ByKat Hours Updated
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Coffee Break

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Monserat de Lucca grey leather 'Trenza' braid detail shoulder bagWe're liking this great shoulder bag from Monserat de Lucca. We like the braided detail, the multiple pockets (both outside and in), the two optional handles, and the gorgeous, lovely color. It's $297 at Bluefly (was $495). Monserat de Lucca grey leather ‘Trenza' braid detail shoulder bag

Sales of note for 12.5

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

62 Comments

  1. This is quite possibly the first of the “slouchy” family of bags that have been so popular that I have actually liked. Love the braid!

    2. That’s funny. I normally love slouchy bags but do not particularly like this one. Maybe it’s better in person. I love gray but this is not doing much for me.

      1. ha, that is funny. My natural style is generally very tailored, so I’m thinking the structure/unique-but-classic touch provided by the braid (and lack of dangly things) appeals to me :)

  2. oh, how I love this. It is so very, very tempting. However, the type of purse I really need is a smaller, casual weekend bag. I have larger casual bags for errand running but I’m always at a loss when the brunch or dinner calls for something smaller than a tote-size bag but larger than a clutch (especially in the summer) – any good suggestions?

      1. I’m a big fan of small, cross-body bags. The only time I ever carry a larger purse is when I have my dslr and lenses with me.

      2. I like them for traveling or when I have to walk long distances as part of a commute. I don’t like the one you pictured because it just screams tourist to me. I’d want something a little more subtle/refined.

        1. I agree, this one is a bit too touristy for what I’m looking for. I like casual but this is a bit too far in that direction.

          3. Chicago S: I have been longing for that bag for almost 2 years now. I think you’ve just tipped me over the edge!

      3. I carry small cross-body bags exclusively, due to an old neck injury. Years ago, I found a nice Ralph Lauren bag with a long, detachable black leather strap. Now I buy bags with a short strap, cut it off and attach the RL one. Instant cross-body.

        Because the strap has silver buckles, I look for bags with silver hardware or no visible metal. Also, the black strap limits me to colors that work with black, but all my shoes and other accessories are black/silver so that isn’t an issue.

        That strap has carried me through many seasons when all the cute styles had short handles!

      1. ooo, I really like this as well but more formal than what I’m looking for. Love the suggestion though!

        1. Check out Francesco Biasia bags on Zappos. They’re incredibly well made & come in very cute styles (I think). Zappos has a lot on sale. I am a big fan of their versatility (i.e., they would not look out of place running errands in the morning but work equally well for drinks at night)
          Zappos is having a big sale now on them.

          That said I have something similar to this for running errands/random meals with friends & find it very convenient. But I don’t know if you’re looking for something bigger that can maybe fit some extras. I like this for when I need just the wallet, keys, phone, lipgloss, ipod & some random stuff like gum, or whatever.
          http://www.zappos.com/fossil-mini-turnlock-saddle

  3. The styling is gorgeous! If it were the size of a normal handbag, I would have snapped it up already, but I dislike bags this large. I hate feeling like I’m smacking everyone around me with my purse on the crowded subway.

    2. Eek, that’s funny because I was thinking this bag is not large enough! I carry the whole world in my bag at all times, but I don’t think I’m guilty of smacking people around =/

  4. I have a hobo bag, and all of my stuff ends up in a junky pile in the bottom of the bag. I’m constantly rummaging through it to find stuff. I even bought a “purse organizer” to no avail. These things need structure and better interior pockets….!

      1. I saw that! One of the Jezebel commenters said (paraphrasing a bit) that she agreed that interns generally needed to dress more professionally but that leggings and a cardigan would do the trick to make a sundress suitable for a professional office. I chuckled at that — sundresses and leggings are two things that have gotten a lot of play this summer as big no-no’s over here!

        1. My secretary pulls the sundress/leggings/cardi combo off a lot. She is young and very cute and stylish, and frankly looks quite nice most days.

          HOWEVER, not a look that I would recommend for anyone trying to move into a more professional role.

        2. Sigh. Do not wear anything at the office that you could also wear at the gym. Is it that hard?

          1. No. It.is.not. Really. I cannot believe that anyone with aspirations beyond secretary would even think about it, but…well, it’s just sad.

            Hey, @ fresh jd – how goes the bar prep? Good luck!!

          2. Hey Suze, thanks for asking! Clearly I am spending too much time on blogs and not enough time on bar books =/ I am scared and suffering big time!

            I need some studying motivation boosters… what does it take to pass?!

