Bon Voyage

Lots of folks seem to be taking advantage of low airfares and planning some trips for this Fall! Gone are the days where the only luggage option is your basic black wheelie (although that is still 90% of what you see at the airport). But why settle for boring black when there are so many fun options at a variety of price points?!

Rolling Suitcases

This black and white stripey zigzag pattern from Henri Bendel's is so fun! Bendel's has always been one of our favorite shops in NYC, especially for fun accessories and makeup! Henri Bendel Disturbed Stripe Wheelie, $595

For preppy chic, how adorable is this green and white rolling suitcase from Halsea?! We loved her line when we first saw it in Coastal Living- SoCal meets Kiawah meets Nantucket. Perfection!

Halsea Little Harbor, $335

For some dramatic style, leave it to DVF to make such a stylish leopard print wheelie. We have definitely seen her nylon luggage at TJ Maxx, but I don't think you will find something this cute there!Diane von Furstenberg Leopard Print Luggage, $1500

If pink is your favorite color, this pink rolling duffle from Bric's should fit the bill!

Bric's Trolley, $795

Delightful Duffles

For a fun pattern and good quality for the price, you cannot beat LeSportSac! We especially love the bags monogrammed! This zebra pattern is adorable.

LeSportSac Extra Large Weekender, $158

Another cutie from Halsea, we love this weekender with fun little sea creatures!

Halsea China Cove Weekender, $240

Kate Spade knows how to make basic black so cute, with shiny 14k gold-plated hardware and a sleek modern style. This looks like a perfect go-to bag.

Union Square Travel Opus, $298

The Burberry novacheck is a classic. Yes, it was a bit overexposed for a while, but all the "faux-vacheck" hype seems to have died down, and we know this pattern is here to stay. A MoS mom has used this duffle for years, and it still looks perfect!

Burberry Large Duffel Bag, $895

This Prada duffle is the perfect bag for traveling. The size is great for a weekend, and this nylon really holds up well.

Prada Nylon and Leather Duffle, $1285

We love the weathered colors and vintage feel of this Gucci duffle. A MoS sister has the vintage suitcase version of this bag. We normally shy away from logos, but in this case, we will make an exception.

Gucci Washed Canvas Duffle, $1795

Like the Burberry novacheck, LV's monogram canvas is overexposed. But it has been around for so long that we know it has staying power and is a classic, regardless of what is coming down Canal Street. Louis Vuitton Keepall 60, $1275

Both of the MoS girls love their collapsible Longchamp totes! These are especially perfect for those trips where you plan to shop- just fold is up and tuck it in your suitcase on the way there, and then unfold and fill it up with your purchases for the trip home! The nylon does wear very well, even on MoS Charlotte's pink bag! Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Duffle, $235

For the weekender version of your favorite "it" bag, we are loving this giant YSL Muse!

Yves Saint Laurent Muse Duffle




Traditional Suitcases

If you prefer a top-handle, traditional suitcase to the shoulder strap of a duffle, there are some adorable options!

This red nylon suitcase from Longchamp is the perfect size and is so cute for your weekend trips!

Longchamp Le Pliage Suitcase, $235

T.Anthony is quickly becoming one of our favorites! We love their classic styles and fun colors like purple and red!

T.Anthony Soft Packing Case, $455

We love the vintage feel of J.Crew's line of leather suitcases. This one reminds me exactly of the powder blue suitcase my mom carried when I was little. The price is steep for J.Crew, but I bet the quality is good. And if it's like everything else at J.Crew, it will go on sale eventually...

J.Crew Lugano Leather Suitcase, $1800

Goyard is definitely the gold-standard for luggage. Like Louis Vuitton, it has been around for over 100 years, and the quality is still fabulous. You can no longer purchase at Barneys online, but the next time you head into Barneys, make a quick left into the Goyard boutique and feast your eyes on the bags in a rainbow of colors! And of course, if you are going to splurge on a Goyard, add a monogram! Barneys

This cream colored oversize Balenciaga city bag is just gorgeous! The smaller handbag version of this bag was super trendy for a while, but we definitely think it is becoming a classic. We'd love to throw this bag in the back seat and ride away to a fun beachy weekend!
Balenciaga Arena Weekender, $1695

This Louis Vuitton classic suitcase is stylish and functional. It is really well-made. It gets a little heavy since it doesn't have a shoulder strap, but if you have this bag, you should also have someone to carry it for you, right?!

Louis Vuitton Sirius 55, $1530

For the Gentleman...

You cannot beat the Orvis Battenkill bags for quality and functionality. The MoS husbands are fans of this line of luggage, from duffles to wallets to dopp kits. And Orvis happily makes any necessary repairs for free!

Orvis Battenkill Duffle, $225



Filson makes great quality mens' bags as well! They are rugged yet stylish and hold up very well. Think Robert Redford in Out of Africa. Mmmmm.

Filson Wheeled Duffle, $395

Tell us about your suitcase! Are you going on a trip this Fall?!

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A Breezy Beach House in Alys Beach

It's not often that you can see a home in a magazine that belongs to someone you actually know. Which is why we were delighted to find out that the breezy beach house in Alys Beach, Florida featured in the July/August issue of Veranda belongs to the family of one of my friends/sorority sisters from U.Va. (although I will admit that sounds a bit six degrees of Kevin Bacon-ish when put into writing!).

