Susu Bags for a Cause

Each of these beautiful woven Susu Bags is hand-made by Wayuu indigenous women at Shukumajaya, the Wayuu Taya Foundation's center for women. The center helps educate women on nutrition, family planning and parenting. All proceeds from the sale of these bags benefit the Wayuu indigenous people. You can now purchase one of these unique hand-made bags and contribute to a great cause.

(images via Wayuu Taya Foundation)

The Day Clutch

~ THE CLASSIC EVENING CLUTCH, OVER-SIZED & RE-DESIGNED WITH DAY IN MIND ~

Tinsman Clutch by Aldo

July Clutch by Element



Aztec Clutch by BCBG



Oxford Clutch by Nixon




Emily Clutch by Frye




Savage Lucy Clutch by Lodis




Nirvana Santogold Clutch by Matt & Nat



Medea Nappa Clutch by Matt & Nat

Will you be rocking a day clutch this Spring?

Valhalla Brooklyn

Valhalla Brooklyn designs and makes beautiful handmade leather bags. The color options are perfect - cement, grape, espresso, teal, deep blue, petroleum green. I love the fact that every bag is convertible. You can wear it as a satchel, shoulder bag or cross body bag. I've had my eye on the 5-Pocket Willow Bag in Cement for Spring and will definitely be purchasing it soon!

(all images via Valhalla Brooklyn)

Reusable Wine Totes

With summer in full swing, I find myself bringing wine when I am a guest at bbq's, picnics and beach parties. This has now become a weekly routine so I've decided I need a reusable wine tote. I started looking for one and the selection out there is amazing. Here are some of my favorite finds, one of which will soon be accompanying me to the next summer soiree.

Wine Bottle Tote by Gang Greene Co.



Wine Bottle Burlap Bag by Nature's Cabinet



Koi Modern Wine Bag by Bloom and Barnacle



Manhattan Wine Tote by Map Tote



Jute Wine Tote by SB Bags

Eco Friendly Canvas Totes

Eco friendly canvas totes are a must have for anyone on the go. I have several in various sizes for different purposes. My most recent canvas tote purchase was in the form of a Brooklyn Wine Tote. If anyone is looking to purchase an eco friendly tote, the options are endless:

Brooklyn Souvenir Map Tote by Fred Flare

Bloomingdales Iconic Storefront Canvas Tote

Graphic Rope Tote by Old Navy

Vintage Bicycle Tote by Paisley Magic

Peacock Canvas Tote by Paisley Magic

Feather Tote Bag by Stevester

Now and Then Tote by Roxy

ZUBA Africa Tote Bags

ZUBA Africa Tote Bags are hand-made by women in Rwanda and sold in the U.S. "ZUBA Africa is a collaboration between Linda Trau, a designer and humanitarian, and Freewinds Trading, a company that uses business as a strategy for the economic empowerment of women in developing countries. ZUBA Africa, inspired by 'izuba,' the Rwandan word for sunshine, seeks to make a lasting difference in Rwandan communities by collaborating with skilled artisans of local cooperatives. ZUBA Africa's launch in 2010 brought these artisans' unique, handcrafted jewelry and bags to the wider world." The tote bags are available in a variety of beautiful prints and are so affordable!

Teal/Yellow/Indigo Tote Bag

Mustard/Navy/Green Tote Bag

Mustard/Green/Red Tote Bag

Mustard/Navy/White Tote Bag

Red/Blue/White Tote Bag

Green/Pink/Yellow Tote Bag

Blue/White Tote Bag

Friday Frugal Finds

This week's frugal finds are all affordable totes/handbags/clutches available for purchase at Lulu's. My favorites are all current, fashionable, fun and as always, within reach of the average girl's budget:

Martini Clutch in Blue

Silver Screen Handbag in Gray

Gold Soho Handbag

Hey Jade Handbag in Green

Lady Hawke Handbag in Olive

Bright Eyes Handbag in Purple

A Clutch for Every Occassion

Lately I have been leaving my heavy handbag at home when I go out for dinner, drinks or even just to grab a coffee. Instead I've been taking a small clutch that's just large enough to hold my essentials. It's time for an upgrade, and I would love to get a new clutch from Lauren Merkin's beautiful collection. Each bag is so versatile. I love the variety of colors, textures and patterns used. Some of my favorites:

Louise Marble Clutch

Eve Lace Print Clutch

Eve Ostrich Clutch

Diana Disco Clutch


Silk Feather Lotte Clutch

The Perfect Back-to-School Bag

My sister just purchased the Deux Lux Messenger Backpack, by Urban Outfitters, as her new back-to-school bag. It's the perfect combination of shoulder bag and back-pack. The color options are so unique. In addition to your basic black, you also have the option of sienna (pictured), seafoam and pink. My sister picked sienna (despite my urging to go for the seafoam!) It's an awesome bag in any color.

Linea Pelle Zip Tote

I am in love...with the purple version of the Dylan Zip Tote by Linea Pelle. I love the deep purple color and the gold hardware. And so many pockets! This would be the perfect replacement for my lavender Marc Jacobs bag which has gotten a lot of wear and is close to retirement. Other color options: black, scotch, dark olive. Available for pre-order at Luna Boston.

The Perfect Match

Necklace + Bag = The Perfect Match.

Check out this adorable fusion of jewelry and handbag. The Maille Necklace, by Anthropologie, is a unique brass necklace that incorporates a layered chain, with a pendant that functions as a miniature bag. "Store your pretty little things in this petite pouch, festooned with metallic studs and delicate fringe." Love it!

New York International Gift Fair

Is anyone in the New York City area and planning to attend the New York International Gift Fair this week? The fair has 400 product categories, including housewares, home decor, jewelry, textiles and outdoor accessories. I would love to see what's there, so if you do attend, please report back!

On a side note, I am loving this reusable shopping bag for my groceries - Karma, What Goes Around, Comes Around, by Dogeared ($27.00).

The Hunt

I'm on the hunt for a new carry-all bag. Between traveling back and forth to my house restoration project, trips to home depot, lugging my netbook around, and taking jewelry orders to the post office for shipping, I find myself carrying several bags at once. I've been looking for a new carry-all for a while but get easily distracted by gorgeous bags that aren't all that practical. I've finally focused & narrowed it down to these, from left to right: Ancient Craft Carryall by Anthropologie (so different; I love the texture of the leather shapes & the stitching); Leather Zip Pocket Round Sack Tote by Olivia Harris (love the over-sized outside pocket. I've always wanted a gray bag); Rivers & Rivulets Bag by Anthropologie (perfect height and my favorite color). Which to buy?