New Bag!

I used to have a perfect travel purse that was just the right size for toting a magazine, a snack, and little purchases while I was knocking around a new town, but then it disintegrated. I’ve been looking for a new one for years, and had given up hope of getting one without spending $500 (no way), and then I spotted this amazing vintage saddle bag from Hollie and Jane at Ainslie Wood Co.:

I love it. Hollie and Jane have become Internet friends, so they tucked a special treat in the bag for me:

Aw. Buying stuff from people you like is better than buying it other places.

Speaking of which, someone needs to buy this poncho, which I would be all over if the color didn’t make me look undead.

Mighty Closet: Pam Daghlian, Outfit 5

This is Pam’s cocktail look and her very perky bum.

This is what Pam does when you tell her she has a great ass in front of all her neighbors and the 5 p.m. traffic. Dress by Maggy London.

Her jacket is Theory. Note the gathering around the collar, good detail.

Her necklace is from Ambience and the crystal earrings were made by her friend Vannie at Lavana Jewelry Design. I love it when Mighty Closeteers wear stuff that promotes a friend’s business. Savvy.

Black strappy sandals are BP.

And that’s it! Thanks for inviting us into your closet Pam. Now go call your husband, because you’re looking pretty cute.

Mighty Closet, Pam Daghlian, Outfit 4

I think Pam and I look like we’re related. I was telling her that when my camera acted up. The colors went all wonky, the lens laughed at me when I tried to focus, the battery started making rude jokes about my mom.

Pam was very patient through it all.

Really. Seriously patient.

But I wasn’t able to get a good full-length shot of her outfit. So we’ll have to piece it together.

This is what the top of her dress looks like, it’s also by Sunhee Moon.

This is how it looks when she’s sitting down. The patchwork bag was a Renegade Craft Fair purchase. It’s by Raeburn Ink.

And here’s how the dress would look if Pam were headless.

Her footless black tights are from Hue, and the Mary Janes are Dansko.

Pam, everyone wants to know where you got your glasses. Let us know in comments and I’ll update here. Her jade beaded necklace was a gift, as was her bone structure.

Tomorrow, tune in for Pam’s cocktail outfit. Are you ready, Pam?

Please. Pam was born ready.

Mighty Closet: Pam Daglian, Outfit 3

Pam says dressing is all about comfort for her, but even at her most casual you won’t find her walking around in a sweatsuit. San Francisco weather is so crazy, one minute it’s gorgeous, half an hour later it’s freezing, The hoodie is a wardrobe staple here, and woe to the girl who leaves home without tights under her skirt (or at least a pair tucked in her bag).

Pam’s bright hoodie is by Lucky Jeans. Her fuzzy cap is Anthropologie, and her orange enamel hoops are from Rubygirl.

Her skirt is by Texture Clothing, purchased at the Renegade Craft Fair. Her gold tights are from Hue.

Pam’s Fluevogs are for hoofing it around the city. She says, “Anything I wear has to be public transit proof since I don’t own a car and I’m too chicken to bike to work.”

Tomorrow check in for a favorite work look.

Mighty Closet: Pam Daghlian, Outfit 2

These are Pam’s comfy Sunday clothes. What does Pam like to do with her Sundays you ask? Let’s look to the Post-it inspiration wall:

Oh, look! She’s driving to Big Sur with her charming husband. She’s probably singing along to the radio as I type this. Actually, she’s probably at work, but please suspend your disbelief because I prefer to think of Pam with her feet on the dash and the wind in her hair.

Pam’s shirt is by MUJI, she bought it in Berlin because she is intercontinental that way. Note how it nips in at the magical tiny point on her torso, but still lets her inhale at will. Dear designers, more tops like this please.

She bought her bird bag at a farmer’s market in Virgina, it’s by Oblinaknit. Just think of all the magazines you could fit in there.

Her jeans are Gap, and exposing that red side hem is so key. Her orange button ring was from a craft show.

Pam’s shoes are by Robert Clergerie. They were originally $400, but Pam got them for $90. Pam says, “Yay, deals!”

The earrings and necklace were both gifts from her husband. The pendant is porcelain and was purchased at Rare Device in San Francisco, which is apparently where all of my friends’ significant others go for gifts.

Tomorrow, please join us for Happy Yellow Sweatshirt Day. You’re already off filling a wall with Post-It ideas aren’t you? I suspected as much.

Mighty Closet: Pam Daghlian, Outfit 1

This is Pam Daghlian, and she is fun. Pam is the type of person who makes lists of things to do on Post-it Notes and sticks them to the wall so she and her husband have ideas when they have a little free time. She laughs a lot, and she has a great smile. See?

Pretty great.

I met Pam because she runs events for Adaptive Path, which used to be one of my freelance clients. Pam looks so sharp every time I see her at an event. She chooses clothes with clean lines, and isn’t afraid of color.

