Coffee Break

Accessories for your suits and other office wear.

  • Coffee Break: Gold Lana Monogrammed Oval Signet Ring

    I remember reading (I think in Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred) that a woman should always have a signet ring — it was an interesting idea that seemed more fitting if one has, say, a family shield or crest of armor — but it’s stuck with me enough over the years that I like the…

  • house ad reads THE BEST SUITS IN 2025 FOR EVERY BUDGET, click here for the roundup, and features a collage of 5 women wearing stylish suits
  • Coffee Break: Vintage Shoulder Bag Top-Handle Tote

    Every so often one finds a brand that’s cute, affordable, and extremely well reviewed on Amazon — Jack & Chris seems to be one of them. Their bags are all 100% soft grain cowhide leather, bear no markings, and have a classic look about them. This particular bag has leather feet, a number of interior…

  • Coffee Break: Esperance Pumps

    These well-reviewed pumps (available in four colors!) are 45% off over at Nordstrom — nice. (Black and bisque are still full price at $117, but note that they come in narrow and wide sizes as well.) I like the classic shape, the comfortable heel (2.75″), and the price: they’re $59.98. Louise et Cie ‘Esperance’ Pump (L-all)  

  • Coffee Break: Prism Heels

    Oooh: a 2″ heel that is not only fashionable, but one of the Barneys’ team’s favorite heels (according to an email newsletter I can no longer find)? Sign me up. I like the winey purple color here, and the gold, prism-shaped heel — while unusual — seems pretty demure considering the height. Love. The pictured…

  • Coffee Break: Potted Pen Phone Stand

    I always like any desk accessory that adds a nice pop of color, and this plastic “potted pen” desk accessory from Kikkerland looks like just the ticket. There’s a simpler version that’s avaialble at Amazon and ModCloth, but I like that this one serves as an iPhone tray and catches other miscellaneous things floating around…