Leather Briefcase, $519
I love the motto for this bag: “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” That’s probably true – it’s guaranteed for 100 years. This is what my friend Gavin had to say about it: “…just look at it! It’s the kind of bag Indiana Jones would use. This bag could kick Jack Bauer’s bag’s ass any day.”

True.

from the Saddleback Leather Company

There is something wrong with me. I can’t find a handbag! I have bought purses upon purses and given them away days later, declaring them all wrong for me. I’ve had bags shipped from all parts of the globe that I neglected months, weeks, and sometimes even days later. I have bought $40 bags and $250 bags and hated them all. I can’t… settle. For someone who dresses like a ragamuffin in a rainstorm, I am awfully picky about what I carry around.

This, however, has a decent chance of being It. The last bag. It’s beautiful.

Dare I?

from Moop, $83

My Bayan Hippo bag came a few weeks ago, and when I opened the package the first thing I noticed was that it is a thinner canvas that I had expected it to be. It’s almost like a heavy linen – sturdy, but thin. It’s no utilitarian duck cloth, and this makes it very dainty and pretty, but also not well suited to being schlepped all over the city and treated roughly. It will be set aside and taken out on days when I’m wearing a cute skirt and having a nice stroll on a sunny day, but for everyday use, I need something I can basically abuse. It’s pretty, and I’m glad I have something nice but still casual for going out to dinner in the spring and summer.

I’m considering hemp again. My hemp wallet came and I’m super excited about how sturdy it feels (and, of course, the eco-friendly nature of the material). I think a whole bag of it would be kickass.

I did buy a purse in 2007 and declared it The One, and it was good for living in Connecticut, but now I need something that I can put on my shoulder and “wear” rather than “carry”, if that makes sense. It makes a difference when I want to walk and walk and walk; constantly adjusting something in my arms is exhausting, but if it’s just strapped to me I can go for miles.

The hunt continues.

*update* – my custom shoulder bag is being made! woo!

“Hello, lover.”

From Etsy user and mom of twin girls Bayan Hippo. She designs and hand-makes all her bags and sells them at fantastic, recession-friendly prices. ($27 – $35)

I actually could really use a shoulder bag, like the one below, more than a double strap bag that you carry on your arm like the one above. I have a double-strap one already (from the Gap) that’s nice for shopping, but I’m forever trying to hoist it onto my shoulder when I’m running around the city, and it’s annoying because it just. Doesn’t. Work. Stubbornly, I don’t want to let go of the possibility of it suddenly, magically staying put, so I keep hoisting, it keeps falling, and I wind up grumpy.

I don’t see this style in yellow, but she welcomes custom orders. She also offers purses in velvet, and has a huge variety of different fabrics and patterns.

Mom-run business FTW!