Modern Folk + Other Pretty Things

in

I think the cottagecore bug finally bit me. I couldn’t resist the cornflower design on our holiday cards this year, and now I’ve just ordered this floral embroidered sweater (no regrets). Before I know it I am going to be ordering ruffled collared shirts and the hyper-trending mary janes!

But in all seriousness, those pieces are cute on many but my take on cottagecore is just enough to satisfy my desire for the cozy, feminine, and wholesome feel it exudes while still fitting into my classic and curated wardrobe. Here are a few cottagey and granola pieces I’ve added in the past year and love.

2024 Intentions

in

2023 was a year of stretching beyond belief. I decided at the end of 2022 my word would be “Release” and true to form I took it seriously. I released many toxic tendencies such as my incessant self criticism (thank you therapy). With that I released the notion of perfection. Not only did I release it, I have a fondness for and may have even begun to deeply love imperfection. It is in the imperfections of my messy home, ever-changing schedules, and physical appearance that my joy in motherhood was found.

I’ve always prided myself in keeping a tidy and cozy home. It is core priority for me because a messy and cluttered environment triggers my anxiety. But this year I began seeing the little messes, like unfolded laundry, piles of dishes, and strewn about toys differently. The undone laundry meant more time cuddling and playing with my son. The piles of dishes were remnants of meals spent with my husband. The toys all about were evidence of a healthy, active, and curious little boy. My untidy home now housed a family of three living life each and every day. It is our safe place and sanctuary, but that doesn’t mean it must always be perfectly ordered and pristine.

Relinquishing my perfectly timed schedule was a bit harder to let go of. I thrive off of productivity and efficiency (my inner anti-capitalist hates to admit), but those are less possible with an infant in the way I previously understood them. Keeping a schedule was hard, and maximizing my days with many activites/errand/chores as I used to is impossible. Now productivity looks like taking care of my family’s basic needs without loosing my shit. It’s spending hours watching my son master a new skill and swelling with pride over it. Efficiency is hacking my day-to-day so it passes with ease. Gone are the days of being out the door on time and getting all my life admin done in an afternoon. Now I need to triage what is one thing I can accomplish today and feel great if that gets done (and come to peace if it doesn’t).

After a lot of reflection on 2023, my word of 2024 came to me quickly and with very little thought.

I considered what has been lacking in all the new abundance and learning of this year and the first thing that came to mind was romance. Don’t get me wrong, this year has been overflowing with love from myself, my partner, family, and friends. But romance has been in short supply. Romance with my husband, thats a given. Finding time to be just the two of us not exhausted and not discussing the baby is a monumental effort, but one we have been making more and more often. But also romancing myself as been lacking. Being a new mom leaves very little energy and effort for oneself and thats something I must address.

I read a definition of romance that described it as a feeling of excitement or remoteness from everyday life. It made me think of all the small ways I would add romance to my days pre-baby. Like trying a new cafe or treating myself to a massage. Lounging at home doing all the self care things like face masks, manicures, and hair treatments. Buying myself flowers and making arrangements to liven up my home. These are all romantic gestures I can give myself.

Here’s to more romance in the big and small ways in 2024. Wishing you so much love and joy in the new year as well <3

2023 Reflections

in ,
2023 Reflections

My first year of motherhood has been the most surprising year of my life. I have surprised myself time and time again. I always knew I was resilient, but I didn’t know how patient and flexible I could be. I am a typical Virgo, I like things the way I like them, typically tidy and predictable. Two words not often associated with life with a baby. From Sami’s exit out of the womb to now, nothing has been as I planned or idealized. And yet it has all unfolded in an utterly perfect way. This venture into raising a human has stretched me in ways that impress myself. I have realized that the truth I held about myself is malleable, that I am malleable. And that a different reality than the one I envisioned doesn’t feel like a compromise or sacrifice.

Read More

Baby Wearing: Carriers I Love

in ,

Parenthood is a crazy experience where you suddenly become deeply familiar, of not expertly, with things that you never even knew existed prior to your child’s existence. Baby wearing is one of those things. If you told me 8 months ago I would be a able to wrangle a 20 pound wiggle worm into a fro facing carrier and check for proper hip placement all in the the 90 seconds he’ll give me I wouldn’t have believed you.

I have become a huge fan of baby wearing over these past months. When my son was just several weeks old putting him in a wrap and layering us both in my puffer jacket to walk around our neighborhood was one of the only ways to settle him for a nap. Now I take a carrier with me when we are out because he inevitably tires of his stroller and it’s just easier and more fun to have him on me.

