Ode to the J Crew Biennial Satchel

I'm not gonna lie - I'm a former handbag addict. Perhaps I shouldn't say former as much as I should say recovering. I had been eying the J Crew Biennial satchel in store and in the catalogues ever since I first saw it sometime last year. And a few weeks ago when it got marked down online, and had an additional 30% off, well I bit.

Here I am trying the bag on in store. It was love at first sight.

Today's outfit in a dressing room: Blazer and crops: Gap. Bag and blouse: J Crew. Scarf: Jason Wu For Target.

I'm a leather gal - and the leather on this bag is AMAZING. It's probably the softest bag I own now - even softer than bags that I own that are much more expensive. It's a true red (even though the photo above doesn't show it) and I can fit it over my shoulder. The only thing that worries me a bit is color transfer from dark jeans or scratching, but I guess all leather is prone to that. The bag has three zipped compartments and the above pic is holding my wallet, makeup case, headphones, sunglasses, kindle, and a few other miscellaneous items tossed in. I could fit my ipad in there too, but I don't like taking it to and from work so it remains at home. But really - this bag would be perfect to travel with too!

Better pics of today's outfit:

Anyway. Life has been hectic. Work is good and it's hard to believe that in about two weeks we'll be going to Colorado for the first wedding of the season.

Also, for what feels like the first time ever, I bought a pair of white jeans. Thank you target, for cute affordable items that I can test the waters with.

Outstanding summer wishlist items:

Spiked shoes, mint colored sweater, another pop of color blazer, the Asos Penguin blouse I found online the other day..

In wedding news... invitations are here and going out this week. I have a dress fitting on Saturday and my sister and mom are helping me with some stuff :) Trying to keep it a secret... shh!

Hope everyone is having a good week so far... so looking forward to this weekend and an extra day to sleep in!

updated.

I apologize for my absence of blog posts lately. Things around here have been insanely hectic between work with 7 new hires and a bunch of family stuff happening (another cousin engaged, my dad needs shoulder surgery, my uncle fell and broke his arm and also needs surgery) that blogging has kind of taken a back seat.

I'm happy to report that I'm still on my clothing ban. I did kinda break down and buy two skirts on my wish list - but everything I had purchased earlier in the month didn't fit when it arrived and I had to return it all. Boo. I'm actually thinking of doing something similar for June - but narrowing down what my cheat items will be. I've still been lusting after a maxi dress and a pair of shoes at urban, so perhaps those can be my two allotted items for the month of June.

Friday afternoon fiance, his mom, sister, and I are off to DC to meet up with the rest of his family for his grandpa's 80th birthday celebration. It will be fun - although I'm not so sure how I'm going to do with the weather (high in the upper 80's with thunderstorms - eesh!).

I also think I'm somewhat ready to make a lifestyle change - I really need to start eating better and exercising more. I'm thinking of looking into some zumba classes when we get back from DC and maybe doing a cleanse or something. I'd really like to get into better shape before the wedding and keep it up, ya know?

So that's whats going on in my little corner of the world.

I also started a tumblr account - I'm having fun with a little place to be random! unconventionalbride. tumblr.com