Bags of Blog — vintage satchel

With Valentine’s Day just a week away, you may be wondering what thoughtful present your partner has carefully selected. If you, on the other hand, know that he is utterly useless when it comes to gift-giving and are trying to accept that he has inevitably bought you the fuzzy socks ‘you’ve always wanted’ then fret no further. Below are five of the best ways to hint subtly what you want as your valentines day gift, whether it is a diamond ring or a new leather bag.

1.  This trick involves patience. While on your computer, open up a tab with whatever you are aiming to receive and then go about your daily business, waiting for him to use the internet and voila! Job done, he will see what you have been looking at and even where he can buy it from, and almost definitely order it then and there! (TIP: this also works on tablets, laptops and phones, maybe even try them all! He’s bound to get it if he sees it every time he goes to Google.)

2.  A fool proof way to let him know what you want is to show him, without him knowing. Do this by planning your route to pass the shop (e.g. a jeweller’s) and as you go past it, glance in the window, long enough for him to see, but not long enough that you stop. He will hopefully look where you are looking, and buy you what you want! Sometimes a glance just isn’t enough, in these cases the only thing left to do is to cast aside all subtlety and full out stare, maybe point, and in desperate circumstances even say ‘that’s nice!’.

3.  Another great way to use the internet to get what you want is to post said item on social media. From tweeting the company to posting it on a friend’s Facebook wall, he will see that you’re interested in the brand/object, and hopefully get the idea! Another benefit of doing this is that even if he doesn't get the hint, maybe one of your friends/family might!

4.  You should also mention what you want around him as much as possible, just not directly at him. If you have friends over, go into the next room and loudly proclaim that ‘there is this one thing’ that you’d really like, or, even better, pretend to be on the phone and say something along the lines of ‘He’ll never guess that I want a new [insert ideal gift here]!’

5.  It’s the oldest trick in the book but it still works; leave a magazine or catalogue somewhere in his view with the item you desire circled in thick black pen – he won’t be able to miss it. Better yet, leave a few scattered around the house – if he doesn’t get this hint he certainly won’t get any of the others!

Hopefully these tricks will come in handy but remember, the most important thing is that he must think it was all his idea – as soon as he thinks you’re telling him what to get you, he may just decide that you’d love those fuzzy socks after all!

As the festival season is finally upon us, I thought I would share with you my five favourite (tried and tested) festival bags and satchels and what you can fit inside of them to keep you looking stylish at any music festival this summer.  

1. Mini Mini Leather Bag  The Mini Mini is the perfect festival bag for wandering around, night or day, at a festival of your choice. This is because, although it’s only a tiny H15 x W17 x D5 cm, it has two zip pockets on the inside, and is secured by a buckle (so your valuables will always be safe). It can be slung over your shoulder easily and looks great whether paired with wellies, a pretty dress or even if you’re attempting a little bit of fancy dress! WHAT CAN IT FIT? This is the bag for you if you want to bring the necessities only; you can easily fit your phone, lip-gloss, paracetamol and most importantly some loo roll (a must have at festivals!) – you can also squeeze in your passport if you are lucky enough to be going abroad to a festival and you’re sorted. It’s the perfect festival bag!  

2. Vintage Leather Satchel – Andreya Embossed This beautiful handmade leather satchel is one of the more expensive festival bags on this list, but it’s worth it. It is handmade by a small family business in Mexico and this means the attention to detail is exquisite – from the gorgeous embossing to the unique wooden stopper, this bag is a must if you love interesting design mixed with the quality of handmade products. And it’s not just for festivals, you can use it anywhere, whether you’re out for dinner or you bring it with you on a trip away, this bag is stylish and fabulous wherever. WHAT CAN IT FIT? This bag can fit your purse and your phone along with some mascara and lip-gloss, a small bottle of water, loo roll, paracetamol, gum and your sunglasses (can even fit a pair of flip flops and cardi too!). Or, if you’re travelling up on the train, this can be your ‘hand luggage’ with a book, iPod and headphones all fitting easily inside.  

3. Vintage Leather Satchel – Kids Style This leather satchel is a favourite of mine, and one which I actually own and use often. It is a great looking bag which has two convenient (and secure) pockets on the outside, which definitely come in handy. As I use it out and about in London, I can tell it would be a great bag to bring to a music festival as it is nice and safe to keep valuables in because of the buckles, and has an adjustable shoulder strap so you can keep it close to you, as you party through the countryside. WHAT CAN IT FIT? As I said, I use this bag a lot when dashing around London and normally this involves me carrying my purse, phone, digital camera, iPod and earphones and other bits and bobs (lip-gloss, mascara, tissues, gum etc). As this deceivingly small looking bag can fit everything necessary for a day out in the city, I have no doubt it would also be perfect for any festival. By replacing the iPod and earphones with loo roll, and grabbing some sunglasses you’re all kitted out for a day (and night) out dancing and drinking!  

4. Vintage Leather Satchel – Small Sun This leather bag is another one of our more intricate designs, with a beautiful pattern running around the edge and with the thick buckle patterned with the ‘sun’. This is the right choice if you want a small but sturdy bag which will give any outfit some vintage character and style. The front pocket is perfect to keep things handy and the strap is adjustable so keeping this bag close to you at all times is an easy feat, and with this much style, you’ll want to keep it close to you! WHAT WILL IT FIT? This bag is small but can easily fit your camera, sunglasses, wet wipes and phone as well as some makeup and gum to keep you going from day to night. As well as this, the front pocket is the perfect size for your guide to the weekend and your purse, so they will be at hand whenever you need them.  

5. Mini Long Leather Satchel This is a true vintage bag with the slight modernization of it being long rather than wide. We kept the design gorgeous and simple, and because of this, you can use this bag with any outfit and at any festival, whether it be a huge party like Glastonbury, or a more family-friendly weekend like The Secret Garden Party. WHAT CAN IT FIT? This bag is the right size to fit everything you need for a full day out in the sun, with your sun cream and sunglasses fitting easily inside along with your phone, lip balm, money, gum and tissues. It’s a stylish bag which is easy and comfortable to wear and can fit all the necessities us ladies always have with us - what more could you want?