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Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you're buying one for the first time or replacing one you've worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, you're probably thinking of what to carry on the plane (the minimalist travelers probably can get away with just a weekender bag and their usual purse; for me the weekender bag beCOMES my purse and usually supplements my rolling bag). I thought I'd poke around and see if I could find a few durable, lightweight, and big bags for the upcoming trek. Readers, have you recently bought a weekender bag? What do you try to carry on to planes if you can?
 This bag is almost sold out at Amazon (it's already gone at the Ellington web site) — but the navy is still there and on sale at Amazon, and for a pretty great price of $54. (It's in black, as well, for $109.) This looks like a huge bag, and I like that there's an outside pocket that you can unzip from both bottom and top to slide it over a rolling bag, should you want to. ellington Amelia Weekender |
 I was not familiar with the brand “Big Agnes” before, but I think this actually looks like a great bag — it looks lightweight yet durable, huge, and with a ton of organization inside (watch the video on Zappos!). It's $69.95. Big Agnes Road Tripper Duffel |
 Hmmn: I am a little concerned that my longstanding favorite weekender bag (the Le Sportsac Extra Large Weekender) seems to be in dwindling supply everywhere — Zappos has but ONE color, and Amazon only has a few, and it's even in only a few colors at LeSportsac‘s website. (eBags actually has a pretty good selection right now as well, including discontinued colors on sale.) There's always the “Large Weekender,” of course, but it's a bit smaller than the XL (the XL is 24″w x 12.5″ d x 16″ h; the L is 20.5″w x 10″d x 14″h). I have two and they're so durable I'm probably set for life, but… hmmn. Shop now if you don't already have one, ladies! The XL weekender pictured here is $138 at Zappos. LeSportsac Extra Large Weekender |
 While the nylon-only bags are great for weight, sometimes you want a more grown-up look with leather accents — and I think this Longchamp expandable duffel tote looks perfect for that. I do wish it came in a black/black combo, but that's generally my problem with Longchamp. (I actually do have a 17″ black/black tote, but I bought it in person at the Longchamp store in SoHo — I've never seen the bigger bag in a black/black combo available online.) This bag is $255 at Bloomingdale's (in brown/black and brown/brown; Neiman Marcus also has it in a camel). Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Duffel ToteUpdate: Saks has one that you can personalize, as well. |
 This bag actually reminds me a bit of a litigation bag — it looks super wide (it looks a lot wider than the 4″ depth listed on the website). I like the leather accents and the magnetic pockets, too. It's $378 at CUSP by Neiman Marcus. MARC by Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Weekender Satchel Bag, Black |
 If you want to add a bit of glamour to your weekend getaway, I'm totally lusting over this Missoni for Bric's 22″ duffel bag. It comes in four colors (the blue here, then 3 other patterns in hues of black/white, pinkish, and brownish). I think this is the only bag of the round-up that is waterproof, and I like that this one also has the “trolley strap” on the back of it to slide over your rolling bag. Gorgeous. It's $525 at Zappos. Bric's U.S.A. Missoni for BRIC'S – 22″ Duffel |
karenpadi
Agree with the Longchamp tote–I had to buy a knock-off in the airport when my carry-on exploded en route. For work trips or trips where I am taking a laptop, I love my Lo & Sons OG tote.
I have a Lands End Nylon Duffel Bag from years ago that still looks great–I can’t find it on the website. I use it instead of my roller-bag sometimes.
My wallet is a Mat & Nat wristlet so my “purse” once I’m at my destination is usually just that. But I have packed my purse on occasion (using the fabric bag that came with it).
SF Bay Associate
I haven’t seen it in person yet, but the Lo & Sons OG is supposed to be under-the-seat-in-front-of-you sized, really lightweight, have a ton of pockets, and hold a weekend of stuff. Travel articles seem to love it. 30% off with code HOLIDAYS2012, free shipping, free returns within 45 days.
http://www.loandsons.com/the-og
As for what I try to carry on, the answer is everything. I do not check bags. I have a regulation sized Briggs & Riley wheeled carry on, and the OG will be my underseat bag.
karenpadi
The OG easily fits under the seat as long as it isn’t packed to bursting.
DC Jenny
I just got mine and plan to use it solo for a quick Thanksgiving trip. Will report back!
Rachel
I am currently on a two-day business trip with my Lo & Sons OMG bag in tow. It’s been through a few with me, and has held up great. I love that it is lightweight, water-resistant, that it fits over the handle of a rolling suitcase, and how securely it zips. The OMG (which is slightly smaller than the OG) fits my two laptops in addition to assorted power cords, books, and a pair of giant noise-cancelling headphones that I always bring on planes. It is a really fantastic bag and worth every penny.
May
Does the OG fit a 15-inch laptop?
Em
I’ve looked around regarding it fitting a 15″ laptop and I may have emailed them (I can’t remember it was so long ago) but I think I concluded that the 15″ laptop fits in the OG, but does not fit in the actual laptop sleeve.
I’m also a huge fan of the OG and I don’t even own it. I have the Brookline laptop bag (for my 15″ laptop) and it’s holding up marvelously. I treat it like crap and it gets heavy use every day of course, plus travel. So I have no doubt that the OG would hold up equally as well and would probably get used less than my laptop bag. I’m thinking of purchasing the OG however, I can’t justify it yet because I’m getting along quite well without one. Perhaps when my North Face backpack wears out.
Meat
My partner is an omnivore, and I’m a vegetarian. When we eat at home, I will cook everything except meat. If she wants meat, she will cook it herself. Here’s the problem: she’s a terrible cook. Really bad. So, she relies on frozen meat from a bag that’s already cooked. (Think Trader Joe’s frozen section.) I would love it if she could have fresh meat from time to time. The meat she eats is full of salt and other preservatives. Does anyone have any ideas for truly foolproof, execptionally easy meat dishes? It bums me out that she eats so much frozen meat.
Anon
I think meat is particularly intimidating to cook. I would start with ground beef with a little taco seasoning for tacos, salads, etc. You can buy lean, no antibiotic ground beef at trader joes. For chicken – anything in the slow cooker.
momentsofabsurdity
Crockpot chicken is generally pretty foolproof (I’ve made Kat’s “Mexican Chicken” dish before which is basically just putting some chicken breasts in the crockpot, dumping half a can of salsa over it and then cooking for a few hours on low — you could make a side of rice and beans or something as well).
Sometimes when I’m lazy, I’ll just chop and boil chicken to add some protein to a pasta dish. Doesn’t have a ton of flavor but it’s *crazy* easy. Literally put it in a pot of water and boil it til it’s cooked through.
Baked chicken seasoned with salt and pepper is also pretty easy.
moss
if you put some herbs and wine in that water you can call it “poaching” and consider yourself fancy.
Motoko Kusanagi
Kudos to you for supporting your partner’s different food choices and trying to help her find healthier (ie, fresher/no preservatives) versions of the food she wants to eat, despite you yourself not having any desire to eat it.
That’s all :)
Mpls
Get a meat thermometer and have a list of proper cooked meat temps – I think the most intimidating part of cooking meat is making sure it’s sufficiently cooked. If you go by temperature, then one is less likely to over cook meat and less likely to end up with dry, tough, icky looking hockey pucks.
long time lurker
Does she like fish? I frequently cook a couple salmon filets in the oven with some sort of marinade/sauce from the store on them (honey teriyaki or similar). Keep it at 375 or so until it’s opaque-ish in the center. Pretty easy.
I like chicken breasts and thighs on the bone with skin, they don’t try out as much (especially the thighs). You can pull the skin off before you eat. I give them a quick sear in some olive oil and then finish in the over. I usually go all fancy and make some sort of pan sauce, but you could just use italian dressing or bbq sauce. As someone suggested, use a meat thermometer.
long time lurker
Finish in the “oven” not “over”.
long time lurker
and “dry” not “try”. I give up.
Anne Shirley
Maybe it’s just the interwebs, but I’m reading this as really judgy. Does she like the meat she’s eating? Has she asked you to help get eat differently? If not I’d do nothing. She’s a grown-up who can learn to cook fresh meat if and when she wants.
roses
I think the OP’s partner could be like mine (I’m also a vegetarian with an omnivorous, frozen-food-eating partner). Mine always talks about how he wish he cooked more, had the time to eat things other than frozen food, etc., but never can seem to summon up the motivation to actually cook real food – tiredness, being in a hurry, etc. always seem to get in the way. I think he would be open to suggestions for easy, fresh meals, but unlike the OP, I can’t really bring myself to actually suggest meals with meat (meat weirdly grosses me out, though I do accept my partner’s choice to eat it).
