Tag Archives: it’s in the bag

It’s In The Bag: Made In Italy Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Made In Italy Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! It should come as no surprise that my primary mission in Italy was to shop till I drop and I was chomping at the bit to pop some tags. So much so, that Johnny and I went on a shopping excursion immediately after arriving in Rome. Of course, I was eager to buy clothing but I also wanted to treat myself to a nice purse as a keepsake that I could use every day so I could always have a piece of Italy with me. Not only was this goal necessary for fashion and sentimental reasons but it was also a necessity as the bag that I brought with me had seen better days!

I toted my mustard yellow vegan leather purse by Chillx because it had a sturdy lock and zippered compartments to ward off pickpockets. However, the vegan leather was peeling and the traveling to Rome only intensified it. The bag I purchased couldn’t have come a moment too soon and I threw my old purse out as soon as all of my items were swapped. Check it out:

^^^ You can learn more about the items in my OOTD in this post!

I am a well seasoned shopper and I tend to know within a second’s glance if a fashion item is a yes or no. And, as Johnny and I strolled through Rome and I took a quick look from the sidewalk into a local leather store, I just knew that the purse for me was in there. I walked in, the gorgeous oxblood mini messenger bag caught my eye, and the haggling for a better price proceeded. Outside of shopping, I was most looking forward to putting my Italian skills to the test and had been practicing diligently before my trip. This paid off quite literally because the store owner knocked the price of my purse down by thirty euros and I happily left the store with a great deal and timeless accessory. I was also glowing at the compliment from the salesperson that my Italian was very good!!! 😀

My new purse was joined at my hip for my entire vacation and I could not be more pleased with my purchase that was made within a half hour of being in Rome. Hey, I’m a gal who knows what she wants! Although I typically shy away from leather goods, all of my previous vegan leather purses had been tossed due to the peeling. I wanted something that was high in quality and would last forever and that was why my Made In Italy leather bag came home with me. It delighted me that all of the members of our tour group went gaga over it and their sentiments matched mine exactly. This truly was the ideal purse for me and I didn’t even bother looking at any more during the entirety of the trip. Why would I when I already had perfection?!

By the by, the scarf that you see in the purse pictures was purchased in Assisi and can we please talk about what a stunning combination it is? When the scarf wasn’t jauntily tied around my neck, I had it wrapped around the purse’s strap for an added pop. That oxblood paired with the navy blue and bright orange is simply divine!! ❤

With this purse by my side, Italy isn’t far away at all. It’s right there with me and will serve as a tangible daily reminder of my trip of a lifetime!

What kind of souvenirs do you like to purchase on vacation? What are some of your favorite Italian brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Juicy Couture Duffle Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Juicy Couture Duffle Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! For every gift giving occasion, there is a one thousand percent chance that I will receive a TJMaxx gift card from someone and I was blessed with one from Johnny’s parents for my birthday. As my family is going to Italy in the fall, I planned to purchase a carry on bag for myself with these newly acquired funds. I didn’t tell anyone about this idea and was genuinely shocked when my mom beat me to the punch. She gifted me with the most gorgeous Juicy Couture duffle bag and it is the perfect measurements for a carry on!! I am beyond obsessed so let’s take a moment to ogle my new bag altogether:

As soon as my mom presented me with her present, I knew exactly what it was and I still couldn’t quite believe it. It’s like she read my mind! However, she one upped what I had in my head completely. I was going to get a simple suitcase carry on with my gift cards and didn’t even dream about a duffle bag like this! That raspberry color, the collegiate style patches, those adorable puppy and mini purse accessories?! I was swooning. Part of it was the bag itself, of course, but the other part was the brand. I have loved all things Juicy Couture since I was a teenager but never had anything other than their perfume. This duffle bag made my teenage and thirty-two year old self so happy that I can’t even put it into words lol. 😀

Not only is this bag going to be just right for our Italy vacation but it will also come in so handy as an overnight bag in general. The only overnight bag I have was a freebie from Victoria’s Secret that I got for spending X amount of money over fifteen years ago! The zipper is busted and it looks every bit of its age from all of those years of toting it on vacations and sleepovers. This major upgrade of a birthday gift means that I can finally lay my elderly Vicky’s Secret bag to rest. My only wish is that I had an overnight occasion to break it out for because I’ll be on pins and needles until I can finally use it for Italy!

