Back to School Bags!

We're not sure how many of our readers are going back to school this fall, and even though back to school shopping is a fond memory for us, we still can't help posting about it. For starters, everyone knows that back to school means getting a new bag. Now call us old fashioned, but we're into book bags again. And we're not talking your old school 6th grade Jansport (although you will see some Jan Sport in the mix). We're talking some truly stylish pieces that will make you wish you were back to school, roaming the halls, skipping classes... ahhh the good old days!

1. Mod Cloth | 2. JanSport | 3. Urban Outfitters 4. | Top Shop | 5. Billabong | 6. Mossimo | 7.  Zara | 8. ASOS

Saved by the bell!

Jen & Saira

Summer Style: Beach Bags

Summer is all about relaxing days at the beach (or park, if you're a city dweller). In order to make the most of your day in the sun, you need a whole lot of accessories. We're talking sunblock, towels, blankets, reading material, water bottles, snacks, etc. Clearly you'll need a pretty durable bag to tote around all of these "essentials." So, here are some of our favorite picks for summer fun that have both form and function:

This bag from Walmart is cool and neutral and is certainly large enough to hold a thin blanket, towel, and then some! 

Looking for something a little more wild?  Try this reversible Billabong tote! One side is more subdued and  features a graphic screen print of a cheetah  while the other is a definite statement, with a full and brightly colored cheetah print!

You can never go wrong with bright colors on the beach.  We love this spacious, golden yellow bag by  Urban Outfitters.  It just screams summer sunshine.

Oversized graphic prints are a fun way to add personality to your beach wear. Anchors and nautical prints are perfect for summer and this simple white bag from Anthropologie features a bold red anchor that we adore.

When it comes to beach bags, size matters.  And, the bigger the better! We really like this extra large black, white, & pink bag from Roxy for it's size and retro style.

And, what better way to admire the beauty of mother earth's beaches and parks than with an eco-friendly beach bag! This one, by ikabags, is made of 100% cotton canvas and is sturdy and durable enough to use as a beach bag, laptop bag, or general tote.

These cruelty free bags, by ShopJessBecause, that are made from fabric remnants and re-purposed burlap/jute coffee sacks. This material is very durable and the bag itself is modern, bold, and big enough for all your essentials. Don't forget to pack your sunblock, otherwise you might end up getting dark roasted yourself.

Make waves!

XOXO,
Jen & Saira

Sex and the City Character Inspiration: Miranda Hobbes

It's almost here!  The second Sex and the City movie comes out this Thursday, so here is our second to last character inspiration -- Miranda Hobbes!  Miranda's style has definitely progressed from her boxy suits and button downs worn in the early seasons. Now, she is a fashionista in her own right, brightening up her work attire with bright colors, varied prints, sexy separates, and of course, her gorgeous red hair. While always the professional at work, her play clothes tend to be more fun, comfortable, and vibrant. Here are some looks that we're sure Miranda would have no objection to:

Miranda always knows how to dress her shape, and this flirty V-neck dress available at Mod Cloth would flatter her curves and help show off her romantic side. We love when Miranda wears jewel tones, because it really sets off her peaches and cream complexion and her bright blue eyes. Plus the soft linen dress is both sexy and casual, just like the fiery red head.

Miranda often sports long, casual dresses to stay cool in the summer heat, which is why we love this maxi dress from Victoria's Secret. It's both comfortable and fashionable, plus green is definitely Miranda's color!

Like her gal pals, Miranda loves accessories, although they tend to be more understated than some of the other ladies' choices. We think this beaded stretch bracelet from Target reflects Miranda's bright color palette, but is simple enough to wear at the office.

Always the working girl, this simple cotton sheath dress is perfect for Miranda, as it  can easily be worn both in and out of the office. She would likely accessorize it with a blazer and the jeweled bracelet, shown above.

The verdict is in -- Miranda looks stunning in jewel tones!  We love this beaded scoop neck top for it's brilliant color that will perfectly contrast her bright red hair, but also for the shape and detailing that make this top professional enough to wear with a suit or high waisted pencil skirt for work and fun enough to transition right on into the evening.

Or, what about a casual top that would be a great addition to Miranda's weekend wardrobe?  Every Manhattan mommy needs a great day at the park outfit, and for Miranda we like this breezy, embellished top available at New York and Company. This great blue and green top has some fun embellishments on the neckline and would look great with some chunky earrings and gold sandals!

And, of course, children have a lot of needs, so you can bet she's stashing a little more than lipgloss and a credit card in her purses. Here we have a large structured bag perfect the professional mom on the go.  It's  chic enough for work, yet large enough to tote around some snacks, baby wipes, and a toy or two.  Plus, the material makes it extra fashionable and appropriate for the season.

Stay tuned for our final Sex and the City post!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Laptop Bag Shop

One of the biggest difficulties being a student or woman in the workplace is finding a cute but functional laptop bag. Rather than stick to the boring selection offered at electronic stores, we try to shop for bags that are sturdy and wide enough to contain our precious electronics, but still have an element of style to them. Here are a few selections to show that if the laptop fits, any bag can be a laptop bag!

This leather satchel by Deena & Ozzy, available at Urban Outfitters, is 14 inches across the top, which is a perfect fit for your MacBook Pro. With a foldover flap and internal pockets, you can use the bag to carry your makeup and shoes or your laptop and files. You're sure to be at the top of your class with this tote at your side! 

 

If you have a big laptop, then you need a Diesel bag. This 18 inch wide faux leather bag is sure to fit your laptop, charger, and even a textbook or two. It also has internal and external pockets for additional storage, plus it comes in a few colors!

Or, for something even more sustainable, try this bag from Urban Junket's t.o.t.e. collection.  Why do we love it?  Because, aside from the vibrant colors that we adore and bajillion pockets for our other accessories, Urban Junket's t.o.t.e. bags are ecofriendly!  You can carry your laptop in style and rest easy knowing that 70% of the materials used in these bags are recyclable and $1 from every sale is donated to carbonfree.org!

 

Steve Madden has a sturdy carryall bag available in brown and black. We love the accent zippers, and the bag is just the perfect amount of preppiness, without being too Gossip Girl-esque.

 And, finally, if you're looking for a more traditional laptop bag, Kerri Mack designs a line of unique and fashionable laptop bags for the professional woman. The durable design plus the added flair make this a perfect choice for every working girl.

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,
Jen & Saira