After trying several types of carriers and a variety of brands, these are my favorites…

Baby Wrap

A baby wrap is an extra long piece of fabric that is wrapped around the wearer's body to create a secure and comfortable pouch for the baby. When you first use it you’ll think the fabric is excessive, but trust me there is a method to this madness. You can wear a wrap on the front, back, or hip but I only did front carry with my boy facing me. I actually made my first wrap out of jersey fabric I had on hand but it was too thick and warm so I bought a lighter weight one from Ergobaby once I know I wanted to use wraps.

A wrap may seem intimidating to tie at first but after a few practices (there are so many videos online) it become second nature. I started using a wrap from week one and loved it while Sami was smaller with very little neck control. As soon as he could hold his own neck I would use my other carriers far more.

Ring Sling

A ring sling is what I consider the simplest carrier (in theory). It is one long pieces of woven fabric with two rings at one end. Its worn in a simple loop and the rings are used to adjust so you create a secure pouch for the baby. I love how lightweight and easy (with practice) it is to put on and get Sami comfortable. It’s also easy to get him down which has become more of a priority as he’s started moving and wants to be independent at a moments notice! This is my go to carrier in the house when he’s feeling a little clingy. I love to wear it when I’m in the kitchen (with the extra fabric tucked away for safety) and Sami loves watching what I am doining.

Wildbird linen ring sling

Soft Structured Carriers

I have tried a few structured carriers, some I have sold and two that I still use a love: the Ergobaby Embrace amd the Ergobaby Aerloom. I use structured carriers when I am out of the house for longer errands (target runs, park visits, grocery shopping, etc.). As Sami has gotten bigger I’ve wanted more support ans structure to avoid back pain so we graduated from the Embrace to the Aerloom and I love it so much. It has a variety of carry positions, including front facing in, front facing our, and back carry. I prefer a soft structured carrier over more structured ones for my comfort and ease of use. I have found the more structured complex carriers with too many adjustment buckles cumbersome to use.

All in all, babywearing is a part of my life I never knew I’d have so many opinions on but here we are! It’s wonderful wearing my baby, letting him see the world from my perspective, and holding him close while having my hands free.

The last thing I want to mention is that it’s important to babywear properly and ensure you child is safe and comfortable. I’ve learned a lot about hip health for Sami and my own ergonomics by exploring the babywearing subreddit r/babywearing. There you can get loads of carrier recommendations and even post photos for “fit checks.”

Let me know if you have questions below and I can share my experience or thoughts! I am by no means an expert but my friend, Farai, totally is so check out her blog too!

7 Things I've Learned About Newborns

in ,

I first drafted this post when Baby Sami was a month and a half and I just rediscovered it. Those first six weeks were SO TOUGH so I am unsurprised I didn’t post it then, but now that time feels so far away. Here are seven things brand new mama Gina wishes she knew about newborns and the postpartum experience sooner!

  1. Babies are incredibly noisy sleepers! It’s alarming at first, and then it’s just disruptive 😆

  2. So much of the day is spent on regulating gases, and the rest of the day on fluids. Learn all the tummy massages and get familiar with your babies discomfort cues. A probiotic may also help if baby has chronic digestive issues.

  3. Laundry is as bad as folks say but you still can’t fathom the amount you’ll need to do. Create a system, quick!

  4. Now is not the time to be minimalist. Buy all the burp cloths you can store and anything that adds a little extra convenience.

  5. Sleep when the baby is sleeping is the best advice, let the house go to hell and clean up when they’re no longer a newborn.

  6. Lean on your mom/parent friends, they know what you’re going through and get it without much explanation. Don’t hesitate to reach out, you’re only doing yourself a disservice if you don’t.

  7. And finally, trust your intuition. Caregivers and especially mothers have evolved to care for their babies. You know more than you think you do.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

in

Today I sent this email to my Two Days Off email list and it has me all in my feelings.

Hi friend, today I am writing you with some bittersweet albeit unsurprising news. Two Days Off is closing up shop.

I am sure you've noticed the significant decrease in mail and shop activity from TDO over the past year. That is because of all the life changes I have been navigating personally. If you follow my personal accounts already, you may know that I gave birth to a sweet little boy in January. The nine months preceding that were more challenging than anything I prepared for and because of that I had to ease up on TDO. Now that I am settled into life as a working parent (yes, I have a day job in the climate space too), I have come to realize my plate is too full for the new phase I am in and I have decided to close this chapter that has meant so much to me.

