Christmas Slowdown

I know this might sound kind of crazy, but I'm sort of liking the effect that this economic downturn is having on the holiday season. I think maybe more people are stopping the spending frenzy that usually characterizes Christmas, and are more focused on spending time with their families and creating meaningful holiday experiences. I really like this article from msnbc.com, talking about a new trend this year in a more simple holiday.

"Although it’s still early in the season, many others say that they, too, are
seeing more than just a financial benefit to cutting back. Harris, the
mother of three in Colorado Springs, remembers a time years ago when her husband
had just gotten out of the military, she was volunteering full-time at a church,
and “we were broke — dead broke,” she said. Using a small donation she had
received, Harris bought each child a laundry basket and filled it with their
favorite junk food. Then she gave them a cleaning tool along with a coupon
giving them a weekend off from cleaning. Even today, the family still has a
tradition of giving their boys a bottle of soda for Christmas, and she said all
of her sons still have the cleaning tools from that Christmas years
ago. “They remember that Christmas far more intricately than any other
Christmas we had,” Harris said."

I love the renewed focus on the non-material elements of the holidays. When you can get the focus off trips to the malls and long gift lists, you have the opportunity to enjoy being with your family and friends and celebrating the season in a much more meaningful and less stressful way.

Cute Striped Sweater

I love this adorable black and gray striped merino wool sweater from Banana Republic. The peacoat styling is so cool, and I like the extra long sleeves. And it's on sale right now for $119.99 off from $175.

Holiday Dress

If you're looking for a dress for your holiday parties, check out the Ann Taylor website, they're having a final sale on a bunch of cute party dresses, including this pretty sequined dress (I don't recommend replicating the hair style though!). It's on sale for $59.44, off of $289. Hurry, the sizes are running out as we speak.

UPDATE: This dress is even cheaper now! You can get it for $41.61 by using code 104007059 at checkout. What a great deal!

Spending Spree

I have to say, I was shocked at the news that Black Friday spending was up this year by 3% over last year, especially as news broke yesterday that the U.S. is officially in a recession (which is not exactly a news flash to anyone who has been paying any attention to the economy).  

Personally, I have lost a lot of my love for shopping lately, as I'm sure you've noticed from my recent lack of blogging.  I just haven't been shopping lately, and haven't even wanted to.  Instead, I've been doing something radical--saving.  I've been shopping for the best c.d. and savings account rates instead of shoes and clothes.  My reaction to all the bad economic news is to withdraw from the spending cycle and institute a bit of a spending freeze.  It makes me feel better to have no credit card debt and money in the bank than a closet full of new clothes or a pile of Christmas presents under the tree.  Maybe some people's reaction is just the opposite--maybe spending more in the midst of this economic crisis somehow makes them feel better.  If so, that smacks of some serious denial to me.  Or maybe the crisis just hasn't affected them--yet.  

While I haven't been personally affected by the economic downturn (other than the free fall of my 401(k)), my instincts are to cut back on spending and increase my savings.  I have a set budget for Christmas presents, and I stay within it.  I hope most people are doing the same.  I find it scary to think about people going out and charging a lot of expensive electronics and gifts on their credit cards right now. I hope that this economy will make people focus less on spending and more on saving.  This New York Times article seems to indicate that at least some people are cutting back, even though for the people profiled in the article it appears to be by necessity rather than by choice.

Ugg-like boots at Payless

My friend Paige had these adorable boots on this weekend, and I could not believe she got them at Payless--on sale no less! They're $29.99, on sale from $39.99, and come in a light khaki color as well. Perfect cozy winter boots!

Calling All Brides!

For all you brides who are looking for a dress, Neiman Marcus last call (in the Brodie Oaks shopping center at S. Lamar and Loop 360) is having a sample sale from November 13-November 16. The gowns will be discounted as much as 85% off, and will be priced from $500 to $1500. Designers include Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Carolina Herrera. If you have a Neiman Marcus credit card, you get an extra 5% off. Finding a designer gown at these prices would be a major score, so go early and good luck!

Wool ruffled dress

I saw this dress last weekend at J. Crew and instantly fell in love with it. This picture does not do it justice, you really need to go check it out in person to see all the beautiful details. It's black wool, it also comes in a gorgeous deep purple. The shape is very classic and flattering. But the collar is AMAZING. It's this really beautiful, slightly structured ruffled collar, and it's soooo pretty. $198.

