What’s in my bag today – Anuschka Fairy Expandable Hobo

March 23, 2015, 11:21 pm

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This is my Anuschka Fairy Expandable Hobo

This is one of my favorites. It is individually hand painted and signed, expandable and very comfortable to carry. I always receive lots of compliments when I use it.

Outside it has:

• one zipped pocket
• one slip pocket which holds my phone or travel card

Inside it has:

• one zipped pocket
• two slip pouches
• one sunglasses case
• one makeup case
• strap for keyring

The inside label shows the beautiful undyed leather as it was before the bag was painted.

In my bag today:

• Stimorol gum
• Fulton mini umbrella
• 2 packs of tissues (I recently had a cold!)
• Glasses
• Newspaper
• Work papers
• Pen
• VDS undyed 2-pen holder holding Gillio pens
• Mirror
• Power Bank for my electronic devices
• iPhone 5s
• Parliament ID
• VDS undyed binder
• iPad mini

Not shown

• gloves
• scarf
• sunglasses
• earphones

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The handbag I designed myself

March 24, 2015, 11:45 pm

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This bag I designed myself and it is probably the best-designed bag I have. Not that I have any great talent but it is everything *I* needed so it is the best design for me.

I found a seller on ebay called Fiona Ho who agreed to make a bag to my specifications. She posted me leather swatches and I sent her photos of colours and styles I liked, as well as drawings. If anyone wants her details just let me know.

In the end it came to this:

1. Black genuine ostrich leather. I chose full-quill for the whole bag. Full quill is more expensive and usually ostrich pieces only use full-quill on the visible parts, so the back and underneath are often smooth. But I wanted the best all over, so full-quill it was. I knew this would be an investment bag so I was prepared to pay more for real ostrich.

2. Lined in soft black lambskin. I like good bags to have good lining so I chose light strong leather rather than cheaper cotton or canvas. It is smooth and satiny soft but has lasted really really well.

3. All zips are double stitched and in heavy duty metal. There is one zip along the top, one inside, one zippered outer pocket and one closing a secret compartment on the front.

4. Outside pockets of various sizes – three with buttons and one with a zip.

5. Internal filofax holder, mobile phone holder and PDA holder

6. Long double-stitched double-strength straps.

7. magazine/newspaper flap at the back.

Chic Sparrow Tumbler Bag

April 9, 2015, 12:06 am

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Chic Sparrow is known for her Traveller’s Notebook Covers which she sells at Chic Sparrow

I have just recently seen these Tumbler bags. They are designed to hold a notebook but may also hold an organizer. I don’t use a sleeper bag, dust bag or carrying pouch for my organizers but I do like to put my journal and pens in a bag when I go sketching or to a coffee shop for some peace and quiet. This would be ideal!

Perfectly sized to fit your favorite travel journal and a few other items and go. Or simply tuck in your favorite tote, the easy grab handles make it a breeze to pull out and keeps your notebook from tumbling around.

• durable water resistant leather
• beautiful brown color
• white accent stitching
• ample room for your favorite go to items.
• open top for easy access
• measures (laying flat) 10 inches and 5/8 by
• 7 inches and 3/8 (to the bottom of the handle. 9.5 inches to the top of the handle.
• Contents not included.

 

 

A Jet Set Day

April 11, 2015, 7:01 am

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I had quite a nice break last weekend because it was Easter, which in Sweden is a FOUR-day holiday. I was in heaven! That  meant, however, that all my work had to be squashed into a four-day day week this week. I spent Tuesday translating, and so Wednesday was my first day back out in the field again. My undyed Van Der Spek binder really worked hard – when you read below you can see why I literally have to have it with me all the time. Wednesday went like this:

• 4.30am: woke up
• Checked emails and texts – two cancellations and one request for a schedule change. Replied to the urgent ones that came in during the night. Replied to blog comments. Quickly updated my calendar and added items to my to do list.
• Fed cats, emptied their sandbox, breakfast, showered, dressed (flat Mango boots as I would be walking a lot, Victoria Beckham jeans, Pink IVKO cardigan over a black camisole and my trusty Michael Kors pink Jet Set laptop tote because I had my computer with me. Also brown leather pilot’s jacket and a blue Burberry scarf)
• 5.45am: bus then underground to first appointment. While I travelled, I made sure my appointment schedule was up to date.
• 6am to 8am: meeting
• 8am to 9am: meeting
• 9 – 9.15am: made a vet and dentist appointment while walking
• 9.15am to 10.15am: meeting
• 10.30 to 11.30am: meeting
• 11.30 to 12.00: meeting
• 12.10 to 12.25: lunch (coffee and carrot cake – eeeek!), checked emails and returned two calls
• 12.30 to 2pm: meeting
• 2pm to 2.45: meeting
• 2.45pm to 3pm: returned a call, texted to confirm two appointment changes, made a doctor’s appointment
• 3pm  to 4.15: meeting
• 4.30pm to 5.30pm: meeting
• 5.45pm – 7pm: underground, grocery shopping, collected a parcel, collected drycleaning, returned two calls then bus home
• 7pm: evening meal (Swedish meat and potato stew) with some chocolates and some tea
• 8pm – 11pm: replied to emails, prepared lessons for Thursday, confirmed more booking changes, updated all changes in all the systems, booked rooms, played with cats, got outfit ready for tomorrow, updated all lists.
• 11.30pm: bed, having set my alarm for 4.30am on Thursday morning.

Below shows how I work with students when they have difficulty finding a time. I turn my paper calendar into a digital one by taking a photo of it and texting it to the other person. I spent easily 1 hour a day doing work with my schedule.

Anuschka Handbags

May 1, 2015, 10:05 pm

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I have an Anuschka Expandable Fairy Hobo which I have had for about three years. I love it to bits. I bought it from the website but I believe they are also on ShopHQ and in various shops. Their service is excellent. Their bags are all hand painted. And here is their catalogue (I love to just look at the gorgeous art!)

Here are some more bags I love from their Facebook Page and their website. I love the cats, the lions and elephants, the purple, and the one with the pink rolled handles.

Kate Spade does ladybugs!

May 2, 2015, 2:32 am

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Anuschka footwear

May 4, 2015, 10:17 pm

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I wrote yesterday about Anuschka handbags. They used to paint jackets and those were stunning but recently they have started to do footwear. Aren’t they gorgeous?

 

 

 

 

Beetle backpacks and bags

June 5, 2015, 12:44 am

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They are not for the faint-hearted but these are gorgeous! From Etsy seller Kilidesign

 

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Gorgeous bag belonging to a student

June 10, 2015, 3:51 am

≫ Next: Do you downsize over summer?

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One of my students had this bag with her today. She bought it in Asia and it is made from recycled materials. I have one from South Africa made from old dog food sacks but it is not as classy or as well made as this one.

The detailing and colours in this one are beautiful. It is sturdy and smooth as silk. I just had to take a photograph.

This photo was taken in the office of the Member of Parliament who hosts our English lessons. You can see how homey and cosy her office is. They have to be because MPs work such long hours and also because the winters can be so drab. I do notice though – whether it is in old age homes or offices – it is almost always women who put a lot of extra effort into making their surroundings cosy and homey.

 

 

 

Do you downsize over summer?

June 12, 2015, 11:59 pm

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My work tends to go in cycles. I have a very hectic period from mid-January until the end of June and then again from mid-August until mid-December. During those times I am on the go all the time. I rush around and work most weekends. When I leave work in the early morning I will not be back until about 8pm at night and I carry my office around with me in my large handbag and my planner. By the end of a two month stretch I am sick of the sight of both handbag and planner, my back aches and I am tired.

So generally when summer approaches and the load gets lighter, my mind wanders to colourful, smaller bags and planners. I don’t have to carry scarves, gloves and hats with me and the paper load is less because all the group courses end at the beginning of June and I only have individual training which requires less paper.

My work changes at that time – I work more with translationI, I sort out all my paperwork at home and in my more copious spare time I do things that are neglected during my busy time – have my hair cut, go to the doctor and dentist, sort through my wardrobe and take things to the charity shop, to sell, to be dry-cleaned, to mend. and have a huge tidy and clear out of books, magazines, and old course materials. I also plan my days away (I usually travel during the summer).

This means that my planning can move into a notebook (usually a Midori-type traveler’s notebook) and my planner/wallet can move from personal size to pocket size because I don’t have that many meetings (probably three or four a week as against 7 or 8 a day).

I find the process of moving into a smaller handbag and planner as exciting as packing my luggage for a holiday where soft faded worn denim and simple leather flat sandals are the order of the day.

Does anyone else do this? Downsize or have the urge to downsize over summer?

Beaded African Ladybug

November 24, 2015, 12:17 am

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I love this little ladybug. It has been on this bag for about ten years now. The zipper pull on the bag is so tiny that you have to hunt around for it, so I put this bug on the pull to make it easier.

Orca Go Lightly Bag

November 24, 2015, 12:27 am

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I bought this Orca Go Lightly bag from RedDirect about ten years ago. It was on sale because Orca was changing its name to Tabitha. I have used it a lot, especially for travelling, and it looks as good as new.

It is a beautifully designed bag. The leather is thin and light but extremely durable. Does not show scuffs or marks and holds its shape beautifully. It has the most comfortable straps I have ever encountered on a bag. They can be adjusted and are the ideal length for hand, arm and shoulder use. It is also one of those bags that holds an enormous amount but still looks small and feels light.

Orca also did a Go Less Lightly which had pockets on each end. I wanted one of those so badly but they sold out before I managed to get my hands on one.

I use this one often for travelling and it also functions as an overnight bag.

 

 

 

And the Go Less Lightly

Look what Ting London does with recycled belts!

November 26, 2015, 1:00 am

≫ Next: Tough Old Boots Bags by Tony Mo

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She turns belts and seatbelt into bags, wallets, carpets, rugs, placemats, cushions and hammocks. Find more here.

Tough Old Boots Bags by Tony Mo

December 6, 2015, 3:38 am

≫ Next: Patricia Nash Organisers, Journals, TNs and Handbags

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After my post about Tough Old Boots TN Covers, I received several questions from people eager to find out about the bags.

All the photos below are from Tough Old Boots Facebook Page. The website does not yet have any bags in the bag category.

The bag photographed with the suitcase is Tony’s EDC (everyday carry) and as you can see, is perfectly designed for travel.

I have numbered all the photographs below so if you have any questions for Tony regarding any of these bags, please message him from the Tough Old Boots Facebook page (link above) giving the number of the photo you have a question about. Or else ask questions in the comments field below. Tony is lovely to deal with!

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Patricia Nash Organisers, Journals, TNs and Handbags

February 1, 2016, 6:12 am

≫ Next: Zenkraft Desert Storm TN and Chic Sparrow Tumbler bag

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Patricia Nash does some lovely things. First is my absolute favourite. A pocket sized tooled binder with a back zip wallet pocket. Perfect for use as a wallet. I see it has credit card slots inside the zipper part.

 

Then come wraparound ring organisers in different leather pattens with charms. They look to be personal size.

The ones above remind me of the one that Robert Pattinson’s character uses in the film Remember Me

After that comes my particular weakness, lockable diaries….

 

And then come the journals

 

And this one could be turned into a lovely little passport-sized traveler’s notebook, by means of the addition of elastics, either permanent (add holes) or by elastics tied around the spine.

It is perfect as it has a world map on it, credit card slots, and an ingenious folding flap on the inside which would allow you to carry paper money.

 

And then the handbags. My favourites are the Vienna (below) in tooled, Mediterranean and brown

 

Imagine the Vienna above in the purple tooled leather below? Or an organiser or journal in  the other colours?

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Zenkraft Desert Storm TN and Chic Sparrow Tumbler bag

February 15, 2016, 5:02 am

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This Chic Sparrow Tumbler bag easily fits a RS and a personal size TN. It is pretty plain in design but works well to carry by itself or pop it inside a bigger tote. It goes perfectly with the Zenkraft even though the one is jungle camo and the other is desert camo.

Did you know that during operation Desert Shield (which became operation Desert Storm) the US military wore desert camo uniforms but the protective clothing against the chemical agents was only available in jungle camo?

Sweden uses snow camo which is white with greens and greys. And South Africa uses plain brown desert khaki.

And look how well this camouflage works!

The Art of Ageing Gracefully by Il Bisonte

February 24, 2016, 5:23 pm

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Il Bisonte’s wonderful photographs above and below show the ageing process of their Vacchetta leather. I really like that they show how their leather looks once it has been used for years. Very few companies do that.

