purse

Marimekko Iloinen Change Purse / Red Flashlight Pendant

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:44:00 +0000

To an outsider in search of a good meal, what is perhaps most striking about Helsinki are the vegan options. In every restaurant, you will find lactose- and meat-free meals without requesting special treatment. As this aspect of Finnish life becomes more greatly incorporated into the wider culture, it isn’t uncommon to find vegan designers like Pinkkis. Dainty donuts, plastic veggie brooches, and soft cloth pouches are all made from reused, recycled, and all vegan materials in her smoke-free, Helsinki home. Though I might have a soft spot for anyone on the Vegan Etsy team, it’s easy to be won over by Pinkkis’ quirky style.

My Red Flashlight Pendant does not actually light up, but it certainly appears that it would. I often feel lost in this world; maybe this is the metaphor for which I’ve been searching. Made from a one-of-a-kind plastic charm, many of Pinkkis' necklaces use cute, out-of-the-ordinary miniatures. Whether you wear this in jest or to accessorize your spelunking gear, the sturdy ball chain won't snap if you snag it on your headlamp. I have owned a number of small assembly line and handmade pouches along the line, but Pinkkis is above and beyond other coin purses and makeup bags. Made with soft, beautiful Marimekko fabric, the colors are striking but not garish. The inner lining is reused fabric with no rough edges, plush and soft to the point where I might resist using it to carry around my grubby loose change. “Iloinen” means “happy” in Finnish, and the retro aesthetic of all things Marimekko certainly make me iloinen. Unfortunately, that is one of the few words of Finnish I can pronounce.

Another reason to patronize Pinkkis: her favorite materials list includes “boy, do I love glitter.” Her child-like fascination with creation is wholly appropriate, but her designs are not suitable for small children. Keep the tiny pieces away from teeny loved ones for maximum enjoyment by all.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, September 7th 2009

Wallet

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:20:00 +0000

By Ember Necessary Baggage

Ember Necessary Baggage is a company founded by one woman, Ellen M. Belanger, who creates personal bags – including handbags, totes, and wallets. Her artistry is seen in cleverly crafted designs and carefully stitched construction. Each and every bag is made by hand, often a one-of-a-kind piece. This loving attention to detail creates crafter kinship, as many of her patrons either create their own works or simply have an appreciation for hand crafted artisan goods.

This Ember Necessary Baggage wallet is made of tasteful blue and cream striped fabric with a hint of yellow. This color combination conveys the relaxation of a summer cottage on the beach. The construction of the wallet is durable with each ending seam being backstitched for extra strength. The wallet itself is a simple design of an overlapping fold secured with velcro that opens to an inside pocket large enough to hold several credit cards and cash. Upon investigation of this pocket a satin ribbon with a gold imprint of emberbags.com is found; which is a lovely touch over those mass produced manufacturer tags found in industrial made items. There is also a card stock tag attached to the wallet that is complete with not only the company name and website, but also the designer’s name, e-mail address, and phone number! Those are personal details only found in a handmade item adding to the customer care and quality of service. This wallet is truly delightful. A sturdy piece with multiple uses, this cute accessory has additional value by knowing it was hand crafted.

Written by: Sarah Eve Nichols-Fulghum, July 2nd 2008

Tour Tote

admin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:32:00 +0000

By SNAP design

Is it possible to have a bag that’s cooler than you are? My street cred increased substantially when I started carrying around the Tour Tote by SNAP design. You see, I live in New York City, but I’m a Southern girl (Athens, GA, baby!) at my core, so I constantly have to negotiate the internal tug-of-war between my current persona (Big City Trendsetting Fashionista) and the persona of my upbringing (Small Town Working Class Thrifter). Fortunately for me, in the neighborhoods that I frequent, the two have melded together to create a blended identity that is more commonly known as “hipster.”

Though hipsters are largely denigrated in the media that is marketed to them (apparently irony is tres chic), one thing I find attractive about this niche population is the way they dress. Maybe it’s because I'm inundated with it, or maybe it’s my own aesthetic sensibility. Whatever the case, I aspire to dress like a hipster from time to time. And when you dress like a hipster, you have to have hipster accessories. That’s where the Tour Tote comes in.

SNAP design is a small, Portland-based, woman-run company that sells handmade items, including multiple bags—tote, shoulder, laptop—with interesting, minimalist stitching on them. A lot of the patterns follow a variation on mod styles, and the deep color variety (navy, mustard, ruby red, sage, olive) is an appealing alternative to the current '80s neon trend. The purse is made out of vinyl (good news for vegetarians!) and the lining is cotton twill, both of which make this sturdy bag able to handle the elements, as well as repeated use. It’s also a nice size (h: 12.5" w: 11" d: 5")—big enough to carry everything you may need, but small enough not to be awkward.

I replaced my messenger bag with this purse almost immediately. It’s a decision I don’t regret. Now people actually look at me when I walk through Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And although the Southerner in me hopes for a smile, a wayward glance at my new bag is good enough.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 3rd 2007

Barfing Girl Tote

admin — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:00:00 +0000

Damned Dollies

I've been collecting tote bags for years, long before they were available in bright patterns at Old Navy and Urban Outfitters. As with many accessories, there are those of us who wear belts to keep our pants up, and those of us who wear belts to show that we're aware of the latest trend. I am of the utilitarian camp, and so, I expect a tote-bag to be strong and durable. I want to take it to the Farmer's Market and stuff it full of greens, peppers and a bottle of water for the road. I, then, want to visit a garage sale and know that I can stretch the tote bag to squeeze in a new hoodie. Unfortunately, ironic design aside, Damned Dollies' Barfing Girl Tote lacks in the strong and durable department.

The fabric of the tote is thin, like a pillowcase fabric, not the strong canvas I've come to expect in a tote. Another complaint is that the overall size of the tote is rather small. It is a tote to carry for a night on the town. It is meant for the hip girl who prefers a tote with an ironic image of a little girl puking to a couture handbag made of dead animals. So, while I'm not a huge fan of the tote, I do think I'd like some of the other products on Dana De Kuyper's Damned Dollies website, like the coinpurse or one of her handmade original dolls. Also, I think it is great that we live in a world where women can hand-make artsy items and sell them on the internet and through small boutiques. So, if you like adorable references to either bulimia or the stomach flu, you prefer to buy handmade items and you want a nice, small, lightweight tote, then this is the bag for you.

Written by: Ailecia Ruscin, July 9th 2007

Stefani Handbag and Wallet

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:18:00 +0000

ChicCosas

Though I'm not a girly girl, I still have more purses than chairs, and I can always find room for one more. That said, I am picky. My ideal purses and bags must be roomy but not bulky, funky but not too strange.

This mod-inspired canvas tote from ChicCosas (retail price $58) will go with any outfit and be appropriate for any occasion. It measures about 14”W x 10”H x 4”D - enough space for everything you shouldn't stash in a regular-sized purse, but want to anyway. The matching wallet is a nice addition.

Based in California, ChicCosas ("chic things" in Spanish) has a variety of artsy, high-quality items that are, unbelievably, all handmade. The caveat is that they're also reasonably priced. You'd expect to pay much more for such unique treasures. Owner Deborah Maciel has an obvious eye for design, color and durability. In addition to buying a fabulous product, you're supporting a small, woman-owned business.

Written by: M.L. Madison, April 25th 2007

Pom-Pom Makeup Bag

admin — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:04:00 +0000

By SNAP design

Michelle Kline (aka SNAP design) is a master of minimalist design. She takes an ordinary object (in this case a makeup bag) and makes it fabulous by adding a little hint of detail while also relying on the color palate to speak to one's aesthetic preference. And you know what? It works for me.

These little pom-pom flowers are cutesy, but not too cutesy. I'm not really the kind of girl that uses a makeup bag, but this could make for a quite fashionable clutch purse as well at just 5.5 x 8 inches, and the smaller size (4 x 5 inches), Kline deems as a change purse. This bag could be used to store those little 3 fl oz bottles of shampoo or whatever other liquid you're trying to smuggle onto an airplane these days. Instead of worrying about the contents of the bottles, the scanner will be transfixed by the design.

Okay, so I'm being a bit cliché, but you know you like it. And if you don't like it, Kline has a whole host of other crafty carriers for you to choose from, including the très chic pod wallet for none other than your trusty iPod (or another mp3 player, but does anyone really have something other than an iPod these days?). It's no wonder she's been featured in Bust, Allure, Teen Vogue, and Daily Candy. SNAP design is a fashionista's dream, especially if that fashionista is a feminist of the pop variety. So pop on to her website chicas (and chicos)!

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 28th 2006