cinda b buzz - Part 5

White After Labor Day? Well Yes….

September 4, 2012

We know the old saying, “never wear white after Labor Day” (we think it originally meant white shoes) but we wanted to point out that with Indian Summer coming, our lovely colorway Ravinia Ivory is a great way to transition into the season. With cool nights and warm days, we still want to make use of our Summer clothes by throwing on jackets and cardigans. Add a Ravinia Ivory Saddlebag (above) or Hipster (below) and we’re ready for a stroll through the woods to see the Autumn colors. Our Horizontal Tote is fantastic as a book bag, a travel bag, for toting a laptop, or shopping our local farmer’s market.

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A Little Q & A with Cinda Boomershine

August 21, 2012

As you probably know, our very own, very fabulous Cinda Boomershine recently had her first baby. She’s been on leave for a little while, so we thought it would be fun to catch up with her as she picks up the reins again. Below, we chatted with Ms B about becoming a mom:

Q: We’ve all enjoyed watching cinda b’s success and watching you grow as a Host on TBS’s Movie and Makeover…Tell us, How have you adjusted to becoming a mommy?

Cinda: I have been so career focused for such a long time, that becoming a mom has been quite an adjustment. However, it is an adjustment that I very much wanted to make. I actually suffered six losses prior to having Calypso Belle. As horrible as all those loses were, they gave me a perspective on life and the challenges of motherhood that I am so grateful to have.

Q: Is it anything like what you expected?

Cinda: It is exactly what I expected in some ways, but in others it is much harder than I ever imagined. Breast feeding in particular has been a huge challenge. We are now three months in and while It still isn’t easy, we have figured out how to make it work. I’d really like to make it six months, but for now, I am just taking it a week at a time. Hats off to all the Moms out there who make it look so easy!

Q: We have to ask, how did you come up with Calypso Belle’s unique name?

Cinda: My husband Mark and I really struggled over what to name Baby B — so much so that we didn’t finalize her name until minutes before we were released from the hospital. We wanted her to have one family name and one unique name but we had a very difficult time finding that perfect mix. For the family name, we chose to name her after my great grandmother, Belle. We found the name Calypso while flipping through a baby name book. It means “hidden one” and since she was hidden from us for so long, we thought it was fitting. The funny thing is we still don’t know exactly what we are going to call her. Some days we call her Calypso and other days we call her Belle. We are waiting for her little personality to shine through to determine which one fits her best.

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Pack Your (Book) Bags ~ We’re Heading Back to School (plus win a Courier Bag)

August 6, 2012

With school starting back up for most students in just a couple weeks, we thought it would be fun to take a look at one of our country’s most renown schools – Harvard. If you aren’t starting classes here, a trip to Cambridge as a tourist can really be fun.

Sited just outside of Boston, Cambridge is often described as a big bowtie, with Harvard as its ‘knot.’ There are many squares and streets to explore including Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman, Kendall and Porter Squares. Walk the same brick sidewalks that famous alums like Franklin Roosevelt, John Adams, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Matt Damon, Barack Obama, and John Kennedy have strolled down over the years.

The architecture of Harvard is quite stunning, beautiful rooms like Annenberg Hall – a 9000 square foot room inspired by the great halls of Oxford and Cambridge, is just one example. Annenberg features a stenciled ceiling, hammerbeam trusses, and walnut paneling.

Another remarkable building is Sanders Theatre and Memorial Hall - built after the Civil War to memorialize Harvard graduates who had fallen defending the Union during the conflict. Completed about 1878 it’s known for its superior acoustics. Memorial Hall houses more stained glass than any building in the US that is not a church. The multi-purpose site has been used for graduations (until 1911) and many speakers including Bill Clinton and Martin Luther King, Jr have appeared there.

Do we have you in a back to school mood yet? How about winning a fabulous cinda b Courier Bag in Mod Tortoise? Our newest colorway, the On-Campus Collection in Mod Tortoise is a favorite of stylish co-eds on campuses across the country.

