How to Travel in Style

I’m traveling back east in a couple of weeks. When traveling, I like to keep my outfit simple. Comfort is key! You don’t want to be stuck wearing uncomfortable clothes while trying to get to your destination. Here are some of my tips to stay stylish while on the go.

Jeans

I am that person who gets cold no matter the location. This is especially so when traveling. I remember one time I flew back east, where it was very hot and humid. On the plane, I wore a light maxi dress with a jean jacket and light scarf. I was literally freezing the whole flight! I learned my lesson and now always wear jeans when traveling. If I’m traveling to a warm location, I tend to wear boyfriend jeans because they are loose and can be cuffed at the bottom.

Picture taken from Pinterest.com

T-Shirt and Jacket

I tend to wear my trusty rocker t-shirts. They are no fuss and very comfy (and really awesome to wear). I layer it with my favorite blazer, denim jacket or a leather jacket to keep me warm on the plane. Out of the three jackets, my go to tends to be the blazer, usually in black. The material is not as heavy as a denim or leather and still keeps me from freezing on the plane.

Picture taken from Pinterest.com

Picture taken from Pinterest.com

Shoes

J’adore converses and ballet flats for traveling. They never let me down! They're always comfortable and never aggravate my feet. There are so many color options for both converses and ballet flats, you can easily add a pop of color or a print (my favorite leopard print) to zest up your look!

Picture taken from Pinterest.com

Other accessories

Scarf - I always travel with a scarf in my tote bag. Not only are they good to drape around your neck, but also they make a great pillow. That is, if you are like me and always forget to bring your neck pillow.

Picture taken from Pinterest.com

Large Tote – My Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM in Damier Ebene is my perfect travel tote. It is the perfect catchall bag and it really never gets full! Just remember, it can get heavy if you continue to stuff it.

 

Picture taken from Pinterest.com 

Bag review: Vintage Chanel Mini Flap

I’m totally in love and her name is Chanel! I purchased this vintage Chanel Mini Flap bag from Ebay. I decided to purchase it pre-loved for a few reasons. Chanel is becoming RIDICULOUS with raising their prices by 10 percent every couple of months (plus the state of California charges close to a 9.5 percent state tax). And let’s face it; the bags aren’t cheap to start with. I buy pre-loved also because it fits the price range that I am willing to spend on a Chanel. I always make sure before I purchase, to get my items authenticated by Authenticate First. They are amazing and are great to deal with! They are pretty fast with authentication too (for a fee)!

I went for the mini flap because I either go for large handbags (i.e. Louis Vuitton Neverfull) or compact/small (i.e. Chanel Mini Flap or Gucci Disco Soho). No size in between for me. I’ve owned a Chanel jumbo flap before, but it didn’t suit my needs. It was just too big for me, so I sold it.

Look and Feel: The Chanel mini flap comes in the square shape or the rectangle shape. The square shape is no longer sold in Chanel stores. So if you like this shape, you’ll have to buy it pre-loved. My Chanel mini flap is made out of the classic lambskin leather and gold hardware. As soon as I got my bag, I moisturized it with Apple Guard Leather Conditioner and also lightly sprayed it with Apple Guard Rain and Stain Protectant spray. It’s the best to keep the leather moisturized and protected from rain or color transfer from dark denim. With Chanel, most buyers tend to go with the caviar leather because they say it’s more durable. All of my Chanel bags that I’ve owned have been in lambskin. You do have to be careful in some ways when you handle lambskin, but I tend to forget that. When I carry a bag, it has be tough and be able to handle any environment. I personally haven’t had any issues with lambskin leather.

I wanted my mini to be black with gold hardware because it exudes classic Chanel. Plus, it’s easy to match with an outfit and also extremely easy to carry. I love wearing it cross body with the bag toward the front.

Issues & Usability: ZERO issues with this bag. Even though, it’s small, you have to pare down and carry only the essentials. I tend to carry a credit card case, small makeup bag, tissues, my keys and my Iphone 6. With all of those things, the bag is full at this point.

Inside the bag is one slip pocket and one zip pocket. On the outside, the bag has the small back pocket. I tend to put parking receipts in this pocket because nothing else will fit in it.

The measurements of the bag are 6.7″ W X 5.2″ H X 3.1″ D. Since the bag is so small, you only can carry the essentials. Occasionally, I’ll wear it on my shoulders, but I love to wear it cross body. That allows for my hands to be free.

