Bay Area Fashionista

The death of the logo bag

pictured: not a logo bag. Categorized as a quiet, trendy bag. Can be found online here, check out my review here.

The death of the logo bag. You knew it was coming.

Logo bags have been a hot trend for the past few years, but in 2018, they started to wane. As we move into 2019, the logo bag is over. 2019 is all about expressing yourself through your handbag. It is a year to tell the world a story. It is not a year to be a walking billboard.

There isn’t one stand out IT bag this year, instead, we are looking at IT trends in the handbag world. There are three distinct handbag trends that will evolve over the coming year, branching off into separate trends for each distinct season. In 2019, we are looking at forms of the understated trendy bag, the quiet status bag, and the bold bag.

The Understated Trendy Bag

Are you always on the cusp of the latest trends? Then a handbag from an emerging designer will be your bag of the moment. This bag will have a distinct structure and style; without a distinct logo. Those in-the-know will recognize your bag instantly, while those not in-the-know, will be left scratching their heads.

Shop understated trendy bags:

The Quiet Status Bag

Does your bag show your status? If you wear your bag the way you drive your car, then your Hermes, Chanel, Louis, and Gucci will still be OK; just don’t flaunt them. If your bag is full of logos, then you are telling the world you are all flash and no cash. Stop trying to prove something to the world. In 2019, you can wear silent IT designers. Wear Chanel, just wear a quiet Chanel. Wear Louis, just wear a quiet Louis. You get the picture? There is no reason for the designer logo to be splashed all over your bag. It’s so last year, and so not #money.

Shop quiet status bags:

The Bold Handbag

Do you love standing out in the crowd? This year look for handbags that stand out. Perhaps a multi-colored, artistic handbag will be your go-to bag. Or, you might opt for a neon pink bag. If you want to get noticed, then look for a bright handbag that stands out. Your bag needs to shout “Look at Me!” not “Look at How Much I Cost!” That’s so last year.

Shop bold handbags:

The economy is good, but individual people are not always good. Taxes have gone up, and wages have been stagnant or gone down. People have disposable income, but not as much as they did a few years ago. There is an overall feeling of being unsettled as global politics shifts to the far-left, and to the far-right; leaving the moderate middle feeling unsafe.

This unsettled political climate means fashion is more about self-expression, and less about showing off the price of something. Handbags will be the hardest hit by this shift as they are often thought of as the ultimate status item in a woman’s closet. In 2019, the handbag shifts from a status piece, to a form of telling the world who you are, or how you are feeling.

What are your thoughts? Are you still feeling the logo bag trend, or are you over it? Which type of bag will you wear this year?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Winter 2019 skin care routine

skin care over 40

from left: hand cream / eye cream / face cream / neck cream /

Winter is here! This means cold weather, drying indoor heat, wind, and dry skin. When my skin is dry, I try to keep my skin care routine simple so that my pores are not loaded up with junk. By using a small amount of the right products, I can keep winter dry skin at bay, and keep my skin looking as normal as possible.

First off, these pictures are not perfect. That is because I photographed products which I currently use. These are not pictures of products I have not opened yet, or not tried yet; these are my go-to skin care products for the winter! Some are new, and one I have been using for over fifteen years.

Skin care over 40

genx skin care over 40

Let’s face it, this GenX mother of three needs quality skin care over 40. That means my skin is over 40 years old; um, did I really just type that? Inside my head I am still 39 😉 anyhoo. . .

When you are over 40, or even under 30, or 20, it is important to take care of your skin. See that neck cream in the photo above? I have been going through one jar of it every six months for the last fifteen years. I started using this neck cream when I was in my late 20’s, and I have not tried anything else; I love it! Not to brag or anything. . . but. . .my neck looks pretty for a GenX gal. Just sayin’

If you are in your 20’s, snag this neck cream; and if you are over 30, over 40, over 50, etc. I promise it is worth every penny, and you will love, love love it!

