Nonpareil

I long to visit Buenos Aires *sigh*….South America is top on my wish list of travel spots…

Meanwhile, I’ll just admire these fun, funky bags made from the same vintage Naugahyde that can be found on the buses in Buenos Aires. Never has vinyl looked so good! They are from Viva Zapata…and styles sell really quickly…so if you see one you like, snag it before it’s gone!

I’ve been wanting a funky boho bag ever since I saw the Simone Camille bags on Who What Wear…but $650 isn’t exactly my handbag budget. SO, I found some super-cute bags that Dazzling Lanna has on her Etsy site. They are from Chiang Mai…and I just LOVE them! Most of them are made from vintage Hmong baby carrier fabric….fun style at a MUCH better price point.

My birthday was in June…and, as much as I totally hate to get older, I love celebrating…hanging out with friends, getting presents and eating cake!! This year, I especially scored in the presents department…my husband bought me an ipad {yipee!}. I hadn’t thought seriously about buying one, but now that I have one, I think it’s such a fun and useful gadget…I’m all geeked out about it!

Maybe even better than the ipad itself, is the coolie case I bought for it. It’s the one above, center…from Temple. It’s made from re-purposed military fabric, as are some of their other bags. I love the look of a high-tech gadget tucked into something that looks so old. I like their other bags too…so rugged and masculine.

I was searching for a new gym bag the other day {maybe having a cute, new bag would motivate me to workout!!}…and I found the super-cool bags by Ragged Edge Gear. Their bags are made from Kevlar, the same fabric that bullet-proof vests are made from…the fabric is also used as sails in racing sails for sailboats. We’re talking durable!

I’m crazy about the two bags on the right…especially the little toiletry bag. I’d go to the gym daily if they were mine. Really, I would!

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!!! {can you tell I’m a little excited?!} I ordered the little ballet slipper bag from the fabulous gals at Chria…it’s for my niece…AND, they sent me the adorable tree purse as a sweet surprise! Oh my!!

Everything about the package was cute…the illustrations on the box…the handmade cards…adorable packaging. I’m just blown away at every little detail on their items….Tiny beads, layers of fabric, embellishments galore. Their site just can’t do it all justice. And they are absolutely the sweetest gals, too! Totally made my day!