satchels


Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag review

mansur gavriel small circle bag

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Pictured: For outfit post, click here / handbag: Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag in small / wallet / phone charger (similar) / phone charging cord (similar) / lipstick / sunglasses

The new Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag is a fresh take on the emerging box satchel trend. As satchels become more, and more structured, we are seeing box bags emerge as the ultimate in structured handbags. Thankfully, Mansur Gavriel always thinks outside of the box, and ahead of the curve. The circle bag is the most groundbreaking handbag silhouette to hit the market, and the street.

The circle bag takes it’s inspiration from the popular hat boxes of the mid-1900’s. This vintage style has sat dormant in the handbag world for several decades, resurrected, and modernized, only by Mansur Gavriel. Of course! Who else can take a classic design, add a small modern twist, and launch a handbag into iconic handbag status? No-one else-that’s who!

When I first laid eyes on Mansur Gavriel’s collection of circle bags, I fell in love. They are simple, and minimalist, yet completely different from your everyday handbag. I love the vintage vibe, and original styling.

The Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag comes in two sizes; large and small. I chose the small size since I felt like the large size would overwhelm my 5’4″ frame. I am happy I chose small, because it is quite roomy! The small circle bag holds my sunglasses case, wallet, keys, lipstick, phone, portable charger, and there is still plenty of room left over for whatever random items my kids may ask me to hold; all the moms out there know what I am talking about!

The handle on Mansur Gavriel’s circle bag is structured, yet feels soft, and comfortable; whether being hand-held, or draped over the forearm. This handbag does not have a detachable shoulder strap, so when you wear it, you need to be ready to always hold your handbag, or drape it on your forearm.

The small circle bag has a canvas interior lining. The larger version, offers a suede interior. I was surprised the interiors on the two sizes are different. I have to admit, I wish mine had suede interior. Suede interiors always feel more luxurious. That being said, the canvas is extremely durable, and high quality. I am happy with it nonetheless.

Inside the circle bag, there are two identical pockets. The pockets are slim, perfect for an iPhone, receipts, and a charging cord. They are not wide enough for lipstick, or keys. I just let my lipstick, and my keys, float within the roomy interior of the bag. It is easy to find things inside the handbag since you have to lay the bag down on its back to open it. This allows a full view of everything inside the bag. No lost keys! Love that!

The handbag is very easy to open and close. Mansur Gavriel’s Circle Bag needs to be paid down on its back when being opened, or closed. There are two zippers which can be used as you choose. The zippers are extremely smooth, and durable.

I would not classify the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag as an everyday bag. I see it as a great bag for occasions; both casual and dressy. I find it practical for activities such as meetings, (when I don’t need my laptop), church, eating out (fits nicely on your lap underneath a napkin), the theater, etc. I would not recommend it for attending your child’s baseball game, the supermarket, or an amusement park.

All in all, I rate the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag five out of five stars. I am in love!

You can find the new Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag online here, here, and here. More choices below.

mansur gavriel circle bag feature image


Fendi DotCom satchel review

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Pictured: Fendi DotCom  in dove grey / book / lipstick

The Fendi DotCom satchel is one of the hottest new handbags of 2016. Fendi is already known for designing beautiful, high quality, timeless handbags, so when they launched the Fendi DotCom, I knew it would be a winner!

The initial launch of the Fendi DotCom satchel offers the handbag in a creamy milk hue, classic black, cool sky blue, bark, red, and dove grey. There are also versions with whip-stitching!. Although the black with cobalt clutch insert was calling my name,  I already have a couple of black satchels, so I decided to go for the dove grey since I do not own a satchel in this neutral hue. I am so glad I went with this color! The dove grey will be a beautiful light color for the spring and summer months; plus it is a color which transcends season. Love!

The Fendi DotCom satchel is made from smooth leather with a suede interior. The leather can scratch, which I already found out, but the scratch blends into the leather and cannot be easily seen without really looking hard. I have a feeling over time, the leather will soften a bit and offer a beautiful patina. I am looking forward to it aging a bit.

