My Go-To's:

I have an addiction to shoes and to bags (and that is not me playing fast and loose with the word “addiction” ...it's something I'm actually working on this in therapy). I have so many bags and shoes that people are shocked by the number (it is very high) that I own. Something else surprising? That even with a massive number of bags and shoes, I can manage to narrow it down to a few favorites.

Madewell Medium Transport Tote

Yes, Madewell is part of the J Crew family. Yes, a lot of folks don’t like this. But also Yes, this is a great damn bag. It is just really simple and classic, fits a shit ton, offers four different ways to carry it by two sets of handle/straps, and comes in some really nice colors. It doesn’t have a bunch of weird pockets that are supposed to help organize you but often just get in the way. It’s also comfortable and the straps don’t slip and slide off your shoulder every 45 seconds.

Madewell Sophia Crossbody Bag

Like a LV Speedy bag but without the super-giant price tag (but still pricey), it comes in the same colors as the Transport Totes and has a long strap to carry on your shoulder or as a crossbody bag and two shorter and stiffer handles for hand holding. It is roomy and once again, a classic…(you will find that I love a classic style).

Coach Stewardess Bag

I collect vintage Coach bags and this one is pretty special…it is a collector's item among collector's items. Created specifically for United Airlines as a carry-on for the Stewardesses it then became available to the public with some minor alterations. The goal is to score one of the real Stewardess versions…which I did a few years ago and it is so much better than I expected.

It’s a medium sized messenger-style bag with a shorter adjustable strap that can be carried via shoulder or crossbody with a kiss lock closure and various shades of leather (mine is chocolate brown). There is a small passport-sized pocket under the flap and the main pocket is pretty big…big enough for pretty much whatever you need on a flight…magazines, a journal, lip balm, a neck pillow. I just use it as a regular everyday bag.

Coach City Bag

This one is a super classic…there’s that word again…mine is a beautifully patina-ed blonde leather. It’s pretty small with a long adjustable strap…like a tiny messenger bag. The Coach signature kiss lock closure with an outside pocket on the back, and inside pocket under the flap, and a zip pocket inside the main pocket, it is large enough to hold the basics and goes with pretty much everything.

Baggu Drawstring Backpack

Not a full-size backpack, but not a tiny one either. Made out of pretty solid canvas with two adjustable shoulder straps and two front pockets plus the really roomy main compartment. Mine is in the color Spruce which is nice earthy green and goes with just about everything I own.

It is great for everyday use and as a carryon or day bag while sightseeing. The bag itself is really light weight but still quite rugged and simple enough in design to go just about anywhere with you. This one earns points because even my very grumpy 13-year-old likes it.

Old Navy Flip Flops

I have a lot of these. I buy them every few years, usually 2 or 3 pairs at a time. They are dirt cheap and, get this, they last for a really long ass time. I wear mine year-round either all day in the summer or as house shoes in the winter and one pair will last a minimum of two years. And one of my favorite things in general is that they come in so many colors that change up every season and year. I have them in black, brown, olive green, burgundy, navy…

Converse All-Stars

I mean, it’s Converse All-Stars…do I even need to explain this one? I don’t think so.

Vans Skate Authentic

I love the plain black with white trim lace ups…and the checkered slip-on. So damn comfortable and they go with fucking everything (in my opinion) ...but they also come in so many color combos and can be customized on the website.

Frye Engineer 12 R Boots

I coveted these boots for years. I found a used pair at a resale shop and now I own a pair of my own. They are steel toed but somehow so comfortable. They are my number one go-to winter boot...and I would like to think they are kind of sexy…even if I’m the only one that thinks that.

Steve Madden Troopa 2.0

My number two winter boots. These are just rip-offs of army boots but, like, comfortable. They have the quick zip feature and are real leather. They come in a few colors, but I like the standard black. They wear-in beautifully and after two years are only just now starting to show wear on the soles (and I wear them quite a bit all year round).