VARSITY READER: issue #28
work totes that don't suck, actionable career advice, and this week's must-reads
Happy February! January was a strange and tragic month. There were many days in January where I walked outside my apartment in NYC and the energy just felt…stale, similar to how it felt post-election.
For some comfort, I highly watching recommend this TikTok. It’s an American Airlines captain speaking to a Miami-bound flight just hours after the DC crash. He notes that he has “no higher calling” in life than to be a pilot—something he hopes will instill trust in his passengers. What a beautiful message.
And for some levity, here’s a picture of my family’s 13 year-old toy poodle Mabel. I posted this on Stories last week week and got a barrage of messages. Toy poodles are adorable (Mabel looks like the American Girl dog Coconut) but aren’t the sweetest.
Every time I visit my mom in NJ and see my dogs (my family also has a mini goldendoodle), I realize that I’m not ready for the responsibility of a dog. I would rather be locked down first with kids and *then* have a dog—curious to know your takes here.
P.S. If you’re new around here, welcome! I’m Julia, a brand strategist and content creator based in NYC. I partner with clients to tell standout stories—whether they’re an executive changing careers or a CPG brand looking to reach a new audience across platforms. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @smarterinasec, learn more about me / my services on my website, and of course, right here on Substack.
Let’s dive in!
This week’s media diet
Beyond LAW & ORDER, I’m not really into cop shows. But ON CALL (a new Amazon Prime show) is incredible. My fiancé put it on and I thought I would immediately fall asleep, but we ripped through it. Set in Long Beach, CA, and a great thriller. Stars Lori Loughlin and Troian Bellisario (of Pretty Little Liars).
MO is back on Netflix! I absolutely love this show, though it’s been a while since the previous season (2022). Co-created by Ramy Youssef of RAMY, it centers around Mo, a Palestinian refugee living in Houston. Quick wit that’s balanced by lots of family and legal strife. Highly recommend.
This is a fun read about millennial brand package design (via
). Every beloved brand of the last decade has punchy font and Rainbow Brite colors. Their success is no accident!Bookstores are in trouble. But #BookTok has been a saving grace and helped bookstores increase sales dramatically. This Bloomberg Businessweek feature gets into it all.
Would you sit through four bad dates in the hopes that the fifth one defied all odds? No. That’s exactly how I feel about SEVERANCE. I tried the first episode three separate times, and I simply can’t get through it. And I’m not interested in suffering through four more episodes. Even though the whole world can’t stop talking about it, the verdict is in. It’s a no from me.
As someone getting married this year, YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED (new Prime comedy starring Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon) was a light watch. But I was wincing the entire time. The whole plot centers around the idea that a hotel is double booked for weddings because…no one bothered to double check. I’m all about suspending reality for the sake of enjoying a movie. But maybe this hit a little too close to home for someone so type A. 😉
Not a media rec, but I looked back on my January Amazon sales—and this portable carbon monoxide monitor was the top seller. My mom got it for me a few Christmases ago, and I’ve taken it on every trip since. $20 for peace of mind.
The career corner
If you set up a friend on a date, you’d expect your friend to report back on how it went, right?!
Now…why isn’t this a standard in the professional world? If you’re in my orbit—whether you’re a client or friend of mine—I’m constantly trying to set you up (professionally). Nothing delights me more than connecting two dynamic people who have career synergy.
If you’re ever on the receiving end of one of these setups (whether it’s from me or someone else in your network), close the loop and let your “matchmaker” know how it went. It’s a small, five-second gesture, but one that shows that you value your contact thinking of you, extending their social capital to you, and taking the time to make an introduction.
A text I recently sent to a friend / fellow executive coach: “Hi! I hope you had a great weekend. I wanted to thank you for connecting me with [name]. We chatted on Friday and predictably spilled over our planned 15 mins. She’s so sharp and interesting. I introduced her to two potential clients who are right in her niche. Thanks again—she’s amazing!”
Five damn good buys: work tote edition
I’ve never understood the Birkin fandom. Sure, it’s a stunning, timelessly-designed bag. But it BARELY fits a laptop! And the handles don’t fit over your shoulder. Talk about impractical.
Nicole, you can’t tell me you didn’t ice your arm when you got home. Ouch.
So if you do use the Birkin as your work bag…I’d like to see your chiropractor bill.
The bags in my closet neatly fit into three categories:
Roomy, throw-everything-in-and-go totes that fit a laptop and so much more. I have two of these and use them on most days.
Crossbody bags that fit my phone, a notebook, makeup, snacks, and other daily musts. My beloved, under $150 suede crossbody is #1 in this category.
Clutches that fit my phone and a few essentials.
Beyond that, I don’t really used the medium-sized bags in my closet…those that don’t quite fit a laptop, but aren’t small enough to be a clutch. A good learning if you’re trying to shop more practically in 2025.
That being said, finding a good work tote is hard. It has to go with multiple looks, be sturdy enough to get beat up every day, and flex across multiple seasons. These five work totes do it all:
Reminiscent of The Row Margaux…without the price tag. I love that it mixes canvas and leather—we’re all tired of your basic, blah black leather tote. The canvas colorway is more spring/summer, but there’s five other colorways to choose from (I especially love the olive).
If you told me this bag was $1500, I would believe you. But it’s only $149. The stitching detail makes it feel way more high-end.
This $198 tote also comes in brown and white, but the navy is my favorite colorway. It would look just as good with jeans and a button-down in spring/summer as balanced atop a winter coat in colder seasons.
This brand (JW Pei) was recently featured in Bethenny Frankel’s “Handbag University” TikTok series (go binge if you haven’t already). And it’s easy to see why. This bag has a great price point ($129), yet could easily pass for a $1000+ bag. It reminds me of the 2015/2016 Celine Trapeze bag, but I like this one so much more.
This bag is a splurge ($799). But if you’re looking for a beautiful bag optimized for your day-to-day, this is it. Comes equipped with numerous interior pockets to hold your laptop and the never-ending pile of stuff we carry around every day. Comes in over ten different colors. Even if you got this bag in black, it wouldn’t be boring!
What work tote do you currently carry? I’m always on the hunt for new brands / styles!
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I am obsessed with bags! I alternate between Polene Cyme, Longchamp Le Pliage and Saint Laurent le 5 a 7 Bea.
I think Longchamp is my favorite!
I use the large Baggu crescent bag for my work tote and I love it! It fits so much. Much more casual though, better for coffee shops and coworking spaces than professional offices