03 December 2008

The Not Fresa Tote

I'm typically one who shies away from patent products. Something about the high gloss makes me feel a little tarty, although tarty doesn't quite describe it. The best word I can think of doesn't really have an English translation, but in Spanish, it's fresa. Literally, it means strawberry. Colloquially, it means something like "entitled brat on The Hills." That's how patent makes me feel.

However, I just got this large patent tote (unlike the tote pictured, mine has brass hardware). I love it. It holds everything: large wallet, two notebooks, a 640-page book (Chasing The Flame by Samantha Power), a water bottle, and any number of tiny extras like chapstick.
Because it's so utilitarian, there's nothing fresa about it, and I'm learning that patent paired with matte and more industrial-looking textures is actually quite striking.
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6 comments:

  1. pretty2:20 AM

    I have one patent item in my wardrobe.

    Actually, it's technically two because it's a pair of shoes... and they're not in a wardrobe but in a box of shoes. Technicalities.

    Anyway, I agree with you about the fresa-ness of patent, but I believe that some good design can combat that. My shoes are men's style brogues, and they've got a flat trainer sole and I bought them in Paris, which I think cancels all fresa.

    And I'm sure when you wear your tote it will be as far from fresa as can be! x

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  2. About Me6:40 AM

    Your shoes sound fantastic, and definitely NOT fresa. I'd love to see a picture of them.

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  3. John6:05 PM

    did you get a job at coach, or are you just obsessed with it at the moment?

    I hope that didn't sound negative, the pieces you have been posting are marvelous

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  4. Sarah Von Bargen2:10 PM

    Totally, totally delicious. I find myself believing that it would taste like black licorice and fighting the urge to lick it.

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  5. About Me2:14 PM

    John: I am obsessed, you could say.

    Sarah Von: I hadn't thought of that, but now that you mention it...

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  6. pretty11:48 AM

    Hey - I posted a picture on my blog :) xx

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