workplace & what-to-wear woes #3
unique & functional work bags, high-protein snacks, and a career pep talk
Happy Friday! Whew. It’s finally spring in NYC, and I’m happily shoving my sweaters to the back of my closet.
On another note, I highly recommend stopping by Framebridge (or your local frame store) if you’re in need of a last-minute Mother’s Day gift. I walked into Framebridge yesterday to frame this scarf for my office, and was promptly upsold to buy four framed pictures.
AirDrop your photos to the store associate and they’re promptly framed. I paid $55 for a stunning silver frame, and it was a thoughtful gift executed within minutes! Bravo.
***Not at all sponsored or gifted. Just a harried daughter trying to help others!
If you’re new around here, welcome to workplace and what-to-wear woes! Every week, I’ll be diving into a work question and a fashion question—with a few other goodies thrown in too. You can find the last edition here.
Let’s get to it!
A workplace woe
Q: I have an opportunity to move to a management role. How do I know if I’ll be any good at it?
I'm all about taking on the challenge!
In addition, here are three questions to ask yourself to figure out if the opportunity is a good fit:
When you led a recent workstream, did you enjoy the increased responsibility? Did you feel you had a handle on delegating?
How are you with absorbing the emotions of others? Are you able to compartmentalize? Often, the most challenging part of management is the people!
Do you enjoy mentoring and empowering others? Do your colleagues naturally come to you for advice / feedback already?
If you want more one-to-one support with your career (resume revamp, interview coaching, professional bio writing, and more), I’m here to support!
A what-to-wear woe
Q: Do you have recommendations for work bags that don’t look like everything else out there? I’m so sick of logos / seeing the same bags everywhere!
I received this DM earlier in the week, and immediately knew I’d tackle this question here. Have we reached peak bag? I’m all for investing in designer items—but not at the expense of looking like a robot.
I’m always amused when street style accounts (particularly love Class of Palm Beach) interview well-heeled ladies about what they’re wearing—and they’re *always* wearing the same bags. Hermes, Dior, Gucci…paired with $10K outfits from those same designers.
These bags are classic…but very, very safe.
To me, fashion is the magic of pulling a look together rather than regurgitating what’s on a mannequin. Dare to be a bit different with your bag choice. My most beloved bags aren’t true basics—but offer a special hit of oomph that I continue to reach for again and again.
For more on this topic,
just released an excellent piece about what makes an “it” bag. Thank you for spotlighting!
So, here’s four work bags I adore. They’re well-priced, edgy, and different from what you’ve been bombarded with on social media.
I bought this bag during the heart of the pandemic, when I literally had nowhere to go. Its beauty stopped my scroll—and as someone who is *not* an impulsive shopper, I bought within a minute.
Let’s start with the obvious—this art piece isn’t a bargain. It’s on major sale for 449 euros ($491.72)…way down from the $950+ I paid in 2020. You’ll have and love this bag for years. Two more reasons why I love it:
Non-branded. Italian designer Paco Rabanne makes this bag. You can immediately tell that it’s high-end, but because there aren’t any logos, it truly is timeless.
The bag IS the look. I’ve run out the door so many times in the blandest of bland outfits. Black shoes, black coat, black shirt—the typical NYC uniform. But since I’m toting the bag, I feel infinitely more confident and pulled together.
Expensive? Yes. A great investment? Also yes. If you want to talk nitty-gritty bag details, feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram. I’m simply that passionate.
Why is it so hard to find a good white tote? I’ve found that most white totes have some sort of embellishment or logo that scream ‘cheap.’
This tote, though, is logo-free and incredibly well-priced. Fits a laptop, and I love how the weave detail adds visual interest. The perfect summer work bag if you typically gravitate towards tan or black. This tote also comes in a tan colorway, but I actually prefer the white!
WOW! I’m blown away by the construction and design of this bag. The structure reminds me of Loewe. I love the classic shape with a touch of edge.
At $799, it isn’t cheap. However, it’s specifically constructed for workplace use—tons of pockets and a roomy interior.
If you want a slightly smaller bag (fits a 13.5-inch laptop vs. 14-inch), it’s $725. I love the plethora of color options—my top pick is the forest green!
Black tote bags are great, but I’m over the plain Jane iterations. If the silver chain-link bag I mentioned earlier is a bit too out-there, this bag is a great alternative (that’s still a bit edgy).
Very well-priced at $265. Fits a laptop and has a very roomy interior!
The weekly grab bag
Five products, articles, and people you need to know
I was glued to all things Met Gala, so I loved
’s take on replicating the looks for less. A very fun read!Not to go all gym bro on you, but I am perpetually on the hunt for incredible high-protein snacks. You likely already know about the best protein bars I’ve ever tried, which truly taste like Milky Ways (my favorite flavors are coconut and cookie dough). But my new obsession? These roasted edamame snacks.
There’s 11g of protein in each bag! Buffalo is my favorite flavor, and a good deal at $24 for a 24-pack.
Has anyone watched the Pop-Tart movie yet?! (Stars Jerry Seinfeld on Netflix). Worth it? I haven’t seen too much buzz on social about it. Regardless of public opinion, it’s my Saturday night watch.
This $35 gingham dress is adorable…and looks very Reformation-esque.
The Internet is abuzz with lots of changes at Substack—particularly how they’re doubling down on audio and video. As someone who enjoys creating video content across Instagram and TikTok, I cherish Substack as a place where I don’t have to be camera-ready and can create content from my PJs! Curious to learn about what you think about the changes afoot. Do you see yourself consuming video content on Substack?
I personally see this part of the Internet as unspoiled and authentic—and think that a push towards video will ruin the sense of community. But that’s just my two cents. 😉
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***The fine print: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products that I use, love, and can’t live without.
I personally hate the idea of Substack incorporating audio/video. I started subscribing to more newsletters because I enjoyed the long form content and ability to read things at my own pace (emphasis on *read*). Kind of changes the whole idea of the platform…
Thanks Julia! I enjoy my polene cyme bag for work and was looking for another option to get as well. What do you think of Saint Laurent shopping bag styles introduced recently? (Le 5 a 7)