Givenchy Antigona celebrates ten years

it bags fall 2017

pictured: my favorite workhorse bag of all time, the Givenchy Antigona in black /

It’s been ten years! Let’s see, ten years ago I started my blog, and ten years ago Givenchy launched their iconic Antigona handbag; which has become a classic IT bag everyone must-have in their closet. I love this bag so much, after owning the black one for a few months, I purchased another one in baby blue! Yup, I’m addicted!

My Givenchy Antigona has gone to almost every New York Fashion Week with me. It has also traveled on vacation with me, as well as been reached for on a regular basis for day-to-day life. This bag is strong, and has just the right amount of room inside for everything I need to carry with me. You can see my original review here. My two Antigona’s are size small. I feel like this is the perfect size for the structured version of this bag. Of course, now that Givenchy has launched a soft version to celebrate ten years. . .my size preference could change!

OK, you read that right. In case you haven’t heard, Givenchy launched a soft version of their iconic Antigona bag in order to freshen up the style, as well as celebrate ten years of being fabulous. I am hooked! The soft version is equally fabulous, and I definitely need to purchase one for my collection. The question is, which size?

The Givenchy Antigona Soft comes in three sizes right now; small, medium, and large. While I am normally drawn to smaller versions of a handbag style, the medium appears a little bit more floppy; and floppy is catching my eye. I feel like the small version would be ideal for what I normally carry around with me. That being said, the medium has the perfect silhouette out of the three sizes. I’m not sure how I would fill up the medium, but I feel like it is the size I need. I mean, more interior capacity can’t hurt, right?

If you don’t already own a Givenchy Antigona, what are you waiting for? It’s an IT bag classic. Also, what do you think of the new soft version? It is starting to emerge as one of fall 2020’s new IT bags!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Exploring Drawbridge | a Bay Area ghost town

Hiking outfit: polka dot mask / black tee / summer nail polish / backpack / water bottle / black leggings / black sweatshirt / black socks (similar here) / hiking boots /

Have you ever been to Drawbridge, California? I had no idea it existed until my husband suggested we take the kids there, and explore the area. Apparently his Mom took him there when we was a child!

Drawbridge is a ghost town. The only abandoned town within the boundaries of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was originally a little vacation spot where people enjoyed duck hunting. It also had a train station, which made it fairly easy to get to in the late 1800’s through the late 1970’s. As the salt industry changed the landscape of the Bay, the landscape of the town began to erode, causing the town to begin sinking into the Bay. This was the main reason the town was abandoned.

Drawbridge sits at the bottom of the Bay, adjacent to Milpitas, San Jose, and Fremont. It’s slightly hidden from view, until you hop on an Amtrak train which speeds by the town. Although there used to be tours of the town, which is how my husband visited it several decades ago, it is now fenced off; with plenty of “no trespassing” signs around the area.

We parked at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in San Jose. This area offered a flat hiking trail filled with wildlife, which has returned to the area after massive restoration efforts over the past few years to bring the Bay back to life when many of the salt flats were removed. It’s incredible to be able to see so many different types of birds, and plants, in the area; which used to be desolate when I was a child. It makes the long hike into Drawbridge both pretty and educational.

Initially I was excited about this hike. Since it was flat, I assumed it would be fairly relaxing and easy. Apparently I was wrong! While wearing a mask helps cut down on the bottom-of-the-bay smell, it did nothing to shorten the length of the hike. The trail looks easy, but the surface is hard, and it’s roughly an hour and a half down the trail to get to Drawbridge.

Our kids were fine for the first two hours of the hike, the last hour was a little tough on them, and on me. Keep in mind, if it’s ninety minutes to get from the parking lot to Drawbridge, it’s ninety minutes to get back. The three hour, round trip trek was tough on a hot summer day. Thankfully I packed snacks and water, so we were at least fueled and hydrated-just really tired!

I don’t recommend bringing small children on this hike. My kids are teenagers, so they could handle it with a little grumbling. I did see people biking, and one person on a scooter. Those are great alternatives to navigating the trail and making it easier. I highly recommend being prepared, and going out to see Drawbridge at least once in your lifetime if you live here in the Bay Area. If you don’t live around here, and you love ghost towns, check it out!

Drawbridge can be viewed from a lookout which has a bench and signs detailing the ghost town’s history. It’s a fun little part of our local history, and it’s interesting to see a ghost town!

Have you visited Drawbridge before? What did you think? Do you enjoy visiting ghost towns?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Pre-Fall 2020 IT bags to watch

fall 2020 it bags

Pre-Fall 2020 IT bags from top left: soft black clutch / Gucci bag / soft blue clutch / soft sea green hobo bag / small cross body pouch / brown soft satchel / grey structured hobo bag / black puffy woven chain bag /

Pre-Fall 2020 is starting to hit store shelves, and online store websites. As new, and repeat, handbag styles start to emerge for early fall, we are seeing a clearer picture as to which bags will be hot for the fall 2020 season. These bags reflect the handbag trends we have been talking about since spring, and they are fabulous.

The Pouch

The pouch is the impractical bag that keeps on giving! This large, soft, pouch clutch fits everything you need throughout the day, without a convenient strap. The Bottega Veneta version is the trend starter, and it comes in over ten colors! This is the bag we saw on the arms of street style stars at fashion week; and it is showing signs of speeding up in popularity; not slowing down!

Since this bag is such a hot trend, other IT handbag brands are answering the trend with their own versions. There is really only one other version of this style worth your time; Mansur Gavriel’s Cloud clutch. This fabulous clutch offers an unique silhouette, and a price point well under $1000. This means it is the more affordable way to rock the trend. It is also the way I rock the trend! I own it in black with flamma interior, and I love it. It is actually comfortable to carry around, and fits everything I need to bring with me during the day; with space to spare! The Cloud clutch comes in several colors too. You’ll love it!

If a clutch is just to cumbersome for you, Mansur Gavriel has a fabulous small version with a cross body strap. It too comes in a variety of colors. I’m trying to decide if I want this pretty beige color, or the blue. Decisions decisions!

To up the pouch game, Bottega Veneta has also introduced a pouch version with a chunky chain. I dream about this bag. I believe you may too.

The Hobo

Yes, the hobo is back. You can rock your hobo bag small or large. You can choose soft and slouchy, or stiff and structured. There is no wrong way to rock the hobo. This fits perfectly in with the emerging ’70’s influence in apparel we will see hit store shelves this fall 2020 season. It is also a great casual bag; since this year is very casual in style. You should have one in your closet, if not, go for the IT version of the hobo bag by Chloe or Bottega Veneta. They are two hot ways to rock a hobo. I’m crushing on Chloe’s version. It’s fabulous.

Puffy Bags

Playing off the pouch, puffy bags are hotter than hot for fall. Look for puffy, pillow-like bags which double as a pillow for a daytime nap, as well as puffy quilts from YSL, and puffy weaves from Bottega Veneta. The number one IT bags in the world of puffy bags is from Bottega Veneta; and it has a chunky chain. Love!

Vintage vibe satchels

Satchels are loosening their collar for fall 2020. Look for soft leather from Chloe and Givenchy. Also look for 1970’s era logo looks from Gucci. These are the ultimate carry-alls for the fall 2020 season.

Pastel Hues and Neutrals

The color palette in handbags for pre-fall 2020 is offering pastels as well as neutrals hues. Look for shades of brown, white, black and grey for neutrals. Also look for pastel hues in blues, green, pink, and yellow.

I love all the choices we have for fall 2020 when it comes to IT bags. Which IT bag catches your eye from the pre-fall 2020 collections?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy