16 Bags That Will Inspire Your Spring and Summer Wardrobe

16 bags that will inspire your spring and summer wardrobe

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen |


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As we all know, I have a thing for the circle bags that are popping up everywhere. It started with this one that I used in my What to Pack for Amsterdam packing list, but it sold out fast and I wasn’t able to get it. This start searching hardcore for one that I liked as much or more than that one. I saved a bunch of links and have a few floating around in my online shopping carts across the internet. I happened to poke back to the website yesterday and saw that they were restocking the original one that I wanted and I could preorder it for an early March delivery. Not wanting to have a repeat of the last time with waiting too long and kicking myself I preordered it last night. I don’t think I have ever bought a purse for summer before, so I hope it lives up to my expectations.

I decided that since I was able to buy the original one that I liked, that I would take all the other links I compiled over the past few weeks and put them together in a post for you. Number 4 is from Zara. I actually chose that one to be my surrogate bag and I may still actually get it, because it’s larger size than the one I bought. I love me a big (and it’s only $45). I also really like number 2 for the colours and weave.

Up until this point I usually carry the same purse 365 days a year, or do a small rotation between 2-3. I have never designated a bag to a season before, and I probably still won’t but it will be nice to have a more summerish bag in my super tiny “collection”.

Do have different bags for each season? Autocorrect changed bags to bras so I am glad I caught that before I hit post 😉

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Aimee Kestenberg Bag Review and a Holiday Giveaway

Aimee Kestenberg bag review #tsc #giveaway #sponsored

Aimee Kestenberg bag review #tsc #giveaway #sponsored

Edit: Contest closed! The winner is Samantha Griffith-Niles. Congratulations! 🙂

First off, I am not a bag connoisseur. When I Find a purse that I like I use it very single day, so I have to really love it. I recently had the privilege and opportunity to work with TSC to review the Bali Double Entry Hobo by Aimee Kestenberg.

This purse is gorgeous. It comes in black, chestnut, denim, lipstick red, and metallic, and today I am going to show you the black and chestnut versions. When I first opened the box I could smell the leather immediately (although they were wrapped up nicely), and when I opened them both I was so pleased by what I saw. The black is a deep shade, while the chestnut is a bold brown that I would equate to a rich cognac colour. Both have a buttery, pebbled leather, patterned lining, and metal hardware.

Aimee Kestenberg bag review #tsc #giveaway #sponsored

Aimee Kestenberg bag review #tsc #giveaway #sponsored

The fun part of these bags are that they have a double entry. What does that mean? That means that not only does it look cool, the flap that folds over and closes also opens up and is like a lined, deep pocket that goes all the way down the back of the purse. This is a really neat addition to a purse, and allows it to carry so much more than its size would lead you to believe. The Mary Poppins bottomless bag comes to mind.

Aside from the double entry, there are also several zipped pockets on the sides, across the back, and inside that will keep everything neat and organized. It also comes with a dust bag. I am very much into organization and utility because I tend to carry my life (and my children’s lives) in my bag, and this checks the boxes.

Aimee Kestenberg bag review #tsc #giveaway #sponsored

The general shape of the purse is a classic hobo style with a short (but adjustable), thick leather strap that allows for both shoulder wear or to be carried on the arm or by hand with ease. This is such a classic style that you will can wear it anywhere from a night out, to running errands in your casual clothes without batting an eyelash.

*I am very pleased to be able to offer my Canadian readers a chance to win your own Aimee Kestenberg bag (the chestnut colour seen above) plus a $25 gift card for TSC. To enter you can follow this link, and then comment below and let me know you entered. You can also head over to my Instagram post and tag any of your Canadian friends in the comments to give them a chance as well. You have until Friday December 15th to enter, and I will announce the winner on this post and my social platforms.

The Aimee Kestenberg brand delivers contemporary designer handbags & accessories for the modern woman. The brand embodies the attitude and personal style of its global award winning designer Aimee Kestenberg. Aimee delivers edgy yet wearable accessories of the highest quality by combining unique design techniques with detailed custom hardware and exclusive supple leathers from all around the world.

Aimee’s unique training as both an industrial and accessory designer has distinguished her amongst her peers. Her 3-D vision of objects gives her the ability to create product not only for its aesthetic look but also for its function, the magic combination for today’s modern woman. – TSC

Although TSC sponsored this post, all opinions are my own. I am so very pleased with these Aimee Kestenberg bags, and mine has officially become part of my daily wardrobe.

Don’t forget to enter and spread the word. Happy Holidays from me and TSC.

Aimee Kestenberg bag review #tsc #giveaway #sponsored

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Some of my Favourite Handbags from Etsy

Etsy Handbags #etsy #leather #handmade #leatherhandbags #livelovesara

Cognac Shoulder Bag • ladybuq | Cognac Tote • inblue | Dark brown and Navy Handbag • ladybuq | Black Shoulder bag with Clutch • ladybuq | Brown Leather Crossbody • CarmelGoldental | Purple Crossbody Bag • CarmelGoldental | Round Leather Crossbody • KiliDesignLeather and Huipil Bag • MyEthicalWardrobe | Grey Leather Tote • AyeletShachar | Black Leather Backpack • CarmelGoldental | Leather Net and Silk Bag • LudmillaCreations | Grey Oversized Leather Bag • ladybuq | Tan Leather Bag • BaliELF |

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I’m not going to lie, when bloggers I have followed for a long time start/started to carry deigner bags my first thoughts are, “oh, they’ve made it.” Which when I think about it, is sad that I am tying their success to their ability to buy designer handbags. It just seems to be the way it is though, and I won’t begrudge them that because I’m sure we would all like to own an expensive handbag but it gets excessive when there is a new bag that appears out of nowhere each week. I mean, the purpose of these bags, or at least what I thought they were, were  investment pieces. You are “supposed” to invest in one or two and these are your forever bags. The classics that will become your wardrobe staples and never go out of style.

In this instance, yes I would like to have one or two expensive bags that I could consider my investment pieces. But no, I don’t want a closet full of handbags because in my mind when I buy something it is because I like/love it. That means that I want to wear or use it as much as possible. If I have a closet full of bags how often am I going to be using these pieces that I supposedly love. It kind of defeats the purpose for me. I feel the same way about shoes. I don’t need 100 pairs of shoes. I would never have need for anything remotely that much.

When I think of the investment bags that I wouldn’t mind having, a few that come to mind and that seem to keep their value and never go out of style. These are the Chanel Classic Flap, Chanel Boy BagHermès Birkin,  Hermès Kelly, and the Louis Vuitton Neverfull just to name a few of the big ones. I’ve never really wanted a LV purse but they have an excellent resell value which makes them a smart investment piece.

Now on to the point of this post. Designer bags are beautiful but have you seen some of the handmade leather bags that people have to offer? I keep finding all kinds of purses on Pinterest and when I go to their landing pages a huge percentage of them come from Etsy. This made me spend and evening going through pages of the handcrafted leather handbags and I pulled a small selection of some of the ones that I loved. The difference of prices between these beauties and a designer bag is crazy and I wanted to draw your attention to the other option. A realistic and smart option, if designer is totally out of your budget but you want something that is quality, original, and luxurious looking without breaking the bank (compared to the thousands for a designer) some of these may be for you.

I pulled some of my favourites, but honestly I only made it through around 50 pages and there is still so many more that I missed. This is one of the reason I love Esty. It gives you access to a product of someone’s passion and talent, while supporting a small business. That to me is a great thing.

What do you think of designer vs Etsy Handmade?

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Here a list of a few sales to bring you in to the weekend:

Have a great weekend!