Friday Flotsam

Fah Rah Iah Dah Aah Yah.

Flowers

I need help!

You’re like, “Not this already.”

I’m in desperate need of a new weekender bag. And I want something super pimp. I’ve got a few weekend getaways coming up over the spring and summer, and the bags that I have now are either too big, too small, too grody, too old, too bulky, too weird, too trashed, too nasty, too blah, YADDA YADDA YADDA.

Here’s what I want. Regular tomato juice, fill it up three quarters, then add a splash of Bloody Mary mix – just a splash – and some lime on the side.

Wait hold on. That’s . . . something else.

I’d like a classic mix of canvas and leather. A few pockets inside, maybe a divider or two, something in the neutral family. You know my steez.

I feel like I saw some brand on IG lately, and I can’t remember what it was, or find it anymore. Waaaaah.

Give me some brands to check out! What’s your faaave (not fav) weekender bag? I’m already so excited.

I have no life.

Planters, planters, planters

LISTEN TO THIS.

If you followed this saga on Intagram Stories, well – a) bless your soul, and b) see the thing above about me having no life.

So a few days ago, my Shark Navigator vacuum cleaner totally broke. TOTALLY BROKE. And by totally broke I mean it sounded weird. It would turn on, and then make this strange high airy sound, a different pitch than the regular hum of the vacuum. So like, TOTALLY BROKEN, right?

I asked my IG followers what sort of vacuum cleaner to look into, as mine was TOTALLY BROKEN. History. Done. On the curb. An insano flood of responses poured in – mostly Shark and Dyson recommends. A few Miele mixed in. Couple of Hoovers. I was prepared to take the Dyson plunge, when I decided to let Aaron hear this strange airy sound. Because the vacuum was TOTALLY BROKEN, and I needed to make a move fast, in order to stay on top of my (ahem, OCD) house duties.

On first joint inspection, we both decided that I accidentally dumped the top filter out at some point, when I was emptying the dust and spiders and dog hair. Okay! I’ll order a new filter. Except, none of the filters looked like one that might go in this Shark. Road block numba two.

THEN, Aaron goes, “It just sounds like something is blocked. Let’s take the hose off and see what’s inside.”

The end.

Just kidding!

You just won’t believe this. Unless you’ve already x-ed out because this story is making you prematurely age. There was a sock in the hose! A SOCK. It sucked up a sock, who knows WHEN, and it was blocking the suckage. That’s all it was! Thing is, I kind of remember vacuuming the sock and thinking, “oh no.” But then I kept going.

Dudes, I danced around like an idiot for probably 45 minutes after the mystery was solved.

My vacuum SUCKS, you guys. (cue confetti drop. and face punch.)

Mantel in the late winter

Picture something with me.

It’s 1985, but you’re the age you are now. You have the (almost) life that you have now. The husband and kids that you have now. But it’s 1985. Do you ever think about what we’d be doing with our lives, if we were US now, but it was back then? I think about the ’80s a lot (see the thing above about me having no life), and I often wonder what *I* would be like as a 40-year old, but back then. (this isn’t going to get all Stranger Things, I swear. even that show was totally rad.)

But like, I wouldn’t have this job. Or this community. What would a blogger’s job BE in 1985? What would an Instagram Story selfie-video-obsessed troll LOOK LIKE back then? Or would I even be doing something in the communicative field?! Who knows.

I asked Aaron this same question yesterday afternoon over a glass of rosé. He put his hands on the back of his head, leaned against the sofa, looked up at the ceiling and replied, “I’d be pretty much the same.” Which, is actually 100% true. Dude could care LESS about the Interflex. Or (most of) modern technology. I go, “Oh please, if you had to get up to change the channel ON the T.V. you’d be maj cranktankerous.” To which he looked at me sideways, “I don’t know those words you just said.”

As adults, would we be into the same shows? The same music? WHO WOULD WE BEEEEEEE.

And what would our relationship be like? Do you think there would be less stress, or more? Without the Interwebz, you know. Things are so EFFORTLESS these days, with buttons and swipes that basically do everything for you. But I wonder . . . . if there was LESS of that, would there be MORE of us?

(that totally felt like Carrie Bradshaw moment just then.)

Tell me what you think you’d be like back then, but now. But back then. But you now. Back then. I genuinely want to know. That is, if you’re not taking a nap after the tangled cacophony that is my brain.

Oh! I bet I’d be a vacuum cleaner repair lady. (see the thing above about me having no life.)

late winter picnic

So tonight we’re headed to an art auction, and I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR. What do people wear to art auctions? In 1985, giant sequined shoulder pads and huge bangs would be the jam.

Do people wear sweatpants to these things?

I’m totally kidding!

…Because Aaron has some real nice sweatpants.

Fam at the park. (please don't fall in)

Weekend plans?

We have to skip another FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF night, since we’ll be out on the town. (I never say, “out on the town.” I liked it.) It’s going to be a cold weekend, so I think we’ll stay in and binge watch some Felicity. (oh! update in my Stories, for those of you following this ridiculousness.)