Alys Beach is a community on the panhandle of Florida that is centered around the principle of New Urbanism, meaning that sprawl is minimized by creating a community where most everything people need is in walking distance. Sounds inviting, doesn't it? The architecture is reminiscent of a Mediterranean village, with a touch of Bermuda thrown in, don't you think?

That contrast between a bright blue sky and a stark white building? Gorgeous.

The interiors of the home are by Georgia Carlee. The main thing I love about this home is that is says, "beach," not "BEACH!!!!" It perfectly captures the spirit of the Florida coast, but does so in an elegant yet inviting way. Take a look and see what I mean.

Above- the breezy white drapes and seagrass rug keep things light, but the four upholstered chairs dress things up a bit and create an inviting space for cocktails. Notice the shell console on the right- fabulous! I also love the unexpected framed coral art above the windows.

Above- Lucky bamboo is perfect for beach/vacation houses because it doesn't need constant watering!

Above- the driftwood table really makes the room by adding an organic touch. In the magazine, you can see this living room as a double page spread, but since I had to get these pictures the old fashioned way (by scanning them in- thanks a lot, Veranda!) you are only seeing the right side.

Above left- the shell hanging above the bed is a unique touch. And of course, in the bottom right picture, I love those blue and white garden stools.

The furniture in this room has a sort of rustic French vibe. A weathered desk is perfectly casual. Notice the sea curiosities inside the glass-front shelves.

More driftwood on the lamps and at the foot of the bed.

An inviting entrance.

According to the article, the chandelier is made from old wine barrels! We'll drink to that. A globe chandelier is unexpected, and we like it!

Finally, the courtyard patio beckons for a leisurely lunch under the umbrella.

What is your favorite beach town? Is there any beach you're dying to escape to this summer?

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The Art in the Everyday

We have loved the CK Bradley line for years and years now (gosh, has it been that long?). Recently we came across a very intriguing post by Camilla Bradley on her blog about how she created a fabric pattern for her summer line from the design of an iron gate that she encountered one day in New York. We love the idea of finding inspiration in unexpected places, and when you think about it, architectural details such as gates, fences, molding, mosaics, and stonework are perfect ideas of the harmony that can exist between form and function.

While in Newport this weekend, I snapped a few pictures of inspiring architectural details that show that true decorative beauty often comes in unexpected places.

A detailed mosaic on the floor of the outside terrace at the Vanderbilt summer "cottage," The Breakers (more on my tour of the Breakers later this week!).

Left- a gate outside the Breakers. Right, an equally impressive gate outside the National Museum of American Illustration on Bellevue Avenue.

A closeup of a gate outside the Breakers. What a fabulous upholstery print that would make!

I am not normally a huge fan of the fleur de lis (does that make me the worst Kappa ever?), but I am re-thinking my stance after seeing these interpretations, especially the one on the left.

Further down on Bellevue Avenue near the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I snapped this unique decorative trim around the door of a business. I love the vivid glazed greens and blues.

And on the same building, this trim lining the bottom of the building. It's reminiscent of a Union Jack flag, no?

It was hard to capture the magnitude of this ceiling in a photograph, but this is just a detail from the painted ceiling on the porch of the Breakers.

A recycled photo of a red iron gate I loved in Buenos Aires.

Gate Pattern in Verona via Flickr

Iron gate and mosaic-inspired pieces don't have to be confined to floors and gardens! A few ideas for bringing the outdoors in:

Garden Gate fabric, P. Kaufmann

Serena and Lily Ruby Sunshine Mosaic Fabric

Iron Gate Rug, Williams Sonoma

Mosaic "rug" by Real Mosaic

And, of course, the CK Bradley Islesboro Dress dress in the trellis print that we found so inspiring to begin with!

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Ahoy! MoS Loves Nautical Chic

Having recently vistied the sailing mecca of Newport, Rhode Island, we are reminded yet again how much we love nautical-inspired clothing and accesories, especially in the height of summer. Here are some of our favorites!

Newport, picture via fotoblography.com

You can't beat a classic topsider when building a classic nautical style. The brown style are the originals, but if you want a little flair, we are loving the new patent leather candy colors! Women's Authentic Original Two Eye, Sperry, $75-$80

Fabulous vintage anchor print on these Sperry Pelican Tall Boots, $75

This would make a fab beach bag- it's made of recycled sails. Sperry Large Sailcloth Tote, $185

How unique is this customized Initial Flag Band Ring, Nautical Flags Jewelry, $599?

Laser Sail Rope Tote, $149

A little nautical bling! Gold Anchor Necklace, Etsy, $13

The All Time Shell from Patagonia, $225, is perfect both on the boat and off. We love the yellow color!

This Lurex One Shoulder Dress, Juicy, $158, definitely emphasises the chic side of nautical-inspired dressing.

Yo ho ho with this Jolly Roger Belt, Smathers & Branson, $165

Viaggio Mango Mule, Stubbs & Wootton, $350

And for the home:

More noval uses for recycled sails. Dog Bed Cover, $70

Side Bar Rug, Dash & Albert, price varies w/ size

Sailor's Knot Door Stop, $45

Spinnaker Shower Curtain, Ella Vickers, $79

This would be a simple and smashing DIY project! Framed Nautical Flags, Vintage Flea

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