If you've been here from the beginning you know that Two Days Off began organically with a lot of inspiration and support from people like you. I wanted to do business differently and create a values driven company and that I did and will always be proud of. Over the course of my five years in business I have made life long friends, grown in ways I never would have without becoming an entrepreneur, lost someone very dear to who has left a gaping hole, and found deep fulfillment in motherhood. I personally transformed, and hope that in that process I was able to add value to your life in some small way.

With that said, I will be clearing out remaining inventory and wrapping up before the end of the year. Everything in the shop is currently 50% off, no code needed.

This may be the end of Two Days Off in its current iteration, but it certainly won't be the end of my creative pursuits.

Thank you for five beautiful years.

This Gina had no idea she’d be closing up shop anytime soon, but thats how life goes sometimes.

The biggest feeling I feel is relief. I haven’t been putting the effort Two Days Off deserves into it for a while now and it has been hard for me. Closing this chapter feels like good timing as I have entered a brand new one. While I know I could try to juggle motherhood, my relationship, my career, and this business I built with my blood, sweat, and tears (literally), I just don’t want to. I don’t want to juggle, I want to do less and enjoy as much of this time with my little one as I can.

10 Years Later

in

As August comes to a close I enter my most reflective time of year. September has always been my favorite month, partly because it’s my birthday month, but also because it traditionally signaled a new school year and a fresh start. As a big nerd growing up I loved the start of school and the impending new things I was certain to learn.

As I’ve grown up this rhythm has remained and so here I am, today reflecting on where I was at this time 10 years ago. It just so happens I was on plane leaving Europe and heading back to the states to start school… grad school that is.

Late July, 2013 I packed up my cubicle, returned to my nearly empty apartment, and prepared for a month abroad. I saved up all summer, selling a massive part of my vintage wardrobe on Etsy. Not going to lie, some of those pieces I still think about occasionally. But nonetheless I was in a purge state of mind. I was 25, in the thick of my minimalist phase, and looking to feel free. And free I felt.

Over a month I bopped from Iceland, England, Italy, and France. I stopped in cities where I had friends of a deep desire to explore. Traveling solo was just the appetizer. I got into my dream school, and was about to attend my dream program.

September has always marked new beginnings for me, and this year is no different. This month I will officially enter my late 30s and I can honestly say this period of life, while the hardest I’ve ever experienced, is my absolute favorite.

And it seems only fitting that today I announced the closing of my business, the business that I launched exactly 5 years ago today. It’s time for a fresh start and a new chapter in the new phase of life I am in. I would say it is bittersweet, but knowing what I know now about fresh starts and the great adventures they can bring, I am actually more excited for what’s next than what has been.

Ten years later and September is still living up to the hype.

Coterie Diaper Review 2023

in ,

When we were first preparing for Sami’s arrival I was shocked by the sheer number of diaper options and opinions about said options that were online and held by the parents in my life! These ones are too wide, those ones have a scent, that one isn’t absorbant enough, and that other one hasn’t got the magic back flap to prevent blow-outs. I thought once we ruled out cloth diapering (my husband was adamantly against for a slew of reasons the biggest being we don’t have a washer and dryer in our unit!), the decision would be easier, but oh was I wrong!

We tried no less than four diaper brands by the time Sami was a couple month old. It wasn’t until a friend gifted us Coterie that we finally found the combination of features that worked for our little guy.

Coterie is a relatively new brand that offers a range of baby products, including diapers, wipes, and skin care items. According to their website, Coterie diapers are made with high-quality, eco-friendly materials and designed for comfort and performance. The diapers are free from harmful chemicals and fragrances and are hypoallergenic, making them suitable for sensitive skin. This was a huge plus for us as it seems Sami is taking after his dad and is a bit sensitive.

What struck me first about these diapers is how soft they are and I think that plays directly into their absorbency. I appreciate they can hold a lot because of Sami is finally getting a decent stretch of sleep the last thing I want to do is wake him for a diaper change in the middle of the night. I also think the softness makes them extra comfortable as I don’t see the impressions in his thighs that other brand would sometimes leave. And as far as leaks I won’t say they never happen, but the do happen far less than in one brand I won’t mention here but will say rhymes with campers…

Lastly, I had my heart set on cloth diapering for a number of reasons but in life and relationships Choy’ve got to compromise sometimes. It assuages my guilt a bit that Coterie uses sustainable, biodegradable and compostable materials.