So like, sweatpants are okay for tonight, right? Because they’re real nice.

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42 Responses to Friday Flotsam

  1. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) February 24, 2017 at 7:59 am #
    ooooh that's so cool to think about. Hmmmm, I feel like I'd be essentially the same but just have a bunch of magazines and watch even more TV than I do now to make up for the lack on internet. No clue what I'd do as a job though lol!
  2. brandy February 24, 2017 at 8:24 am #
    I guess I'd still be a doctor married to an english professor, but we probably wouldn't have adopted our kids from China...I don't think that portal was open just yet. Huh. See also: https://www.cuyana.com/le-sud-weekender.html#black-black I love my Cuyana bag.
    • Lauren February 28, 2017 at 2:53 pm #
      I second Cuyana! I have this one and love it. https://www.cuyana.com/weekender-bag.html#charcoal
  3. Betsy Pollastrini February 24, 2017 at 8:25 am #
    Weekender bag rec... http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/herschel-supply-co-novel-duffel-bag/3294376?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=NAVY%2F%20TAN
  4. Sabrina February 24, 2017 at 8:38 am #
    Check out Rebekah Scott designs shoprsd.com she has some good bags that are a mix of canvas and leather and you can pick your fabric. She just came out with a new weekender called olive :)
  5. Kaye Lyssy February 24, 2017 at 8:39 am #
    I love this line! I have the Catalina (I think that was all they had when I purchased mine). It doesn't have dividers inside...and it's not waterproof since it's made of canvas, but I've used mine for a couple of years and I'm so glad I have it! https://www.loandsons.com/weekender-travel-bags/
    • Bev Weidner February 24, 2017 at 8:43 am #
      Ohhhhh this is SO up my alley. Thank you thank you!
      • Clara Croft February 26, 2017 at 8:07 pm #
        I second the Catalina! I've taken mine all over Europe and Portlandia. I thought you'd like it!
      • Kathy April 30, 2017 at 2:48 pm #
        Hey I know you didn't decide on this one, and I know you've mentioned what you did end up buying, but now I can't find it. I'm in the market, traveling to Barcelona soon. What and why did you make a different choice, as this one looks pretty cool to me. Love your blog btw.
        • Bev Weidner April 30, 2017 at 5:32 pm #
          Hey! Birdling sent me this one and I LOVE IT SO MUCH. https://birdling.com/collections/weekender-bags/products/grey-weekender I love it because a) it's in a neutral pallet, b) all the pockets! and c) I love the canvas meets leather thing. It's a fantastic bag. Get it! (tell them I sent you!)
    • Denita February 24, 2017 at 12:10 pm #
      You could wax the canvas if you want it to be waterproof/stain resistant http://radianthomestudio.com/how-to-wax-canvas-fabric/ I'm sure there are other tutorials online as well.
  6. Patti February 24, 2017 at 9:01 am #
    http://us.longchamp.com/pliage/nylon Lightweight, packable, can make custom design of colors. Love mine and have used it for years.
  7. Emily February 24, 2017 at 9:07 am #
    Everlane has some great weekender bags! https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-dipped-weekender-reverse-denimnavy?collection=womens-backpacks-bags
  8. Glory February 24, 2017 at 9:44 am #
    Better Life Bags is a great company and they can totally customize your bag and it even looks like they have a new weekender bag! https://betterlifebags.com/collections/new/products/overnight-bag
  9. Laura February 24, 2017 at 10:10 am #
    I think you would love everything from Cuyana!! https://www.cuyana.com/weekender-bag.html#charcoal
  10. Melissa February 24, 2017 at 10:18 am #
    I love the Everlane bags! I have had one of the weekenders for years and it has held up well.
  11. Kelsey H February 24, 2017 at 10:28 am #
    I got this bag for Christmas and have used it about fifty times since. Not just for weekends away- sometimes I use it as a gym bag (the separate shoe pocket is a life saver!!) and sometimes when I just have too much crap to carry in a purse, I just tote this sucker around in my car and take in and out what I need as the day goes along. Beautifully made, high quality. I've gotten tons of compliments on it. :) http://shop.herschelsupply.com/collections/duffles/products/novel-duffle-grey
  12. Sarah Beth Allen February 24, 2017 at 10:32 am #
    I just ordered the Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe weekender bag for some upcoming travel!
  13. Jennifer C. February 24, 2017 at 10:33 am #
    You would be Beverly G. instead of Erica G.!!
    • Bev Weidner February 24, 2017 at 10:39 am #
      What does it say about me that my role model is Beverly Goldberg? (OBSESSED WITH THAT SHOW)
  14. Kelly February 24, 2017 at 11:20 am #
    Loving this one: http://www.saksoff5th.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302023721&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441795900&R=886756879899&P_name=John+Varvatos&N=1553+302023721&bmUID=lFwwNW8
