Month: January 2012

Material

Dressing for warmth…

Amanda
Dressing for warmth...

J Crew j crew coat
magazine.motilo.com

I am a weather addict. I love checking the weather, I love knowing the weather, and for one semester in college I even pretended to learn about the weather. (Cumulo…. Cumulo… Cumulo… Thunder.) Anyway, last night as I was heading up to Evanston for the evening I checked the weather (as usual) to see what coat I should sport. (I also have an addiction to outerwear). I looked at the weather… and the forecast for today was FORTY-EIGHT DEGREES. Translated into non-Chicagoan terms; pretty-freakin-warm. (Especially for January). So I gleefully threw on my Red J Crew Coat (which I got as a STEAL at a Black Friday sale two years ago) and headed outside.
Unfortunately, I had just checked the weather for today not last night… or this morning… which had a windchill of about -100 degrees. (Approximation). Needless to say by the time I got to my destination in Evanston my hands were frozen to my Whole Foods bag and the burgers inside had ice on them.
Lesson 1: always check the weather of the next day AND all of the hours you’ll be outside.
I got this Lands’ End Shimmer Down Coat for $60 – because I am a sale stalker and also Lands’ End has some of the best customer service I have ever heard of. (Ex. I called because I had paid $120 and it went on sale the next day… When I called a human picked up… Not after four menus… or punching zero until my finger bled… as soon as I dialed. I was totally shocked and she started laughing and said a lot of people have to call back because they aren’t ready and expect to have to wait for 15 minutes. Lesson 2: Lands’ End has the best customer service ever).
Anyway this is by far THE WARMEST jacket ever. It also resembles The North Face’s Arctic Parka… oh minus the $200 price difference. It has a fur hood, fur collar (both removable), and FLEECE POCKETS. Yes. You heard me… with little spaces to put handwarmers. Sigh. Those could have come in handy when I still had fingers. The jacket is currently on sale for $80 and I highly suggest investing in it… immediately.
Amanda
Material

It’s in the bag…

Amanda
It's in the bag...
Yesterday while I was lugging around my suitcase (read: purse)… I was thinking to myself… WHAT ON EARTH DO I HAVE IN THIS THING?! As I started Marry Poppinsing down the rabbit hole that is my tote I discovered that, embarassingly enough, I actually need all of the things in this bag. What on earth do men do with only pockets?!
I can almost see Murse justification now…
I am not sure if there is a woman under 30 left in the world without one of these – but in case there is. Buy one. Now. I have had this one since senior year of college (2009) and yes… it is showing a bit of love in the corners… but it has traveled EVERYWHERE with me. Also, I bet you noticed that little monogram and thought… I didn’t know that was possible!!! Trust me, if there is a way to monogram something… I will find it. Saks offers monogramming off of their website. (Link above)
This is another trusty piece of happiness in my purse. I have had this baby since senior year of high school… read: 2005. I also have a Lilly Pulitzer Pencil Case which I switch between bags. The point is, everyone needs a pencil case. And since carrying around a caboodle is no longer as awesome as it used to be. You might as well wear one in style.
No, I do not use this for coins because (a) I don’t drive through tolls every day and (b) my grandpa, George, is the only man I have ever seen carry a coin pouch and I am just not plain as cool as him. I, however, DO stuff this little pouch with a whole lot of chapstick/lipstick/VS gloss. It makes it easier to transfer from purse to purse… Another thing I’ve had for over four years.
No, I am not “planning a family.” Yes, I have too many commitments for a normal planner to ever suffice. This planner comes with a perforated list section. (Yes, you heard that right). You can also get it monogrammed, which naturally… I do. I also have it in purple instead of this aqua color. I love eggplant. I have owned this planner (mind you in different years) since college and it has never failed me.
(5) Coffee Mug
Mine is actually from Caribou but they do not have it online. I used to always stop at the Dunkins’ on my way to work/class/whatever. Then I realized I was spending $2/day on coffee… or $10/week… which is $520 a year. Now I buy bulk coffee from Sam’s and set it on my nifty coffee maker. Total cost $32/year. (Not including the coffee maker – obviously). A HUGE savings. And plus, it keeps it warm literally all day!
(6) Kindle with Vera Bradley and Amazon Cover
I absolutely LOVE my kindle. The only thing I truly miss is being able to strike up conversations with strangers about books they are reading, and that feeling of being accomplished after turning the last page. However, after carrying around law books for the past three years it was nice to just throw it in my bag and go. I have two covers because (1) my momma got me the VB one – and i love it and (2) the Amazon cover comes with a light!!
Going along with my refusal to buy coffee… I also try (emphasis on try) to pack my lunch every day. Since I am studying for the Bar right now, anything that could possibly use up my time (i.e. waiting in a lunch line) is simply not worth it. So I bring it!! This carrier is great, I got it on sale at Rue LaLa. (Disclaimer: an apple rarely makes it into my lunch… a cookie? Always).
Apparently now they only have black… (so boring) but this is by far one of my favorite wallets I have ever had! It has a coin purse (which is so convenient for throwing things in when you’re in a hurry) plus a ton of room for cards/frequent punchers etc.
So that’s what is “in the bag!” I guess this served as a mildly good introduction to who I am… monogram crazy but also slightly affordable…
There is much more to come!
Amanda