Big ups to my mind reader mom for the most amazing gift. I absolutely love it!! ❤

What is a brand you love but don’t have anything by? Do you go on overnights often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sweet Surprises: Eos Hand Cream Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Eos Hand Cream Edition

Hello! I am so lucky because my family freaking rocks. I have the coolest siblings, the coolest nieces and nephew, and the coolest parents. Johnny and I live not even five minutes away from chez parents and I swear it’s not close enough. I just love spending time with all of them so much and trust and believe we’re texting nonstop when I’m not at their place. While any time with any of my family members is my favorite, I am especially partial to shopping trips with my mom. This has been a staple in our relationship since I was little. What can I say, I’ve always loved fashion! During our last TJs trip together, my mom helped me pick out a gorgeous new purse. The following day, she surprised me with a little treat to keep handy as I tote around my Antik Kraft saddlebag:

If I had to estimate the amount of times I have heard my mom say “Open your hands and close your eyes and I’ll give you a big surprise” since my youth, I would say it’s in the hundreds lol. No matter how old we get, she still repeats that sentiment when she picks one of us up a little something and it is still so exciting. This time around, my surprise was a perfect purse sized Eos hand cream in Vanilla Cashmere. I am a vanilla fragrance gal just like my mom and I always associate that scent with her. (As well as her beloved discontinued perfume from The Body Shop called Leap!) This travel size bottle of hand cream was such a lovely nod to our shopping adventure and it makes me smile whenever I am rummaging through my purse.

All of you know that TJMaxx is my happy place. Yes, I love the fashion but I also love the memories that flood over me whenever I walk into the store. I have the fondest recollections of shopping there with my grandma (My mom’s mom) and my mom too. Three generations of us gals shopping till we drop and having fun exploring our own personal styles. Whenever I have a hankering to go to the Maxx, I always ask my mom if she wants to join me because it’s so special to walk the aisles with her. From a little girl to a grown woman, TJMaxx is our sanctuary. Hallowed grounds to let the store tell us what we need. Simply having the hand cream that my mom got me in the bag that I got with her brightens my day because it brings back so many happy days we had together doing my favorite thing… Shopping! ❤

My mom is the queen of Sweet Surprises and the queen of Best Mom Ever. I am the luckiest girl in the whole world! 🙂

What do you keep in your purse? Where is your favorite place to shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Saddlebag Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Saddlebag Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! I so loved going on a TJMaxx trip with my mom and had grand plans for my Christmas gift cards. 1) A skin care restock. 2) A new piece of Valentine’s Day clothing. 3) A new pair of black skinnies. And 4) A new purse if the gift card could cover it. I am pleased to report that I achieved all of these goals with EXACT CHANGE. Peep this girl math… The amount left over for me to pay was $18.01. As luck would have it, the cash in my purse totaled to eighteen dollars and lots of change for good measure. It was freaking awesome and I just had to share. ANYWHO, let’s take a look at this bag, baby!

I haven’t bought a purse for myself since 2019. Yes, you read that right – seven years of no new purses. However, I never felt the need to buy more because I have so many and always prefer to spend my moolah on clothes and shoes. My tune definitely changed in the past few months, though! During the fall, TJMaxx had a gorgeous black purse that was embossed with skulls. I was obsessed but couldn’t justify the eighty dollar price tag. So, I waited for it to go on sale but someone with great taste snatched it up in the meantime. As much as I wanted it, it was no harm no foul and I vowed to eventually find a purse at a price point I was more comfortable with. I sure did with this little number by Antik Kraft for thirty-five dollars! That was much more like it. 😀

When I made my first round through the purse department, I noticed the same bag by Antik Kraft in a rich camel hue. It was pretty, but I am an All Black Everything girl through and through and thought to myself how much better it would be if it were black lol. As luck would have it, black was the other color option available and it was perfect. The saddlebag shape is just so cool and I do not have a purse in my collection that even remotely mimics that style. The oversized stitching on the strap is everything and the size of the purse in general is ideal. It’s big enough to hold all of my belongings without being so big that I can’t find anything. Despite this purse’s simplicity, it still manages to invoke an edgy vibe and it just had to come home with me. I swapped purses as soon as I got home and feel like a star with it slung over my shoulder!

Although I never ended up with the skull adorned bag of my dreams, this Antik Kraft saddlebag will do just fine. Even better, actually, because the price was right!