The Vacchetta leather is not the same as the Van Der Spek undyed leather in that it has grain patterns that go from very smooth to ultra-grainy. It is also softer. But the ageing pattern should be much the same.

Gaia took a wonderful photo of the shop when she went there to collect my binders – wouldn’t it be wonderful to see some of those handbags oxidising?

I absolutely love the grain on this buffalo leather

February 28, 2016, 7:23 am

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Find it here

Look at this one!

Here is another grainy, pebbly beauty

 

The items above are made by Aixa Sobin of LusciousLeather NYC on Etsy. She made my custom composition book cover (below). Her service and communication is fantastic and she does everything by hand. My transaction with her was one of my best ever!

Every leather bag, briefcase, messenger, weekender, totes and journals is made completely by hand without machines glues or lining. I have a studio where I sew each piece by hand. I hand cut and hand punch and hand stitch everything. And I mean everything. Stitching one stitch at a time, with no shortcuts.

Our philosophy is to sew everything twice and when necessary use double thread. So most of our products have four threads in each hole. I do that because I believe in making something well and durable, because what you make speaks for you and who you are. And what stays behind is your art and your craft and that’s what people will remember.

And most importantly it feels good to make something well. When you buy an item from us you are guaranteed quality, durability, uniqueness and care. Our bags also have a small carbon foot print so they do not further damage the environment. We recycle leather, use farm leather when we can, re-purpose as much as possible, use no machines to punch or cut or sew. All done with human hands.

We also use no patterns guaranteeing a truly one of a kind piece every single time.
We make what we design and we design what we make. If any item you buy from us has any issue with it due to wear and tear we will repair it for free forever no questions asked. 

Undyed/Vacchetta/Natural leather handbags – which of these do you like best?

March 12, 2016, 5:18 pm

≫ Next: Glenda Slann of PaperFlower, thank you!

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Il Bisonte – my favourite here is second from left and my second favourite is second from right

I have been looking for an undyed/vacchetta handbag for a while now. I have found these ones that I like. Of the two I prefer the Il Bisonte one as their leather is absolutely sublime. I have several of their vacchetta products and they are out of this world. Unfortunately their handbags are eyewateringly priced. And even more unfortunately, I already have too many handbags!

Il Bisonte

 

Whipping Post

 

 

Glenda Slann of PaperFlower, thank you!

March 13, 2016, 5:52 am

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This notebook cover was a long time in the making. I have written about Glenda Slann’s work before here and here. She has an online shop, an Etsy shop,  a Facebook group and a Facebook page. She is also on Instagram.

I wanted Glenda to make me something, but was not sure what until I saw this particular photograph, where I fell in love with her designer inspired leather.

I never buy mirror copy fakes purporting to be the real thing. I have several classic monogrammed LV bags – a large bucket bag, a small Speedy and a very old Noe. They have worn beautifully. If I do buy things that LV do not make, I generally use sellers like this who repurpose old Vuitton canvas into new items. But, despite my begging several of them, none of them could make Traveler’s notebooks, even if I sent in one of my bags to be remade – I asked several of them. LV have no plans of making them.

So I went for Glenda and she really really did my custom order justice.

I wanted

• an A5 Traveler’s notebook with room for at least 12 notebooks
• lining, reinforcing, several pockets front and back, and a pen loop
• bracket shaped flap with an unusual elastic fastening
• matching pencil case
• tiny grid notebooks

What I got was perfect. Beautifully packaged, exquisitely made. Not enormous, not heavy. Easily fits 15 notebooks. The A5 tiny grid notebooks from Glenda were perfect. The paper is thin, the grid light grey and the lines are accurate right throughout each book. Perfectly straight, perfectly lined up across every single page.

The matching pencil case perfectly complements the book, with a bracket flap and elastic closure.

In it I now have

• 12 of the tiny grid notebooks I bought from Glenda
• 2 lined notebooks I have from Monique at Morgan Le Fae’s Trinkets
• 1 Regular sized grid Tomoe River notebook from Taroko Design

 

I am bidding on this bag at the moment but I think that I may go for a Neverfull DE instead.

And then if this one one day starts to show its age, send this one to Glenda in the hope she can do something similar with this old beauty!

Though I doubt there will be enough leather in it. What do you think?