Sunday Prep

PHOTOS: ANDY LEVINE

I confess that until last week, I hadn’t set foot inside a Gap for about 3 years. It’s not that I have anything against the brand per se, it’s more that if I’m not even remotely intrigued by anything in a store window (the regular price stuff, or “the bait” as I call it), it doesn’t bode well for what lurks inside on the sale racks. But when I saw this plaid shirt in the window, I promptly reacquainted myself with ol' Gap. After all, I had been quietly lusting for THIS Rails plaid shirt for a few months, but I think $150 for a rayon button-down is ridiculous. Guess what—the Gap one is near-identical, made of the same material, and is on sale for $35. Soooo satisfying!

As for the tote: I have my share of "splurge" handbags. Over the years I've managed to accumulate a healthy roster of "name brand" totes and crossbodies. And I live in the sort of city where people know their brands and recognize a fancy bag. But I can honestly say that with each of those $$$$ bags, I've never gotten close to the number of compliments I regularly get on my $18 Poe-ka dot tote. It's ridiculously light and has become my go-to throw-around bag for when I have music books and/or my laptop with me. Above all, it's a great conversation piece, with strangers either asking, "Is that Edgar Allan Poe?" or immediately exclaiming, "I love your bag!" And then there's the occasional brave soul who asks if it's Einstein. 🙈

Thanks for stopping by!