Look for Less: The Satchel Bag

by Sherria

When I first started working in the professional world, I used to carry a small purse to work and an additional grocery bag for my lunch. However, after working for a few years, I’ve discovered that carrying a satchel bag looks more professional and can also fit my lunch. I’ve shopped on Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macy’s websites for the perfect satchel bag. However, the thought of paying $200-$300 on a bag made me cringe. I went shopping with my mom one day during the holiday season at TJMaxx and found the perfect satchel bag for only $30. As you can imagine, I was relieved not to spend a truck load of money on a work bag. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s perfectly fine to invest in a work bag, but with so many satchels on the market, no one will be able to notice if your bag isn’t designer. My usual trick is to buy a designer accessory and then mix it with a lower-end brand. It creates what I like to call “the rich effect,” which basically means that you can look rich without breaking the bank. Below are a few designer bags that inspired my “low-end” purchase.

Inspired by: 

satchel bags by sc8571a featuring leather satchel handbags

Mulberry leather handbag, $1,500
Cross body handbag, $38
Leather satchel handbag, $155
Oasis mini handbag, £22
Proenza Schouler satchel bag, $1,595
Botkier leather satchel handbag, $339

The Rich Effect:

Brown Satchel bag (TJMaxx, $30) and Marc by Marc Jacobs Wallet (original price $198; Bloomingdales sale price , $99)

I like the blue and camel-colored contrast.

front view

There are zippers located on opposite ends of the bag, which allows you to pack more into it.

Just call me Mary Poppins:

I carry a ton of stuff in my bag. Lotion, snacks, water, books, etc.

I like to read books to pass time on the train.

Every girl needs her makeup bag and sunglasses!

Just when you thought I was joking about Mary Poppins….I’m really not. It’s one of my favorite scenes in a movie.

Spicy Summer Accessories

by Sherria

The past few days have been hot! hot! hot! As I’ve walked down the street in awe of so many beautiful people (yeah, I can actually say I’ve seen lots of beautiful people this summer) I’ve noticed some hot items that can spice up any summer wardrobe. A few key accessories are big face watches, beaded bracelets, bright lip color, and hair bands. Below you will find my picks for this summer’s hot items that won’t have you following a trend. These items have been around for years and you can wear them in the future and still look stylish.

Wedges

Kristin Cavallari

wedges by sc8571a featuring platform wedge sandals

TopShop leather boots
$160 – topshop.com

Blue heels
$140 – topshop.com

ALDO platform high heels
$100 – aldoshoes.com

Paris Hilton platform wedge sandals
$90 – heels.com

Enzo Angiolini wedge sandals
$89 – bloomingdales.com

Envelope clutch:

(Photo credit: http://www.Lookbook.nu)

Get the look:

envelope clutch by sc8571a featuring an envelope clutch bag

ASOS envelope clutch bag, $95
ASOS envelope clutch bag, $34
ASOS oversized handbag, $34
ASOS clutch hand bag, $31

add pics

Cat Eye Sunglasses

Catch the cat eye

Get the look:

cat eye by sc8571a featuring red shades

TopShop flower sunglasses
$32 – topshop.com

Lauren Conrad sunglasses
$26 – asos.com

ASOS red shades
$21 – asos.com

Damsel in a Dress oversized sunglasses
$10 – urbanoutfitters.com

Flower sunglasses
$9.99 – tillys.com

Metro Etiquette

by Jackie

It’s no secret that the DC Metro leaves much to be desired. Frequent delays, stuffy cars, and broken escalators makes riding the District’s iron horse quite the interesting experience.  Wait, there’s more. As if the daily dysfunction on the rails wasn’t enough to frustrate commuters, more fare hikes are on the way. YES!  [insert sarcasm here] Despite WMATA’s challenges, there are some steps riders can take to make the trek to and from work more pleasurable:

• Be polite. “Excuse me,” goes a long way on a crowded train. During rush hour, trying to get out of a packed metro car is like being born.  Mind your manners, and let people know you need to get off.  Not your stop? Step aside and let others out when they need to get off.
• Keep your hands to yourself. It may seem elementary, but it seems that we may have to go back to basics. Pushing or shoving your way through is a surefire way to start conflict on the Metro. Also, taking advantage of the quick starts and stops on the train to grope someone is unacceptable. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to give someone the side-eye for using my body as a means to keep their balance.
• Keep your music to yourself. Listening to music is a popular way to make the morning commute go by faster, but if you’ve got your tunes all the way turned up it makes others’ commute miserable.  It is annoying to hear the leftover bass through someone else’s headphones or worse, when some riders use their cell phones as modern-day boom boxes.  Stop the Metro DJ-ing and turn the volume down. You know who you are!
• Hygiene. Yes, being clean is not only healthy for you, but it is a huge favor to others who will share a cramped space with you. A proper shower, deodorant, baby powder, and smell-goods are all tools that will keep you from offending others while your arm is raised to hold onto the overhead bar.  
• SmarTrip. Only tourists get a pass from me for using paper fare cards.  If you ride the Metro frequently, splurge on the ever efficient SmarTrip card. It costs all of $5 and will allow you to breeze through Metro turnstyles without slowing down traffic to exit and enter a station.
• Mind your baggage. Make sure that your purses, briefcases, or luggage do not trip or hit any passengers by carrying them in your hand rather than on your shoulder and moving them out of the way.
• Use your inside voice. No one needs to know what you’re eating for dinner, where you’re meeting your friends later, or the details of your latest breakup. If you’re on your cell or chatting with a friend on the train, remember to keep your voice down and keep the conversation between you and the person you’re speaking with.  Let me also take this opportunity to beg you to not use your speaker phone. I don’t know why this would be deemed acceptable, but I’ve heard some pretty interesting conversations via speaker phone on the train.
• One fare, one chair. If it’s rush hour, you know that “window seat with nobody next to me” attititude is not going to work. Taking up more than one seat to accomodate your luxury bag or your lazy leg is ridiculous. Do what you want on an empty train car, but when people are going to and from work, it’s just plain rude.

What annoys you most on your Metro commute? What tips do you have to a smoother ride on the rails?

Bag Lady

by Sherria

Carrie, oh Carrie!

It’s that time again; gearing up for work travel. If you plan on traveling for business purposes any time soon you may want to think about what kind of luggage you will carry. As a female, I know it can be extremely difficult trying to pack your business suits, play clothes, make-up, accessories, and shoes all in one bag!  I am being sent to San Antonio, Texas this summer for a Conference and I have been packing for the past three days. So far I have everything in a large leather duffle bag, but that’s only including half the shoes I plan on taking plus my business suits. Question: where am I going to put my make-up, toiletries, and clothes for after-hours? Answer: I have no clue!  So, this morning I decided to go online to find some luggage that will be more suitable for my travels. If you are planning on traveling maybe what I found can help you. Take a peek.