L.L.Bean

The L.L.Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Coat

Leave a Comment / Style / By / February 9, 2023

I began my search for a puffer coat with defined criteria. The ideal coat would have a two-way zipper, protect against the cold, and be polished enough for New York City.

The J.Crew parka I purchased in 2018 served me well for a few years, but eventually, the tape ends of the zipper became damaged. This prevented it from functioning properly, and I started snapping the coat closed or not closing it at all. A two-way zipper would have enabled me to unzip the coat from the bottom when sitting on the train, which would have allowed for more mobility and prevented stress on the fastening. Thus, I considered a double zipper an indispensable feature this time around.

Puffer coats vary in quality and intended temperature. I decided that one made of down would be the warmest option and black the most elegant color. The thought of splurging on a Moncler or Canada Goose coat crossed my mind, and had I not discovered the L.L.Bean Ultralight 850, I may have continued to consider options out of my preferred price range.

I’m not sure why I hadn’t discovered this gem of a coat on L.L.Bean’s website sooner. It seemed to have appeared unexpectedly one day…maybe it did. I ordered three sizes and selected the one that could be worn with a tee shirt and could also accommodate a blazer or sweater underneath. (The other two were returned.)

I was concerned that I wouldn’t feel polished enough if I wore the 850 on outings in Manhattan, but as long as I don’t pair it with leggings and gym sneakers, it doesn’t give running-to-the-grocery-store-at-11-PM vibes. The coat feels like a warm sweater, mobile, not restrictive. It’s lightweight and folds into a pocket for easy stowing; here are instructions for how to do so. I’ve been wearing it on my commute to and from the office—so has everyone else (in various variations) on the Main Line—but it could also complement a workout outfit to and from the gym.

Works Sighted

L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 down hooded coat

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote: Art Supplies Repository

Leave a Comment / Bags, Lifestyle, Organization, Style / By / August 20, 2022
An extra-large L.L.Bean boat and tote

It’s official: I now own at least one L.L.Bean Boat and Tote in all four sizes. The extra-large tote (my first) has arrived to help me return to my creative roots. As a child, I was fortunate to have a playroom that encouraged my artistic expression. I painted on paper affixed to my easel but also on the walls—only on the walls of the playroom, not on walls in any other part of the house. I don’t have a room set aside for the purpose of art now, and, until recently, my supplies were stowed out of sight in closets and woven seagrass baskets. Out of sight, out of mind. Eventually, I realized that my art supplies needed to be stored in a highly-visible place if I wanted to use them more often. The extra-large Boat and Tote personalized with Editrix provided a viable solution.

The dimensions of the extra-large tote are 17″H x 19″W x 10″D; it’s imposing as totes are concerned. Its capacity is 56 liters, substantial enough to hold an array of watercolors, watercolor pencils, sketching pencils, colored pencils, pens, Sharpies, pads of paper, a calligraphy instruction book, a Paris-themed coloring book, and whatever non-art-related book I am currently reading. The tote, filled to the brim, sits beside one of my bookshelves. It’s impossible to ignore. The title, Editrix, embroidered on the front reminds me daily of my artistic purpose and encourages me to fulfill it.

Works Sighted

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote

Packing for the Beach House

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle / By / August 16, 2022
A collage of things to bring to the beach house

While it may be tempting to overpack for your stay at the beach house, I caution against it. Your much-deserved time in and by the ocean shouldn’t be eclipsed by an excessive amount of belongings. I take my most casual items of clothing to the beach. No iron, no steamer…just five of the same tank dress. In addition to practical clothing, family-friendly games, classic movies, and wine all make for a celebratory time.

Works Sighted

Estelle Colored Glass Champagne coupes // Chateau du Petit Thouars Cremant de Loire Non Vintage // The Hygge Game // sunscreen // chapstick

Warby Parker sunglasses // Summersalt sidestroke // Charlie Holiday sarong // Sunbody Hats straw hat // Hermès Oran sandal // L.L.Bean Boat and Tote

J.Crew short-sleeve pajama short set (hydrangea) // S’well water bottle // Holiday // My Paris Dream

Packing for New York

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle / By / August 16, 2021
Essentials to pack in your bag on a long day

An in-person Airbnb experience and my university reunion are bringing me back to New York for the first time since March 2020. I’ve signed up for Shop Bargain Manhattan Thrift Stores to keep me busy until I meet up with other Birkbeck alumni in the evening. Here’s an idealized version of what I’m packing in my tote for the busy day. If I find myself with unoccupied time, I plan to consult the New York Guide.

