Nicole Roberts of NokHoo Laptop Bags has designed a line of beautiful backpack laptop bags.  Why the name Nok Hoo? Well Nicole has lived in Thailand and says that NokHoo is the Thai word for owl…which, coincidentally, I’ve come to learn is my totem animal.  According to Nicole,

… owls are both handsome and wise, it seemed like the perfect name for these bags. (Yes, there are other variations of the spelling, but I like this one best.) In the Thai language, they associate each letter with a word. The letter H is called “ho nok-hoo”. My logo is a stylized version of this letter made to look like an owl’s face.

In addition to the dragon-themed design inspiration, the Shirrush NokHoo bag (shown above) has every compartment you’ll ever need – you might not even need to carry your purse.

• Main section includes separate laptop pocket and secret zip pouch.
• Zippered front section provides multiple pockets made for cds, business cards and gadgets.
• Detachable phone pocket on strap.
• Elastic side pockets for easy access.

Burda :: Anna Boho Bag

I love finding new patterns for bags and this one is now over at Burda. The tassels remind me of my Target hobo bag. You can download the PDF for $3 and here are the details:

With a compartment large enough for a towel, swimsuit & a book you’ll be all set for a day at the beach. It even has side pockets for your house keys and cell phone. Not enough pleasure? We even show you how to make your very own tasseled straps!

Amount of Fabric:

1 1/2 yards (1.2 m.) self, 1 1/2 yards (1.2 m.) lining, 1/2 yard (0.4 m.) fusible interfacing, 20″ x 20″ (0.5 x 0.5 m.) leather or like fabric, 10 1/2″ x 15″ (0.3 x 0.5 m.) plastic for base, 1/2 yard (0.5 m.) 3/4″ elastic, 1 yard (0.9 m.) cord

It all sounds pretty straightforward, but I’ve never sewn with leather, or used plastic for the base.  Hmmm, do I challenge myself, or just keep an eye out for something similar at Target?

AllChic :: Spring Jeans Bag

A few months ago I was all enthused about making bags from old blue jeans. Then I got sidetracked and put the bag project on the back burner. But then the other day I actually saw someone wearing a jeans bag at Sheetz and it did look very cool. The bag she had had a diagonal flap and a very long strap so it hung below her waist. With all the upcycle, recycle, and green hoopla…I’d think there would be a market for jeans bags. I’ve got the denim, the remnants for linings and oodles of trim. I guess now it’s just a matter of putting the time and effort into it. Thoughts?

AllChic :: Fringed Hippie Bag

I’m finally giving up my big old hippie bag to my shop at Etsy. If you like lots of fringe, you’ll love this bag. Well-worn suede, drawstring pouch – this long (36″ top to bottom) bag is sure to get attention. Shown above is the bag flat out, and below is a shot of the top with the drawstring. More photos and info here.

AllChic :: Fringed Hippie Bag

zelaya :: cafe bag

Gosh, it’s been ages since I posted! What a treat to trip over to Etsy tonight and see the beautiful handpicked items. Particularly the work of Zelaya from San Salvador.

Zelaya is dedicated to creating a line of clothes, handbags, and accessories that embraces fair trade values and transcends ephemeral trends through traditional and classic design with a contemporary sensibility. Our items are meant to last for generations and embody the innate intelligence and beauty of nature, tradition, and simplicity.

I love that the thread of this bag has been dyed with coffee to create a beautiful warm brown color to go with the wooden handle.

Mmm…mmm.

eenamaria

The bright primary colors of Sarah Morgan’s eenamaria line of handbags is the perfect antidote to the gray snowy days here in NEPA. As a child Sarah Morgan went to boarding schools in Wales and spent her summers in Canada before settling in New York where she started her business out of her Brooklyn apartment. She believes that no matter how nomadic you are there’s no excuse for not looking good. She’s been nominated twice for the Fashion Group International’s ‘Rising Star Award’, and will be airing her new line on QVC this February.  You can find her (reasonably priced) bags over at eBags.

After months of hemming and hawing, I’ve decided to start selling some of the items from my mother’s vintage collection. This off-white bag is going directly to Etsy. I love its simple structure and zippered pocket. I think I might actually be able to find my keys in this little handbag. Ah, but unfortunately, it’s not one of the famous Hermes Kelly Bags which might fetch up to $10,000 on eBay.

(photo from BagBliss)

Gill Hart has an informative article on the Kelly Bag, how it was made and how it got its name.

When faced with a pack of nosy photographers, Stephanie Pendersen, in her book, Handbags: What Every Woman Should Know says that the shy, newly married Princess, not yet wishing to announce her pregnancy to the world, did what any woman would do and hid her secret in her handbag! Such was Kelly’s influence at the time that from henceforth, her essential accessory became known as the “Kelly” bag. (read more)

You can have your own Hermes Kelly Bag directly from your printer. Go to the Hermes website and click on Travel the World. Next choose the Kelly bag in the bottom row. Pick your favorite design and download the PDF. Print on cardstock, cut, fold and paste! Voila!

• CutandPaste.com is sponsoring 55DSL’s logo remix contest. Deadline for entries is December 5th, but there’s still time to create a design, vote on submissions and influence the final decision (more)
• Buy any shoulder/tote/laptop bag from S N A P Design from now through December 10th and you will get a FREE make-up and coin set of your choice! Just write your makeup/coin color + design preference in the “notes” section when you get to the paypal check out. 
• Love cashmere? Love to get cashmere items at 80% off? MinnieRose invites you to the Ultimate Winter Sample Sale. Where? NYC. 264 W. 40th St (bet 7th and 8th Ave), 15th Floor. When? December 8th through 12th. 10am to 6pm. Mention that you heard about the sale on AllChic.

Doesn’t this tote make you want to book a New England B&B for a weekend of pumpkins, apples, and fall foliage? I found it here at Vintage Virtuosa. I love how the owner, Karen, describes her passion for vintage clothing. Like me, it started in her mother’s closet.  She says -

If I were to define vintage it would be a sip of fine wine from my grandmother’s goblet, the lingering scent of tobacco from my grandfather’s pipe, a favorite family recipe, an old re-run of `I Love Lucy’. If I were to define vintage clothing it would be a dress that dictates trend from a designer or dressmaker who captured a stylistic moment, it would be a signature piece from a retired designer or a unique item that depicts the socioeconomic climate of its era. Vintage can, but does not have to bear a label, it is of a time when getting dressed was an art form and clothes were constructed, not just made, it is a time when we celebrated our bodies and revealed ourselves from the outside in, when women were demure, yet sexy, temperate, yet sensual, coy, yet poised. It is also fun, exciting, playful and outlandish. Vintage is what you make of it and what it makes of you. So come and discover the world of yesterday and see that while it is not brand new it is not yesterday’s news.

This bag also reminds me of one of my favorite children’s books – Susan and the Rain  by Madye Lee Chastain.

Susan Amantha Cottonwood was a little girl who was always good- when
the sun shone,
BUT
When the clouds rolled up in the sky
She began to cry and moan
    and cry and moan
    and cry and moan.
Until one day she went to visit her grandpapa -

Anyway… Susan gets a new raincoat and boots as a present at the end of the book… and the coat is in the very same red plaid as this bag! 

One highlight of my recent visit to NYC was a stop at the GreenFlea Market on West 76th Street adn Columbus Ave.  Susie Chen’s bags caught my eye especially because she was wearing one almost identical to the one I was wearing at the time. Hers was smaller and the flap was cut on the diagonal which was a nice touch.  You can see more of Chen’s bag’s here.

Money generated by the operation of the flea market is used by the parents to provide needed enrichment opportunities for the children of the two schools. Since 1985, GreenFlea has provided the schools with more than $4,000,000 in additional funds.  

I find myself attracted to the same shops (usually bags) each time I visit Etsy SWANclothing has been a favorite of mine since I joined. Tara Bethune-Leamen is the creator of a line of big totes (cell-phone pockets attached). Each SWAN purse (made from overstock and low-impact material) is embroidered, quilted or stenciled and comes with its very own machine embroidered secret swan. I’m not usually a fan of gray but the Rose Quilted Louche Tote  (shown above) caught my eye.

• SwanDiamondRose - the blog
• SWANClothing - the shop

I know that oversized clutches are popular now, but I’m not a Carrie Bradshaw fan. If I absolutely had to choose a designer handbag, I’d prefer the Isabella Fiore ‘Baby Love’ bag, the black and white Betsy Johnson ‘Lady Jungle’ bag, the Prada print shopping bag or even the blue Aida Pouchette from Bulgari to the plain red oversized vintage clutch from Prada. You can find all these bags at Bag Borrow or Steal – and speaking of “Sex in the City” – they’re having a special “One Week Complimentary” to celebrate their role in the movie!

