Category Archives: bags

tote your stash in something pretty!

new cosmetic bags from (wait for it) pottery barn!

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pottery barn ultimate cosmetic

my husband and i are building our very first house (eek!) so let us just say that i am taking the pottery barn catalog much more seriously these days. as i carefully studied the most recent mailing, i was delighted to find a gorgeous new collection of cosmetic bags. they have all of the best qualities: a gorgeous exterior print, functional organization, and a water-resistant lining.

my personal favorite is the ultimate cosmetic bag ($59) pictured above. it’s huge, has two elastic pickets and two zipper pockets, all see-through for the ultimate of ease in treasure hunting. but the best part? it unzips to lay flat, like an open book, which makes for great packability.

i’m also a fan of the new brush case ($19) - because a long and lean style is so perfect for toting brushes, pencils, and long lip glosses – and the jewelry roll ($24), an elegant way to travel with your best baubles.

if you’re in the market for some new travel bags, definitely check these out. the tropical floral prints are too pretty and each piece can be monogrammed (if that’s your thing).

shop the gwyneth palampore cosmetic bag collection >

hold me baby bag

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hold me baby bag

it takes a lot to impress me in the beauty bag department. with the multitude of options available everywhere i turn, a company has to be bringing something really new and different to the table in order to catch my attention. when the hold me company reached out to me with the new, smaller scale version of their original hold me bag, i couldn’t resist giving it a try. i have to have everything in its place, especially my beauty products, especially when it comes to travel. my biggest gripe in the travel cosmetic world has been the lack of a product that will keep my stuff organized for a quick overnight (or even a two night) stay. when all i’m packing is a duffel, i don’t want to have to lug a huge hanging organizer or train case around for my makeup and skincare.

the hold me baby bag is the perfect solution. it offers at-a-glance organization complete with brush protection (one of my favorite features!) and it holds a ton, before folding up to a compact size. the high performance knew-suede fabric is easy to care for making me worry much less about spills and explosions. the wrap-around cinch tie means that i can close the bag efficiciently regardless of how much stuff i’ve shoved inside (no velcro, magnet, or metal snap that would restrict the number/shape of products).

i could have gotten many more products tucked inside this hold me baby, but i wanted to show you how perfectly sized it is for my daily routine. the high-quality, unique bag comes in 12 different liner color options ( each done in a wipe-clean cotton print) so there’s definitely something for everyone. i’m curious: do you have a hold me bag? is there something else that works well for taking your beauty on an overnight adventure?

shop hold me baby bag ($55) >

stephanie johnson fall collection

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stephanie johnson fall 12

i’m drooling over the new fall goodness from my most favorite cosmetic and travel bag designer, stephanie johnson. she has brought some gorgeous new prints and fabrics to her classic styles this season and i want them all. these are just a few of the things on the top of my list – which one do you love best?

ikat love: the sumatra collection is super fresh in black and white with lime green trim. it’s all kinds of pretty in the small zip-top cosmetic, don’t ya think? i love this size for toting everyday beauty essentials.

not so basic black: the nolita collection is super sophisticated, but that pop of periwinkle liner and shiny gold hardware really give it some edge. i can’t get enough of the way it dresses up my favorite sj shape, the katie folding cosmetic. two compartments keep makeup or chunky jewelry organized for travel and it doubles as a clutch for an evening out.

batik floral: the jakarta print evokes stained glass windows and travel to far away lands. after watching this video on makeup brushes, i’m bulking up my collection and keeping them safe in an alonso pencil case.

jewel toned pouches: stephanie’s malibu collection is a batch of crinkle patent done in fun colors. i’m fairly obsessed with the deep jewel tones she went with this season (navy, forest green, plum, teal) and her pouches are the most versatile little solutions. i used my large flat pouch as a beach clutch all weekend, keeping my iphone, lip balm, hair ties, etc. all in one place and sand-free. it even looked great with my sundress when we stopped for a post-beach drink. i love that you can add a wristlet option to any of these, making them even more practical (as if that’s possible).

rainbow zigzag: oh, turin collection, how can i resist your zigzaggy goodness? if ever a more fun group of cosmetic bags existed, i am yet to find them. i am head over heels for this whole group, but the fiona dome cosmetic and i go way back to my first piece of stephanie johnson ever purchased. the size is just right for stowing my nail tools and best-loved polishes, plus i completely adore the tassel.

think you’ll be bringing any of these into your collection this season?

travel pretty: dc-nyc-boston-newburyport-dc

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i’m on the train headed back to nyc for a week of fun with hobo at the international gift fair. from new york, i’m training up to boston for a little visit with my family, and then the husband and i will be flying back from mass back to dc.

the trip totals 11 days away from home and comprises planes, trains, automobiles, hotel rooms, my sister’s brighton apartment and my parents’ house in newburyport. as if the length of time wasn’t enough of a suitcase dilemma, it’s also a lot of different climates and activities to prepare for (a trade show, nights out in new york, a red sox game, lazy days at the beach). i like to think that i’ve mastered packing over this last year, but sometimes bringing beauty can still be a real challenge, especially when i’m tight on space and really suck at going without any of my favorite products.

here’s what i have tucked away in the tsa-approved liquids and gels department (all packed inside the clear zip around pouch from my favorite stephanie johnson ml traveler):

