Packing for a Semester Abroad Part 2: The Handbags

So…

This is the second blog post in the “Packing for a Semester Abroad” series, and will detail the two handbags I plan on bringing with me during my semester abroad in Europe. One is a large tote bag, and the other is a cross-body purse. I decided on bringing two mainly for convenience: I will be using my tote as my laptop bag, and I don’t feel like lugging around a tote when I decide to go out at night to paint the town with friends.

The first bag is the New York by a company called GRACESHIP. The company was created by Emily Gimmel, a veteran TV journalist in search of the perfect “laptop purse…something that she could carry both to the office or to drinks and dinner”…and thus GRACESHIP was born.

According to the website, the New York style laptop bag is designed specifically for the woman “who never sleeps or has time to plan her outfits”. I picked this bag mainly because of the crossbody/shoulder strap, but it being a black tote really cinched the deal. With two handles featuring an 11.5″ drop, the dimensions of 16″ x 11.5″ x 7″ (H x W x D), and weighing in at 2 pounds, the bag is both functional and fashionable.

Taken from the website, the full list of features include:

Interior charger pocket that zips
Cell phone pocket
Multiple business card pockets
Two pen holders
Convenient key ring
Pouch for papers
Soft chocolate colored lining

zipper — Gold hardware made from the highest of quality

cross-body strap — Adjustable and removable cross-body shoulder strap

Comfortable and adjustable shoulder strap

laptop compartment — A cushioned computer compartment that protects a laptop or tablet up to 15.6″

A sleek magnetic snap closure to secure the device — A sleek magnetic snap closure to secure your computer

metal studs — Metal “Feet” Studs at the bottom of the tote

After testing the bag’s capacity, I was able to fit the following items inside the interior pockets:

A 13″ MacBook Pro with a Speck Case in the computer compartment
Apple laptop charger
Two slim textbooks
An extra DSLR lens (pouch included)
My Giani Bernini Wallet
an iPhone 4s with the Mophie Juice Pack Plus battery case
a purple organizer

Inside my purple organizer, I was able to fit the following items:

an iPhone 4s with the Mophie Juice Pack Plus battery case
a card wallet
my eyeglasses case
an extra DSLR battery + the charger
1T external hard drive
a pair of Women’s Nappa Leather Plush-Lined Winter Gloves with Leather-Covered Buttons

I am very pleased with the New York bag and look forward to using it as my school tote while in Europe!

Moving on to the next handbag, I will be using The Sak Iris Leather Demi Clutch in the color Black Onyx. I was able to purchase it for $39.99 on Black Friday in 2013 (Regular Price: $89.00, Sale Price: $65.99).

According to the Macy’s website, the Sak handbag contains the following features:

Leather; trim: polyurethane
Adjustable detachable shoulder strap with 23″ drop
Top zip closure
Antique brass hardware; small signature detail at front
Interior features: zip pocket and 2 slip pockets

With the measurements of 10″ Width x 7-1/4″ Height x 2-1/2″ Depth, the handbag is quite spacious and large enough to fit the following items:

My red Giani Bernini wallet (purchased on Black Friday 2012)
My iPhone 4s with the Mophie Juice Pack Plus battery case (also purchased on Black Friday 2012)
My point-and-shoot camera, the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX20V (again, purchased on Black Friday 2012)
My card wallet
In the zip pocket: medicine pouch, ballpoint pen, extra camera battery
In the 2 slip pockets: lip balm, chubby stick, eye drops, small pack of tissue

Ballpoint Pen and Extra Camera Battery not featured

The bag also has a small slit on the back (around half the total width of the bag), wide enough to fit several cards for easy access (or to slip in business/discount cards if you’re in a hurry!). I apologize for the different lighting and background, by the time I remembered to take this photo the sun had already set!

I have already been using The Sak crossbody bag during my Christmas break here in the Philippines, and it is quite conveniently-sized. I also used the New York bag during my trip from Colorado to the Philippines, and it held up well during the entire process. Overall, I am excited to test out the bags while in Europe – who says you can’t be both functional AND stylish?

Stay tuned for part three of my “Packing for a Semester Abroad” series, where I figure out how to pack my large U-Lite suitcase, one outfit at a time!

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