Seeing this tote reminds me that it is time to get back to Yoga. Truly is good for the mind, body, and soul. The hottest yoga brand of clothing and accessories, Beyond Yoga, have released the coolest line of canvas bags that graffiti artist Andre Charles sprayed with selected words. Each version has a word selected by a different A-list celeb. After being asked to complete the sentence “I am beyond…” Rachel Bilson came up with Drama, Jennifer Aniston choose Grateful, Cameron Diaz said Hopeful, Anne Hathaway picked Lucky, Drew Barrymore obviously choose Happy, and Reese Witherspon opted for Blessed.

Not only are these totes super fun but they are also charitable. 30% of the proceeds from each Beyond Yoga Tote will go to The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that encourages working actors, artists, and musicians to donate their time and talent to children battling serious medical conditions. You can choose your “I am Beyond…” tote with one of the pre-selected words but there is also an option to customize your bag. You can customize your Beyond Yoga Tote with a word of your choice, which makes it that much more meaningful. Not only fun but also personal and better yet completely affordable. Shop the totes under Charitable Items at Beyond Yoga for $65.

Giveaway

You are all BEYOND LUCKY! We are giving away the same version Reese Witherspoon has been endless sporting, “I am Beyond Blessed”. This version is oversold right now and will not ship until 8/15. But we have one for you all!

TO ENTER: Tell us in the comments section which word you would choose to complete the sentence “I am Beyond…” and why. Contest runs until 8/17/09 at 10:00 p.m. EST. Good luck and thank you to I am Beyond!

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).

It is hard to find a great gym bag. Because most athletic bags look just like that, athletic bags. A little more of a feminine touch without going overboard, I find the Adidas by Stella McCartney Zutan Gym Bag to be a contender. Gray is a great neutral color and the shine from the contrast adjustable straps gives that little extra oomph. This bag is also practical, as it should be, with a zip top, four interior zip compartments, and a side tab with a snap closure to increase the width of the bag. The materials are easy to keep clean, 60% nylon, 40% polyester, along with the color. I do not know what most people spend on gym bags, as I always had a team issued Speedo Swim Bag, but $160 via Net A Porter seems reasonable.

Now I just need to actually get to the gym, with a new athletic bag or without.

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.

{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.