A Simply Classic Bag: Cambridge Satchel Medium Leather Push Lock Bag

So it's been a while since I made my last blog post mainly due to the fact that my life has been so busy with work and I have just not found the time to sit down and write a post. However today I decided to take some time out and do just that. Recently I have sort of been on a handbag ban and decided to sell the ones I don't use and try to scale down my collection. This was mainly because half of them I never really used and I decided it would be nice to make room for some new ones that I might actually use.

So last week I was just internet browsing and came across this beauty from the Cambridge Satchel Company. Called the Push Lock bag and soon as I saw that it came in the colour Oxblood, I had to have it. For some reason I just love the colour oxblood in a handbag it's sort of my weakness!

I have always wanted to own a bag from the Cambridge Satchel however I found that their satchel were not suited to me. Mainly because they were just a pain to open and shut and they were a bit on the bulky side to carry around with my everyday as an everyday handbag. This bag seems to be more my style because it's so small and compact and it is perfect for carrying your everyday essentials around with you.

This bag comes in three sizes and in the end I ordered the bag in the medium size which is perfect because it just fits my phone, keys and my slim purse in it. I also love the fact that you can remove the strap to be able you to use the bag as a small clutch.  Over the past few days I have really fallen in love with this handbag and to be honest I wouldn't mind another bag like this one but in the large size maybe in the colour tan. If your thinking about treating yourself to one a highly recommend it because it's just such a simple bag that is so well made. 

xxx

Handbag Reveal: Longchamp Le Pliage Tote

I been looking everywhere for a new tote style handbag to take to work with me to carry all my essentials with me every day. I wanted a handbag that wasn't too big and bulky to carry with me on the bus but just something that looked simple and could be easily wiped cleaned when leaving it on the floor all day. Also I wanted a handbag that was waterproof so when I walk into work I don't have to worry about everything inside my handbag getting wet.

So for a while I watched a number of handbag videos on YouTube (mainly handbag collections videos that are my favourite to watch) and one handbag brand kept popping up and it was the brand Longchamp.

After doing my research I decided to go for the Le Pliage in medium however for some reason in the UK Longchamp have renamed it as the Le Pliage small. This confused me for a while until I checked the measurements which were the same (H25cm x W25cm x D14cm).  I have noticed by watching these videos that Longchamp have now changed the inside lining for some reason because the inside of this handbag is black whereas before they were white. This is a lot better because you won't see the dirt inside.

I can now see why so many handbag lovers have more than one Longchamp in their collections because they are really useful handbags to have and they come in so many colours and different styles and sizes. The reason why I picked my Longchamp in the navy colour is mainly because I don't own a navy handbag however I am very tempted getting this handbag in the violet colour as well!

xxx

Current Handbag Wish List

The first handbag that has been on my mind a lot recently and is on the top of my wish list is the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium. The reason why I am in love with this handbag is mostly because of the shape and the way in which you can undo the zips on the front of the bag to make it look like a completely different handbag.

Next on my wish list is the Michael Kors Selma medium handbag in blue, again I just love the structure of this handbag and it just looks so simple.

The last one on my list is the Rockie by Alexander Wang, I don't know why but I use to hate this handbag because I wasn't a big stud fan. However after watching so many handbag video on YouTube I have seemed to have fallen in love with the style of them. I love that this handbag look so simple and the only detailing on the handbag is at the bottom.

What is on you handbag wish list?

xxx

Handbag Review: The differences between the Marc Jacobs Percy and the Flap Percy

I have been thinking it would be very useful to do a blog post to compare my two Marc Jacobs Percy handbags together, to see if there are any differences between the two handbags.

First Difference: Closure - Well looking at both handbags the flap Percy has a flap with a popper closure and the Percy just has a zip closure. Even though the both close differently they both have actually have the same amount of room inside.

Second Difference: The Inside Lining - My purple Percy has the old Marc Jacobs lining which is what I love most about the Marc Jacobs handbags. However on their newer handbags like my Flap Percy they have now changed the looked of their inside linings to the same colour lining as the handbag itself with their logo printed on it.

Third Difference: Inside the handbags - The flap Percy has a back inside zip pocket that I love having inside my handbags to keep things safe whereas the Percy just has a pouch bit inside the front of the handbag to place your phone or keys in.

Forth Difference: The Straps - What I love most around the Percy is that you have the option on removing the strap so it can be used as a cross body handbag or a handheld clutch. However on the flap Percy you can't remove the strap but both handbags have the same strap length that can be adjustable to suit you.

