Coffee Break: Private Eye Tote
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Looking to splurge on a bag? This best-selling tote from Métier would be one of my top choices.
The suede version is a best-seller at NET-A-PORTER, and I can see why — it looks chic and polished, yet has a bunch of interior pockets as well as a “pull-out pouch that can be converted into a cross-body bag.”
It will definitely fit a tablet, but is a bit on the small side for laptops — 10.2″ tall by 14.2″ wide, with a depth of 7.9″ — but there is also a larger version that clocks in around 11.4″ tall x 16.5″ wide by 9″ deep.
The pictured bag is $4,950 at NET-A-PORTER, where they have a number of iterations of the bag — suede! calf! quilted! medium! large! — as well as a lot of colors; you can also find a lot of options for the bag at Métier.com.
Sales of note for 5/1:
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 40% off your purchase PLUS $50 off $200! Readers love this popover blouse, and their suiting is also in the sale.
- Boden – 15% off new styles with code
- Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide (ends 5/1) — we have and love these sateen sheets
- Evereve – All tops on sale
- Express – $39+ Summer Styles
- Hatch – $15 off one of our favorite alarm clocks with code LETMOMSLEEP15
- J.Crew – Up to 30% off wear-now styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything, and extra 60% off clearance
- Lands' End – 40% off sitewide – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
- Loft – 60% off florals and 50% off your purchase
- M.M.LaFleur – End of season sale. Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
- Nordstrom – 1500+ new women's markdowns
- Sephora – Hair deals daily – today 5/1 up to 50% off dae, Verb, PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross, and BaBylissPro products
- Talbots – 40% off one item and 30% off your entire purchase
- TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
- Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!
I just had a Zoom call with a recent grad who was violently bouncing on an exercise ball the entire time. Sooo motion sick now – I tried to hide her from my view but then I missed body language cues for our conversation. Please, people, do not bounce with such force that you are swaying in the whole Zoom window!
What? That is bonkers.
What on earth. I would absolutely have said something.
I’ve decided to stop using a loofah because of the bacteria (hard to go back after learning about it). I don’t like washcloths, though, so I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions for those silicone scrubbers or some other product that could work for a loofah fan.
Salux cloths are the absolute best, and can be put in the washing machine.
Agreed, I have been using these forever. (And I had one that lasted maybe 15 years, after regular use and frequent washings.)
I like a washcloth with a scrub product on it. Gives the same deep slough while being able to be properly cleaned (those plastic ones never seem to make it through heat the same way).
I just use a Boie but the Casamera looks interesting. The Boie seems indestructible, though, so hard to justify buying something else.
This bag is on my dream list. I heard the founder (a woman) talk and she was amazing. She puts a ton of thought and design into her bags (sort of the ultra luxe version of Lo and Sons). This is goals for me (still buying Lo on sale).
This is super nice but also I don’t get the price, even using well paid craftspeople it should not be that price. I’m tempted to recreate something similar with an old coat.
Democracy jeans: what is the deal with these? I have now tried on many pairs and I have never bought them, despite the fact that they work well for my hips and thighs, while other brands do not. They just look so … dorky? Maybe it’s the washes I’m trying, but yikes, I’d rather stick with my $60 Levis.
If you want something cooler than Levis and not dorkier, maybe try Adriano Goldschmied?
Ha! To each her own. My democracy wide-leg denims look a lot less dorky on me than all the others I’ve tried, but maybe because the design addresses my specific peri-fabulous shape right now.
What shoes do I wear clubbing/dancing in spring/summer? I have upcoming celebrations involving going out with gfs. We are in late 30s / early 40s. One is a trip to Vegas and a couple more are local nights out (walking between bars only). I’ll be dressed up for all of these as we are celebrating various things but just not sure what I can wear that won’t kill my feet but will look nice. Lookin g for specific recs/links. No budget. Can buy multiple things if needed. I feel like I’m too millennial to do the fashion sneakers thing right. But also maybe too old for stilettos like I used to do for this type of stuff.
Went to Vegas last year as a 40 year old. While we didn’t really go clubbing, we did go see Magic Mike, ha. I wore sequins there and every night we went to dinner/out and about.
I realize hush puppies shoes don’t exactly scream “cool,” but I got these to wear on a cruise and thought they worked really well for dancing and heavy walking but still felt dressed up. https://www.dsw.com/product/hush-puppies-sofie-cross-pump/542751. And they’re really cheap right now!
Give us an idea of an outfit you have in mind. I’d do fashion sneakers because I just don’t care enough to match shoes to an event unless it’s a wedding or my paycheck depends on it.
maybe like gladiator sandals with a lace-up-the-leg feature? but i don’t know if i’d worry about people stepping on my toes.
i read somewhere that all the cute 20-something girls in clubs these days look like adam sandler. (it was in the context of exactly this, late 30s women trying to figure out what to wear to a club.)
The shoes depend on the range of outfits you’re packing. Dressing up can mean a lot of different things.
If you’re looking for cute casual comfortable, then dansko lizanne in taupe is quite versatile and unobtrusive. Will be fine for bar hopping, you will have zero pain at end of night, fine with both jeans and summer dresses.
Something like these look comfy and still fancy enough for a night out https://www.naturalizer.com/product/womens-petra-dress-sandal-3033420/walnut-brown-leather-ec0209980
i’m a little older than you but i have been to a lot of 50th birthdays this year and unless you’re a person who wears a heels, people are wearing flats or cute sneakers, even with dresses.
There is a lot between stilettos and fashion sneakers! Do you have opinions about actual comfort shoe brands? (Sofft, Naturalizer, Clarks? I would not go any lower end than those. It is hard to find fashionable shoes from those brands, but they are comfortable.) Do you know what heel height works for you? (I have a sweet spot where lower is actually worse.) Did you have favorite stilettos that were easy on your feet? If you already know a brand has worked for you before, it could be worth looking at other styles from the same brand.
If you’re avoiding heels, maybe something like this? https://shop.mango.com/us/en/p/women/shoes/flat-sandals/metallic-straps-sandals_67076736
who would you see if you wondered if you had pelvic floor issues? ortho? your GP?
A pelvic floor therapist – mine was at a physical therapy clinic.
Either my GP or a gyn, if I had one.
I think this is usually a specialty PT kind of thing.
But if you’re not sure, start with the symptoms and your GP. Even if they’re not super familiar with pelvic floor issues, they may need to do some other tests to make sure it’s not something else entirely!
I think I’ve seen someone recommend a suede spray protectant previously, but can’t remember the name. I bought a purse and would like to protect the best I can so I’d appreciate if you have a product that you’d recommend.