Maybe it IS Magic...

 The Silk Magic Wrap skirt is way cooler than getting two birds with one stone- we're talking many, many birds here. Imagine an article of clothing that is not only reversible, but can also be made into a skirt, a top, or even multiple dresses! I never would have believed it until a friend showed me hers. To get so much from just one article is unheard of. Each individual style looks great on it's own, has dimension, and can be worn two ways since it's reversible.

There are an enormous array of colors and patterns available. You're bound to end up with a one-of-a-kind look no matter how you choose to wear yours. Also, the silk material allows for you to either play it up to be a more elegant and dressy look, while at the same time the very free-flowing styles can be made into a flashy and fun casual look.

I only price checked on eBay and Amazon, but found that they typically range from $25-$35. Personally, I would consider that a steal, especially since you are getting much more than one article of clothing out of the deal. They even have DVDs available that offer a thorough tutorial of how to wear your wrap. It may be worth the small investment since the return means not missing out on a single option from the plethora available with the Magic Silk Wrap.

*Let me know if you find them for cheaper or if you've found anything similar. Thanks!

Sunglasses

I'm a sunshine girl myself and love sunny days more than anything. Though it's important to remember not all sun is good for us, and it can cause a lot of damage if we do not take the necessary precautions. Sunglasses- an excellent example of where function meets fashion. If there's any part of my body I want to try my best to protect, it would definitely be my eyes. I still have a long life to live, and I don't want to pay a high price later on if I can possibly avoid it. The only thing we can do is be careful and hope for the best. Sunglasses protect our eyes and eyesight, and for this reason alone we should all be using them.
Now for the fun part. The potential fashion statements are endless, as the styles and types of sunglasses are seemingly endless. If you are wanting to try a bold new look, sunglasses are the best way to start. Call it a baby step if you will. You can take them on and off with ease- so you don't have to be fully committed to the new look. Yes, you get to have your cake and eat it too!
Another thing to keep in mind is the more we squint, the more wrinkles we can expect by the eyes. Naturally, larger sunglasses give better coverage, so we're in luck! There is actually a practical reason to reach for the big-statement, large-framed fashion sunglasses!

Winter Warmth

I remember back to the snow-covered, winter days back in elementary school. These were the days when I had to be so bundled up in order to walk to school that you could barely find me behind all of the layers. Once safely inside the classroom, it was time to shed them, and the pile of winter clothes was nearly as big as I was!

Now that temperatures are dropping, we'll all be looking for extra layers to try and keep warm; but what we need is higher efficiency and style now that we're all grown up.

These cute crochet ear-warmers are a great way to protect your ears, but at the same time they allow you to wear something that compliments your outfit. The feature I'm particularly excited about, is that this is one additional layer that you don't necessarily need to take off once you're inside. They are not only very practical, but can also function as a wintry headband. You can even find (or make your own if you're just that good)  crochet ear-warmer/headbands with detachable flowers so you can mix and match to your hearts content!

Any other finds like this?

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Rain is lovely, just don't let it get in your way. Everyone is in need of an umbrella at times- depending on where you live this may be quite regularly. The umbrella is a simple staple, and it doesn't take anything extra to do it right. There are both stylish and inexpensive umbrellas all over the place. I got mine on clearance at The Gap. I love it when I have the chance to use it! It doesn't have to be Burberry to look good. (Quick aside: That being said, I sure wouldn't mind one- just in case anyone was wanting to gift one to me.)

Also, while we're on the topic of umbrellas, I wanted to raise a question: what about the parasol? Is this something we could actually use? You really don't see many Americans using them anymore for protection from the sun, though umbrellas for sun protection are commonly used in countries and cultures like Japan, for example. I was just thinking about it, and I'm leaning towards the idea of using one so long as it was under the right circumstances. A cute little parasol, in a style that will coordinate with your outfit, could be really cute...but I just don't know if I could feel natural using one... I think it's a lovely idea... Opinions anyone? Suggestions?

Where do I put my purse?

We've all been in this situation countless times. You go out to eat, sit down at your table and...where do I put my purse?? You don't want to get your purse dirty by setting it on the floor...Hanging it on the back of your chair is, in my opinion, like saying "Rob Me"...You don't want it on the table- totally annoying and crowds everyone...Sooo...do you just keep it on your lap? Hopefully there's an empty seat next to you, right? Well, you're forced to weigh the pros and cons and settle with one of these options. There IS, however, a way around all of these- the Purse Hanger. You'll never have to worry about where to put your purse again. It will hang from the table right there next to you. Your purse will be clean and safe, readily accessible, yet at the same time out of the way- just as it should be. Invest in a little purse hanger and save yourself some hassle. 