Meat
The meat she’s eating is palatable, but it’s not her favorite. But, more importantly, she would be thrilled to have more options and I’m happy to help out with that. Her efforts at cooking fresh meat have not worked out well, and I’m open to helping, so here I am, seeking advice!
Research, Not Law
I’m in the same position (partner gets meat when they cook it) and had the same thoughts. However, I do understand wanting to do it from time to time as an act of love.
If you’re going to do it to offer something nicer than what she’s currently making herself, I would go with a straight meat item, rather than a combination dish. Roasting a chicken is surprisingly simple. You can leave it to her to cut it up. Steaks and pork chops are, too, and can be doing on a broiler pan in the oven (if, like me, you assume they have to be grilled). You can do chicken thighs, marinated, the same way. Keeping it simple lowers the amount of meat handling, too. I like Alton Brown for instructions. I like his 40 cloves of garlic chicken. I can’t for the life of me remember cuts of meat, so my husband has taught me to just buy the most expensive. ;) I have generally found butchers to be helpful, too.
The lucky thing, from my perspective, is that she doesn’t seem too picky. My husband is an excellent cook and very particular about his meat. His expectations are more intimidating than the cooking.
Michelle
I would suggest she get her meat at lunch and eat vegetarian healthy goodness for dinner…
312
I love this one – easy and the pork is very easy to shred to make tacos out of:
http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/08/easy-slow-cooker-pork-carnitas-weeknight-dinner-favorite.html
T-giving
Any good thanksgiving appetizers that are easily transported to a different location (20 minute car trip) and that will not require time in the oven at the destination?
PollyD
Deviled eggs? Nice cheese and crackers? Fancy nuts toasted in some olive oil + rosemary/garlic? Olives? Or I guess you could go healthy with a veggie tray and dip.
Darby
One of my favorites does require a few minutes in the oven, but travels well & is super easy: wheel of brie, cup of brown sugar & sliced almonds (or any nuts you like on top of that), about 15 minues in the oven in a serving/baking dish, serve w/ a sliced baguette. It doesn’t really matter what the oven temp is — just keep an eye on it & adjust based on what else is in there. Since it’s a small dish, it’s usually easy to pop in next to something else roasting in the oven. It comes out all melty, sweet & tart & has always been a crowd pleaser.
KC
I love baked brie. Sometimes I put fig jam on top or serve it with grapes too. Like Darby said, it hardly takes any oven space, so it’s not too much of an intrusion to heat up.
Darby
Oh KC, I had forgotten about topping w fig jam, but that is *delicious* too – I might like it better than the brown sugar version.
Gail the Goldfish
wrap it in a pastry shell, and it’s even better:
http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/60320/puff-pastry-wrapped-brie
I top it with a pecan and brown sugar glaze. I’m blanking on the brand name I use, but google should find you something.
Also favorites: cheese straws or deviled eggs (yea, I’m Southern)
rosie
Bruschetta that you assemble on location?
anon2
It’s incredibly easy, but this Maroon Bells Cheese Spread always draws rave reviews (source: Junior League of Denver “Creme de Colorado Cookbook”). Had food R & D scientists gushing at a dinner party 2 weeks ago.
2.5 c. shredded NY white Cheddar (10-12 oz.)
1/3 c. grated onion
2 T. mayo
1/2 c. raspberry preserves (I’m generous here and use more)
Combine cheese, and onion, mix well; add mayo. Form into a flat mound and top with preserves, serve with Triscuit wafers.
Anon
As an aside – the Junior League of Denver cookbooks are golden. Colorado Cache has been a staple in my kitchen for years.
anon2
Spot on there – I have both but especially love Creme de Colorado. And I don’t live anywhere near CO!
Anon
I grew up in CO, but was thrilled to discover my BF’s (east coast) mom was also a huge fan! I was surprised anyone outside of the state knew about the book :)
anon2
I live in MN but received both cookbooks from my brother in Washington state; I’ve found both cookbooks on shelves of MN bookstores and given them as gifts. The cookbooks get around!
DC Jenny
Step one: Acquire a log of chevre goat cheese, a jar of Bonne Maman fig preserves, and some Breton crackers.
Step two: Transport items from step one to party location.
Step three: Place cheese on plate and dump about half of preserves on top, depending on size of cheese log.
Step four: Smear fig/cheese combo on Breton crackers. Enjoy party in mouth.
Granola
Trader Joe’s has a really nice log of honey chevre.
Bert Maclin, FBI
I’m 27, and am vacillating wildly between wanting a baby NOW (hormones?) and maybe never wanting a baby (every time I hear a horror story of a colicky baby on Facebook). If I could plan my life perfectly, I would work for 10 years until PSLF pays off my giant loan balance, and then I would have exactly two babies and take a major step back from my career, probably working part time. But I would be 37, and you never know how fertile you’re going to be after 35 (or, duh, even BEFORE 35 — I could be infertile now, for all I know).
THIS IS CONFUSING. I’m glad I live in a time where I get to choose these things, but dang. It’s all so momentous.
How did you-all decide it was time to just go for it?
Midwest
I was about your age when we started trying for No. 1. And like you, I vacillated between baby, now! and being absolutely terrified. What made the decision for us is realizing that there would ALWAYS be a reason to wait — another vacation, heftier savings account, even better place in our careers. At the end of the day, though, we knew we wanted kids and were in a great place in our marriage/lives to start … so we did. I had to let go and let it be more of a gut decision than just ticking off the logical points. If I’d kept doing that, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be celebrating my baby’s 3rd birthday this weekend. :) There are tradeoffs and I won’t pretend that I don’t sometimes miss our pre-kids lifestyle, but overall, I’m really happy we started when we did.
Research, Not Law
This.
It’s always going to be scary and inconvenient. You just have to close your eyes and jump. It was very much a gut or follow-your-heart decision for both of us.
EB0220
Yep.
As my husband said, ‘Eventually, you have to sh*t or get off the pot.’ Very delicate.
rosie
If Bert Maclin can’t figure it out, I definitely can’t :)
Petunia
No advice, just commiseration. I’m also 27 and swing wildly back and forth between wanting a baby so badly that I don’t know how I’d even wait nine months to considering whether or not I want one at all. I am on the pill and wonder how much that has to do with it. Looking forward to hearing others’ feedback.
Diana Barry
I had about a year of NOW vs terror at that age. Baby #1 arrived right before my 29th birthday. You do get 9 months to get used to the idea. :) And I am also happy that I had my kids relatively early.
Lalo
I’m 26, single and vacillate between really wanting to settle down and have a baby ASAP and loving the fact that I’m single and wanting to be single for a while. Mine I’m blaming on hormones and my somewhat older law school friends having babies. My college boyfriend also just had a baby that is the cutest thing I have ever seen and it makes my ovaries hurt when I see them. (It probably doesn’t help that I totally wanted to marry him but wasn’t willing to do an intercontinental LDR at 21.)
SJ
I’m 30 (almost 31) and I’m still vacillating. One thing I’ve noticed is that the wanting to have a baby seems to be more frequent than not so I think I’m reaching a point where I’m comfortable to pull the goalie. I feel I should also mention that most of my “oh H3LL no!) moments are when I’m at the grocery store and a kid’s melting down, so it’s more of a gut reaction than a rational thought. I don’t think we’ll ever feel fully prepared but my sense is that there will come a point where it seems like a good idea and we won’t make any qualifying statements like “as soon as…”
Nonny
Hey, it’s taken me *years* to get to that point. At this point my chances have significantly diminished but I wasn’t really in a mental or life position to accept the possibility of having children until now.
For what it’s worth, I despise other people’s children in grocery stores and on public transit (except for those belonging to my friends, of course), but have promised myself that of course, my kids will never “be like that”. Hah. One thing I have learned is that life never goes the way you want, and you just have to roll with it.
CKB
LOL. I’m one who loves my kids but can’t stand anyone else’s children. I don’t mind most of my neices & nephews, though. And some of my friend’s children.
Even when mine ‘act like that’ (which they occasionally do) is still love them. But I have real issues with other people’s children, especially when we’re out in public. It’s a good thing I don’t work in a daycare or in a school!!
Kim
I also love my kid but can’t stand most others. I also can’t stand more than 3 kids in a room. Once you’re pregnant, you go from “kids are okay” to “zomg that baby is so cuuuttteee!” Hormones, but it’s nature’s way of ensuring you are ready, even if you aren’t. You could compromise; we waited until we had a good cushion of money and a good bit of our loans were paid off, but didn’t want to wait until 35 was staring me in the face; pressure and baby-making don’t go hand-in-hand.
moss
Threadjack: is it okay to be annoyed by my giggly coworkers? We hired two programmers (junior members of my team) at the same time who are friends (not romantically involved) and they are constantly giggling with each other. I do my share of slacking but it’s quiet slacking and their constant meerkatting over their cube walls at each other really gets on my nerves.
Partly it’s a “you darn kids” thing because I feel like they don’t appreciate how easy they have it (job right out of school, working with a friend, etc). But it’s distracting me.
I am not their manager and our boss and boss’s boss are both remote. I can and do wear headphones and listen to music. Should I just do that all the time?
Crabby_Patty
As a senior member of the team, you probably have the right (and the obligation) to inform the junior members that their behavior is annoying. How else are they going to learn?
But pick your battles carefully. Otherwise, you will just become the crabby curmudgeon that gets ignored.
moss
I agree!!! I think I already am that. She came in one morning all “IT’s [other one’s] birthday today!!!!!!!!” and I had had a horrible night the night before and I gave her the glare of death and after that they don’t really talk to me. Which I am okay with.
karenpadi
I wouldn’t have a formal talk with them. If they are giggling in a meeting, I’d pretty much stop the meeting teacher-style and say “Care to share the joke with the rest of us?”
If it’s during solo-work time,and when it gets bad, I might just say “hey, I’m trying to work here. Can you quiet down?”
moss
I think that’s the best way to go.. I think part of the problem is I am not always working myself (downtime between projects etc) so have no moral high ground.
rosie
You’re not telling them to get back to work, you’re just telling them to quiet down. I think you can mention cubicle etiquette in a nice way without acting like they’re slackers.
TO Lawyer
Do you work at my office? No real advice, just commiseration here. I usually shut my door or put my headphones in because otherwise I would get really cranky.
moss
arggggggggggh. I wish I had a door. Open plans are a horrible thing.
DVF -- continued
I have a size 10 DVF dress. I’ve shrunk some over the years (perhaps the fabric has loosened? it’s silk jersey) and can’t get it to wrap tight enough. It is lovely and I get it out a few times a year. The alterations people don’t want to touch it. In my dreams, I call the DVF flagship and they are wildly helpful. Waah.
Threadjack -- how to deal with bar exam failure
I just found out that my mentee at work failed the bar exam. She is exceptionally smart, and was under a lot of pressure when she sat the exam, so I’m sure this is just a blip. She can retake in Feb. and it won’t impact her job here, but I’m sure its hugely disappointing.
A question for those of you who have been in this situation — what if anything do you wish your work mentor had done? Take you out to lunch? Give you some space? Never mention it? I would appreciate any thoughts on how to handle this in a sensitive and supportive manner.
anon
I am the bar exam failee. My mentor has been inviting me to get lunch/coffee/snack, which has been nice because sometimes I feel so down about myself that I think others also think less of me due to failing…but he treats me with the same amount of respect as before I failed. It would be nice if he knew of other people who failed at my firm so I could get in touch with them.
TBK
I wasn’t in that position, but this sounds exactly right to me. I’m sure she’s worried you’ll think less of her, which clearly isn’t the case. Not to pander to her, but if there’s something where you could use some additional insight, can you ask for her thoughts? It might help boost her self-confidence both by showing that you trust her insight and by giving her a chance to stretch her mental muscles a little and see they’re still there.
AIMS
FYI for those in the NYC area – LeSportSac bags often end up on super-sale at the Century 21 downtown. I bought my last large (or extra large?) weekender there for $37. Random prints, obviously, but I am a fan of the bags so it worked out.
On a more general front, I am a huge fan of less traditional weekend bags. My current lust object is this bag from Sundance, http://tinyurl.com/cfml6u3
Pendelton also often has well-construed, cool wool weekenders with leather trim.
Kanye East
Second Pendleton weekenders. (And Sundance frequently has them on sale!)
Laura
FYI – I bought mine at Marshall’s (for $40!!!!). They have been there all the time (and TJ Maxx too) because I always look and wish I needed another with all the cute patterns they have. When I visit my folks on the other coast I always smoosh it up tiny in my suitcase and have an extra bag for the way back. I will say that I do NOT recommend carrying this bag distances, like through an airport – the strap HURTS.
Laura
My Le Sportsac Weekender – sorry!!!
