It's a funny story...

.. well... sort of... (clearly I didn't bother telling the husband as I'm not entirely sure he would have that amusing.  Or remotely amusing..).

New York.  Two weeks ago.  A couple of healthy glasses of champagne at lunchtime.  On the first day and I had bought nothing.  And was genuinely planning on buying nothing.  Until a couple of glasses of champagne...Trip to the APC shop.  

Now.  Anyone who knows anything about APC will know that the Half Moon Bags are like rocking horse poo.  Seriously they are virtually impossible to get hold of in Europe in the black.  You can't buy them at an APC store (the woman in the Notting Hill one the other week didn't laugh in my face but I could tell in her head she was guffawing at my stupidity at even bothering to waste my breath asking the question).  You think you can buy from their French site but go and try and add one to your bag.  Yup, good luck with that.  That is because they're out of stock.

So.  Imagine my abject giddiness at discovering them in stock in New York.  Except that they were a fair bit more expensive.  I can't remember exactly how much more (as I'd had a couple of glasses of champagne) but it was enough for me to think.. eek.  The whole beauty of this bag is that whilst it's effortlessly chic and screams LOOK HOW FRENCH I ALMOST AM (my ultimate dream), it's also not ridiculously overpriced (disclaimer - this does depend on what your definition of ridiculously overpriced is...). 

I decided in a slightly alcoholic fug to go and "just check" that it was OOS in the UK and Europe. 

Cue abject giddy state of the day number two when I discovered it was in stock at Coggles.  So I ordered (whilst drinking more champagne as I was so excited) the bag and waited for my confirmation email.  Which I never got as - of course - I thought it would in fact be sold out (we've all been there and done that).

In the meantime (as I waited..) I managed to buy the unexpected Helmut Lang shearling gilet so didn't return to purchase the half moon bag as I had totally blown the budget.  It was always meant to be the one that got away clearly. 

Until on Friday a parcel turned up.  Which had been to US customs.  And finally landed on my doorstep.  With a black half moon bag in.   Apparently if you try and shop when tipsy you will a) when setting up an account use a combination of two emails and end up registering an email that doesn't exist - hence you won't receive any emails and b) not look to check the country box and if you order when in the US, it defaults to the US.  So it had my address in the UK, with the US as a country.  And with a completely non existent email. 

Oops.  

Can you imagine trying to explain that on the phone and then try and send it back?  No neither could I so I kept it. 

And then doubly spookily but proving how long I've wanted it for and how it was obviously meant to be - yesterday in the Stella article - one of my Must Have buys for this season was the APC half moon bag.  Which I'd told them way back in January.  And which they couldn't put it in black as it's sold out everywhere.  So they used the tan.

Meant to be or what?!  

Now - they are going in and out of stock at Coggles so good luck as it's the only place I've found them for sale in Europe.  If you can't find one there, they do seem to have them on Shopbop for £319.... Go forth and snag if you want one.  I can't recommend enough.  LOVE.

APC Half Moon Bag in black from Coggles £280

Why do I love it so much?  Minimal looking, sleek, elegant - the perfect holiday bag if you're not going down the boho route.  Just as functional for work as it is with a tee and jeans.  Cross body lushness in black.  It's got to be black for me.  It just makes it easy.

If you can't get hold of one, fear not, there are plenty of other excellent options out there which will do the job just as well.

20% off at The Cambridge Satchel Company if you sign up to their newsletter.   All sizes are pre your 20% off.  These are the ultimate in pared back.  Minimal, simple but functional.

The Large Saddle Bag £140





Ever so slightly more detail with the Cloud Bags which come in two sizes. 

Black Cloud Bag with Top Handle £145



And the smaller one for £125


And the two sizes of push lock bags - Medium and Large. 

Black Medium Push Lock Bag £75

And the large size £95 (this clearly isn't the black.. but they have loads and loads of other colours too).


Back to a half moon shape at Warehouse but this is from ASOS and there is 20% off everything today Monday.  Yes 20% off EVERYTHING.  That's me sorted for the evening in front of the tv then... use the code YESPLEASE till midnight.  Yes please.

Warehouse Stitch Leather Saddle Bag £59 


Vintage style again at ASOS so do take advantage of the 20% off. 

ASOS Vintage Leather Pocket Bag £28


Another that has a slight vintage feel to it from Rebecca Minkoff. 

Mini Mac Cross Body Bag in black £171


Pure simplicity at LK Bennett - another bag which I keep coming back to as it's so perfect.  Amazing size, great price, gorgeous detailing and the perfect two pockets.

Mariel Black Saffiano Cross Body Bag from LK Bennett £145




Another two zip bag from Marc Jacobs.  Now this is on the mini side but if you don't need to carry the kitchen sink like I tend to need to...

Marc Jacobs Snapshot Colourblock Saffiano Small Camera Bag £245



Bigger and double pockets again at Marc Jacobs.  

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ligero Double Percy Cross Body Bag in black £225






Double zips and moving away from the super minimalist but still sleek with just a hint of biker at Becksondergaard. 

Anna Beth Leather Bag £109

Another ASOS bargain even without the 20% off.  Simplicity in its purest form.

ASOS Unlined Soft Leather Cross body bag £25



Minimalist now but with a hint of boho from the following couple. 

Totally plain but the textured leather makes it super wearable for all occasions. 

Leather Cross Body Bag from Mango £35.99



And the same shape but in suede. 

Leather Cross Body Bag from Mango £35.99





Upping the budget but this definitely has the look of a Chloe bag with the price of a See by Chloe one.  Genius.

See by Chloe Leather Cross Body Bag £425



Stunningly classic but with a twist in the strap at Topshop.  Great price for a leather bag. 

Woven Strap Saddle Bag from Topshop £55


And yes, I shall be using mine all week as this is the only bag I bought with me.  Proving my point that it's the perfect holiday bag.  Handily something is perfect about my holiday (other than the fam and yes I feel as if I do have to say that!  Feeling the family love for sure.. as we're only two days in) as it's not the weather... we had two glorious days and we woke up this morning to November weather.  

Morning playing frisbee and freezing.  We then decided that the only option was the cinema so a lovely lunch at The Lighthouse in Aldeburgh (highly recommended if you're ever nearby) and then we hit The Jungle Book. 


White V neck tee - Yunion T
Black boyfriend jeans - hush
Blush cashmere hoodie - Me+EM
Onyx biker jacket - hush
Monogram scarf - Gucci
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Half Moon Bag - APC

Glass of champagne earlier with tapas and then I have to drink the rest as the husband and the 11yr old are off home for 24 hours as she's singing at Westminster Cathedral tomorrow.  Couldn't be a more proud Catholic ma.  

I will be here with the boys.  In the rain... what could possibly go wrong?  We shall be retreating to the local cafe for a slap up breakfast and then movies on the sofa.  Perfection in a holiday.  Who needs the sun... (stares at dresses in wardrobe and weeps a teensy tiny bit but it's nothing the champagne can't fix.  And peppers stuffed with ricotta.  My tapas of choice).  Whilst I gaze lovingly at my new bag. 

Am I the only one who thinks a black cross body bag is a must have for everyone and especially useful for holiday?  Would love to hear your recommendations.