Isn't this beautiful? Ever since I saw it on the Aranaz Instagram, I fell in love with it. In September, I pre-ordered one through email. On payday weekend, I was able to pick it up from their store. I was so happy that it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be!
This Blue Flamingo Tote is from their Garden Party collection. The embroidery looks so dainty and shiny. I already feel like I'm in a chill mood just looking at it.
Up close and personal with the blue flamingos
I've got this bias for blue thanks to my high school and college. Aranaz has a lot of really pretty items but this blue one just popped out for me. I like that this shade of blue it works with other bright colors without clashing and at the same time brings out the fun in neutral colored outfits.
Last weekend, I brought it out! I paired it with a blue t-shirt and black jeans, nothing fancy. I didn't go to any pickpocket-prone places so it was fine that the bag doesn't close all the way.
OOTD shot in a dark restroom
Hanging out at Coffee Project. I love their interiors!
At first, the raffia fringe poked my forearm and it was a bit itchy. Later in the day, the fringe curled away from my arm and it didn't poke anymore. I was thinking of flat-ironing the fringes so they stay uniformly up, but then I realized it looked better messy.
In the past two+ years of running the Bag Lust Philippines Instagram account, I've purchased a lot of things that have caught my eye. The activity of scouring what's available online and re-posting them into the baglust.ph account (which I do for free, by the way) is like daily window-shopping and wish-listing. I've ended up buying a lot more than I should!
I've had the pleasure of experiencing the good and the bad when it comes to online shopping. I'll be sharing with you some of the lessons that I've learned in the past 2 years. Feel free to add your inputs and share your experiences in the comments!
#1 Before buying, see and feel the bag yourself!
Most of the time, what you see in the picture is a lot different in person. Online stores will always put the best angle and lighting of the products. It's not always going to look that way when you receive the actual item.
With leather, you really need to have a feel first before buying. Not all "genuine leathers" are created equally (See Here's The Truth About 'Genuine' Leather'). I ordered before one 'genuine leather' bag whose leather wrinkled in a way that I just hated. I ended up using it once then gave it away after.
Another reason why you have to check it out in person is to see if it fits you. Try it out and look in a full length mirror. Personally, I ask myself: "Does this bag make my butt look big?". There are plenty of websites that say what kind of bags look food for certain body types, but I say let your instincts kick in on what looks good on you.
As much as possible, visit the physical store or check them out in pop ups and bazaars. Perhaps you can also ask a friend to show you if they've previously bought one before. However, going through the hassle of seeing it in person has to correlate to the risk of how much the item is. The pricier it is, the more you have to check it out in person. I know it defeats the purpose of "online shopping" but I'd rather make sure my purchase was worth it.
#2 What is practical for your lifestyle?
I've crossed paths with several really cute clutches on Instagram and I've purchased some of them. I fell in love with the pictures and thought "They are so cute! I have to have them!". Fast forward to later on, they don't get taken out of the closet much. Why? I realized that since I don't go to a lot of parties (Loserrr! J.K.) I don't need them as much. For casual social activities, I also realized that I'm more likely to leave my bag behind if it's not hands free.
Huwag maging takaw-tingin! (To non-Tagalog speakers, this is a phrase we use when we over-order in restaurants). Ask yourself, what do you need? What are the colors that you usually wear? What do you usually bring during the weekdays and what do you bring during the weekend? What kind of image do you want to project? Invest more on the things you'll use more often vs. the things you'll only use once or twice a year.
On the bright side, in my attempts to salvage my unused purchases, I've forced myself to be more adventurous and creative... to go outside of my comfort zone.
#3 Don't Ask Leather Artisans to Copy a Luxury Handbag
Do not fool yourself. This is a surefire way to get disappointed. The materials that luxury bag designers will use are a lot different from a customized 5000 php bag. It will never behave in the same way in your head vs. what the actual outcome. It'll come out looking like the zombie-fied version of the luxury handbag. You might as well just get a counterfeit bag from tiangge, it would have been cheaper.
Instead, when customizing bags, have a feel of the type of leather to be used (very important!) and create a design that fits you. It's like getting a prom dress made -- you need to know the design AND the material. You can take elements that you like from luxury handbags but don't do an exact copy.
One example of customization that I like is Ni-Qua's Bespoke. They have set template designs which work well with the type of leather they use so it would always behave in the way you'd expect. You can choose colors and add brass/silver/gold hardware (where it makes sense). Check them out when they hold a pop-up store near you!
I've been pouring over Instagram for a small weekend bag. I just need one that's light but fits my wallet, cellphone, keys, receipts, portable charger, and charger. I was thinking these Trio-inspired bags would be perfect because it's small, light, and has multiple compartments. Thankfully, there's a bunch of locally made options available at pretty reasonable prices!