Puffer Coat

I love this white quilted puffer from Juicy Couture--especially the faux fur hood! (I'm a sucker for faux fur, I have to tell you). It's on sale right now at Bloomingdales for $264.60, off from $378. Such a cute casual coat for this winter.

Election Day!

Election Day is finally here, and I hope you all go out and vote, if you haven't already.

If you do vote, here are a few freebies you can claim:

Ben & Jerry's: Free scoop of ice cream between 5-8pm (I believe the location on N. Lamar is participating)

Chick-fil-A: Some Chick-fil-A restaurants are handing out chicken sandwiches to adults with proof of voting--you might want to call first to make sure your local Chick is participating.

Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut with red, white and blue sprinkles for customers with an 'I Voted' sticker (again--call to see if your location is participating)

Starbucks: Free tall coffee at any Starbucks.

You gotta love free stuff, especially in this economy! Happy election day!

Shop Review: Finch

In my pursuit to buy a few Christmas and birthday gifts, I wandered down 2nd Street, Holiday Shopping Card in hand (they're a participating merchant!), to check out Finch, a store that I had passed by a few times but never gone into. This store is a little oasis, it is such a calm and peaceful little spot. The space is small, but it's arranged so beautifully, with all the merchandise displayed in a fun and easy manner.

It's a little hard to describe their merchandise, because they have a broad selection, but it's a combination of home decor and gift items. They have absolutely gorgeous table linens, all in very simple, modern patterns. They have a nice assortment of bedding by Dwell. And then they have just a hodgepodge of unique things I hadn't seen before, including really pretty vases, stationary, glassware, tableware and ceramics, all in modern, interesting designs.

I found several gifts here, and more than a few things I wanted to pick up for myself. The salespeople are incredibly gracious and helpful, and the store is so fun to wander around in. I will absolutely be back.

PS: While you're there, if you have children or need a baby shower gift, check out their sister store Wee, located next door. They have the cutest baby stuff I've ever seen, all super modern and unique.

Holiday Shopping Card

Sorry guys, I meant to post this last week, but I am very behind in my blogging. If you don't have a Holiday Shopping Card, you seriously need to go buy one this weekend. What is the Holiday Shopping Card? Only the best excuse to shop ever! It's a discount card you purchase for a minimum donation of $60, the entire amount of which goes to the American Cancer Society. In exchange, you get the shopping card, which gives you a 20% discount at participating merchants from Friday October 24 through Sunday November 2. You can buy a card at any participating store, and you can find a list of the stores on the Shopping Card website. There's a wide range of stores, from chains like Gap and J. Crew to local merchants like Shiki and Blue Elephant. Also, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn are participating this year, which is so exciting! I don't know if they're listed on the website yet because I think they may have been late additions, but they are giving the discount.

I have bought this card for the past 4 years, and as a result, get most of my Christmas shopping done before the first week of November. It's a great motivator to get your shopping done early, and saves you some serious cash. It also is a great way to discover new stores you aren't familiar with yet. Best of all, all the money goes to a great cause. Go pick one up this weekend, it's a great way to rationalize shopping!

Embellish Salon

My friend Blair and I went to the cutest nail salon I have ever seen on Saturday night, Embellish, which is located in the Triangle. This place is truly adorable. It has pink walls and pink and brown furniture, and is so girly and fun. They have big screen tv's, which was playing "13 Going On 30" while we were there (which, that movie is awesome, and we got to see the Thriller dance scene, so I was very happy!). They steam sterilize all their equipment, which is very important to me. They have a little bar area for manicures, and pedicures are done on big comfy chairs and couches. The prices are very reasonable, $35 for a pedicure, $20 for a manicure, or $50 for a mani/pedi combo. The service was wonderful, and they worked really hard to make sure Blair and I were timed correctly so that we could sit together while we had our treatments. They have a really cool boutique section of the shop as well, which has cute purses, tshirts (they had a few UT shirts that I really liked), and jewelry. This is my new go-to nail place--the prices, cleanliness, service and atmosphere cannot be beat.

