October was gone in a flash and I don't know how I feel about it. I was so busy this month that I don't think I was fully able to relish in the best '-ber' month of all. I did some fall things, like watch Hocus Pocus every single day (including when on three plane rides),  I hosted my friends for our annual fall girls night, baked fall cookies and used all my fall themed items, like Pumpkin Spice hand sanitizer and my Hocus Pocus Stoney Clover pouch.

The weather in New York agreed with the calendar changing and we had some decent fall weather. I think only a few days over the last few weeks were hot, making it feel like August instead of October so I'll take it! Before the month is over, I plan to bake some pumpkin bread and indulge in a few more fall scented candles.

October was a fun, busy month as I've mentioned 100 times over the course of the last few blog posts. I started it off in California for a work trip, my sister got engaged, I had countless family parties from birthdays, baptisms, and weddings. I went to Florida, saw Taylor Swift in concert, and had fun with friends. It really was one of the most exciting months I've had in a while and truthfully, it all went swimmingly. 

I didn't have any anxiety freak outs related to travel or being busy; in fact, it was the opposite. I found myself feeling oddly calm with a packed calendar which makes me think that I need to be doing more things to feel calmer. What an odd feeling! 

My shopping was at a minimum in October which is always a positive but that doesn't mean I don't have some new favorites to add to my list.

Let's get into it! 

I have a very odd obsession with croissants. I don't know where or when it started but they are my favorite pastries and I think they are the cutest little things in the world. I love that they represent chic, Parisian culture, and my goal in life is to eat a croissant in Paris.  

Fashion and accessory brands have been feeding my obsession for years. Over time, different brands have released croissant-inspired products from earrings and necklaces to phone cases. I've collected my fair share over the years but now, the ultimate collection has landed in my lap and I'm over the moon.

When I started Royally Pink in 2012, Kate Spade was my everything. That lasted up until a few years ago when I started to not like what the brand was putting out. It made me sad because Kate Spade spoke to me on such a deep level. Everything they were releasing was kitschy and cute, it was basically my personality at one point.

There was a moment in time when I was buying something from Kate Spade on a weekly basis and checking the website every single day. That ended when the new creative director took over in 2017. 

Well, that old creative director has since left and someone new is taking over and you can totally tell from the latest Kate Spade collections, including the reason for this post. 

Kate Spade's heritage is New York and over the years the brand has done a lot of different New York collections to show off that love. Well, the Fall 2021 collection is New York themed and it's the first time in a very long time I've fallen in love with a  Kate Spade collection. That in itself deserves a blog post, of course. 

I had to go looking through my Instagram for these KSNY photos

I bought these taxi earrings in 2017 but they have new ones!

I've always loved taxis...

How adorable is this old NYC map tumbler?

I love this collection so much, it's taking everything in me to not purchase every single item but I will definitely be buying at least the Metro Card wallet. How cute for when I have to get on the subway again?! I also need the Taxi flats because I missed out on them the last time they were available a few years ago. 

Below is everything I'm loving from the collection and I just had to share! It's everything I love: New York, Kate Spade, and fun, quirky products. I also think this collection comes at the perfect time when New York is coming back from the pandemic and as we head into the 20th anniversary of 9/11. 

My passion for my city never falters and I'm so happy Kate Spade understands that. 

What do you think of this new Kate Spade collection?

xoxo

Last Fall I was able to attend an NYFW event with Kate Spade. It was basically a dream and a true highlight of my year. The event was with the CEO and new Creative Director; Nicola Glass took over for Deborah Llyod last year and this Spring collection was the first for Nicola.

I got a preview of it at the event so when the rebranding kicked off earlier this month, I was prepared.  I think if you didn't know it was coming, this new rebrand would be jarring.

Kate Spade has a completely new look and feel, along with a new (beautiful) website and new dustbags (which I'm a little too excited about).



As a tech nerd and someone who works in E-Commerce, this new Kate Spade website is truly beautiful. I love the new soft pink brand color and the smaller black text for the categories. It also feels like the backend was updated because I think the website runs more smoothly now too.

As for the products themselves, I get major 70s vibes from the patterns and colors. It has an old feel with a modern twist and I personally like it.

There are tons of new styles that still feel like Kate Spade, like more structured bags but have been updated with curves and smooth edges.

