Baskets for the city girl

Now people are really funny actually: they just can't ignore that guilty little voice inside them that scolds them any time they don't buy the next new thing. It might be a bag for me, and it might be something technological, like the iPad, for you (I honestly couldn't care less about the iPad) but the story stays the same: we want to be accepted, and therefore we buy things that will help us feel less left out.

That's why when the fashion industry decides it's time (every summer, actually) to update the peasant chic (oxymoron, right?), the next day we find ourselves in the search (innocently at first) for something ridiculous as the urban interpretation of the beach bag. It has to the be the straw bag, because canvas or any other type of a beach bag is not cool.

The straw bag shows you're oh-so very Now, and you want to go back to your roots (well I think of my Latvian grandma Velta who uses a basket- and actual basket to go grocery shopping, but for someone else it might be the idyllic image of Grace Kelly going to the beach in her espadrilles and kaftans), you're a romantic, and you're actually quite silly..well, imagine going to the office like this?

Here we have Chanel....honestly, Karl, it actually DOES look like the basket my grandma Velta uses. Well, OK, it has the recognizable double C's, and the chain handles, but it looks like you glued it all together with a glue gun. Oh well. It's 3.350 euros.

I actually adore this one- It's Dolce & Gabbana. I'm not so sure about the whole black + straw effect though; trying to picture it with a summery linen suit...it definately goes better with a black bikini. Their whole spring/summer 2010 thing was Sicily: love, passion, jealousy, black lace, widows, cannoli... I found another Dolce & Gabbana Straw Tote   on Amazon.com.

Now this is a very fun bag, more functional and HEY you can close it..being in the city and all. The white leather details and the light colored straw make it less beachy and more urban. It has the studs, and the tassels that every self-respecting tough city bag needs, but also has the secret hawaian shirt lining which makes it fun and personal. Very clever. It's Emporio Armani and comes for a more convenient 290 euros.

Baci from Italy
Marta
ps. haven't started on the thesis yet....buying books and brainstorming a lot though.

Havaianas

Havaianas .....some say: The best rubber flip flops in the world. Or I might say: the Only rubber flip flops I would wear.

And of course there's a secret recipe...a patented rubber formula created by Sao Paulo Alpargatas, who own, produce and market the flip flop.

This 100% rubber concoction is supposed to make Havaianas ultra-comfortable and highly durable. But who cares about durable, right? There are too many different ones you can-WANT TO collect, and you tell yourself that they look amazing with anything. And they do! Just imagine a fab coral color nailpolish and a pair of silver slim Havaianas...

So cool. And so affordable. It's the Swatch of flip flops. Used to be the shoe of the poor kids from the favelas, but now the rich kids can't get enough of them..

And here is my 2nd brand new pair of Havaianas from the 2010 collection! They don't go with anything I usually wear- but that's why I love them- and can't help but look down at them- they're Happy shoes!

Baci from Italy,

Marta