How often do you swap out your purses? What is your favorite accessory to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Anne Klein Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Anne Klein Edition

Hello to you and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! Today, we are going to take a look at the piece de resistance from my mother and father-in-law for Christmas – a gorgeous new bag by Anne Klein! Johnny’s mom managed to get me SO many things that I was planning on buying for myself and she read my mind with this purse. After restocking my skin care with TJMaxx gift cards, I thought it would be nice to use the remainder on a new bag! So, maybe shoes instead?! Take a look:

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When I opened my new Anne Klein purse, I literally clutched my pearls. It’s just so beautiful and I am in love with the dusty rose hue. Dusty rose looks absolutely stunning on my mom and sister, but it washes me out badly. So, it is a color that I don’t have any of in my wardrobe, accessories included. Until now, that is! The shape and color of this bag are the epitome of chic to me and I cannot wait to empty my old bag out so I can have this pretty little thing draped from my arm, instead.

Speaking of my old bag, it has not been it for a while and I have just been too lazy to change it out lol. It has several different compartments on the inside and you have no idea how many times I find myself per day digging through it like a racoon trying to find my chapstick. What is also especially pleasing to me about my new purse is that there are, blessedly, no compartments for all of my odds and ends to get lost in. It might not be as spacious as my old bag, but I’m using that as motivation to stop putting Every. Receipt. Ever. in it and not throwing them out! 😀

This purse is, hands down, one of my favorite gifts from Christmas. I am so excited to be a woman on the go with my new bag in tow!!

Which colors look great on you? How about not so flattering? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Steve Madden Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Steve Madden Edition

Hi! I have always loved Steve Madden. In fact, my very first pair of heels that I purchased during eighth grade was a pair of Steve’s and, since then, a special place in my heart was dedicated to the brand. So, whenever I can find any Steve Madden shoes, bags, or accessories when shopping at TJMaxx, it is very exciting! Affordable and adorable, Steve Madden is a brand for all and I am so enamored with my new black and plaid backpack from my latest haul. Check it out:

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Fashion forward backpacks have become quite popular over the past few years and I have invested in a few, myself. Cute, convenient, and easy to carry these bags are definitely not your run of the mill backpacks that you tote your huge textbooks in to school. Unless you get a big and sturdy enough one, of course! Rather, the backpack trend is perfect for hauling along your essentials, totally hands free which makes them an optimum choice during travel or walking your commute to work in the city.

My new Steve Madden backpack screams fall fun and I love the jet black and red plaid combo along with a floral scarf tied on for some visual contrast. Shaped in a more bucket style, this bag runs deep and probably could fit a textbook or two if need be! I will always prefer a purse to a backpack no matter how fun the trend is. But, this pack will be a gorgeous fall staple paired with a skater skirt, knitted tights, and cardigan for a school girl chic look that will give Blair Waldorf a run for her money!

Are you a fan of the backpack trend? How do you incorporate one into your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Chillx By LeMiel Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Chillx By LeMiel Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of It’s In The Bag, brought to you by my TJMaxx Fall Haul. I always thought that when it comes to accessories, I am a shoe girl through and through. But, as I venture out on shopping trips or online shopping escapades, I have come to realize that I hold a very special place in my heart for purses.

To me, a good shoe is what completes the outfit. But, now I find that your look is only as good as your best accessories. This has inspired me to branch out and invest in things like jewelry, hair accessories, and yes – purses. During my seasonal shopping hauls, I have noticed that I have bought a purse to fit the changing weather each time this past year. And, I’m so not mad about it, because I wound up with this little Chillx By LeMiel beauty. Check it out:

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For those of you who don’t know, I am a HUGE fan of mustard yellow and will never not purchase something that I like in that color. So, when this gorgeous cross between a hobo and messenger bag caught my eye, I was all in. The perfect for fall palette of mustard yellow and the chocolate brown strap was just too good to pass up. And, the burnished bronze stud and lock detailing took it over the top into a purse that I didn’t just want but needed.

Although the color is what sold me, the shape of this bag also had a big part in the purchase, too. I don’t own any purses that are shaped like this one and I love the idea of carrying it by the small top strap instead of the long one that was included for a collegiate cool look. And, while we’re talking about the shape – can we please talk about all of the compartments?! Yes, please. I am all for a purse with a bunch of different nooks and crannies to keep all of my belongings organized in. All of the zippers and pouches will come in handy for all of my random odds and ends and I am definitely looking forward to utilizing them.

