February Repeats
Berry lips, vintage leather, Mexican ceramics, and more on repeat this month.
I’m reeling from false spring. It doesn’t matter how often you remind yourself it’s not real, the icy comedown is just as disappointing.
A handful of sunny February days has initiated the defrosting period. Though winter promises to linger for another few weeks, any reason I possess has been eclipsed by visions of tulip beds and Central Park picnics.
But before we rush to unseasonably break out mini skirts and denim jackets, let’s chat this month’s repeats — berry lip tint, a vintage tote, chairs that made me stop in my tracks, and more.
*I may earn a commission from any purchases you make using these links (at no cost to you, of course) <3
Rewore
This vintage Lucky Brand leather tote lives exclusively in the spring and fall corners of my mind. Warm cognac leather and visible stitching feel unmistakably boho autumn to me, and the colorful patchwork evokes a bed of flowers peaking up through fresh grass on a crisp sunny spring morning. Sure, the bag is just as useful in the summer and winter, but it’s always existed on a separate plane in my closet.
I plucked it from its out-of-season relegation early this year for a trip to Mexico City where it ended up being a hero piece — perfectly sized for long wandering days and perfectly designed to blend into a city bursting with bright color. Mid-February in Mexico City felt like mid-May in New York City, so the bag was at home in spring temps.
My green flight jacket also saw a lot of use this month in the slightly warmer, can-forgo-a-puffer kind of weather. I wrote about the flight jacket’s history and my personal affinity for it here.
It’s a hand-me-down from my late grandpa whose style was, if anything else, always practical. His favorite accessory was a phone clip on his belt, and he was known to sew zippers into everything for ease of wear. Legend has it he invented the below-knee zip-off hiking pants (he patented a lot of things throughout his life, but he wasn’t fast enough on that one). A hero to camping dads everywhere, nonetheless.
Reapplied
I almost always have a wash of berry on my lips (see: empty Clinique Black Honey tubes littering the bottoms of every bag I own), thus I keep a consistent watchful eye out for the latest and greatest shade. Pigmented enough to stand on its own, forgiving enough to be applied with no mirror on a moving subway car — that’s the sweet spot. (Olympic sport for applying red lipstick on a speeding express train when?)
The Soshe Beauty peptide lip balm in Kismet was my go-to this month. I have to disclaim that the brand gifted it to me, but I’d never share a product I didn’t actually love, and this is one I’d purchase with my own money.
I also must add that the packaging’s magnetic closure should be the industry standard. Countless tubes of lipstick have found themselves uncapped and covered in lint in my purse, but this one never will. You can use code MACKINLEY10 if you’re interested in trying yourself.
Reused
I have a penchant for beverages that ease the transition between realms. A mug of coffee is the first thing I ingest each morning, and a mug of chamomile tea is that last thing I ingest each evening. I take my mug selection very seriously.
That being said, in addition to my having a cramped city kitchen with cramped city cabinets, a mug has to be supremely worth the spatial sacrifice to enter the rotation. My single regret about this mug is that I bought only one.
I picked up said ceramic mug at the Saturday Bazaar in San Angel in Mexico City, where I was being incredibly firm about my spending allowance (still on my no-buy/low-buy grind, though I’m trying to be lenient about holiday souvenirs). The back room where I found the mug, filled floor to eye-level with ceramic goods by San Germán Pottery and Cerámica Argos, co-opted a good chunk of my afternoon.
I should have bought a plate, a jug, a bowl, another mug — I should have prematurely declared it a ceramic Christmas and bought all my loved ones their presents in February. Oh well. Hindsight is 20/20.
Re-added-to-watchlist
It’s always poncho-o’clock somewhere... I have had major poncho FOMO lately, and my eBay watchlist is reflecting it. I’ve been meditating on the perfect one for a while now (will there ever be a perfect one?), but I’m gravitating toward knits and stripes.
In my indecision, I live vicariously through
, who has the most perfect beaded shawl and was generous enough to share the wealth in this piece. Check out her styling ideas and dozens(!) of links to vintage options.
And I simply can’t bring up ponchos and shawls without mentioning
too, who is always impressing me with her shawl styling. If you’re wondering how to carry a warm weather knit poncho through the final few weeks of winter, she’s your girl.Resnapped
Double-take worthy chairs seemed to follow me everywhere I went in Mexico City. Chairs on the sidewalk, chairs inside shops, one chair not even on land, rather floating on a placid park pond — they were practically begging to have their pictures taken. Here, have a seat, I’ve got plenty.
I concluded last month’s repeats by saying “Here’s to a February of more flowers, more games, and less dry skin (not likely)” — can confirm my skin remained just as dry. I did play more games though, which is good enough for me.
So here’s to a sunny start to spring, the first single-layered outfit of the year (fingers crossed), and a March that reminds us why we endure winter. And because I am obsessed with the idea of what we keep going back to, I’d love nothing more than to hear your latest repeats!
What have you been rewearing? Reusing? Rewatching? Let’s discuss in the comments…
To be included in this!?? Obsessed with your repeats series so this is huge. Also I am now smitten with those lil espresso mugs. Also I too dream of chairs, thank you for providing today’s inspo
I would read Yeehawt in one of those chairs 🙂↕️