I love both of these handbags and I think these handbags are perfect for everyday use if you don't want to take a lot with you when you go out. Hope this has helped someone who is looking into buying either of the bags

xxx

Updated Review: Collonil vs. Ink Transfer on Leather Handbags

I have already done a review of this product (here) a while ago however I wanted to do a quick update on it. Recently I started using my leather Marc Jacobs handbag and even before I used my new handbag I used this product to waterproof it from the wet weather here in the UK and like I said in my last post I was hoping it would stop ink transfer from happening to.

I been using my handbag on and off for a few weeks and I have noticed that ink transfer has started to happen on my leather Marc Jacobs handbag even though I pre-treated it with this product. So I took my Collonil Leather Gel and cloth, applied a little over the ink transfer and it came straight off.

Ink transfer from my jeans onto my bag handle

Applied the leather gel onto the cloth which removed the ink transfer of the leather

Like new 

So overall it you are looking for a product that get rids of ink transfer from your jeans on your leather handbag I would recommend this product to help remove the stains from it.

xxx

Marc Jacob Flap Percy Handbag

This handbag has been on a few of my wish lists that I have posted on my blog and it was only a matter of time until I ended up buying it. So let me introduce you to my newest handbag in my collection called the FlapPercy by Marc Jacobs. I haven't brought a handbag in around 5 weeks which I was so proud of myself for not doing however I just craved when I saw this.

This is now my third handbag from the brand Marc Jacobs and I really can't fault their handbags. I am absolutely in love with the brand and how they are designed to look perfect for every occasion. The reason for getting this handbag was because I wanted a just a small brown everyday bag that I could wear with everything and I think this handbag fits the bill perfectly. 

For me, because Marc Jacobs's handbags are such good quality I am hoping this handbag will still be with me in years to come and I won't have to replace it for a while. Because I find that I am replacing my cheaper handbags a lot because they wear out so easily.

Inside Zip Pocket

Features: This handbag comes with an adjustable strap so it is perfect if you are a taller person or a smaller person like me. It also has an inside zip pocket which I love in handbags so you can keep the important things hidden. To lock the handbag it has a popper on the front to close it.

Adjustable Strap

Colour: Smoked Almond with Gold Hardware

xxx

Review: Collonil Classic Leather Gel

Recently I have been looking into buying a leather product to use on my new handbag and I came across this one by Collonil called leather gel. The reason why I brought this was because every handbag I seem to have always seem to get jean transfer on the back of it. However since investing in a more expensive and first leather handbag I didn't want jean transfer to happen again. So I did my research and I found this product by Collonil. This product is mainly used for water proofing your leather items and stops water marks being left on your handbags so I hope it this will also stop some jean transfer happening.

I know Marc Jacobs don't recommend that you use any products on your handbag and you should leave your handbag completely naked however I felt I couldn't risk it. The leather Marc Jacobs uses on his handbags is very similar to Mulberry's handbags and Mulberry recommends Collonil products to use on their handbags.

About the product

As some of the online reviews state a little of this product does really does go along way. This product can also bring your dull leather products back to life. Before using this product make sure you test a small amount of the product somewhere hidden on your handbag to make sure it won't change the colour on your handbag. I tested it on the back of my handbag strap. 

 The way I used the product on my handbag was I used a Collonil cloth and dipped the cloth into a bit of the gel and rubbed it onto my handbag and left to dry.

What else I used the product on

I also used this on my work shoes to make then waterproof and used on our leather sofa. After adopting Rosie the cat we didn't realise how much damage her claws can do especially to the leather sofa.

How I used it on the sofa

1.      Wipe down the area with a damp cloth

2.      Dry

3.      Rub in Gel

Even though the gel didn't get rid of the damage marks on the sofa it did reduce the look of them.

Before

After

I will keep use updated how on whether or not it did stop jean transfer or not.

xxx

What's In My Everyday Handbag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Percy Crossbody

I  always love seeing these type of posts and I decide it was a great opportunity to do a what's in my handbag post with my newest addiction to my collection my Percy cross body by Marc by Marc Jacobs. Now, normally I play it very safe with handbags and go for a safe colour in either brown or black. However something about this violet colour attracted me to this handbag and I love how unusual the violet colour is and not many people would have a handbag in this colour.

Ok, onto the handbag it's self even though the Percy looks a small handbag it is a very roomy inside so I can fit all my essential in it. The only thing to note about this is handbag is that the strap is very long and I felt it could have done with another hole in the strap to make it a bit shorter for people who are more on the petite side like me. However I still love this handbag and I am really happy with it.