We’re giving away one Courier Bag in Mod Tortoise (shown below, a $118 value!)- to one lucky commenter. The Courier Bag is the perfect tote for books, business, and creative projects. It features a spacious laptop pocket (sized for up to standard 15.5″ laptops), large interior space for books or files, plenty of smaller interior pockets (zipped and slip), two front slip pockets, an adjustable shoulder strap, a coordinated, webbed handle and chic metal hardware.

To win, just comment below and then check back on Friday, August 10th. We’ll post the winner right here!

**UPDATE** ~ The Winner of the Courier Bag in Mod Tortoise is:

Cinda Burgert who wrote:: The Mod Tortoise is such a classic color; I just love it. The architecture of Harvard is so amazing and beautiful. It would be a great sightseeing trip .The Courier would be a PERFECT for that laptop to take on fun trips. Oh, how I would love it.

Just email us at: press@cindab.com with your shipping address and we’ll get that right out to you!!

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Keep Calm and Carry On (and win some American Made accessories too!)

July 30, 2012

Did you think there was any chance we wouldn’t blog about London this week? But we thought instead of a city guide (there are millions of those right now – check out the Today Show everyday for the next two weeks) we’d recommend some fabulous fashionable picks for packing for a quick hop across the pond – specifically fashion nade in the USA that you can fit into a carry-on bag and get through a fabulous weekend.

For Sight Seeing we love any of the tunics and tops in the Solow Collection – our pick below is the Block Tie Dye Dolman, which works well with our colorway this week, Ravinia Black. We would also add in a pair of sweats and a hoodi e for lounging. We love these jeans from Vince – they’re so stretchy and comfortable you can easily wear them on the plane ride over as well. A pair of cute Deck Mocs from Quoddy and you’re ready for serious walking. Our fav bag for seeing the sights without worrying about a heavy bag is our fabulous Hipster Bag. An adjustable strap and lots of pockets make this a must have for the serious traveler.

For a dressy evening, we love this combination featuring everyone’s must have dress from Black Halo, The Jackie O Dress in Forest – accessorize with a chunky gold bracelet from Kenneth Jay Lane, and a pair of Devon Leigh Gold Tear Drop Earrings, and an Uptown Wristlet. Instead of heavy high heels, we love these Jack Rogers Sandals, which Jackie Kennedy herself wore on her travels around the world.

Add a sweater or a trench – depending on how cold you think you’re bound to get and you’re ready to go. Want another pair of jeans? J Brand are made in the USA, as are Nanette Lepore, Splendid, and Rag & Bone. Tuck your American made goodies into our Ravinia Black Weekender and Super Tote, add a few matching accessories and you’re ready to go!

Want a bit of American Made goodness to take with you on your weekend abroad? We’re giving away a fun set of one Pencil + Brush Bag and an ID and Key to one lucky commenter (a $40 value). Just comment below and then check back on Friday, August 3rd. We’ll post the winner right here!

**Update** ~ This week’s winner is: Cathy Bullington who wrote:

I really love how cindab plays with color and texture to make pieces that are classic and modern. I can hardly wait to see what new things appear!

Just email us at: press@cindab.com with your shipping address and we’ll get that right out to you!!

Be sure to check back next week for another fabulous giveaway.

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Pack Your Bags ~ New York Awaits! (Plus Win a Wrap-Around-Clutch)

July 23, 2012

Buzzing off to the Big Apple anytime soon? With cooling temps and lots of locals still out in the Hampton’s and Cape Cod, August is one of the best month’s in the NYC. Major inspiration for our bestselling colorway – Empire Slate, Manhattan is one of our favorite places in the world.

One extra special reason to visit soon is Shakespeare in the Park’s production of “Into the Woods“ starring Amy Adams (shown below in Enchanted), Glenn Close, and Jack Broderick. The production was set to open today, however stormy weather has pushed this back to tomorrow. The production runs through August 25th and promises to be a delight. Tickets are free via the virtual ticketing or by standing in line day of show at the Delacorte Theatre.

