Rustic Weekend Tote

So after my dream of that smart yet pretty Strathberry Tote didn't come true, I am still looking for something along those lines. 

I am also, however, tempted by something more weekend and casual. Something to just pop on my shoulder when I go to the shops, library... whatever I might do on a Saturday morning. I am thinking something where the leather looks better with age and where I'm not bothered about any minor scratches or blemishes. Something along these lines...

Shoulder Bag by PARK, £137

CUYANA Leather Tote, $150

Chicsparrow Tote, $160

Whipping Post Vintage Tote Bag, $195

Maybe I'm just not happy when I'm not searching?

Not So Sensible Tote

That'll teach me to finally be brave and spend money on something I think would be perfect...

The objective was to buy a handbag that would look smart, yet pretty, be big enough to hold A4 and have a long strap so I could carry it on my shoulder or even cross body. As I am a big fan of my Strathberry MC Midi, I ordered myself a gorgeous Strathberry Tote in burgundy. It arrived and I was over the moon. It was so beautiful I wanted to cry. 

I then had a closer look and found one small detail that would turn it into a complete deal breaker...

Pros

Very well wrapped and packed: 

 big sturdy box,

 another lovely box for storage.

Wrapped and stuffed with plenty of silk paper.

 And, as you'd expect with a bag of this value, it comes in its own branded dustbag.

 
The leather is a gorgeous colour, the burgundy is a very rich and lovely tone.

The bag is nice and light (so much lighter than my Bayswater).

Good size (fits A4 and/or my Macbook and has enough space in the bottom, due to the depth of the bag and provides enough space for my purse, Planner etc. 

The strap length can be altered at either end, which is much nicer than (how Mulberry do it) with a buckle in the middle, which might dig into your shoulder.

As I already expected/knew: uncluttered design, nice quality, understated, good balance when holding by the handle, not overly fiddly to open, inside zip and slip pocket, though roomy not too bulky.

Cons

This I knew but was ok with: 

Manmade fauxsuede lining; at £475 I would maybe argue that for a brand that builds on "no brand name but high quality" I'd expect suede
Very light lining, I would possibly be worried about marking it, only small zip pocket (not big enough for even the smallest purse)

And now the dealbreaker:
Due to its uncluttered and sleek design, the d-rings are attached right between the top bit, i.e. the clasp will sit slightly between the bits that are supposed to close snugly (with the aid of two magnets).  

 
And now (for me) the big no-no: any sort of weight in there (I know on the pic it has my Macbook but I tried this just my purse and planner) and the long strap will pull the sides outwards. As this bag is not only styled but "statically" designed around its structure (i.e. it's hard and doesn't bend or slouch), I'd expect the sides to be bent outwards eventually and become "ears". 

If I was to redesign this bag I would move the the d-rings somewhere, where a the attached clasp will no longer sit between the top lip. As they fold down I would just move them up enough so - when folded up - they are clear of said lip. I understand why they were positioned where they are but for me this was a decision of looks over function. Good design ought to encompass both.

If I was happy to carry the bag just by it's grab handle, I would have put up with this but as I generally want a long strap on my bags. Also, the handle is so short you won't get it on your shoulder at all. I'm not one for just "holding" my bag.

Anyway. I'm absolutely gutted to have to return this bag. May the search for a smart, practical and pretty work bag continue! Any suggestions?

Pretty Sensible Tote

I know I have the habit of going on about stuff that I fancy getting - and then I never do. But every now and then I go beyond fancying something from afar and actually buy it. 

I've been intrigued by Strathberry since I discovered their fundraiser on kickstarter.  And I've been a big fan since I took delivery of the MC Midi. A satchel shape with a formal twist, it's the perfect work bag for days when I don't need to carry too much. Since starting my new job though, I have been wishing for a larger bag, which will hold A4 and can be carried on the shoulder. I love my Bayswater but find her too heavy for the everyday commute.
 
I had long been coveting a Strathberry Tote but had been unsure whether it would a) look too big on me and b) be practical. A quick search on Pinterest lead me to a Bethany's blog post with some lovely model shots and what tipped me over was her statement that she carries a 13" laptop in the bag. Perfect! After some dithering between colours I have ordered the Strathberry Tote in burgundy and it should be arriving tomorrow. Eeek!

So watch this space for the upcoming review!

One Pouch For All

You might have figured that I like to organise the contents of my bags, which is why I'm such a big fan of Samorga inserts or the Mulberry Multizip Pouch. It doesn't always have to be that complex though and sometimes a simple zipped pouch to keep a few small bits and bobs together is all you need.

The Mulberry Mitzy Pouch is a really good size: big enough to hold more than a few coins but small enough to fit into smaller sized bags without taking up too much room.

Family Get Together

Sometime you search for a bag forever and never find it. And sometimes several come along together. 

I've done individual posts on the Mulberry Kelly in small, medium (though I thought it was small at the time) and large but now I happened to have all three sizes here together, so I thought I'd do a quick size comparison. 

Don't get confused by the picture, unfortunately the one in the printed teak leather is not included as she found a new home. It is roughly the same size as the large black one - though the black one is less structured and more slouchy. If I was to compare to the Hermes Kelly, I'd liken it to the Kelly Retourne as opposed to the Sellier, which is more structured.

The Most Mulberry Of All

Mulberry have done lots of bags, many of which  are well known.  Some could be called iconic, such as the Alexa, the Roxette or the Cara but none is as closely linked to the brand as the Bayswater. The shape, the flap closure, the postman's lock; even people who don't really know their handbags will instantly recognise her as a Mulberry.

My Mulberry Bayswater has forever been waiting for her curtain call. For some reason I kept ignoring her - at least as far as filming a review goes. (Maybe because I know that she'll stay put, whilst others that I reviewed were moved on fairly quickly.) I've not actually used her that much, simply because I haven't needed a formal bag that holds that much stuff. I also, up until very recently, had a 15 minute walk from the trainstation to my office, and didn't fancy lugging a fairly heavy bag around. I'm now in a new job, where I hop on a tram for most of the way from trainstation to office, so think she'll get more chance to be taken out.

Avoid Buying a Fake Designer Handbag

Buying a secondhand designer bag can be quite intimidating, especially if you're not particularly familiar with the brand. The thought of handing over hundreds of pounds for what you hope is the bag of your dreams but may well turn out to be an overpriced, cobbled together knock-off isn't a particularly comforting one. I've given you some tips on what to do if you bought a bag where you are not sure whether it's genuine or not. So what can you do to even avoid getting into that situation? As long as you follow a few simple guidelines you should be absolutely fine.

Buy where you know bags are checked
Check out trusted sellers of pre-loved designer handbags. These are well established and trusted businesses, where you know you'll only ever buy the real thing.  Another great place is the Facebook selling pages, where admin and members keep an eye out and shoot down any post that might list a fake.

Avoid sites where fakes are prolific
Gumtree, Shpok and local selling sites may well offer the odd genuine designer bag at a bargain price but they are teeming with fakes and if you are not confident (yet) in judging whether you are buying the genuine article or not, you're much better finding another place to buy. Ideally the ones stated above or, at the very least, eBay, which is actually better than it's reputation.

Familiarise yourself with the brand
I'm no expert but by looking at as many Mulberry bags as I could, I now can spot at least the most obvious fakes. If you are after a specific model, find out which leathers and finishes it was produced in. A great resource for this is the Purseforum, where you can find threads for most handbag models with photos of their various finishes. As I said previously, this forum is well worth signing up for, as it will provide you with a wealth of information and the opportunity to ask other members who live and breathe that brand. 