1. leila lou perfume oil - which i’ve lately taken to wearing
in the crooks of my elbows, does anyone else do this?
2. use me cleanser for fine hair – a godsend against harsh hotel water
3. somme institute nourishing cleanser, from the pillow pack
4. somme institute double defense spf, from the pillow pack
5. ole henriksen ultimate lift eye gel – completely necessary for the next few early mornings, will be completely unnecessary by the time i reach the beach on saturday :)
6. use me moisturizer for fine hair – see #2
7. nars lip lacquer in baby doll – a super easy daytime lip
8. somme institute serum (full size)
9. perricone md no concealer concealer - most days i’m lucky enough not to need this, but late nights and early mornings mean ugliness for my often-hiding dark circles
10. vaseline lip therapy (impossibly tiny!) – combats dry hotel and plane air to keep lips soft
11. somme instite a-bomb, from the pillow pack
12. clinique all about eyes - i never fall asleep without it!
13. urban decay naked skin (full post coming tomorrow, simply ah-mazing)

as you can see, i monopolize every inch of real estate in that clear plastic pouch – thank goodness for super small versions of my (many) essential products!

pretty gifty: jouer cosmetics pochette

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this super chic wristlet-meets-carrying-case is the jouer cosmetics holiday 2011 pochette. now, pochette might be the most adorable word for “beautiful wallet on an ivory bangle that also holds your makeup and your phone and contains a mirror” ever, but i think it’s selling this gifty a little short.

for starters, it’s the most beautiful (likely faux?) chocolate suede i have ever laid eyes on, dressed up with champagne gold hardware and a detachable bangle for the ultimate dangly addition to your arm party. tug on the jouer logo zipper pull to reveal its full potential and inside you will see a built in mirror and lip gloss holder – which for a limited time contains jouer’s moisturizing lip gloss in glisten, my favorite! there’s plenty of room within to stuff your cards and cash as well as a slip pocket for your smart phone. the outside boasts a little zip pocket for coins or what have you and…need i go on? it’s the best makeup wallet ever, on a bracelet.

the jouer cosmetics holiday 2011 pochette is available online for $75.

march bag + balm

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bag: mountain peaks cosmetic bag in grey, $38

balm: phoenix botanicals organic lip balm (in eco tube), $6

my day job (that would be the one that pays the bills) is keeping me busier than i’d like this week and it is exhausting all of my energies, leaving little for my favorite past time – posting pretty for you. in other news, i’m thinking about a new monthly post that includes two of my most favorite things – a cosmetic bag and  a lip balm, different every time. let me know how you feel about this first pairing and if you like the concept. then perhaps i’ll do it again in april then may then june, you get the idea : )

hope you lovelies are having one fantastic tuesday!

cute cases from petunia pickle bottom

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for those of you that have been reading for awhile, it’s no secret that i love a pretty place to keep my products just as much as the products themselves. well, talk about pretty! these powder room cosmetics cases from petunia pickle bottom are just the sweetest. the expressive prints are only the beginning for these medium sized bags. they hold more of your goodies than you might think plus they boast a divided interior to keep things organized. they’re also waterproof in coated canvas so product spills are no worry and all for just $28.

but, back to the pretty…

(sigh) do you love?! to see eight more prints and to get your own, hop on over to layla grayce.

travel pretty: new cinda b. vertical cosmetic bag

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new in the “bag it” department is the vertical cosmetic from cinda b. that smarty cinda took the organization of her hanging cosmetic and the extreme roominess of her x large cosmetic (which is amazing but bulky and not-so-suitcase friendly!) to create a brand new super functional and super cute travel bag for your beauty essentials. the design of the bag itself is really great in that it’s tall and wide, but thin so it slides easily into duffels and other luggage. it also stands up on its own (open or closed) making it easier to access your goodies. with five inner pockets and one large central compartment i’m finding that its one perfect traveler for lugging all of my makeup and toiletries, including full-size skincare, hair and shower products. if you’re in the market for a carry-all cosmetics case, this one does it in style!

all of cinda’s pieces are durable, bright and currently 30% off with code CBVAL11 until february 15th.

lust have it: bobbi brown’s tibi python & peony beauty kit

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the new tibi peony & python beauty kit by bobbi brown has shot to top of my list of latest lust haves. it’s one half of a two part, limited release collection currently in preview at both neiman marcus and bergdorf goodman for the rather cringe-worthy cost of $95. the way i see it, the pink peony illuminating bronzer just HAS to be mine. it’s the ultimate cool pink with gold flecks with the right amount of pigment. i figure those babies retail at $33 alone, let alone the fact that i’m also coming away with the most adorable zippered pouch by tibi, a full-sized gel liner in black mauve (not new, but an of-the-moment black/brown/purple sure to look great on everyone), one of bobbi’s brightening glosses in lilac shimmer (honestly, these are not my favorite but tons of people love them), and two mini brushes – face blender and eyeliner. sounds like $95 well spent to me?

(sigh.)

this is a peek into how i justify my outlandish beauty buys and get myself into trouble : )

anyone else guilty of a little in-your-favor shopping math?

pretty pouch from paul & joe

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i am guaranteed to fall for anything that can pass for both a makeup bag and a clutch and paul & joe is absolutely certain to deliver the perfect pouch year after year. each one is a limited edition in the most beautiful vintage print. the elegant and pastel-y wildflowers below belong to the spring 2011 collection.

(sighs)

you can find the entire spring 2011 collection, including the latest cosmetic pouch ($40) at b-glowing. as an added bonus, receive this limited edition blotting papers refill with any $35 purchase. the papers aren’t just easy on the eyes, they freshen you up by absorbing afternoon shine and leaving your makeup completely intact.


i mean, if it’s not the perfect thing to put in your pouch.