I didn't realize it had been so long since I ordered my perfect tote bag - a purse that will hold every thing I need and do so in style. I had planned on doing a blog as soon as I got it -- and that was in May! Time has really flown by this year, hasn't it?
I'm doing a blog on a purse because it's an amazing purse. Actually, it's a tote. It's my purse, a tote, my mobile office, my gun holster, my makeup bag, keeper of my bullet journal, and and garage for (some of) my pens.
Don't judge. I'm a writer and a writer needs pens. LOTS of pens... in different colors and with different inks and tips and erasers and pencils. Yeah, we need all that... especially if we are also Bullet Journal fanatics.
First, I've gotta say that this thing, fully loaded (pardon the pun) is heavy. Seriously.
But when I say fully loaded, it means that the purse (which is over-sized per my special order) contains everything I need on any outing -- with room left over for me to stuff things in as the day goes on. Alicia (the wonderful artisan who crafted my beautiful bag) also added a bit more to the form of my purse so it would stay upright, despite the larger size, when I told her how I would be using it. That made it even heavier, but made it much more useful. The weight is the only downside. The ONLY one.
Originally, I had planned on just getting a generic computer sleeve to drop down in my new bag. Alicia added extra feet on the bottom and an extra thick bottom panel to help absorb an accidental drops or too-hard placements. She offered to do this when I told her I needed protection for my computer (this was the same time she asked for the measurements of my computer and offered to make the purse a little bit bigger so the computer would fit down in it completely). But, once I saw the purse, I knew that only a sleeve in the same thick, rich leather would work. I couldn't bear to put a puffy, ugly, run-of-the-mill sleeve in my glorious new bag.
So, I contacted Alicia again and asked if she would be willing to make me a sleeve. She did, complete with two pockets to hold my charger and the tiny mouse and the usb-c card reader and pass-through charger I needed to carry. She lined the interior with the same lovely red leather. It's a beautiful piece and I get compliments on it even when I pull it out of my bag or carry it alone.
I could have just left a nice review for Alicia over on her Etsy store (which I did) and call it done, but the more I use this purse, and the better it gets, the more compliments I get, and the more essential it becomes to my life, the more I want to tell others about this cool, accommodating leather artisan deep in the heart of Texas who hand-crafts the most amazing bags under the name of The Twelve Six Company. Her tagline is, "Judged by twelve or carried by six. It's your choice."
Alicia specializes in concealed carry purses, but I'd buy from her even if I didn't carry. It's just that much better because I do. So now my reader, you know about her too. If you order from her, tell her that Angela of Living Small says hello (and is still loving her purse!) Nope, I'm not an affiliate, just an aficionado.
2 Comments
I bought my first Baggalini purse a few years ago. I have always carried a small purse. I bought two more small ones. Then I got one a
bit bigger but it was too big so I gave it to my daughter in law. I can’t imagine carrying or using a gun. I have been retired since 2002.
Thank you for stopping by, Tina! We all have to find the tools (like purses) that work perfectly for us. Congratulations on finding yours! 🙂