There was only one thing I wanted for Christmas this year – a new bag, but this year I was lucky enough to get 2. Now let me back up by saying that like most women out there, I love bags and shoes and when I had more money pre-kids, I’d buy a bag every year, sometimes even 2. But then I fell into the whole diaperbag-as-handbag thing when Mia was born. I mean why would you carry 2 bags when you can just shove your wallet and keys into a diaper bag which is huge to begin with anyway? But after awhile, it’s was also kind of awful in that “I’m such a mom now and I’m losing my identity and style” kind of way. So I pretty much ran the other way from diaper bags when Claudine was born and bought a large, roomy handbag with 3 interior pockets. It’s the last bag I’ve bought and I’ve used it every day since.
So my new bags? The black one is a custom order from valhallabrooklyn and I adore it. Lots of pockets and the leather is soft. I haven’t carried around a black bag in ages so even if the color is safe, it’s new to me.
The nubuck navy bag in the second photo is from ClareVivier. No interior or exterior pockets. No lining. Completely minimal except for the brass hardware and that fantastically yummy color. It fits my laptop. Really, what more could I want?
These new bags are roughly the same size and weight – they aren’t very structured and they are smaller than my old bag, which is what I wanted. I’m happy to say that after 2 kids and almost 5 years of carrying around diapers, a travel package of wipes, burp cloths, bottles, snacks, toys, a change of clothes and a changing pad, the only thing in my bag these days are my wallet, keys, phone, lip gloss and a metro card.
ooh, please tell us how the Clare Vivier messenger bag works out for you!! I’ve been eying it (in navy too) for months now, but the one thing that worries me is that it’s not lined. I tend to be pretty hard on bags, and I’m not sure how thick the leather is because I’ve never seen it in person- haven’t gotten my butt down to the store in Burbank that stocks her purses. Do the leather and construction feel substantial enough to you to stand up to one very harebrained student? I’m also wondering if I could take it to a leatherworker and have them add a canvas lining or something . . .
I recently bought myself a bag from Valhallabrooklyn (the Larch) and I am very happy with it also, the quality is great isn’t it.
the bags are really beautiful!
yes, bags and shoes kill us (women), and it is indeed (at least for me) to explain this passion. of course, portuguese is a very strange and dificult language, but my last pos in my blog (its name means ‘the house of persimmon tree’) was about window shopping in geneva with a friend. all so expensive but so beautiful!
and imagine what? the most beautiful bags on sale, at a really good price and the saving angel whispering your saving plans to your hear…bah.
anyway yours are great, enjoy them and walk yourself in beautiful brooklyn :).
oh wow, love these bags! particularly that bottom one!
Oh, those are great! I’ve been searching for a new bag lately, and like you am so excited that I don’t have to tote around the kid stuff anymore. It’s completely liberating!
caro, the nubuck is fairly thick. I was curious about the unlining too, however, I think it will stand up fine. I’m not very hard on my bags or shoes, so I’m not worried about it. It seems very well made. It’s not a structured bag though if you like that sort of thing. Neither of these bags are. As for the no pockets, I just hooked on a little pouch and it seems to be do the trick – that was sort of my main issue. The navy is just a beautiful color.
I was just thinking that with my birthday coming up (a big one for me), that I want a new bag. I’ve been hooked on my brown handbag and it’s coming apart as it should since it was cheap and it’s used alot. I have an almost duffel bag like material for our diaper bag and it was so exciting to buy for baby #1. It’s getting holes in the pockets, does not look stylish in the least but yet, I don’t think I could ever get rid of it since it’s sentimental to me–so many memories of lugging it around! I love the first bag you posted a pic of. I do love clutches and navy leather, too…
I got my gray Clare Vivier messenger just before Christmas and adore it! I was torn between the navy and the gray, hope you post some pics of you carrying the navy, would love to see how it looks on you! Now I’m off to check out Valhallabrooklyn…
both those bags are beautiful – i’ve been admiring the clare vivier bag for awhile but haven’t seen the valhallabrooklyn bags before, and like those just as much.
you are very lucky to own both now [and have a beautiful blog as well].
i have the navy clarevivier bag too and i love, love, love it!
I hope you feel like a million bucks carrying them – they are gorgeous!
Oh those are absolutely GORGEOUS!
i got clare vivier too. isnt it gorrrgeous?
Love that navy bag!
ill take one of each! what a great christmas gift!
The CLAREVIVIER is beautiful, but I’m really curious about the orange one in the middle. What a lovely pop of color! Can you tell us where you found that?
ahh, i’ve been eying the clare vivier tote in navy as well. post pictures wearing it!!
Dear lord, that navy bag looks good enough to eat. I must not check to see if they ship to Canada…
The nubuck bag is divine. So classy, so simple. Also, yay for travelling light!
hmmm, been thinking about the vivier bag in black…what size laptop will it hold?
Jennifer, I have the regular macbook pro – I think it’s 15 inches? fits nicely.
Hi Jenna,
Great bag (1st one). Is it heavy though?
Awesome!!! I really really like that navy one! It looks great! I just visited the clarevivier website and I am in love with a lot of stuff! Especially the mini sac!
Martha,
I got that bag from a small store in our neighborhood. I don’t know who makes it. It was available in several colors, but I loved the orange one. Funny thing about that bag, it used to be our cash bag for the markets. I bought it along to our first to markets and when Mark started doing it himself, he still used that bag for almost a year until we decided that we should get a cash box. The other vendors would jokingly poke fun at him cause he’d be carrying that bag around whenever he took a food or bathroom break.
GORGEOUS….I have a Claire Vivier bag…and i get lots of compliments on it 🙂
Jen Ramos
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
Clare Vivier bags are 25% off through February 2. Use the code DCVIV to get your discount. I got a purple messenger bag and am really excited for it to arrive!! Thanks for spreading the Vivier love. I like Clare’s blog too.
Hey Jenna,
Is the Valhalla heavy? I have chronic backache and most bags are just too heavy for me. 🙁
I really love the Valhalla bag though. It looks so lovingly “owned”. Great pick!