Totes

Every lady needs a nice sturdy everyday tote bag. If you are like me, you wish that your budget could afford at least one different tote bag for each day of the week. I have learned that may never happen to me. Damnit. But if you are looking for a versatile, simple yet chic tote, I would like to introduce you to this sucker. On first sight, I kind of just got drawn into the ruched pattern. It is a bit different than most bags I see. The Violette No Zi Eres Ruched Leather Tote is a hidden beauty to me. First of all, I can’t decide if there is deeper meaning beyond the name- it is driving me crazy. I do speak Spanish, but only part of the name translates- I am almost thinking it means something along the lines of, ‘violette you are not’. Ha. But that makes no sense. If any of you have an idea, let me know! Back to the bag. This tote shows off its ruched distressed leather body in a beautiful olive green and a sexy crisscross pattern. To add a little more stud to this bag, there is brass hardware and eyelet accents all over. There is also a cute strap detail with a ring buckle on the front of the bag which tones it all down a little for a slight feminine touch. I know this bag may look a bit rough, but there is something about it that I find chic. Maybe it is my lack of sleep in the past few days, I’m not sure. Sizing up at 11″H x 13″W x 5″D, this tote is available through Neiman Marcus for $650.

Whether it be the season or not for hot pink tye-dye, there is still something about it that lures me in. Maybe it is because I am reminded of my childhood- summers where my mom used to let me sister and I tye-dye shirts in the back yard. That was always fun, except I did not understand the concept of bleeding and I usually had a brown shirt by the end. Either way, tye-dye brings back good fun memories. That being said, I can still not decide whether or not I actually like this Meli’ Melo’ Suede Tye-Dye Bag. Showing off fuchsia and white tie-dye suede, this square base tote bag with small suede handles and gold hardware will not go unnoticed. Because it is made of fuchsia, does this mean it is a summer/spring bag? If so, I’m waiting for it to go on sale. But the fact that it is made of suede gets my mind a little discombobulated as to when this bag should be worn. The bag can be folded inwards and fastened with a strap and buckle for closing. After you do so, take a peek inside to the red satin lining and inside pocket. Without seeing this bag on the mannequin, I did not think it was anything special or even cute enough to really wear. But the beautiful headless lady from Net-A-Porter sported this bag with such style and made me think twice about it. Being sold for $667 via Net-A-Porter, I will leave you to be the judge about this bag. (I seriously do not think the price is justifiable at all though)

Over the weekend I went to a crafty store/restaurant with two of my mom’s sisters. This place was a barn turned into a craft store, and every woman across the Midwest was there on Sunday. The ratio of women to men was about 1,345:1. And that 1 was definitely and infant boy. Either way, all those crafts are cute but I did realize I could probably make many of them. I asked myself why I don’t, and realized the answer was simple; there are other people that will do it for me instead. Score. But as I ventured to the clothing and accessory side of this place, I did run into some cute and some not so cute handbags. I was surprised to see an actual brand of bags there. It is a brand I never heard of, but it is a brand after all- and it has very fun bags.

SHIH Handbags use texture and material to get their distinctive bags to be seen. The bag that I saw was the SHIH Handbags Medium Tote in turquoise. This tote is quite fun in my opinion- more of something to throw on with jeans and a little white tee on my way to the park or store. Soft gold metal mesh is what really gives this quilted satin tote its style (if you opt for the black bag, there is silver tone hardware). The single shoulder strap also shows off the metal mesh pattern which I find so fun. After you open the zip top, you will find satin lining and zip pocket. This fun bag measures 13″ wide x 5″ deep x 9 1/2″ high and the shoulder strap has a drop of 12″. Buy the turquoise for $179.95 via Zappos or the black also for $179.95 via Zappos.

If you want your bag to be nothing but bling, there is a bigger gold tote that may suit your liking. The SHIH Oversize Tote will have you shining like its still summer. I can’t really put my finger on why I like these bags, but I just do. Something about the over-the-top glam and shine draws me in. Made of gold quilted satin and gold tone soft metal mesh, this bag is large enough for your pet dog and then some (16″ wide x 6″ deep x 14 1/2″ high). That’s a big bag. The inside is lined in satin and there is a zip pocket and key fob. This big glitz n’ glam gold bag is available throughZappos for $199.95.

And to finish these SHIH bags off, there is a perfect size wristlet. Many of you may think these bags are a bit too much; if you are one of those people, the wristlet may be just right for you. When you are looking to add lots of flavor for a night on the town, a glamorous piece of hand candy will not hurt. Made of gold quilted satin and gold tone soft mesh with a convertible strap, this little handbag is my pick for a night out with the ladies. The final dimensions are 9″ wide x 1/2″ deep x 5″ high. If the totes were a bit too much to handle for you, try the wristlet for $63.95 via Zappos.

We’re often trying to hunt down bags that are different in a sense that you may think “How the heck did they think of that?” or make you contemplate about the deeper meaning of a design or print. But when Megs instructed me to give my 2 cents about these two Wonderland Manhattan Totes, I quickly realized that she just had turned the work over to me ‘cuz she had no clue what to say. To be perfectly honest, I don’t have the slightest clue, either. Perhaps the printed stories are supposed to confuse, make you stare and go “wtf?”. Not sure, perhaps there is some sort of insider joke that I don’t get, or maybe they’re just trying to be so clever that they end up outsmarting both Megs and I. Eh… share your thoughts with me, pretty please. Anyway, you can grab these all-around totes for $28 here.

Patchworking is where it’s at. Many designers love to put together a funky bag of patchwork- I love it. Maybe I love it because sometimes I’m in such an indecisive mood I don’t know which bag to wear. I’m not sure. But the Jamin Puech Honu Patchwork Tote brings in lots of fun and flavor. I wish the site told a little more about what each patch is made of, but we will just need to use our imagination folks. The patchwork pattern has brown, white, and red calfskin. Also the “bag has two leather handles with hole design and small silver rivets, white stitching and a hook clasp fastening at the top. Bag is lined in striped canvas with a zip fastening internal pocket.” I had to quote this because the explanation kinda sucks for how nice I think the bag is. For fall this bag is beautiful colors and a funky and trendy patchwork design. Unfortunately the description leaves me needing and wanting more info. I hate that. If any of you can find out more, let us know! Other than that this beauty is on sale for $570 through Net-A-Porter.

When I find out that a designer company has named a collection after me, I will feel like my life is complete. Just kidding, odds are way against that happening for me. But I can dream right? I’m sure everyone has both attainable and unattainable dreams, just like me. I’m also dreaming that I can pop a tooth of my mouth and the Tooth Fairy will bring me the new beautiful Chloé Python Doctor’s Bag. And chances are… I will keep dreaming about both.

There was a point to my dream of wanting a collection named after me. The lovely designers of Brahmin Leather Works have an entire collection called the Sienna. I do not know if the collection is named after the Sienna that we all know, but it sure reminded me of that. I have fallen in love with Sophie. Not the person, the bag. The Brahmin Leather Works Sienna Collection Sophie Tote is impeccably designed and very appealing to the eyes. The site offers some details of the bag, but not the aesthetics. What we do hear is that the tote features double handles, a black slide in pocket, a magnetic top buckle closure, an interior zip pocket, and protective feet for this leather beauty. I’m not sure which of you like that the detail pattern is only on the front of the bag, while the back is simply leather. Sometimes I want the bag to look uniform, but in this case I am diggin’ the bag. The front pattern reminds me of Bimini (where I should be right now if it weren’t for that dumb hurricane) with its fruit, flowers, and sun pattern. The measurements of this bag are 14.75 x 6.5 x 5.25. Add a little island fun to your wardrobe for $475 through Brahmin Leather Works.

I get a bit disappointed when I run into some bags online. Not because I don’t like them, but because I don’t think the pictures do the bags justice. I just want to reach into the screen, pull the bag out towards me, and then look/touch at the bag so I can really see what it is all about. This is exactly what I am feeling about this Dolce & Gabbana Fur Tote. I am nearly positive that the picture does not do this beautiful bag justice. This tote is made of dark brown eelskin and dark violet astrakhan with beautiful accenting goldtone hardware. No, I didn’t know what ‘astrakhan’ was either. I looked it up and found out that it is “closely-curled black or grey fur from fleece of karakul lambs”. Whoo-eee! I must not have learned enough in all my years of schooling, because that definition still doesn’t really help. The overall dimensions of the bag are 8 2/3″H x 13 1/8″W x 4 2/3″D. This beautiful fur comes all the way from Finland. Now is it just me, or do many of you also think this picture does not flatter the bag enough? Hopefully I can go check it out sometime soon. Until that time, lets just wonder and dream about this beauty for $1,995 via Neiman Marcus.

