The Perfect Handbag for the Season

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You’re going to want an extra shoulder.

So you read my last blog about the importance of carrying a good bag and you’re in! But now what?

You know I’m not a big proponent of following trends just because they’re trendy, so in this week’s segment on 10 News This Morning, I talked about how you can incorporate the trends while still keeping within the “classic” lines.

I mean some of the purses that came down fashion show runways were a little ridiculous (saw one that was a can of tomato soup. No soup for me, thanks). Let’s go for looking fresh yet maintaining a classic style – all the while incorporating details that fit both you and your lifestyle.

And if you need to, look at your current bag and think what you’d want to change/keep about it and go from there.

Personally? I’m going to need all these bags from Coach and Vera Bradley at West Town Mall soooo I’m gonna need to add another side hustle. No big deal, just a small non-time consuming side project that makes me millions.

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The Importance of a Good Handbag

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I was seconds away from including “nice” in the title but I didn’t want anyone to think I meant for them to put down the grocery list and go buy an expensive handbag.

Really, nice can mean all kinds of things. What I’m intending it to mean is sturdy, clean, attractive (all words that have once been used to describe me, ironically ;)

Whether we realize it or not, handbags are part of our style language to the world. Make sure you are saying what you want to say with yours.

Sometimes we can get snow blind with the things we use everyday and not really give it a good looking at. Is your current bag clean looking? Is it sturdy and not ripped? Is it attractive to you? I say “to you” because you are the one who is going to be carrying it around the most so you need to be happy with it.

Now to make a quick case for budgeting a little more for a name-brand bag…

Much like beauty products that cost more than what you can get at Target, a higher end handbag is going to last you longer. So if you consider cost-per-wear when you find one you like, you’re making a good investment and will get you your money’s worth.

The thing I love about carrying a great handbag is it doesn’t matter what I’m wearing, if I’ve got a beautiful one on my arm people know the sweats beneath it are just my cleaning clothes. But if I’ve got a ratty handbag over my sweat shirt-ed arm, people will wonder if I’m living in a van down by the river.

The good news is between sales, consignment shops, TJ Maxx, ebay and Facebook Marketplace, it’s easy to find something that is both quality and pretty. So don’t settle for something you’re only okay with – hunt down something you absolutely love.

Regardless of how much you drop on a purse, take good care of it. Send the message to the world that you’ve got it all together, even when you don’t feel like you do.

I try my hardest to keep my receipts in one pocket or in a smaller bag so it doesn’t sound like a trash can when I go rifling through my purse. And wipe away any stains you see quickly so they don’t linger past the point where you don’t even notice them anymore. Even get a good protect-ant spray if it’s a high quality material. I know it’s THE most boring thing to buy – but if you really love your bag, it will help it look better longer.

Coming up this week I’ll post the purse options I’ve fallen in love with from Vera Bradley and Coach in West Town Mall, so stay tuned for inspiration!

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Leaves and a Great Handbag

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I’m taking a little time off from the blog this week.

Please enjoy this post from last year and come back Friday for another great post and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday after that. :)

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats
Top: Loft / Ring & Jeans: Old Navy / Necklaces: Forever21 / Bag: Vera

 

The thing about writing a blog about beauty/fashion is people can sometimes see that you’re not taking your own advice and hold you to it.

All of the examples that immediately came to mind to prove my point are pretty lame. Although there was that one time I left the house wearing leggings and my top didn’t cover my butt.*

*That’s a joke. That never has nor ever will happen. I’m not an animal.

I take a big gulp of my own advice when it comes to carrying a bag I’m proud of and am confident in to translate my style to the world.

If you need a little more convincing that it’s time to update your rotation of bags read here!

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Leaves, Layers and a New Bag

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats
Top: Loft / Ring & Jeans: Old Navy / Necklaces: Forever21 / Bag: Vera

 

The thing about writing a blog about beauty/fashion is people can sometimes see that you’re not taking your own advice and hold you to it.

All of the examples that immediately came to mind to prove my point are pretty lame. Although there was that one time I left the house wearing leggings and my top didn’t cover my butt.*

*That’s a joke. That never has nor ever will happen. I’m not an animal.

I take a big gulp of my own advice when it comes to carrying a bag I’m proud of and am confident in to translate my style to the world. Not to mention it was my birthday this past week, sooooo ;)
If you need a little more convincing that it’s time to update your rotation of bags read here, or watch the video below for some really gorgeous fall options.


Shopping My Closet

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The Importance of a Handbag

handbag, nice handbag, purses, fall purses, west town mall, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, knoxville blogger, purses

I was seconds away from including “nice” in the title so it would be “The Nice Importance of a…” No, silly. I meant “nice handbag” but I didn’t want anyone to think I meant for them to put down the grocery list and go buy an expensive handbag.

Really, nice can mean all kinds of things. What I’m intending it to mean is sturdy, clean, attractive (all words that have once been used to describe me, ironically ;)

Sometimes we can get snow blind with the things we use everyday and not really give it a good looking at. Is your current bag clean looking? Is it sturdy and not ripped? Is it attractive to you? I say “to you” because you are the one who is going to be carrying it around the most so you need to be happy with it.

Whether we realize it or not, handbags do really represent a women and her taste, so make sure you are being represented well.

Now to make a quick case for budgeting a little more for a name-brand bag…

Much like beauty products that cost more than what you can get at Target, a higher end handbag is going to last you longer. So if you consider cost-per-wear when you find one you like, you’re making a good investment and will get you your money’s worth.

The thing I love about carrying a great handbag is it doesn’t matter what I’m wearing, if I’ve got a beautiful one on my arm people know the sweats beneath it are just my cleaning clothes. But if I’ve got a ratty handbag over my sweat shirt-ed arm, people will wonder if I’m living in a van down by the river.

Regardless of how much you drop on a purse, take good care of it. Send the message to the world that you’ve got it all together, even when you don’t feel like you do.

Continue Reading