Wednesday
Apr152009
Bag it up(date)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 09:12AM
Alright fine, you guys win. You all hated my bag options so vehemently that I gave in and kept looking. I didn't want to. At all. Because I had already looked at ~25 stores and ~73 websites in search of the perfect bag. Yes I looked at Target, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Kohls and everywhere else you suggested, though I do appreciate the ideas.
And ideas you had! I love that about blogging - it's like the best advice column ever. But unfortunately a lot of your ideas just wouldn't work for me.
1. I don't want to use a backpack because our professor specifically suggested we don't. Even though we'll be a small group of American students in Ireland, she wants us to submerge in the culture as much as possible. And nothing screams tourist quite like a backpack. Or so I'm told. (Sneakers are a give-away too but I already have alternative walking shoes.) So no backpack.
2. Although a messenger bag is a great idea, I have this weird thing about flaps. As is customary on a messenger bag, the ones I found all came with flap openings instead top openings. I can't stand the flap action, so no messenger bag.
3. I also don't want to wait until I get there to find a bag. I love how adventurous that is, but the moment we arrive we're hitting the streets, and I need to be prepared. The planner in me says get a bag now!
Even after all the suggestions that I keep looking, I was stubbornly insistent on choosing between the two options I already owned. But since the vote was split on those two anyway (because some of you did vote even though you clearly HATED them both!), I sucked it up and did one more online search. Yesterday the Giraffe was sent a 20% off coupon code for ebags.com, and I thought that must be fate. I ended up finding a cool bag in the closeout clearance section, and after much deliberation (thank you Robin for g-chatting me through that decision), I ordered the bag.
It should be here early next week, and dear god, please let this bag be a winner! I'll wait until it arrives to show you what I ordered, but you have to promise you'll love it. Because by next week I'll be completely exasperated and want to punch walls if you hate it. So tell me you love it. Unless you truly hate it of course.
And ideas you had! I love that about blogging - it's like the best advice column ever. But unfortunately a lot of your ideas just wouldn't work for me.
1. I don't want to use a backpack because our professor specifically suggested we don't. Even though we'll be a small group of American students in Ireland, she wants us to submerge in the culture as much as possible. And nothing screams tourist quite like a backpack. Or so I'm told. (Sneakers are a give-away too but I already have alternative walking shoes.) So no backpack.
2. Although a messenger bag is a great idea, I have this weird thing about flaps. As is customary on a messenger bag, the ones I found all came with flap openings instead top openings. I can't stand the flap action, so no messenger bag.
3. I also don't want to wait until I get there to find a bag. I love how adventurous that is, but the moment we arrive we're hitting the streets, and I need to be prepared. The planner in me says get a bag now!
Even after all the suggestions that I keep looking, I was stubbornly insistent on choosing between the two options I already owned. But since the vote was split on those two anyway (because some of you did vote even though you clearly HATED them both!), I sucked it up and did one more online search. Yesterday the Giraffe was sent a 20% off coupon code for ebags.com, and I thought that must be fate. I ended up finding a cool bag in the closeout clearance section, and after much deliberation (thank you Robin for g-chatting me through that decision), I ordered the bag.
It should be here early next week, and dear god, please let this bag be a winner! I'll wait until it arrives to show you what I ordered, but you have to promise you'll love it. Because by next week I'll be completely exasperated and want to punch walls if you hate it. So tell me you love it. Unless you truly hate it of course.
in Friends, Giraffe, So Annoyed, Travels
Friends, Giraffe, So Annoyed, Travels
Reader Comments (7)
I know you've already ordered your bag but if it doesn't work out, go here to check out my suggestion: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699713&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442419239&bmUID=1239816722513. I have one exactly like this (except mine is celery green) and I LOVE it because my hands are free but I can still carry my stuff AND I have easy and quick access to my stuff.
Oh, no link love so we can see it? :(
Haha! I'm kidding. Ebags is where I bought most of my travel gear.
Ooo, trinity67, I like that!
Um, here's what I CAN promise. If I hate it, I will have to pick out something that you love in return so that you don't feel like you have to search again.
I agree with you completely about bags with flaps. And I love ebags! I think you're getting past the recommendation stage, but I love Sherpani bags and am particularly in love with this one, the Sojourn tote: http://sherpani.us/product.aspx?bO3FscouH=1&GQd0EjaqX=7&pmdoXJC4W=120
I wish I had taken the time to recommend it when you posted the first two options. It's a tote bag (top opening, vertical, no flap!) with both a long, adjustable shoulder strap and short handles for a variety of situations and carrying needs. It comes in cool colors and is available on sale at ebags. Sherpani bags are so well made and fun, I think it would be perfect for your trip.
When I went to Scotland in October, we realized we were clearly tourists by the amount of clothing we had on! We were FREEZING but all the locals were used to the weather and were just sporting t-shirts! ha!
Well I can't wait to see what bag you bought (and nice score on the deal!).
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