bottega veneta


Pop of green on a cold day

Wearing: sunglasses / star necklace c/o Lois Hill (under $100, use code CathyO-20 to save 20%) / black long sleeve tee / black sweater coat / spring nail polish / bracelets c/o Lois Hill (use code CathyO-20 to save 20%) / green shoulder bag / straight leg jeans (under $100) / golden boots /

We had a tiny little glimpse at spring, and then boom! The weather swung back to winter! Thankfully this sweater coat is super cozy and perfect for staying warm when the weather drops into chilly temperatures.

In order to spice up this basic black sweater coat, I added this beautiful silver jewelry and a pop of green. After all, green is predicted to be one of the top three colors of 2023! So, if you like green, this is your year! Love that!

My spring 2023 trend report is coming up very soon, and one of the topics I will discuss is jewelry. As we move towards anonymous handbags, and far away from loud logos, the trends in jewelry are returning to a more classic and investment minded look. This year, it is time to invest in timeless pieces that can be layered or worn alone. Jewelry should transcend trends, and be something you can invest in. You will want to look for pieces that can be worn for years, even decades. Jewelry you can pass down to your children is main goal. Of course, the early 2000’s bling look is currently reserved for dressier, or formal, occasions. This means for our daily jewelry pieces we want casual investment pieces, or investment pieces we can wear with both jeans and our little black dress. This is why I am in love with Lois Hill Jewelry. They have beautiful, crafted pieces you can layer, wear alone, dress up or down, and wear forever. Love that!

In addition to timeless jewelry, the color trends for 2023 are happy and bright. As you know, magenta and shades of red or pink are hot this year. In addition to magenta, red, and pink, we are looking at colors from the orange family and also the green family. I am not a big fan of the orange family, but when it comes to green, I am huge fan! I love green! Since it is still winter, my green handbag is perfect for rocking the green trend. As I shop for spring, I will be keeping my eyes open for more green; and pink. I love pink too!

Stay tuned! My complete spring 2023 trend report is coming up next on the blog!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Bottega Veneta loop bag mini review

bottega veneta loop bag mini review

Bottega Veneta Loop mini bag wearing: gemstone bracelets (under $50, local designer) / Bottega Veneta Loop bag mini / spring nail polish / blazer vest / white layering tee / dark wash jeans /

How cute is this everyday bag! I love a small, cross body bag I can wear everywhere from the gym, to the market, to a luncheon, and out to dinner. This bag is that go-to handbag! Love!

The Bottega Veneta loop bag is a fabulous handbag to wear on a daily basis. It can be worn cross body or over the shoulder, and it comes in a variety of colors. I chose Parakeet, also known on the street as “Bottega Green.” This is the hue considered Bottega Veneta’s signature color. I love a signature color! I mean, who doesn’t love Tiffany Blue or Louboutin Red? I’m here for Bottega Green!

There are several size choices for the Bottega Veneta Loop bag as well as colors. I chose the smallest size, which is the mini. I wanted a bag which was minimal and just large enough to carry my essentials. The mini loop holds my wallet, iPhone, lipstick, keys, and I have just enough room for some Kleenex, if need be; after all, it is allergy season right now!

What fits inside Bottega Veneta mini loop handbag

What I love about the Bottega Veneta Loop bag in mini is that it is a no fuss, carefree bag. I just throw it on and go! The leather is soft to the touch, yet strong for everyday wear. This bright green hue makes the bag fun, and adds a little spice to everyday wear. I love a bag which brightens up my day!

While the mini size is perfect for everyday use, I can see how someone might prefer the small, medium or large size. I highly recommend choosing the size which is right for you. This is a classic, everyday bag which you will have forever. My mom has a very similar version which she purchased in the 1980s and it is still a workhorse. Her bag is navy blue, and it still looks new! She gets a ton of compliments every time she wears it. This is when you know a designer handbag is a good investment. It can withstand the test of time and still look modern years, if not decades, later.

Shop the Bottega Veneta Loop mini bag online:

I really love my Bottega Loop mini bag, so I would love to invest in another one in the future. Perhaps next time I will pick one up in a neutral color, and a different size, just to mix things up. For now, I love having a piece in Parakeet, aka “Bottega Green,” and the size is perfect for my everyday life.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

bottega veneta mini loop review

Hobo bags for 2021

hobo bags 2021 handbag trends

Hobo bags from top left: YSL hobo bag / woven bag (popular IT bag) / small convertible shoulder bag (popular IT bag under $300) / slouchy hobo bag (under $300) / hot IT bag / Tory Burch hobo bag (under $500) /

The hobo bag is back! Yes, I am serious! I know, I know, for the past few years I have been telling you that hobo bags are coming back; but seriously, they are finally here! This is an important handbag trend for 2021, and well into the next few years.

Hobo bags slowly began to re-emerge as a handbag trend a few years ago when designers began to take inspiration from the 1990s. Everyone in the 1990s owned a black hobo bag; big or small. As the new millennium came in, hobos bags continued for a few more years, even presenting themselves as extremely oversized. Watch out for that on the runways in the next couple seasons. But I digress. . .

Last year, we started with the Coach Swinger, a classic from the 1990s, and the new Prada Cleo. These structured hobo bags offered a retro vibe, and took us back to the end of the grunge era when minimalism was king, and hobo bags rested upon our shoulders.

Fast forward to 2021, and designers are giving us classic and chic renditions of the hobo bag. These modern hobo bags could easily have been pulled from the archives of designers in the ’90’s. They are chic, simple, and timeless. Love!

If you still have your favorite hobo bag from 20-30 years ago, pull it out of the back of your closet and rock it! If not, it’s time to invest in a new bag! There are small hobos, micro hobos, medium hobos, and large hobos. Pick the size that works for your life. You can also be like me, and invest in more than one! Why not? This is a classic style you can wear even when it’s not on the runway.

As you know, I love the Coach Swinger and the Prada Cleo, but I do have my eyes on a slouchier style too. One can never own enough handbags I always say!

Which type of hobo do you like? Are you a structured hobo fan? Do you prefer a soft and slouchy hobo? Are you like me, and want both?

Thanks for stopping by, and happy hobo shopping!

XOXO
Cathy