Beach Bag Shopping

Summer is quickly approaching {and so it's my birthday month!} so I have decided I want a beach/summer bag as  gift from my husband this year. I have been shopping for the perfect one for about a month now. I want it to be large enough to store everything I need for a day a the beach, but small enough that I can still carry it as a summer bag to work and errands. 

As of two days ago I was set on Mar y Sol's {obsessed with this brand!} Valencia Tote in Natural, but after seeing so many cute options now I feel overwhelmed. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Mar y Sol Ibiza Tote By this point you are probably well aware that I am a sucker for all things colorful, pom poms and tassels. This bag speaks to me. Except I worry is too 'resort' to carry around the city. I love the size and navy tone but I think I would look silly walking into Trader Joe's carrying this on a Sunday morning. 

2. Skagen Anja Canvas Tote This striped tote has my name all over it. Roomy, packable, wearable and cute! I love the leather handles and sun-washed print. My only concern is that this bag would not go with a lot of my light colored and pastel summer outfits. I can see it a the beach with a black bikini or at work, but not as an everyday summer bag....but I'm so in love with it.

3.Straw Studios Bucket Tote I'll tell you the first thing I noticed about this bag vs. the Valencia tote I mentioned above...because the shape is oblong the opening of the bag is much smaller and less easy to get into. This is especially important when I'm traveling. Since most of these bags have a single snap closing option they are not the most secure accessory to carry around on vacation. But the smaller the top the easier it is to protect my belongings simply by resting my arm on top of the bag.

4. Mar y Sol Capri Tote How adorable is this!? I'm in love with this bag for all of the obvious reasons but I also love the size. Not too big and not too small {I am also obsessed with the name, Capri is my absolute favorite place in all of Italy!}. Although the bag is more colorful and structured, I have the same concerns I have with the Skagen bag. This is very outfit specific and I don't see myself wearing it with a lot of what I own.

5. John Robshaw Tortosa Bag If you don't know who this amazing textile designer is, you need to google him STAT! His prints are absolutely beautiful and this bag is no exception. Looks roomy, colorful yet understated enough. Could this be the one?

6. LL Bean Boat and Tote Bag  Can't go wrong with this classic. Fits everything, cleans easily and can be monogrammed. This bag has been around for years and will never go out of style. Maybe it's time I get my own.

Happy Thursday!

Xo,
N.