It took me about 6 months to finally decide to buy this cross body bag from Baggu;  I finally bought it when it was on sale for 20% off on black friday.   I almost never carry my laptop around with me so I didn’t need a larger bag than this.  For years I used my APC half moon bag primarily, but because my job now requires me to carry around a bag and I’m constantly digging around my bag for a pen, index cards to write notes, or to check my pager, the half moon bag with its stiff zipper became impractical.  For a while I used a vintage coach mini bag but that quickly deteriorated.  I learned my lesson:  I’m never buying vintage leather ever again.  I chose this baggu bag because it was the smallest size that was still big enough to be functional; it’s easy to open and close; there’s no frills; and the leather feels thick and buttery soft; I also love the thin round strap that tie easily into a top knot to create a cute short length.  I took a leap away from the usual black leather I’m prone to and went for brown.  I’ve been leaning toward light colors, tan, oatmeal, and browns as much as possible.  I think it reflects my desire to go back to California and be among the dry desert landscapes again.

In other wardrobe news, I’ve decided two out of the five pants I own that can be worn at work no longer work for me.  They are the two J. crew cafe capris that I bought pre owned for like $10 each.  They are simply way too cropped for the winter months.  I did get a lot of wear out of them so I’m not too bummed.  I’m going to keep them around to wear in the summer months, but need to put them aside for the next few months.  When I’m back in California, I’m sure I’ll be able to wear them year round.  I’m sort of having a crisis of not having enough bottoms to wear this winter.  I’ve been wearing my Clydes twice a week lately and people at work are probably starting to notice and even those pants feel awkwardly too cropped for the winter.  In search of more pants as we speak now.  I tried the realreal, but damn it, the measurements they post are so messed up and the photos are really crappy.  In some ways I prefer Poshmark because at least there you can ask the buyer to post more pics or ask questions.  Pants are difficult to buy pre-owned; maybe I should give up on that idea and just buy new when it comes to pants unless there is a specific cut that I already know fits me.  Perhaps I should focus my secondhand finds on tops, which I’ve had really good luck with this past year.  I’m expecting a couple other purchases to arrive in the mail this month:  the Everlane slim wool pants (which are supposed to be long and warm/good for winter) and Elizabeth Suzann Harper tunic in linen gauze.  If the fit is right, I expect both of these items to be major workhorses in my wardrobe.  And if I’m only in NYC for one more winter, maybe I can get away with wearing the EL slim wool pants everyday until it gets warm again.  Those pants are so minimalist and non-descript, maybe no one will notice?  I guess we’ll find out soon.  Stay tuned!

[outfit:  everlane wool-cotton turtleneck*; elizabeth suzann clyde work pants (cotton twill, old); madewell mules; baggu crossbody bag]