Plaid Shirt

Fall always puts me in the mood for plaid, and even though it's still 90 degrees outside in Texas and no leaves are changing color anywhere, which makes it a little harder to get into the autumn spirit, this adorable shirt from Martin & Osa would seriously help. It comes in black as well as this purple color. I love the easy shape and the cute placket ruffle. It's wool, but it's very light weight, and since it's short sleeved, you can actually wear this now while we wait for the temperature to drop. $79.50 at Martin & Osa.

Pretty Gray Coat

I think this Tommy Hilfiger gray wool coat is so pretty, and it's at Overstock.com for $99.99, off of $300. I love the princess seams and the cute waistband detail, it's so elegant. And this is the perfect length for a coat, you can wear it with dresses, skirts or trousers, and it will dress up jeans. Great buy!

Smoothing Lip Balm

Sorry readers, I know I have been a terrible blogger recently, but my life has been super busy lately! I will try and do better!

So with that, I have to share with you this great lip balm I recently discovered. My lips were so chapped and cracked, it was horrible, and my regular old Chapstick was not doing the job. Enter this Berry Smooth Lip Nutrition Lip Balm by Neutrogena ($7.59 at Drugstore.com). Two weeks later, my lips are perfectly soft and smooth. It's a miracle worker, truly.

It has little jojoba beads that gently exfoliate your lips. It's also really moisturizing and smells delicious. Seriously, buy this now before your lips react to the winter weather!

GoodShop

My friend Jenny just told me about a great website called GoodShop. You go to the site, enter the charity of your choice (they have a ton of charities, including the Austin affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, one of my favorites). Then you click on a link to any of the participating online merchants, and the merchant will make a donation to the charity you chose. The amount of the donation varies depending on which merchant you choose. And they have a ton of participating stores, like Gap (2.8% donation), Amazon (1.5% donation), Macy's (3.5% donation) and Target (up to a 3.5% donation). This is such an easy way to get your favorite charity some extra money. I am adding this site to my favorites and will definitely be using it as the starting point for all my online shopping.

Check out their news page for articles relating to the site.

Faux Leather Jacket

I was really surprised to see this faux leather jacket designed by Bagatelle at Ann Taylor. Much more modern than a lot of their stuff. I think this is such a cool shape, with unexpected details, like the offset zipper. Okay, yes, it's fake leather, so it's not an heirloom piece, but it's a lot of fun. $148 at Ann Taylor.

Softest Cardigan in the World

I know this sweater doesn't look at that exciting at first glance, but that's because you haven't tried it on. After extensive research, I have determined that this is the softest, most comfortable cardigan in the world. And it's only $49.50. Forget cashmere people, GapBody's cotton loungewear line is the softest stuff ever. I will be buying this and wearing it everywhere. Go to your nearest GapBody and wrap yourself up in this, and I can almost guarantee that you will not leave without it.

Last Call Neiman Marcus

I've blogged briefly about this before, but was inspired this weekend to talk about it again. Have you guys checked out the Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center over in the Brodie Oaks shopping center off South Lamar? If not, you seriously need to go there. My friend Shelly was visiting me from Dallas this weekend, and she is a seriously great bargain shopper, so we hit Last Call on Saturday to see what they had. Guys, they have a LOT of great stuff. All the brands, from BCBG, Theory, Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs--any high end designer, they pretty much carry. They had some gorgeous Neiman Marcus brand cashmere sweaters, and an extensive collection of denim by Seven for all Mankind. Their dress collection was great, I saw the most beautiful navy silk beaded Theory cocktail dress. Their handbag section was very impressive, they had some great bags by Kooba, Cole Hahn, and Tory Burch, to name a few. The prices are very discounted--the stuff is pretty much last season, but...who cares? You definitely have to shop here, you're not going to find something every time you go, but when you find a great bargain, it will be totally worth it.

Tiered Dress

This navy silk dress from Banana Republic is so pretty. I love the randomness of the tiered layers, it's a little unexpected, and feels very modern to me. And those layers hide any trouble areas, as an added bonus. $150.

Fall Flats

I love the fall collection of flats at J.Crew. I love flats for work for the comfort factor, and these are so cute I will not miss heels at all. The two pairs above are standouts. The black tweed pair above is my favorite, I love the texture, and these will go with anything. They come in some fun colors too, red, green and yellow, and are $195.

