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2011-03-17

Carry On

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Dress? Thrifted
Jacket? Zara
Boots? Winners
Bag? Thrifted and gifted by my Mama
Necklace? h&m

My Mom found this huge leather bag at a garage sale and by Christmas time she was so worn down by my constant badgering, that she gave it to me. I decided to use it as my carry-on for our trip to Texas because it would make her proud and because I thought it made me look cool. Yeah, I did... walk through the airport with my pretty, giant bag on a limp forearm acting as if I like my coffees extra large and my sunglasses extra dark. I'm a staarrr, dahling! But as much as I liked that bag for making my butt look small in comparison; it was also too easy to throw a crap load of stuff into the abyss, resulting in a very heavy bag. And I couldn't let Matt help out and carry it because I am the staaarrr, not him... Now, though my back is killing me, my star power is still intact.

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And this is the part where we took awkward and hilarious photos of myself trying to stuff Kendi in my bag (that doesn't sound right). We were trying to show how ridiculously large the bag is but unconsciously, I was seeing if she could have come along as carry-on back to this north land. It's easy to see from her blog that she is pretty, stylish and witty but in real life, she is even more put together, incredibly encouraging and funny to the point of crossing the line. It would have been easier to have just remained Internet lovers but now we've met. And now I know I have a bestie who lives a country and a green card away. Life was simpler before I started a blog.

44 comments :

Morgan and Lua said...

It sounds like all you girls had such an amazing time. I'm really kicking myself for not going. You and Kendi were meant to be photographed together. You both look goegeousssssss. And certainly star worthy.
That said, I can't for our fabled meet up one day, maybe even as soon as this spring! A girl can dream...

Miss your face.

FutureLint said...

Oh goodness, cuteness overload with those last photos! That is one SERIOUS carry-on to um, carry. I love the casual jacket with the dress!

Anonymous said...

That bag is truly awesome. And truly large. But clearly not Kendi-sized.

Healthy and Homemade said...

Love it, you girls are too cute. How sad you live far away though!

kelsey said...

You are fierce, Jen. And that bag is fabulous and I hope you took Kendi home with you. Now THAT would be a great souvenir. :) And I definitely agree with you about the funny to the point of crossing the line! Ha.

I hope you had a great time in Kerrville and a great trip home. I already miss all my new bloggy friends!

The Suburb Experiment said...

That is one giant bag. I like the bottom right pic. It almost looks like Kendi is playing a small dog stuffed in a bag while you're playing the kind of person that stuffs wee dogs in purses.

Rachella - flourishingfit.com said...

love the bag!
x

ps I'd really appreciate it if you'll give your opinion about my latest outfit too

Ash said...

lol!!! too funny! I <3 Kendi too! She's awesome...

Brittany D'Lynne said...

Love these pics! I think this dress color is amazing too. So fun seeing pics of you and Kendi together! :)
http://www.dlynne16.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful bag! And it's just awful that Kendi doesn't fit...

amanda said...

i love how i can hear your voice in your writing now :)

Tanvi said...

I didn't get a chance to tell you this in person but you are absolutely gorgeous and first time here at your blog and in love with your style.

This is a fab dress. Very ethnic and bright :)

Tanvi
from © tanvii.com

Emily said...

Awwww I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE in your writing too! I've already told you that you don't have to go all the way to texas to meet some amazing blogger(s)... i'm right here, in your (rather gigantic multi provinced) backyard. That bag must have been KILLING that arm of yours... It's fudging nice but one tiny handle? id be dragging it weeping through the airports... you know, stylishly with oversized sunglasses and a chihuahua in the other hand. I'm gonna stop before this gets out of hand. hey it's friday? (it's actually thursday, im on crack but i meant thursday the whole time) where are the thrift regrets?
(mine is a jacket I really DIDN'T need for 25$. but it was perry ellis and i recognized the name so i bought it... now it's with the million other sring jackets i've accumulated - that get worn 2-3 times between too cold and too hot)

Juanette said...

I love that bag, of course you have to be the one to carry it! I found a vintage train case that I carry as a handbag even though it looks like I'm going on a trip when I am just going to the grocery store. You and Kendie are the same adorable, that's why you guys click! It's nice to finally meet your girl crush/bestie in person, I feel the same way about Reiko, we have only been "in person friends" since the summer but I feel as though I've known her forever. No one else understands my thrifting obsession/blog/wretched sense of humor like her....and thank you for saying such nice things on her blog, you're a pretty awesome tall drink of water!

Juanette said...

^^^^^^^p.s. Don't tell Kendi I spelled her name wrong....shhhhhhhhhh

Marie said...

