bucket bag


Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag review

DSC_0941DSC_0821mansur gavriel bucket bag reviewDSC_0954DSC_0952mansur gavriel mini drawstring bagDSC_0946DSC_0956DSC_0966DSC_0960Pictured: Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bags. Black bag is vegetable tanned leather. White bag is saffiano leather. Mini bag is vegetable tanned leather. Photos: 2015©

The Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag is one of the most sought-after handbags on the planet. This has made the handbag even more alluring than it would be if it was found sitting alone on a store shelf. Mansur Gavriel’s handbags are handmade in Italy and extremely high quality. This fact, combined with the moderate pricing structure, makes Mansur Gavriel’s handbags a great deal!

I have owned both the large size drawstring bag and mini drawstring bag for about one year. They have both held up extremely well. Although not shown, my DSLR camera fits nicely into both sizes. Even when my DSLR is inside, the handbag still offers plenty of room for everything I need in day-to-life. With the weight of my camera and other items, Mansur Gavriel’s handbags have held up perfectly. They are extremely strong! This is a key feature for a Mom like me.

One of the concerns a handbag fan may have with vegetable tanned leather is how much wear and tear will show on the leather itself. Although it does show scratches, the scratches blend into the leather, and with time, the patina is beautiful and does not look scratched at all. 

While my black handbag, and white handbag, have held their colors nicely, my mini bag has darkened over the past year. It went from a light tan to a medium tan. I like how it looks, but if you are looking for a pale tan or beige bag, this will not be the one you are looking for.

The drawstring handbags by Mansur Gavriel are lightweight, which makes them easy to stuff with things without worrying about making the bag too heavy. The strap is comfortable and the handbag stays put on my shoulder; unless I am bending down or running.

I find the mini drawstring bag to be the perfect size for day to day use. The regular drawstring bag is a little bit big and I find myself having to dig in deep to find my wallet or lipstick. 

My white drawstring bag is only a few months old, but it has held up well too. The white is incredibly durable and does not take any dirt. The saffiano leather is durable and remains scratch-free after daily use. Love that!

Although the regular size drawstring bucket bag comes with a detachable pouch, I have not used it. The pouch is narrow and only seems to be useful for storing receipts or business cards.

Overall, I rate Mansur Gavriel’s drawstring bags; both regular and mini, five out of five stars. They are durable, priced right, offer clean lines, and fit everything one would need to get through the day! Love that!

To shop Mansur Gavriel, please click here, here, or here. If they are currently sold out, please refer to my previous article about getting your hands on a coveted Mansur Gavriel handbag by clicking here.


Kicking off summer vacation

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Pictured: Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Petal” / Necklace: c/o Sterling Forever / Earrings: John Hardy / Top: Mink Pink (past season: also love this one and this one) / Skirt: ASOS / Bracelets: Tory Burch, Beau Bijou (similar here) / Nail Polish: c/o Laura Mercier “Attitude” / Handbag: c/o Jill Milan / Shoes: Chanel (past season. also love SAVE or SPLURGE)

I wore this outfit to my son’s graduation from Kindergarten. Not only was it adorable to see my son wear a graduation cap, it was amazing to see how proud he was to graduate! He is really excited about entering first grade next year and I am excited to have all three of my kids on the same schedule!

Don’t get me wrong, as “freeing” as it is to have the kids in school, the school year can be hectic and downright stressful! In addition to driving the kids to and from school, once I pick them up after school I become a taxi driver; taking them from activity to activity. I am fortunate to be able to work from home and be there to drive them around after school. Although, I have to admit, summer vacation is just as fun and relaxing for me as it is for my kids!

I am thankful to have this fabulous drawstring  bucket bag from Jill Milan’s fall 2014 collection. It is perfect to wear now and into fall; not just because of the neutral metallic hue, but because it is so practical! This bag fits everything I need for work and taking my kids from activity to activity. I can fit a few iPad’s inside, plus a novel, snacks, water bottle and everyday purse essentials. Practical + fabulously fashionable = love!

I am so thrilled about the bucket bag trend right now. Drawstring bucket bags are perfect for everyday life and they are not as heavy and bulky as totes. I am looking forward to wearing my Jill Milan bucket bag for a very long time 🙂

To view more of Jill Milan’s handbag line, please visit JillMilan.com.

Shop the look:


Casual spring days

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Photo: Earrings: Kathy Kamei (also love these) / Lipstick: c/o Laura Mercier “Temptation” / Top: BCBG / Nail Polish: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Lilac” / Bracelets: Tory Burch (similar here), BCBG / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Jeans: 7FAM (similar here) / Shoes: SixtySeven / Toe Nail Polish: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Petal

This time of year is always busy since my kids have multiple after-school activities and school itself is gearing up for the end of the school year. In addition, work always seems busy too; or maybe it just seems busier since everything else is so busy! When I am busy, I tend to dress casually, since for me, casual equals comfortable!

I love this top from BCBG because the color is pretty and the fabric is extremely soft. It feels like lounge-wear yet offers a hip alternative to the traditional tee-shirt silhouette. Love that! Of course, after waiting seven months for this Mansur Gavriel handbag, I have been wearing it everyday since receiving it in the mail. 

Do you feel unusually busy this time of year? What are your go-to pieces when you want to be comfortable and feel busy?