Another New York delight: Friday Nights at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum is open till 8:45 (it’s also open Saturday evening, but Friday seems to capture more locals rather than tourists). Enjoy classical music, champagne and snacks on the Great Hall Balcony Bar, (which overlooks the Great Hall). Stroll through your favorite galleries taking in the endless masterpieces and dip into the many docent tours to enrich the experience. Admission is suggested at $25, but Bank of America customers get in free.

Be sure to take a trip up the Empire State Building – even if you’re not great with heights, this is a really romantic view with lots to see. Gorgeous at night, fascinating by day. Prices range from $25 to $86 depending on levels and elevator speeds.

And of course, New York is about fashion. Our beautiful Empire Slate colorway sprang right from the patterns of the buildings themselves.

Want a little Empire Slate to take with you on your travels? We’re giving away a Wrap-Around-Clutch in the colorway this week (a $43 value)! Just comment below and then check back on Friday July 27th to see if you’ve won – we’ll post the winner right here! Winner chosen at random.

**Update** This week’s winner is Mary Riemen who wrote:

“I love NYC! I have been there twice, and it is such a rush experience all of excitement! I can’t wait to take my kids there someday. I love the Empire Slate colorway. I love my Nook Tablet cover and tech pouch in this pattern. I would really like to win the wrap-a-round clutch. Thanks for the opportunity!”

Just email us at: press@cindab.com with your shipping address and we’ll get that right out to you!!

Be sure to check back next week for another fabulous giveaway.

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Pack Your Bags ~ Brussels Awaits! (Plus Win an e-Tablet Sleeve)

July 16, 2012

Remember those remarkable floral carpets in Italy we told you about a few weeks back? If you’re dismayed that you missed them this year, take heart, Brussels, Belgium will be launching their bi-annual carpet of flowers in just a few weeks! The Carpet of Flowers is a enormous work created from Begonias covering the main square in the Grand-Place. It’s made on every even year, meaning we’re on for 2012. It’s called the Tapis de Fleurs in French and opening night will be August 14th – the show will continue through August 19th. Each year a new theme is chosen – above is from 1986 and depicts the Coat of Arms for the City of Brussels. The work below is from 2010 and celebrates the Belgian Presidency of the European Union. You can see all the years past and preview this years theme here.

When you’re done admiring the Begonias, you can indulge in Belgium’s culinary confections. Often thought of as the chocolate capital of the world (Hershey Pennsylvania not withstanding) – Belgium’s passion for chocolate began when the Spaniards, who ruled Belgium in the 17th century, brought cacao seeds back from South America.

As Boscov’s Travel Blog tells us: “Today the Grand Place is bordered with chocolate shops that trail out past the winding cobblestone streets. Inside the shops, chocolates are displayed like jewels in glass cases and locals passing by frequently pop in for a few pieces. Be sure to also sample pralines as they are filled with a variety of nougats and creams. If you still can’t get enough, there are a number of chocolate tasting tours offered and they are delicious fun. Pierre Marcolini and Laurent Gerbaud feature superb chocolates and are ideal places to sample some of the city’s best.”

Belgium as you most likely know, is also sweet on waffles and along with chocolate are considered part of the city’s street food culture and you can pick them up from street venders everywhere.

Which brings us to a gorgeous little colorway we like to call Bella Fiore Cocoa – doesn’t it just sound like it belongs in Brussels? It features a myriad of dancing flowers set against a background of rich chocolate. One of our most enduring colorways due it’s enormous popularity Bella Fiore Cocoa, is especially great as a book bag, tote, or travel bag. Shown below in our Vertical Tote it goes happily from coffee houses to classrooms.

Want to win a little bit of floral and chocolate inspiration? **We’re giving away one e-Tablet Sleeve in Bella Fiore Cocoa – a $45 value – Just comment below and you’ll be entered to win – we’ll pick one commenter at random and post the winner here on Friday, so check back to see if you’ve won!**

**Update!** The winner of this week’s Giveaway is Amber B who wrote:

Chocolate and flowers – two of my favorite things! And what a perfect inspiration for one of my other favorite things… PURSES!! (And accessories… And luggage… And… Oh you get the point! Love this pattern and the inspiration behind it makes me love it even more!!