Overall, Coterie diapers have been a favorite in my household. Their wipes are good too, primarily made up of water and very large and thick. We’re still trying them out but no major complaints this far although the thickness may be too much for us, we’ll see.

Since becoming a Coterie convert I have partnered up with them! If you want to try out Coterie for yourself use my link and discount code (GINA) for 20% off!

Breastfeeding Essentials

in ,

Since giving birth my life has been an endless loop of feeding, cleaning, soothing, and cuddling my baby. And surprisingly, I have really loved it. Yes, it has been challenging and the learning curve steep, but the payoff has been greater than I ever imagined.

One reason why I think this phase has been kinder to me (so far) than I expected is that I researched and prepared as much as possible for a first time mom. And there are a few key things that have made this transition to caregiver a bit easier. Here are a few things that I highly recommend for breastfeeding parents to try.

Silverettes - I picked these up during Black Friday after hearing far too many horror stories about chapped nips and painful feeding. The silver has natural healing properties which I am assuming work because I haven’t had any serious issues so far. I took these in my hospital bag and have used them from the beginning, but not I only pop them on if I am feeling a little sore and usually that resolves in a few hours.

Reusable Wool Nursing Pads - and lanolin soap to clean them. These pads are amazing. Not only are the sustainable, but you can use them for up to a week or so and you won’t have any cleanliness issues! The wool also has lanolin which has natural healing properties. I started with one pair and love them so much that I got another to use when the other is drying after a wash. PS- I have found the Medium Softlines are perfect for me.

Nursing Sleep Bras - a comfortable bra (or 10) is essential. I have always been a minimalist with bras, but nursing is messy and I have found I need a stockpile despite doing laundry multiple times a week. The simple sleep nursing bras are all I have needed day to day thus far and they are definitely the most comfortable. I have also tried the Medela brand version but they pilled terribly in the first wash, and a target brand version that just isn’t quite as comfortable or supportive as these.

Haakaa with lid - I under estimated just how much letdown milk I could collect while feeding Sami on the other side. This little suction pump has grabbed up to 4 ounces in a session for me! It particularly useful at night when I might be a bit engorged not willing to do a full electric pump session. You can also get one without the lid, but I don’t trust myself not to knock it over before making it to the fridge!

Nursing Pillow - I love my Snuggle Me organic nursing pillow because it’s super soft, cute, and can be easily used as a tummy time pillow for baby boy. I have the slate blue color, but there are so many gorgeous ones to choose from.

Nursing Chair - we invested in the Sigi recliner from Babyletto because it ticked all the functional boxes (high back, charging outlets, rock & recline), while also looking beautiful. I love having a dedicated spot to feed, soothe, and relax with my baby. And I even thoroughly enjoyed it in my last months of pregnancy when every other chair in our house suddenly became unbearable! And for an extra savings we added it to our baby registry and used our completion discount.

Bed Pillow - by my second week of breastfeeding I realized I also needed better support when feeding in bed. I really didn’t want to buy yet another pillow but this one was absolutely worth getting. It is filled with memory foam and is heavier than it looks so it offers excellent back support for the middle of the night and early morning feeds. I also use it when contact napping in bed sitting up with baby Sami on my chest.

Our Birth Story

in ,

I don’t know exactly how to go about writing baby Sami’s birth story, there is a lot I am still processing. But I know I want to record it for my future self before more time slips by and I forget the details. So here goes.

For some context, this pregnancy was hard on me physically and I was so ready to pop Sami out by week 38. I began doing every trick you’ll find on the internet to induce labor from walking in the rain to getting chemical burns on my tongue from too spicy Thai food! Despite my relentless efforts my due date, January 5th, came an went. At my last doctors appointment I wasn’t dilated and my OBGYN was unable to give me a membrane sweep (which I was desperately looking forward to).

I had an induction on the books for 41 weeks (Thursday, January 12) if baby didn’t come sooner so at least I knew the end was near. On the afternoon of Tuesday the 10th I noticed baby boy had been particularly sluggish and the prior night he didn’t have his usual kick fest so my gut told me to call labor and delivery (L&D) about decreased fetal movement. He would wiggle here and there but he just didn’t seem like his usual self. The nurses told me it doesn’t hurt to go in and get monitored. After a little hemming and hawing and with the encouragement of my husband we went in to be safe around 3pm.