The black leather pair with crystal adornment is $278. These are so pretty, I would wear them all the time. They'd look great with a cashmere sweater and jeans on weekends, and would definitely brighten up my work wardrobe.

Lorac Lip/Cheek Stain

My friend Jocelyn introduced me to this Lorac Lip/Cheek Sheer Wash this past weekend, and I had to share with you all. It's a stain, so it stays on a really long time, which I love, and the color is very natural looking. You do need to keep reapplying gloss, because it kind of wears away after eating and drinking. But it's very easy to apply and the color is very wearable. I like that it's a multitasker too, and can be worn as blush. This is a great item to stash in your makeup bag. $19, at the Lorac website.

Riding Pants

I really like these "Amelia" skinny riding pants from Martin and Osa. Riding pants are big for fall, and these are so classic looking. The fit looks really modern to me, I love the way they look with heels. They're twill with a little bit of stretch, so they look pretty comfortable...other than the "skinny" part! $79.50.

Suede Coach Purses

Dang it Coach. Just when I have almost convinced myself that I don't need a new bag for fall, you lure me right back in with these gorgeous suede bags. I really like the slouchy, relaxed vibe of the Zoe (left, for $398). But I absolutely adore the structured shape and mossy color of the Peyton ($798). So now, I just need to convince my husband to cut our food and entertainment budget back just the tiniest bit (board games and canned Spaghettios for a month or two should do the trick), and I'm all set. Wish me luck.

Hudson Wide Leg Jeans

Wide leg jeans are everywhere this fall, and this pair from Hudson looks sooo flattering. I love the dark wash and the cute, typical Hudson triangle back pockets. The great thing about wide leg jeans is that they're so versatile--they're dressy enough for work, and equally great on weekends. These are on sale right now at Shopbop.com for $99.50, off from $187.

Lightweight Cardigan

I really like this drapey, delicate looking cardigan from Shopbop.com, for $125. It has a really laid back quality to it, but at the same time looks really pulled together. And I love this orchid color (it also comes in navy). It's a great color that you can wear now, but will transition perfectly into fall. It's a prettier and slightly dressier version of your favorite cardigan.

Sparkly Sweater

Is this the most glamorous cardigan you've ever seen?? It's a cute little cropped sweater, every inch of which is covered in sequins. LOVE it. I would wear this all the time. It's such a special piece, but would look great with even just a tank and jeans. It was originally $450 at J.Crew, but is now on sale for $139.99!

Tax Free Weekend!

Don't forget, the tax-free weekend in Texas starts today and runs through the weekend. Most clothing and shoes under $100 are exempt from state sales tax. So get out there and do some shopping!

Invisible Belt

My friend Sue brought this product to my attention, and it's such a great idea, in the "Why didn't I think of that?" category. It's a clear, adjustable belt that lies completely flat against your pants. I never wear belts, mostly because I don't like the buckle protruding out when I wear fitted shirts. This completely solves that problem. Also, it's great if you want to prevent that gap in the back of your jeans when you sit down, as shown in the picture above. It's stretchy too, so it's not restrictive like a regular belt. So basically when you need a belt, but don't want to wear one, this is perfect. The regular size adjusts up to size 10, and they also have plus size versions. It retails for $16.95 at Isabelt.com.

Camellia Jewelry

I love this ring and necklace from Forever 21. They totally remind me of Chanel camellia jewelry (see below). They both come in white as well. I think they're so pretty. They are $4.80 apiece--try and beat that. Seriously, Forever 21 has really cool jewelry, and the prices are amazing. It's a really good place to pick up trendy jewelry that you don't want to spend too much on.

Olympic Fashion

I don't know if anyone else is obsessively watching the Olympics, but my husband and I love it. Of course, from a fashion perspective, you have to watch the opening ceremonies to see the outfits the teams wear, and I saw them all, the good, the bad and the ugly (and there were definitely a few ugly, sorry to say). I really like this audio slide show judging the fashion from the New York Times.

My personal favorites were France (top picture) and England (below). Ralph Lauren designed for the U.S., and I was not very impressed. The hats especially looked weird to me.

BR Cloche Hat

I think this cloche hat from Banana Republic is so adorable! I know it's early to start thinking about winter outerwear, but I really love the cute shape of this wool hat. It comes in purple and brown as well. $49.00.

