bags
Big Buddha Ashlee tote: Fresh look for fall
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 | bags | 2 Comments
I love back to school shopping — not for my kids, they’re a big pain to shop for, but for ME, because back-to-school means a new bag! And maybe some shoes, but we’ll talk about that another day.
I love this bag from Big Buddha because it’s such a great shape — the wide bottom and tailored top make for a practical tote that is both big enough to hold all your stuff and streamlined enough to be chic. And the navy patent leather is perfect for fall — less harsh than black, but equally neutral and simple.
Big Buddha Ashlee tote, $80.00 at Piperlime (where shipping is always free!).
Lands’ End Crossgrain Canvas Tote is the ultimate beach bag
Friday, June 20th, 2008 | bags, swimwear | No Comments
One of the best parts of summer is spending an entire day at the beach or the pool. It’s the perfect getaway, because you are compelled to unplug and relax. But while a day on the water means leaving it all behind, you still need to haul a LOT of stuff with you, particularly if you have kids.
That’s where Lands’ End comes in.
The Lands’ End Crossgrain Canvas Tote is perhaps the ideal beach bag. It’s huge, for starters, big enough for four towels, six pairs of goggles, two snorkels, and enough diving toys for an army of kids, among other things. It has great pockets — three small ones inside that are just the right size for sunscreen and tissues and your wallet, and one on the outside that will keep your cell phone away from the wet stuff. The inside also has one long side pocket with a strap, for things you want to keep separate from the rest of the jumble, like your magazine or book. And it has the all-important key hook, because who wants to dig through a bag this size looking for the car keys at the end of the day?
Not me, I’ll tell you what.
The Crossgrain Tote is made of sturdy canvas that stands up on its own and dries easily. It comes in four gender-neutral color combinations, which means that your husband won’t have any excuse not to take it — and the kids — to the pool on his own. And the straps are the perfect length for hand or shoulder toting.
The Crossgrain Tote retails for $39.50 and can be monogrammed for an extra $5.00.
EnviroSax helps you get green
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 | bags | No Comments
I love bags, of all sorts; a great bag is the perfect marriage of form and function. And EnviroSax totes take this up a notch, with reusable totes that you can fold up and keep in your big bag, for those toting emergencies.
EnviroSax are made from renewable and sustainable materials, and they come in bright colors and cool prints. Each sack folds into a wee roll that can live in the bottom of your regular bag, for grocery runs or kid clothing emergencies; they are also available in sets of five, for easy storage.
Currently, EnviroSax has teamed with the American Cancer Society to create a limited edition pink tote that will benefit breast cancer research. To order, visit The Hope Shop; bag retails for $10.00.
Pictured: Flora sack, $8.50.
Nine West puts a little Sex (that’s SATC) in your bag
Friday, June 6th, 2008 | bags | No Comments
I loved Sex and the City, not only because the story lines were smart and well paced, but because the fantasy of actually wearing fabulous designer pieces to sit in front of a laptop all day is so delicious. I like to imagine myself as a kind of Midwestern mom version of Carrie Bradshaw, although the similarity pretty much ends with the fact that we’re both writers and we both own Mac laptops.
While I’m not one for gigantic teetery heels, I do love a good handbag; the right bag can change your entire look, and make even the most casual Saturday soccer mom outfit look a little more sexy. This bag, from Endless.com’s SATC-inspired selection, is versatile and sexy all at once. It is also affordable and — dare I say it? — fairly practical.
I know, that goes against the whole Carrie Bradshaw ethos. But I still love the bag.
Nine West Bow Dacious medium satchel, $99.00 at Endless.com. Available in black, dark pewter, and dark natural (shown).
Old Navy convertible clutch can change your look in a flash
Monday, May 5th, 2008 | bags | 1 Comment
I usually haul a tote bag everywhere, because it takes a lot to get me through the day; currently, I have both the new InStyle and a book I am reviewing tossed in my bag along with the usual mess of cosmetics and tissues and phone and camera and I don’t know what all else.