Until a friend of mine gave me one, I never knew just how handy they really are. She came back from visiting her family in Hawaii, and brought back a cute little purse hanger for me. It's super compact and when it's all put together it's only about 1.5 inches in diameter and about 3/4 of an inch in width- just a perfectly sized little silver disk with a hula girl on it. This helpful little lady tool can be slipped into every woman's purse as an excellent preparedness item. There are plenty of cute and inexpensive purse hanger options, and my vote is that it's worth adding to the list of purse essentials- right up there with your lip gloss and breath mints.

Coaching for the Brooch

Thanks to a comment from a friend and follower of this blog, I'm going to be focusing on brooches for this post. She was wondering whether or not wearing brooches was still stylish and if so, wanted ideas on how to wear it. Brooches have been around for centuries, and so I would deem it a classic piece and definitely safe to say that it's still stylish for that reason alone. However, wearing a brooch today doesn't have to evoke strictly vintage qualities. There are so many different styles of brooches to choose from, and what's more, there are more ways in which to wear them than ever before.  They truly are a beautiful and versatile accessory.

Here are a few ways to wear the brooch that I've thought of and found: 

• There's of course the classic way of wearing it pinned by the shoulder. To play it safe, my personal recommendation is to where it with a sheath dress (or any other similar style). This is because the cut of the dress (or top) is typically more basic looking and so you have better chances of pulling it off as a nice accent rather than running into the dilemma of your outfit looking too busy. Also, the fabric is generally better at holding its own so you don't end up with the brooch drooping off of you.
• Also a time-old classic, but wearing a brooch on the lapel of a jacket can be stunning. This is a pretty risk-free feminine touch.
• Try pinning a brooch to the loose knot of your scarf. The two have potential to work really well together and can create a pretty focal point- just be careful you don't choose an overwhelming combination.
• If you have a dress with a definite waistline, even a high waist skirt, or perhaps a gathering at the bust of a dress- you can enhance these features with the brooch as well. Also, a bow is just begging for a brooch to sit at its center. With the right dress, adding the brooch can make you look red-carpet-ready for your classy evening out. 

If your brooch just doesn't seem to work on any of your clothes, but is too cute to ignore- no problem!

• Your brooch can be transformed into a pendant for a necklace!
• If you're feeling extra crafty, the brooch can be added to a headband or made into a barrette for your hair!
• It can also be made to fasten to your purse, giving it a decadent little detail. You could try this on either the base of one of your purse's handles, on a pocket etc.

Once again, I've finished writing another post for this blog and feel like I need to go shopping so I can find the perfect brooches to incorporate into my wardrobe. 

Any thoughts on how you like to wear brooches? Any favorite styles? 

Also, if you have anything in particular you'd like me to write a post on, let me know- happy to do it!

Timeless Trench

Fact: the trench coat is an absolute classic fashion piece. 

We've seen classy women wearing them for decades, and I don't see this changing in the decades to come. All you have to do is find yourself a classy trench with a feminine cut and details that speak to you, and then you're all set with a jacket that will continue to work for you and look stunning. Not only has the trench coat withstood the tests of time in the fashion world, but it is still given limelight at even the most recent fashion weeks around the world.

The trenchcoat will keep you warm, dry and totally classy. It's easy to incorporate additional layers if you need the extra warmth. You can also add a little flare by adding accessories to finish your look. A scarf has never looked better than when paired with the right jacket, and you might even consider adding a broach. We'll talk more about the broach next time...

Autumn is in the air and if it hasn't happened yet where you are, temperatures will be cooling off for most of us here in the northern hemisphere. The idea of wearing a classy trenchcoat is sometimes my only comfort when accepting the harsh reality that colder weather is coming. It's hard to complain about the cold when you have a beautiful jacket waiting to be worn.

