Detail of the Week: Madewell Sloane Satchel

Some people collect bags and some people collect shoes, but I don't feel like I have a particular affinity for either. I've developed a much more utilitarian approach to my accessories and after a series of impulse purchases, I've learned the importance of investing in quality materials. This makes the most sense when it comes to bags and shoes. I use my purse every single day, and I'm especially hard on my shoes (for some reason). 

This is my second Madewell bag and I'm absolutely smitten. Last year I treated myself to the Lovelock Satchel, which is a bit larger with one more pocket. I spotted this bag in the Madewell store on Walnut St. on Black Friday, and after I checked online and saw that it was sold out I convinced my mother to let me buy it and put it away until the holidays. I secretly pulled it out of its wrapping and preemptively used it for an interview, but as soon as I got home I tucked it away until Christmas and pretended to be surprised when I opened it.

I find that I don't use the front pocket, because it's rather inconvenient to open, but it's large enough to fit a wallet, phone, keys, headphones, lip balm, pen and a small planner with room to spare. That extra room is often taken up by a packet of almonds. Just in case you were wondering.

Madewell: Fall 2013 Lookbook

Confession: I work in a clothing store but I consistently find myself stumped when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. I'm not afraid to admit I'm a fickle creature, especially when it comes to clothing. My affections wane and ebb like the waters of a stormy sea and are often quelled, if only temporarily, by Madewell's seasonal lookbook. I have fallen right into their perfectly styled marketing trap.

What drew me so much to these looks, I think, is how many of these pieces I already own. A leather skirt, blue checked button-up, bright coat, black ankle boots, warm-hued a-line skirt, striped shirt, motorcycle jacket and graphic tees already live in my crowded closet space. Next on my list is a pair of coated skinny denim, a marled maxi skirt, a bomber jacket and that Shimmerweave tee dress, the only thing I know I won't be able to find a cheaper version of in H&M.

DIY: Madewell Paris Tee

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed Madewell fangirl. I spotted this tee in the brand's fall lookbook and for some reason, I just had to have it. If you know me at all, I'm not one to often don a tee and pair of jeans. Sadly, not only is this tee $45, it's also back-ordered until January of next year! Yeah right! Within a day I was off to the store to gather everything I needed to make this incredibly simple piece for myself.

What you'll need:

• a grey heather tee (mine was $6 from Target)
• cardstock
• an Exacto knife and blades
• black fabric paint
• a paint brush or sponge
• tape
• a piece of cardboard and newspaper

First, print out your text on a piece of cardstock. I recognized this font immediately as Impact, a standard font in Microsoft Office, which was what initially inspired me to make this tee on my own. I made the text as large as I could without it overflowing onto a second line in the word document.

Next, cut out your letters carefully using your Exacto knife. Save the inside pieces of the "P" and "R", you'll be using them later.

Next, insert a piece of cardboard or newspaper inside your tee. This will keep the fabric paint from seeping through to the back of the shirt.

Tape your stencil down across the chest of your tee, including the inside pieces of some of the letter "P", "A" and "R".

Then apply your paint. I used a drybrush technique to create a distressed look. I knew I wouldn't be able to create clean and exact lines that would look as good as a professionally screen printed shirt, so I just decided to work with it.

I let the first coat dry for about twenty minutes and then refined and darkened certain areas. Following the directions on the fabric paint bottle, I let the tee dry for 36 hours and then washed it inside out.

That's it! My text ended up being a little off center, so I regret no taking the time the align it more accurately. So far I've worn this to class several times and no one has been able to tell the difference. Good luck!

Faux

I'm pleasantly surprised that after having to wear this skirt all summer I haven't developed deep-seated feelings of disgust and disdain for its silk, polka-dotted pleats. I bought it on super-sale last December and was mere seconds away from also getting its red diamond-patterned counterpart, but I think I realized that the world (and my budget) is too small to justify having copies of an admittedly average skirt in my closet. This leather t-shirt was patiently waiting for me on the clearance rack in Macy's in Center City last winter. I think it knew I would be impressed by how soft and convincing its imitation leather fabrication was - and it was right! I've spotted this strikingly similar top on Piperlime and can attest to the unexpected versatility of faux leather tee. It's admittedly a little stiff, especially in the sleeves, but unless your day job requires a lot of arm-raising I'm sure you'll be just fine. In case you're still not convinced that you secretly want a leather shirt, my fallback outfit this fall has boiled down to this top and a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans and it's the easiest way to hide how much difficulty I may have had getting dressed that morning.

Maybe it's just me, and perhaps I had grown too accustomed to have a limited number of choices and simple combinations all summer, but recently I've found my wardrobe to be a bit overwhelming. I think this means it's time for a seasonal closet purge, so maybe I'll be able to find new homes for my confusing clothes at Buffalo Exchange.

I'm also back into the swing of classes, meetings, group projects, writing and editing articles, and everything that comes with each new term. I'm currently tossing around the idea of graduating early, or maybe picking up a part-time job or internship. The worst part about thinking about my no-so-immediate future is looking at the last few folders of pictures I have yet to edit from my summer abroad. Maybe I'll make a post about this week. Maybe.

Faux leather top - Kensie 
Polka dot skirt - J. Crew 
Morainn leather gladiator sandals - Aldo 
Bag - Madewell 
Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Walking Billboard

I didn't get dressed this morning intending to be a walking Madewell billboard, but that's exactly what happened - maybe I can add that to my resume when I apply to the new Madewell store that opens on Walnut Street next month. I'm still living a life plagued by jetlag, so I was up bright and early just as the sun was rising and was out of the house to run errands. I'm hunting for the perfect set of picture frames to hold print of the photos I took this summer and so I hit every thrift store I could think of. It was cold enough for tights which kind of bummed me out, even though I shed them shortly after leaving the house.

I feel like I missed the gradual transition of summer to fall that we're fortunate enough to experience on the East coast. On the last leg of my Europe trip we jumped from warm and sunny Prague to cool and cloudy Amsterdam, back to a summer-like week in Paris, then to a rainy and cold London. It was so cold in the UK I ended up having to buy a new jacket in Zara to make walking around in the rain more bearable, a compromise I was willing to deal with. Now I have less than a week before I move into my new apartment, to enjoy what's officially left of the summer season, and relish not living out a suitcase.

Chambray shirt, striped skirt, Lovelock satchel - Madewell
Ankle boots - Old Navy
Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Madewell Fall 2011 Lookbook

I'm totally feeling this Madewell lookbook. Everything, from the footwear to the bags, the way the belts are tied and how the socks are scrunched. Even the models have the hair I wish could have with perfectly messed up waves. What I like even more about these looks is that I could easily recreate them with what I already have in my closet.