handbag reviews


Toteme T Lock bag review

Pictured: Toteme T Lock bag / fall nail polish /

Can a handbag be both an IT bag and an investment bag? Yes! Yes it can! The Toteme T Lock bag has all of the qualities of a trending IT bag, as well as an investment purchase to love a lifetime.

Toteme has been for around for almost a decade, but their handbag collection is barely a year old. This doesn’t mean it lacks longevity, quite the opposite. The brand stands for high quality, eco-conscious materials and manufacturing, as well as creating items which transcend trends. For their T Lock bag to launch and immediately become an IT bag, could be contradictory to what the brand stands for, but that doesn’t make it confusing.

The reason this beautiful handbag is so highly sought-after, is because of what it stands for. Consumers want eco-conscious brands, in fact, they hunger for them! Not only that, timeless styles coupled with high quality fabrications and craftsmanship, creates an equation that equals success. This is exactly what makes both an IT bag and an investment bag. Love this!

The T Lock bag by Toteme is not only high functioning and styled beautifully, but also versatile. This quiet and luxurious handbag can be both a satchel and a shoulder bag. It is versatile and can be worn to suit one’s mood, outfit, and lifestyle. Love this!

wearing: hoop earrings / stripe tee / handbag / fall nail polish / black belt / flare jeans / black boots /

In addition to being able to wear the Toteme T Lock bag as both a top handle bag and a shoulder bag, it is roomy and strong. I wanted a bag slightly larger than the small shoulder bags I have been carrying for the last year.

This roomy handbag suits the need for more space as we head into colder months. As you can see below, there is extra room on top of my purse essentials where I can place a pair of warm gloves and a thin scarf.

The interior of the Toteme T Lock bag offers slip pockets where you can store credit cards, receipts, or other slim items. I have not used the pockets, but it is nice to know they are there if I need them.

The shoulder strap can also be stored inside the handbag when being worn as a top handle bag in case you want to quickly convert it into a shoulder bag and free up your hands. The loops are inside the bag, and the strap has easy to snap on hardware. I have found I prefer wearing it as a shoulder bag, so as of right now, I am keeping the strap intact.

The Toteme T Lock bag has a signature T Lock which twists to allow the lock to open. After the first time wearing the bag, I got the hang of the lock and find it easy to maneuver. The top handle is right there when you reach inside the bag, but if you slip your hand in front of it when reaching inside, the top handle isn’t the nuisance it might appear to be in photos. Therefore, getting in and out of the bag earns an A- grade from me.

There are two sizes, or should I say versions, of the Toteme T Lock bag. The one I am reviewing is the regular sized bag which comes with a top handle and detachable shoulder strap. The other version is smaller and named a clutch. The smaller version can be worn as a clutch or a shoulder bag. I prefer the larger size since the top handle is more useful to me than holding a bag as a clutch, plus, I like having a roomy bag in addition to my current line-up of small shoulder bags.

This is a difficult bag to find! I have linked up the Toteme T Lock in stock around the web, so hopefully when you read this and click the link you will find the bag in stock. If not, you can sign up for the wait list, and in some cases, pre-order the bag.

Lastly, I love the design of the Toteme T Lock handbag. It doesn’t have any loud logos and just showcases high quality and craftsmanship. Although a current IT bag, it transcends trends and has the markings of an investment bag to cherish for generations.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Mulberry Amberley review in small

mulberry amberley small review

pictured: Mulberry Soft Amberley small /

How pretty is this Mulberry Amberley handbag! I am in love! Mulberry has been on my wish list for years, but I always seem to bypass it for other bags. I think I know in the back of my mind that Mulberry is timeless, and since their styles are classic and always available, I have not felt the urgency to purchase the bag of my dreams. Yes, I have a long list of “bags of my dreams,” but I digress. . .

The Amberley by Mulberry is a beautiful and timeless shoulder bag which can also be worn as a cross body bag. It is a casual handbag which can be worn as a daily handbag. Mulberry always has neutral and black in stock, and they also offer seasonal colors. If you choose a neutral, black, or seasonal color, you cannot go wrong with a Mulberry Amberley handbag, it is a classic bag!

I chose the Amberley soft version in black with silver hardware. The leather is thick, soft, and incredibly durable. This is a well-made bag which I find to be an incredible deal for the price! There are handbags on the market which are priced at double, triple, and more than Mulberry’s collection yet they don’t offer the beautiful craftsmanship and extremely high-quality leather as Mulberry.

In addition to quality and craftsmanship, Mulberry is eco-chic! Love that! Mulberry is committed to sustainability. They even have a manifesto on their website! Love! As we move more into conscious buying decisions, supporting luxury brands such as Mulberry is an important shopping decision.

If you are an investment shopper like me, Mulberry is also a fabulous brand to learn more about. Mulberry’s handbags are made to last, so the Mulberry Amberley will remain a style produced by Mulberry for quite some time. You can safely choose a neutral, black or seasonal color and always look timeless. This is a great wardrobe investment. Love that!

The Mulberry Amberley I chose is size small. While there are larger sizes available, the small is perfect for my daily handbag essentials. I can fit my wallet, phone, lipstick, keys, and a travel size package of Kleenex. The turn lock closure is easy to get in and out of, plus it makes the bag feel secure.

The strap can be worn cross body or over the shoulder. I have been wearing it both ways depending upon my mood, or activity. I find the strap to be comfortable and it stays put on my shoulder. Love that!

I have fallen in love with my first Mulberry bag! My wish list has expanded to include more handbags by Mulberry, and I plan to prioritize more Mulberry purchases in the future. They have so many beautiful styles which are functional and timeless. The perfect investment bags!

Shop the Mulberry Amberley handbag online:

If you have been eyeing the Mulberry Amberley handbag, I highly recommend buying one! I am thrilled with my purchase, and I look forward to investing in more Mulberry!

Side note: if you are following the so-called “quiet luxury” trend, Mulberry is a fabulous brand to invest in. You can be “on trend” while also ending up with a timeless handbag which will transcend whatever the next big trend in handbags will be that hits the streets! That’s win/win! Love that!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

mulberry amberley review size small soft amberly

Coach Day Tote review

coach day tote review

Pictured: Coach Day Tote in Silver/Faded Blue (looks like pale turquoise or mint green in person) /

How pretty is this tote bag! I love having a good, workhorse tote bag; especially during the summer months. This roomy tote bag has everything I need, and possibly you too, in a tote bag. Love!

The Coach Day Tote is currently available in several colors, ivory, mustard, canvas, black and faded blue. I love this faded blue color because it is reminiscent of the sea and is so pretty in person. These photos do not do the color justice!

As with all of Coach’s handbags, the Day Tote is made from sturdy pebbled leather and the craftsmanship is high quality. This means the stitching is strong, and the bag can handle everything you put inside of it without being compromised. I have also found that the leather is easy to clean if it gets dirty. I use a slightly damp cloth, and dirt wipes off easily without damaging the leather or rubbing the color off of the bag.

Most open tote bags do not have a clasp, the Coach Day Tote offers a magnetic clasp which I find to be a good feature. I clasp it when I set the bag down so it keeps it’s shape, which helps it from flopping over if the contents are unbalanced. Who knew a small clasp would be so helpful! Love!

coach day tote clasp

Typically, most tote bags have an interior pocket of some sort. The Coach Day Tote has a detachable pocket which is really a little pouch. This is handy if you use the tote for work. You can keep your lunch money in the pouch and detach it when going to lunch or buying more coffee. This is also handy for travel if you don’t want to bring a purse in addition to the tote bag. You can use the little pouch as a small clutch.

coach day tote interior

The interior capacity of the Coach Day Tote is quite large. Even with my typical tote bag contents, there is still plenty of room. This tote fits my laptop too with plenty of room to spare. It is a great work tote, travel tote, or summer activity tote. I am in love!

For smaller items such as lipstick and keys, the interior pouch can be used. For photography purposes I threw everything inside the bag so you could see the space. If you use a tote organizer, it will fit nicely inside the Day Tote too.

what fits inside a coach day tote
inside coach day tote

Pictured: Coach Day Tote / book / lipstick / scarf / (golden nail polish pictured in clasp photo) /

The Coach Day Tote is a great, workhorse tote bag which can be used for years. It offers a classic style and silhouette as well as roomy interior capacity. The detachable pouch a great feature too. I love the faded blue hue for the summer season, but if you are looking for something to wear all year long, the classic black, ivory, or signature canvas might be perfect for you.

Shop the Coach Day Tote online:

The perfect tote! Love it!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy