Summer Handbag Loves: Luxury vs. Splurge vs. Save

I have a small obsession with handbags.  They are probably hands down my favorite accessory.  Today I've rounded up some of my favorite summery style handbags.  Lots of light pastels, light neutrals, and bright pops of colors are the best way to accessorize outfits during the summer months (IMHO).  My two favorite types of handbags are totes that can fit everything, and crossbodys that leave your hands free (usually to hold coffee and food because those are my priorities).

I've rounded up 3 levels of price ranges: The luxury buys that I am drooling over, The Splurges that are slightly easier to stomach price-wise, but still up there and the Saves: All under $100!

 

Invaluable

I was challenged by Invaluable to create my jewelry box, a collection of jewelry pieces that carry special meaning with me.  

Invaluable is the largest online auction marketplace where you can find antique jewelry (among many other items).  They have some pretty cool and unique finds so I recommend checking out their website.  

While I haven't yet inherited any of my family's antiques I do have some pieces that are special to me. 

I became obsessed with this bracelet in fifth grade after seeing Lizzy McGuire wearing the necklace version in the Lizzie McGuire movie (major throwback), and when I was in 8th grade my parents decided I was old enough to have my first piece of nice jewelry and surprised me with it.  This is my favorite bracelet I own to this day, and I love wearing it.  Fun fact about silver: if your jewelry is authentic sterling silver it will have "925" printed somewhere on it.  

The second piece, this necklace, was my graduation gift from High School.  Growing up (and still to this day) Tiffany's has been one of my favorite jewelry stores.  

The next necklace I received as a gift from my friends in high school for my 18th birthday.  My friend group in high school went through a phase where we would all pitch in $20 and as a group get our friend something really special. 

Next is my monogram necklace.  This one I purchased myself with money I saved up from babysitting.  This necklace is my most worn necklace (I'm typically wearing it almost everyday).  It's special to me mostly because I saved up to purchase it, and it is my monogram, so even though I know there are other girls with my initials out there it feels unique to me.   

This is my state necklace I picked out from Baublebar.  This necklace represents my home state and I love wearing it.  Even during cold winters in Boston I would put on this necklace and think of sunny California weather.  

This piece is a pendant I purchased during my time studying abroad.  Even though I studied in London I actually purchased this during a weekend trip to Venice, Italy.  Venice is famous for Murano glass, and I wanted something special to remember my trip to Italy.  I actually never purchased any jewelry in London, so this is the only piece of jewelry from my entire trip abroad.  

These are my most worn earrings, my pearl studs.  I reach for these almost every day.  These were also a gift from my parents at the start of my second year of college, and they were purchased in Boston.  Fun Fact about pearls:  To test if pearls are real rub them together and they should create a thin dust between the two of them.  If they do

Instagram Recap

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing 4th of July weekend.  I certainly did (it involved a Gilmore Girls marathon).  It has been a while since I've done an Instagram Recap!  So here are a few recent pics from my Instagram @claireelise5 (shameless plus, and if you aren't following me you totally should be).  

One of my favorite mugs from Anthropologie.  They no longer have the gold lined, but the regular ones are still available.  

Cardigan - J.Crew // Tank - J.Crew // Shorts - J.Crew // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Necklace - Kendra Scott 

Tank - J.Crew (old same style here) // Leggings - Zella // Purse - Louis Vuitton // Shoes - Jack Rogers 

Dress - Lilly Pulitzer (old) // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Purse - Louis Vuitton // Bracelets - Alex and Ani // Rings - Baublebar 

Shirt - Lilly Pulitzer (old, similar) // Cardigan - Nordstroms (old similar here) // Leggings - Zella // Shoes - Jack Rogers 

Dress - J.Crew (on sale) // Purse - Louis Vuitton // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Bracelet - Lilly Pulitzer (old) 

Stinson Beach, CA 

Coverup - J.Crew (old similar here) 

Dress - Lilly Pulitzer (old similar here) // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Purse - Louis Vuitton // Bracelet - Alex and Ani and Etsy 