Another great place to look at lots of different models are the Facebook selling pages I mentioned above. Firstly, you will be able to have a gander at many different models and secondly, you can reach out to other members for a second opinion. Do check the pinned posts though, as some pages do not welcome authentication requests. I would also always advice to getting the bag authenticated professionally once you have received it. Check out my post on how to do that.

eBay? Check out the Seller
If you are considering a bag listed on eBay, have a look at the seller's profile. What does their feedback look like? Somebody with a low feedback score isn't necessarily bad but negative feedback should ring alarm bells. Have they sold much before? And if so what? If it's a mixture of clothing, accessories and the odd bag, you have hopefully found somebody who is weeding out their wardrobe. If it's the same kind of bag again and again you'd do well to stay clear; I mean: how likely is it that somebody has one unwanted designer bag after the other? Also worth looking out for: a new profile, where all their positive feedback was gained by just buying or selling items that are worth pennies only.

Always pay by Paypal "Goods and Services"
That way you are protected, should your purchase turn out to be a fake - or possibly not even turn up. Raising a claim is pretty straight forward and Paypal take their buyers' protection seriously.

Have your bag authenticated
If you are looking at a bag that is listed on eBay you can ask the Purseforum to authenticate it for you before you purchase. However, this can take a day or two and if time is ticking you may well not have enough time. You can also contact a paid service but, again, you might be up against it time-wise.

What I would do: 

1. Try and judge for yourself whether the bag looks good to you. Compare it to the pictures you find at the Purseforum and other resources stated above.
2. If you think it's ok, buy it and make sure you pay by Paypal "Goods and Services".
3. As soon as the bag arrives, take pictures and send them off to an authentication service.

Hopefully all should be fine and within a couple of days you will not just have peace of mind but also a handy certificate that you can file and pass on with the bag, should you ever decide to sell her on. Be happy and enjoy your bag.

Or 
 
If the bag is deemed to be a fake, open a Paypal "significantly not as described" (SNAD) case. This is really straightforward and Paypal will guide you through that. Do give them a call if you need any extra help or advise, they are really helpful. They will explain whether you have to return the item or destroy it and latest when delivery is confirmed (make sure you post accordingly) will refund you. Learn from the experience and move on. 

Hope you found this helpful - do share your experience!

Small But Perfectly Formed

This bag has got to be the cutest and prettiest Mulberry I have ever owned: A Kelly. In a mini version. In printed black leather. And since it's New Year's Eve, I thought this would be just the perfect time to present this little black bag. Not that you will have enough time to get one for tonight but if you like the idea of a Kelly and don't mind to reduce your stuff to fit a small bag, you could do a lot worse than find one of these for your nights out!

Outfit Roundup 2015 - And The Winner Is

I have to admit that since having had little M, getting dressed for work in the morning had somewhat lost its appeal: 

1. Being on maternity leave for 9 months, meant I simply was out of practice and stuck in a "jeans and jumper" rut. 
2. Starting back to work and dry-clean only dresses when the first stomach bug hit, was a bit of a wake-up call. I now needed outfits that were smart enough for work but practical enough not to be ruined by any possible spit up/unspeakable accident.
3. Financial priorities have somewhat changed. I suddenly don't think it's entirely reasonable to spend £250 on a dress, which I wear a couple of times. 

Granted, all of the above happened around the beginning of 2014 but re-discovering my blog this year has made me think about it all a bit more consciously. So I thought I'd have a look at my favourite and best value for money pieces of 2015. 

Most Loved Separate: Boden Modern Pencil

I bought the neutral one end of SS14 and it had been lingering in the back of my wardrobe. The botanical and retro print one joined from SS15, made me re-discover the shape and I think this has to be the most worn style in my entire wardrobe!

Most worn Accessories: Zara chunky bi-colour necklace and Marni @ H&M flower necklace

I just couldn't decide between these two... I am not big on doing lots of accessories, so I tend to wear one piece that's chunky enough to be noticed. These two are complete no-brainers: colours that make them go with anything and a length that works with most necklines.

Most Dependable Item: Boden Cropped Cashmere Cardigan

A close call between one of my cropped jumpers and this one, I feel like a bit of a cheat, chosing another Boden piece, but this cardigan truly goes with everything. Be it casual with jeans or smart with a dress or skirt, I chuck it on whenever I want an extra layer for warmth. The fact that it contains cashmere, means it keeps me snuggly warm without being bulky and it's length doesn't interfere with any waistlines.

Which item is your winner for 2015 and do you think you'll continue to wear it in 2016?

Merry Christmas and Handbags

In Germany the main Christmas "event" happens on 24th December in the evening. That's when the whole family gets together, the Weihnachtsmann or the Christkind bring presents, some people go to church... So, I will be with my family tonight and thought I'd just post you all some warm Christmas wishes, links to my top 5 handbag posts - and some pretty bag shots...

Top 5

5. Tea and Bags - An interview with one of my handbag gurus, the lovely Aqila of Papillonkia.
4. Real or Fake - How to find out whether that designer handbag is the real deal.
3. Buying preloved Mulberry on Facebook - Where to find some Mulberry for a fraction of the usual price.
2. New Mulberry at discounted prices - Where to find that new Mulberry bag for less than the RRP. 
1. With a little help from SAMORGA - Introduce your Alexa to some structure.

And now the gratuitous bag pics, as promised!

 My two most used bags: Mulberry Alexa and Alexa Mini

 Just love this shot of the Mulberry Kelly in Teak Nile Leather

Some little and large shots with Mulberry Bayswater, Ledbury, del Rey, small del Rey, Alexa, Alexa Mini, Roxanne and Blenheim.

And one of my most treasured bags: my medium Mulberry Kelly.

Have a fabulous Christmas - or if you're not celebrating Christmas but maybe having a few days off, have a lovely holiday!

Last Days Of Formal

I have now finished my job for this year and last week I was only in the office for a couple of days, hence only two dressy outfits. I am starting a new job mid January so until then things are going to be rather casual - so I'm not sure whether I'll bother sharing the outfits on here. We shall see...

Dress: Reiss

Boots: LK Bennett

Necklace: Topshop

Top: Boden

Skirt: Topshop

Boots: LK Bennett

Necklace: Monsoon (?)

Jumper: Fat Face

Top underneath: Primark

Jeans: Next

Boots: Kurt Geiger

Covet - Discipline

The year is coming to an end and that's usually a good time to take stock, evaluate and make new plans. I am not a big goal setter. I aim more to be happy in general. Try to let the niggles get to me less. And appreciate the little things that bring a smile to my face. 

However, new year's resolutions are pretty common even to people who normally don't do formal goal setting. Also, since I started using a journal/planner every day, I find I want to track more what I do and there is nothing quite like putting a big tick next to something you achieved. And if you regularly read my blog, you might have seen my resolutions that were supposed to give me a bit more time to do the stuff I love. So before I select a new set of goals for 2016, I thought I'd better have a look on how I did on these. (The very fact, that I need to look them up, is a big clue. Hm.)

1. Get up 10 minutes earlier every morning

Yeah right. If anything that's been worse. Due to coughs, colds and too late bedtimes (yes, we'll get to these later), I just haven't slept enough, which meant peeling myself out of bed was really hard. I feel really guilty though as little M needs some extra cuddles in the morning and if he doesn't get them is mega grumpy and not very cooperative. If he gets a few minutes of me for a chat and a cuddle, he is happy enough to get ready and get going. As I am due to start a new job in the new year, I have the best motivation to get this sorted though. So much nicer not having to run for the train and getting to the office a bit less dishevelled. 
Verdict: Fail

2. Get my Filofax sorted

Not only did I fully move into my DIYFish inserts, I used them for a couple of months in my Filofax and then moved into the same version of inserts but in Fieldnote sized booklets form for my Naked Cow Fauxori. I loved the size and bound pages so much that I am still in the Fauxdori but as I wanted something with more flexibility I am now using a Bullet Journal system.
So in a way I did get my Filofax sorted.  However, I have also ordered a full Traveller's Notebook sized van der Spek Nomad. I intend to use it for work and collections - but it may well throw a spanner into my recently achieved "planner peace".
Verdict: (temporary) Pass