When you are out on a lunch date, do you ever think of taking a bag just for that? I never thought of having a bag designated for lunch, but I’m sure I could start that trend! Cole Haan has thought of this idea, with his Lunch Tote from the Village Collection (yes I know, the name does not mean it is for lunch- it was a pun, a play on words!). The Cole Haan Lunch Tote Village Collection adds a little spin on a typical tote with a different shape and a fun color. My color choice goes to the cranberry metallic tote which is made of soft pebble grain leather. The hardware on this bag varies with the color option you choose- for the cranberry metallic color I believe the hardware is in shiny nickel. The bag is slouchy with 8″ drop from the shoulder straps, and two side pockets which add a little more to the shape of the bag. The strap shows off custom ring detail along with a chic way to run the strap through the body of the bag. Inside you will find nylon lining. Dimensions are: 13 1/2″ W x 8 1/2″ H x 7″D. Grab this beauty for $265 via Cole Haan.

You just had to do it, didn’t you Coach? You had to jump on the shearling bandwagon. Well, you are on it- might as well enjoy the ride. I’m going to have to hand it to Coach, because personally, I don’t think they did too bad of a job with this number. I actually really dig it. The Coach Shearling Gallery Tote makes me want to cuddle up next to the fire and sip on my Chai Tea Latte! Yum. Coach explains that “the detailing and design of this tote is reminiscent of bags that were popular among the ski set in the 1960’s and ‘70’s”. I wasn’t aware of that fact at the time, but I’m just going to believe it. This gallery tote is actually quite chic. The outside shows off two front and side pockets with turnlock closures. Made of lightweight leather with shearling trim, this tote can bring winter fashion to your arm. The bag can be opened with its zip top which unveils fabric lining, a cellphone pocket, and a ring to clip keys or what have you. You can choose between brass/blue or brass/tobacco (my pick is for sure the blue!!) Measuring up at 11 7/8 (L) x 8 7/8 (H) x 4 3/8 (W), Coach is asking $598 for this furry thing.

Sometimes I forget how much life itself costs. After running errands all day, my credit card was feeling a bit lighter. I decided to actually look at all my receipts and see what the heck was going on. Well let’s start with gas for my car: $57.89. WHAT?! I sure didn’t pay attention to that at the pump. Add on a car wash inside and out: $35.79 plus $5 tip. Ok so far alright. Then I met some friends for lunch: another $32.56 plus tip. Then there was the stop at the mall: let’s just say, too much. Then stupid ink cartridges for this printer that I think I broke: $34.99. Then a stop to Bath and Body Works for some unnecessary ’stuff’: $46.37. And of course, 2 stop today to Starbucks: $7.40 (for the 2 combined- can anyone guess what I drink?? )And that wasn’t it. The day proceeds on with other stupid needs. Ink is expensive, so are food, cars, and just life. So when I think of it this way, I realize we all can’t be spending over a grand on every new “it” bag that comes out. Why not find an in-betweener.

If you are a huge lover of the Chloe Paddington, but either can’t find one or can’t afford one, I found a similar looking bag- that is also beautiful and less than half the price. The Sissi Rossi Washed Leather Tote is a beautiful leather slouch bag. I love the color too (reminds me of the Blue Paddy). This is an oceanic blue washed leather tote bag which is stitched with pink and accented with aged silver hardware. There is no padlock, but the shape of the bag is reminiscent if you like the look. The bag also has two handles, a silver zip top fastening across the top, two buckles found on either end of the bag, and a strap. The inside is lined in pale blue canvas and has an inside zip pocket for anything you may want to hide. For $535 via Net-A-Porter, you can feel a little closer to the Paddington you may yearn for, and still have an extra $700 or so to spare.