The A List: 5.20.16

You guys, this week.

It’s been a week of getting back into a routine, a week of serious brain usage and most of all, a week of new surroundings. I’m a little too excited that the forecast is a bit gloomy for Saturday, I can’t wait to get my bearings again.

But with all this newness also comes a giant boatload of inspiration (woo!) which I’m excited to share. In the meantime, here’s a look at what I’m loving this week.

Stella McCartney Lips iphone case

If school supplies are my ultimate way to nerd out (see below), phone cases probably come a close second. I love to dress up my iphone in crazy ways, it’s the one piece of my ensemble that doesn’t stick to my color uniform. Case in point, my latest case. I’ve been eyeing this lip case for weeks, trying to figure out if I should bite the bullet or not to spend the $$$. After seeing it in person at Neiman’s (and finding a gift card) I’m now the proud owner of the best selfie case around. Sure, the case is large, but my personality is larger. ;-)

Rebecca Minkoff Unlined Feed Bag

Rebecca Minkoff has always been one of my go-to handbag designers, but I think she’s completely one-upped herself with my latest purchase. The unlined feed bag is the PERFECT summer satchel. It’s a buttery leather toughened up just slightly with the addition of studs, which coupled with a square shape and wide strap, set it apart from your typical cross-body handbag. I carried mine with me everywhere on my last road trip, it not only holds your essentials but it’s also great for toteing around a blogging camera, your moleskin and even a bottle of water.  You can’t go wrong with this bag by your side all summer long.

Muji Gel Ink 0.5mm Pens

Confession time, I am a giant school supply nerd. From agendas to notebooks, folders to paper clips, I love school supplies. And after getting back into the swing of things this week (i.e. working) I think I’ve finally found my holy grail of pens. Seriously, these pens not only write consistently, they also don’t smear when this lefty advances across the page (ahhh!!!). Leave it to Muji to create the perfect writing specimen. I picked these up in store in NYC the last time I was there, but thankfully you can order them easily online now. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to geeking out over my school supplies.

Google’s Gboard App

GIFs. I’m still not quite sure how to pronounce them as a word but boy do I love to send them to friends via text or other medium. And for me, my friends timelines just got completely spammed thanks to my faves at Google. I have no clue if Google’s Gboard app for iphone is new, but after downloading it this week I’m hooked. Operating just like my beloved emoji app, you can scroll through google’s gif options by category or search for that specific gif that you know and love. So many puppy gifs, so little time.

DNCE Toothbrush Video

I originally had another fave slotted into this spot, but after watching DNCE’s Toothbrush video, I knew I had to include it. And can I just say one thing about this vid? Joe Jonas is a dreamboat. Even better though? Ashley Graham is a total fox. But the best part might be Joe’s follow-up interview with Glamour – saying he only had one girl for the role in mind (swoon!). DNCE knew they were making a statement with Ashley's casting, but the video is so beautiful you don’t even notice. 

Summer Style: Saddle Bags

Summer.

It’s the season of farmers markets, weekend festivals, concerts in park, and lots of lots of patio time.

For ladies, it’s also the season where fashion gets a little bit bohemian, think sandals and maxi dresses, flowy tops cutoffs, basically anything we can do to keep the heat away. And no one wants a fussy bag to get in the way of it all.  

In fashion, it’s also the season of the return of retro. Taylor Swift crowned the choker the new flower crown (90s), flared denim is replacing beloved skinny’s on the runway (70s), and everything seems to have a bit of nostalgia added to it, and is a little bit looser and relaxed than it has been in year’s past.

And no one wants a fussy bag to get in the way of it all.

A little bit structured yet a little bit loose, the saddle bag fits in with summer’s myriad of activities. And the best part about them? They’re perfect for snapping your way through summer, sipping drinks strolling markets, dancing your way through concerts – yep, they’re hands free. Saddle bags are effortless and they actually hold stuff (sorry, uber-trendy mini-tech bags). From the essentials (phone & money) to the extras (makeup, gum, etc), the saddle bag can also hold your liquid refreshment, your blog camera or extra charger, and even your first purchases of the day.

From Coach’s limited edition 1941 collection to Cuyana’s supple and elegant suede,  Madewell’s nod to the 70s and Rebecca Minkoff’s fabulous tassel, here are some of my favorite saddle bags to carry you through the summer months.

Clockwise from top left: Madewell | Big Buddha | Coach | Rebecca Minkoff | Vince Camuto | Cuyana

The A List: 8.7.15

1. The Stowe Katie Bag: once the September Issues start hitting the newsstand, I can't help but want to plan my fall & winter wardrobe. Part of that wardrobe always contains a new leather bag, and this one might be the perfect fit. Minimalist but still luxe, it will fit all of my work essentials and look great doing so.
2. Jet Set Candy YYZ Necklace: I leave for Toronto for a week on Monday and I couldn't be more excited. Upon my return I might to grab this simple luggage tag necklace so I can keep TO close to me long after my trip is over. Like the bag above, it's simple yet luxe - just like my fall style.
3. UnReal on Lifetime: when I saw the reviews on social media of this show, I couldn't believe that a Lifetime show was garnering such critical acclaim. Cue watching the first show on demand, and then realizing a few hours later that I'd blown through 5 episodes. The show is scandalous, it's hilarious, and most of all, it looks like it could be closer to The Bachelor than we think?
4. ASOS Mascot Leather loafers: until I started working in sports, amazing pairs heels were a daily part of my wardrobe. Nowadays, especially on game days, heels are just not practical to surviving an 18 hour day. Loafers and oxfords are now a large part of my shoe collection because of their amazing versatility. From skinny pants to floral dresses, jeans to a-line skirts, these loafers are perfect for the days I spend the whole time on my feet.
5. Toronto Blue Jays: I'm a little worried that as I write this I'm going to jinx the Jays, but it's definitely a fun time to watch my hometown baseball team. If they keep up on the run that their on, maybe this is the year the sports gods reward the city of Toronto? *fingers crossed*