I love the versatility of the Fendi DotCom satchel. It has two large compartments with two equal interior pockets which each fit an iPhone perfectly. The interior clutch is offered in a contrasting color, mine is poppy. The clutch is great for storing small items such as keys or lipstick. It can also be removed and worn as a clutch. This makes the Fendi DotCom a great day into evening bag. You can go from work to dinner just by removing the clutch and carrying it in lieu of the satchel. Love that!

There are two ways to carry the Fendi DotCom satchel. There is a classic lady bag satchel top handle which can be worn over the forearm, or carried by hand. The Fendi DotCom satchel also offers a detachable shoulder strap which allows the bag to hang at the hip. The straps are on the thick side; making them extremely comfortable. I am in love!

The interior is roomy enough to carry file folders for work, an iPad, a book, and I can detach the lens from my DSLR camera and place both parts in the bag. It is great! This is a perfect satchel for work if you do not have to carry too many things with you. It has a beautiful formal, structured look which looks fabulous with office attire, dressy attire, daytime fundraiser ensembles, and a fabulous lunch outfit. This can easily be a workhorse handbag.

The Fendi DotCom satchel is currently part of Fendi’s resort 2016 collection, but it will be continuing for many seasons to come since it is already proving to be popular. The handbag is selling out fast!

If you want to get your hands on one of the first Fendi DotCom satchels, you can find it online here, here, here, and here.


Tory Burch Robinson Mini satchel review

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Pictured: Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel in iceberg (color on sale now!) / ring / book / sunglasses / lipstick / wallet

The Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel is a smaller version of Tory Burch’s wildly popular Robinson satchel. This cute little handbag offers the same functionality as the larger version, at a smaller yet practical size. Love!

When one thinks of a mini satchel, one thinks of an extremely tiny handbag which can carry a set of keys, small wallet, and smart phone. Not the case with the Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel! This cute little handbag has the interior capacity of a regular,  medium sized handbag.

As you can see in the photos above, the Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel can easily fit a wallet, keys, lipstick, sunglasses, phone, and a novel with room to spare. I have also carried three iPad mini’s for my children inside of my Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel along with my wallet, keys, sunglasses, lipstick and phone. Now THAT’s interior capacity at it’s best!

The Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel is made from sturdy saffiano leather. This type of leather is a life-saver during the fall and winter months. Since we are experiencing an El Nino year here in Northern California, we have been getting a ton of rain. The saffiano leather is fabulous in the rain! It repels the water, keeps everything inside dry, and does not get ruined. In fact, you cannot tell my satchel has been in a downpour. This is perfection!

The Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel is also lightweight; so you can stuff it full of things you need without it already weighing a ton. This beautiful handbag can be worn three ways; as a shoulder bag with the two top handles down, carried by hand, or draped over the forearm for a chic look which displays your handbag. As a handbag addict, I prefer to wear mine on my forearm; but since I have three kids, I find myself throwing it over my shoulder often. I love the versatility!

The interior of the Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel offers ample organization. Unlike most mini bags which usually have one pocket or less, the mini Robinson offers a three tiered pocket on one side, and a zipper pocket on the other side. This allows a place for your phone, receipts, keys, or anything small you want to keep separate from the main compartment of the handbag.

There is also a detachable shoulder strap on the Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel. This detachable shoulder strap can be left on to give you the versatility you need on the go, or removed for a dressier, classic satchel look.

If you are looking for an IT bag, the Tory Burch Robinson satchel in both the regular, and mini sizes, is an IT bag on the handbag world. This beautiful handbag is carried by Tory Burch every season in both classic colors, as well as seasonal hues.

I absolutely love my Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel, and am currently eyeing the larger version. My Robinson satchel is Iceberg, a seasonal color for winter, and is currently on sale here. You can find the Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel in a variety of colors online here, here, here, and here.

I hope you love your Tory Burch Robinson mini satchel as much as I do!

Shop Tory Burch Robinson mini satchels online:

Shop Tory Burch Robinson satchel in small and medium sizes: