Inside My Bag

A quick peek at what is inside my bag this week:

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 25 Instant Film Camera (White)perfect for instant prints on-the-go and super fun to use (cheapest I've found is on Amazon)
• Garance Dore Notepads to help me plan out to-do's throughout the week
• Smythson Notebook for notes, inspiration and thoughts
• Fresh Sugar Tulip for a pretty hot sheer pink
• Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black (mini from Sephora Beauty Insider)
• Chanel Glossimer in Rose Reve new for fall
• NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Andromeda for an easy highlight on the lids
• Louis Vuitton wallet and card case (old style)
• For hydration Chanel Hydra Beauty Lip Balm and Caudalie Hand Cream 
• For full makeup bag contents, see details on The Beauty Look Book
• Purse is a small Prada Saffiano in Carmello

Desktop / Something New

Tuesday Dreaming: Saint Laurent Sac de Jour

Currently dreaming of a Sac de Jour in the small size. There are a number of new shades coming out this fall, I'm particularly smitten with the fact that they now come in a grained leather texture. I've long avoided looking further into the Sac de Jours because of the delicate leather, I'm hoping the leather will be sturdier now that there is a pebbled option. Beautiful shades above, all in the small size which measures approximately 12½"W X 10½"H X 6"D:

Grey (smooth), Taupe (grained), Marine (grained)

Black (grained), Earth (grained), Lipstick Red (grained)

What's your dream bag?

High/Low Silk Blouse

Warm Weather Beach Essentials

Warm weather has arrived in Southern California, I'm gathering all my beach essentials for the weekend. I found the perfect summer hat a week ago and already used it over the past weekend. Beach snapshots by me for weekday inspiration and dreaming.

1 Textured hat by J.crew / 2 Stripe beach towel by Pottery Barn / 3 Porter Magazine / 4 Caudalie Beauty Elixir to keep the face hydrated / 5 Dior Gel Nail Polishes in Aventure and Mirage for beach-ready toes / 6 Sunnies by Gucci (ones that frequent my @beautylookbook Instagram) / 7 Classic Aviators by Rayban / 8 Light tinted aviators from Marc by Marc Jacobs / 9 Henri Bendel Beach Candle (the best for the home) / 10 Flip flops by Tory Burch / 11 Caudalie Divine Legs to add a bit of bronze tint

Monday Inspiration

Desktop

Desktop today: White tulips, Diptyque Rosa Mundi Candle, Eau Rose Hand Lotion, Chanel Glossimer in Bliss (new with the Variation collection) and Connor Balloon Calendar (now on sale).

Basics

This was from a few weekends ago, I know it's a weekday, but I'm wishing for the weekend. Wearing some simple basics:

Top: Joie

Jeans: Paige Skyline Ankle

Shoes: Louboutins

Purse: Céline Trio

Desktop

On my desktop today: Bobbi Brown Bronze nail polish, a baby Diptyque jar, Tory Burch Desk Calendar and a stack of Vogue magazines. Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

2014 Desk Accessories

Tory Burch 2014  |  Sugar Paper  |  Smythson Diary

Connor Shoes  |  Connor Balloons  |  Connor Owls

There are some beautiful desk calendars and diaries that were released for the new year. Quite a few come with beautiful gold display stands that make a lovely decorative accent. They can double as picture frame stands as well after the year is over, although many designers make new calendar refills each year. There have been several on my radar - a few have gone on sale, I wanted to share my favorites for you before they are completely sold out. I purchased the Tory Burch version for myself and about half a dozen extra as gifts for friends and family (see mine on my desk here).

Happy New Year!

Hermès Clic H Bracelets

I've managed to accumulate multiples of the Hermès Clic H Bracelets in the small PM sizes. Above left to right: Rouge Corail, White, Chestnut, Black, Midnight Blue and Emerald. My collection keeps growing thanks to the Hermès Clic H Bracelets Thread at the Purse Forum. Do you have multiples of items in different colors? I find when I fall in love with a style of sweater or shirt, I tend to buy multiples in different shades.

The Clutch/Zip Pouch

I have a major obsession with flat zip/clutch pouches. I'm always a fan of flat zip makeup pouches and love the ones that are sturdy or large enough to double as a clutch. A few that I've been eyeing lately:

1. Marc and Graham Piazza Zip Pouch $79 | 2. Jcrew Calf Hair Pouch $78 | 3. Miu Miu Grained-leather clutch $595 | 4. Marc Jacobs 1984 Isobel Leather Clutch $995 | 5. NARS Guy Bourdin Leather Pochette $75 | 6. Tory Burch Robinson Sevilla Clutch $325 | 7. Pierre Hardy Printed calf hair and leather pouch $455 | 8. Anya Hindmarch Bespoke loose pocket $195

Bedside

By my bedside on my dresser: Caudalie Divine Oil (mini), Aerin Rose Hand and Body Cream, and Diptyque Roses.