Wild Thing

Animal prints were mentioned in the last blog post, and I think they deserve a bit more attention today. It seems they've always been around, but are now making a bold comeback in today's fashion. For one, animal prints held a very strong presence at the various fashion weeks around the world this fall. Personally, I never thought this was a style I could pull off and have never worn any animal prints before. More often than not it ends up being just too much for me.  Maybe if I was some rock-star I wouldn't mind getting all decked-out in a leopard print outfit to make a statement; but clearly I'm not. I simply want to be fashionable and nothing outrageous. Now though, I realize this is possible even with animal prints. The key is to use them as an accent piece- so just one, maybe two leopard or zebra print patterned pieces. This is a nice way of finding a sort of middle of the road approach to a typically edgy style. With the animal print, you really can take your pick of whatever clothing article or accessory you want and build around it. Animal prints are no longer a style to be left to a select few to try and pull off. They can be incorporated into every woman's wardrobe and add the extra lift we all need from time to time. Variety is the spice of life. So go ahead and do the wild thing. I think you'll be surprised by how well you wear it, and it will help fight the monotony that likes to creep up on us all.

So what are your favorite animal print pieces?  Is it the ...shoes? ...bag? ...cardigan? ...leggings? ...scarf?

Paris Fashion Week!

I wanted this very short clip of Chloe from Paris Fashion Week to represent my post for this event not only because I appreciated the clothing style, but also because of something interesting I noticed about the type of shoe selected for the runway models to wear. They were pretty much all wearing flats, and mostly ballet style flats. Certainly this had to have made walking the catwalk much easier for them as opposed to wearing gigantic heels- but this is the runway in Paris! There's no way the designer would be making selections for the runway based on what's most comfortable! No, the flats were purposefully chosen as an accent to the styles presented. And I must say, I think the flats did a wonderful job of enhancing the elements of grace and elegance for this collection.

This runway event confirmed that flats can be worn with any outfit- whether dressed-up or dressed-down. Choices range from the ballet flat and loafers, to and all sorts of prints, straps and styles.

Only a couple of weeks ago I was "talking shoes" again with a friend and she mentioned to me a piece of advice given by Oprah. I'm paraphrasing here, but she said one item every woman should have in her wardrobe is a pair of leopard print flats because since they don't go with anything, they go with everything. Excellent point. If you start trying to coordinate different leopard print pieces, it's easy to go overboard with it; so it makes a nice little accent on its own. Plus, this pattern combines blacks and browns in a way that totally works- like tortoise shell. The leopard print flat is just one way of having a neutral that is anything but neutral. So...many thanks to my good friend and thanks to Oprah. I love wearing flats, and this little bit of advice will help me to branch out a little, explore different styles and create fun new looks for myself.
Any other suggestions for fun little flats??

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

It's now October, and as many of you already know, this month commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness. There's never been a better time to wear pink and find ways to raise awareness and lend support to the cause. This month while shopping, try and take the time to make purchases that go beyond being a lovely fashion piece, but that also contributes to raising funds for the fight against Breast Cancer.

Milan Fashion Week!

There was, of course, a huge variety of styles presented by designers at the Milan Fashion Week. The video attached is of a runway event by Versace, and if you watch it, you'll notice that every model is wearing a dress or a skirt and top combo.  Although this collection was designed for this coming spring and summer, there's no reason why we can't find a great dress to wear now that will also work well with fashion trends around the corner.

The Sheath dress is a classic style of dress that I feel demonstrates and reflects the overall tone presented by Versace in the Milan Fashion Week clip posted here. Also, the sheath dress is an especially great style to highlight after having written about the perfect black dress for my last post- I think the two were destined to work hand-in-hand. What's more, a sheath dress can be found to suit any body type. The sheath dress is truly the ultimate classy, lady dress. While it seems wearing one would be particularly well-suited for upcoming spring fashion, I feel safe saying that it is more than ok to start wearing one now.
P.S. Anyone following Paris Fashion Week?

The Perfect Black Dress

A well known fashion fact is that a black dress is a staple for every woman's wardrobe. So as I appraised my closet the other day, I saw that yes, technically I have a black dress; but it's definitely doesn't fit the role of the perfect black dress fashion experts often refer to. Having a black dress and having the black dress are two very different things.
I certainly don't see anything wrong with having multiple black dresses, but what it ultimately comes down to is have the black dress. The perfect black dress distinguishes itself by its ability to work for a wide variety of occasions, and maintains a sophistication and elegance unlike any other dress out there.

Here's a quick summary of what I think the perfect black dress should do:

The perfect black dress can made up to be fancy for a wedding, but also be made more subtle and subdued for a funeral.

It should have the potential to work for both a professional or work scene, as well as can be played up for a dinner party or classy social event.