Borrow any designer handbag, jewelry or sunglasses today and you’ll be entitled to:

1. One week free with any monthly rental. You’ll enjoy 4 weeks for the price of 3! Simply enter Promo Code 1WEEKFREE at check out to receive your special offer.
2. No-Regrets Satisfaction Guarantee. if you’re not immediately thrilled with your accessory you can send it right back for a full refund of your borrowing fee.

 Offer good for the first rental term of one item only. One discount per customer. Offer expires August 31, 2008.

Visit Bag Borrow or Steal to learn about this terrific offer.

I don’t care for those with across-the-chest straps, nor do I like clunky hand-bags that you have to carry like a suitcase. I’m not crazy about back-pack purses and I hate those pouches you strap around your waist. I’m a shoulder bag gal and I suspect I always will be one. The only problem I have (and it’s a recent problem, perhaps brought on by aging, rounded shoulders) is slippage. You know, that heavy weight of your bag landing in the crook of your arm when you’re carrying an armful of groceries and trying to open the car door at the same time.

Well from the shape of this Baggallini bag from Careerbags.com, it looks like it just might stay up on the shoulder, tucked neatly under the arm. It features a cell phone pocket, and a front gusset pocket for quick access to a key fob, a detachable ID/Coin holder with its own mirror, and lipstick and pen holders too. It has a 52 inch adjustable strap and is made from lightweight water resistant fabric. At 9″ H x 11.5″ W and weighing only .85 lbs it sounds very comfortable.

Ellen Hart, President of  Careerbags.com, writes about the latest styles in laptop bags, messenger bags, carry-ons, and business travel on her blog LaptopbagLifeline.com. Check out both of her websites! 

I’ve been inspired by by visit to the Woodstock Museum this past weekend. I’m going to sell my fringed leather drawstring shoulder bag. If you’re interested in purchasing this piece of sixties nostalgia, please leave a comment for me here or email me at cath (at) allchic.com. and I’ll be happy to send you details. Otherwise look for it soon on my All Chic Shop. I just have to get busy with some more photos.

AngieHearts is giving a bag away this month. All you’ve got to do to enter is sign up for their newsletter and write a post about your favorite item in their shop. Of course, this  top from Vingt et un 21 caught my eye right way with it’s gold buttons on the diagonal. The price is right at $33.

Laptop cases…starting at $86

I was visiting A La Mode tonight, then hopped on over to her friend Jan’s blog, Scoutie Girl, and found these awesome bags by SNAP.  The waterproof laptop cases were recently featured on The Today Show.

Here’s what Michelle Kline has to say about her work:

each SNAP item is designed and sewn by me, michelle kline – right here in my portland studio since 2004. each piece is constructed from an assortment of colorful vinyl, decorative top stitching and complimentary fabric lining. the ever-changing combination of vinyl, thread color, stitch pattern and lining makes each bag unique and one of a kind. all straps are reinforced with metal rivets. we use a high quality vinyl that is durable, waterproof, and cleans up easily with soap and water.

record books (the original!) are hand cut and made from spent vintage records and their unique covers. interior pockets are made from transparent frosted vinyl. paper is standard/refillable size.
(audiophiles: don’t worry, we don’t cut up valuable records)

laptop cases are lined and heavily padded. they feature front & back zip pockets and handles for carrying. (now with optional strap!)

totes are all lined with a heavy cotton twill and have 3 pockets total with a snap closure.

 
And don’t you love these shoulder bags?…$68

This is one of the bags I made but didn’t put up for sale. I started using it when the strap on my leather messenger bag broke. It’s made from an upholstery fabric remnant with beades decorating the flap. I’ve been carrying it everywhere for a couple of weeks… sort of testing the prototype.

Tonight at Target, the cashier (whom I had never met before) told me she liked my bag. When I told her that I made it, she asked if I made anything else! Well, of course I had no business cards. Nothing to even write down the address of my little Etsy shop. But that one little comment certainly made my day!

I can’t help it. The detail on this Betseyville Hobo bag just puts me in a good mood.

Now if this Street Chic bag won’t get you in the mood for Spring…!

You can WIN it by posting a comment over at Alamodestuff anytime during the month of April. Or buy it here. 

(….and by the way A Punkin Card Company is also having a big April Giveaway! Hop on over and check it out.)