Sunglasses - Nasty Gal (sold out similar here) // Purse - Louis Vuitton // Cup - Lilly Pulitzer (old) 

Dress - J.Crew Factory (old similar here) // Bandeau - Free People // Necklace - Baublebar

Sunglasses - Nasty Gal (sold out, similar here) 

Bikinis from top to bottom: Old (similar) // Zinke // Victoria's Secret (old, similar here) // Topshop // Victoria's Secret // Zinke // Lilly Pulitzer (old similar here)

Shop my snaps above:

Trend For Less: Retro Sunglasses

I don't know about anyone else but lately I've been loving all the retro Sunglasses out this season.  From John Lennon style circle sunnies to flash lenses to the super cool looking Prada versions (like here and here) I have become obsessed.  However I already have two pairs of Ray-Bans, and I would hate to spend a lot of money on something I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of (especially if the trend only lasts a summer).  So I was super pumped to find that there are some much cheaper options at Nasty Gal and Nordstroms in some of my favorite styles. I picked these Nasty Gal sunnies and am super excited to wear them this summer! 

All the shades below are under $50!  Happy Shopping :)

Tory Burch on Sale!

Hello and happy Thursday!  Here are a couple of Tory Burch sale finds that I've seen that I love.  I've been really into her patterned totes recently.  Too bad I have ay too many totes to justify buying a new one, but I am eying some of the shoes (those Gladiator Espadrilles are such a cute find!).  Happy Shopping! 

Totes Y'all

I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with handbags.  Specifically totes.  I love being able to carry literally everything I would ever want in a purse.  I used totes for most of my college years and they were the perfect bags to bring to class.  I have probably more tote bags than any person actually needs, but regardless I will be collecting totes for a long time.  I've rounded up a few favorite styles of totes.  Click on the pictures for a link to the Tote Bag 

Steals (all under $100)

Neutrals 

Colorful Picks

Splurges

**A Few of the Splurge links are for pre-owned, vintage (and cheaper) options, not new full priced pieces. 

My personal favorite (and most used) is my Longchamp Le Pilage.   I also love my Louis Vuitton Neverfull!  They are great bags if you like something big just like I do!

What are your favorite types of purses? 

Recent Outfits

Here's a recap of some of my OOTDs from my tumblr and Instagram over the past few weeks. Looking through I definitely have a few repeat offenders...(these shorts on sale and my Jack Roger Lauren sandals -SO COMFORTABLE!)



Shirt - J.Crew (similar here and here) // Shorts - J.Crew Factory (ON SALE!) // Shoes - Jack Rogers //Purse - Louis Vuitton (cheaper here, here, and here)

Tunic - Lilly Pulitzer (old similar here and here) // Leggings - Zella // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Tumbler - Lilly Pulitzer // Tote - Louis Vuitton (cheaper here and here)

Shirt - J.Crew // Shorts - J.Crew Factory // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Purse - Longchamp

Shirt - J.Crew (old similar here and here) // Shorts - J.Crew // Shoes - Sam Edelman (OMG they are so comfy and come in so many colors ) // Tote - Louis Vuitton 

Dress - Nordstroms (brand Poridge) (old similar here and here) // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Tote - Louis Vuitton // Bracelet -Baublebar (I'm obsessed)

Dress - Lilly Pulitzer old (similar styles here and here) // Jacket - J.Crew // Purse - Louis Vuitton (cheaper here, here, and here) Shoes - J.Crew

Shirt - J.Crew // Shorts - Lilly Pulitzer // Shoes - Jack Rogers // Purse - Louis Vuitton (cheaper here, here, and here)

Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale

The Nordstroms Half-Yearly Sale is HERE! I shop at Nordstroms way to much if we are being honest, and their sales are the best.   I've been eyeing most of these shoes and accessories this past spring, and now is the perfect time to purchase.  Most items are 30% or more off.  Below are some of my picks from the sale. 

Shop these picks and more below, and sizes and styles are going quick!: