Athletic Bags

Do you know the number one New Year’s Resolution? To loose weight/go to the gym/get in shape.

The amount new registrations following the new year at the gym is incredible, yet the amount of people that follow through is slim (no pun intended). And you think I am sitting here, on my couch, typing this because I am the big gym-goer? Nope. I am one of those people that for years now has been swearing to get back into shape and continues to neglect it. It may be because I was once a Division I competitive athlete, or that I am still remembering the 5 am morning practices, or because looking at my left shoulder scars reminds me of the toll my sport took on my body. No matter what, I have an aversion to working out.

This week I am starting to get back into the work out grind. Nothing like I used to, but at least 3 days a week I need to treat my body to something aerobic. The gym does not feel welcoming to me, way too different from what I am used to. But I am open to pilates and yoga classes. I am thinking a new gym bag will be motivation enough to at least go to the classes a few times (though this is merely a lie I tell myself). Read on...

It seems that I will bask in my no-vacation-on-Memorial-Day-LONG-weekend misery by finding some chic beach bags at a great deal. This way I can order a new beach bag and carry it around central Ohio, which makes perfect sense to me and no one else. I will just pretend. But for those of you who are partaking in weekend water fun, or want to get a great summer beach bag for a deal, check out some of these great designer beach-worthy bags at eLuxury (all on sale!)

Emilio Pucci Montalban Print Large Shopper | $339 at eLuxury


Michael Kors Marina Large Grab Bag | $175 at eLuxury

Emilio Pucci Lava Print Large Terry Beach Tote | $409 at eLuxury

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!

For many, the holy grail of handbags is the Hermes Birkin, a highly coveted, highly sought after, and hard to get bag. Another reason the Birkin is so exclusive is the price. Because let’s face it, how many people actually want to spend over $7,000 (or upwards of $140,000 for a diamond encrusted Birkin) for a leather handbag? Granted you may want to, but does your significant other, bank account, etc? For most of us, no. If you are in dire need of getting your hands on a piece of Hermes, there is always the ridiculously overpriced Hermes Beach Bag. Available to order online, the Hermes Beach Bag is available in turquoise, white, yellow, or black and is strictly made of cotton. Fling it on your back and head to the beach in style. Though, I guarantee you will not feel that Hermes aura carrying this bag like you would carrying a Birkin. And even worse is the fact that you would be dishing out $800 on a cotton beach bag merely for the name. Again, if you are swimming in money a-la-Ducktales or you just really are some sort of over-the-top Hermes fanatic, then this bag is for you. If you rather put a nice chunk of money towards a designer leather bag that is much more practical, than join my club. So no worries mom, dad and all other super practical people in my life; I will not be buying this bag anytime soon. But if this is for you, more power to you, buy a Hermes Beach Bag via Hermes for $850.

I had many friends in high school who had a ‘family life’ class (or something of the sort), where the females had to put on a faux-pregnant belly to see what it will feel like to be pregnant. Along with that was sex education. Being in private Catholic school, I never had to try on that belly because all Catholic girls wait until marriage and do not need sex education ever {insert total sarcasm here}. But if I were in that ‘family life’ class, I would envision the faux baby bump to resemble the Marc by Marc Jacobs Canvas Backpack. This backpack is exclusive to Barneys New York and is made with natural toned canvas. There are three cargo pockets, which form a great preggy belly, and a removable star sequin detail. This merely reminds me of the scene in 10 Things I Hate About You where Bianca is seen wearing the pregnant suit to remind her of what she will carry for 9 months if she supersedes the Stork bringing a baby. Exclusively a laughable joke via Barneys for $198. Hey, at least it is cheap.

Granted I have not stepped foot in the gym in a while, but when I decide to go back (after my indefinite hiatus) I would love to carry a retro athletic bag. The Lacoste Sailing Boston Satchel embarks on an athletic journey with a retro chocolate and burnt orange color pattern and large body. Granted this bag is touted as a satchel, but I would inevitably use it as my athletic bag to have all my friends laugh at me and my choice of work out bag. Mostly a cotton body but trimmed in leather, the bag features a top zip closure, internal zip pocket, and polyester lining. Dimensions are 12″W x 8″H x 7″D which makes it the perfect athletic bag or carry on if this workout hiatus continues. Buy it through Nordstrom for $220.

