Well, things sold out quickly from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Practically my entire wish list was gone by the time I had the chance to shop the sale. I did end up with one pair of boots, which are still en route to me. How did you fair with the sale? Were you able to snap up anything?
Aside from the sale, summer is still going strong! Barbie pink is hotter than hot as the movie premieres, and everyone is excited to see their favorite childhood doll on the live screen. The anonymous handbag is also going strong and is proving to be the ultimate IT bag as we head into the fall season and beyond. While the anonymous handbag is not a trend, the suppression of the logo bag is a trend, so might as well stock up on this classic IT handbag look while logos are shoved in the back of the closet!
If you are looking towards fall, my trend reports will come out soon! As of right now, know this! The red handbag is coming back strong, so if you have one in the back of your closet, bring it forward! If you want to rock something fall right now, wear your red handbag now!
Want to get a jumpstart on shopping your closet for fall before my article posts? Also look at your loafers and bring them forward. Loafers are both classic and on trend for fall. Love that!
Stay tuned for end of summer coverage, as well as pre-fall!
Egypt’s history is absolutely fascinating, and we are fortunate to have a fabulous museum which celebrates this ancient civilization in San Jose. If you are local to the Bay Area, and you have not visited the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum yet, what are you waiting for? Go now! If you plan to visit the area, be sure to schedule a visit in your itinerary.
My grades in history were not that great, in fact, when I was in school it was my least favorite subject. This actually makes me laugh now because as an adult, I love history! I actively seek out historical information and I can spend hours diving deep into history. I wish I could do that when I was in school! haha To be frank, there was only one historical subject which fascinated me when I was in school, and that was Egyptian history.
In the sixth grade, my teacher had visited Egypt several times and was able to teach us about it with her personal experience. She even showed us her personal slides taken during many of her visits! It was amazing and I was extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher. This is why I loved Egyptian history; she really made it come alive as compared to all of the other histories I found boring in school. Since I enjoyed Egyptian history, my Mom and my best friends’ mom took us both to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum so we could see artifacts in person. My friend I bought earrings in the gift shop and really enjoyed the visit.
Although the gift shop does not seem to exist anymore, the museum has grown over the decades and includes genuine artifacts as well as casts of original artifacts. The description by each item will let you know which it is. Since my mom took me here, I felt it was only natural that I bring my kids here too. I wish I had done it sooner! They studied Egypt in middle school and now they are in high school and college. Is this a hashtag mom fail? Yikes! But I digress. . .
We spent about two hours at the museum but could have easily stayed longer. There are several levels to look through and the museum also has an exhibit on Alchemy which the museum plans to expand into its’ own museum. Alchemy is directly tied to Egyptian history so it will be incredible when it is complete.
One of my favorite things inside the museum is the recreation of a tomb. You can walk through the cave-like tomb and see what it is like inside of one located in Egypt. They even created the paintings and markings.
In addition to just viewing artifacts and learning history, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum has been thoughtful in their artifact descriptions. I loved seeing how history is similar to modern day as well as how it repeats itself. You can even see an example of how clear cutting created climate change! Please read the photo below as an example.
In addition to the museum inside, there is more to learn in the museum gardens. The museum displays an outdoor version of Senet, an ancient game, as well as plants and other objects which offer descriptions of how they fit into Egypt’s rich history.
I recommend arriving a little bit early to the museum so you can enjoy the outdoor gardens before going inside. They are really beautiful and interesting!
You can learn more, and plan your visit, by visiting the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum’s website at EgyptianMuseum.org.
If you are looking for a yummy place to eat before or after your visit to the museum, I highly recommend Park Station Hashery which is on the corner of Naglee and Park Ave. They have delicious brunch items. My favorite is the breakfast burrito which appears on the specials. The regular menu is good too!
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy your visit!
Do you ever feel like you have too many black handbags? Or perhaps you are afraid of buying more black handbags because you convince yourself you already have one? Well, here is a great way to organize your black handbag collection and create the perfect black handbag capsule wardrobe for your closet. Let’s go!
I love black handbags because the color is timeless and black always pairs perfectly with the majority of outfits in my closet-and yours! When creating the ideal black handbag wardrobe, you will want to include one timeless handbag in each necessary category. You are always free to add trendy bags, artistic bags, and sculptural bags you cannot live without, but if you are looking for a classic, timeless collection, this is a great formula.
In order to create the ideal black handbag capsule wardrobe, you will want to choose one timeless handbag from each necessary category. The handbags pictured above are the ones I own and love in each category. Some of these bags I have had for over ten years, and they are still in excellent condition, as well as proving themselves to be workhorses. Love that!
Also, if you notice, all of these bags are anonymous. They are high quality handbags without screaming logos. This is an important feature which helps make a handbag timeless.
So, without further ado, here are the eight, must-have categories to own a classic black handbag in.
Shoulder bag: A classic and chic, daytime shoulder bag is a must. Even better if the strap is long enough to also be worn cross body. The timeless shoulder bag pictured above can also be worn cross body and has a closure which is easy to get in and out of, while still being just enough work to deter pickpockets. It is also made from the highest quality leather and comes from an eco-conscious and sustainable factory. Love that!
Small convertible cross body: This little bag is on the small side and comes with two straps, one which is short and perfect for creating the “baguette” look, and other strap is a classic cross body strap. The straps can be worn alone or together to create three different handbag looks. It is small, and good for travel. The anonymous look is known only to those who know, and the price is well under $500. It is made from sturdy, high quality leather and will last a lifetime. This is a fabulous workhorse. Love!
Chanel flap shoulder bag: This handbag has been around for decades, and is not only a classic handbag, it is an investment bag. I purchased mine close to twenty years ago for well under $2000 and new ones now sell for over $10K. This is a handbag you will reach for when attending special events, both day and evening. It is an investment bag you can pass down to your children, or sell when you want to clear your closet or need to raise funds. If the current price is a bit out of reach for you, I recommend snapping up a vintage one at a reputable consignment shop. Or look for handbags inspired by this one such as bags by Tory Burch or Saint Laurent.
Daytime satchel: I have owned this daytime satchel for over ten years, and it is still going strong! In fact, this bag continues to be a best seller at luxury stores to this day. Another fact, it is reasonably priced for a luxury bag and the craftsmanship and leather are top notch. You will love this bag! A daytime satchel is a must-have in your black handbag capsule wardrobe because it is roomy and offers casual styling you can pair with jeans, summer dresses, shorts, and other casual outfits. This is a timeless style you will love having in your closet.
Hobo bag: The hobo bag is a classic shoulder bag style which can be worn during the day or in the evening; depending on the style you purchase. My bag is structured with polished leather, so it offers a dressy vibe; but you can invest in a slouchier bag for casual looks. This is a category you can choose one style in, or go for both structured and slouchy. It is up to you and your lifestyle. The hobo bag comes in and out of style so if it starts to feel dated, simply store your hobo bag and in a few years you can pull it back out and rock it again. Currently, the hobo is a hot IT handbag style so now is a great time to invest in one since there are plenty of styles to choose from in stores and online. I love this beautiful hobo pictured above. I have had it a couple of years and it is comfortable, durable, and beautiful. Love that!
Structured satchel: This structured satchel is perfect for smart casual outfits through to dressy looks. It is also a great handbag for the office when you don’t need a laptop tote. I have had mine for years, and I own it in both black and pale blue. This satchel is a workhorse which can hold a lot of weight, take a beating, and still look new. It was also my go-to bag when I used to attend New York Fashion Week. You will love having a classic, structured satchel in your black handbag capsule wardrobe because it can be worn casually or to the office or anytime you want to professional and chic. Love it!
Tote bag: Of course, you need a black tote bag in your life! I own this tote bag in pale turquoise, but I do own a similar black tote bag from Coach which is strong and a workhorse bag. A black tote is great to have for road trips, when you are out with family, for foggy days when you need to carry a scarf or light sweater, for the office to carry a laptop, and more! Tote bags can do everything except accompany you to a professional sporting event with a bag policy. I love this tote!
Bucket bag: A bucket bag can act like a tote bag when you don’t need a large tote. This drawstring bucket bag is a classic IT bag and can fit a couple water bottles, scarf, book, a few snacks, and my purse essentials. This bag is extremely strong and made from high quality leather. I love mine, and if you don’t already have one, I recommend investing in one. It is a workhorse!
Well, there you have it! The eight handbag styles you need for a complete black handbag capsule wardrobe. Now, do not let anyone tell you have too many black handbags. That is impossible! You can’t own too many black handbags. They are classic and chic. Look for high quality craftsmanship and materials. Everything I recommend in this post I own. I can attest to the quality and craftsmanship. These are all workhorse bags which will last a lifetime. Some of the bags are a thousand or two, but a few are under a thousand, and even under five hundred. You don’t have to break the bank in order to create a timeless, high quality, black handbag capsule wardrobe. Let me know if you have any questions or are contemplating a purchase!
Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Cathy
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