Facebook knows I’m an easy mark. The advertising they show me so often works like a charm.
Back in July, I saw an ad on Facebook for a very cool looking two-tone shoulder bag tote bag/purse. It caught my eye big time.
The brand was a new one to me: Maison de Beauté Marseilles, and though it was a French name, its leather bags for women and men are made in the UK. They have an unusual development model (or maybe it’s a marketing model), a club through which they solicit ideas, critiques and changes from their customers. But truth be told, it was the design of the particular bag that got me. Plus they were, of course, having a sale.
The bag I bought is the Cholet, a lightly structured bucket bag and the most comfortable shoulder bag I have ever owned. The rather unusual shape and the colors were what attracted me. It comes in at least 5 color combinations, but I fell in love with the black and red color combo (black exterior and red interior) and ordered it. In the photo below, you can see the interior pocket and the clasps that keep the bag closed.
It took about 10 days to get here from the UK, and shipping was free. Now that I’ve seen and felt the bag, I also love the top stitching and the adjustable buckle.
Here are the details of the Cholet bag:
- Crafted from Napa Leather, a soft, durable, full grain leather
- Clasp hook closure
- Internal Pocket
- Free zipper pouch (Limited time offer)
- Handmade
- Height x Length x Width: 15.4 x 15 x 6.7 inches / 39 x 38 x 17 cm
Because the bag is quite large and made of leather, I was a little concerned that it might be heavy and awkward to carry. I worried for no reason. It is unbelievably lightweight.
And the shape of bag (i.e. the “dip” in the top of the bag’s design) and the strap make it so easy to carry. It tucks in perfectly under my arm.
The clasp hook closure can be used to keep the bag hooked together, but sometimes when I’m using the bag as a tote, I use the clasp as a hook for my keys.
The red cloth zipper pouch that I received with the bag is also spacious, measuring 12 in. x 7.5 in. x 5.5″. It has an interior zippered pocket and open pocket that’s perfect for a phone. I put my wallet, pen, extra plastic gloves, and makeup bag in the zipper pouch. The purse has a zippered compartment, and I put an extra clean mask in there.
Today, I went to Boston to get my hair recolored. I put on two masks and plastic gloves, and I took the train. I needed to take quite a few things with me, and usually, I would bring a purse and a separate tote bag. But Sassoon is limiting what we can bring into the salon, so I decided to take my new MDBM shoulder bag instead. I was amazed at how much the bag holds! Here’s what I put into my new bag plus my phone and a folding umbrella:
And even with all that stuff, the bag was still lightweight and easy to carry. The quality is amazing.
I bought the bag, as well as the added red zippered pouch, for $95 while it was on sale. The regular price is $129, still worth it IMHO.
Maison de Beauté Marseille has a number of different styles for women and for men. Check out the website if you’re in the market for a new bag or for a gift, and specifically check out the Cholet bag on the MDBM website.
WOW! That bag is gorgeous. Definitely would have caught my eye. I’m so glad it’s even better in person,I love when that happens. Is the inside red or a brownish color(fingers crossed for red,lol). Sounds like it ticks off every box for requirements on a bag. Enjoy Allison. xo
Laura, the inside is a bright tomato red. I was going to take and post new pix today, but it’s just as dark, gloomy and rainy as yesterday! Go to the website and take a look. BTW, when I went to the website last night to try to grab some photos, they offered me 15% off. Honestly, I was blown away at the quality of this bag! Thank you for commenting xo Have a great weekend!
Laura, the sun came out and brightened up the sky, so I took new pix of the Cholet bag and replaced the old ones in the post, if you want to really see what it looks like 🙂
Oh Allison, it is GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for letting me know you updated the pics! <3 I am definitely going to go to the website and try and rearrange some monies. I love it! So happy for you,enjoy it! xo
Thank you, Laura xoxo
What a beautiful purse and I love the colors you picked. You have an eye for fashion and a steal. But why did you need the flat iron?
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Thank you, Marcia! I love the black & red combo, and over the years, I have owned many articles of clothing and accessories that are black & red. I can’t resist!
I thought I needed the flat iron because I wasn’t sure if I was going to have to go into the restroom at Sassoon and flat iron my hair. Five weeks ago at my last visit, I discovered that Sassoon now charges $65 for a “booked blow dry”. Because I didn’t get my hair cut, I didn’t qualify for a complimentary blow dry. In the past, I was allowed to blow dry my own hair, but with COVID restrictions, they can’t allow that. I thought that they might offer a free rough blow dry, and if that was the case, I would surreptitiously flat iron my own hair because I couldn’t leave the salon after a rough blow dry because my coarse, somewhat frizzy hair would look hideous, and I took the train into Boston (though there were almost no people on the train). However, the manager spoke to me about an email I had sent to corporate management complaining about the cost of the blow dry going from $25 to $65 over a matter of a few months. He said that my regular stylist would blow dry my hair for free which was fine with me. I tipped her $20, and that seemed fair. I’ve been going to Sassoon since 1987, and for decades a complimentary blow dry was part of any service that you got. Things change, I know, but Sassoon has gotten so expensive that it is getting harder for me to keep on going there. My colorist, however, really knows what she’s doing so finding a replacement for her elsewhere would be difficult. Sorry for the long sob story!!
You and I are great target demographics of Facebook ads because I also get persuaded to buy stuff
LOL, I guess they know what we like!
Love this set!
What a gorgeous bag! I love the striking color combination! Perfect!
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Thank you xo I know I’ll get lots of use out of my new rouge et noir bag this fall!
What a beautiful bag and you can fit so much inside!! Wishing you many happy years of wear!
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Thank you, Anastasia! I love it!