And, speaking of compartments – can we please talk about the two extra goodies that were nestled into them? Yes, please. While emptying the paper filling from the bag, I found a matching wallet and a huge reusable bag. I had known about the wallet when purchasing the purse but it was so nice to have the freebie tote bag included – it will be perfect for taking to the grocery store with my new favorite purse in hand!

What is your favorite fall color? How do you like to accessorize? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Edition

Yo yo yo. A trend that I absolutely ADORE come summer time is the bamboo or straw purses. Coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and patterns, I love the look of these bags and they complete any summer time outfit perfectly. I have spent many a months searching for just the right bag to tack onto my OOTDs and I think I found it with this little Antik Kraft number. Check it out:

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FIRST THINGS FIRST: Don’t mind the big ass box fan in the background because it’s hot as hell in my apartment and I didn’t feel like moving it. SUE ME FOR IT!

ANYWAYS, I love this purse. Lol. I love that it doesn’t look like a picnic basket or a friggen Thanksgiving cornucopia but it still definitely has that woven texture and look that I was going for. The colorful mandala pattern on the front side is to die for and it works so well against the blonde straw base. I also like that the strap is long enough to wear across your chest while still laying nicely against your body. And, the button clasp is a bonus to ensure that the purse isn’t constantly coming open.

Despite mad love for this bag, it isn’t perfect and I’m the first to admit it. It is absolutely too small for my liking and all of my necessities won’t be fitting in it, that’s for sure. But, do I plan on arranging all of them like Tetris in there because I have to try anyways? Abso-freaking-lutely. And, if we’re being honest, I’m not thrilled that this bag will only be used during late spring and summer. Because, come on, no one would use this during the fall and winter!

Lil Red is a woman of practicality, if nothing else, and I know that it might not seem like that to some. However, almost everything that I buy is something that I feel like can be utilized during at least three, if not four seasons. I’d be a liar if I said that it didn’t pain me while I was buying this knowing that it would sit dormant in my wardrobe for over half a year. BUT, it is gorgeous and is basically exactly what I wanted so beggars can’t be choosers and blah, blah, blah.

Do you buy your clothes for seasonal or year round use? What is your ideal summer purse? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Pt. 2 Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Pt. 2 Edition

As I was saying yesterday, my beautiful off white Foley + Corinna purse was so perfect that… I had to get it in black, too. *Face palm*

BUT LET ME EXPLAIN!!

As I admired myself with my white purse in the mirror at TJMaxx, I thought to myself “Boy, I sure hope that they don’t have this in another color”. I was so enamored with this bag, that if presented with it in a rainbow of colors, I would have bought every single one of them. But, luckily, TJs only had it in one other color, and it just so happened to be my favorite:

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Yeah… I bought it in black, too.

Finding this purse in black was like a kick in the gut and a complete brain blast all in one. I loved both of the colors so much and now I had to pick between the two?! I must have spent a solid half an hour at TJMaxx weighing in the pros and cons of each purse and each time I thought that I was making progress, something about the color that I was about to eliminate made me fall in love with it all over again. I was torn.

So, I guess it’s a good thing that my twenty-fourth birthday is coming up in five days because my mom pulled through in the clutch and offered to get me one of them for my b-day! How could I pass that up?! Was it necessary to get both colors of this bag? Absolutely not. But did I really, really want both? You have no idea. So, thanks to some birthday magic and a cool mom, I got to bring the only two of these purses in the store back home with me. HURRAY! 😀

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Have you ever bought anything in multiple colors? How has retail therapy helped you out during a tough time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Foley + Corinna Edition

Hey! So as I mentioned earlier this week, your girl was in desperate need of some retail therapy. And retail therapy I did. Oh yes, retail therapy I did. Although I love all accessories equally, I can’t say that I am a huge purse girl. I’d much rather buy a new pair of shoes. But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t love purses and I definitely have a collection in my own right. I’m very particular when it comes to my bags, so when the right one (Or two!) come along at TJMaxx, it’s very hard to say no! Take a look:

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When I saw this GORGEOUS Foley + Corinna bag, it was really love at first sight. I loved the chain straps, the contrast between the off white color and the black spikes, and I am a sucker for all things studs and spikes in general. This purse is just the right size to hold all of my necessities and will be nice to carry around during the summer thanks to its small size. It really is just perfect. So perfect that I…

Find out tomorrow!!

What do you think I did next? What is your favorite style of purse? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah