First on the list is a new carry-all commuting tote that is lightweight and preferably handmade. Any new bag also needs to go well with my J. Crew army jacket from last season that I plan to wear (again) all spring.

I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy the Bookhou zip tote (#5) in the triangle pattern ever since I saw the small tote posted over at Door Sixteen. I love the simplicity of the black/white/leather combo, and the triangle pattern is so interesting to look at. The size looks just about right for my commute and nice long shoulder straps look like they will fit comfortably over the sleeve of every type of jacket. I am a little concerned with the fabric, since it looks rather stiff in the photos and I would prefer a softer bag. Also, while I like the black waxed canvas that lines the bottom I wish it was more weathered looking like the smaller Grey triangle tote bag. The Grey triangle tote seems more my style, but not sure if the bag is big enough to handle my daily commuting.

Update: And now there is a grey triangle bag!

Some other bags I’ve been looking at for Spring:

1. Everlane Classic Tote – Grey: Love the color and simple design, but worried the depth isn’t enough to carry all my daily essentials.
2. Longchamp Medium Tote: I love my large Longchamp so much I need a smaller one for the weekend.
3. Longchamp Medium Cosmetics Case: For all the extra stuff that always seems to be floating around the bottom of my bag
4. Park Slope Denim Tote: I still love my Queens Maptote, but time to update to my current nabe
5. Bookhou Zip Tote – Triangle
6. Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Compact Travel Cosmetic Pouch: Just because I love pink!

This weekend was the first weekend where it actually felt like spring in Brooklyn – finally! For out weekly trip to farmer’s market, I was happy to pull my favorite J. Crew camo jacket out from the back of my closet. I grabbed this one from the sale rack at J. Crew a few years ago for about $20. The jacket is oversized and slouchy, and a great weight for springtime weather. I kept the rest of my outfit simple, so the camo would be the focus: J. Brand skinny jeans, billowy black blouse and white Chucks, and for the Farmer’s market my Queens Map tote is always the perfect size.

Bag: Queens Black Maptote
Jacket: J. Crew – old (but similar:Gap Camo Utility Jacket and Chimala® Camo Jacket)
Sneakers: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Original Unisex Wayfarer Sunglasses (c/o Shopbop)
Jeans: J Brand

And here are some ladies that do camo jackets way better than I: California Dreaming, Move It, and Pink Camo.

I’ve tried to steer clear of the return of 80′s fashions for the most part. (Acid washed jeans – no thanks! I remember them too well from the first go round!) But hot pink…this 80′s trend I can wear day after day.

I’ve been half joking recently that my new thing is to wear a boring outfit – but then add on a crazy accessory like a statement necklace, or in this case a bright, eye catching acid hot pink belt for instant pizazz. This belt is from H&M where I was originally looking for a leopard belt, but they didn’t have one in my size so I ended up with hot pink, and couldn’t be happier.

Oxford button down: Uniqlo – Men’s
Jeans: Siwy (purchased secondhand from Housing Works) Similar here
Belt: H&M (No longer on web site, but here is a good option)
Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage in graphite (blogged here)
Shoes: Minnatonka mocs (purchased used from Ebay)
Watch: Swiss army, Men’s watch with a couple links remove. (Similar here)
Jacket: Madewell (Old – but love this one)
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

It is still so chilly here in NYC – where is spring? Here is an outfit I wore to walk to the Farmer’s Market in Brooklyn last Saturday. I had planned to wear a t-shirt and some open toed clogs (more on that later!) but had to throw on long sleeves and my trusty faux fur vest as soon as I saw the weather report. This outfit is similar to my travel outfit, and faux fur + plaid is becoming one of my favorite combinations. Hopefully we can start getting some real spring weather soon and I can put away all my cold weather clothes for good.

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Original Unisex Wayfarer Sunglasses in tortoise frame (c/o ShopBop)
Vest: Urban Outfitters (sold out) – but here is a good option.
Shirt: JCrew boyshirt in mint strawberry plaid – found mine on final sale
Jeans: Gap distressed boyfriend jeans (old), but similar
Bag: WNYC Ecotote, my favorite. Pledge to get your own!
Shoes: Besimon Tennis Elastic Sneakers in grey

We just got back from a trip to coastal North Carolina, where our main goal was to relax and enjoy some seafood & wine. We flew Spirit Air, where I have a weird habit of wearing five shirts on the plane so I can fit everything into my pocket-book and avoid paying the extra fees. So the result is I have to plan out my packing really carefully in order to fit everything into my Le Pliage. I forgot to take pictures of my outfits so the above collage is my dream packing list.

This was one trip where I was really happy with what I packed, instead of ending up with “packer’s remorse”. All clothes got equal use throughout the week, and were weather/event appropriate. Most importantly, I felt happy and confident in the clothes I wore, which made me enjoy my vacation just that much more. Once again I am loving my faux fur vest that I was able to throw over anything for a little extra warmth and fun.

Packing list for spring trip to coastal North Carolina
1. Madewell denim shirt in Campground wash (I also have a polka dot Gap chambray that is sold out, but here is a similar one.)
2. J Brand Jeans
3. Striped shirt
4. Ray-Ban aviators & my regular cats eye reading glasses
5. Warm cashmere scarf
6. Faux Fur vest (similar)
7. Moccasins
8. Army jacket
9. Grey sweatshirt
10. Flannel shirt
11. Longchamp Le Pliage (previously blogged here)

12. Leopard button down (mine is from H&M)
13. Gap jeans in black
14. Hot pink belt (mine is from H&M but not on line)
15. Black Ballet flats
16. Probably fake LV clutch I bought at a stoop sale last summer

Time to relax!