Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

What’s in My Bag: Total Solar Eclipse

All the excitement about the total solar eclipse has totally piqued my interest. It’s a really cool day to be living in St. Louis too. Today, for the first time since 1442, St. Louis (and my part of the city in particular) will be in the path of totality. So, we get to see the moon completely cover the sun. Here’s what’s in my bag to commemorate and experience this awe-inspiring moment in history.

My bag: Madewell Transport Rucksack.

I purchased this backpack for travel (see more here), but I’ve been relying on it as an everyday bag when I need to stylishly tow many things.

What’s in My Bag: Total Solar Eclipse

Certified solar glasses

Sunglasses 

Sunscreen

Camera (to capture the experience not the actual eclipse because I don’t have a solar lens filter)

iPhone 7 (in best protective case ever)

Poppin notebook (and paper to create a pinhole projector)

S’well bottle with water

Vegan snacks

Total Solar Eclipse

 

What’s in My Bag: Spring 2017 Small Crossbody

I’m so fascinated by What’s in My Bag posts. I think deeply about how I organize my own bags, so that might be the reason I always want to see how other do theirs. Over the last year, I went from being a bag lady, carrying large totes filled with essentials, to now carrying fairly small bags. How did I make the transition? I downsized my essentials. Here’s how I’ve been packing my Coach Dinky crossbody bag.

Coach Dinky Small Crossbody Bag

What’s in my small crossbody bag:

 Leather card case | Business card case | myCharge Style Power c/o | Keys (not shown) | Phone

Project 7 gum | Shea Moisture lip balm | Lotion | Tissue

The big challenge to packing this small crossbody was my wallet. It occupied too much space. I’d been searching for a smaller wallet with no luck. So, I eventually decided to start using a card case instead, and I found the perfect one on Amazon for under $15. My hot pink leather card case comes in several fun colors and a few neutrals . It has 6 card slots and a center slot for cash or anything else. The slots securely hold my cards, but not so tightly that they’re a pain to get out when needed.

I rely on my iPhone 7 all day long, from checking emails to engaging on social media. And, those apps drain the battery so quickly. So, I like to have a portable charger with me just in case I don’t have access to an outlet. I have a Mophie, which I love, but needed something more compact for my smaller bags. The myCharge Style Power was the answer! It’s super stylish too.

So, what’s in your small bag?

What’s in My Bag Including 2 Dinner Giveaways

I’m back with another what’s in my bag post (and a giveaway)! I don’t know why, but I love seeing what people carry around in their bags. You too? This fall, I’m primarily carrying a small crossbody bag. Since it’s smaller, I’m forced to pack efficiently. By the way, I have a super cool surprise for you in this small bag. I’m giving away two $25 gift cards to Elephant Bar Restaurant in St. Louis!

what's in my bag tory-burch-marion-suede-crossbody-bag-port-1c

What’s in my bag:

Suede crossbody bag (port)

Wallet and business card holder (options in surprise sale | ending tonight)

Travel sized lotion

iPhone 7 in case

Mophie charger (c/o, find out why it’s purple)

Favorite pen and a marble memo pad

Favorite fall lipstick (Mac Rebel)

Gum

Tory Burch Marion Suede Crossbody Bag Port

I tried the new menu at Elephant Bar recently. Oh my gosh! The cocktails, like the Ultimate Rye Manhattan, are amazing, and the food is even better. Since I’m vegan, the restaurant whipped me up a few super special off-menu options, including tofu lettuce wraps and a tofu stir-fry. My husband, on the other hand, really enjoyed the shrimp and chicken jambalaya. We have plans to return to Elephant Bar, and I think you should visit too. To make the decision to visit easy, I’m giving away two $25 gift cards. Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

  1. Entries can be made until Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 11:59 PM CT.
  2. Must be in or near St. Louis or another city with an Elephant Bar to redeem gift card.
  3. 2 winners will be randomly selected using random.org
  4. Selected winner has 48 hours to respond to winning notification email. In the event of no response, another winner will be selected.

Disclosure: Elephant Bar hosted me and a guest for dinner and also provided the gift cards in this giveaway.

