Branching Out

My personal handbag of choice has been my mini-Jansport backpack for oh, I don't know, 17 years now. It started out as my way of rebelling against diaper bags. Diaper bags that were way too large and only came in styles that were garish and cutsey - duckies, rainbows, baby blue or pale pink.  A minimalist, even when my children were babies, my little backpack was just the right size to hold a diaper, extra set of clothes, a snack or two and serve as my purse at the same time, because really, what parent needs to haul around a farking suitcase in addition to a baby? Such the perfect bag! Fully machine washable and stylish. My little backpack has served me well over the years and I still carry it today.

Sometimes, though, even a mini-backpack is too big or inappropriate for the occasion. A number of years ago I discovered Maruca Designs. A big fan of all things textile, I fell in love with the fabric first. Then I received my little bag. It was a style that they no longer make, an in-between size version of the City Girl (pg.7) and the New Yorker (pg.17). The heavens opened up, angels sang and petals fell from the sky. I LOVED my simple, chic-yet-earthy, worn diagonally over-the-shoulder, bag that was just the right size for wallet, checkbook, tampons and cigarettes. (Shut up.) It was perfect with jeans or my little black dress.  I machine washed it a thousand times and traded back and forth between, or carried it simultaneously with the mini-backpack (the bag is small enough to fit inside the mini-backpack and still have lots of room) for years. Sadly, about a month ago the strap finally broke, but good and can't be fixed.

Look what I found on ebay, cheap, cheap - woot! It will be in my hot little hands on Tuesday.

And maybe I'm growing up (finally) or just feel the need for the first time in my life NOT to look like a hostel-staying college student with my old nylon (normal sized) backpack as my carry-on luggage because look what else caught my eye for the Italy trip:

Hands off, I say. The auction is still going on and I fully plan on winning. Please don't bid. I would hate to have to hunt you down and stab you in the eye. But know that I WILL IF I HAVE TO.

Comments

[Mr Lady]

Dude, it NEVER occured to me to look on eBay for them.

I am from Denver, and they are from Boulder, and they have the Most. Glorious. TrunkSale. Ever. every stinking year. I would totally send you a bunch if I wasn't in Canada now!

It's like a cult, us Maruca chicks.

[Kelliqua]

It IS a cult. I've recruited a few more into it with having to buy Christmas presents for 5 sisters and 2 sisters in law. Everyone loves the New Yorker for Going Out/Party nights and the Jewell bag fits perfectly inside of a purse.