TAKE NOTE . . .

Before iPhones and tablets and ESP, I remember when Filofaxes were all the rage. In fact, I begged my mother for one for Christmas when I was a mere teen. And for some reason, she got it for me. I'm not sure what I had to keep track of at fourteen. Parties? Kicking it in the meadow with my other delinquent, I mean, debutante friends? Hanging out late night uptown on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or downtown at The World?

But I remember thinking that there was just something so chic about pulling that filofax out of my danish bookbag and checking to see if I could hit up Pat Field's on a Saturday afternoon. And truth be told, I still think there's something elegant about a gal who puts pen to paper. I'm not suggesting that you rid yourself of all technology together. But, imagine pulling this vintage Gucci address book out of your 2.55 and taking down your new pals contact info or jotting down your Sunday Farmer's Market list in its creamy silken pages?

Sounds pretty decadent, no? I say "Oui."

Click HERE to make this Gucci address book yours!

--Lizzy

IT'S IN THE BAG

Last night, my husband was out with the boys. Rather than mope about about the house, I made a scrumptious dinner for one (steak, bearnaise, spicy carrots, persian rice--this month's Bon Appetit, based on a dinner held at APC founder Jean Touitou's castle just outside of Paris, so chic!), poured myself a glass of Sancerre and chit-chatted on the phone with my girlfriends. While discovering out the latest news amongst my nearest and dearest, e.g. congratulating the one who's having munchkin #2 and consoling the one who's breaking up with husband #2, I grabbed a pad and was mindlessly scribbling as I dished with my ladies. When I got off the phone, I stared at my doodles. Was my subconscious trying to tell me something, some style wish gone unfulfilled that needed rectifying and fast?
Ah, the Chanel® bag. Calling on one these satchels an "It Bag" is a bit insulting. It's kind of like giving "It Girl" status to Catherine Deneuve or Charlotte Rampling or Julie Christie. These are icons, not ingenues. And yet, I've forgone the flap, thought that 2.55 just wasn't my number. But now, I'm reconsidering my refusal. I have to admit, the bag is so recognizable, that it turned me off a bit. But, there are many options other than your basic black Chanel® bag that have their own je ne sais quoi while maintaining their singular shape and style.

And I have to say, that I do enjoy the feminist origins of this bag. While the number 2.55 may not immediately add up to burning my bra (and why would I: it's Kiki de Montparnasse and pretty), Coco designed this bag because purses back in the day were only a means of adornment, not something functional to carry your essentials from A to B.

After all, in café society, ladies were meant to be seen at the table in the restaurant or the chaise on the lanai. They certainly weren't meant to be seen at oh, a desk working or anything like that. So, a satchel large enough to contain a wallet, a notebook, pens, etc. with shoulder straps for comfort and that would enable a lady to grab her gear and GO, was deemed unsightly.
But, Coco realized that the times, they were a changing. And as a working woman herself, she wanted something to lug her necessities, and that something had to be chic with a capitol C. So, as legend has it, she had her worker-bees sew golden chain straps to a bag that had a bigger body so she could stylishly tote her wares. And hence, the tote was born.

Personally, I'm taken with the charcoal option above with sienna crochet trim, but the printed camellia bag does have a certain whimsy and femininity I find appealing. This is the kind of bag I'd wear with leather pants a la Isabel Marant, a ripped-to-shreads old Striper tee, and strappy heels.
Of course, if you're looking for the gold standard, why try to fix what ain't broke. You could pick up this oversize black number, prefect for storing your iPad plus the trinkets and bangles and baubles a girl needs while navigating the concrete jungle, climbing the corporate ladder or simply bellying up to the bar.

Lucky for me, whenever I'm amidst a fashion conundrum, the gang over here at Decades excavates a treasure trove of options for my consideration. And lucky for you, they took my bag confusion and ran with it, posting a plethora of must-have bags, from classic carryalls to wild style satchels.

Whatever your handbag hopes, I'm sure their selection will satisfy. Of course, now looking at all of their amazing picks, I'm more frustrated than ever. That fringed Jimmy Choo is calling my name. Sigh. What's a girl to do? Although, I must say that when my troubles add up to picking out the perfect handbag (or two), I've got it pretty darn good.

Want to check out our amazing selection of must-have bags? Click here and get carried away!

--Lizzy

JERSEY ON YOUR SHOULDER

I am so excited because tomorrow I am flying to Paris for the American Friends of the Louvre gala and related events (dinner with the Ambassador; Maybach test drives in the country -- you know the usual things I do! ha ha). That also means we may be a bit slow on blogging, but I will be posting fun things on my Facebook page and will Tweet in a bit from the Madame Gres exhibit, the Anish Kapoor show at the Grand Palais and certainly at the dinner within the Louvre where Janet Jackson will perform under the Pyramid! I still haven't packed...stressed.
But not too stressed to leave with you a gorgeous late 70s wool jersey iconic Chanel 2.55 bag. I think the jersey bags are so chic, so Coco, so Decades, and hopefully so you! These are not easy to find in excellent condition, but I am delighted to share this one with you. Now let me focus on what I am wearing in Paris and so I bid you Adieu. BTW Around 100 more vintage YSL blouses arrived as well as around 100 incredible vintage designer dresses from the 60s to early 80s so if you are in the hood, come visit us at the store since we can't get everything up on the blog fast enough...
-Cameron

Chanel wool jersey 2.55 diamond quilted bag, c. late 1970s. 2 1/2 x 7 x 11 SOLD
For additional information, please email blog@decadesinc.com or mailto:todd@dtwo1.comcall + 1 323 655-1960. You may also visit us in person at Decades 8214 1/2 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) at Harper Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Please reference the description above, if calling or emailing. For email requests, kindly include your full name and phone number plus City, State, and Country from which you are contacting, so may offer you a high level of personal service.