Travel essentials: Brady satchel and Susannah Hunter purse

Now that I have come back to earth with a bump, and September is well and truly underway, I thought I'd share you with some travel essentials: Brady Maclaren satchel and Susannah Hunter daisy purse.

I first saw the Brady Maclaren satchel on ASOS when searching for a suitable satchel - I wanted to find something similar but different to the Chapman bags that I have come across.  I liked it for its simplicity and dimension: a generous sized 'handbag' for the aeroplane; a good sized bag for daily use while traveling around California. A quick search revealed this bag is sold by a number of companies that specialise in outdoor / country pursuits (huntin', shootin', fishin') - a range of prices, most lower than via the Brady website itself.

Key facts: Brady was established in 1887; they make a range of game and fishing bags, many of the styles dates to the 1930s and 40s. If you like a bag with  plenty of pockets, the Brady satchel is not for you as it does not have the pleated front pockets that many of these game / fishing bags have (so handy for gun cartridges etc) - there is just one internal zip pocket.  But this is large enough for storing all precious items that must not swill around the bottom of the bag.

The bags are handmade in Walsall out of top quality canvas, brass buckles and English bridle leather. The canvas seems to have magical properties and repels stains; the grease spot that I feared would forever be a reminder that eating eccles cakes while on the hoof is bad for the health of me and my bag, seemed to disappear. 

My other travel essential this summer was my Susannah Hunter daisy purse which I have had for ages.  Despite being quite small (a large sized postcard) it's possible to pack a lot into it - which of course I didn't hesitate to do. Make-up, hairclips, jewellery, front door key, oyster card were all stuffed in. This particular size of purse doesn't appear to be available anymore - but the zip clutch is similar.

Susannah Hunter on Lamb's Conduit Street

 

Back in June, I went to visit Susannah Hunter on Lamb's Conduit Street - tucked away in Bloomsbury in the area between Grey's Inn and Great Ormonde Street, it is home to little boutiques, restaurants and cafes and Susannah's shop where she sells her creations: leather handbags appliqued with floral designs. All of her creations are designed and made on the premises.

I love her classic daisy design, which pops up every so often in her collections

trunk o' bags - the trunk is also decorated, with irises 

Susannah's bags cost £££ - start off your collection with something smaller and more affordable: an iPad or Kindle cover

rolls of leather in a rainbow of colours

detail of a screen

furnish your home with Susannah's church chairs

these bags are the perfect way to tote around your kid's toys when you are out and about

today: Gabrielle Vary, Susannah Hunter, Alexis Dove and Clara Francis

Yellow scarf by Gabrielle Vary, handbag by Susannah Hunter appliqued with irises, Alexis Dove urchin hoop earrings and Clara Francis moth necklace.

Susannah Hunter on Rugby Street - blue and white

Window shopping at Susannah's - a particularly lovely overnight bag, white with blue anemones perched on a blue church chair. 

Have a look at Susannah's website for more bags, purses and other accessories.

Susannah's Jumbo clutch

I took a peek at Susannah Hunter's blog to see that these lovely clutches are in now in stock at her Rugby Street store.

Love is...(Part 1)

...a cliche of red and pink.  Get ready for Valentine's Day

Go out on the town wearing this little number: Belle & Bunty Eliza silk georgette maxi dress at ASOS

red Cambridge Satchel available here 

snuggle up under a Melin Tregwynt blanket (range of sizes available): Knot Garden, in ember, available here

say it with...lobsters from Tatty Devine

for the key to your heart: Susannah Hunter key ring from here

seriously amazing handbags from Susannah Hunter

I adore Susannah's bags. They are, quite literally, works of art.  Each handbag is made by hand in her London atelier just off Lamb's Conduit Street, out of soft brightly colour leather, decorated with an arrangement of appliqued flowers, and lined with velvety material.

I particularly like her daisies and anemones which pop up through the seasons on different colourways - for Spring Summer 2011 the daisies are on a pale dove grey haversack: a very handy bag if you have kids and need to have your hands free, but want an alternative to those dreaded 'sensible' mummy-nappy bags. NB - Susannah's bags don't usually feature zips, using magnetic poppers instead which is a consideration for those that want things extra secure.

and there are blue anemones on a white overnight bag: perfect for those Bridget Jones Mini Breaks - I have a vision of St Pancras International, just about to board Eurostar, SH bag in hand...

I also love her seascape which this season is available on the Alex bag:

As befits a work of art, they cost serious amounts of £££ - so you might have to raid the kids' piggy banks for this one.