          3. Personal rule addendum – Don’t wear anything to the office that you would also wear to the beach… yes, Old Navy flip flop wear-er, I’m talking about you

        1. Oooooooooooooh, fabulous – I’ve been thinking about this too, cuz I have the ‘bucket’ syndrome too (one of the reasons I like the extra pockets on this featured purse, but one can never be too organized in the purse). Thanks for the post!!

          1. @fresh jd – repetition, repetition, repetition (keep doing the practice tests and analyzing/correcting error patterns) – and, borrowing from my son’s karate program, STAY STRONG. I hated that test soooooooooooooo much, and I was a fabulous test-taker! took it in for the first time in Feb with all the people who had failed it in July (bonus psychodrama enhancement)…dating myself, it was before Al Gore invented the internet, but because I was so committed to the idea that I would only do it once, I had my Peace Corps application all filled out and ready to go in a sealed envelope in case I didn’t pass. I did, barely – but all you have to do is make a D – keep that in mind when allocating time on the multistate questions, really – on the ones you *know* the right answer, do it and move on, and don’t spend forever on the ones that you definitely don’t….best guess is your friend, time and substance wise. I don’t know what your state is like for the ‘essay’ part (again, dating myself…we handwrote ours in blueblooks, for real), but if you were reasonably competent on law school exams in the basics, you will do fine on this part bcs. it’s really just issue spotting.

            You are fine – need to take an occasional (like every few hours) break to blog and such, don’t feel bad. And – very presumptuous wise woman/battle axe here, don’t get me wrong – I’ve seen enough of your anecdotal writing (and intuition) to say that I think YOU ARE FINE. Relax, stay focused, don’t overwork yourself and DO think about what you will wear (and where you will go out for fancy drinks and dinner) on the day you get sworn in. Really. :). Best of luck.

    2. I put my things in different cosmetic bags, organized by category, and put all the bags inside my purse. Everything stays organized, nothing ends up in a pile in the purse, I can find everything, and the purse lining stays clean.

      1. Willl try this, Erin. I carry a truckload of stuff, all of which I consider indispensible. LOL. I have in my purse: small notepad (we always need to jot things down, right?), Advil, makeup bag, checkbook, wallet, elastic hairbands, nail clipper set, pantyliners and/or maxi pad, eye drops, Tide bleach pen, various ink pens, Equal packets, cell phone & extra battery, USB drive, sunglasses, various pieces of personal mail I need to respond to and/or mail, and the list goes on!!!

        1. I also have lots of things in my purse and use the separate small bag idea well…in different colors/patterns so I know which one to grab. really makes it easy, and when not dealing with office/corporate things, it seems wiser to take out the bag with the usb drive, keys, cardkey, and little wallet of credit cards out! I run my own practice, so many of these things are needed along the way, not just when I actually am in office seeing patients. It’s taken a long time to pare it down to basics, as I see it, and the little bags work for me. Oh yes, it also helps keep things separate as my DH initially complained that the Tums “tasted like ink pens.” Yikes.

        2. Sorry to judge, but you really need ALL that stuff? My back is hurting just thinking about it. I manage with: cell, sunglasses, keys wallet, mini-umbrella, and lip gloss. Almost all of the other items you carry are stashed in my car, office, and home, so I’m never far from emergency supplies.

          1. Yes. I like having it all in one place and easily within reach, regardless of where I am. To me, that benefit outweighs the hassle of carrying it around.

        3. I think little bags inside might really help you out. Don’t want the Tide pen to leak on anything you put in your mouth… (I carry Equal packets, too.)

    1. Thanks for posting this, very interesting. I can’t take any credit for being a genius, though, it’s what lots of people did up north where I grew up. Never knew about the carbon dioxide, thought it was just the steady wind that did it.

  6. I love that bag. I have been searching for a grey bag, with no sucess. Any thoughts on whether I could use it for work as an in house lawyer?

  7. Man, I really want a gray bag for fall, unfortunately this one is a little too spendy for me right now. I love it though – the shape, the color and the braid trim.

  8. Random hijack: I ordered the Johnston & Murphy mary janes Kat featured earlier this week: http://theplaidpurse.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=67 The quality of the workmanship is superb. Beautiful leather (that smells GOOD), brass buckles, leather ins-sole and extra cushioning, sole is leather with rubber on top. Whhhoooeeeee! I’ve never seen any shoe so well-made. (I love a well made shoe!) . The only downer is that it’s a little “manly” looking for me. Dunno, the round toe, the big toe box. All orthopedically correct, but not “cute.” I gravitate towards open-toes, bows, and other girly embellishments (see these Seychelles that I ADORE: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_6984978_women_seychelles_veronica_t_strap_pump_reviews

  9. Random hijack: I ordered the Johnston & Murphy mary janes Kat featured earlier this week. The quality of the workmanship is superb. Beautiful leather (that smells GOOD), brass buckles, leather ins-sole and extra cushioning, sole is leather with rubber on top. Whhhoooeeeee! I’ve never seen any shoe so well-made. (I love a well made shoe!) . The only downer is that it’s a little “manly” looking for me. Dunno, the round toe, the big toe box. All orthopedically correct, but not “cute.” I gravitate towards open-toes, bows, and other girly embellishments (see these Seychelles that I ADORE: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_6984978_women_seychelles_veronica_t_strap_pump_reviews

    2. I loved the look of those and the sale price! They have nearly a 4 inch heel though… my current highest shoes and 2.5- think I will fall over and die in these? How stable do they feel?

      2. Stable as two boats on your feet. LOL. Sturdy sturdy. I imagine it’s the type of shoes stage actress wear; they’re just that good! They run true to size, or even a smidgen big. I have size 8.5 wide feet and they fit fine — commodious, even, with no pantyhose. The cushioning in the insole is divine!!!! It’s like they bought a Dr. Scholls pad for you and slapped it in there to save you the trouble (it’s a cute red color). Get them Clumsy & jcb!!!

        1. i wear an 8.5 wide usually too but i find i need a 9 when wide isn’t offered. did you order up or just stick with 8.5? guess i can just break out the sizing chart and a tape measure to make sure! thanks for the quick reply though- i am certainly coveting them.

          1. Hi Clumsy – I bought an 8.5. and the width was fine. I even had a little extra space in the back (my foot tends to slide forward). I have a left pinky toe that always rubs in other shoes (what’s up with that??) and it felt fine in these, remarkably. Kinda like Born, Indigo, Easy Spirit, Sofft, and other “comfort shoes,” Johnston & Murphy designs their shoes so that your toes are relaxed and not scrunched into a narrowed, shallow toe box. Make sense?

        2. Oh, sad. They are out of my size. Probably for the best, trying to stick to the ol’ budget this month.

          As an aside, looks like all of their women’s shoes (and there aren’t that many) are on clearance – wonder if they are only going to make men’s shoes going forward?

          1. Why is the link for the shoes to a plaid purse liner thing?? Can you post the link again? I think someone has messed with it!

          2. i measured into right between the 8.5 and 9… and since they were out of 8.5 i went with 9! Here’s hoping they fit and i don’t fall over.

  10. Thread hijack: There’s an open supervisory position in another department in my company/firm/office/agency/anonymous-whatnot. It is not my department, but I work closely with them. To my knowledge, two of the current department members are applying for the supervisory position. I adore working with both of them, and I think they’d both be great as supervisor. One of them has asked me to be a reference for her.

    Should I say yes, even though I know the other one would do just as good of a job? I really would endorse both of them, and I don’t really want the Big Bosses to think that I think one is so much better than the other, just because she’s the one that asked me.

    I guess I’m just trying to work through my reservations about the reference… Any guidance?

    1. I would explain that in a nice way to both the person asking for the rec and the bosses. Something like — to the asker — ‘I think you would be so great for this! I just want to make it clear: I know person Y is also applying & if asked to evaluate you against each other, I would not be comfortable saying that I think person Y is less qualified. If that’s okay with you, please sign me up as a reference. I think of you very highly.”
      To bosses: “I think Person X is great. S/He is . . . blah, blah, blah. . . (if asked about person Y) I think both candidates are highly qualified and would make great bosses. You have a tough choice to make but the company is lucky to have such qualified candidates.”

      1. I would not say anything to the bosses. But I second Lucy’s suggestion on what to say to the ref-seeker.

  11. I think I MUST have this bag. Looooooooooove the styling, the pockets, the not matronly looking adjustable straps. And altho it is kind of ‘spendy,’ I would spring for it under the heading of my soon-come milestone bday and the hopes that it would be a long-term, frequently used/everyday for weeks at a time, staple. But I am a *little* concerned re the grey color, and the black one is too too. Any thoughts re how the grey will weather the, well, weather, the car coffee drips, the water bottle condensation, run-ins with kids not yet dry art projects, dog’s wet nose, you get the idea?

    Thanks in advance, my friends!

    1. I think gray is a great neutral and would weather as well as any other dark basic color. In fact, maybe better than a black bag since the lighter color is more like to blend with the hazards. Happy upcoming milestone!

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