Summer is here and beach days are inevitable. I pretty much take the same few things to the beach every time I go. They include sunglasses, rubber flip-flops, a hat, a book/magazine, lip balm, SPF and a kick ass bathing suit! While we’re on the subject of kick ass bathing suits, I have recently learned about the cutest bathing suits from an awesome lingerie company by the name of Naja. Besides having super cute styles that are flattering, the bathing suits and bras are made from recycled water bottles!!!!!! The innovative swimwear is also made with water free printing which is pretty neat. No water= no water waste. Definitely check out their website, views on social impact, and women empowering women. Below are my personal essentials when it comes to beach days! Have a great weekend! XO, Journey 
Clockwise from top left: Eos lip balm in mint. Naja Bathing Suit. Forever 21 Fedora. Ralph Lauren Tote. Old Navy Flip Flops. Neutrogena SPF 110. I’ve been using this SPF for years and it is the BEST! It doesn’t break me out and it’s SPF 110!!! I wear it all summer long. Girlboss Book. Gucci Aviator Sunglasses.
What’s In My Beach Bag!
5 JunThe Original Stylish Crossbody Bag
1 Nov
Since the original Cambridge Satchel was introduced in 2008 it’s been a cult favorite among the fashion crowd, bloggers went absolutely crazy for it. The academic silhouette a la book bag style can be dressed up or dressed down and the cross body style is perfect if you need your hands free to shop etc. It’s a perfectly stylish mom bag for that reason. Made in the UK, these bags come in a variety of sizes and colors including metallic, neon and pastels. I consider this bag a MUST HAVE in your collection. The Cambridge Satchel Co. has a variety of bags available and they also have a great clearance section that includes bags with slight flaws that are noted.
Cambridge bags are very reasonably priced and very well made bag (usually $120-$220) If you don’t already own one of these timeless bags, I suggest you make it happen. You will be glad you did!
…but don’t you fret if that’s out of your budget……Steve Madden makes a very similar buckled bag for about half the price and it’s on sale at Nordstrom!!!!! YAY!
Shop Steve Madden bags at Nordstrom.
Grace Coddington’s New Book
28 OctGrace Coddington is one of the original players in this fashion game, fashionistas all over the world admire and respect the style icon and are anticipating the upcoming release of her memoir Grace: A Memoir . If you’re expecting a juicy tell all, you will be disappointed. “I’m not telling secret stories” Coddington said “not writing ugly things to get back at anyone. This book’s not gossipy”. The 71-year-old creative director of American Vogue took the high road on this one choosing to keep the gist of the book quite positive and that is very refreshing in such a cut throat industry. The book will be based from her lifelong diaries and will include a few of her own hand drawn illustrations as well. Set for release on November 20th 2012 , the book is available at Amazon.
Cute & Clever Book Clutches! (including DIY)
19 SepI keep seeing these Olympia Le-Tan book clutches everywhere, they are so cute and quite clever! Kate Spade also has some of her own as well as Chanel. The Olympia Le-Tan version will set you back $1,000-$1,900 and the Kate Spade version rings in at $325. If you’re on a budget have NO FEAR you can do it yourself for about $15!!!!!!! I found this easy tutorial below and I am going to do it!!!!!! I will post pictures when I do:) Will you be joining the clutch book club?
Click here for a great step by step tutorial!
The Sartorialist: Closer Now Available For Pre-Order
6 AugAfter the enormous success of his first book The Sartorialist in 2009, Scott Schuman, the creator of the highly acclaimed street style fashion blog The Sartorialist is releasing his second book The Sartorialist: Closer. The book, much like Schuman’s first will continue to look at human style across the globe with a collection of inspiring images along with insightful commentary. The much anticipated read is available in two covers, one male and one female. A limited deluxe edition is also available. The expected release date is August 29 but is available for pre-sale now at Amazon.
Two Covers
Limited Edition
Fendi Celebrates Iconic Bag
13 JunThe Fendi baguette is arguably the first “it” bag. 
The bag was the creation of the Italian fashion house in 1997 and was designed to be carried under the arm like a french loaf of bread, hence the name baguette. This iconic bag was created in over 1,000 styles ranging from beaded to bright and everything in between. Time to dust off your baguettes ladies, I smell a major comeback!
The Fendi Baguette book ($73.52) celebrates the 15 year anniversary of the coveted bag , following it’s journey from the 90’s to now. Along with the book, Fendi will be reissuing 6 select baguettes in honor of the occasion. see below. Shop baguettes at Fendi.
Sarah Jessica Parker helped launch the baguette into super stardom in sex and the city.
Remember when a mugger stole Carrie’s bag nearly 15 years ago?
Some of the many baguette styles
Chanel’s ‘little black jacket’ Exhibit Opens Today
8 JunSome of the biggest names in fashion turned out to celebrate Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld’s collaborative project entitled “The Little Black Jacket” Wednesday. The festivities were a kick off party of sorts celebrating an upcoming book that features 120 black & white photographs by Karl Lagerfeld himself. The book ‘The Little Black Jacket’ will be available in bookstores this fall and will show the iconic Chanel tweed jacket interpreted 120 ways. Over 100 celebrities partook in the shoot as well.
Images: Getty
A traveling exhibit of the photos featured in the book will open in New York today at the Swiss Institute downtown, the weeklong exhibit will run through June 15 before moving on to the next stop. Click HERE for details on this exhibit and upcoming locations.
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