Recent Purchases – Fall 2015

First up – a new pair of my favorite Frye Jackie boots. I love this boot and have mentioned it numerous times. I wear the black all through fall and winter. I have shorter legs and it’s one of the few boots I’ve found which hits me at the right place below the knee. I’m wearing the black pair below , along with a Mars necklace with it in gray agate (which is back in stock).

I’ve owned my black pair of Jackie Buttons for two years now, and worn them a ton – they still look great!

Anyway, I realized that I wear the black so much that I decided I needed to give them a break, and thus picked up the Jackie Buttons in cognac nubuck. I don’t wear too much brown – I’m usually strictly a black shoe type of girl, especially when I’m going with a neutral – however, I thought that the brown would go nicely with all of my gray and camel toned clothing, and it has.

I only need one pair of brown boots in my closet – and these will be it. Yay!

Next up, a little suede camera bag – which I’m happy to report was $40! Yes, $40. Isn’t it amazing that most designer bags have two more zeroes after that figure these days? Anyway, my pick was the Essex bag, from Ann Taylor.

I’ve been thinking about the Gucci Disco bag for some time, but haven’t yet pulled the trigger. It gets great reviews and I think I’d get nice wear, but the logo just seems a bit too large for my comfort. Anyway, I thought that the Ann Taylor version would be a nice, smaller substitute, and allow me to try out the camera bag style without parting with a significant sum.

When the bag arrived, I was really pleasantly surprised!  The suede is nice quality, and the tassel is a fun addition. The Essex easily fit my iPhone 6 Plus, my keys, wallet, and thin sunglass pouch. My only beef is that I wish the bag were a tad bit larger (closer to the Disco size) and the leather trimming isn’t real leather (the suede is, however). But overall, it’s a fantastic bag for the price. And the navy color I chose, receives tons of compliments.

The Essex is still on final sale for $40 – if you’re willing to take the plunge, I’d recommend this bag!

And finally…the Hermes Rocabar Poncho. If I’m being completely honest, I think this poncho is an item that I kind of fell in love with the idea of – a huge, cozy piece from Hermes that at $1325, was only a little bit more expensive than their cashmere shawls. And ponchos can look very glamorous in my opinion. However, its probably much easier to pull off that look if one is taller. Thus, I believe the Rocabar will largely serve as a very casual piece – cozying up around the house, tossing on for a walk on a colder day, and wearing for a long car ride/plane trip. The poncho itself is beautiful and I think would look fantastic on a taller person for all kinds of other occasions, but since I’m a shortie, it’s purely casual for me.

As for the poncho itself – as I said earlier, it’s lovely. The fabric is a plush 90% wool/10% cashmere mix. Usually I have problems with wool products – I’m allergic to certain fabrics like mohair and they tend to make me itch, so I stick with cotton or cashmere. But I’ve had no problems with the Rocabar. And, the trim and tassels are all done in the signature Barenia leather…and the tassels when tied, actually help keep the poncho in place. It’s a very well done piece.

Also, I thought I’d note that the Rocabar can make for nice home decor as well! We have a Steuben saddle on display in our family room which Mr. Feather used when he was a boy. I’ve been keeping the Rocabar draped over it, so it’s easy to just grab when I’m running around the house and need a layer.

Okay – so those are some of my recent purchases (I have more to share with you soon, though!). What have been some of yours?