I Heart Baggallini Forever

Buying a "real" purse is fraught. I mean, I have plenty of purses. Gratuitous purses in various colors, handle lengths and sizes lay about my room. Funky purses, totes, clutches, serious bags that mean business. But a "REAL" purse? Something that does it all?  A purse for all seasons?? Try finding a needle in a haystack. I mean,really. Try it. That's how hard it is to find the perfect purse.

Here is what I want. I want a purse that is perfect for summer. Small, but not too  small. I want to be able to pull it across my body for those hands free times when one is say, at a gallery or summer fair. But I don't want it to HURT my shoulder. Adjustable straps. Yet, I want it to be able to hold my sunglasses, checkbook, library cards and sunblock. Oh,and my chunky cell phone. I also want this to be a good purse for winter. Something to stash my gloves in. But I want it to be nice looking and not say "SUMMER!"  yet not say "WINTER. Blah."  I also want to be able to take my purse out in "smart" company. Say, if I were dressed up a bit, I don't want to be embarrassed to be seen with it. Meanwhile, I don't want a front flap, I hate dealing with those. I want lots of inside compartments.

Oh, and I want this purse to be perfect if I decide to flit off to a foreign country at the last minute. So it has to be able to hold LOTS of anti bacterial wipes and a passport. I want it to be able to hold a small, slim, paperback if need be. Or some letterboxing gear. Or my Playbill in case I happen to go to a Broadway show. Maybe it should be able to hold a small change of clothes,too, in case I decide to take a small road trip. It should also be able to hold an extra muffin from my favorite...wait. I think I ventured into fantasy land there....but really, am I asking to much?

I had a few purse/bags that seemed to do the trick, but nothing that really lit my fire. Enter: Baggallini. 

I love the wonderful colors. The cool, clean, washable, wipe-able yet elegant fabric. I love the sheer amount of options. So many options that it took me a year to decide. Well, options and price were a consideration. Spending more than 20.00 on a purse puts me into cardiac arrest. But a purse that would do all of the above?? I'd pay ANYTHING. So I hemmed and I hawed. Should I get the About Town? Hmm. That looks nice, but a little too big. Oh, how about the Downtown Bag? It has that whole backpack concept going. No, too casual. How about the Baby Hampton. No, handles too short,although it's a beauty. Oh, the City Bag! Now we're talking. I love the Convertible Bag, but it's a bit too small. But I do need a new wallet...hmmm...No, focus. I just need to focus. It finally came down to THIS and THIS.

I choose the later. Here it is. Up close and personal. I give you: Eco Large Wallet.

Cell phone pocket with magnetic closure. Hmmm. I love you. Small front pocket for keys/change and yes, passport. I'm positive it would fit a passport. (If I had one, I'd let you know for sure.) You are so fine, Eco Large Wallet.....

Here is the back view. Sort of. I can place the straps this way or angle them so the back is carried differently and blah, blah, blah...I'm just sayin' that Eco Large Wallet looks very good from behind.

Inside view. I couldn't figure out why the pen holder was so HUGE. And then I looked online again. It's actually a LIPSTICK holder. Oh. Because since about the exact age of my daughter I have not been wearing lipstick. But check out all those pockets! Two zippered pockets, all those credit library card pockets! My checkbook fits!  My gloves will fit. Yet still small enough to carry across the shoulder. In case I need to ride an elephant in India. It could happen. Eco Large Wallet, you are perfect for me! And for the me I could be!

Expandable. Did I say expandable? Did I say two way zipper? Did I say adjustable? The words that sing to a woman of a certain age!

You must be wondering about this company (who, hello? should really send me a free bag for all this publicity I am giving them!).  Here is a blurb about them. Stolen from their website:

baggallini Inc. was founded in 1995 by Dixie Powers and Ann Simmons when the two veteran flight attendants recognized a need for more fashionable and functional tote bags, handbags and travel accessories. Since their modest start, baggallini has grown to be recognized as a worldwide leader in creating products that are incredibly organized and look as good as they perform. We are well known for our distinctive color pallets, fun fabrics and lightweight durability. Especially popular are our everyday use totes bags, wallet bags, messenger bags and cosmetic/jewelry organizer bags. baggallini was founded on the belief that baggs can be functional and fun to carry, and to this day we continue to build bags that deliver on this promise.

baggallini’s primary U.S, distribution is through specialty stores, catalogs and online “E”tailers. baggallini can also be found in better specialty stores in parts of Europe, Canada, the Carribbean, South America and Africa. Our global headquarters and distribution facilities are located in Milwaukie, Oregon USA. We are a wholesale only manufacturer.

Here is me on my first date out with eco large wallet baggallini.(everything is lower case on their website so I thought I should do it too. must be cool.) Look how happy we are together!!!

However, there is a wee problem on the horizon. I didn't want to tell eco large wallet.

The thing is...eco large wallet is everything to me. Truly. I'm so happy I found him. But.....but....Shanghai Satchel is so hip. And well. Monaco Clutch Large is sleek. And while eco large wallet can go out on the town with me, I'm not so sure he could really and truly make polite conversation. Sadly, I can't seem to buy these online. Which means eco large wallet and I have a lot of stores in my locale to look through. So, see, there are some happy days ahead for us. It's not like I'm ignoring him or anything.....

Comments

[Candy]

I can't believe you posted this! I've been mooning over these bags since I saw one at a local store. Even my husband noticed it when I picked it up and said, "Wow, that is a great bag." That is big. This man doesn't notice bags! A sign of their obvious superiority.

I want the uptown bag in leafgreen/mango. I do, I do. But my budget tells me otherwise. Sigh...

[James Miller]

I enjoyed this post. very humorous, yet there were strong undertones of seriousness.