What to Pack for a Day at Fair Saint Louis

I’ll be hanging out at Camp Redbook at Fair Saint Louis this Saturday from 1:30 to 5:30 PM. Come out and join me! Plan your visit before heading to Forest Park, though, because Fair Saint Louis places restrictions on what you can take into the park. And, event security meticulously enforces the rules too. Here are the essentials that’ll be in my bag for a day at Fair Saint Louis, and why these items meet event guidelines.

What's in my bag for a day at Fair Saint Louis 2c

What’s in My Bag:

1. A small tote to hold my essentials. Event rules prohibit large bags with the exception of baby diaper bags.

2. A purse for your coins and ID.

3. A factory sealed water bottle (up to 1 liter) or an empty plastic water bottle to stay hydrated. We’ll have water for you at Camp Redbook too.

4. My iPhone to stay connected and to take photos. Fair Saint Louis doesn’t allow professional cameras with interchangeable lenses.

5. A blanket for sitting in the grass. Portable chairs are allowed as well.

6. Sunglasses to look fly while blocking the sun’s rays.

7. An umbrella, because rain is in the forecast, but only a small hand-held style.

 

What’s In My Bag, Spring 2016 Edition

I make opportunity purchases on small bags all the time. A fabulous Loeffler Randall Lock Clutch is over 60% off? I better get that. A Mango geometric print clutch is only $20? I can definitely use that. My everyday tote, though, is a purchase I deliberate over for weeks if not months. In that time, I read bag reviews, I watch YouTube unboxing videos and how I organize my bag videos, I google image search or Instagram hashtag search to see how it looks on women of my size. Of course, if the option is available, I also visit the bag in-store to try it on and take snaps of how it looks when I’m holding it. Are you like that too?

After an extended period of deliberation, I purchased a Tory Burch Small York Tote in the color French Grey. It will be replacing my Rebecca Minkoff Medium M.A.B. Tote (on mega sale!) because I wanted something smaller. The small York won me over because of its just-right size, the organization of the inside, and the color options. The bag has a center zip pocket that serves as a divider creating two compartments in the bag as well as the usual interior zip and additional small pockets for a cell phone and other items. I also love the French Grey color because it pairs well with the colors I like to wear and works for any season.

Today’s post shares what I’ve been carrying in my bag. Want to see me actually holding the bag? Check out the list of posts featuring the tote at the end.


What’s in My Bag:

1. A planner. In late February, I decided I wanted to keep an actual planner again. The Kate Spade agenda is a longtime favorite, but I did”t want to purchase one since I’d already lost so many months. Besides, the new Kate Spade planners are released in July, so I’ll get one then.

2. A Poppin’ Notebook. I keep a few journals. This one is my blog journal that I use to keep track of outfit ideas, post ideas, and useful information I come across for my blog.

3. My iPad Mini in a Kate Spade Case (similar colors, stripes). I try not to move around with my MacBook unless I absolutely need it. When I do carry it, I usually just hold it in a Mujjo sleeve. See why I love my Mujjo sleeve in this 2013 review. I’m still rocking with that same one.

4. A pencil pouch with my favorite Pilot pens and other things. This case is actually a makeup bag I found in a Target One Spot for $3.

5. My iPhone in a $5 case from the Target One Spot. I still have a 5S and luckily, the One Spot has cases for the older and newer phone models.

6. My Kate Spade Cedar Street Darla Wallet. I’ve been using Darla wallets for years now because of the small but efficient size. I got the color option during a Kate Spade surprise sale this year.

7. A makeup bag with some of my favorite toiletries and beauty items, including a small Shea Moisture Lotion, ellovi lip butter, Mac Lipstick, Mac Versicolour Lip Stain, and my safe-for-sensitive-skin hand sanitizer.

8. Snacks! Of course, I ate them all, so you won’t see them in these photos. I always have a Larabar or a small bag of Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn. I’m addicted to that popcorn. Have you tried Project 7 gum? Lately, I always have a pack of that in my bag too.

See me style the tote in these posts:

Embracing Bold Prints for Spring

Off-The-Shoulder Ruffle Top for Under $20

Ann Taylor Hibiscus Belted Jumpsuit

The One-Piece Wonder I Wear Everywhere