The Elemis face cream has become an addiction of mine over the past two years. Their PR team sent it to me originally, and I threw it into my NYFW suitcase shortly after receiving the PR package. It was a February fashion week when the temperatures can dip below zero, and dry air was at it’s peak. I was thrilled to have Elemis in my arsenal! I am hooked, and have been using it everyday since. I especially love it during the dry months, and in the winter. I’m on my fourth jar of it, and pretty soon I will need to buy a fifth jar! It’s so good. I cannot imagine using any other face cream when the air is dry. It adds the right amount of moisture while providing the anti-aging power my over 40 skin needs. Ugh, did I just admit to being over 40 again? I’m 39. . . 39 ya hear! (only in my head, a-hem)

Estee Lauder’s eye cream is more of a gel-cream. I started using it earlier this year and have found it works really well when the air is dry. I love how my under-eye skin is reacting to it this season. It really is adding moisture without adding shine or other problems to my skin. Also, my fine lines seem diminished; so I am hooked!

I just started using Colleen Rothschild’s hand cream a few months ago. I have noticed I need less hand cream applications during the day since I started to use it. This hand cream has really helped my hands a lot! I only need it in the morning, and before bed. No amount of house cleaning, and hand washing, can break the seal this hand cream creates. I think it must be repairing my skin, because my hand skin is not getting as dry as it used to. Not sure this will work for everyone, but for me, I am addicted and hooked for life! I suggest trying it if your hands get dry!

Shop my skin care over 40 tools:

What are your favorite skin care products this time of year?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

winter skin care dry skin

9Round Santa Clara pre-sale happening now

affordable workout studio santa clara 9 round fitness santa clara kickboxing classes santa clara drop in workout studio santa clara

photo credits: photos courtesy of 9Round Santa Clara

One of my favorite things to do in the new year is to shake up my fitness routine. I have been going to the same gym for over seventeen years, so I am starting to feel like it is time to try something new in order to help motivate myself in my fitness routine. Fitness studios which specialize in full-body workouts are the current trend; and are proving to be more affordable and flexible, not to mention effective, than traditional full-service gyms. There are so many different ones to try! While many promise a full-body workout, most are only effective with cardio workouts, or core fitness; not a combination. I want something that does everything; after all, I am a busy mother of three! One of my friends is a fitness expert, and she is opening a hot new fitness studio in Santa Clara; I cannot wait to give it a try!

Complete workout in Santa Clara in 30 minutes

9Round Santa Clara is a fabulous fitness concept which combines strength training, kickboxing, and abs/core work. These are the three major things we can use in our fitness routines in order to receive maximum results from our workouts. In addition to a complete workout in one session, a single session is only 30 minutes! That is so amazing for those of us with a tight schedule; but wait, that’s not all! There is no scheduled time for the workout. So, you don’t have to worry about a meeting at work going late, or getting stuck in traffic; you won’t miss your workout. You can pop in anytime during business hours and start your workout! Love that!

The workouts are different every time you go, and there is always a trainer there to help you with your form and keep you motivated during your workout-so you can’t cheat! haha Members of 9Round Santa Clara will also get a member portal, PULSE Rate Technology, goal setting, gloves and wraps, and personal attention. Love!

9Round Santa Clara membership information and sales

9Round Santa Clara is currently under construction, but they are pre-selling memberships right now; so you can lock in and stop making excuses about your fitness routine! I’m excited to start my first month when they open. The current opening target date is in March 2019, that’s so close! If you buy a pre-sale membership now, you will get a few fabulous goodies plus a HUGE discount! I love discounts!

You can learn all about this fun workout online here. The Santa Clara location is right by Santana Row-so think of all the fun you can have after your workout! I see a healthy brunch after I workout in my future!

I hope you will join me at 9Round Santa Clara! This is the fabulous way I plan to shake up my fitness in 2019. Join me and let’s get fit together! Goodbye extra ten pounds! I won’t miss you.

To sign up for a 9Round Santa Clara membership now, and/or to learn more about founding member benefits, please email 9Round Santa Clara or call 1-669-281-KICK. The new location is located at 3109 Stevens Creeks Blvd., Santa Clara, Ca.

Remember! With your $25 registration, it reserves your spot when they open and guarantees the lowest membership rate, which includes free gears! Only 100 founding member spots are available so sign up NOW. Can’t wait to see you reach your fitness goals this year!