Top Five Stylish Handbags

I remember crying on my 24th birthday. Not tears of sadness, but tears of happiness because my parents bought me the Fendi purse I had been coveting for months. It was a purse I wanted for a long time, a purse I kept talking about (I probably drove my parents nuts, now that I think about it...) and a purse I used every single day, until it was replaced with another beloved handbag, years later.

Yes, I guess you could say I have thing for designer handbangs. Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Furla, Coach, and Marc Jacobs all live and are proudly displayed in my closet. They're all loved equally. Okay, to be honest, perhaps they're not all loved on an equal level. They're not my children, after all. But they are each loved, and I take care of them all.

The baby in my purse family, though? My Louis Vuitton Speedy. It's with me ALL the time!

This purse has been with me every day (almost) for the last several years. It was with me in the hospital when I gave birth, it has come with me on many vacations, including California, Maine, and Florida, and it always has a seat next to me in the restaurants I go to. My Speedy is actually an American citizen, made in France, and resides happily in Canada.

Since becoming a mom, I need a handbag big enough to hold the essentials (wallet, sunglasses, make-up bag, keys, gum, iphone) and also big enough to hold all the extra things moms need to keep in their purse—soothers, toys, crayons, ipads, bottles, books, water, and more. With the exception of my little evening Gucci purse, all my handbags hold all the things I've mentioned, and more. You would be surprised just how much can actually fit into a Louis Vuitton Speedy! Sure, most handbags I like are expensive, but they're worth it. They last and last, and because I'm always using them, they've all been worth the investment.

The two bags on my bucket list of things I'd love to own one day include an Hermes and a Chanel, but those are seriously out of my price range right now. But hey...I'll never say never...

Here are some new handbags I want/need/must-have/love that are decently priced:

Michael Kors:

I walked into Michael Kors the other day, having a specific purse in mind. I wanted something roomy that I could wear everyday over my shoulder, so when I'm with the kids, my hands are free. I saw this bag, fell in love, put it on hold, and called my mom. "Mom, I've done all the work for you!" I said to her. "I've put the Christmas gift I want from you on hold at Michael Kors!" The next day, I saw a new bag in her closet. I didn't even have to peek inside the bag to know what it was. (This purse is $250.)

Tory Burch:

I'm a huge fan of anything and everything Tory Burch. From shoes to jewellery to handbags, to clothes, Tory Burch is one of my most favourite designers. Also, I find most of her items affordable, even if you do have save for a few months to get what you desire. I simply adore this Robinson Double Zip Tote. It's $575, and comes in black, magenta, violet, and wildberry. It is one of those bags you know you'll use for years and years to come. It is classic, practical, and made from the highest quality Italian leather. What's not to love?

I also completely love the Jaden Tote by Tory Burch, and at only $225, it's a great investment. This is the bag I'd travel with, use every day in the summer, and store all my children's essentials in for weekend road trips. It's a beautiful, practical bag.

J.Crew:

I could seriously move in to J.Crew. I'm completely in love with everything they sell. The softest cashmere sweaters, the prettiest tops, the most adorable line of children's clothes, the cutest flats, classic dresses, and t-shirts you could wear every day, dressed up or down. J.Crew also carries some amazing purses, and this one is now on my "must-have" list. I love the colour, too! It retails for $348.

Banana Republic:

Banana is my go-to store for everything. At last count, 90% of my closet was from Banana Republic. I love Banana for work clothes, evening dresses, and just day-to-day attire. They also have some incredible leather purses too—like this soft leather Paige Pinking Shears Tote for only $160. A steal, I tell you. A steal!