Object of Affection

Behold, the latest addition to my little Paravel family: the Cabana Tote in the “shandy” colorway. I’ve been smitten with the brand since their crossbody capsule dominated social media a few years ago. I bought one and still love it, and have since expanded my collection to include a small backpack much like this one (mine has been discontinued) that has made the trek to the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Belgium with me. Both pieces are still going strong and have virtually no signs of wear and tear. I hesitated to purchase the Cabana Tote, not because I didn’t love it — I fell for its vintage charm at first sight — but because I wasn’t sure this tote would be any better than the rest of my tote bags. I mean, how many carry-all totes do we really need? Turns out, it’s one. This one.

First things first, the tote is generously sized at 17.75″ x 14.5″ x 7.5″. It’s a true carry-all tote that can corral all of your necessary belongs for a beach day, a road trip, or a social-distanced backyard soiree. There’s a zippered interior pocket and a couple of open pockets to keep your smaller items in reach, and the clasp closure and sturdy base keeps those things from spilling out. One of the best features of this tote and the other Paravel pieces I have is the protective coating made of silicone that makes clean up a breeze.

The tote’s best features, however, are the ones you don’t see. I’ve really come to appreciate Paravel for its commitment to sustainability. You’d never guess that 14 recycled plastic water bottles were used to create the tote’s canvas exterior, the lining, and the straps. And those leather accents? They’re eco-certified by the Leather Working Group.

I know the tote isn’t the cheapest, coming in at $165 (or $175 if you want to add-on the shoe cubes), but it’s a true have-it-forever piece that eclipses any other tote I’ve had to date. Plus, it’s awfully charming!

And, nope, this isn’t sponsored, although I’d happily sign on for a sponsorship! I’ve purchased all of my Paravel pieces and will likely add more to my collection down the road.

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There have been many times where I don’t have an opportunity to sing praises of a new-to-me piece until the end of the month with a shopping review or in the rare outfit post, risking a sold-out notification for the most covetable items. So, we’re going to change that with periodic quick posts about a wardrobe or home good I think is so darn amazing that it should be on your radar as soon as possible! First up, that faux fur coat I linked you to a couple of weeks ago. It. Is. Gorgeous.

I ordered both the black and brown (both in a medium) to try first from Bloomingdale’s during their post-holiday sale for $211 each before finding it at a steeper discount at Lord & Taylor where I ordered both colors again. The black one is pretty, but the brown one with its warm, gingerbread hue is far superior. The way the light hits it creates contrast in the “fur,” making it look so luxurious (and, frankly, real). Before committing to it, I had a nagging feeling that I should try a size small because the shoulders seemed a bit wide. I placed one more order for a size small in brown and it was perfect. (I have narrow shoulders and a small chest. I probably would have kept the medium if that wasn’t the case. I’d suggest ordering your regular size and a size smaller to compare.) I feel like a hoarder with four coats to return sitting in my bedroom, but it’s well worth the hassle. I’m absolutely in love with the coat and hope that all sartorial purchases of 2020 leave me as giddy.

Available at:
Bloomingdale’s
Lord & Taylor
Zappo’s

Object of Affection: Paravel Cabana Tote

Object of Affection: Kate Spade Faux Fur Short Coat