Pendant Necklaces

I really love vintage looking pendant necklaces for fall, and there are a lot of beautiful pieces out right now.


This one is a stunner, the "Majestic Lace" pendant by Judith Jack. It's sterling silver and marcasite, and looks like a piece your grandmother wore, which I love. It's available at Nordstrom for $350.









This necklace is gorgeous as well, the "Leela" necklace by Lulu, available at Eliza Page for $408. It's 14 karat rose gold with a center diamond on a sterling chain. I love the rose gold, you don't see many pieces made from rose gold anymore, and I think it's so flattering on all skin tones. This necklace is absolutely beautiful and so unique, and if I had an extra $400 lying around, I would own it.







If you're on a budget (and aren't we all these days?), I also really like this pretty mother of pearl pendant from Banana Republic, with faux diamond surround, it's so sweet and it's only $39.

Bandaids as Fashion??

Here's a bonus post for you guys for the weekend, an article from the New York Times about people who are wearing bandages for fashion purposes only.

Here's an excerpt:

When Nicholas James Brown prepares to go out for cocktails at the Tribeca Grand or to a clambake in the Hamptons, he sticks on a few boldly patterned Band-Aids by the Brazilian fashion designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.

To Mr. Brown, 24, who works at Esquire magazine in New York, the colorful strips are an important accessory, and he’s careful to coordinate them with his Kris Van Assche sweater or his Balenciaga bag. He generally wears one on his left hand or arm and balances it out with two or three on his right leg.

He doesn’t put them on his face because, he said, “I don’t want people thinking, ‘What happened?’ ” And if anyone does ask what he’s done to himself to need all of those bandages? “I’ll lie and say, ‘I have a cut,’ ” he said.

Ugh. Is he serious??? The picture above is of Mr. Brown, so I'm afraid that he is. I'm all for cute bandaids if you like, cut your finger, but to wear them as accessories is so weird to me.

White Citizens On Sale

Okay ladies, for all of you with White Jeans Syndrome who have not yet taken the plunge and bought white jeans, here's your chance to do it a little more cheaply. These Citizens of Humanity "Ingrid" flare stretch jeans are on sale right now at Nordstrom for $99.90, off of $150. They actually have several really cute pairs on sale right now, so it's a great time to buy--you can still wear them at least until Labor Day (personally, I say wear them whenever you want!), and you'll be all set for next spring and summer.

Aveeno Hand Cream

I really like this Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream, $6.79 at drugstore.com. It's very creamy, not greasy, it absorbs really quickly, and it has serious staying power. The bottle says it lasts through hand washing, and it really does. It makes your hands really soft, and never feels sticky. It has really helped my cuticles look better too. My one criticism is that I wish it had SPF in it, but other than that, it's a great product.

Enamel Ring at BR

This turquoise enamel ring from Banana Republic is so cool. I love the chunky band, interlacing design and the gold/turquoise combo. And it's on sale right now for $19.99 from $34. I think this ring would especially look great against white clothes, it would really pop.

Python Satchel--Botkier for Target

This bag is so cool. It's part of the collection Monica Botkier designed for Target, and I think it's so great looking. I love the satchel style, and this one has a great shape and great hardware details. I think the python print is really fun, but it's also available in black. It's a great fall bag, and it's only $39.99 at Target.

This matching clutch is really cute too, and is $19.99 at Target.

BCBG Voile Top On Sale

This pretty voile top by BCBG is on sale right now at Bloomingdale's for $80.10, off from $178. When you go to the website, it will initially appear on sale for $106.80, but when you add it to your cart, it will take off an additional 25%. It's available in white or black. I love the shape of this top, and the subtle striping. The pom-pom detailing is also really cute.

Stuart Weitzman Boots

I know it's hard to think about boots when it's over 100 degrees outside, but I saw these Stuart Weitzman beauties on sale at Zappos.com and had to pass it on. I'm kind of obsessed with boots with fur and shearling detailing. I have not bought any, yet. This may be the season. These are very tempting to me. I like that the shearling is very subtle, and I love the rich chocolate brown color of the boots. They look really comfy too, the heel is pretty low, and the buckle detail is pretty. They're 33% off right now, on sale for $250.00 from $375. Not a bad price, and Stuart Weitzman makes such great quality shoes, they really last. I think I may have to break down and buy these.

