What Day Of The Week Is It? Snack - More Excellent Basics

Little morsels from around the internet.

Hi pals. We’ve decamped to Palm Springs to keep my kids out of the smoke. It’s not lost on my how lucky we are to be able to get them away - it’s also not lost on me how lucky we are to have our home still standing. Both of our old houses in the Palisades are gone, there’s been so much devastation in the Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, the Hills, Pasadena and Altadena… it’s horrible, and it’s all I’ve been able to think about this week. If you want some resources to donate, I compiled a few earlier in the week, but honestly, I’m also giving to the various GoFundMe’s I see on friends Instagram Stories. A little bit goes a long way.

My work has always been an escape for me - even when I was working in magazines, making beautiful images and writing and working on layouts was a way out of the ordinary. It’s also a more practical escape - my kids have been home with us since Thueday, following a two-week long holiday break….and I love them…but it feels very good to be absorbed by something other than cutting apple slices and breaking up sibling spats for thirty minutes. So anyway, here’s the Saturday Snack, even though I’m having a hard time keeping track of what day it is.

Last week’s round up of basic building blocks seemed to be very helpful, so this week I’m expanding on that list.

WORK BAG

1: This one is incredible (and also comes in more basic colorways) - it’s machine washable and made of recycled materials. It fits A TON and has personality. I have this and use it a lot for kids’ art supplies when we’re traveling or going to dinner, but have also used it for meetings and felt very cool. Rothy’s, $169

2: Cuyana’s System series is brilliant for work bags - these come with little snaps and things that you can add inserts (like a laptop case) for whatever else you need for work. Helps keep you organized and your gadgets safe. Cuyana, $328

3: I loooove this bag from Liffner. It’s not one you see everyday, and the strap details are so sweet. The quality is incredible, especially for the price. It looks and feels like a much much more expensive bag. Liffner, $675

4: If you want something under $1000 with a bit more detail, I love this one from Demellier. It has a very classic lady look, and is super practical. It has a wide pocket on the bag, which is perfect for a laptop or iPad. Demellier, $745

1: This is nice if you like something with a little less structure. A very beautiful option that can likely hold a ton. Aesther Ekme, $770

2: This is more of a *thing* than the other bags, it’s a very it bag of a bag, but GOD I LOVE IT SO MUCH! It’s huge, and structured, and therefore a work bag. Balenciaga, $2,290

3: A cult-favorite for a reason, this tote is as simple and perfect as it gets. I love the width of the strap relative to the size of the bag. So beautiful. The Row, $2,450

4: And now, an exquisitely designed bag - special pockets for all your things, the most incredible quality, truly a perfect thing. Metier, $2,450

TRANSITIONAL JACKETS

1: I LOOOOOOVE this old school Polo jacket. It’s so mensy, so 80s, sooooo preppy and great. I love the idea of it with a mid-length pleated skirt. Polo, $195

2: This is also a great option for something a bit more crisp. The cut and length are super tidy, and it’s a great weight for between seasons. Club Monaco, $260

3: And how about a trench coat! Nothing more classic or useful. Ae, $298

1: If you’d rather an excellent blazer, how about this one from TWP? It has sneaky hidden zippers in the sleeve cuffs, which normally I wouldn’t LOVE but I like the idea of them being able to open up to be flipped up instead of rolled. TWP, $695

2: This is the most beautiful thing - the perfect shade of navy, crisp cut, excellent fit - a gorgeous little peacoat-y jacket. Weekend Max Mara, $745

3: This brand, Rohé, is one of my new favorites. Their pieces are so special and beautiful, but not too too crazy. This jacket, with little lovely, delicate closures, is a perfect example. Rohé, $860

AN INTERESTING CLASSIC HEEL

1: I love a kitten heel - especially one with a cool texture. This one is kind of croc embossed AND a slingback, which is a double win. Paris Texas, $447

2: One of the sexiest shoes of all time, these are black satin, and are great for very formal events but also look cool with jeans. Emme Parsons, $585

3: These are in my personal shoe hall of fame - super elegant, very sexy, incredibly simple, and beautifully made. These are a 10/10, and they’re on sale. Manolo Blahnik, $636

4: These look super basic, but they’re a dark brown, not black. CHIIIIIIIIIIC! Jimmy Choo, $795

5: These are an it shoe that has transcended it status and feel more iconic than trend. They are demure but kind of suggestive, and I fucking love them. Miu Miu, $1,290

WHITE T-SHIRTS

1: If you beat your white t’s to hell, this is a good one. The fit is excellent - nice and boxy and cropped but not like, Sabrina Carpenter cropped, and is relatively affordable. Gap, $14

2: I love this one, and someone I know who has truly exquisite taste swears by this tee. It has great structure, is nice and boxy, and feels wonderful. Cos, $45

3: This is one of my personal favorites - the Hanes x ReDone tees are great, and I love the way this one fits, and the feel of the cotton - it’s also on sale. Hanes x Redone, $55

4: If you like something less structured and a little slouchier, this is your shirt. I like the proportions and the sleeve length. It’s also not so slinky and slouchy that it feels flimsy. AYR, $68

5: I’ve heard amazing things about this brand, but haven’t tried the tees out myself. This one looks like the best bet IMO - again, everything I like in a tee, structured, boxy, not too cropped, but not long, and a great sleeve length. Perfect White Tee, $78

SUNGLASSES

1: A very very chic friend of mine wears these, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked her what they are and heard…Warby Parker, $95

2: If you like aviators, it doesn’t get much better than this pair, which is a collaboration between Linda Farrow and Cos. Cos x Linda Farrow, $190

3: A very perfect, prissy little cat eye! The branding on the arms is super subtle, which I love. Dior, $430

4: This is my favorite sunglass shape of all time, I have two pairs of these, both are black, but I love this tortoiseshell too. These are a total classic. Celine, $440

5: I’ve looked at these round wire-rim sunglasses at Chanel a hundred times. I love these - they’re retro but not costumey, and feel light and great on your face. Chanel, $750

That’s all I’ve got. Stay safe, and be a good neighbor.

Your friend,

Laurel