As of now, I haven't decided yet which one to get but here are the ones on my radar. Since it's not going to be a work-bag, I can choose something bright and colorful. I'll only use it on weekends or when I have to make a quick trip to the supermarket or something.
I'm leaning towards going for synthetic leather since I think I might end up buying several in different colors (genuine leather is more expensive). It will boil down to the color that matches my usual weekend outfits. When I do get to buy, that'll be another entry for another day! :)
Check out this Daphne Beaded Abaca Clutch by Cathy's Bags! I got it sometime early 2016. It was on sale at Php 1200 (originally Php 2000) + 80 shipping. I think I got the last one.
I used it for a wedding with a fuschia dress and I think the clutch went pretty well with it.
The body is made with black woven abaca with black satin lining on the inside. As you can see in the photo above, it's decorated with silver and black beads (which were well-sewn, none were loose). It closes by magnet.
When I used it the first time, it fit all the things one needed when attending a wedding reception: cellphone (in photo below, iPhone 5s) keys, and lipstick (I didn't need face powder).
While it's well-made and I thought I was going to get to use it multiple times, I later on found out that it doesn't fit my new iPhone 6s. 😓 Looks like I have to carry my cellphone separately when I use this clutch... or I might end up passing this clutch on to my niece.
Lesson learned: When buying clutches or other small bags, think of what future gadgets you might end up buying, not just for the ones you have now (but really, who'd normally do that?)
Cathy's Bags have plenty more bags in other designs -- ideal for beach or weekend casual look. Click on any of the links below.
On July 26, 2016, I received an email alert from Rags2Riches about their new product, which was the Casey Mini. They'll be releasing the Casey Mini online and in stores 2 days later, July 28, Thursday. I was bummed before on missing out on the original-sized Casey, so I told myself I wouldn't miss out on the Casey Mini if I found a color combo that I really liked.
On the morning of July 28, I started going into the R2R website. Throughout the day during work, I've checked back every now and then. Still no Casey Mini. :( Good thing, my sister was going to the mall after work. I asked her to go to the R2R store and get me one before the best color runs out! There was only 1 unit per variant per branch.
[Side note: For those unfamiliar with Rags 2 Riches, it's a social enterprise that produces bags and home accessories, aimed to create income opportunities for marginalized people (began in 2007 with rug-weaves from Payatas, but now with more local indigenous artisans throughout the Philippines). Read their story here.]
So my sister went to the store and sent me photos of the five variants. For the Casey (original size), I wanted the Nautical or the Santorini Red (I like blue and red). For the Casey Mini in Maltese Mustard (Php 2889), I fell in love with the black canvas with mustard R2R signature weave. Unfortunately, I don't know what the black and white fabric is called. I'll update this entry when I find out what it's called.
I was so happy when my sister brought it home that night! Here's a close up so you can see the impeccable workmanship. To those who snub locally-made products, take a look at this photo!
Here's a video from Rags 2 Riches on the Four-Way Casey Bag, demo'ed with the original size, not the mini version. The video comes with a loud cutesy background music, so turn your volume a bit lower.
Here's another video of the Casey Mini from their instagram:
A video posted by R2R - Rags2Riches, Inc. (@rags2richesinc) on
As demo'ed in the Youtube video above, there are four ways the Casey Mini can be configured:
As a folio (flat): I'll probably only use it as a folio if I'm carrying around a tablet or some flat half-bond paper-sized documents. Bulky items will ruin the shape. Since I'm not using this for documents or tablets, I rarely use this as a folio.
As a shopping tote (trapezoid shape, wider base): It comes with a rectangular board to serve as the bag base when it's worn as a shopping tote. I like this shape best because it doesn't show that I am carrying bulky things, thanks to the wide base.
As a doctor's bag (roundish box): The Casey Mini doesn't work as a doctor's bag because it's too small. Since the top 2 corners are folded down (which includes the zippers), it makes it harder to zip and unzip the bag. The doctor's bag might be better off for the original size and the weekender size. In the video above with the bigger Casey, zipping and unzipping seemed easier.
As a sling bag (sling strap attached and can be carried cross-body): Just use any of the above 3 configurations, but just attach the sling strap. Hand-free carrying!
What it looks like inside:
The bag is lined with black cloth. There are 2 pockets (for your phone any small object) and a zipper pocket. On the right side, there's a nifty leather clip where you can put your keys. At the base, there is a detachable rectangular board.
I've used the Casey Mini for several weekends. I don't need a big bag during the weekends because I only carry my cellphone, keys, wallet, lip balm, tissue, charger, and portable charger. I love using it and I totally do not regret getting it at all!
I'm constantly on the lookout for more of R2R's bags and pop-ups. I'm a fan of the company and the positive impact they have on the local artisans. When I see an R2R bag that I really like (emphasis on really because I can't afford to buy everything I like), I buy it right away because I know I will never feel guilty or regret spending money on this company.
