I’ve been on the lookout for a purse to bring with me to Amsterdam. I have a number of bags, but many of them are too big, too heavy, or not secure enough.
About a month ago, I bought a cute navy blue leather crossbody from The Sak on sale at Marshall’s in Boston.
Marshall’s on Boylston Street in Boston used to have the best bags and shoes. Lately, they seem to have lost their way, but this casual blue bag caught my eye. I thought it was adorable, kind of retro hippyish, and it seemed spacious enough. It has a canteen-style strap that’s adjustable. It has plenty of room inside the bag as well as a huge zippered pouch on the outside. I’ve been using it for the past month, and I determined that it’s fine for around here, but not so much for a trip abroad. Unfortunately, the closure to the inside of the bag is completely ineffective. The leather-covered magnet doesn’t click/seal with the magnet on the front of the bag, so it basically just has an unsecure flap closure. Boo.
It would be easy for someone to reach in if I wasn’t paying attention and holding the bag closed. Fine for bringing in the car to do errands around town, but not so good when my attention might be on more interesting things while on vacation. Fortunately, I paid only $46 for the bag that is otherwise well-made.
On Monday before the storm, I went to buy a couple of pots for new plants that I bought at a wonderful greenhouse in New Hampshire on Sunday where Jeff and I went to an exotic plant show. I should have bought the pots at the greenhouse in NH where the prices were much lower, lol. Oh well. Afterwards, I decided to stop at the nearby Trader Joe’s, and how could I pass up an opportunity to stop into TJ Maxx in the same shopping plaza?
I found several bags that I thought might be contenders. One was from Italy, and it had the smoothest leather I’ve ever seen with no grain at all. It almost looked like rubber. It was a purse style with two short handles and a detachable shoulder strap. I decided it wouldn’t be great for traveling because it was too bulky. Another gray vegan purse-style shoulder bag with two big handles was spacious and very affordable but ultimately too big.
Then I found a Rebecca Minkoff black leather crossbody that was on sale. Bingo.
It has silver hardware that I strongly prefer to gold when paired with black leather. It is an envelope style with a zipper at the top and a zippered outer pocket on the front with a lobster clasp that will be the perfect place to keep my passport. The measurements are about 7.5″ high by 11.5″ wide by 3″ deep. It is a bit smaller than my other purses which makes it good for travel, but would all my stuff fit? I tried it out in the store by putting the contents of my current bag into the Minkoff. My makeup bag didn’t fit, lol. But I decided to buy it anyway. Once home, I took the contents of my Sephora makeup bag that has a wide bottom and put it into a slim Ipsy bag, and it worked!
Inside the Minkoff bag is a zippered compartment and an area to keep business cards. Even with me wearing a headlamp to light the interior, it’s a bit hard to see in there. Sorry.
I think it’s an attractive bag, the right size for me since I’m so short, and a crossbody is good for travel.
The style is the MAC, and I think mine is the medium size. On the Rebecca Minkoff website, the Mini MAC style comes in a variety of beautiful spring shades, some on sale and others full price. I found an olive green with gold hardware version of the Mini MAC on sale at The Real Real for $75 minus an additional 20%. There are quite a few Mini MACs in a number of different colors on Amazon. At TJ Maxx, the clearance price for my medium MAC bag was $64. The original MSRP for the bag is $295. I got a real deal!
So for $110, I now have two new crossbody bags: one casual and fun and the other one edgy, attractive and secure. Thank you TJX stores.
While at TJ Maxx, I picked up a new jean jacket to take on the trip to replace a double-breasted jean jacket that I bought in San Francisco years ago that no longer fits. 😥 One of the SAs found it for me in the junior’s department for $19.99. The price was right. The organdy handmade flower was a gift from Jeff when we went to open studios in Somerville MA back in November.
Have you bought any new bags recently?
Great bag and I’m sure it will work beautifully on your trip. I just bought a Radley London bag on my trip and I love it. It’s long and flat and the cross body strap is adjustable. Amazingly it’s a very bright red. I have a closet full of black purses so it’s a great change of pace. And my first souvenir of my voyage.
I haven’t bought any new bags in a long while (as if I actually NEED another handbag, hahaha) but I do have a couple new-to-me vintage ones that need some fixing up before they can go into rotation.
Amsterdam sounds exciting!!! Can I stow away??? I need outta here. lol
Hopefully the snow hasn’t completely covered you. The weather reports looked kinda scary. I have family on the Cape so I hope everyone is safe and snug. Stay warm!!!
Vintage bags? Sounds wonderful. I’d love to see a pic once you refurbish them 🙂 And yes, come along to Amsterdam! I rented an apartment in a canal house with a great view of the Keizergracht canal. I’m totally psyched. We’re going to go to about a million museums and go to Lisse to see the tulips. My house made it through this last storm unscathed. The power stayed on. I got about a foot and a half of snow. Cape Cod got hit harder than Cape Ann this time. Thanks for the good wishes!
That is a gorgeous bag, Allison and you definitely got an amazing deal!
Thank you, Shireen. I lucked out!
Hopefully the snow has stopped and you never lost power! The last bag I bought was a gorgeous Brighton handbag I bought at consignment store years ago. I think I paid $60 for it but the original price had I bought it new would have been close to $400. Two years ago my sisters bought me a black and brown cross body bag from Coach. Love it but can’t get much in it. Last summer my daughter in law gave me a soft pinkish/beige Kate Spade cross body on the day after Dick’s Memorial service. I felt very loved!
I lucked out this time, Sandy! Although there was about a foot or foot and a half of snow, the winds weren’t as bad as the last two storms and my power stayed on, thank goodness. I am a big fan of Brighton because I love hearts. Although I own a number of their small accessories like key chains etc., the bags are out of my price range. That’s fantastic that you found one in a consignment store! I like the idea of a black and brown bag because it goes with everything. Too bad it’s on the small side for you. What a lovely and thoughtful gift from your daughter-in-law! A pinkish-beige bag sound gorgeous – that shade is one of my favorites in everything!
Oh, I REALLY love the style of this RM bag, and you definitely got a great deal! This should be perfectly suited for your upcoming trip to Amsterdam! That jean jacket is super cute! You really scored all the way around, Allison!
Thank you, Helen!
Very cute bag. I am a purse junkie. It’s always fun to see what’s in others’ bags!
Just the basics in my bag, I’m afraid, coz it won’t fit much more 😉
What a great bag! I also got a handbag at Marshall’s recently. I’ve been needing one for AGES and got one that is cute and functional for a bargain price.
That’s great, Kerry! I’m glad you found a wonderful bag at Marshall’s at a bargain price too. I’ve gotten such terrific things at TJs stores lately that I can’t shop anywhere else 🙂
I love Rebecca Minkoff bags, I think I have 4 now!
This is my first, and so far I love it!
That’s a great looking bag, and it will be nice to travel wish because it’s a crossbody.
I love crossbody bags, in fact they’re basically the only type of handbag I wear. I can’t stand to have something in my hands, and a simple shoulder bag doesn’t feel secure enough to me.
You’re going to love Amsterdam! If you’re an art lover the museums alone would make the trip worth it. But the city is also fantastic to discover on foot.
Yes, you nailed it! The purpose of the trip is to go to art museums and also to see the tulips in bloom in Keukenhof and Lisse. I am so excited! We’re staying in an apartment in one of the canal houses on Keizergracht. I expect to do a lot of walking. Hopefully, the new Minkoff crossbody will enjoy the trip with me 😉
That is such a cute bag! I’ve wanted this style for so long, but never wanted to pay that much, but you found a total steal. Hope your trip is amazing!
Thanks, Bailey!
I have this bag in SO MANY COLORS. I love Rebecca Minkoff! Perfect for travel!
I really like that bag!