3 bags in ... 1 bag out!

Review of the perfect vacation bag

Travel bag review

Why you need the Sseko Olive Canvas Travel Tote

My family just returned from a beautiful week in Mexico.

My family was loaded down with Sseko bags so I could test them on our various outings. Well, that AND so the rest of my family could look trendy and fabulous with gorgeous Sseko leather bags. My husband carried the Eden backpack, each of my girls carried the Convertible Tote and I brought along the brand new Olive Canvas Travel bag. Here’s my review of each, and why the Canvas Travel bag was the best, hands down!

Mom’s across the world know that they tend to end up carrying everyone’s random stuff. I carefully packed my bag for the plane with LOTS of room in order to allow for the accumulation. I didn’t want to hunt down the 7 passports and boarding passes that I had to carry through 3 airports and customs. It was excellent through my travels on Day 1, including the first trip to the resort pool near our condo.

It was weighed down with about 8 large water bottles, 3 blankets, 6 cell phones and various clothing items during our boat ride to a secluded beach. Unlike the leather bags, I wasn’t too concerned about it getting wet or sandy. The shoulder straps or cross body straps were wide enough to be very comfortable and it kept everything contained.

I was accompanied on our parasailing adventures and shopping by the beautiful leather Eden backpack. It’s definitely envy-worthy, but crazy inconvenient when you have to get in and out of it every 60 seconds. Can you hold my wallet? I need my wallet. Can you hold my sunglasses? Oh it’s too bright not to wear my sunglasses. Being the group photographer … It started making me grumpy having to get in and out of it constantly. I was missing my crossbody bag …

Every time we went to town, I had to carry too many things to use the Convertible Tote, so I left those for the girls to use during our trip. I did purchase the caramel one shortly before the trip, whereas I had only a black one before. It’s REALLY pretty and while I love using it at home, and the luggage strap allowing it to attach to a rolling suitcase is pretty awesome (especially when you’ve got 8 bags and 7 backpacks in your group) it wasn’t big enough for this mom.

So hand’s down, my vote for a travel bag goes to the Olive Canvas Travel Tote! It’s totally worth the $175 price tag, especially since it would go from vacation to highschool football game, dance recital, holiday festival shopping. day trip to Leavenworth, weekender with your hunny, Puyallup Fair day and so many other occasions. The lower zipper compartment allows you to carry those things you don’t want to get in the way of the things you need most. I throw my sweater and small blanket in there for my music in the park evenings, my jean shorts and flip flops for after work errands or maybe diapers and a change of clothes if you’re in that mom-phase of life. Having this stuff out of the way leaves room up top to easily find my Sseko zippered wallet, reading glasses, cell phone and my leather catchall for all my other purse necessities.

It’s pretty awesome! Keep on the lookout for mine - or pick up one for yourself for fall! Olive is a beautiful neutral option …

By the way, our Mexican vacation was epic this year! Practically perfect in every way.

Sseko birthday sale - day 6

More bags!!

Some of my favorites this time!!

Day 6 brings you all the cool and trendy bags from the spring/summer season. My favorite being the Woven Stripe bag - it’s so cool with it’s black and white design. It literally goes with everything and I find myself grabbing it more and more often. It reminds me of that California cool factor ..

The spring/summer line is all sorts of beautiful colors! I own the Shopper Tote in the Orchid You Not pink and it’s a stand out piece for everyday. The cross body strap makes it one of my favorites because I love being hands free. It’s soft and supple and has an outside pocket that I can slip my phone and VW key into.

These summer designs are on sale now for 40% off but only today! After midnight, they go back to full price. So many customers have been dying for these pieces at these prices that they’re selling out quickly! I even missed out on something I had my eye on 2 days ago .. so if you love it .. click purchase!

Best Day of the Sseko sale is here!

The best sale day has arrived

But only for 24 hours!!

And it’s here! I’ve having a difficult time not clicking that “Purchase” button on the beautiful Carryall Travel bag. You see, Sseko travel collection doesn’t go on sale, even for us Sseko Sisters! This is a rare opportunity to own a gorgeous piece of luggage.

Should I bite the bullet and bring this baby with me to Mexico??

Seattle Snowmaggedon

Snowmaggedon Shopping

Something to chase away the snow storm blues

A foot of snow dumped at our house within 18 hours yesterday. My day includes laundry, catching up on new movies On Demand and keeping the snow off our dog Homer’s hair (I’m not sure why our Shiz Tzu’s hair doesn’t collect snowballs like our Maltipoo.)

Are you looking for something amazing to do while you’re sitting around catching up on your Netflix series? How about a little online shopping?

Both of my beautiful businesses just launched their Spring collections! I received my Sseko Designs spring collection and everything I received is so gorgeous. The Sseko story is completely inspirational and making a purchase benefits women in Uganda, Ethiopia and India. Chloe + Isabel’s spring collection was inspired by Lisbon and although small, has tropical hints that make me think of summer even when stuck in a foot of snow.

Who's ready for a little 2019 trends?

Five Fashion Trends for 2019

Mom always said “Everything comes around again”

2018 and 2019 are taking us back to my high school days. I’m not entirely sure anything that came out of the late 80’s early 90’s were worth repeating - but designers have taken the best and made them not so embarrassing. Let’s take a look how you can join the movement without looking like Boy George or Cyndi Lauper.

The Fanny Pack

My husband is so excited

Funny story about the FANNY PACK is Dave’s friend Chris vowed never to be seen with Dave with a fanny pack. He LOVES them! We still have a few tucked away in a closet for vacations or big community events. I was completely onboard with Chris - fanny packs were a thing of the past and should be left there - until I saw the one sold by Sseko Designs last year! I fell in love and hunted a tan one down after they sold out. I then gifted a black one to each of my sister-in-laws for their birthdays in December because they’re always on the move with little kids.

Not only is Sseko completely on the mark, but fashion designers like Gucci, Rebecca Minkoff, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, JJill are all creating some trendy and updated styles. Sseko is once again bringing back the fanny pack - and if you’re still not sure - ours is convertible. The skinny leather belt can be removed to be worn separately and the bag used as a clutch or wallet in a pinch.

Whatever your style or need - there’s no better time to be “hands free”!

The perfect flat

Sensible & yummy

While not quite the jellies of the 80’s, but still this is a fashion trend that everyone can do and do without any pain. I’ve been wearing stacked heels and wedges for so many years - I have to watch myself in flats - I tend to trip! But I recently purchased a pair of beautiful navy blue, patent leather, pointed toe flats. Reminiscent of Ducky Dale’s loafers from Pretty in Pink.

If your job doesn’t require dressy attire in the summer - I would suggest you take a look at Sseko’s beautiful leather summer sandals. Full leather uppers and ribbon sandals can be dressed up or down and are convertible, comfortable and beautiful.

Oversized bags

The carryall that goes from office to beach and back

I don’t remember this being a specific trend, just that an oversized bag made me look skinny. When the kids were little, I always carried an oversized bag and it was generally filled with my wallet, diapers, toys, snacks, a random kid sock, cell phone rolling around the bottom with my keys and my calendar. Let me tell you that I never carried a diaper bag - I have my standards. LOL

I have a beautiful red & white striped Kate Spade bag and a gorgeous navy blue canvas Dooney bag in my closet. The Dooney is my favorite travel bag and Kate comes with me on our boat or the beach. For everyday, I stick to my Sseko leather pieces. Later this month, I’m receiving the latest Spring collection including a marvelous magenta Shopper Tote, the Shopper Crossbody, the goregous Eden backpack, the Bucket Bag in the new slate blue, Market Tote in Plume … oh and the Day Tote in the black & ivory stripe woven design from the partners in Ethiopia. (Geez, now that I see it in print, that seems like a lot of choices!) LOL - I guess I’m going to be ready to take this trend by storm!

Pastel Florals

Miranda Priestly would be so underwhelmed

So cliche, I know. Florals for spring. However, designers are making sure these florals last way beyond the spring season. Pastels are definitely not my thing - never has been - but I have my ways of being trendy. I even purchased a really pretty pale pink sweater from JJill recently - my mom’s favorite color. Any color can be pulled off with a great pair of jeans to tone down the pastel of it all. And while I try to avoid small floral prints, a beautiful monochromatic or two-tone floral will do wonders for 2019.

Geometric gems

Can’t get more New Wave then this!

Get ready for crazy colors in bold geometric prints! Look out for Boy George and New Wave boy bands to come out of hiding. My daughter and I found a great sweatshirt in Victoria at the Roots store that is SOOOO 1980’s ski lodge chic. A boxy, short, red number that looked like something out of the movie “Hot Tub Time Machine”. Of COURSE we picked it up and she’s been looking completely trendy all over her college campus.

I may have picked up 4-5 things from the new Sseko spring line with the most beautiful geometric print. It’s called Plume and the background of navy is my jam! Pile on the beautiful green, peach, slate and purple geometric floral-like designs and I’m in love. Sseko also graces us with 2 other floral prints, the Blossom which is a thin black large floral pattern over a cream background with touches of pink and Secret Garden, a beautiful display of green and yellow over a pale peach base. Both are swoon worthy and fit the bill for both floral and geometric trends.

I’d love to hear your worst and best 80’s fashion memory! Let’s hear it and then give 2019 trends a run for the money!