Basketcase

Anyone else?  Actually for the first time in a long time, I am feeling pretty organised.  She says and then starts thinking about that cupboard that needs cleaning out, the spare room that needs decluttering, the new blog platform that I NEED to finally move over to but am too scared, the paperwork I need to do... ok so maybe it's vaguely organised. 

But I'm going to think about ALL of that tomorrow (yes, my middle name is Scarlett O'Hara) and for today, I'm doing blog planning and writing and then a host of afterschool kid things.

And reminisce about all things holiday.  Starting with the bags. 

Oh YES the bags.  So whilst I am a hunter and gatherer of day bags for the rest of the year, when it comes to Summer bags I have one.  I have used one for the last two years and I am more than happy with it.  In fact, I would go further as to say I LOVE it. 

SO.. I was going to write about bags you can take on holiday.  However.. what I realised this holiday was and coming back - why can't we use these things all the time?  We're not talking full on beach numbers here that you can fit a small toddler in, but just a summery bag that works equally as well at 18 degrees as it does at 38 degrees.  A Summer handbag.  A nod of boho?  Maybe.  Just something that is a bit lighter than a leather number.

I am going to start with apologising and saying I have one that Rae Feather very kindly made specially for me as a gift last year and she doesn't have any more.  Which is SUCH a shame as I probably get more messages about this than any other Summer item I own. 

However, I have done my best to come up with some other gems, to suit all budgets that you can use on the plane, the beach, a city break and you won't look out of place in Waitrose (or any supermarket of your choice... I am the strange person who thinks that Lidl, first thing in the morning when they're baking the bread and the croissants, really smells like and makes me feel like I am in France.  I KNOW... v strange person alert...).

Palm Springs Foldover Tote from Anthropologie £68

Braided Design Bag at Mango £69.99


Another black version at Free People.  Where else do you go to find the creme de la creme of boho handbags...

Esmeralda Macrame Tote Bag £88


Also in the natural, again £88



Stripes at John Lewis - already in the sale (how are the Summer sales on ALREADY?!).

John Lewis Stripe Straw Grab Bag was £30 now £21



Black and cream again at John Lewis in the sale was £35 now £24.50


Smaller now but these are great for every day and on holiday when you just go out and need to take your purse, phone, lippie and a deck of cards in our case which we can't have a family meal without.

Bamboo coffer bag from Mango £49.99


Smaller at Dune.

Doannee Medium Bag £70


And in white again £70 from Dune.




Boxy again at My Theresa.

Kayu Bag at My Theresa £150


Similar for significantly less at Free People. 

Bora Bora Crossbody Bag £68


Sunday Funday at Free People (that's what it's called.. not just my random take on it) £32


Or there's always the modern classic... Cult Gaia. 

Cult Gaia Ark Small Bamboo Clutch from Net A Porter £135



But you don't have to spend that much... (on a bag that things most likely will fall out of...can you tell, they're maybe not the top of my wish list!  When did I get vaguely practical?  They do look very cool though...  Actually think I might prefer the black.
V by Very Bamboo Half Moon Bag £40 


And finally, if you're looking for a halfway house, have I found a BEAUT!  I love love love this.  

Net Tote Bag from Mango £49.99


And in the black...


This is NOT the end of the beachy bag thang.  I will be back with the large ones that we all need for holiday, for weekends, for Summer so fear not.  The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that there aren't many round ones there and you can't move on the high street without walking into a round bag - so many, they deserve a whole blog post to themselves. 

This is me with my bag on the last day of holiday.  Was the day before yesterday.  Already seems like a lifetime ago! 


Dress - & Other Stories (ss17)
Bag - Rae Feather (gift ss17) 
Sandals - Rae Feather (gift current)

Today... back in the game with boots and rain.  Hello UK Summer!


Dress - H&M (current)
Boots - Penelope Chilvers (gift current)
Belt - Fenwick Bond Street (13yrs ago)
Bag - Chloe from Bicester Village (ss17)
Jacket - hush (gift 2yrs ago)

And this blog post has got me thinking.. what do we think about a post every now and again (when I find them) of High Street v Designer?  Take the Very clutch and the Cult Gaia clutch as an example.  Ok so this is hardly anything new, magazines have been doing it for years but at least this is something that you could order immediately if you wanted.  As opposed to seeing it in a mag and trying, in vain, to track it down.  Maybe I'll give it a go... (seeing as I always found a pair of shoes today which definitely fit the criteria!).