The Tiny Closet

The contents of a woman's bag (and it's arrangement) can reveal a lot. 

A couple weeks ago, I was doing some online browsing of this season's handbags. A bag has to go with your life. It needs to help you. Improve you. Or else it really just ends up being, well, baggage. And who needs that?

So while considering the size bag I would need to weather my fabulously creative, everyday, adventurous, but hopelessly casual life, I went into my closet and got out the bag I've been using for the last 6 or so years (a Rebecca Minkoff MAB) and dumped out all the contents...

But..but I'm such an organized minimalist. 

What happened??

Fabric samples and measuring tape from daily fabric trips for clients, cards and cash here and there, tissues, dog treats and tic tacs scattered with loose parking change. Not to mention a random, clearly not meant for travel Nesquik bottle of syrup... But let me explain. 

Because I own with purpose (meaning I do not buy random stuff I don't need), all of this stuff, despite being in disarray, is necessary. For one reason or another. So instead of upgrading my bag just yet, I decided to upgrade my habits first. Meaning, I'm not going to buy another $500+ bag to open it up and have it look like the scene above okay? I will rather have it look like this breath of fresh air below:

clockwise: Milani "Black Cherry" lipstick / L'Oreal "I Like It Chunky" nail color / Acqua di Parma deoderant / Paul & Joe blotting paper / Cufflinks Inc. Paper Clip money clip / Bottega Louis milk chocolate covered raisins

Chocolate covered raisins from my favorite cafe/patisserie, Bottega Louis - instead of the Nesquik travesty. If I'm going to indulge, why not have something special? Blotting paper by Paul & Joe instead of the balled up tissue paper. Dog treats are now kept in a black cinch sac I found from an old pair of earrings. (yay! my mints won't taste like dog treats!) My samples are neatly safety-pinned and my cards and cash are pinned by a Cufflinks Inc. money clip (I hate wallets). Tic tacs are upgraded to mini Altoids in a tin and I splurged and bought some herby perfume scented deodorant by Acqua di Parma. Not shown are my keys, measuring tape, hand sanitizer and lady necessities which are all kept in pockets/compartments for easy use. Ahhhhhh.

With my cute little treats all classy and organized, I have a much better idea of what my next bag will be.

More on that later!

I was finally able to wear jeans and a tee today (ah!).  And something I've learned while digesting fashion and style for the past decade is when all else fails (to impress) one shouldn't underestimate the power of a great bag and heels.

When it comes to evaluating my daily look, I actually prefer window reflections instead of mirrors and photographs.  Catching a glimpse of my reflection as I'm walking by a Barney's display window, the candid image is honest and usually tells, for real, if my hair or ensemble really does look as good as I thought it did that morning in my bedroom.  Standing in front of a mirror or posing for a photo, I don't always look the way I actually look when I'm walking down the street thinking of places to have lunch.  What I'm getting at is, the reason why I was finally able to wear jeans and a tee today is because I usually don't.  Why?  Because when I walk down the street in downtown gushing over the new Spring displays in the store windows, I don't want to see my sorry jeansandtee reflection staring back at me!

That is until I remembered a simple rule: a great bag and heels can make pretty much any outfit.

Since I have been experimenting constantly with color these days, today I decided to play with teal and gold accents.

heels: Dumond / bag: Yves Saint Laurent

Gold goes better with my skin color than silver.  Still, gold tends to blend so for a pop color, I like the coolness of grays and blues and opted for teal to offset all of the warmth.

 With these two accessories, I feel more ladylike and stylish while I'm enjoying the common comfort of a pair of denims and a loose T-shirt.

This parka is one of the chicest items I've ever found at H&M and I will have it in my Tiny Closet for years to come.  Light and versatile, I also wore it here.

scarf: Zara Men / bangles: Philippines / tee: Zara / denim: United Colors of Benetton / parka: H&M

And in other news: I am still shopping around with my gift card from Beso.com!!  New items from my winnings coming sooooon!  Keep visiting because you're going to love them :)

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