BENE
BENE Italian Luxury Handbags
Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a great week! This week has gone by so fast that my head is spinning! Yesterday, the Reward Style Conference that was postponed because of COVID went to a Zoom conference, which was weird. It will continue again today, but it’s tough to do when it’s an all-day event. I had a gynecologist appointment yesterday(oh so fun!) and got to hear all about my vagina! My Mona Lisa treatment has worn off, and my doc is adamant that I do something else. We are trying to figure that out with my oncologist.
Today, I have to shoot a campaign with my friend Samantha in Fort Worth. This pandemic is making conferences and life very hard to participate in! I have no idea what in the world I would do if I had children at home. My hat is off to mom’s and dad’s that are dealing with that! They are heroes!
Today, I am so excited to introduce you to an Italian luxury handbags brand that I was introduced to a few years ago called Bene (means “well” in Italian). I went to someone’s home a few years back, to see a friend of our family’s clothing line and met Ellie Schwing, the designer of Bene. Both girls are from New Orleans living in Italy and manufacturing their products there. Anyway, Ellie’s business has started to boom, and she has the best looking leather bags using the most exceptional quality Italian hides. Just take a look at the website, and you will see what I am talking about.
The bag I am carrying is the Mini Nott in silver.
I love this bag because it can go day to night and is such a chic little bag. Â I’m not good with a clutch, so having the crossbody strap is great! This bag is the mini version of this one. I am so impressed with the quality and craftsmanship of Ellie’s bags. Last week when we were in Rosemary Beach, we walked into the Alys Beach store, and there were Bene bags sitting front and center! Ellie is so sweet and is offering my readers 20% off all bags with code: THEMIDDLEPAGE20
I love this silk jersey off-shoulder top that I am wearing. I am not an “off the shoulder” girl. But this one is off on one side. I love the color for going into fall, and it was different from anything else I have. I paired it with my favorite jeans from the Nordstrom sale, and if you got them, congratulations because they sold out immediately. Here is the same pair in a different wash. The shoes are YSL and a few years old, but they are still available. I have worn them to death! I bought them in a dark metallic color too because they are so comfy and I just love them.
Okay, gang, I am off to listen in on a few more Zoom meetings and then head to Fort Worth. Can you believe Samantha and I are shooting something with a brand for Christmas? Yikes! I think I may need to start thinking about that. My mom said that Halloween is already out in the drug store she goes frequents! Scary!
Have a great weekend and stay well! xx
Photos: Beckley & Co
Top // Jeans (similar) // Belt (similar copy) // Bag // Shoes
August 21, 2020 @ 12:31 pm
Random comment: Wanted you to know that I really appreciate your frequent mentions of your personal life and how it can be difficult with covid’s impact. I too am in a covid-impacted area (CA) and am starting to feel more hopeless and worn down by all this. My husband and 25 yr old daughter both are high risk, I’m the only child to my 89 yr old mother, and because I’m so frightened by all this, I’ve only gone to supermarkets and Target since our CA lockdown began on March 11. Knowing your history, knowing you too have an older Mom to worry about, hearing you talk about dining-out a bit outdoors, and even going to your GYN appointments makes me feel less alone in this mess. And it gives me a bit of courage to maybe even venture out to Home Goods for 20 mins. Anyway, your real talk is refreshing in a world where some bloggers accounts just cause me frustration because it’s as though nothing has changed and I’m the only one still living with this difficult situation.
August 21, 2020 @ 7:35 pm
As usual, another great outfit Cathy. I also hate my annual gynecologist visit. My gynecologist mentioned a new estrogen cream which has a lower amount of estrogen. I’m looking for the name, but I can’t find it right now. I have not researched this cream. It starts with an I. Wow, I’ve been so helpful.
Anyway, you look great.
August 27, 2020 @ 4:29 pm
Hi, Ellen! Not a random comment at all! I hope this to be a place where you can comment on an outfit or if you are feeling frustrated! You are certainly in an area where Covid has reared it’s ugly head! I hate hearing that you have 2 family members that are high risk and are responsible for your mom. I know it must seem daunting! I started leaving the house because I need to live my life (mask on, of course) and of course for necessities. As I have baby-stepped my way out, I am feeling better about it. I keep extra masks, hand-sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes in my car. This is definitely a crazy time we are living in, but I think for sanity purposes, we have to get out. Thank you for your comment and feel free to vent anytime! We are all going through something that we never thought possible and it’s nice to be able to share those feelings! Have a great day! xx