Botox for Bridesmaids?

I found this New York Times article about brides asking their bridal party and mothers to do botox and other cosmetic procedures to be both horrifying and hilarious. Here's an excerpt:

A bride’s request that you whiten your grayish teeth can strain a relationship. Samantha Goldberg, a wedding planner in Chester, N.J., recalled a bride who asked her attendants to get professionally spray-tanned for a Hawaiian-theme reception.
Alas, two women were claustrophobic and couldn’t bear standing in a tanning capsule. “They asked the bride if they could use regular tanning cream from a salon,” Ms. Goldberg said. The bride refused; she wanted everyone to be the same shade. The women ultimately declined to be bridesmaids. “Friendships of 20-plus years gone over a spray tan?” Ms. Goldberg said. “Sad!”

If you ask your friends to all get spray-tanned for your wedding because you want them all to be the same shade, you deserve to lose all your friends. Sorry.

Shift Dress

Isn't this shift dress gorgeous? You can't really tell in the picture, but it's a very textured wool. Very elegant shape, and I absolutely love it in red. $158.00 at Ann Taylor.

Best Facial Cleanser

Cetaphil without a doubt makes the best facial cleanser around. I've been using it forever. It's extremely gentle, and works on every type of skin. It leaves my skin feeling really clean and fresh. And it's cheap! $11.99 for 16 ounces at Drugstore.com! You can't beat that. Personally, I like the version for oily skin. Don't waste your money buying face soaps with a bunch of treatment ingredients in them, they just wash down the drain. Spend your money on treatments that you apply after washing your face, where they'll actually do some good. There's no reason to spend more on face soap, this is the best. Highly recommended.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

Okay, the most wonderful time other than Christmas. Yes, it's the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!! Hurrah! Thanks to Joceyln for the heads up. Go directly to Nordstrom.com or your closest Nordstrom store immediately to check out amazing prices. The sale includes lots of fall items, which is great. My pick: these adorable red patent leather flats from Juicy Couture, on sale for $129.90, from $198. I love red shoes, especially in fall and winter, it's such a great contrast with all the black and gray I inevitably wear all the time. And the gold buckle detail is really cute. Hurry, sale is through July 20.

Tight Rolled Jeans Part 2

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about tight rolled jeans, which my friend Blair sported in Chicago as a joke, but which I subsequently realized were coming back in style. I now have evidence! I give you Exhibit A, a horrifying picture of Katie Holmes rocking the look. Thanks Blair for sending this--I'm pretty sure you revived this trend single handedly. I may never forgive you.

Tiered Sundress

I love, love, love this beautiful tiered silk/cotton dress from DKNY, at Nordstrom's for $89.00. It's the perfect length, I like the cute tiers and the crochet detail at the neckline, but I really love this gorgeous plum color. It's so rich, and really stands out from all the usual pale summer colors. It also looks incredibly comfortable, which is my top priority. It comes in a really pretty gray-blue color as well.

NY & Company Dress

My friend Jenny recently wore this jersey dress to an outdoor party. She looked so adorable and, most important, cool! I was dying in jeans which I had rolled up. It's waaaay too hot for jeans right now. I so envied her in this simple, comfy dress. I love the neckline, it's really flattering. It's at New York & Company, and is on sale right now for $29.99 (off of $39.95). They have several other colors, including black, teal and fuschia.

Project Runway Season 5

Don't forget, Project Runway is back tonight with the Season 5 premiere on Bravo. I'm so excited, I've missed Tim, Heidi and the gang!

Gap Handbags

Gap is not the first place I think of when I think handbags, but I was browsing their website and stumbled across some really cool stuff. My favorite is this twill tote with leather handles for $45. It has a removable shoulder strap too, which I would remove. What a great summer/fall bag, and it's big enough to carry magazines, water bottle, wallet, lunch, workout clothes, makeup bag...whatever.

I also really like this sateen cotton clutch for $29.50. I love the ruffle across the top, it really dresses it up. This would be a perfect match with the tote bag above--you can take the tote to work, and then just take the clutch with your credit card and essentials to lunch or out after work. It would also be a really cute makeup bag.