What's in my bag: February

As much as I loved carrying around last month’s shearling tote, I told myself this year that I would try and rotate my bags monthly and actually wear my wardrobe.

It’s going to be really hard to switch out February’s bag for March’s after carrying it for last 29 days. Perhaps I can break my own rule and switch out my work bag instead because I loved carrying this bag so much.

What bag you might wonder?

My Fount Classic Kinsley Carryall.

There’s nothing not to like about this bag. It holds a ton but doesn’t look huge, has a wide shoulder strap that helps distribute weight and also includes a crossbody strap if you want to wear it messenger style. It’s a zip top to keep your belongings inside (or keep others out), has a clip for keys, and a small interior pocket to stash lip gloss, pens, or whatever else you might want handy.

I think my favourite feature though is where it’s from. Designed and handmade in Cleveland, Ohio by a skilled group of artisans. I love supporting local and couldn’t be more proud to carry it.

Inside my bag, it’s more of the same from January with a few switches. This pair of fingerless cashmere gloves to wear in the office (I wish I was kidding) was added. Oddly enough I found them in the men’s section after the women’s version kept selling out.

I also switched up my sunnies for a pair that hugs my eyes a bit tighter. We saw a delightful amount of sun this month and these sunglasses were perfect to shield the rays.

Given my lip balm obsession, I’m surprised it too until February for a Dior Lip Glow to appear in my page. The pink 01 colour is the perfect “cold girl makeup” shade for the winter months. For something a little more sophisticated, this Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly in sesame is the perfect “milky mauve” with a hint of gloss.

Rounding out my bag this month is the brightest and happiest of contents, my baggu happy print reusable bag. The colour is super easy to find in a big black bag (which makes it perfect to put on the bottom) and the bag came in handy from everything to Target runs to trips to Aldi. Wholeheartedly recommend this cheery little print.

What's in my bag: January

“What’s in you bag” has always been one of my favourite old-school magazine features. I love a sneak peek into the “necessities” that editors carried, items that we’re deemed special enough to carry around every day.

(If you’re looking for a modern version, Vogue Japan has a great YouTube series of these).

So in homage of my old-school fashion journalism, here’s a peek at what’s been in my bag this January.

Stand Studio medium Lolita faux shearling trimmed tote (similar)

I love how perfect this bag is for the winter months. The faux leather stands up to elements really well, it’s not too structured that it can’t absorb a random large object (or seven), and the shearling is so, so fun. It’s perfect for all the extra stuff I need to schlep when it’s cold and dark and an instant mood booster too.

It also doesn’t hurt that it gets complimented everywhere I go. I love that it brings a smile to everyone’s face.

A look at what’s inside my bag this month

Speaking of schlep….

Room for a pair of sunglasses and room for a pair of my optical glasses is the number one requirement I have of any handbag during the winter months. My not-so-young eyes need helping hiding from the sun and focusing in the dark so these are a must have every time I leave the house. I like pairs in winter that have nose pads - I find they usually work better under a winter beanie (or over a face mask if I’m being extra cautious).

You’ll also find a variety of skin care and makeup in my bag each month and lip products that have some sort of moisturizing texture (Dior Lip Oil, Summer Fridays Butter Balm and Glossier Ultra Lip are pictured here).

As for non-beauty items pictured above, I find that Muji notebooks and pens are the perfect “purse size” for jotting down things I want to remember, and my AirPod Pros are perfect listening to music to block everything else out. I couldn’t resist the Ikea coin purse - it protects the AirPods, and my key chain, from the rest of my bag.

Lastly, it wouldn’t be a purse of mine if it didn’t have at least one kind of candy in it. My Roots coin purse is chock full of peppermints (and an iPhone charger) and the Skittles are for emergency pick-me-up use only (working on the amount of emergencies in 2024).

Favourite Purchases of 2022

One of the reasons I love shopping so much is the chance to discover something new. A new piece of fashion, a new beauty product, even a trip to a new destination all provide the opportunity to try something and even transform into something new.

Without further ado, here are some of my favourite purchases of 2022.

1. Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray: during the summer heat and after a weeklong trip to Canada where masks were still mandated, my skin started to FREAK. OUT. I had been watching Katie Jane Hughes use this spray in her instagram stories for awhile and pulled the trigger on trying it. This stuff lives up to its name, it calmed the freakouts on my skin, balanced it back to normal, and now has become a staple item in my morning skincare routing. Highly recommend.

