The Reluctant Prep: Kate Spade Edition

Perhaps it's these economically difficult times when I can't justify skipping my mortgage for not that I ever would splurging on one of my Fall Fantasy Bags, or the fact that I've just been sucked into the "Monarchy" mini-series on PBS (aka, reality television we can believe in) and am feeling enamored of Her Majesty the Queen's sensible matching handbag and heels.* Or is it this infernal 5 millionth return this week of preppy style that did it? Whatever the reason, lately I've been feeling more drawn than ever to classic fashions, particularly in the accessory department . . .
*Yes, that was me who just used "sensible matching handbag and heels" in an admiring manner. I'm 30 and watching public television on a Wednesday night, so this seems only a natural progression on the aging path to cellulite and cats . Thank you for your understanding.

. . . so when Esquire Mommy - who, in addition to being a dear friend of mine, is also one of those real-life "Real Housewives of Orange County" (sans tragic life or plastic surgery) types complete with Ralph Lauren-style husband and son and career - sent me a pic of her latest Kate Spade handbag acquisition, I was intrigued. For the first time in a while, actually, Since Miss Spade and her cleverly retro wares had waned in their appeal to me over the years. Not sure if was the fashionista magazine editors that got to me, or the style takeover by Marc Jacobs and his Urban Hipster henchmen, or people like Pat Fields, costume guru for "Sex and the City", sniffing that Carrie Bradshaw would never carry a KS bag. Nevertheless, unlike you Power Preps, I turned my back on KS for a number of years, until recently . . .

The "Yummy Mummy" Tote as I've named it after Esq. Mommy, or "Knightsbridge - Quinn" as the Kate Spade lovelies refer to it. What a delightfully normal, yet lovely everyday tote that is presentable at work or at lady lunches, both this year and in years to come. Nothing the Bag Snobs or editor types will get excited about, but . . . my wallet and me are cool with that.

This one has been kicking around stores for a while, so I can only find it retail for full price at Nordstrom here in a different color, but I've added it to my Christmas list. Right after a Mac Book. And a pony. Not necessarily in that order.

And I can't help but adore these as well:

(credit: Kate Spade)

Courtesy of the Kate Spade private sale going on right now (note: the outlet KS stores appear to be running similar specials as well), the "Karney sling." Again, not revolutionizing the fashion world, but it is in an on-trend grey. Plus, the classic look does the perfect work/play transition like the Yummy Mummy tote. At $119 a pop, a great price for a shoe that will last beyond the season. And:

(credit: Nordstrom)

There I bow again (ha! Get it! Ahahaha!Ha! Um . . . ) with this "Classic Noel Remy Wallet." This is too cutesy for some, and too logo-ey for others, but on my Sensible Wallet and Handbag Days, this primly adorable wallet would be just the thing.

And were I to feel ever so slightly more like acting young, I'd go for this one:


(credit: Nordstrom)

The color may be a tad sunshine-y for winter, but the cut is somehow both modern and classic in its simplicity (Important Note to Coach: Please observe), so this survives hibernation. Love the gold buckle detailing on the strap as well.

So while I'm pleased to be carrying my trendy-slouchy Marc by MJ-hipster bag for now as my brief foray into Urban Hipsterdom - brief because thanks to the trendiness of the bag - I couldn't help but add this on-sale cosmetic case the other day to balance things out. Because you can take the girl out of cotillion (or the girl can take herself out, rather), but you can't necssarily turn her into one of those haute Manhattan girls. Shh, please dont' tell them.

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Thanks to you all for your kind anniversary wishes. The AH and I enjoyed a nice evening cooking at home, having done the official fancy dinner thing out here in NYC, and watched the appropriately sappy-yet-hilarious "Love Actually."**
**Yes, this means I've been watching a perilous amount of Brit-related movies and television lately, which puts us in danger of my affecting an accent and saying things like "shhhhhhedule" and "knickers", befriending Madonna, and starting a completely pretentious website. Oh, wait . . .

A Pause for November 11

In which I am grateful

On this Veteran's Day I ever-so-briefly hang up my Snark Hat to thank my mother, father, step-father, brother, grandfather, grandmother, and grand-uncles, just to mention a few relatives who who have served or are serving either in war or in the active military. I owe you more than I can ever say. Thank you.


In which I am smugly celebratory

As Fate would have it, today also marks my very own wedding anniversary, that one special day of the year when the Anonymous Husband and I can sit back and smile in self-congratulation and swap stories about how crazy our exes were* in manner of completely insufferable Smug Marrieds. *No, really.



It's also possible I'm being a sentimental sap and paging through wedding photos while enjoying a champagne onesie (complete with pink bendy straw, naturally, but in an actual wedding flute so as to keep it classy) and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the AH.

More tomorrow, dolls, as I have much to discuss about that High Priestess of Prep, Kate Spade, as well as a certain anti-prep arch-nemesis (and hyphen-queen, apparently) of mine and her new reality show. In the meantime, please feel free to add to my open Q&A session which I will leave open for a few days yet, lest I be forced to invent my own dialogue . . .

(all photo credit to Winfield Little)