Mama-Style

I will be starting this up in the next few days.

I’ve spent several days brainstorming.  I have yet to actually do much, but I have a good excuse for that: I feel lousy.  I’m miserably sick with stomach cramps, leg pain, and a horrid backache.

I intend to have the Mr hang some hooks behind our front door for backpacks and keys.  I think it will help us to keep track of items, but I hope that it doesn’t leave our small entryway looking terribly crowded.

This week I started The Clutter Diet.  Stay tuned to watch me change from a harried, overwhelmed, disorganized mess to a smooth, svelte, zen mama.  Just watch!

Recently I was approached by one of my purses, much to my surprise.

“The group has a request,” it explained politely.

A request? The group? I confess that I was completely confused, not to mention surprised that my purse could talk.

“We think you need to branch out and buy something new,” my handbag explained. “We’ve seen the way you look at the satchels. And frankly, none of us prefers to be hand carried. Sure, we’ll do it in a pinch, but really you’d be doing us all a favor if you’d just buy something better suited to the purpose.”

If you think I leaped at the suggestion, you’re right.

I had been eyeing satchels lately. Particularly the Ignes Mini Gabrielle, which had caught my eye the first time I’d seen her. Stylish, unique, interesting, and somehow a blend of classy and practical.

Ignes bags are individually crafted in Uruguay and the company offers a variety of styles. The Gabrielle and it’s Mini version are two of the most popular. The Mini Gabby, as it’s affectionately called by some, measures 14 ” L x 9.6 ” H x 4″ W. The bag zips closed at the top. Inside are 3 pockets that can fit a cell phone, sunglasses, or small notepad. The bag has 5 feet on the bottom and adorable side pockets that are perfect for stashing your keys and lipstick. But my favorite feature is the handles.

The Mini Gabrielle comes with both double braided handles for hand carrying (or holding in the crook of your elbow). I love the handles and I can’t even begin to explain why they make holding this bag so fun; you’re just going to have to take my word for it. The bag also comes with a detachable cross body strap with an adorable knot detail. It’s ingenious, and I love the look.

The Mini Gabrielle intrigued me at first glance. The fine craftsmanship and the little details stole my heart the moment I took her out of her dustbag. This is one bag that fits so many situations and will never go out of style.

Buy your mini Gabrielle at AsterAlice.com

What if you could only have one bag? In my case, I think I’d choose the Morning After Clutch from Rebecca Minkoff. It is actually 3 bags in 1. It can be worn on the shoulder, messenger style, or with the chain removed as a hand-held clutch.

I admired this classy bag for months, but I admit I was hesitant to purchase one. I knew I loved the look, but I wasn’t sure if it would hold everything I needed. I carry a fairly large wallet, and often times a paperback novel, along with a notebook, cell phone, keys, lipstick, and gum. So I hemmed and hawed and kept putting off buying one until I fell in love with the steel leather at Aster Alice.

It’s a gorgeous, subtle, gunmetal grey, without a lot of bling; and I knew as soon as I saw it that I needed to act fast. I’m so glad I did! The photographs just don’t do it justice. This is a beautiful neutral bag that can go with jeans and a casual shirt, or even a little black dress. I think it’s one of Rebecca Minkoff’s best colors yet.

The Morning After Clutch measures 11″ x 2″ x 8″ with a 21″ drop. The interior features 1 zip pocket and 3 slip pockets, 2 of which are able to hold a cell phone. There is a zip pocket underneath the front flap on the exterior as well. I use mine to store receipts. The top of the bag closes with a zipper as well. The front of the bag sports either a dog leash-style or the new “signature hardware” closure, and there are metal feet on the bottom of the bag.

One of my favorite features is the removable tassels on the front and top zippers of the bag. Depending on which leather you choose you will have short tassels, long tassels, or none.

At the beginning of this review I told you I’d pick this one bag over any else, if (heaven forbid) I had to choose. Actually I think you will find you love this bag so much, and find it so versatile, that you won’t stop with just one!

Celebrities love the Morning After Clutch!

Buy the Morning After Clutch by Rebecca Minkoff at Asteralice.