Value:  Fortunately, Chanel holds its value. So if you want to resell the bag later you can probably get most of what you paid for it. I plan on keeping this little baby in my collection for a while. I wear it all the time, casually and for nights out.

Buy or Skip: I totally would recommend buying a Chanel mini flap bag if you don’t carry a lot of things. I was looking at Chanel’s Wallet on a Chain (WOC) at the same time I was interested in buying. It’s also another great Chanel staple, but I carry a little bit more than cards and lip gloss (even when I pare down). So the mini flap was a great choice for me.

Currently Coveting

Here are some items that caught my eye and I need to have them all!

Sam Edelman Alaine Leopard Ballet Flats on sale $74.90. Regular price $109.95

Image taken from Nordstrom.com

Leopard print is a great neutral base for an outfit. I love adding a pop of color (my fave is red) with leopard print. These flats would look great with denim, black slacks/skirt, dresses, and much more!

Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette in Damier Ebene $310.00

Image taken from http://us.louisvuitton.com

I know what you’re thinking. $310 for this little thing?! LV lovers on the Purse Forum and on Youtube rave about this little cutie. I plan to use it as a mini makeup bag and will carry it in my purses. I use my purse makeup bag daily. So this would definitely get used and pay off in the long run. You can also carry this mini for quick on the go errands.

Return to Tiffany Mini Heart Tag Bead Bracelet with Blue Enamel $150.00

Image taken from Tiffany.com 

What’s more classic than any item from Tiffany’s. J’adore Tiffany’s jewelry because they are classic pieces that can be worn for any occasion. Their pieces are pricey and an investment. But I can attest, the jewelry is worth the price because of its durability and design. I love this bracelet because it would be a great addition to stack with my other bracelets. 

Chanel Handbags: Reasons to Buy Vintage Instead of Brand New

Photo taken from Pinterest.com 

Who doesn’t love a good handbag, especially a Chanel! Fabulous women have been carrying Chanel bags dating back to the 1920s. Coco Chanel’s legacy continues to live on because her brand is even more popular now than when she started in fashion. With their ever-increasing popularity, comes the dreaded price increases from Chanel, mainly on the classic flap bags (i.e. Wallet on a Chain bag, Mini Flap, Small/Medium Flap, Jumbo Flap and Maxi Flap). I mean, I do get it. Chanel is arguably the most popular luxury brand in the world. Chanel business executives want to make money off of that by increasing their prices. This sucks for those of us who want to own Chanel bag, but don’t want to max out our credit cards or skip rent payments to own one. For this and other reasons, are why when I buy Chanel bags, I buy them vintage. Here's why I find buying Chanel bags vintage is better than buying them brand new.

1. The price points are lower when buying vintage. When buying vintage Chanel, you typically are paying a lower price than buying a similar current Chanel collection bag brand new. Take for example, the Chanel classic medium double flap. Current prices for the bag are $4900.00. Which to me is freaking ridiculous! You can find a similar vintage Chanel medium double flap bags from pre-loved handbag sites like Fashionphile, Yoogis Closet, and also Ebay starting at $2400.00.  But note, prices will fluctuate depending on the leather you prefer. Typically lambskin leather is lower priced than the caviar (pebbled) leather.

Photo of my Vintage Chanel Mini Flap

2. Vintage bags have an unknown story! I currently own a vintage Chanel mini flap (see above photo). It’s close to 27 years old. Sure she’s (yes, I do refer my mini flap as her and she. Don’t judge me) been worn before and the quilting is not as puffy. But, I love her so much! I like to imagine that before I owned it, where it was carried and who owned it. Could a supermodel owned and carried it as she globe trotted across the world? Or could it been owned by a corporate executive who only carried it out for special events? I love to think about the story my mini flap had before I owned it. I also get joy out of it being close to my age. I don’t know why. 

Photo taken from Pinterest.com 

3. Craftsmanship is typically better on vintage bags. I’ve found with the Chanel bags I’ve loved and sold that the vintage bags were made better than the new bags. I've read about the quality issues of newer Chanel bags on the PurseForum. The only brand new Chanel bag I’ve owned was the In the Business Flap. I bought it and found that it was nothing but trouble. Within the intertwining of the strap/metal chain on my bag (similar chain that’s on the Chanel classic flaps), the piece that held the handle together kept unraveling. I had to keep taking it back to the store for repair every six months. It was so much of a hassle that I stopped carrying the bag and eventually sold it. With the vintage bags I’ve owned and sold (Vintage medium classic flap, vintage vertical jumbo flap, vintage mini flap in pink and a small classic flap), they have been nothing be amazing in the craftsmanship department. And let’s face it, a vintage bag is over 20 years old. If it can hold up for that long and with minor wear, that is pretty amazing!