Here is what I carry inside my handbag:

1. Car Keys

2. House Keys

3. Radley Dog and Spot Medium Coral Purse (Review here)

4. Pen

5. Blistex MedPlus Repairing Lip Balm 

6. Mobile (Old I know, but it does the job!)

xxx

Handbag Unboxing Reveal: Marc by Marc Jacobs lil Ukita

After a long hard decision between buying a Mulberry or Marc Jacobs handbag I decide my heart had fallen in love with a handbag from Marc Jacobs. To be honest this handbag only came on my radar a while back when I started saving for the Mullberry Effie Satchel handbag  which I fell in love with last year however deep down I couldn't justify spending nearly £650 on a handbag so I started a handbag fund. For a while, I kept my eye out for a second hand one on eBay however none of them made me want to bid on them. In the end I decide on the lil Ukita designed by Marc Jacobs over the Mulberry Effie Satchel because for me the lil Ukita is a bigger bag and I felt the inside and outside of this handbag was more suited to me than the Mulberry one. However I am not saying that I would never buy a Mulberry because at some point I know I will.

Unboxing Time!

I ordered it online from Harvey Nichols store in the UK because not many online store stocked the colour that I wanted to buy it in and just my luck on their website they were having a summer event with 25% off 2014 fashion and accessorize which included the handbag that I was eyeing up.

For me, I am kind of a handbag collector where if I spend a lot of money on something I am so scared to ever use it and I think  this is one of the reasons why I would never get my money worth when buying a Mulberry handbag. However I am going to make myself use this handbag all the time so it will be a well worth buy! I just fallen for this handbag, I absolutely love it. 

xxx

Modalu Dickens Clutch Oxblood Handbag Review

I sort of promised myself no more bags this month however when I went into town I popped into Browns in York and wondered into the handbag department where they were having a 20% handbag event (oh dear) and there on the shelves was a handbag I have been eyeing up for a while. Well to be honest I bidded on it on eBay the week before and got out bidded and I felt it was just meant to be that it was the last one in stock so it was just meant to be.

What drew me most to this bag is the oxblood colour of the bag with the horses head on the flap of the bag. Also the fact that this bag is multi-functional it can be worn as a wristlet, clutch or as a cross body bag with the bag straps being detachable. It has one main compartment with two internal slip pockets and one zipped. I really do like the brand Modalu and this bag came from their winter collection however it can still be found in store or online in some places.

Other features of the Modalu Dickens Clutch

• Modalu shell jacquard fabric in ivory

• Decorative horse head hardware on

• Flap opening with magnetic dot closure

• Modalu dust bag 61 – 64cm extendable cross-body strap

• Large enough for a small tablet and your essentials

• Dimensions: H20 x W24 x D4 cm

• Material: Leather

xxxx

Handbag Ramble: Designer Or Inspired Handbags?

Mango zipper top, $51 / The Cambridge Satchel Company satchel style handbag / Michael Kors white leather handbag, $440 / Lipsy mini satchel bag, $83 / MICHAEL Michael Kors crossbody travel purse / Mango zip top / Accessorize structured purse / MARC BY MARC JACOBS color block handbag / Chloé leather cross body handbag / River Island studded shoulder bag, $56 / Accessorize chain handbag / River Island faux leather purse, $42 / Accessorize pink crossbody / Kate Spade genuine leather handbag / Rebecca Minkoff black leather shoulder bag / Accessorize red crossbody bag / Michael Kors zip top / Mango flap bag, $29 / MICHAEL Michael Kors structured purse / Kate Spade bow handbag

Recently, I been thinking about buying a designer handbag however there are doubts in my mind whether or not a designer handbag is really worth the money, when there are so many inspired handbags around for a fraction of the cost. Because I'm the sort of person that changes my handbag on regular basics so will one designer handbag ever be enough? Also the idea that instead of buying just one designer bag you can buy a lot more different inspired handbags for the price of one, however will the designer handbag last longer?

At the moment I think the high street shops do amazing inspired designer handbags such as Mango and Accessorize which do really great affordable inspired handbags for the fraction of the price of a designer handbag.  Hmm but which is better? 

xxx

Handbag Care Tips: How to remove dye transfer and pen ink from your favourite handbag!

I find it so annoying when you realise that you have managed to get ink transfer from your jeans onto your favourite handbag. Where the ink has transferred by rubbing against your jeans and has then rubbed off onto the back and sometimes sides of your handbag. It mostly happens to me on my lighter colour handbags but still, it is really annoying when it happens. Another thing that also happens to me is when I get pen ink on my handbag however half of the time, I am never really sure how that pen ink has got there. So here are my two tips on removing the ink transfer from your favourite handbag to make it look like it did before. 

Tip 1: Removing dye transfer from your clothing of your handbag

Dye transfer on back of handbag :(

Take some kitchen roll and hairspray 

Spray hairspray onto kitchen roll and rub onto bag

Dye transfer gone :)

Tip 2: Removing pen mark from your handbag

Pen mark on handbag :(

Spray some hairspray onto a piece of kitchen roll and rub onto pen mark

Pen mark now gone :)