Yes, It’s a Real IKEA Bag!

SistaSoFine and her Brattby!

Who knew my summer It bag would turn out to be a mini IKEA shopping tote?

The BRATTBY, to be exact — a petite version of the iconic blue IKEA bag, measuring just 27x27 cm. I originally bought it online in 2023 for $1, thinking I’d use it for groceries. When it arrived, I was a little disappointed. It was smaller than I expected, and I ended up giving away all five that I’d purchased — except the one I’d already used.

Fast forward to summer 2025, and that little blue bag, long forgotten in the back of my closet, has emerged as my go-to "running to the store" bag. It’s sturdy, waterproof, and unexpectedly stylish. I’ve received so many compliments — from both men and women — all asking the same thing: “Wait… is that a real IKEA bag?”

Yes, it is. And yes, it cost one single dollar.

It’s trendy without trying hard, and functional without being frumpy. It’s a conversation starter. And honestly? It’s refreshing to carry something cool that didn’t cost a small fortune. I wouldn’t be surprised if Balenciaga or someone else whips up another high-fashion knockoff soon. But you heard it here first: the BRATTBY is the underdog of the summer accessory scene.

Sometimes style really does come in the simplest (and cheapest) packages.

Silk the Shocker

 I’m old enough to remember a time before hair bonnets.

So what did we use way back then, you ask? Silk scarves.

If, for some reason, we had to step outside and our hair wasn’t presentable — maybe it was in a roller set, or halfway through an all-day braid session— we’d cover it with a colorful silk scarf. A very large one, folded, tied, and arranged in a manner that was pleasing and stylish.

I once read that in 1786, New Orleans enacted a law requiring Black women to cover their hair because their elaborate hairstyles were considered too beguiling to men. But this tactic backfired beautifully: women devised even more magnificent ways of tying fabrics and scarves, turning a restriction into a statement of creativity and elegance.

That tradition persisted through the generations.

As a child, I was taught to tie a scarf to protect my hair while I slept, or when doing housework or yard work. The silk kept my strands safe from dust, dirt, and the perils of a cotton pillowcase on natural hair. Buying a silk scarf was an event — they were expensive— and you took care of it for years. It was a personal, private statement piece, seen only by a select few… similar to lingerie.

Today, though, many women have traded this tradition for cheap, synthetic polyester sacks with elastic bands that wick moisture and ruin edges. Sigh.

Do yourself (and your hair) a favor, hon: get a silk scarf.

Tinkerbell Goes to Prom: A Vintage Bubble Dress

When I find vintage clothing, I love imagining the story behind each piece. That’s why it’s always a thrill to discover something truly unique — like this blue taffeta dress, possibly from the 1950s or early 1960s.

It’s a classic bubble dress, but the shape reminds me of a flower bulb just before it blooms. The moment I saw it, I thought: this is what Tinkerbell would wear to prom! And given that it’s a size XXS, I’m probably not too far off the mark!

The color is simply fantastic — a vibrant blue that still holds its charm after all these decades. There are no maker’s labels, but for a garment that’s pushing 75 years old, it’s in remarkably good condition.

Someone from Finland even wanted to snap it up, but sadly, we realized the VAT would be outrageous. Taxation and vexation!

See more photos (and maybe give it a new story of your own) over at my Etsy store.