The nurses set me up in triage and after about 20 minutes of heartbeat perfection from baby boy they were preparing to send me home. Just before the doctor was to come in I had a contraction. I had been having contractions for weeks and they were very long, 5-10 minutes, and infrequent. Previously I had called L&D about these prolonged contractions and the nurse I spoke with was skeptical they were that long assuming I was timing them incorrectly. We’ll there it was in the monitor, a 8 minute contraction and something else I didn’t expect.

During this contraction a nurse came in asking if I have moved the monitors. I told her no, not knowing why she had asked, but I quickly told her I was experiencing a contraction in case that could be affecting her readings. Without explanation she immediately started trying to reposition me, baby boy’s heart rate had decelerated and wasn’t coming back up in its own as the contraction persisted. Before I knew it she called a code because his heart rate wasn’t coming back up with the repositioning.

As she continued to flip me and turn me I began to quietly sob, I think because I had no idea what was going on and suddenly the room was filled with people in scrubs trying to get baby’s heart rate up. They mentioned a drug to stop my contractions, they tried trendelenburg, and everyone seemed to be taking across me hectically. Finally my contraction subsides, it was at least 7 minutes, and baby’s heart rate went back to normal.

Shortly after the crisis was averted, another nurse came in and informed me we were getting admitted. I was in shock from everything and couldn’t quite process how quickly things escalated. Fast forward I was out of triage and in the room where they would induce me, we went over our birth plan and they put me on a clear fluids diet. By the time I ordered some broth and jello I had another prolonged contraction and again a code was called for baby boy. This time it was longer and harder to get him back but they did with a shot to stop my contractions plus a cervical exam and massage of his head. I was only 1.5-2cm dialated at this point. That’s when they started talking about “fetal intolerance to labor” and the possibility of a C-section. Within the hour my husband and I weighed the options and risks of moving forward with the induction given how baby was reacting to contractions. We opted for the cesarean to hopefully prevent any potential harm, or prolonged stress to baby. It was such a hard decision because I never imagined his birth to go this way and to be very honest I have a fear of surgery, anesthesia, and needles. I felt we were entering my worse case scenario but I also felt a wave of courage to just get through it for Sami.

Pretty quickly after we decided the ball was moving. We opted for a spinal over general anesthesia despite me having eaten recently so that my husband could be in the room with me during surgery. I was in the operating room maybe 3 hours after showing up to triage that afternoon. Everything just happened so fast and I’m still processing it. Overall the C-section went well despite my fears. The only minor complication was that the first spinal anesthesia didn’t work properly and the CNRA spent a lot of time poking me with a needle to confirm until the anesthesiologist finally administered another while I was laying on my side shivering from the IVs. Once my husband was allowed in the room everything was much better. The operation felt fast, it’s a surreal experience feeling the pushing and tugging, hearing them operate but not feeling any pain. 

As for his birth, I was told to expect a pressure on my chest and shortly after our baby was out at 8:43pm. After a what felt like a long pause I finally heard him cry. I cry just remembering this. The NICU team took him first and then let my husband see him and cut his cord. He was wailing and I was waiting for updates. Eventually they brought him to me as I was getting sewn up and put his head beside mine. As soon as I spoke to him he stopped crying, my baby recognized my voice.

Fast forward we spent 2 days in the hospital both baby and I are healthy, and I am recovering slowly. The whole experience still feels surreal and if it wasn’t for this beautiful baby boy lying here in my lap I wouldn’t believe it actually happened. Overall I am just grateful for that I trusted my gut, grateful for the amazing medical professionals who took such good care of us, and grateful for my incredible husband who has been an endless source of strength and courage.

PS- Sami was born a healthy 8lbs 9oz and 21” long.

Third Trimester Must Haves

in ,

As I began preparing this third trimester favorites post I realized I enjoyed a few specific categories of things, versus just items themselves. The third trimester Was uncomfortable for me, so anything that could add some physical comfort I was all about. Then the looming arrival of baby created an urge to consume as much information I could to prepare for his first days at home, cue the books and blogs! Lastly, I wanted to savor the last weeks of just being a twosome with my husband. I got into film photography and tried to journal (or blog) as much as possible.

Here are some things that I particularly loved:

Water tumbler with a straw - really you should just get one of these as soon as you find out your pregnant. I thought my old canteens would do, but having a straw and well insulated water adds just a little extra ease that you need when everything feels hard. Spoiler, this will also come in super handy when you’re trapped under your newborn in the first few months!

