I wish I was more organised!

Yep, I admit it!

But at least I've given myself a fighting chance.

I'm using the Corporate organiser in my handbag lately. I like it! I can find my pen, phone, glasses and I've got somewhere to put those pesky receipts.

But my favourite thing? When I look into my bag and see that my organiser has an empty pocket, it jogs my memory that I've forgotten something (almost always my glasses)! Yes, the ones that I don't really need. The Red Dot 1.5+ magnification plastic ones.

but don't take my word for it  --

I like my organiser because of all the 'stuff' that I like to carry in my handbag is accessible. Saves time as I just lift the organizer out of one bag into another. Everything is still in the same place and I don't forget anything. Especially my phone!! Jeanette.

My bragbags organiser is relativelty compact, and I can take my organiser to the gym, in my gym bag without the extra bulk, and I always know where everything is. Runi

Designing A New Market Stall

Thanks for Juliet from Design Merchants, I've got an (almost) new market stall. I thought it was time for a fresh look with my new Summer range just around the corner.

Here is a sneak peek!

Stories from Vietnam

I'm just back from another trip to Vietnam. It is where I have our unique designs made into reality, by the wonderfully talented ladies that I work with.

I'm always asked about what I do, and how I do it, so I thought I'd share a little bit in the next few blogs.

Choosing fabric.

I like to use silk. Why? Because using it honours and continues a dying craft. It is cultivated, dyed, handloomed and so much a part of the Vietnamese heritage. When Thu and I visit the wholesale silk markets, this is what I'm faced with in every direction:

I'm good for about 50 minutes in these teeny tiny stalls, especially when the temperature is 35C and 100% humidity! It never fails that I want to see the silk colour that is under at least 10 other rolls. I start feeling overwhelmed and if I don't have a good list with me, I lose track.

Oh, and did I mention that we have to wait until after lunch before we go to the markets? Because I'm collecting metre samples the stallholders don't want me to jinx their sales for the day.

Which one did I choose for Summer? Stay tuned ...

New Winter Styles

Can't believe the Summer has passed and we are now launching our Winter range. Where did Christmas and New Year disappear to?

I've been able to locate some really lovely leather, very soft and light. I'm a bit of a leather snob I think, so I hope you enjoy very soft leather like I do!

I love grey bags. Is it obvious in the new collection? Grey leather with chunky unfinished pearl square buttons, shiny buffalo horn and other organic details.  Soon to be online! Watch this space.

Unlike many designers who might find a lovely button or two and wonder how to incorporate it into their designs, our organic pearl buttons and horn details are designed from scratch. Within the limitations of these beautiful organic items, we can create any shape we desire. You know, it makes it so much harder when you don't have a starting point! Well, I think it does.

Anyway, we're snapping photos and more styles will be coming online shortly.

Public Events for November 18-21, 2010

Meet the Designer: Jenny Spring of bragbags australia


DATE: Thursday 18 Nov

TIME: 6pm-8pm

LOCATION: The Front Door Gift Shop, Waterford Plaza, Corner Manning Rd & Kent St, Karawara WA



DETAILS: Be our special guest with a glass of Sparkling juice on arrival, while you browse this delightful gift store.

Jenny from bragbags is the featured designer, and will be there to assist you with finding the perfect bag for Summer, or decide on the best handbag organiser to suit your needs.



Special offer: For every $50 you spend, you'll receive a $5 gift cert.


Christmas Craft & Antique Fair


DATE: Friday 19 - Sunday 21 November

TIME: 9:30-4:30


LOCATION: Claremont Showgrounds, Exhibition Centre

DETAILS: 200 crafty stallholders alongside antiques and vintage items. Indoor location, with sandwiches and tea/coffee seating. Be prepared to stay for the day :)

$6 entry fee


Joondalup Upmarket: original and handcrafted


DATE: Friday 19 November

TIME: 6-9pm

LOCATION: Central Walk, Joondalup

DETAILS: More than 40 hand-selected WA's designers and craftspeople with handmade clothing, art, gifts, gourmets and skin care.

Find bragbags opposite "La Vita" Italian restaurant.

Free Entry

http://www.perthupmarket.com/.au/joondalupupmarket.html

Winner of Handbag Organiser

Congratulations to Deb Lloyd, winner of our handbag organiser draw!

Feel Good Shop Smart

We always feel good at 'bragbags' when we are shopping but we get an extra boost when we know we are shopping ethically as well. With a Christmas shopping list a mile long we have been spending a lot of time checking out some great websites to help you with this task. Remember it’s better to give than to receive but picking yourself up a little something at the same time can’t hurt either.


'Bragbags' is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia & New Zealand. Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Check out their web site below for more information:

http://www.fairtrade.com.au/


We've just been endorsed by the gorgeous AND ethically-based Blue Caravan site.

http://www.bluecaravan.net/

Blue Caravan is an ethical design market stocking contemporary handmade, fair trade and ethical products warmed by independent designers, artists and artisans. Don’t you love that word – warmed? It means beautifully finished, made with heart and bought directly from the designer/maker.


Do you have a fave you can tell us about? Post it here --

What was Old is New Again

In the 1970s it was leather jackets and torn jeans, in the 1980s it was short skirts over leggings, lace gloves and lycra, (alas I have much photgraphic evidence of this :()and in the 1990s it was croptops and corduroy.


The fashions of past decades provide haunting memories and flashbacks to some, but are a source of inspiration to others.

Retro fashion is the art of dressing as if you had stepped back to a certain moment in time; it is an attempt to capture the essence and mood of a period.

Retro fashion has never been easier to pull off.

Add some well chosen accessories and you can achieve that retro feel without looking like you are heading off to a bad taste party :)

Check out some of bragbags' retro inspired handbags and eco-friendly jewellery for an easy way to step back in time.

http://bragbags.com.au/products/Retro_TV_Brooch-158-40.html

http://bragbags.com.au/products/Carved_Dress_Brooch-101-40.html

http://bragbags.com.au/products/Carved_Flying_Ducks_Brooch-107-40.html

http://bragbags.com.au/products/Vintage_Clutch_Purple-68-12.html

Movies and Handbags for October

We love a lot of things at bragbags: Handbags, cupcakes, puppies ... and going to the movies with a cool handbag :). Movies with friends for a chick flick, with the Man Bag for date night, or with the Wristlets to see a great kids movie.

Follow our October movie (and matching handbag) guide below for whats hot -

The Girl Who Played With Fire -

Based on the best selling novel, the second installment in Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy. When a Swedish couple are murdered in their apartment, a nationwide manhunt begins for the prime suspect.

Check our Red Paisley  for the fire within you :)



Linen Shoulder 3 Ring in Red Paisley

  http://bragbags.com.au/products/Linen_Shoulder_3_Ring-70-32.html

Eat Pray Love -

Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having - a husband, a house, a successful career - yet like so many others, she found herself lost and confused.

Make sure you are not lost or confused with our 4 in 1 Tote One bag four ways to wear it :)

4 in 1 Tote

http://bragbags.com.au/products/4_in_1_Large_Striped_Tote-183-35.html

Going The Distance -

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star in this romantic comedy about the trials and tribulations of a couple in a long distance relationship.

Do you need to travel for love? Travel in style with our travellers accessories.

Organised Chaos ::on holiday travel
http://bragbags.com.au/catalog/on_holiday_travel-38-1.html

Life As We Know It -

In this romantic comedy Katherine Heigl is an upcoming caterer left to raise a baby with Eric Messer after a disastrous first date.

Our Baby To Go organiser will keep the little one in your life ready to go with all their necessities.




Baby To Go Organiser
http://bragbags.com.au/products/BabyToGo_Baby_Bag_Organiser-106-39.html


Wall Street - Money Never Sleeps -

Michael Douglas is back in his Oscar-winning role as Gordon Gekko who coined the iconic phrase "Greed is good".

One for the boys - take your Man Bag and then get some great gift ideas for him here

Take Charge(r) for men
http://bragbags.com.au/products/Take_Charge_r_Bag-179-38.html

Legend of The Guardians - The Owls Of Ga Hoole -

Based on the much loved childrens book this animated fantasy family adventure has something for all ages.

While you're at the movies wear our gorgeous owl pendant

Carved eco-friendly horn Owl necklace
http://bragbags.com.au/products/Owl_Necklace-63-41.html

Holiday Packing Tips

Holidays are meant to be relaxing but the addition of children, dogs, inlaws and packing can mean we end up more frazzled than ever. We can't help you with the rest (especially not the mother in law :)) but we've some advice to help you with packing and staying organised on your trip.



Limit the amount you take. Easier said than done, but by sticking to a few basic color options you will increase your mix and match capacity. Take a neutral coloured bag to pull the looks together. 

 

Roll your clothes.  This will maximise the space you do have. Place shoes into shoe bags to prevent dirtying your clean items. bragbags Travel Trio has a shoe bag, wet bikini bag and smalls bag to keep all these items separate and organised.









Keep toiletries in plastic bags to reduce chance of spillage. Imagine arriving at your destination to find your suitcase is full of a broken shampoo bottle and its contents - ARRRGHHHH :(.  bragbags cosmetics bag is fully lined in plastic and features handy pockets for all your make up.

 

 

Everything in its place.  Use charger bags and jewellery rolls to not only store, protect and transfer these items but also to remind you to pack them upon departure.

And remember:  a holiday should be just long enough for the boss to miss you, and not long enough for her to discover how well she can get along with out you :))









Tips for Cleaning Your Handbag

Someone once said a dirty handbag is a sign of a dirty mind. Well, not really, but it is a sign of a dirty handbag :) Look after your handbag and it will not only look great but it will last longer too.

Leather bags should be cleaned only with a specialist leather cleaner.

PU (synthetic) bags may be washed using a mild soapy solution and then dried thoroughly before use or storage. Fragrance free baby wipes can also be used to clean off scuffs and marks from the exterior of your handbag.

Your bag lining can be kept clean by vacuuming it out (once you've removed the important contents!). It is important to protect the inside of your bag from any sharp objects, like pens. Of course we do suggest that using a non-plastic liner will protect the lining as well.

http://bragbags.com.au/catalog/Handbag_Organisers-2-1.html








Your bag lining can cost upwards of $50 to replace and as anyone who has seen the Sex and The City finale episode, a ripped lining can be costly in more ways than one. Remember the Carrie necklace lost in the lining of the vintage bag?

Summer lovin' had me a blast ... Summer trends

Oh yeah, Summer is coming and you know what that means……SHOPPING!!!

If you need to inject some new seasonal flavour into your wardrobe there is no better way to do that than by a new handbag. And you don’t need to lose 5 kilos for it to fit – bragbags handbags are 100% guaranteed one size fits all!

Here’s our top 3 trends and tips for Summer

Bright colors to liven up a neutral clothing palette http://bragbags.com.au/products/Large_Slouchy_with_Top_Stitch-186-35.html

Cream bags to pair with the floral items starting to appear in the shops http://bragbags.com.au/products/Soft_Knot_Tote-193-35.html

Stripes always feel like Summer for me http://bragbags.com.au/products/Striped_Foldover_with_2_Straps-183-32.html

How To Organise Your Handbag

Here are some quick tips (thanks to bragbags and Anya Hindmarch)


Don’t Overload Your Bag – A heavy bag is bad for your back not to mention the poor bag itself .

Have A Clear Out – Tidy your handbag out every couple of weeks and don’t forget to bang out all the dust, lint and rubbish from the bottom.

Everything In Its Place – Having a bag organiser is like having an internal filing system and makes it so much easier when transferring your valuables from bag to bag. Its also acts as a reminder on your way out that you have everything you need. An empty phone pocket means you don’t have your phone.
http://bragbags.com.au/catalog/Handbag_Organisers-2-1.html


Love Your Bag And Your Bag Will Love You – Don’t use one bag to death then bin it – build up a collection and switch between them regularly. Store them carefully on a handbag hanger between uses.  http://bragbags.com.au/products/Silk_Tidy_bags_scarves-95-37.html

Last MInute Father's Day Gift Ideas

If you are hunting for that last minute gift, and live in Perth, help is at hand!

Choose a handy Take Charge(r) bag or a Man Sports Bag Organiser and he'll be all set for his next trip to the gym, or business travel.

The Take Charge(r) bag coordinates with the Navy Sports Bag Organiser is you want to purchase the set. The Sports bag Organiser also comes in a trendy tartan.

Guaranteed to make your Dad smile for Father's Day :)

Both products available in our Organised Chaos Range at http://bragbags.com.au/catalog/Organised_Chaos-36-1.html

Dispelling the BackPack Myth

We get a lot of requests here at bragbags for backpacks as ladies tend to think these are better for their backs.

We can finally dispel that myth for good and offer an alternative that is not only more fashionable but does actually promote better back health.

The messenger bag now has the endorsement of Dr Oz from the Oprah show who has filmed a great segment filled with interesting and relevant facts about your handbag.

For example; did you know your handbag should weigh a maximum of 6.8 kilos – that’s one jack Russell OR 2 newborn babies OR a diary, a phone, an address book, a novel, a makeup bag, a purse, a water bottle.

Check out the full segment below and while we're on the topic of good back health bags, check out bragbags great range of messengers (and some coming soon!) http://bragbags.com.au/catalog/Messenger_Crossbody-32-1.html

Everything $25 Sample and Seconds Sale

We're having a huge Samples and Seconds sale this Sunday at the Old Perth Road Markets. All our one-off stock is going out for cash-only clearance.

Find us near the Bassendean Hotel between 9-230 this Sunday!

Skip the City to Surf and come find a bargain instead.

For more details --

http://www.oldperthroadmarkets.com.au/

Free Giveaways on Thursday Late Night Online Shopping

When we say we are trekking to 5000 Facebook fans, we mean it! And instead of begging and pleading you to sign up your friends, we're giving our a FREE product every Thursday night from 9-10pm. So your friends will be SO HAPPY to be a fan on the bragbags Facebook page as well!

Just join up now and you are automatically in to Thursday night Free draw.

Once we hit 5000 fans, we will be doing 5 days of FREE giveaways, yes 5 for 5!

www.facebook.com/bragbagsaustralia

New Styles of Handbag Organisers

If you were at Perth Upmarket recently, then you may have seen our newly launched handbag organisers with a zip top. We are responding to my South African friend's request for a super secure organiser for her handbag. She loves our handbags and is my best advertising out there. However, she often worried that if her bag fell over she might lose the contents of her handbag organiser. So we designed a new organiser with a zip top, and now her wallet is safe inside.

It will hit our website soon -- http://www.bragbags.com.au/ so stay tuned. At the moment we've just released this new zip top handbag organiser is slate grey. However, it will be joined soon by numerous new and cheery colours.

Find us at these events June 25-27

Fri-Sun June 25-27

Everywoman Expo, Perth Convention Centre.

Booth 445 near the front entrance

http://everywoman.exibit.com.au/welcome

Sunday June 27 Perth Upmarket, UWA

Find us in 2 booths --

- Handbag/scarf/jewels inside at the base of the stairs

- Organisers for home and handbag outside under the ma.rquee.

http://www.perthupmarket.com.au/

Design Workshop

Flourish Magazine has come onboard as a sponsor for the Design Workshop. So each attendee will also receive their latest magazine, full of news, recipes and informative articles.