January 2013: Mimi sale!

Mimi's having a sale. 

Maximum Elsie, in navy, is the one I have my eye on - it's large enough for A4, and all the other bits and pieces you need for the day:

 Inside it, I would keep my Cyril Metallic purse

And this Kindle case in camel

 

Plus the kitchen sink

 

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.

Rachel Orme at Handmade in Britain 'London A Celebration' - Oxo Tower Galleries

Make sure you go down to the Handmade In Britain 'London A Celebration' show at Oxo Galleries this weekend (open 12th & 13th May from 11am to 6pm) and seek out Rachel Orme, one of my favourite designer-makers (last blogged about here).  Rachel makes a range of handbags, purses and folio cases using very high quality leathers, some are embossed or laser-etched with floral designs. All of her pieces are lined in Liberty lawn fabrics.

These are the perfect iPad cases, available in a range of colours (that pink is actually bright pink) and lined in Liberty lawn fabrics, fastening with a small magnet. This case can also be used for documents and papers...

yellow Rathbone satchel - adjustable strap, and with strap removed can be used as a clutch

green Rathbone satchel - great for the summer

you probably can't see the texture of the leather - it has a basket-weave effect - so so smart, this bag should be on Bond Street

Venus purses and make-up bags - made from glove leather and suede

this is a white embossed leather handbag (you probably can't tell from my poor quality photo). I say again: Bond Street. Rachel told me she only made 3 of these bags, so grab one while you can.

on a spree to New York - travel essentials

My spree would not have been possible without these travel essentials - this sounds a bit like a sponsorship deal, but I really mean it: I needed bags 'n' purses to keep all my stuff safe, and what better to take than British-made things, that are beautifully handmade out of quality materials?

I also wanted to prove to myself that it's possible to travel without those v. handy but v. ugly bits of gear made out of nylon.

(1) navy Mimi Eric handbag;
(2) Mimi Teddy tote bag for guidebook, swag and waterbottle, made out of waxed cotton;
(3) an Aubrey clutch-purse by Miller & Jeeves for my passport and ticket,
(4) the most lovely well designed luggage tag I have found anywhere also made by Miller & Jeeves;
(5) a Rachel Orme Venus purse for my $$$ (reduced to just a few cents by the end of my stay);
(6) and a polka dot silk scarf from the Linen Press to keep warm against fierce aircon on the flight and brisk breezes in the first few days.

Miller & Jeeves

I've just discovered the lovely Miller & Jeeves, an Oxfordshire based company that makes purses, clutches, bags and belts. Miller & Jeeves are an excellent example of the kind of designer-maker that I search for when I am on a spree, so to speak - contemporary design, traditional techniques, quality materials, handmade in Britain. If you want to buy any of their wares, contact Miller & Jeeves directly, or check them out at Not On The High Street.

Oo, navy pigsuede clutch, with pink tassle. V smart.

Cute little Flo purse

Aubrey clutch purse - available in range of colours, also available with an internal pocket (credit card sized)

Mrs Osborn goes on a spree: Cabbages & Frocks at Primrose Hill

Cabbages & Frocks, the Saturday market in St Marylebone Parish Church Grounds for food and fashion, made a guest appearance in Primrose Hill this weekend.
Kaybelle was there, selling her handmade purses, bags (cost approx £10 for a cosmetic purse) and brooches (which cost between £12.50 and £18).

Yellow

I love this colour.

Yellow Harris tweed satchel, £105 from Breagha

Tumeric Diamante clasp purse, £38 from Emma Burton

Jane de Bono Penny Sunflower leather purse £25.50

Yellow leather Kindle cover by Little Red Designs, £46

Mrs Osborn's favourite shops - Mimi on Cheshire Street

Mimi on Cheshire Street is where my obsession for British-made things really took hold.  I love love love those old fashioned frame-style purses that close with a pleasing snap, so imagine my delight (c.2004) when I discovered her collection of said purses, in a rainbow of colours.  I wanted one of every colour; I settled for a green one, and a silver one (with a hot pink lining).

From there it was but a skip and a hop to purchasing bags (yes, that is plural) designed by Mimi.  I favour bags with long straps and a zip along the top - so my hands are free for swatting pesky children, and my possessions stay safe as I hurtle around town - and Mimi has designed plenty of those over the years that have somehow found their way home with me.  A particular favourite, not unlike the Delilah (see below) was made especially for me in fabulous orange leather.

I popped along to Cheshire Street earlier this week to take a look at Mimi's Spring Summer collection.

Delilah in tan.

Let me tell you all about it:

soft, slightly grainy leather,

one long strap cross-body strap, 

and one shorter strap to wear bag on the shoulder

zip top, inner pocket with zip.

Perfect.

Gracie purse with long strap - brilliant! - on mannequin.

Little Peggy satchel in hard leather hanging on wall to the left, 

and red and green ones on table (just seen)

Hero  messenger bag hanging on wall

Louis laptop case and Oscar travel wallet (on top of cabinet)

Gloria clutch bag - especially like the sparkly leather in sorbet colours- which I have seen up close, and it is delicious (top left in cabinet),

 and Lucy purses (bottom shelf in cabinet)

Big Teddy shopper bag - 

did you know the school book bags fit neatly inside? 

(hanging on wall and on desk)

Tamara Fogle's purses and bags

I love those old fashioned 'frame' purses, in fact they are a bit of an obsession (via Mimi, they were the starting point for my interest in British made things), and Tamara Fogle makes a whole range of purses and bags which feature the old fashioned-style frames that make a pleasing snap when they are closed.

Palm purse (I have one of these - large enough for credit cards, cash and other bits and bobs if you want to travel light on a night out, such as mobile phone, lipstick, whatever)

I like this bag that looks like an old fashioned doctor's bag - the Landsdowne, in brilliant red

Tamara also uses antique fabrics such as Hungarian grain sacks; the Grab Bag below uses a quilted Indian textile:

Mimi's new collection

This deserves a post of it's own: Mimi's AW 10 collection is now available on-line. Hurrah! I am a devoted fan of her bags (her classic Elsie satchel is a top favourite) and purses, especially those that have old fashioned clasps...Kitty purse, tan goatskin is in current usage.

Kitty

 but this season she has some new, very tempting zipper purses (sweetly named Burt and Ernie) that come in some very yummy colours - soft gold, pewter...

Burt

Ernie

Dora and Honey bags are back again in new range of colours, and also printed leather, but I rather fancy the Teddy oilskin shopper - it looks like it can hold a lot of gubbins, it's waterproof and best of all it's got a zip to keep everything safe inside.

Teddy