handbag reviews

Poolside Lori straw tote review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged beach / handbag reviews / investment dressing / poolside / totes by

pictured: Poolside Lori tote bag (customize the embroidery) /

I am not sure how I failed to review my beloved Poolside Lori tote back when I purchased it six years ago! Thankfully I have realized my mistake and am reviewing it now!

You read that right, I purchased this tote six years ago and it still looks fresh and new! The photo at the very bottom was taken in 2019, and the photo above was taken last month. As you can see, the tote still looks fabulous. This is a nod to the high quality of Poolside bags. You know I love a high-quality handbag! This is exactly that! Love!

Straw totes and straw handbags are always hot in the summer months. It makes sense to invest in one you can keep and use year after year. This way, you won’t find yourself purchasing a one season handbag every year. In the long run, investing in a good straw tote will save you money and time. The quality of the Poolside Lori tote is impeccable. The lining is strong and there is a drawstring for securing what’s inside your bag. It is made of a thick linen which can withstand daily use as well as beach days. Since I tend to bring my straw tote to the beach, I have had a lot of sand and sun touching my bag. It is easy to shake out and return to daily use in the city. Love that!

My Poolside Lori tote can fit a lot of essentials. As you can see, even with my wallet, phone, lipstick, keys, sunblock, and a book, there is plenty of room for snacks and other items. This is a nice, roomy tote; perfect for beach days, travel, and more.

The fun part? You can customize your tote bag! Mine says “Jet Set,” but you can have anything you want embroidered on the bag. You can put your name, your initials, or a cute phrase. The color of the embroidery is your choice too!

So, overall, I rate my Poolside Lori tote five out of five stars. Love!

Shop Poolside totes and handbags I love:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

straw bags summer 2019

Celebrating ten years of handbag reviews

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / reviews by
saint laurent sac du jour nano and shore projects watch

Pictured: My first handbag review on the blog! You can read it here. / Most recent handbag review, read here. /

Handbags! You know I love them, and so do you! As someone who has written about handbags since before the blog, it was only natural, ten years ago, to add a handbag review section to Bay Area Fashionista! It really doesn’t seem like that long ago when I started my official reviews; as opposed to my handbag mentions and articles about specific handbags.

The handbag reviews have been fun because they give a specific post to each bag, instead of having to hunt through the blog for a paragraph here or there with a mini review. All the information you need a about a specific handbag is all wrapped up in the review article. Love that!

This fabulous bucket bag, pictured above, is my most recent review. I really love this handbag and find myself wearing it often. The studded details add a little edge and interest to the overall style of the bag. It is also quite practical and fits everything I need in a day. Love!

Talking about handbags I love. . .

it bags fall 2017

One of my favorite handbags of all time is my Givenchy Antigona. I own two! After falling in love with my black one, I indulged and invested in a pale blue Antigona. The black gets the most wear, and the pale blue one gets worn and babied a little more due to the light color. I love them both and also love the fact that the Givenchy Antigona has become a classic handbag which can be worn season after season. You know me, I love a good investment handbag!

Lastly, the handbag you have loved the most over the years has been the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag. This classic drawstring bucket bag is still going strong and is a fabulous investment bag at a reasonable price. Love that!

My favorite handbags:

Thank you for coming to Bay Area Fashionista over the years for my handbag reviews, and more! There are more handbag reviews on the way, so stay tuned!

Thank you for your support!

XOXO
Cathy

mansur gavriel bucket bag pink

Madewell Essential Medium Bucket Tote review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged bucket bag / handbag reviews / madewell / outfits / totes by
madewell essential medium bucket tote outfit ideas

pictured: grey sweater / jeans / boots / Madewell Essential Medium Bucket Tote with studs /

I am loving this north/south tote, soft and slouchy bucket tote trend! While not super trendy, this classic style is extremely popular at the moment. This makes it a great investment purchase as an everyday bag. Love!

So, after getting this suede and leather tote, I felt like I needed something similar in black in my life. When I spotted Madewell’s collection of soft and slouchy bucket bags, I was hooked! Not only is their version of this style available in a wide range of colors, but it is also priced under $200. Love that more!

Studded handbags are something I have been known to gravitate towards. When I spotted this black tote with studs along the strap, I was hooked! This is the black, everyday tote of my dreams. I am so glad I purchased this one!

The Madewell Essential Medium Bucket Tote is very roomy and can fit my everyday purse essentials as well as the kitchen sink; although the sink might be heavy to carry around, haha, but I digress. In addition to plenty of space, the interior features a double slip pocket which can fit a phone or other slim items such as receipts.

madewell essential bucket tote interior

For security, there is a magnetic closure on the top of the bag which is thoughtfully hidden through clever construction. The strap is adjustable, and the overall comfort and practicality of the bag are off the charts. This is a fabulous everyday bag!

I would also like to give Madewell a shout out for exceptional quality. When a bag is priced under $200, you don’t really expect much. This bag offers strong and thick leather as well as quality craftsmanship. I would have guessed the Essential Medium Bucket Tote by Madewell was priced more in the $500 range. This is exceptional quality for the price. I definitely want to add more Madewell handbags to my collection in the future. I am impressed and very happy with my purchase!

I highly recommend this soft and slouchy tote bag. It is perfect for everyday wear, and I know I will get a ton of use out of it. Madewell offers it in several colors as well as a couple colors with studs. I hope you love it too!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy