BIG BAG BOAT AND TOTE – DON’T CARE!

Friends and colleagues know  that my aesthetic has always been preppy.

A hallmark of any true prep, the L.L. Bean boat and tote has proven its versatility from city streets to points beyond. Trust me, I’ve had a couple for years and they’re still in good form.

BTW, I finally got myself a new one a few days ago and I couldn’t be happier!

If Chris Martin, Japanese men and East Coast preps carry one, it’s certainly good enough for me! 

OUT FOR A WEEK

I’m currently out for the week (my first since May last year) to visit my mom who’s been on dialysis for 3 weeks now. 

(Trousers and pink oxford shirt from Ralph Lauren, Green tote from J. Crew and my reliable penny loafers.)

Rewind: I get that there’s a science to packing light, but I think it’s getting a bit over the top when Pythagoras starts giving you specific instructions on how to properly pack your basics. And no, please don’t fold my delicates!  Time for 15 minutes of ardha sarvangasana.

OFF TO SHIBUYA? I WANT A COTTON TOTE!

I'm in love with super-light natural cotton totes. The ones from Dean and Deluca are simple yet so chic - perfect for grocery shopping, the weekend village market, out of town, the beach or a trip down south.

I should really get one for myself!

BASIC MATTER 12: L.L. BEAN BOAT BAG

I’ve had my L.L. Bean boat bag for six years now. Nothing fancy though but it does the trick of carrying a lot from notebooks to paint brushes, paint canvas, a mini easel, my moleskines and magazines maximizing a lot into one bag and can be suspended over my shoulder rather than having plastic cutting into my fingers.



Despite getting a lot of strange looks from the public, they’re also excellent for those Salcedo/ Legaspi Village weekend market shopping excursions too.


Superior Labor Paint Tote Bag and Port Canvas Clipper Bag from Utility Coop

Aside from L.L. Bean, I’ve also discovered pages and pages of work wear and totes at the Japanese shop Utility Coop. When in the U.S., you can also find great totes at Estex, Filson, Billykirk and Klein Tools.

EARLY CHRISTMAS SANTA LIST

I have not had a moment to myself. I see photos of bags throughout the day. I babble them to myself internally a few lines at a time, and they disappear into the closet, under my humble bed and inside my shoebox. I think many of them will hide from me forever, but I'm hopeful a few will make it into my list.

Here are five bags on my Christmas Santa list:

Mulberry Small Clipper duffel bag, $1395

Billy Kirk No. 166 Overnight Travel bag, $320

J.Crew Artisan's duffel bag, $495

Lambertson Truex Hughes duffel bag, $615

and a Sandstorm Canvas and cowhide weekender, $350

I miss the mall the most, as when I do have a few minutes to hastily window shop, I feel obligated to reward myself with something. I can already foresee the danger of burning the candle at both ends, as I'm also not getting much sleep since my knee injury. I'm not sure where I'm getting energy through the day---sheer determination and adrenaline, I suppose, as I know there is no other option but to keep constantly moving.