In the Bag: Mel

It’s no secret Mel Trudeau is a busy girl. As General Manager of Tornado Steak House, her restaurant caters to hundreds of guests each week and serves up gluttonously fantastic dishes as close to perfection as I’ve ever tasted. White linen and fine dining minus pretension, coupled with the inviting wood finishing and luminous glow, she expertly oversees an institution unlike any other. Most nights she’s the one greeting you en route to feast, but in her minimal spare time, she granted access to her stylish, envy-inducing bag. Potential gift-givers take note: she loves her Goldenbleu.

Bag?
Goldenbleu Jordan Bag in mushroom from shopbop

What's in your bag?
Coin purse full of keys (I need so many!), Marc wallet, business card case (empty), deck of cards for euchre, iphone, two pairs sunglasses: tortoise Blublockers and Stella McCartney, Dr. Hauschka’s lip balm, Aveda hand therapy lotion, bobby pins, hair binders, wallet, matchbook from Tornado Steak House, button that reads “meat-eater”, spare contact lens, Chanel nail color in Midnight Red (in case I stop for a pedicure) Verve Scene & Style magazine, Envirosax, room key from Chicago’s Palmer House (oops!), metal top to the Champagne I drank on New Years Eve (Piper Hiedsieck Diamant), box of matches from Sardine, City of Madison parking ticket for 100 West Main (Tornado’s address), gold “608” necklace (so that’s where I put that!), Origin’s lipstick in Sherry Baby, Willy St. Co-op member card, Save the Date card for a wedding in Mexico, Old Fashioned ‘Big Shot’ card.

How old is it?
At least two years

When do you carry it?
Everywhere, everyday. Unless I’m using a cocktail purse. Any bag I’ve bought since purchasing my Goldenbleu sits in the closet.

What do you keep in the inside pocket?
Iphone, blublockers

Favorite spots in Madison to take it?
Natt Spil, Maduro, Papavero and the Washington Hotel Coffee Room

Favorite places to shop in Madison?
Anthropologie but I really miss Scoshi & Drunken Butterfly.

Where would you never take it?
Running

Oddest thing ever in the bag?
Steak

Farthest the bag has traveled with you?
St. John

What do you wish you’d find in it?
A winning Power Ball ticket

How many other bags are currently in your rotation?
A patent Goldenbleu clutch and a collection of vintage clutches, my favorite is a magazine purse from the 60’s

Dream bag?
Goldenbleu Jordan Bag in mushroom. I would love a new one, mine is getting old.

What’s the one piece of clothing you can’t live without?
Sunglasses! I have tons of them, all big.