But sometimes I want to streamline and not carry all that stuff with me — sometimes I just want to tuck my clutch under my arm like Carrie Bradshaw and go have a cocktail with my friends.
And with this convertible clutch from Old Navy, I can do just that! Fold it over and it’s a clutch; open it up and it’s a wee tote. Perfect for day or evening, although best with casual clothes, as it’s made of cotton canvas.
Old Navy convertible clutch, currently $10.00. Available on line in four colors, but check the stores for more options. It’s possible that I grabbed two this week. Maybe.
Spring for a great tote
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 | bags | No Comments
How do you get from work to carpool to the gym to wherever else it is that you go during the day? Specifically, how do you get your STUFF around every day?
How about a great tote?
This basic twill tote, from the Gap (of course!) is sturdy cotton canvas. Available in three colors and one bright pattern. Currently on sale for $29.99.
Choose a neutral navy or opt for the green for a simple pop of color. So much cuter than that gym bag from 1987. Really.
Navy leather handbag from Boden is big enough to carry EVERYTHING
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 | bags | No Comments
The black leather bag is ubiquitous; everyone has one. But when you’re thinking about a neutral workhorse bag, why not think about navy instead of black? Navy is chic and sophisticated, but with a feminine edge; navy works with everything, including your summer brights and pastels. And nothing is cooler than a navy bag against a crisp white shirt or soft white tee.
This bag, from BodenUSA, is big enough to carry your laptop but slim enough to tuck easily under your arm. Made of pebbled leather with silver hardware; lined in a bright, contrasting color for a little extra oomph.
Boden Grainy Leather Handbag, $148.00.
Feeling splurg-y: Coach Signature Stripe tote
Thursday, February 14th, 2008 | bags | No Comments
I don’t usually go in for designer handbags, but I do appreciate a well-made, beautiful tote. And I am a sucker for pink.
Coach’s new Signature Stripe tote is the perfect balance of familiar logo and playful color. The bag comes in five color options, including pink and blue.
Carrying a bag like this means making a clear commitment to a brand — while you can buy a bag elsewhere and have it be recognizable to other women who shop where you do, Coach is a lable that EVERYONE will know. Then again, based solely on my trips to the mall of late, I have to say that the Coach logo is so ubiquitous that it doesn’t really matter. Just keep your look to ONE really stand out logo piece at a time — pair this bag with simple, classic pieces, or your favorite casual wear; either way, it’s a stand-out piece that won’t overshadow the rest of your look.
Coach Signature Stripe tote in brass/khaki/pink, $268.00.
Eddie Bauer hobo bag isn’t TOO slouchy
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 | bags | 1 Comment
I’m craving a white leather handbag right now, something that will be both summery and sturdy, all at once. I want a bag that is big enough to actually CARRY things in, not just some wee little pocketbook, but I don’t want anything that is SO huge that I lose things.
I think Eddie Bauer heard my prayers.
This hobo bag is perfect; it’s a nice size and while it still has that great, soft line, it’s not too slouchy, so things won’t always fall to the bottom and disappear. And the rectangular shape means that the ENTIRE bag is functional (sometimes the crescent shaped bags are not so easy to carry, you know?).
Eddie Bauer essential hobo bag, $98.00. The price is right, too!
Your laptop CAN be fashionable!
Thursday, January 10th, 2008 | bags | No Comments
I love my iBook; it’s so white and clean and pretty. But I have yet to find a bag to carry it in that isn’t kind of on the frumpy side, at best; something about the combination of protective padding and nylon straps just doesn’t do it for me.
Until NOW, that is.
Janine King Designs offers hip, cool, colorful laptop totes in a nice range of colors and fabrics. Bags are all handmade; the exterior fabric is treated to resist stains and the interior is lined with a heavy-duty canvas. Bags are large enough for up to a 17 inch laptop, and come with three interior pockets.
Mod dots laptop bag (and many others!) available at Etsy for $69.00.