Tip #4: Purchase Multi-Use Bags: True, wouldn’t it be lovely to buy a load of different bags for every occasion and not have to worry about how much they cost or how impractical they might be?  Well..in this day and age, I don’t know about you, but I certainly can’t do that.  That’s why I suggest buying bags that you can use for more than one type of occasion.  I’m sure many of you already do this, but I just want to emphasize the point.

Here are all the ways I use my Large Longchamp Le Pliage tote (and the few Baggu’s I always store inside if I run out of space)

• So..when I stroll out from the office around the corner to Safeway I can put groceries both in the Le Pliage and in the reuseable grocery bags inside.
• If I need to carry an extra pair of clothes/shoes I can fit them in there
• Can be used as a lunch bag and book bag and laptop bag (I’ve sewn a soft and slightly cushy fabric sleeve for the laptop to keep it safe and secure though)
• Perfect carry-on bag to double up with a backpack or roll-on.

So, I hope you take the suggestion and do the same. Check out some other bags that are perfect mulit-use bags: Longchamp Le Pliage, Chinese Laundry Embroidered Tote, LeSportsac Travel Tote, Big Buddha Postman,

Posted in BAGGU, BIG BUDDHA, Chinese Laundry, ECO-Friendly, Everyday, LeSportsac, Longchamp, Messenger, Satchel, School, Shopping Tips, Tote, Travel, Work | No Comments

Metal hardwork detail, chain link strap, black leather - this Donald J Pliner D2460-N01 Crossbody (yes, quite a mouthful of a name) - is just waiting to be rocked out.  The mix of textures makes this all black with gold accent bag pop, which, in this drab weather I’ve been experiencing in Seattle, would bring a nice change of scenary.

 Get it: Donald J Pliner D2460-N01 Crossbody

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The B. Makowsky Jakarta North/South Shopper just popped out to me.  Honestly, first because of the name - Jarkarta, the capital of Indonesia.  A place I’ve frequented often since my mom is from Indonesia and it’s literally, in my blood.  It’s a bustling city with unimaginable amounts of traffic, home to some of the best food I know, and I place and getting more and more stylish and diverse since I first went there over 20 years ago.  So this homage in name that B.Makowsky has done by bringing us the Jakarta Noth/South shopper is well deserved.  A unique bag with well places diagonal zippers, a roomy inside, and both short and long straps for carrying - this bag lives up to it’s namesake and has a little and just enough of everything you’d want in a bag.

Get it: B. Makowsky Jakarta North/South Shopper

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I used to think Dooney and Bourke was only for dowdy middle-aged women.  Don’t ask me why, maybe it was from the visual trauma of my childhood seeing what I thought were ugly Dooney and Bourke bags.  Though, in my defense, Dooney and Bourke have come a long way and it is no longer a ’strickly for yo momma’ type of bag. Take this Calf Medium Zipper Pocket Sac in a lovely vibrant red.  I like the soft feel of the leather, the little gold-toned label and the apron style pockets in the front that close off with tassled zippers.  It looks great and I know for sure my mom will love this bag.  You will also if you’re also one of those “I will only buy if there’s an outside pocket” type of ladies.

Get it: Dooney and Bourke Calf Medium Zipper Pocket Sac

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Sleek and black, with the belted middle, the Kathy Van Zeeland Heroine Belt shopper is a hit.  Though the Heroine doesn’t have a belt like my favorite heroine Wonderwoman, it does look great.  I love how instead of rhinestones (which aren’t my favorite), the buckle is detailed with embossed metal studs.  Also, the mix of the patent leather with the very subtly printed black fabric is a great match.