Photo taken from Pinterest.com 

4. Gold on vintage bags are made of real gold plated hardware. It’s good to know that the vintage Chanel bags are made with real gold plated hardware. The more recent Chanel bags with gold hardware are made of fake gold. Can you believe it? The price increases because of popularity and the brand can’t upgrade the hardware materials to gold plated? That is ridiculous to me. If the bag is made of premium leather, to me, so should the materials in the hardware. 

I think you get more for your money if you buy vintage. Yes, you don’t get the in-store experience when you buy brand new. But for me, that’s okay. I’d rather have a great quality vintage Chanel bag and have something I can carry for years than have the in-store buying brand new experience. Next month, I’ll share my tips that I’ve learned on how to buy authentic luxury bags on pre-loved handbag sites and also on Ebay.

Pinterest Obsessing: Short Hair Don't Care

Lately I've been obsessing over short haircuts. Every time I try to grow my hair to shoulder length, my impatience kicks in and I call to book an appointment with my stylist to cut my hair short. I typically love for a bob cut (angled or even length) or a good pixie cut with long bangs. I recently updated my "Short Hair Don't Care" pin book to reflect my top favorite short dos'. Here are some of my favorite pins from Pinterest! 

 

Pictures taken from Pinterest.com 

Currently Coveting

What I’m lusting over covers everything from shoes to throwback supermodels and shredded denim. Check out what I’ve been obsessed with.

Banana Republic Jaylen Heeled sandal $138.00

I’ve been on the hunt for missing classic pieces that I should have in my closet. I’ve been drooling over the Stuart Weitzman’s Nudist Sandal that almost every celebrity has worn this past year. I don’t want to spend $400 for sandals, but these Banana Republic Jaylen Heeled Sandal are a fabulous close runner up.

Melissa Soldera Supermodel Tank $14.00

One of my favorite fashion blogger/youtubers is Melissa Soldera. I’ve been a fan of her Youtube channel for over a year now. She recently designed two t-shirts for Reelstyle.co. I had to order this Supermodel Tank immediately after I saw it. I loved the supermodel era! During this time in the early 90s, I was a little girl watching Fashion File with host Tim Blanks and Fashion TV with Jeanne Beker. This tank is perfect for me and will be on repeat this summer!

Models of Influence: 50 Women Who Reset The Course of Fashion by Nigel Barker $26.49

Sticking with the supermodel trend, I recently came across this book by Nigel Barker, model/photographer/America’s Next Top Model judge. It’s a gorgeous coffee table book takes a look back at the early models (pre-80s) to the current models of the moment. This is definitely a must add for my coffee table book collection.

Cotton On Denim Skirt $29.95

I’m totally all about the shredded denim trend. What better way to wear the trend than with this denim skirt from my new favorite store, Cotton On. I recently posted on Instagram and Twitter how this looks very similar to One Teaspoon’s Freelove denim skirt (that was priced at $120). I love Cotton On’s denim skirt and it saves me some cash. I love a deal!

Look for Less (Under $100): Midi Moto Mania!

 For this Look for Less, all pieces will come from my new favorite store, Cotton On AND the full look is under $100! That’s right. The full outfit from head to toe is under $100! I recently fell in love with Cotton On in the Los Angeles area. It’s similar to H&M, Forever 21 and Wet Seal, a store that sells the fast fashion trends. The best thing about Cotton On is the clothing is well priced but really good quality. It’s good that a store can have great price points and not sacrifice the quality of their clothing.

Let’s take a look at this fashion cool girl’s look. I have been loving midi dresses. It can be paired with blazers, oversized cardigans, and kimonos. I’ve found you can wear these types of midi dresses for any occasion – to work, running errands or a night out on the town.  I own a similar dress from Cotton and will definitely get it in more colors. Check out how you can get this look and don’t forget to view the grand total that’s under $100 at the end. 

Midi Dress in Charcoal Marle $24.95

Cropped Lightweight Biker Jacket in black $29.95

Mini City Bucket Bag in black $14.95

Jazzer Slider in black $10.00

Total price $79.85