3. Go to bed earlier, aim to be tucked in by 23:00

Yes. Right. I don't know how other people are doing it but by the time little M is in bed and we have eaten (huge thanks here to Mr G, who does all the cooking), it's around 21:00. I then try to do all my blogging, reading, bujo admin, online shopping etc and before I know it it's 23:00. I just want to do one more thing and before I know it, it's 23:40 - and then I end up going to bed after midnight. 
Verdict: Big Fat Fail
 

4. Use commuting time more efficiently

Hit and miss. Usually miss. Firstly, I need to have a seat and space to move my arms to get my diary out of my bag. Secondly, I need to be awake. Not going to bed early enough and running around like an idiot in the morning to catch that train usually means my brain is taking some time out before we reach the office and/or I douse it in caffeine.
Verdict: Fail

5. Make proper plans for the weekend

Whilst we haven't been out every weekend, I have managed to do some fun things with little M. He hugely enjoyed cutting apples for the apple compote I made. Or watching an old Disney movie whilst snuggling up to me. Point is: I have made a conscious effort to spend quality time with him and whilst I will always wish there was more of it, I am happy with where we are so far.
Verdict: Pass
 

Total score: (just about) 2/5

Ok. Not great. I think the main aim has got to be get a better balance in terms of sleep and "stuff to do in the evening". Theoretically that should help me with 1, 3 and 4!

Do you set goals? Or make new year's resolutions? Let me know. :)

How to Care For Mulberry Printed Leather

Many of you clearly know that I have a bit of a thing for Mulberry printed leather and I received lots of questions about how to maintain it. Spending a few hundred pounds on a bag means you will want to protect your investment and I totally understand how you might be nervous about this initially. Smearing a load of stuff on it can be a bit unnerving but as long as you follow Mulberry's recommendation as to which product to use, you'll be absolutely fine. If you are unsure at all, check with them!

Mulberry tend to recommend Collonil Leather Gel for cleaning and protecting the leather. You can even buy it directly from Mulberry, though at £8 for 50ml, it is fairly expensive compared to £14.90 for 230ml. I will link to all items used in my video below.

Shopping List

Collonil Leather Gel, £14.90 for 230ml with free delivery
Collonil Waterstop Spray, £6.37 with free delivery
Collonil Suede Brush, £6 with free delivery 
Shoe Brush Set, £1.51 with free delivery

Getting Cold Out There

The temperatures plummeted and I dug up some knits and woolly separates. Oh, and a dress I had completely forgotten about.

Top: LaRedoute

Skirt: Topshop

Boots: LK Bennett

Necklace: Marni at H&M

Sweatshirt: Zara

Skirt: Boden

Boots: LK Bennett

Jumper: Primark

Skirt: All Saints

Boots: LK Bennett

Dress: Jesire

Boots: LK Bennett

Necklace: Topshop

 

Jumper: Boden

Jeans: H&M

Boots: Kurt Geiger

Scarf: Next

Covet Monday - On The Hunt For My Nomad

As you might know, I moved from my Personal Filofax into a Field Note sized Naked Cow Fauxdori around 2 months ago. More recently than that, I changed my "system" and now loosely follow a Bullet Journal style, in which I am about to finish my first insert. 

I still really like the size and it was perfect to start off as it is not only utterly portable but also completely undaunting for somebody who hasn't really written much of a diary or journal before. No big scary expanse of paper. I now think though that I'd like a larger format to house my longer term collection and also to add an insert for my to dos and work notes as I am about to start a new job. I know, I'm really just justifying acquiring a regular size cover but given that it's a big birthday soon and Mr G. wants to get me something special, I think that's quite alright?

I was dithering between the Gillio Giramondo, a Pelledori (both of which I discovered a while ago) and a Van der Spek Nomad. The fact that you can fully customize this cover finally pushed me towards the Nomad and I am now in the process of selecting a suitable leather with the help of Petra Van der Spek.

As I am such a sucker for printed leather, my hope is to find a piece of black croco. Fingers crossed and watch this space!