Let the Summer shopping begin

Yesterday's heat has spurred me on.  As does meeting up with some of the girls I'm off to Ibiza with last night - the pressure is on.  We are ignoring the rain - I repeat ignoring the rain.

So in the next couple of days I am throwing myself into holiday mode.  I have swimwear coming up (EEK) with the obligatory matching cover ups (almost more essential than the cossies themselves), I have more sandal porn, but today I'm all about the beach bag. 

However a beach bag that is a little bit more than *just* a beach bag.  So we're not doing straw or jute today, I'll save that gem for a day when it's not pouring with rain.  

We're talking bags that you can actually take onto the plane as hand luggage and then to the pool.   Bags that you can use this week in this inclement weather, all Summer and into the Autumn as well.  Winter and Spring - they'll do then too.

Which means because they are so versatile, it's much easier to justify spending that little bit more on them.  I know this because I have one that I love.  I got mine from Bicester - a gem of a Gucci number that I have used non stop.  And as my wardrobe seems to be taking on a mostly monochrome feel and I spend the majority of the year in the UK, an injection of colour into my wardrobe can easily be justified. 

I'm on a mission.   Obviously starting with black.  Which I don't personally need but I can't tell you how completely useful they are.  You won't know how you lived without them.

ASOS Croc Bonded Shopper £22

Texture.  Adore this one. 

Black Ponyskin from Skinnydip £28


A tote with a difference at Topshop.  And whilst it's not as useful for a massive throw it all in job, it certainly is stylish, did come under the heading of Tote and I love it, so it goes in.

Premium Leather Drawstring Tote £75


This one will divide. I can't work out whether it's destined merely for a window in Amsterdam or it's super cool.  It reminds me of the old Luella Bartley bags which I loved.

Sacred Hawk Leather Harness Bag £95


Brown now and not instinctively super summery but it looks amazing with white and denim. 

Selected Femme Tote Leather Bag £80



Swinging into colour and a bargain at Warehouse.  They won't miss you with these. 

Warehouse Embossed Soft Tote Bag £32

Or in the yellow again £32


Yellow again and the same tote with a difference at Topshop. 

Premium Leather Drawstring bag £75


Bright blue at Tory Birch 

Patent Leather Trimmed Canvas Tote was £195 now £105.30

Or at Maje was £269 now £120.51


In the bright pink also from Maje was £269 now £104.37


Pink ASOS Croc Bonded Tote £22



Coloured print now at The Outnet. 

Jude leather trimmed print tote from See by Chloe was £155 now £74.40


Then there are canvas options that work for every day as well as beach days. 

Marc Jacobs New Logo Tote Bag £205



Or in a denim option £205

Denim again at See by Chloe - Andy appliqued denim tote £165



And finishing with the upping of the antes.

Hill & Friends Happy Tote in Oxblood £595


Mulberry Tessie Textured Leather Tote £595


And in the tan again £595



Mansur Gavriel Large Leather Tote £475



And this one I LOVE.  It's definitely marmite, but I do love it.  

Polycube coated canvas tote from Pierre Hardy £675






But this one I can't stop thinking about.  It's hideously impractical being suede but isn't it pretty? 

Jerome Dreyfuss Maurice Leather and Suede Tote £795




Or the same in a more practical black... again £795.

Actually that last one is perfection.  At a cost mind you.  But, but, but they are so useful.  Here I am with mine (from Bicester and worth every penny.  Alas they don't do them any more).


Black slogan tee - Zoe Karssen
Black blazer - hush
Handkerchief hem skirt - M&S
Ponyskin leopard print boots - Tabitha Simmons
Black monogrammed tote - Gucci

I'm thinking I'd like an orange one.  That will double up as a beach bag, every day bag and travel bag.  What do you use?  Any recommendations?  

Hope you've all had a great day and escaped the rain.  The 6 hour cricket match was cancelled (much to my joy and the complete disappointment of the 10yr old) and so I had a sudden free day.  Had a load of work I planned to get on with and then a sneaky quick Thai lunch with the girls.  Did it all go to plan?  Did it heck as like.  I spent three hours in Minor Injuries with the 8yr old and a suspected broken knuckle.  I did manage to grab lunch but have just finished working at 9.30pm!   He, on the other hand was over the moon at having a pic of an X ray for show and tell, time with his mama and then a jumbo sausage roll and a kitkat for lunch (we're all the class here!).

Am going to see if I can find an orange bag (and try not to convince myself that I can fit a trip to Bicester before they finish school next week...!)