Works Sighted

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote // Muji pouch // Flint lint brush // Burt’s Bees lip balm // Burt’s Bees lip balm // Stojo bottle // lightening cable // Leatherology cord wrap // phone

Public Goods tissues // Native deoderant // Native toothpaste // Vaseline // Cetaphil lotion // Madewell pouch // Leatherology keychain // power adapter

7 Reasons to Visit the Mall

1 Comment / Lifestyle / By / May 21, 2021
Shopping in L.L.Bean store

My trip to King of Prussia this past Saturday was a success. I managed to get there alive on public transportation. (You have to leave early in the morning before the unsavory people wake up.) My fellow travelers were wearing real clothes, a little too casual, but real.

After exiting the bus, I spent a little time in the morning air reminiscing about when I used to make the excursion during my high school years. The younger me could often be found at J.Crew KOP on weekends. The mall has been upgraded a bit since then, and I wanted to see the improvements for myself.

At several points during my indoor stroll, I reflected on my other motives for visiting the mall. Even a shopping destination as massive as KOP can seem mundane after a few consecutive visits, but it’s a better destination than the sofa. Here are 7 reasons to visit the mall:

Exercise // You won’t be paying attention to your step counter because you’ll be too busy looking at the rows of storefronts . I walked over 8 miles/20,000 steps on Saturday without even realizing it.

Window Shopping // Surveying the offerings from various brands is the first step in developing your personal style. If I had to pick one noteworthy item that I saw on my voyage around KOP, it would be the L.L.Bean medium Boat and Tote with long handles (pictured). All of my Boat and Totes have short handles, but I think I might switch up the length on my next one.

Discoveries // You never know what new stores you’ll discover on your visit to the mall. On Saturday, I visited Aritzia in person for the first time.

Returns // Sometimes ordering is a necessary step in getting exactly what you want. Although I didn’t return anything this past Saturday, I might venture to the mall in the future for this purpose. Any excuse to leave the house is a good one!

Observations // Observing your fellow mall-goers may cause you to experience a range of emotions. A baby who was learning to walk brought a smile to my face. A young girl wearing a tight, spandex onesie with fluffy Ugg slippers did not.

Social Scene // You never know who else thought that going to the mall was better than sitting on the sofa. On Saturday, I ran into my manager from my very first job.

Lunch // You’ve put in all those steps, and you deserve lunch. On Saturday, I treated myself to Sweetgreen’s hot honey chicken plate, and I’m glad that I did.

Works Sighted

Loft button-up (old) // J.Crew Camille shrunken sweater-blazer // J.Crew Martie pant // Adidas Stan Smith sneakers // L.L.Bean medium Boat and Tote with long handles

Travel Essentials

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle, Travel / By / July 15, 2021
Travel essentials: AWAY carryon, L.L.Bean boat and tote, notebook, BAGGU, Cetaphil, peppermint essential oil, London Undercover umbrella, S'well bottle, Apple iPhone and EarPods, Cadence capsules, Stoney Clover Lane luggage tag and passport cover, J.Crew scarf.

Ah, the joys of trip preparation. Buying miniature tubes of toothpaste at the pharmacy. Affixing my luggage tag to the handle of my suitcase. Deciding which vitamins to pack. Curating a week’s worth of outfits. Designing my own survival kit. Setting an itinerary. I’m not going any farther than my city’s art museum for the time being, but traveling, my favorite pastime, is always on my mind.

Works Sighted

Baggu bag // S’well bottle // Cetaphil cleanser // Cetaphil lotion // Stoney Clover Lane travel pouch // doTERRA peppermint oil // Cadence capsules // J.Crew scarf

Designworks Ink notebook // Stoney Clover Ln luggage tag // Stoney Clover Ln passport cover // Colgate toothpaste // Burt’s Bees lip balm // tissues // toothbrush // J.Crew socks // Trtl travel pillow

Away carry-on // Uni-Ball pen // portable charger // Madewell pouch // RFID blocking card // Babyganics sanitizing wipes // toothbrush case // L.L.Bean Boat and Tote // London Undercover umbrella // book // Apple EarPods // universal travel adapter // phone