handbags and shoes, black pants and turtlenecks,

white shirts, camel anything.. actually that goes for 

black and white too, but what about leopard?

It has always been in and out, and in recent seasons

has become a new basic go to as well- for good reason.

When pared with simple, clean looks,

read: black, white camel, brown, red,

it (one leopard accent at a time please) is 

the perfect accessory to elevate

and add an edge and still maintain an elegant form. 

Who doesn't want an edge?

Mine above, is a faux fur and I love it-

it's a satchel with handles and a shoulder strap-a great combination.

The best part? It's roomy enough to carry

when I'm roaming the streets all day for inspiration 

or even daily errands.

On a similar but different note...

so many choices at all levels

and most times, the fun is in the journey of the hunt!

YSL Leopard-Print Nylon Bowler

Neiman Marcus $1245

Jerome Dreyfuss Twee Mini $860

Nine West 'Plain Jane' (I swear) Satchel

On Sale

No, you cannot have too many basics.

xo