One simple word: unimpressed. Chloe Dao was Project Runway Season 2’s winner. While on the show her designs were elegant and fit in all the right places for the women that modeled them. Granted The Chloe Bag by Chloe Dao is meant to be used as an overnight bag or carry on, the color and saying looks overly simple and grade-schoolish. The phrase “Carry On“ is stitched on the blue canvas bag which was inspired by one of Tim Gunn’s popular sayings from the show. Measurements are 17“ wide, 10“ height, 7“ diameter, yet either way I would expect more from Chloe. Via NBC Universal Store for $95.

For the love of me I can not golf. And believe me I have tried. I come from a family of golfers. My dad would golf everyday if he could (I assume once he retires he will). My brothers both golf. My dad’s brothers golf. My dad’s dad golfs. I enjoy driving the cart and going to the clubhouse. Go figure. On a serious note, you all should know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For this month, I will continue to show you all products that go toward Breast Cancer research, foundations, awareness, etc. My pick for today is the Tumi Bernadette Slim Golf Bag. If you can actually play golf, play for a purpose and for a cure. This pink athletic bag is made of waterproof nylon with leather trim and features 6-way dividers, numerous pockets and a removable rain hood. And like I mentioned, this golf bag supports a good cause; part of the proceeds from the sale of this bag goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. While I may not be a golf pro, I am sure many of you ladies out there are (and men that happen to see this, what better gift for your wife? ) Check out this stylin’ pink golf bag which will be available the month of October via Tumi for $450.

{thanks SimpleCase}

When Megs discovered this particular piece at Zappos, I got really excited. Living in Germany and Germany happening to host the Soccer World Cup this year, this athletic little number brightened up my day! I’m not going to come here and pretend like I am a true soccer fanatic. Nothing like that really, but I have been following the WCs very closely in recent years and get just as excited as the common soccer nut when it comes to the playoffs. Brasil is my favorite team. Actually though, to me it’s more about seeing amazing soccer. Like all the other 1.5 billion people who watch it, I guess.
The Gilli Handbags Happy Stadium is a rectangular shaped shoulder bag made of suede with leather trim. It’s got the dual rounded shoulder straps and is finished with silver tone hardware. The dimensions measure 13″ wide x 7 1/8″ deep x 8″ high. For a price of $516, you may consider it to be a little rich for the Athletic bags section, I couldn’t make up my mind on where else to place it.

Remember the infamous boom boxes? Oh yes, those were cool. I’m a little late on announcing this bag, but it is too cool to pass up. A few weeks ago at the MacWorld Expo, Lifepod of New York introduced the world a golden metallic bag containing stereo speakers and a subwoofer if it all wasn’t enough. If you see the shine and hear the boom, it is coming from the Lifepod Rock Steady Stereo Beat Bag. This bag takes 4 AA batteries and is compatible with any mp3 player but also works with the beloved and chic iPod. As much as this bag sounds so cool (literally), the sound will not be as loud as many of you would love and the life may not last all that long. Oh well, still seems like am awesome idea to me. I wouldn’t even rock out any new music; I’d go old school with some MC Hammer or Vanilla Ice and rock this bad boy out. As for now there is no pricing info- which makes the bag even more appealing because we can pretend it is a mere $30 and we can all afford it and jam with it whenever and wherever we see fit. [via I4U News]

While we continue to think about that frightful weight loss resolution, let’s think about a yoga bag. I am somewhat forced into low impact exercise after my shoulder surgery, so I figure I better get into yoga a little more. Any of you yoga people? I always had a hard time imagining that something like yoga could keep me in shape, but my mom is a new-found firm believer in yoga. She used to run about 3 miles a day (I know amazing woman!), but hurt her knee and needed some low impact exercise. Poof! Yoga made it’s first appearance into my family. So if downward facing dog is also your thing (get your minds out of the gutter people!! ), then you may like the Modern Union Yoga Bag. These bags are messenger style bags which are styled from codura fabric but with a stylish outer flap with a printed design. This bag wouldn’t be a yoga bag without the straps that neatly hang from the bottom which will carry your yoga mat. Just make sure you don’t turn side to side too quickly and knock people around. For all of your work out musts, this bag does its job. On the outside of the bag there are both water bottle and cell phone holders (come on those two things are necessities nowadays), there are also pockets to hold CDs inside the bag (this bag must have hit before the iPod revolution), and many other compartments for your doodads. Sizing up at 13″ x 17″ and available in 4 different patterns, this yoga bag can help get you or keep you in shape for $68 through Modern Union.