The Classic Black Satchel

I've been contemplating a classic conservative looking black leather bag for work for quite some time. I've been using my Goyard St Louis and it's held up quite well but sometimes I feel the need for extra pockets and storage. I narrowed down my picks between a Balenciaga Black City or a Prada Saffiano. Then Fendi came out with their 2Jours in a multitude of colors (still love the black) and Coach has released a sleek looking Borough bag in three sizes. I'm petite at 5'3" and the Goyard is the largest bag I own which is the biggest I can carry. What's your classic work bag?

On My Desktop

On my desktop right now: West Elm Lacquered Accessories (square tray and pencil cup), Diptyque Candles in Tilleul (6.5 oz here) and Baies (2.4 oz here), Diptyque Wick Trimmer (here), Dior Minuit Nail Lacquer for holiday, Tom Ford Lip Shine in Frolic and some other items.

On My Mind: Fall Neutrals

Currently obsessed with neutral pink, beige and camel tones for fall. I've been saving up for a new handbag for work (even though I dream of a Céline Box) - looking for something sleek, classic yet functional and roomy. Handbag purchases always take forever for me to pull the trigger on, it takes a lot of thought and time to save for me to justify a large purchase (but one can dream right?). Other neutral-colored obsessions right now:

1. Proenza Schouler Pochette in Saddle (yes, still dreaming of this one)  |  2. Woven Cashmere Wrap |  3. Fendi 2Jours Elite in Dove   |  4. Burberry 56mm Translucent Sunglasses   |  5. Hermes micro leather bracelet   |   6. Céline Box in Tan (Spring 2014)  |  7. Nordstrom Tissue Weight Wool & Cashmere Wrap in Taupe Cinder   |  8. Prada Saffiano in Camel

Something New: Hermès Clic H Bracelet

Last week I splurged on my first piece from Hermès, one of the enamel Clic H narrow bracelets in Rouge Corail with the silver and palladium plated hardware (color code is 95). I'm a minimalist when it comes to wearing jewelry, I rarely wear anything except my wedding or engagement ring along with simple studs for earrings. This is the start of my jewelry collection in my effort to incorporate more color and life into my wardrobe.

I purchased the PM size (smaller option) which measures 2.25" diameter, 7.5" circumference, 0.5" wide. My wrist is on the petite size at 6.25" making most bangles too large for me. The Hermès PM H Clic bracelet is perfect allowing just enough room to move slightly up and down the arm.

The twist clasp:

The Rouge Corail in action. It find it to be quite versatile:

With all the different color options, I think this could be dangerous! Do you have any Hermès pieces? How do you style them?

Work Wear Wednesday

Fall is here but it's still warm and sunny in Southern California. Wearing today as we transition to fall: Jcrew Tippi Sweater, J.Crew Pencil Skirt, Cole Haan Chelsea Pumps, Louis Vuitton Epi Jasmin and the latest from Chanel Rouge Rubis Le Vernis. Still working on getting actual photos for this blog (work in progress). Hope you have a great Wednesday!

My Favorite Pumps

My favorite pumps for work Cole Haan Chelsea Pumps. I've gone through several pairs of their classic heels from past seasons. The current option is the Chelsea Pump with the 3.5 inch heel (also available with a lower heel option). They are on the higher side since there is a built in platform in the sole but they are extremely comfortable. My shoe size ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 US depending on the designer and style. Past season pumps from Cole Haan I've been a 7. For this model I had to go up a size to 7.5 but with heel pads since the 7 was too small.

Also a top favorite for special occasions is the Christian Louboutin 70mm Classic Black Pumps (patent version here). The heel is on the lower end for Louboutins. My shoe size varies depending on the style, for these I wear the 37.5.

Here are each of the pumps on me (for height to heel reference, I'm 5'3").

Left to right to compare shape of tips, heel heights: Louboutin 70 mm, Cole Haan Chelsea in Maple Sugar, Cole Haan Chelsea in Black Patent

Left Cole Haan, Right Louboutins

What are your favorite classic pumps?

Sunday

Wearing today: Jcrew Tippi Sweater, Jcrew lace skirt (old), Céline Trio, Prada flats (old). On the nails: testing out various vampy shades (details here).