Own: How to Tote a Lappy

Click here to learn about lappys!

So, I started a new job about a month ago.  I love it.  It's been just the change that I needed and it still gives me some free time to write this blog. :)

One new thing is that I go on a lot of meetings during the day outside my office which means that I need to drag my laptop with me.  Luckily, I have a very bag friendly sized 'top- it's the 13 inch Macbook Air.

But.

I don't want to destroy my really nice (read: expensive!) bags by jamming a laptop into them.  Hence, we are now here.

I need a new laptop bag, but I want it to be multi-functional and I don't want to just buy another Longchamp Le Pliage bag.  Not that I don't love those, I just want something different.  I don't want to spend $600+ for the Mansur Gavriel tote, but I want something cheap enough that if it gets destroyed, I won't be heartbroken about it.  So, the search begins.

I started on Everlane.  Their Petra collection features really simple, non-descrip bags.  I especially love the Petra Magazine, which is $325.

A friend of mine recently introduced me to the brand, Cuyana.  They also have a really cute bags that can be monogrammed, too.  I did see this bag in person and felt that the leather might be a little on the thin side- this bag has no lining and while leather can be quite durable, I would worry that this bag would tear.  On the plus side, it's $150.

If you're looking for some non-black options, Zara has a cute one right now in a rose gold and silver- I know a couple years back I said that I was over the metallic phase, but I guess I was wrong.  While I don't want to be sporting metallic-splattered overalls, I think a metallic accessory or two are lovely!

Which one should I pick?  My heart kind of wants the Zara one just because I know the bag will get destroyed and stretched out.  What are your thoughts?  Have I missed out on any good ones??

Own: Update your Costume Jewelry

So, I'm not the kind of person that wears a whole lot of costume jewelry.  I sometimes struggle with buying fancy fashion jewelry because I feel like some of it costs the same as fine jewelry!  ABSURD.  Also, I generally like small, delicate and understand jewelry (read: everything at Catbird), but I had a change of heart recently.  Not completely saying that I'm abandoning my love for the dainty, but I realized that I needed to shake things up a little.

The other day, a chic friend of mine came over for dinner wearing a beautiful pair of earrings that were not small and understated and that's when I had a moment.  They were beautiful pair of Alexis Bittar gold drop earrings with a clear lucite stone on the end.  I've been searching high and low for a picture to share with you, but no such luck so here's a similar picture:

It just made me realize that I was missing out on a whole world of beautiful costume jewelry and I needed to some investigating.  I did more searching on Alexis Bittar Jewelry, and found that it was full of beautiful creations, but I didn't want to enter the costume jewelry world by dropping a couple hundred bucks, so I needed to start smaller.  I took a stroll over to my neighborhood Zara and H&M and did a little perusing on the interwebs, and MY FRIENDS, I was not disappointed.  I think I've generally avoided these chain stores because I worry that the baubles will look overly cheap and I will say that while some of the accessories were cute in-store, many of them had been badly man-handled. :(

Let me share with you some of my favorite and Own-worthy items.  Also, ordering online assures that your product comes to in mint condition!  

This awesome metal and pearl collar necklace from Zara.  I think Zara has really stepped up their accessories game.  Most of their accessories are pretty hard hitting and good quality.  They feel substantial and therefore, don't look cheap.

I've really been loving the rose gold stuff that's out there right now.  I love this one from H&M- while I haven't decided if rose gold is here to stay or just a fad, for $15, I can't really argue with it.

Though I'm venturing outside the delicate jewelry realm, I have to say that I still mostly lean towards the more structural and simplified costume jewelry styles, like this one from H&M.  I find that they are easiest to wear with both busy and simple outfits.

For something simple that really makes you look put together, consider a cuff or structured bracelet.  H&M has that, TOO.

OH in other news.  I recently cut my hair and by "cut my hair" I mean i chopped off close to 9 inches so we're now at a chin grazing bob level, so I've really had to up my earring game.  I don't usually wear earrings so I'll have to really do some research here, but here's on pair that I love from Asos.

These visually unique simplified statement baubles from Asos

I'm open to recommendations!  Know of any other stores I should check out for some new earrings??

SO much Ogling: Oscars 2015

The Oscars are the marathon of couture fashion and so, I have to tell you which ladies I thought really killed it on the Carpet.  See my top picks!

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy

The texture behind the red and that slit are to DIE FOR.  I also love her dainty little red shoe.  She's a vision.  I also like that she didn't choose to wear too much jewelry since I think the dress does a lot of the talking on its own.

Naomi Watts in Armani

Naomi look BOMB.  I love that she picked a more modern looking dress rather than just another strapless gown.   While kind of hard to see in this picture, she was wearing these GIANT earrings that really made this outfit. 

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

The gorgeous simplicity of Tom Ford on Reese Witherspoon is so glamorous.  It creates a beautiful silhouette on her body.  She chose really fun earrings that were like little clusters of stars. This whole look makes Reese look young and refreshing.  

Margot Robbie in Saint Laurent

I can't believe that Margot has ended up on Worst Dressed lists!  It's crazy!  Her dress might be a little less flashy than your average Oscars get-up, but I think she looks modern and sophisticated.  I LOVED her makeup.

There you have it.  MY PICKS!  Hope you enjoyed!