City Girl Logic: Skimp or Splurge?

The perfect black tote is something every woman should have in her closet. Not only is it practical for carrying around your daily essentials (and those necessary extras), but the look and shape is timeless and so stylish. Whether you skimp or splurge, a bag like this belongs in a City Girl’s arsenal.

7 Things I Want Right Now.

The Great Gatsby book clutch by Kate Spade —The perfect cocktail conversation piece. It’s a little demure and a little goofy, perfect for those of us with a light-hearted approach to fashion. 

“N” earring — Though it’s a single earring, I’m dying to pin this on a blazer lapel or turtle neck like its 1961.

Wool fedora — The Northeast has cold winters, and one thing my mom and grandma always said was, “keep your head warm and you won’t get sick,” and I stick by the advice as a great excuse to buy a timeless winter hat. 

Leopard print pencil skirt — Though you could style this skirt a million ways, I stray from the Dirty Dancing approach, and would pair this with a black turtle neck and blazer or a cable knit sweater and knee-high boots. 

Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil —I have been reading endless reviews about how UTTERLY AMAZING this hair product is. One lovely lady I know, Lindsay of Belle Belle Beauty Blog, shares the same hair texture that I have— fine, prone to oiliness, and she swears by it.

Fringe suede hobo bag — The 70s are revived in this slouchy, burnt-toast suede bag by Cynthia Vincent. I would wear this with super basics to let the bag say it all. All you need are jeans, a tee, loafers, and sunglasses.

Vert drop earrings — This photo of Angelina Jolie has inspired me to find some similar earrings. The way they fall against her brunette hair and fair skin is so glamorous, right?

Fall Trend Report.

Embrace your inner urban cowgirl with a great fringe bag, a Western hat, and some lace up booties. Just wear one piece at a time or you’ll risk looking like you left Texas Roadhouse. 

Go monochromatic with grey on grey, black on black, or my new favorite— red on red. Minimal accessories in neutral colors keep this look fresh. 

Give your feet a break from stilettos and try some chunky heels! My arches are thanking me already. The heel height should be under 4.5 inches and over 2 inches, to make this 70s trend more modern. 

Image credit: {burgundy & black}{metallic heels}{grey on grey}{hat}{fringe bag}{army blazer}

Hair Goodies.

These are my go-to hair tools for romantic (read: effortless), easy hair ‘dos.

Comb. Frederic Fekkai products are worth the splurge, and the comb I received in the Travel Kit is my favorite! I use it right after washing my hair to gently untangle and smooth.

Hair ties. Mane Message hair ties were introduced to me by Lara Ramos and Meg Biram (two lovely bloggers). These gentle, pretty elastics look as lovely on your wrist as they do on your ponytail. If you need to run an errand on the subway with your hair tied back, and want your strands kink-free when you’re back in the office with your hair down, these are the ties for you.

Hair pins. These pins are perfect for creating a voluminous top knot, low chignon, or french twist with precision. I keep mine in a candy tin on my bathroom shelf to keep them easily accessible.

Hair elastics. A stretchy, no-damage hair tie in a color that matches your hair (we’re not in middle school any more), is the perfect addition to your hair wardrobe. I like these when I want my hair up and out of the way, all day.

Teasing brush. This brush is more than a teasing brush. I use the pointed end to part my hair (especially for a dry-shampoo root spray), and the wiry bristles can pump up the volume or slick back a halo of flyaways, depending on how you use it.

1. Baggu collapsible tote. Fold it into a tiny square to keep in your purse in case you need an extra bag for groceries, library books, or a last-minute shopping trip ($8).

2. Minimergency Kit for Her. For life’s little emergencies. Contains hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, sewing kit, double-sided tape, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and adhesive bandages ($13).

3. Mens watch. Wearing a watch is the first step to abiding by a rigorous schedule. This menswear watch from Timex is as stylish as it is affordable ($39).

4. Envelope clutch wallet. Holds everything imaginable and doubles as a clutch for a coffee run or cocktail date ($13).

5. Black leather flats. They go with just about everything from casual attire to office wear, and the leather provides comfort, breathability, and lasts beyond one season.