  15. Denise Dunn February 24, 2017 at 11:39 am #
    I second Everlane. Our family uses and abuses the reverse denim tote, back pack and their weekender. Quality products.
  16. Brandy February 24, 2017 at 11:52 am #
    Whoa! I am not joking - I had the same-ish thought this morning. I was wondering what age was I when my mom was my current age (45). I was 22. And I was thinking, "wonder what my life would have been like if I was the adult in her era". For the record, I was on the toilet while thinking about this. But seriously, how weird!
  17. Nicole February 24, 2017 at 1:14 pm #
    Got this bag for my sister last year, she loves it, so I obviously need to copy her and get myself one stat. http://www.forestbound.com/collections/escape-canvas-bag/products/escape-canvas-bag-2 Cute, right!? Currently pregnant with my first and I nearly broke out in a jealous sweat when hi said glass of rose. First world probs.
  18. Ali February 24, 2017 at 1:32 pm #
    Chiming in for the Everlane weekender as well! Have had the twill one for a few years and still looks new. Only bummer for me is no shoulder strap. WHYYYYYYYYY?!
  19. Kelly February 24, 2017 at 1:33 pm #
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/HawksAndDoves check it. it's amazing, I want them all.
  20. Jessie February 24, 2017 at 2:01 pm #
    I was going to say the Catalina from Lo&Sons as well. I'm eyeing it for a sailing trip I have coming up this year.
  21. Liz February 24, 2017 at 2:55 pm #
    Madewell's where it's at! I like the canvas, but I like the full on brown leather as well. https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/BAGS/duffels/PRDOVR~E5196/E5196.jsp Also, totally because of you, I just ordered my first paid of Pons Avarcas this week and I am soooooo pumped. Trying to resist purchasing the little girl version right now, but I have a feeling I'll give in.
    • Bev Weidner February 24, 2017 at 3:07 pm #
      Oh, girl - I'm a Madewell slut. I've had their Transport Tote for years and I still love it the day I bought it! And YES to Pons! Hold on though on the girl's! - I might have a discount coming up. ;)
      • Liz February 25, 2017 at 6:00 pm #
        Yasssss thanks for the heads up! PS mine came in today and I am already obsessed. They're like leather clouds.
        • Bev Weidner February 27, 2017 at 7:07 am #
          Wait, what are like leather clouds?! I like leather clouds! What am I missing? :)
  22. Erika February 24, 2017 at 6:08 pm #
    I have this one and LURRRVE except that it's too small. It's a perfectly good one-nighter. Not a weekender: http://www.solesociety.com/mason-cognac.html This one though, I think it has your name written all over it. Wait. OK no but it's been on my wishlist since my one-nighter arrived ... https://paintedfoxhome.com/product/escape-canvas-utility-bag/ Let us know!
  23. Rachel Clem February 24, 2017 at 6:46 pm #
    Weekender bag :) https://paintedfoxhome.com/product/escape-canvas-utility-bag/
  24. Chelsea Brown February 25, 2017 at 1:38 pm #
    Everlane weekender bag is my faaaave! Love lo and sons too.
  25. Nicole February 25, 2017 at 2:15 pm #
    I have and love my Lo & Sons O.G. bag, though maybe not "quite" big enough for a weekend. If you'll be traveling through airports, it makes a great "personal item" to go with your carryon bag. And it has a sleeve that slides over the extended handle of a carryon with wheels to make sloshing through the airport much easier. And bonus, they have holiday sales all the time.
  26. Kathy February 25, 2017 at 3:06 pm #
    https://artifactbags.com/collections/bags/products/weekender-tote Have my eye on this one.
  27. Madeleine February 26, 2017 at 8:10 pm #
    This is an Australian website (yep i'm an aussie :-), but they ship to the states. Best totes ever, and my all time favourite brand! https://www.countryroad.com.au/shop/woman/accessories/tote-bags
  28. Kirsten February 27, 2017 at 9:41 am #
    Just got this one and love it!! https://www.loandsons.com/discover-catalina-deluxe/
  29. Amy D. February 27, 2017 at 11:15 am #
    Check out WILL Leather Goods. https://www.willleathergoods.com/?gclid=CNaujLvjsNICFR61wAodPNwEvQ
  30. Lashley February 28, 2017 at 3:23 pm #
    Get you a Winter Session bag. So good. Made in Denver! https://www.winter-session.com/collections/weekenders
  31. Nan March 5, 2017 at 1:38 pm #
    I love this one! https://pegandawlbuilt.com/collections/bags-1/products/the-journey-bag-in-coal-waxed-canvas-and-wwii-leather-by-peg-and-awl?variant=1021921900
  32. Sedna October 27, 2020 at 8:20 am #
    it makes a great "personal item" to go with your carryon bag. , I think it has your name written all over it. Wait. I just ordered my first pair of Pons Avarcas this week and I am so pumped. I just have too much crap to carry in a purse, I just tote this sucker around in my car and take in and out what I need as the day goes along. Beautifully made, high quality.

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