We also got a new Kate Spade logo embossed on all the bags; it's a step away from the traditional 'Kate Spade New York' and is a simple Spade. However, the spade is upside down at certain times and looks like a heart, which was intentional.

I remember Nicola talking about the new look and the new logo at the event. She wanted to embrace the bright colors of the brand in a new way but also pay homage to the spade logo, which is why you see so many spades incorporated through the designs.

I've read a ton of comments on Instagram and a lot of people really don't like the new look but I personally really like it. It's definitely a step away from the classic Kate Spade look and feels but if nothing ever changed, we would get bored very quickly.

There are definitely some pieces that I am just not on board with but a lot that I really do like! Change is always weird and takes some getting used too and while Kate Spade might not be 'kitchy' anymore, it's still beautiful and remains a beautiful, sophisticated brand.

If you want more information on the rebrand, I think Kate Spade's social media explaining everything beautifully, days before leading up to the launch.





*Also, after it was announced that Rachel Brosnahan was the new face of Frances Valentine (Rachel aka Midge Maisel is the late Kate Spade's niece and Frances Valentine was Spade's most recent brand), I took a look at the website and wow, if you want an old school Kate Spade fix, please go pick up one of Frances Valentine's bags. I will definitely be purchasing one in honor of Kate Spade because they are simple and gorgeous*

Below are a few of my favorite pieces from the collection!

What are your thoughts on the new rebranding and new collection(s)?
xoxo
B

EDIT *When I first published this Thursday morning, I had no idea I wrote '2018' so that's where my head is at

I keep seeing memes on Instagram saying "It feels like January 74th" and boy, does it ever! I don't think I ever noticed how long January actually is but it feels like New Year's Eve was 4 months ago. I am thankful for the long month... I hate when time flies by and when I feel like I don't have time to do anything.

January was so good! I decided on my resolutions, got myself organized, saw a lot of my friends and just really enjoyed it. I only hope the rest of 2019 can be this good.

My Favorites

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

I was so upset when I learned that my beloved Nirvana Black Dry Shampoo was being discontinued. It has been my holy grail dry shampoo for a few years and now it's being taken away from me. I needed a new one and while searching Sephora, I realized that I have never purchased a full size of the Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. Amika is one of my favorite haircare brands and I've loved everything I'vet tried from them. Their dry shampoo smells AMAZING, doesn't leave my hair with build up and really absorbs the oils without leaving a huge white cast. It is so good and everyone in my family has been loving it.

Sarah Happ Sweet Clay Lip Mask & Dream Slip

I love a good lip scrub and my favorite recently has been from Sara Happ. I purchased it last year and haven't even looked at another lip scrub. I was listening to her interview on The Influencer Podcast and had no idea that she INVENTED lip scrubs! Before her, they didn't exist in the realm of buying them at Sephora, Ulta, or CVS. I thought that was so cool and it made me love her for it. Then she started talking about her other products and the way she spoke about the Sweet Clay Lip Mask and the Dream Slip, I fell in love with her words. I went home and purchased this duo from QVC.

These have been an incredible lifesaver this winter and I'm so thankful. I apply the Sweet Clay Lip Mask about twice a week, let it sit for 10-20 minutes and wipe it off. I follow up with the Dream Slip, a night cream for your lips and I wake up feeling like my lips got their beauty sleep. Both products are rich, emollient and really sink into your lips to help heal them, not just take care of the dryness for a night.

Airpods

I thought the Apple Airpods were the dumbest thing ever. They looked silly when you wore them and I wondered what happened if one of them fell out and you didn't realize it? I couldn't wrap my head around them. Then, something happened earlier this month... I suddenly found myself lusting after them and I wasn't sure why. The more I thought about how the Airpods could change my life, the more I found myself being drawn to them in a way I haven't felt in a while. When I couldn't take it anymore, I decided to run to Target and buy them but silly me, they were out of stock. I ended up going home and buying them on Best Buy and paid $6 for overnight shipping. They were in my hands the next day and I have never loved a piece of technology so much.

Airpods are AMAZING! They have changed how I listen to everything on my phone. My headphones don't get tangled in my hair, earrings or jacket on the train. I can listen to podcasts at work without having to be plugged into my phone, therefore I can charge it at the same time. I even have them in when I'm vacuuming, therefore, the tedious chore goes by much faster. Not having to be connected to my phone to enjoy some audio is incredible; I feel like I have so much more freedom! If you've been on the fence, I recommend looking into them. I was a total hater and now I can't imagine doing anything without them!

