Natalie Catalina 12/18/24 Natalie Catalina 12/18/24

40 Little Black Vintage Bags for a Chic Addition

Hello, hello! I hope this December finds you all feeling merry and bright. I’ve just returned home to DC after a delightful two weeks by the sea at our beloved Vero Beach condo. It was such a joy to celebrate an early Christmas with my mom and brothers, filled with cozy lounging, indulgent homemade treats, and holiday movies. Truly, it was a little slice of festive heaven. But we’re not finished with the holiday season quite yet!

With upcoming parties and happenings on my mind, I’ve been thinking about what to wear to gatherings with friends and to our family Christmas celebrations—one with my mom’s side and one with my dad’s. This year, I’m leaning towards something a little more polished and dressy, though on my dad’s side, we cousins have decided to keep things ultra-comfy in pajamas (no complaints there). For the other party, however, I’m picturing something silky, a touch refined, yet effortlessly casual—and certainly stretchy because… food.

All that to say, I’ve found myself shopping my own closet, curating looks, and deciding which vintage bags to bring home with me. Naturally, I ended up on Etsy, where I now have a growing collection of saved vintage purses—at least 100! I simply adore finding a unique, beautiful vintage bag, especially one with a chic twist. Something black, perhaps in velvet, with an interesting shape. Timeless.

So, here we are. A post inspired by my vintage purse obsession. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite black vintage finds, and I thought you might enjoy them too—perfect for carrying your essentials to a holiday soirée or adding a touch of charm to your wardrobe year-round. And mostly all under $100. There are some real treasures here—click items to shop. I may snag a couple myself!

And by the way… if you’re still shopping for holiday gifts, my gift guide is still going strong! I’ll be leaving it up through the end of the month. While I’m off for the week, I also plan to dedicate time to ramping up my ShopMy with updated apartment links and more. And hopefully, I will be getting a newsletter out as well. Stay tuned!

Chic black vintage bags

Natalie Catalina 11/18/24 Natalie Catalina 11/18/24

Gone Antiquing Nº7

Getting back into the swing of things here on the blog with a new antique round-up of recent finds I’ve been bookmarking. If it weren’t for the fact that I actually have zero space for more antique lighting, I would have already stanched this chunky marble table lamp—with a fresh white empire shade, she’ll be a beauty…and under $100! Anyways, every time I dive into the endless hunt for beautiful objects online or wander through the quiet, treasure-filled halls of an antique shop, I find myself swept up in a wave of nostalgia for my old online vintage shop. The thought of reviving it keeps lingering in the back of my mind. I don’t know if I have the mental bandwidth just yet, but each passing day draws me a little closer to the idea. Especially with a clearer vision of my style now and a more refined taste, I think it could be special! I just loved finding pieces to add to the shop, packaging up those orders, and even the printed materials or little details like the tags or tape on the boxes… it was so fun and I miss it.

But I digress! I must say a big thank you to everyone who has supported my holiday gift guide—whether by shopping, sharing, or sending me a kind note. It was a true labor of love, and knowing the hours spent curating it have brought you joy is the best feeling. A handful of you even asked about printed versions for purchase (what a sweet thought!). While I don’t have any to offer this year—just one printed copy for my own keepsake—it’s sparked an idea. Perhaps a little printed booklet someday? Something tangible to bring this cozy corner of the internet to life, to inspire in a way that’s as tactile as it is visual. It’s a project taking shape in my mind the more I think about it—something to scheme and dream about.

For now, I’m content to think of new projects on the horizon and savor this space for the creative escape it offers. Here’s to more beautiful discoveries and inspiration ahead. Until then, happy antiquing—click items below to browse and enjoy!

Gone Antiquing No.7

Natalie Catalina 9/19/23 Natalie Catalina 9/19/23

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Black is a reoccurring favorite in my wardrobe. A classic, timeless, simple color that often flatters everyone - you just cannot go wrong. While I still wear a lot of black during the summer, this time of year is when I often grab my black basics for everyday wear or for days when I want to elevate my outfit.

Of course, I may have also been inspired a bit after bookmarking the fluffy sheep following my stay at the Thyme hotel in the Cotswolds. So this post is a bit of a nod to him. There are plenty of black pieces on my mind for the upcoming season, so a quick round-up was in order! And I couldn’t pass up a few home goods as well…