Birkenstocks - whether your feet have grown out of your shoes or everything is simply uncomfortable, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Birks.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask - this is my all time favorite skincare product and fortunately one of the few pregnancy friendly, mildly scented products I could tolerate. It adds lots of hydration and served as an end of day reminder that I was one day closer to meeting little one.

Essential Oil Diffuser - any small diffuser is such a game changer for when anxiety strikes. My preference was to add a tiny bit of eucalyptus oil and just before bed. This will also come in handy if you plan to try hypnobirthing.

A journal - or anywhere to write down and process your thoughts. My favorite notebooks are the Midori dotted, or lined ones. They are beautiful, high quality and lie flat.

Sézane New Additions

in

Sézane continues to have a special place in my heart and wardrobe. These are the new pieces I’ve added to my collection over the past few months!

From left to right:

  • Clément Sweater - I have long had a thing for stripes, and a classic navy and white Breton stripe is my favorite. This sweater caught my eye because of it’s versatility pre- and post- pregnancy. Plus the beautiful buttons up the side seams are both a unique and functional design feature.

  • Large Alfred Card Holder - I’ve been gravitating to carrying more kid-sized bags and with that I felt I needed to add a card holder to my collection to save on space. The Alfred car holder is small but highly functional with 3 card slots, a zipper pocket, and slit pocket. The leather is stunning and will patina beautifully over time and I was thrilled to get my name embossed on it!

  • Mederick Coat - I have wanted to add a stunning double face wool coat like this one to my wardrobe for years. I always thought I’d add a camel color, and Sezane carries one, but then I fell in love with this olive color. I wear a lot of neutrals but always love a pop of green where I can add it.

  • Cleopatra Scarf - I have a small collection of silk scarves that I love, but have never found a floral that I truly love, until now. The colors and print of this scarf feels classic while still interesting and not too basic. I can’t wait to style it throughout the spring months too!

  • Seraphine Scarf - This classic houndstooth is softened in this camel and white colorway. I think this classic pattern in a high quality wool will serve me well for many many years to come.

  • Canvas Tote Bag - I saw this tote bag and just loved the materials and proportions. I immediately thought it would make a great and inconspicuous diaper bag with its generous size and tactical pockets.

Month 9 Diary

in ,

We are so ready for you little boy. We still haven’t settled on your name, I think we need to meet you first before making that decision.

After all these months of tracking your development, I can’t believe there is a fully grown baby inside of me. I can’t believe it on one hand, but on the other my physical discomfort tells another story. Fortunately, I have started my maternity leave and truly it is needed. The exhaustion and pain are depleting my mental faculties. Most of my thoughts a consumed with the little tasks I want to accomplish before you arrive like organizing closets and hemming curtains I should have hemmed months ago.

It helps that we are playing the waiting game during the holidays, but it would be nicer if you were here with us… next year will be so much fun doing all the holiday activities with you. I hope you love baking with me. And crafts too.

Polène Paris Umi Bag

in

I recently shared in my Mansur Gavriel bucket bag review that I have been refining my bag collection (especially since my wardrobe has been pretty drab all year throughout my pregnancy). One brand I recently discovered is Polène Paris and after falling down a YouTube rabbit hole I really wanted to own one of their bags.

I ended up falling for the Umi Bag, mostly because I wanted a medium sized shoulder bag and the clever strap design won me over. I love the rich camel color (although the clay was hard to pass up), and opted to pre-order it since it was not available in October/November when I went to purchase.

Unfortunately for several reasons that I share below and in my unboxing video I ended up returning this bag (and replacing it with something I absolutely LOVE and have been getting ample wear out of!).

Pros

  • Versatile with the two srap options and very clever strap design

  • Lovely hardware that isn’t a typical buckle

  • Minimal branding and an elegant logo

  • Beautiful pebbled leather that will likely wear well

Cons

  • The interior feels unfinished with the construction of the bag being so clearly visible

  • The zipper is stiff and not effortless to open

  • The bag opening is a bit tight to get things in and out

  • Adjusting the strap was difficult and the leather loop meant to hold the excess strap was a bit too small and rubbed harshly on the glazing. Overall it felt like an afterthought and not the best design

  • The customer service is pretty abysmal. I didn’t receive a shipment notification for my pre-order and after inquiring it took nearly a week to hear back from Polène who blamed it on DHL for not sending. Returns are also not free which sucks for a brand you can’t see in person, but that is stated on the website and understandable.