• What else have you found that makes a black dress the perfect black dress? Any favorites? 

P.S. Looking up celebrity styles as well as blogs devoted to exploring perfect black dress options can be helpful in your style search.

Tights- Show a Little Leg

We're not talking about the hosiery your grandmother used to wear. Not at all. Today we can find a huge variety or colors, patterns and textures for ladies tights. There is plenty of room to play around here and you can easily adapt your statement to be either bold or subtle- So enjoy the freedom and experiment a little. Fishnets are not just for hookers nor are floral prints and stripes just for little girls. By adding a style of tights with more personality, you are able to both balance your outfit as well as give it more dimension. Basically, mix messages and play up the contrast between your tights and the rest of your outfit.
 

The new-and-improved vision for tights: all the benefits of new fashion and style, while retaining plenty of practical purposes.
Here are just a few practical pros for wearing tights:

• Extra layer from the cold. Less so if the style of tight you are wearing has a more of what we'll call negative space; but it's an added layer nonetheless.
• Not everyone has tan legs year round, so your tights can work a lot like a nice even tan and even things out. 
• They can hide unsightly bruises or scratches etc. Even a more tightly woven fishnet can be enough to dispel the appearance of a bruise on your knee so that nobody will notice it. You can still wear a skirt (or perhaps a coordinating pair of shorts) if floor moves in your dance class keep giving you bruises- hooray!

In the last blog post I mentioned that the scarf is an accessory meant to be collected. The same most definitely goes for tights. Too many fun varieties and options to allow yourself to pass them up any longer.  Now wearing tights can be a much different experience from when you were a little girl and mom was trying to force them on you for Sunday church.

Heart the Scarf!

I am sooo excited for fall and all of the accompanying festivities and holidays! It is such a wonderful time of year. The leaves are beginning to turn and the colors are breath taking! Though temperatures haven't really dropped much where I'm living, we're beginning to feel the cool, crisp air in the mornings. There are so many fun fall activities to look forward to and I don't know if I can handle waiting much longer! Luckily, we can begin to incorporate favorite fall fashion pieces now, even if it's still too early for carving pumpkins.

With the increased popularity of scarves you can find some that are fitted for any season; but despite how light-weight they can be, I have a hard time adding the extra layer in the heat of summer. Now though, I feel I have waited long enough and can justify including a scarf with my outfit. Scarves are the perfect accent, and the options are limitless. They come in all different colors, patterns, textures, styles... is there anyone out there who has yet to realize that the scarf is an absolute necessity for every woman's wardrobe? I feel certain that I am preaching to the choir here. So I'll just continue on under the assumption that you're already a believer, ready to embrace wearing scarves as we head into fall, and that I don't need to try and convince you further.
The scarf is an accessory meant to be collected- seeing the variety in your own closet is oh so satisfying. Let's begin preparing for fall fun with a beautiful scarf or two, and by the time you're jumping into a pile of leaves, drinking hot cider, or carving pumpkins you'll be all ready and picture perfect!

You can find them everywhere, and I always start by checking out my favorite stores. But I would like to highlight one place that is probably not your typical stop to shop for clothing: World Market. http://www.worldmarket.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4315690 
I always love looking at their scarves, and they have great prices. Enjoy!

London Fashion Week!

London Fashion Week = Amazing. Sadly I wasn't at either NYFW or LFW personally, but so far I think London's is my favorite of the two. My recommendation is to search online (hit up twitter etc.) so you can soak in more from this incredible event. It's a total jack-pot for fashion ideas.
For starters, at least take the time to enjoy some of this quick video from Jasper Garvida SS2011.

I can't even begin to "cover" the event, so I decided to pick out one particular idea from London Fashion Week for this post.

 Here's my thought: make it a sequin skirt.

Sequins. Yes...we can do it too. Bold sparkle with a bold statement. But certainly something we can work into our outfits off the runway.
By choosing a skirt for your sequin piece, you can then balance the sparkle with a more neutral style top. It's really a perfect way to feel all done up for a special event, a dinner party, dancing or simply a fun night out. It really is a power skirt. You can feel sexy and confident with your fun fashion statement, but don't need to worry about having gone over the top with this one. The sequin skirt epitomizes the "Goldilocks"  balance- not too hot, not too cold, but just right.

P.S. Heads up for Milan Fashion Week going on now! Feel free to share anything you've really liked from any on the magnificent fashion weeks! Enjoy!

Don't forget your Hat!

