Thirty-Two

Today is my thirty-second birthday and I'm celebrating in the best possible way!  I've spent the weekend running my first 10k, eating delicious food and sampling countless types of wine, beer and cider in Traverse City, Michigan.  If that doesn't sound delightful enough, I get to do all of this with three of my favorite people-- my mom, dad and boyfriend!

This birthday is an interesting one as I'm wrapping-up my teaching career, something that I've worked hard at for the last ten years.  I don't yet know which path my career will take from here but I'm feeling faithful that the right job is on the horizon...and I'm excited to find-out what it is!

Despite my career uncertainty, I am in a really good life place right now!  As always, I have the best friends and family.  My boyfriend and I continue to build a home together (with our two cats).  I'm excited to be an official resident of Grand Rapids.  And I'm feeling happy and healthy!  Now that's something to celebrate!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Gal Meets Glam (exact)
Wedges: Macy's (exact)
Tote: Anthropologie (exact)

Essential Tote Bag Choices + a Lovely Little à la Mode Link-Up

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Alright, today is a total style blogging fail because I don't have a single outfit picture for you!  I had planned to dig through all of my bags and take different outfit photos with each of my most favorite fall catchalls.  But alas, new teacher professional development meetings, back-to-school night, lesson planning and grading (a.k.a. being a teacher) intervened and I didn't take a single photo!

Instead of being hard on myself, I'm looking at this as an opportunity to garner some advice! I've been saving-up to purchase myself a "big girl" tote bag.  I've used and loved my current Vera Bradley version to near death and would like to buy a bit sleeker of a bag as a replacement.  In order to justify a big purchase, I've been saving all of the money I've made by selling my clothes at consignment stores and via thredUP to use towards a good-quality bag.  Now that I'm close to having enough money, I just can't decide which bag to buy!

I've actually been coveting a large Le Pliage tote from Longchamp for over a decade!  I first fell in love with them while studying abroad in France in 2006 but have never been able to justify the expensive purchase.  Now, it just might be the perfect big girl bag I've been looking for.  If I do go with this style, there are so many colors to choose from!  I want something a bit fun but still classic.  I'm loving the cedar, fig and navy bags but would love your opinion as well!

While I've had a long-term love affair with Longchamp, I've recently been wooed by the simple leather totes from Madewell as well as similar styles.  The Nordstrom choices above also come in several fun, reversible colors!

So what do you think?  Should I go with my lasting love of Longchamp or my new fondness for a leather tote?  Which color should I choose?  Please help me out by leaving a comment!

And now it's that time of the week for a Lovely Little à la Mode link-up!