THE 6 (best) BAGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

Let me start out with this:

I understand not all women care about purses/bags. 

Some just have a tote they bought on sale at Gap for $6 and use it everywhere (cough cough me in college).

Some just keep a wallet in their back pocket and call it a day.

I, however, have become a purse hoarder in my wise-old age of 28, and these are the 6 bags I always use for every event I go to.

Is this a shallow / materialistic post?

YES! Congrats! You've figured it out! But believe it or not, I get asked where I buy my purses when I'm out- so this post is for those laaaaadies.

If you're not interested, please move along. I don't care for the "why are you posting about bags there are more important issues in the world" comments today.

I'm aware there are more important issues in the world, however, some people like to take their minds off of those issues for a few minutes a day and read post about bags. So. Back. Off.

Rant over.

For those of you that are interested, these are the 6 bags that I own (or versions of, if the ones I own are sold out) that I use for every even possible. Work, Working out, Weddings; you name it, these cover it.

Read below for the details!

The Crossbody Bags.

I own 3 cross body bags- each a different color and size, in a specific order. Am I neurotic? Yes! But here's why:

1. The small, neutral greyish-blushish crossbody: I own a slightly older model of this Kate Spade Cedar Hill Cross Body. I use this bag exclusively for weddings/fancy events where I want my dress to be the attention-grabber- and the purse solely to function as a place to store my phone, my money, my lipstick, and a ton of bandages for when my high heels rip apart my feet after dancing for 5 hours straight. This bag runs about $148 at full price, but you can totally find cheaper versions like THIS one.

2. The small-but-slightly-larger black crossbody: This is usually my night-on-the-town purse. Black because it goes with everything and if I spill on it ya can't see it. #truth. It's a little larger that the neutral one above so I can store a few more items in it. Yes, I've gone rogue and used this one at a wedding before. Because I'm a rebel like that. (please tell me sarcasm is coming across on this one). I own a now discontinued Tory Burch number, but the one I show above is neat too. If $300+ isn't in your budget, try THIS one.

3. The halfway handbag- halfway crossbody cognac crossbody: How's that for a clear description? I use this guy when I want to have a relatively low profile bag, but still want to pack my instax camera & a ginger ale. Yes, literally. Because fun fact: I usually have a ginger ale with me wherever I go...but that's a story for another day. This Michael Kors one is exactly the one I own and have used for get-togethers or blog events. It'll run you about $228, but HERE is a cheaper one.

The Tote Bags.

I could write an ode to totes. Because they have all the space in the world and I love them:

4. The canvas zip-top tote: I have a couple of these- one is my gym bag and the other is my work computer bag & and most importantly- my travel bag. The zip top is AMAZING because you can close it and tuck it under a seat on an airplane and your cell phone and tampons won't fly under your seat and cause you to ask your neighbor to help you pick them up #beenthere. These bags will run you about $30-$40 at LLBean/Lands' End, so I'm not even going to offer a cheaper version, cuz that's hella cheap.

5. The nylon packable tote: I love this bag because if you spill on it- or you get caught in a rainstorm- it doesn't get ruined. That's because it's super durable nylon! Plus, when empty it packs up into a tiny rectangle- which is great when you're travelling and want more than one purse option when you get to your destination- this takes up almost no space in a suitcase. I swear by THIS Longchamp (shown above) which will run you $145, however you can find cheaper nylon bags like THIS one.

6. The oversized leather tote: I alternate between this bag and #5 as my everyday-bring-to-work bags. I own the exact color shown above from Madewell ($170) and now that it's broken in the leather is like buttttahhhh. It holds a ton of stuff and goes with any casual outfit. Plus it's purty on the instagramz. Pretty much everyone and their mother has knocked this bag off, so you can find a cheaper one HERE.

What bag do you swear by?

Are you a hoarder like I am??

xo, lp

proof of the bagz and that i'm not just lying to you:

*also- more proof of bag love on my instagram HERE * 

*also also- no one sponsored this post. i just really like to go on long diatribes about bags. because i'm crazy like that. also, because i'll get fired if i don't mention it- i work for lands' end, but i get NO benefit from posting about that tote at work-swear on my love for bags that i don't. *

A REMINDER TO STAY POSITIVE (THANKS VIOLA)

(if you're not in the mood for a lengthy post, just skip it and read the reason I'm writing this post; this article)

I love going into antique stores & flea markets. Especially ones in small towns.

Michael is used to this fact- and whenever we go on roadtrips and I see the rusty old "Vintage Shop" sign- I beg and plead until we pull over to search for hidden treasures for half an hour.

(Baby Laura circa 2006 posing with a flea market sign. Why did I think this was cool? Oy.)

A couple years ago we were driving through Stockton, Minnesota- and I saw an "Old Tyme Shoppe" sign. I didn't even have to open my mouth, Michael just rolled his eyes (with a smile on his face) and parked out front. An old woman welcomed me when I entered- and her eyes lit up when she saw Michael walk in behind me- in all his 6'1" glory. 

"Would you mind coming back here and helping me?", she asked, turning towards the back.

Michael and I followed her as she opened the door which led into her attached home. She explained something was wrong with the AC vent, and she couldn't reach it- so she asked Michael to help make it right. While he tinkered, she showed me antique baubles and we chatted.

At the time I was totally baffled (as I always am in such small towns) of the complete and total trust and faith she had in humanity. She took one look at us and trusted us to come right on into her home without a second thought that we might rob her blind. 

We bought a couple items and headed out- with her thanking Michael for his help and waving as we went. We've passed that store a few times since that trip, and each time we would recall how hilarious we thought it was that she had no shame in asking us for help, and let us into her home so freely.

I hadn't thought of her in a while, until Michael sent me this article today, which was republished out of remembrance (as she passed away a few days ago). As I read it I couldn't help but tear up. I didn't even know this woman well, but hearing about all she had been through in her life was overwhelming.

When I finished reading it I wanted to run over to Michael's work and hug him. And then drive to Minnesota and hug my parents. And then drive back here and hug Michael again. 

So stop reading this ridiculous post, and go read this wonderful article about her life. I dare you not to be inspired to be a more appreciative, positive person. It's such a necessary reminder that you have no idea what other people have gone through, and to treat everyone you meet with kindness- like she did with Michael and me that day.

When you finish reading it- send it to someone else!

xo, lp

DON'T EVER LISTEN TO NETFLIX.

For the last few months, Netflix has been telling me to watch "High School Musical".

Every time I sign on, there it is, waiting for me in the "You might also like..." section. Zac Efron's pre-pubescent face is just grinning at me through all the self tanner.

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I mean, it's my own fault that it's there. Netflix knows I've been watching every single episode of Glee for the last few months, so they clearly assume I love all things smarmy and full of teenage singing. It's all part of a not-super-complicated algorithm to make me watch endless hours of people singing Journey while wearing overly-sequined costumes. I'm convinced of it.

I finally caved.
 Michael was out for the day so I figured I'd watch it. I mean, how bad could it be?

As soon as the first song started, I was like:

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Somehow I couldn't turn it off. The acting was bad. The songs were terrible.
And yet somehow, I watched it.
And then I watched High School Musical 2 immediately after.
Because Netflix told me to so I did.
#nowillpower

The real problem wasn't that I soon realized I had wasted 3 hours of my life on two movies that I assume were written by 14 year olds... but rather that those movies kept haunting me through the night.

My dreams that evening?
ALL. LIKE. HIGH. SCHOOL. MUSICAL.
Everything that happened in them had a part where someone would break into song. And naturally everyone would start singing along. Duh.
This included a work dream nightmare where one of my coworkers started singing about Excel spreadsheets. I kid you not.

It wasn't awesome or full of magic. It was terrible.
I kind of just wanted to scream at everyone.

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What did we learn from this, kids?

We learned that you should never listen to Netflix when they tell you that you might like High School Musical.

Because they're wrong.

You won't.

Just go back to watching House of Cards or Fixer Upper like you had planned, and you'll be so. much. happier.

xo, lp