I've been looking forward to this post ever since I first began planning for my fashion blog! For me, it represents a revolutionary discovery because I used to only wear baseball cap when feeling "sporty" or a beanie when skiing.
In the past I would merely admire a cute hat, but wouldn't go through with actually buying it. I figured it would up collecting dust in my closet given my track record. This is definitely no longer the case. It started off with finding- and actually buying- a couple of really amazing hats while on vacation. I bought them "just for fun" but now after experiencing the many, many practical benefits, I consider them a staple for every woman's wardrobe.

The big features vary based on the style of the hat, but here are some tips and tricks for finding that perfect hat:

• I know this goes without saying, but I'll just include it anyway, pick a hat with some serious style. It's got to be fun! While you want one that is suited to your individual style, don't be afraid to go for something different and push yourselves here a bit. You can do it, trust me. :) The hat has a way of making a bold statement unlike any other accessory. 
• Now this of course depends on the type of hat, but I try and get mine just big enough so that they aren't too snug to my head. I don't want hat hair, and I want to wear a hat that gives me the option to take it off later if I would like.
• Next, if you bought a hat with a little breathing room, you can tuck those lovely, loose curls up under the hat in order to save your hair from getting totally wind blown. You did your hair for a reason, and there's no sense letting it go to waste. So feel free to bike down that hill nice and fast, go ahead and keep the convertible top down, and there's no longer a need to fret if it get's windy while walking around.
• You don't always need the umbrella. As long as you won't be experiencing extended periods of torrential rain, your hat can be the perfect protection from rainfall. Easy on and easy off- once again the hair is saved. Just the other day I was in a hurry to leave my apartment for class and it began to rain. My only means of transportation was biking down the long hill to campus. Choosing the umbrella under these circumstances would have been totally ridiculous- just picture it! And a hood would have just blown right off. I was extra grateful for my hat that day. 
• Your hat can easily work for you on the flip side of the hair issue. Rather than protecting the hair you just finished doing, it can hide the hair you didn't feel like doing. Just pin and tie it up loosely under your hat- maybe style a few strands around your face and voila! You leave the house looking oh so stylish, and it's thanks to your hat and not your hair. 

I don't know about you, but I've been converted. Wearing a hat makes so much sense to me now! For whatever reason I spent my life never wearing a hat more often than once in a blue moon- no matter how stylish of a hat I came across. I had to experience the practical side to realize I am totally in love with wearing pretty hats. I'm now slowly building my collection.
I bought one of my favorite hats in a Hat Shop in Portland called "Goorin Bros." LOVED their little store! Check out: http://www.goorin.com        
Luckily you can shop online, because they only have shop(s) in: Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver.
Don't be shy...share with the class...what's your favorite style of hat? :)

Avoid the Pain of High-Heels!

Personally, I love heels, but I have a hard time getting myself to wear them very often because I really don't want to deal with the discomfort. These "Rollasole" flats are pretty cute, but really their main attraction is that they have such a practical purpose! I first saw these at a Walgreens actually, and have since seen more advertising for them. They're designed to be a very compact and portable shoe that you can carry with your and then slip on whenever your high-heels are no longer needed.
We've all experienced the pain of having to wear heels too long or walk too far in them, and I think this product is such a great idea! I'm all about disproving the old phrase that "beauty is pain," and I think these "Rollasoles" are just one more way to do this.  Carrying these very compact shoes around in a purse would be no problem at all! I'm really excited to give them a try.

In order for them to be super compact, they are definitely pretty thin and I'm betting they would wear out quickly if you wear them walking outside much. Then again, it may be totally worth it since they don't cost very much anyway. With a shoe like this, I just want to find the cheapest option, so I'm working on getting price comparisons. While searching on Amazon.com I found that "Rollasole" is not the only brand but there's also "Footzyrolls" too, and there is at least a small variety of color options as well. (I found the Black pair, pictured at the top, on Amazon for only $9.99 to give you an idea.)
Feel free to share what you know about the shoe, where they are cheapest, or even ideas for making them cuter!

A Headband for Every Occassion!

Today I'd like to highlight this timeless accessory- the headband! 

As far as its function, we all know it is used to keep hair out of your face. But it's also very handy to use on either a bad hair day, or when you simply don't have the time to put as much effort into your hair. Whatever practical purpose you have in mind, let's not forget that the headband (if done right) can be a stunning accent and finishing touch. It can be used to bring some flare to a more plain outfit or polish an already elegant look. With so many styles and options the headband can do more work for you now than ever before!