What a gorgeous color combination on you! And that bag is fab, I would try to push you over and steal it if you carried it in front of me. I was so sorry to not get a chance to talk with you before the end of the conference. There was so much to hear and learn I was overwhelmed and boom, we were done! I had to nap for two days to recover. We heart you in Texas :)
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

Sara said...

That dress is so utterly amazing. The color is perfect on you!

And maybe you should get a carrying case for Kendi. Like the trendy ones out there for pets, but bigger.

fshnonmymind said...

I love Kendi's blog and it's great to know she's as funny in person. It looks like you two had such fun together.

I had a feeling when I saw that fabulous gem of a dress that it had to be thrifted. I kind of wish it wasn't because it looks so pretty and vibrant. This is a fantastic outfit, big back hurtin' bag and all. :)

Blythe and Charlotte said...

That dress is totally incredible. I love all the jewel tones! And it was total genius to pair it with that jacket and boots! That's such a beautiful outfit.

-Charlotte

Secondhand Stella said...

Ah, so jealous of that bag!!!!!!!!!!

Kyla said...

Damn, I thought my carry on was big! I totally did the giant-bag-on-forearm strut, complete with my hat AND fabulous cape. Yeah, I'm kinda a big deal around here.

I'm pretty sure that your bag would be dragging on the floor if I attempted to carry it, but I'm most positive that I would have fit INTO it! See, being short ain't so bad ;)

Santina said...

The combination of the print on the dress and the safari-like jacket feels like you should be hopping a plane to some remote destination. I absolutely love this look!

Looks like you and Kendi had fun together! There just too much GORGEOUS in those pictures for me to handle...

Sharon said...

love the dress! vintage prints are the best :) Glad you're enjoying your time in Austin!

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

Thanks for stopping by my site and commenting on the sewing machine...it was really amazing! I love your blog...I haven't see it before...your bag and purple dress are incredible! i will add you to my blog roll!!

Linley said...

you look lovely - and that bag is fantastic. so is the dress. and boots. ok, you just look all-over great!

Krust said...

Dear lord! That bag is amazing!

You 2 looks so cute. <3

Anja said...

This bag would be perfect for me! I am 6'2'' and this bag would make me look small!!!
You and Kendi are so adorable together!!!

Dylana Suarez said...

Gorgeous dress!

xoxo,

colormenana.blogspot.com

amy said...

So lovely to meet you this weekend! See you next year at TxSCC, i hope?

P.S. the word verification below is "happe" which sounds like me trying to describe my feelings about meeting you in a very poorly-executed Canadian accent.

GoodFrameofMind said...

That bag is a good reason to be a 'stahh'. You're gorgeous, and these pictures are too cute!

Nessbow said...

I love the dress you're wearing. It's brilliant!

styled by 3 said...

soooo darling!! that dress is fabulous and you are truly the thrifting master!! i'm such a wannabe thrifting master... maybe someday, if i keep trying!!
love your blog so much!

~liz

Hey There Carole! said...

Your outfit is fantastic but the bag... I love that bag. I'm just amazed what you have thrifted - if only I had your luck.

http://heytherecarole.blogspot.com/

Jess said...

You ladies are too cute! I love your dress. Kendi was right, you find amazing things thrifting. I, on the other hand have Kendi's thrifting skills. Air Bud anyone?

Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...

I so so so wish I could have been there but unfortunately the distance was even more than one country... :) lovin your thrift dress and you girls are hillarious! :D
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

archives vintage said...

i have to ditto amanda and say how awesome it is to hear your voice while reading this! also, quite jealous of your small town texas thrifting trip! hope it yielded more success than that one we went to on saturday!

. said...

Ya know I haven't had time for a good romantic comedy in I don't know how long, so thanks for giving me a much-needed fix today. You two are my new favorite Harry and Sally.

Welcome back :)

my healthy twist said...

Looks fun! I love the outfit, so pretty! XOXO, www.NatalyasCloset.com

WendyB said...

I had a purple and gold dress years ago. It never really fit right so I had to get rid of it, but your pix make me miss that color combo.

Haute Muslimah said...

haha, this is too cute!

Nadine said...

That dress and jacket together are amazing. I love the unexpected combinations that you work so well.

C said...

Gah. All the cute is making me gag. With utter jealousy.

Karla said...

So glad you had so much fun in my home state Texas :)

I actually recently bought a HUGE leather bag like that but mine is from Zara. Which means yours is way cooler because it's unique and i bet your mom got it for a steal! Jealous!

I totally understand about the abyss a huge bag like that creates and my arm is about to fall off. When I'm not carrying it, I still walk slanted and slumped to my left... the things we do for fashion.

You guys look great! Love your dress and boots combination.

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