Kate Spade Pearl Hoops

I am not a hoops kind of girl. I was when I was 12 but not anymore. I only started wearing earrings a few years ago and wear only small studs. However, my pearl obsession has made me into someone I don't know. When I saw these pearl hoops, I immediately added them to my wishlist. I wanted them more than anything and my mom bought them for me for Christmas. When I opened them on Christmas morning, I was shocked at how big they were! They are not me but I wanted them so I tried them on and didn't hate them. My mom and aunt said they looked good and I decided to keep them. Well, I've been loving them! I find any excuse to wear them, they make any outfit so much more dressy and I'm so happy to have a beautiful pair of hoop earrings in my collection.


What did you love this month?
xoxo
B

If you are an avid reader of Royally Pink and a follower of mine on social media (@bribrilukes on Twitter & Instagram), you know of my obsession with Kate Spade. It is my favorite brand of all time and I am constantly inspired by the beautiful, feminine designs and the brand truly brings so much joy to my life.

Nicola Glass explained a few new things that you will see in the Spring 2019 collection and beyond.

A few tidbits that I already knew but might be news to the casual Kate Spade consumer:

I love doing handbag reviews because they are my favorite accessory piece, but you already knew that. I think handbag reviews are very important because they're usually a big purchase and you should know what you're getting before spending money.

I always am looking for handbag reviews and sometimes it's really hard to find them. It's very easy to find certain brand reviews like luxury brands (LV, Chanel, Gucci, etc) but harder to come by the contemporary brands, such as Kate Spade.

That's why I tend to review my Kate Spade bags regularly, but also because I love this brand the most.



Today's review is the Make It Mine Byrdie. Kate Spade took their classic Byrdie bag and transformed it into a convertible bag where you can change the flaps and straps to customize the bag and give it a different look.

Personalization is such a big trend and what consumers are constantly looking for nowadays, whether that's in beauty or fashion, and Kate Spade has capitalized on this big time.

I bought my Make It Mine Byrdie in November, as a birthday gift to myself, after lusting after it for over a year. I love the idea of buying different flaps to give yourself a completely different look.

I love the bag and it's really a great everyday bag. The one qualm I have is that the bag is a little tiny for my liking but I love to carry around the kitchen sink with me on a daily basis.

If you want to see my full review, I did a Youtube video about it and showed all my flaps and how you switch them out!

I was going to start this post while on the Amtrak, headed down to QVC for work but I got a little too train sick so I'm finishing from my hotel room.

We're staying at the Desmond in Malvern, PA and it's a really nice hotel! I'm kind of in love with it compared to the other hotel I usually stay at.

Anyway... I had to move a lot of editorial stuff around so we're throwing it back old school with a little wishlist.

Ever since my 'no buy' which I still wanted to do a post on, I've been doing a bit of shopping. Maybe I'll do a post or video on everything I've bought but yeah, it's been an issue.

However, there is a lot of stuf that I haven't bought and is currently on my wishlist so the point of this post!



I haven't bought a bag in a while (if you don't count my Neverfull MM) and I really want the Kate Spade Emerson Place Sam!

My WIMB Work Bag Edition was one of my most viewed posts in a while so I figured let's keep the momentum going with an everyday edition.

I use my work bag every day, but when I'm home on the weekends or have a day off, this is what I keep in the bag. Some of it is overlapping with my work bag but I've been trying to cut down the stuff I keep with me when I'm out and about.

Also, I'm constantly changing bags on the weekend (since I am a true bag lady) but lately I've been loving my Kate Spade Make It Mine Byrdie with this new spring floral flap. I wore it on Easter with a pink shirt and it looked so good! It really put me in the mood for spring.

Louis Vuitton 6 Ring Keyholder YSL Card Case Kate Spade Charger Glasses Essential Oil (similar) Vaseline Lip Therapy Tula Hand Therapy Cream YSL Lip Balm (similar) Visine Clear Eyes Drops Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer Butterfly Clip Hair Bobble

I try to keep the things that I need when I run errands or am out of the house for extended periods of time. I've been using my new YSL Card Case as my wallet for the past week or so and like having a much smaller wallet with only cash and cards.

If you missed it, I unboxed my YSL Card Case (and another luxury product) on my Youtube channel a few weeks ago!

What are some of the things you keep in your everyday handbag?

xoxo
B


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