Personally, I am seriously lacking in the headband department, and I've seen too many cute headbands lately to pass them up any longer. It feels like just the sort of thing my outfits have been missing! On top of what they can do for me in terms of accent and style, I'm definitely excited about the possibility of saving a few minutes on my hair in the mornings but still coming out with a finished look.

I started my shopping by looking at photos of how different celebrities have been wearing them, and then then began looking around at some of my favorite stores to see what they have to offer. However, more and more crafty, artistic women are making their own headbands and opening up a whole world of options! I've already found some really fun pieces @ etsy.com--> http://www.etsy.com/category/accessories/hair

Feel free to share what you have found and where you found it, as well as any other tips on hairpiece accessories!

New York Fashion Week!

It would be wrong not to discuss NYFW, but seemingly impossible to really cover such an event!
Fashion introduced on the runways inevitably influences what we see on every level of fashion and style. If you don't believe me, watch "The Devil Wears Prada" again, and pay more attention to what Meryl Streep's character says to her costar Anne Hathaway on the subject ;)
I want to cover a couple of the trends I noted from NYFW. I'm especially interested in ways to translate the runway look into something perfect for the everyday. I tried to select photos that best represented the trends I'm talking about in this post. Also, in regards to the photos I used, a special thanks to "FaShiOnIsTaTIPs" for the excellent visual coverage of NYFW on their twitter account- a big help to the blog!
Trends to Take Home:

• The "Looks": A mixing of the "masculine" with the "feminine" was a common statement among designers regarding their work this past week. Ideas I'm anxious to incorporate based on this theme are perhaps:   combining a flowing floral print top with a more angularly cut jacket etc; also really like the the use of ruffles and similar feminine touches with the suit. Playing with the contrast can bring you to the perfect balance. It will keep you from looking too business-woman boring or too cutesy and girly. 
• The Colors: There were definitely a lot of darks, but these were often contrasted with pops of bold colors such as red, purple and yellow. However, the neutrals held a strong presence and should not be down-played (particularly with the military inspired style presented by several designers.) In addition, bold stripes were prominent. They often combined the bold color with a neutral or dark. 
• Accessories: Probably my favorite part to talk about was the frequent use of certain accents and accessories at NYFW.  Yellow-gold is back in full swing, gaining popularity- and why not? It gives such a nice shimmer and pop, while flattering any skin type. Depending on the style of the outfit, it can be either a bold or subtle statement! We must note the use of belts not through your pant loops. Worn around the waist, thin belts in particular accentuate your waistline. This belt technique is an excellent way to wear loose, ruffled or flowing tops and layers and keep yourself from either looking bulky or drowning in them.

Loved this year's Fall NYFW and there are so many options to work with!

Any favorites from the event? Suggestions?

Create your own look- inspired by the latest runway fashion event but functions in real world events!

Back to school!

The Fall semester has now begun! And why haul multiple bags around campus when there's one that can handle it all? Even if you're not a student, the same concerns apply for most working women. Here's a list of what I have been looking for in finding the perfect work/school bag:

1. My laptop. This is the most valuable thing I carry around with me, and it needs to be well protected and fit in my bag comfortably. 
2. There needs to be enough space for a couple of small binders and books. (If you're carrying much more than this each day, then you should seriously reevaluate your organization methods. I'd bet you're carrying around a lot of unnecessary weight.)
3. It needs to have plenty of little compartments, pockets and organizers for pens and personal items typically carried in a purse.
4. Last, but certainly not least, the look and design needs to fit my personal style like any other purse should. A bag or purse is a statement. So let's please avoid something that is strictly functional and totally blah.

The Dakine bag pictured is one that I found to fit these requirements. Big bags and purses are totally "in," and I love that this Dakine bag looks like just that and not another backpack or briefcase. Whether for school or work, something along these lines is a staple. Not only can it save you a lot of hassle by having everything you need in one convenient location; but if you do it right, it can be a splendid finishing touch. 

I just got a new laptop and bought a super cute Dakine case for it, but it just doesn't fit well in the messenger bag I've been using. So far as I've found the Dakine bag is best suited for my needs, but I want to be sure to shop around and see what other brands have to offer. 

I'd love to hear any other brand recommendations before I make my purchase! Plus, it would be great to hear about any other fun school (and work) items we could all benefit from! Thanks!