2. Coldplay Music of the Spheres Concert tickets: when one of my favourite bands schedules a show for my birthday, its a no-brainer that I’ll purchase tickets no matter where they play. Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres show was a transcendant experience, three hours of the band’s hit songs coupled with a light show the rivals any other. The trek to Atlanta made it all the more special, with a chance to re-explore and fall back in love with a city I hadn’t visited in years.

3. Zara Wool Blend Black Maxi Skirt: yes I inadvertently purchased the maxi that went viral on Instagram, but it’s so easy to see why. A sturdy suited material, a flattering mid-rise waist and belt loops (!) made this maxi skirt one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe this fall. It was effortless to style, dressed up comfy everyday basics, and added a dose to posh and confidence to all my WFO looks.

4. Kindersalmon Mia Oversized Bag: I LOVE my hybrid work schedule, but it does require quite a bit of schlepping of stuff back-and-forth during the week. And while I love a structured leather bag for the office, I just couldn’t handle a work bag that literally weighed me down multiple times a week. I came across this oversized hobo while browsing one of my favourite online shops earlier this year and I couldn’t hit purchase fast enough. It’s lightweight, yet classic, and the touch of leather provides the polish to take this into any boardroom I need to travel too.

5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 60 Sunscreen Stick: once you own a sunscreen stick, you never, ever have an excuse to leave the house without it again. I picked this stick up at Shopper’s Drug Mart in Canada upon recommendation of one of their beauty advisors, and I’m already researching how to repurchase it without crossing the border because I love it so much much. It makes applying sunscreen so easy, but even better, the sunscreen wears like a dream for workouts. It’s thick but not greasy, and best of all doesn’t run down your face at the first sign a sweat.
   
   

Shopping For: Sherpa Shoes

Four inches of snow is currently on the ground where I live.

Four inches of water-based fluff, that when mixed with the softness of sherpa fabric - on a shoe - would guarantee a disastrous result.

Sherpa shoes might be highly impractical, but aren’t we sometimes willing to risk a fashion disaster for a little bit of fun?

Behold the power this teddy-bear fabric that wraps you warmth. No longer relegated just to coats - sherpa shoes have been popping up at retailers everywhere, continuing the cozy-craze launched by the pandemic. These shoes are brimming with texture and warmth, create visual interest, all while wrapping your feet in a cozy hug.

Sneakers

Rag & Bone’s retro kicks are what started my descent into sherpa shoes. Even without the sherpa fabric, their classic lines, speckled sole, and muted 70s colourway fit perfectly into my neutral wardrobe. But the addition of sherpa is a chef’s kiss of texture that put these over the top.

Rag & Bone Retro Runner Sneakers

AQUA x Scout the City Teddy High Tops

Converse Chuck 70 Sherpa

Slides & Mules

Lets be honest, I should probably just rename this the Birk’s section. If Rag & Bone’s beige sneakers started my descent into the cozy craze, Birkenstock’s teddy versions all but assured my crash landing to sherpa-land. These just look SO WARM. When I finally spotted them in person at my local Nordstrom, it was instant love. It’s hard to justify a winter sandal, especially in climate, so for now I’ll just keep drooling every time I set my eyes on them.

See by Chloe Gema Loafers

Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle Shearling

Birkestock Boston Teddy Clogs

Loafers & Flats

Of the three styles I’m shopping for, sherpa loafers and flats are the trickiest to pull off fashion-wise. The placement of the sherpa fabric makes all the difference. That’s what makes these sherpa Mary Janes so special. An of-the-moment shape paired with an of-the-moment fabric make these textured, minimal classics irresistible.

TWVP Curly Fur Mary Jane Flats

Raye Sven Loafer

Age of Innocence Zuri Flat

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 17

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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This morning I was looking back on these entries and started to notice a theme appearing, repetition in the way I style a significant size of my shoe closet. It’s the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine.

There might be no greater way to show this than this next pair I’m sharing – these Botkier Violet Loafers. I have worn these loafers to their almost demise, I reach for them that often. And after reading back to my previous entries, it is so obvious why.

They’re the perfect mashup of masculine and feminine. A patent leather black loafer, topped with an oversized fabric bow on each toe. They work because they’re monochrome, the textures of each tone down the other.

It will be of no shock that I pair these most with ankle-length trousers or denim, but my absolute favourite way to wear these is with a pair of black leggings, an oversized tunic sweater and an oversized blazer. I love how the loafers balance out the blazer and elevate the sweater and leggings.

Botkier Violet Loafer | H&M Tan Teddy Coat (old)