Her simple apple-green skirt is by San Francisco’s Sunhee Moon. You can never find this perfect A-line skirt because Pam bought them all. She says, “I have this same skirt in black, denim, and light blue, and they’ve got my number to call when new colors come in.”

Tip! Try a simple skirt as your base layer instead of throwing on yet another pair of jeans. Well played, lady.

Her denim jacket with zipper detail is Anthropologie, and the colorful scarf is Oilily.

Her peacock feather bracelet is Ambience.

Watches are so much more convenient than digging out your cell phone. This one is Red Monkey.

When I asked Pam if she’d do a Mighty Closet, she looked baffled, even though she was dressed impeccably when I asked. Perhaps it’s because Pam is a woman dedicated to sensible shoes. She has to be on her feet all day for events, so she needs practical footwear. Exhibit A:

These Dansko shoes aren’t objectionable, and they work pretty well with the outfit, but some wedges or bright pink ballet flats would pull the look together much better. I told her we’d post her crazy cute clothes and then go out for a shoe makeover whenever she said the word. Shoe makeover! Pam, I’m waiting by the phone.

Tomorrow, join us for Pam’s lazy Sunday look.

Packing Light: Dopp Kit

A lot of you have asked me how I fit everything in one tiny carry on. One of my big tricks was a tip from Gwen, who suggested putting liquids in a see-through bag with a clip, like this one. It hooks on to the zipper of your suitcase, and it has changed my life. Life altering! You just pop it off at security, pop it back on once you’re through, and BAM! You have room for an extra pair of shoes in your bag. Bwahahaha.

Once I’m at the hotel, I empty that bag into the dopp inside my suitcase that has all my “dry” stuff in it. My dopp kit is easier to get into, and I prefer to have that on the counter.

I love to share hotel rooms with friends so I can see the little luxuries they take with them on the road. Lots of you ask for photos of my bag when I pack, so I thought I’d start by showing you my dopp kit. Here are some lists of what’s inside. If you see awesome stuff I’m missing, let me know.

Hair bands and bobby pins. As you can see, I like to contain things in sandwich bags. Makes it easier to find stuff and to restock.
A mini-container of John Frieda Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme for dry hair
A mini-container of Curls Rock Curl Amplifier for wet hair
Tweezerman mini tweezers, which are so tiny and precise, and less apt to get nabbed by security, though they are potentially very stabby indeed.
Baby oil to remove my long-last lipstick
Fashion tape— this is skin-friendly double-sided sticky tape, to tape clothes in place over cleavage or keep bra straps hidden. Toupé tape works too.
Benadryl, because I have food allergy issues.
Vitamins
Advil
A wide-tooth comb for combing wet curly hair.
Marvis travel toothpaste, I can’t believe how long this teeny tiny tube has lasted.
A toothbrush
A lint roller
Gilette Spa Breeze razor — have you used this? It has little soap bumpers on it so you don’t need to soap up before you shave. Killer.
Natural hand sanitizer
A travel candle and matches
Panty liner to buy me a few minutes while I run to the drugstore for supplies if necessary.
Single-use eye drops — Love these. They save space in little purses when you’re going out, and I sometimes tuck them into my bra if I don’t want to carry a purse.
Q-tips
Safety pins
Contacts
Handy-wipe — For washing my hands if I decide to go thrift store shopping.
Deodorant
Dental floss
Cuticle scissors, which I mostly use as real scissors.
Nail clipper
Nose hair trimmer (ahem)
Jewelry I keep in the exterior zip pockets.
Face cleansing towelettes — I didn’t get a photo of these, but I travel with two kinds: pre-soaped ones that you wet to wash your face, and then the damp ones you can use to wipe off your makeup. I keep those in the night stand in case I realize I forgot to wash my face after I’ve already climbed in bed. I do that a lot.

Revlon Creme shadow in Pink Petal
The Naked Bee sunblock stick This was a Mighty Goods submission, so I’m testing it out and I like it so far. Makes it easier to get sunscreen onto Hank.
Burt’s Bees Peppermint Lip Balm, so tingly. This is the only lipbalm I use, and I have sticks of it everywhere. I even have one specially marked to soothe my nose and upper lip when I have a cold. There’s also a version with sunscreen.
Cover Girl blushes in Classic Pink and Natural Rose
A full palette of Maybellene Superstay Lipcolor, which never, ever comes off. I just made a lunch date with a friend for the specific purpose of teaching her how to apply it, and I don’t even care if that sounds nuts.
A lipstick I picked up at the airport and now hate. It’s that bright orangey red that’s so hip right now, but I can’t find a brand that doesn’t bleed, which makes me look like a pack-a-day circus clown.
A brush for blush and powder
Eyelash curler, which I never, ever use. Why do I pack this?
Eyebrow pencil, which I also never use. I have Yeti eyebrows.
Eyeliner
Shadow brushes
Nosehair trimmer and tweezers, which I apparently photographed twice.
Perfume — the type varies because I like to associate trips with particular scents.
Clinique tinted sunblock, which I use as foundation.
Concealer with sunblock
Liquid eyeliner
Face powder
Mini-container of DDF Daily Protective Moisturizer
Atopalm moisturizer
Philosophy Help moisturizer. I use that so infrequently that I think I’ve had this tube for years. Which is… gross.
Neutrogena sunblock/moisturizer — I just use this as sunblock, because I have dry skin and like the extra moisture.
White eyeliner — I use it to put that little dot on the inside corner of my eye that’s supposed to make your eyes sparkle. Is that still a thing?