Get it: Kathy Van Zeeland Heroine Belt Shopper

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Francesco Biasia is a great designer and this Moody satchel is a great bag. WIth the cut-out handle and the straps you can also carry this bag however you’d like.  A nice combo with the interlocking metal rings.  The Moody has deep eggplant accents along its piping and the straps. You can barely tell that it’s there and is one of those things where you might look at it a couple times from afar not realizing that it’s that subtle detailing that draws your eye to the bag.  It’s kind of like the fb metal branding as well.  Unless you look at it closely you can’t tell the FB for Francesco Biasia is on the bag and it’s not just some cool abstract hardware detail. I love the unassuming details that are always added to his bags, and I think you will too - especially because it’s about $160 off on sale.

Get it: Francesco Biasia Moody

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Saw this Furla Elisabeth should bag and immediately fell in love.  It feels a little like business meets school girl.  The red leather satchel is a friendly traditional shaped bag I’ve seen before, but I am really lovin’ the added stripped canvas type shoulder strap.  The shoulder strap with it’s white, red and tan makes the bag fun and practical.  So you can load up this bag and comfortably carry it across your body.  Then when you walk into a potentiall stuffy business situation, simply detach the strap and go more traditional with the leather handles.  Geniuis! Pft, forget that, I love this bag just as it is, I’d keep it with the shoulder strap and everything all the time. If people give you a hard time, all you have to do is flash the Furla metal label and that’ll keep ‘em quiet and establish you as a legit fashion force.  I’m not usually a big fan of showing off brand names, but you do what you gotta do right?

Get it: Furla Elisabeth Medium Shoulder

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This Dutchy CB Basket handbag has already been under $100, and so always been a steal.  But now the CB Basket is on sale for $70, that’s downright wonderful.  Yeah, so what, it’s not leather - it still looks good and is great for you vegetarian shoppers. ;)  Anyway, if you want something with a bit more subtle detailing, I’m going to suggest the CB Basket. I like the little button nubs that adorn this bag.  And the paisley type print lining is darn cute.  Oh and btw, it comes with an eco-friendly shopping bag too.  Oh dang, two for the price of one!

Get it: Dutchy CB Basket

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I wasn’t lying when I said that I have been made a fan of Hayden Harnett bags.  And since being in New England, I’m liking them even more as I saw them in all the handbag boutiques I wandered into.  Shouldn’t be surprised though, it is an East Coast brand. Here’s another Hayden Harnett bag, the Lorca Turnlock.  There’s not much to no like about this bag, the color and fabric are fabulous and rich, the well placed studs add just the right touch of edge, the turnlock is easy to use and all the rage, and the size is..perfect.  If you feel like you have too many oversized satchel or tiny clutches - this midsized Lorca Turnlock will be a match made in heaven for you. Oh and another great thing, the Hayden Harnett Lorca Turnlock is on sale! What more could you ask for?

Get it: Hayden Harnett Lorca Turnlock

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Introducing the collaborative efforts of two ladies from SoCal Laura Darrah and Sheila Nazarian with Treesje.  Not only do I love their bags because I went to school down there (USC - Fight On! anyone?), but also because their bags are divine. I’m sure their celebrity customers - Drew Barrymore, Katie Holmes, Kate Winslet, and Sarah Jessica Parket would all agree.

Does anyone know how to pronounce Treesje? I have to admit, I’ve tried, but I’m sure I’ve failed just about as many times as I failed.  Me not being able to pronounce the name doesn’t keep me from postinng this Treesje Avalon Mini.  Don’t let the name fool you, this Treesje Avalon is not some tiny bag, it registers at 10″ high, 15″ wide, 4 1/2″ deep. This is a lovely bag and the size is perfect, because on anything smaller and the stiched in almost quilted detail of the bag would be too much.  But as it is, it looks great on the Avalon with the locked down metail details of the handle and the soft slouchy feel of the bag that’s hard to get with patent leather.  Plus it’s Italian leather..can’t go wrong there. BTW, the picture doesn’t do the bag justice, it’s even better looking in person.

Get it: Treejie Avalon Mini

Check out matching shoes @ Heelcandy -> Michael by Michael Kors Annabel Pump

Posted in Everyday, Satchel, Treesje | Comment (1)