So we can use Mother's Day as an excuse..

... or you could just fess up, be a man about it and go ahead and buy a new bag just "because".  No need, no justification, just because it will make you feel great.  Every day when you use it, if you truly love it, it will have a magic ability to make you smile and feel that little bit better.  Because you're worth it... (boak) 

You could do that or you could be like me, attempt to do that and then spend the next three months justifying it.  Old habits die hard. 

This is all very well but it's pure conjecture unless we actually have a bag in question.  Well fear not, I have been collating a little stash of them and today is the day of splurge. 

We have proper full on bag porn.  All for every day use (I do actually need, yes, properly NEED a nude clutch bag - I will explain why another day *rushes off*), a new bag for the Spring.  

Even if you don't need to buy any new clothes and are super happy with your wardrobe from last year, a new bag as an accessory (the most functional accessory there is - I'd go so far to say a necessity as opposed to accessory) adds a whole new lease of life to preloved outfits. 

Starting with.... Clarks.  Nope I haven't lost my mind, as well as some great new footwear designs, this year, their bag offering is pretty amazing. (it's definitely been improving over the last couple of years that's for sure, like their shoes and boots have).  In fact, I would defy anyone to guess that these bags are from Clarks.  And as if that wasn't enough, there is 20% off all Clarks bags until the 6th April using the code BAGS14.

Temple Beam Mushroom Combi £80

In tan leather





Triple Maker in grey leather £89.99




And in nude leather 



If you're looking for a smaller day bag then I think the Henderson cross body bags from Clarks have more than an Anya Hindmarch ring to them.  Very useful for holidays.  All at £39.99 before the discount.

In Navy 





In off white 



In soft lime green 






They also have a great looking satchel which is apparently a man's bag (not a man bag but a man's bag...) but I would so use this.  Perfect for adding that masculine edge to your look which is very 2014. 

Tiger Jungle leather satchel £59.99



Whilst we're on the subject of cross body bags and speaking of inspiration, I think that someone at Marks and Spencer may have been having a little lookie at some Mulberry bags.  Who's complaining though as these satchels are absolutely gorgeous.  I was looking at them instore with some girlfriends the other day and in fact one bought of them one - we concluded that they are the best value bags out there.  Amazing quality.   This is a photo I took a couple of weeks ago - still loving it. 


AND edited to add - these bags at M&S are now on special offer and have 20% off for a limited time.  *sits on credit card* 





Leather Cross body messenger bag  £69



And in black £69


The other bag that caught our eye was the Leather hobo bag for £99 

In a cream - perfect for the summer.  Lovely tumbled leather with heavy duty feature gold hardware.  These look so much better in the flesh (quelle surprise) 



and in the tan 





Or in black 


If it's something in colour that you're after then it's definitely worth looking at Fossil bags - again for the money, the leather is amazing quality. 

Fossil Sydney Leather Satchel £139




Fossil Erin Leather satchel £189



A similar shape bag can be found at Boden in a plethora of stunning colours. 

Starting with my obvious favourite, in navy.  Soft Leather Bowling Bag £139



A blue background but something very different in a floral print. Blue Party Floral £159 This is the ideal bag if you have a fabulous set of basics in your wardrobe in neutral colours.  Instead of buying any new clothes, this will add that something special to your outfits. 




Although I have to say the nude is just perfect for the summer. £139



Now I am actually in the market for a nude bag (as I mentioned) but a clutch bag for the summer (I think - it's a plan I'm hatching.....) so anything in a neutral blush shade is making my eyes pop.  I will confess I haven't looked at Kate Spade bags for years (although my very first designer bag 18 years ago was from Kate Spade in New York) which clearly is my mistake as they are fantastic.  A wonderful friend of mine bought one recently which prompted me to hot foot it to their boutique in Covent Garden and they have some really gorgeous bags on offer.  They're not cheap, there's no denying that, but when you take into consideration the ridiculous price hikes that companies like Mulberry have subjected us to (and frankly they can just jog on), they really are very much at the affordable end of the designer market. 

Kate Spade Cobble Hill Carson leather shoulder bag in affogato £245



They also do it in a larger size - the Cobble Hill Little Minka Leather Satchel £310








Kate Spade Cobble Hill Little Minka cross body bag £310 in maraschino red 





This is, of course, by no means an exhaustive list - it's an ongoing quest, that's for sure and this definitely isn't the last we've seen on bags this season.  I'm not sure which are my favourite out of the ones above - I do love the Kate Spade ones and the affogato is the most amazing colour but I think the M&S satchel one is just perfect for an every day bag. 

Finishing with my outfits from last night and today - oh but starting with outfit from Date Night on Thursday.  Really lovely evening out with The Husband, just so lovely to talk without any distractions. (well I think it is - not entirely sure he's as thrilled at being subjected to my ramblings with no means of escape.  Hence I let him drink and I drive.  I'm lovely like that)