Snoozy
I would love to carry everything on planes, but the main airline which goes to the destinations I need is Ryanair, so it doesn’t always happen. (Am grateful they upped their hand luggage restrictions from 8kg to 10kg – it does make a difference.) It’s particularly annoying having to squeeze a handbag into my hand luggage – I have a collection of fairly dubious small cotton shoulderbags that I’ve acquired on trips where I’ve forgotten the handbag. Erk. I really notice the difference when I fly with a proper airline, although Qantas for example can be pretty fussy about this, in weird ways. (Hand luggage was too heavy with laptop in it – was told I could carry laptop separately and it would be OK. Took laptop out, tucked it under my arm, was waved through, and then put laptop back in after security and no-one noticed. Hmmm.)
Anyway, leather etc is very nice, but the extra weight is normally not worth it for me. In any case, I prefer wheels for the most part. I love my Samsonite Sahora Regeneration – it’s small enough for nearly every airline, and mine is bright blue!
Turtle Wexler
I am in love with the Emilie Sloan weekender. I have a couple other bags from the brand and love them, but I already have a Le Sportsac duffel that works fine and doesn’t need to be replaced yet so I can’t justify another weekend bag. But the prints are so fun and the bag seems really well-designed. Sigh.
Lynn
For a long weekend, say a 4 day holiday we have coming up I go with the Lo and Sons OG bag and a large Longchamp tote.
Casual shoes on my feet to travel in and a nicer pair in the shoe compartment in the OG, as well as my laptop, toiletries and any other nicknacks in the OG. Longchamp for all my clothes since I will probably only pack another set of bottoms (pants) and a few shirts, underwear and accessories.
I also like this combination because once I get to wherever I’m going I can unpack the Longchamp and use it as my day purse.
anon in-house
I have a LuLuLemon duffel bag and it is awesome. Was about $90.
Ines
I bought the Lole Nina Duffle recently and I’m in love. It was about $160 Canadian after sales taxes (I live in Quebec). It’s cute, functional, and has loads of organizational features.
I also have owned Lululemon bags in the past as a weekend/overnight bag – however when my old one (from 6 years ago) died from daily abuse, they didn’t have any nice designs out with the features I wanted, so I opted for the Lole – the boutique was right around the corner from where I worked.
The Nina duffle fits the following on a daily basis – I go to crossfit in the morning and yoga and/or Argentine Tango/Ballroom in the evenings:
Change of shoes + additional pair of dance shoes
Change of clothes & things like weightlifting/kickboxing gloves
Large bath towel
Bag of toiletries
Hairbrush, ponytail holders/bobby pins, locks, extra bits and bobs for the gym
Makeup bag with my daily essentials
Continental wallet
Metro pass, key fob, mints
Little moleskine agenda & pens
27 oz. water bottle
Lunch bag (Lug Freight Box Lunch Cube – cute and easy to clean)
1 rolled up Envirosax shopping bag in case I need to do groceries
Hair dryer (on days when I plan on washing my hair at the gym – the one they have there sucks and I prefer to bring my own)
Plus a full-sized yoga mat, which gets rolled up and stuck on top of the bag using the handy mat straps (I also put an extra mat strap in the bag just in case).
It doesn’t go with a 3-piece suit, but my (new) workplace is casual (I’m an Operations Director at a construction company – yay for tough women in construction!) to business-casual when I need to meet clients, so it looks fine.
Ines
PS – the Lole bag also comes with a handy detachable fanny pack which can be used on a longer strap like a mini-messenger/crossbody type bag. I don’t use it personally for the gym, but I use it to walk my dog when I want to stash treats (for training purposes), poopy bags, extra choke chain/leash, gloves etc.
Margot
I have the Lole Nina Tote and LOVE it! I saw the duffle and was equally impressed! I’m really happy they came out with this Nina line-
Yvonne
The Brookstone $35 bag (black with green handles) works, fits in small overhead bins, is a carry-on, will never get selected for checking at the gate, folds to a small pouch, and lasts years.
Emily
I highly recommend the Lo & Son”s OG/OMG. On a recent work trip,the OMG was my carry-on, filled with my 13″ laptop, various power cords, scarf, jewelry, etc. Once I got to my destination, I moved my work notepad and papers into it, and carried it into the office as my tote. The OMG is smaller than the OG, allowing it to function as a work tote without looking like a luggage (I am a small person, so the OMG also fits my frame). I also have the Lo & Son’s TT. I use this as my everyday work tote. On some trips, I take both bags – the OMG as my carry-on and the TT packed in my luggage for use when I arrive.