The best stuff ever in the whole entire world for hip, happening ladies!

The other day I posted this nice little bag. A gleegarden reader and friend, Crystal found an even less expensive alternative.

Reptile Print Hobo – I ran across this reptile print bag today and I thought it might be a nice alternative to that bag you posted on gleegarden last week. I hardly ever spend that much money on purses because I beat the hell out of them. Particularly on St. John, where a purse has to double as a beach bag/bar napkin, it’s hard to worry about a bag that you’ve spent a lot of money on. This is pretty silly, but fun. And super cheap! – Crystal

I have an addiction to handbags. C’est vraie. It seems like only yesterday that I wouldn’t touch them, thought they were stupid and useless. Oh, how silly and young I was. Bags are beautious, beneficial, and beat having to put things in pockets or grapple with carrying in one’s hands. Like I had to tell YOU that!

What I am looking for right now would be some subtly fun colours and classic styling. What some OTHER ladies have been looking for is an alternative to the cartoony, pastel diaper bags that seem to defy any sort of style sense. I think this does the trick (and the PRICE is right)…

It was so exciting to come across some new products and vendors while in Atlanta over the weekend. One product I LOVED was the Valley Bag. It is well made and looks lusciously inviting. The bag can be used like a regular bag, or an insert into a bag to protect its interior. I think that mainly goes for ladies who tend to have more high end bags than I do. I’d just use it as a regular bag. Cuteness.

Truly a little fun for the person who just seems to already have it all…Parazul Bags. You can buy one that is already designed, or make your own! Choose style, colour, a scarf and a trinket. And let me just say that these had better be some pretty nice quality bags due to the price and all. They definitely have that preppy look to them, but I like! Below is the one I designed. Fun times here, people.

Excuse the absence! My vacationing (and extra day of travel which meant a hotel night in San Juan, Puerto Rico) means that you get your weekly GleePeek fix on Wednesday. Is that what day it is? I am so confused at this point.

Without further ado, Didi is back! She brings us another great eco-friendly design which she recently talked about on her website greenissexy.org (and as I mentioned last week…Didi got a Vogue mention along with Megan!).

Flip and Tumble Bag- I really do absolutely adore this little bag. Just know that having a cute (the colors are awesome), Popple-like bag in your purse at all times is absolutely fabulous and saves you many bags of all kinds. You might think twice to grab a reusable bag when you’re going grocery shopping, but all the times that you didn’t know you’d need a bag (clothes shopping, bringing books home from work, etc etc) is when I truly appreciate it. – Didi

End result…

Note: See Didi previously here, here, here AND here!

This is one rad bag by Matt and Nat. It most definitely has the sporty chic thing going on. The canvas with that blue detailing is really doing it for me. Plus, it looks like those nifty compartments will definitely hold all the goods I insist on carrying around with me.

Other cool facts…it is vegan canvas with 100% recycled blue faux suede.

Lately, I have been trying to put myself in the place of those gleegarden readers who live in not-so-tropical climates. Let me tell you, not always easy! I got such a sunburn yesterday while on the car ferry between St. Thomas and St. John, and you really do not want me to even talk about the record-breaking amount of sweat pouring from my little body. Yikes. I could use some chillier fall weather myself. But alas, here I am…in front of two fans writing away in my 87 degree apartment.

I just couldn’t bring myself to dig into fall wear/accessories/whatnot. Instead, I looked for inspiration the one place that I knew I could count on…Orla Kiely products!

These are not necessarily the easiest things to track down. I purchased my perfect and awesome wallet a few years back on ebay. Let me tell you, it honestly still looks like it is brand new, even though it goes with me everywhere, changing bags when I do. It has the perfect change compartment inside, several credit card slots, not to mention several separated areas for business cards, notes, or whatnot, AND it zips shut to keep all your goods in. Plus, it is designed by Orla Kiely so it is just cute as a button with her clean, colourful prints.

Here is one similar to mine in style. A very darling traditional Orla number:

I found this new style below online and I am definitely digging the colours. It isn’t the zip shut kind like I have, but I think the fold-over top would do the trick perfectly. I want it!

I met my friend Crystalyn back in the day when we both dated some skater boyz who were roomies. She lived downstairs from them and was always crafting up this or that, but what stuck with her through time was her bags.

It is so cool to see someone go from working in their basement apartment to being a successful, recognized designer under the name Crystalyn Kae. She’s been featured on a variety of great blogs, as well as Seattle Magazine, Women’s Health, Lucky, and now a film starring Robin Williams (and the list goes on and on)! Go girl!

My friends and I have owned a variety of her durable, socially conscious pieces through the years, and I think I may need to add this new clutch to my collection.

Not only is it quite hip looking, it is waterproof (key in Seattle winters), vegan friendly, and hand-crafted with care in Seattle. I love it!

Check out the rest of her bags too…crystalynkae.com.

Mkay. Know why these totes from Bloomindale’s are so dang cool? A few reasons.

1. Each one has an awesome look created by a different designer

2. 100% of the proceeds is donated to Dress for Success (charity that helps women get on the way to earning a viable living)

3. They are affordable at $35

4. You need a tote (or more than 1 tote)

The last item on my birthday wish list before signing off for the weekend is from my friend Deanna’s Etsy store, Nostalgia Handbags. She specializes in making the old new again with her vintage bags, and this fun little number is one of my faves.

I am just totally picturing the previous owner and her stylish, socialite ways. Look at that sleek white, the convertible gold handles. I think you know what I mean. Alas, it is a vintage classic-a bag Audrey Hepburn could have carried around in her young iconic years, or maybe Kelly or Brenda or Donna on 9-0 back in the day. It transcends. And I want it. Check out Deanna’s prices…can’t be beat!

*Have a great long Labor Day weekend. Monday’s GleePeek will be from Deanna, so check back then.