This is my nail kit, and it’s mostly for touch ups. The cork bag was a Mighty Goods submission. I didn’t love it when I got it, and now I realize I was dreadfully wrong. Do you know who makes it? Let me know and I’ll update.

Orange stick
La Occitane Pure Shea Butter — I think I got this as a hotel amenity, but it’s great cuticle cream.
Cotton balls
Revlon Strawberry Electric nail polish — I usually only paint my toenails and I think toenails look best in comparatiely garish colors.
Seche Vitte fast-drying top coat — You put this on while your polish is still wet. It gives an at-home pedicure the professional sheen. Also good for stopping runs in your tights.

That’s it! Typing all that makes me want to take a trip. Or head to a Sephora. What about you? What are you willing to squeeze into a mini tube so you can take it on the road?

Mighty Closet: Jaime Chen, Outfit 4

This is the kind of thing Jaime wears on a casual day out when she thinks she might run into an ex boyfriend. All right, maybe I’m projecting a little. Her leggings are Wolford.

The happy pink skirt is from COS in Copenhagen. Jaime is totally powerless in the face of unexpected pleats.

Her T-shirt is Vanessa Bruno; Jaime gives a thumbs up to their basics.

Her suede flats are Sigerson Morrison, purchased at Nida in San Francisco. I just realized that I’ve never seen Jaime limping in her shoes. Even on her wedding day, she wore a pair of flat sandals under her dress.

The girl with the comfy flats always gets the last laugh.

Tomorrow, Jaime’s cocktail look and final outfit. See you there!

Mighty Closet: Jaime Chen, Outfit 3

This coat is so Jackie 2010, it probably came with giant sunglasses and a pack of cigarettes in the pockets. Jaime got this at Helen Yi in Chicago, and it has some nice details.

I love necklines like this because you don’t need to bother with a scarf.

It also has nice deep pockets so you can leave your purse home too.

Here’s what’s underneath the coat. This is the kind of thing Jaime wears to a nice dinner or holiday party.

The blouse is Tracy Reese, also from Helen Yi. Ms. Yi knows her audience.

Jaime’s skirt is from Sabine Poupinel in Copenhagen, and it has surprise blue lining in the pockets. Colored or patterned lining just makes me feel more pulled together. Blue pockets are such an incentive to shave your legs.

Her wool tights are Wolford.

The patent wedge heels are from a Zara in Hong Kong. Brown patent is not something you see every day.

A lot of Jaime’s jewelry is sentimental; her grandmother gave her the pearls. Her earrings were a gift from her mother-in-law who received them from her husband shortly after she was married.

This is what Jaime does when you mention that she’s been scowling at your lens for the better part of an hour.

Ah! There she is.

On Monday we’ll be back with leggings. Leggings! Don’t try to resist, they are rad.

Mighty Closet: Jaime Chen, Outfit 2

Apologies for the post delay, yesterday was one of those days. Thanks for checking back.

Don’t mind Jaime, she’s just stepping out for a stroll through the open-air markets of Cuba.

It’s so easy for hats to look forced. Who throws on a fedora this effortlessly? Urban Outfitter models and Jaime, that’s who. Jaime does low-key sexy better than anyone I know.

Her hat is a Stetson, but was purchased in Copenhagen. Jaimes likes to shop when she travels — she worked as a consultant for years and is a travel enthusiast, so she has lots of trips under her (weathered leather) belt (purchased in Zambia).

Her J necklace was a gift from her sister Nancy, who wears the same necklace but with an N on it. Aww. Wearing matching necklaces is pretty much the best reason to have a sister.

Her black tank top is Banana Republic, purchased in a NYC Soho store circa 2001. Can anyone else believe it hasn’t acquired a giant stain in the last nine years? Clearly Jaime doesn’t eat spaghetti. The green cardigan is JCrew.

Her split skirt has a subtle stripe, it’s by waukerhaus and was also purchased in Copenhagen at a store called Sabine Poupinel.

The bag is Hermes.

Thought I’d just let that settle in for a moment. Jaime says she gets her more expensive clothes on sale, but the Hermes bag was an exception. She fell in love the first time she saw it, and worked up her courage (and presumably savings) for two years before laying down the cash. Now she sleeps with it and bottle feeds it.

By contrast, she bought her sandals from Ann Taylor twelve years ago and has had them repaired three times.

And that’s a wrap. Tune in tomorrow for a little more Subtle Sexuality. Jaime, take us out:

Yep. That’s still working for you, girl.