My Bag Collection: Mulberry Alexa

It might look like I have lots and lots of bags but many of them come and go. If you know me and/or my blog you will be well aware that a bag is really only allowed to stay if it is practical and if I get good use out of it. Ok, exceptions apply, but I tend to think that it's pretty pointless to have a bag sat in your wardrobe. Get it out. Use it. And if it doesn't work for you: move it on.

This is the second post in my series of giving you a bit more info on the bags that are "keepers". After showing you what's so great about the Mulberry Mini Alexa, I am now going to tell you why the regular Alexa is one of my most used bags!

Model
Mulberry Alexa (Regular) in Black Soft Buffalo Leather

Size
33cm wide, 23cm high, 16.5cm deep

Features
Postman Lock and magnetic strap closure. Fully lined. Interior slip and interior zip pocket. Removable and adjustable strap.

Style
Heavily inspired by the traditional satchel shape (though deeper), the Alexa is probably most known for its slouchy shape and rock'n'roll style. This is my ultimate "just throw it on" bag, due to its size, long strap (you know how much I like to carry my bags cross body) and low maintenance leather. More casual than a typical workbag, I use it for work nevertheless and think it works absolutely fine - especially in black.

When do I use her
At the moment this is my daily work commute bag. (My laptop doesn't fit, so that goes into a separate, simple sleeve.) As I said above: this is my go-to bag and if I can't decide which one to take, I usually end up taking my Alexa.

Fits
Samorga insert for Alexa, Van der Spek Nomad (TN-sized Midori) with pen, Naked Cow FN-sized Midori with 4 inserts & pen, pencil case, Mulberry French Purse, travel card, access card, various charger cable, tissues, handcream, lip salve, inhalers, ibuprofen, various letters & paperwork, compact shopping bag, keys*,  work phone* & iPhone*
*yes, I forgot these in the pics

Recommended Care
Use Collonil Gel for cleaning and nourishing and finish off with Collonil Waterstop spray to protect.

For further info (including how to convert it to a rucksack!) have a look at the various reviews I've done on the Alexa
Alexa - general
Alexa - with Samorga 
Alexa - as baby bag
Alexa - strap conversion

Which one is your go-to bag?

Spring, Where Art Though?

I'm getting a tad bored (and I'm sure you feel the same way) of talking about the weather every week in my bid to narrate my outfit choices. I've been expecting to move onto spring/summer outfits and been saying every week that, surely, this should be the last week of opaque tights and warm, layered knits. And every week so far I've been wrong. The fact that I managed to sneak in two warm weather outfits last week give hope but the week following that (i.e. this week) went ridiculously cold again. I mean, we had some snow yesterday. A few days from May. I give up.

Dress: Reiss

Cardigan: Boden

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Top, Skirt & Boots: Zara

Cardigan: Boden

Top: Topshop

Skirt & Cardigan: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Jumper: Primark

Top worn underneath: H&M

Skirt: Warehouse

Trainers: Converse

Necklace Marni for H&M

P.S.: I'd like to point out that I own two of that cardigan. ;)

Mulberry Being a Bit Chanel

Is it a purse, it is a bag?

Mulberry's Bayswater Clutch Wallet clearly took (ahem) inspiration from Chanel's famous Wallet On a Chain - or WOC as it is often called. A large purse with enough space for a phone a couple of essentials but also a zip pocket (for chain) and some credit card slips. Carry it underneath your arm, clutch-style or attach the chain and wear it on your shoulder or even cross-body - super versatile. And you know what I'm like when it gets to finding pieces that are practical and useable!

Want to see it in action?

Still Not Spring Yet?!

I keep saying that winter is going, that it's spring now, that I'm going to ditch the winter clothes and get out my spring outfits - and then I keep reaching for the warmer and layered styles. Sigh. Let's see what happens next week...

Dress: Jesire

Boots: LK Bennett

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Top: Sainsburys TU

Skirt: Boden

Necklace: Marni @ H&M

Boots: LK Bennett

Dress & Cardigan: Boden

Boots: Hallhuber

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Covet Monday - Something Danish

I know this is getting rather old: I post a pic or a link of a bag I have fallen in love with. I might then go on about it for a while. And then I find reasons for not buying it. Usually like it can't be carried properly, might show wear to easily or is too small. 

But every now and then I come scarily close to purchasing - or actually follow through.

I recently came across the Danish bag designer Rodtnes and was instantly hooked by their timeless styles and lush looking leathers.

The Loretta bag seemed to tick all the boxes: good size, compartments - even a space for my laptop, handles that can be lengthened to go on your shoulder... the list went on. The only drawback: it only came in black and I found that a bit too severe.

Imagine my delight when they announced the launch of a grey version - with 20% off until 23rd of April! 

So one of these will be winging its way to me!

Mulberry Mitzy - Which One Is That?!

Whilst the Mulberry Mitzy might not appeal to everybody looks-wise, there is no denying, that's it a really useful bag. With prices from new at £325 for the messenger, it's also really good value for money, especially if you use it every day. 

But - how many Mulberry Mitzys are there?
 
Well, there is the Mitzy Hobo, which comes in two sizes, the Messenger, the East West Hobo and the Tote. (There is also the Sofia, which is very similar to the Mitzy, just a bit girlier. Oh, and then there is the pouch and the clutch but we won't include those here.) 

It used to come in a variety of leathers, including different shades of purple (eggplant, rouge noir, blueberry), a leopard print in oak and purple but is now mainly available in oak and black - at least from new at the outlets.

I thought it would be useful to list the above mentioned models and as I didn't have photographs for all of them, the lovely Shian at Naughtipidgin's Nest let me use some of hers. By the way, the Nest is a fab place to research bag styles anyway as even sold items are still viewable - just use the search function!

Anyway, back to the Mitzy - here they all are!

Mitzy Hobo M

Short strap

W40cm, H31cm, D9cm

Mitzy Hobo L

Short strap

W48cm, H42cm, D9cm

Mitzy Messenger

Long strap

W40cm, H31cm, D9cm

Mitzy East West Hobo

Long and short strap

W47cm, H31cm, D9cm

Mitzy Tote

Two handles and a long strap

W45cm, H34cm, D20cm

Hope you found this useful Which one is your favourite?

Winter's Almost Over!

Ok, I'm thinking this might now truly be the last compilation of winter outfits (= black opaque tights and black boots). Surely, the mornings have got to be warm enough soon for light tights at the very least?!

Dress: (Hoss) Intropia

Top worn underneath: H&M

Boots: LK Bennett

Dress & Boots: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Jumper: Boden

Skirt: All Saints

Boots: LK Bennett

Bag: Mulberry

Dress: &OtherStories

Top worn underneath: H&M

Boots: Zara

Jumper: Zara

Skirt: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Scarf: Next

Jeans: Next

Top: &OtherStories

Cardigan: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Bag: Mulberry

Dress: Reiss

Top worn underneath: H&M

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Topshop

Dress: Diane von Fuerstenberg

Top worn underneath: H&M

Boots: LK Bennett

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Top, Skirt & Cardigan: Boden

Boots: LK Bennett

Almost Anniversary

Ok guys, I know I've been really rubbish. I haven't posted much recently. Not on Facebook or any other Social Media, not on here. Truth is, I've started a new job, picked up every cold and cough there is to pick up and just been too busy or exhausted to do anything blog. I'm actually mid work right now and just taking a five minute breather [read: eating my oven-heated ready meal lasagne, so I'm on the iPad, rather than the laptop].

But I promise, I will pick it up again! I've got a few bags sitting here, waiting to go in front of the camera. I've also settled into my rather lovely Van der Spek Nomad. Oh, and I've got some mum type stuff reviews in the back of my head as well.

Anyway, I just had a look and can you believe it that it's almost a year since I did my first ever video review and resurrected my blog? Yep, 12/04/2015 I posted that review of the little Mulberry Blenheim. And got lots of positive feedback. So I decided to continue.

Thanks to everybody who has supported me over the year and those of you who just recently discovered my ramblings. If it wasn't for you, I'd feel like some mad woman talking to myself!