the perfect companion
It’s hard to find the perfect companion. Not for me, I mean. It’s for my Mackie. I’ve yet to buy the ultimate bag to carry my baby around. Sure, I could just pick one of those typical computer bags from off the shelf of some IT shop, but being the vain pot that I am, I’d like to have a more unique carry case than a black one that shouts “I’m a laptop bag” (no offense to those who do carry these!).
These days Mackie is being carried around in various sacks. For a more professional look, I’ve been using my La Primavera blueish grey faux leather bag. It’s a really nice one, except that little bits and pieces are peeling off at the edges, and the yellow “PVC” is showing. Ugh! What to do, these things just don’t last. Thank goodness it didn’t cost an arm and a leg, still at an affordable price.
Then for jet-setting days, I have to rely on my Samsonite backpack to ease the shoulder aches. It definitely isn’t one to go with a chic skirt and suit, but heck, for those traveling days I’d have to forgo style for comfort.
For casual days, I have the dark brown and medium beige no-name totes recently acquired from one of those push-cart stalls at MidValley Megamall. For RM39.90 a piece, they’re pretty good deals made from strong nylon fabric. The stitching is surprisingly neat and quite well done. Colour’s a tad boring, though. I could’ve picked black, green, dark pink or light pink, but they were… I dunno, just not quite there.
Even though I have these few bags to rotate with, I’m still looking for The Ultimate Tote™ for my darling Mackie. It’s gotta be the Best of the Best! Err… ok, make that the best of what I could afford. No matter how I love my Mackie, it ain’t gonna get a ‘BMW’. Something in the range of ‘Toyota’ just might do the trick.
At first I was quite taken by Kipling’s Isabel, from their Working Life range. nice compartments, even a matching laptop sleeve to go with it. But after consulting my Fashion Gurus L B and jimbo, I decided against spending RM600 on that piece. Even if it came in the most attractive signature Fire Engine red.
Shopping on Amazon.com, I found these really cool, stylish bags. None of them really all that perfect, but any of these are way better options that what we could find here in KL for sure!
UpTown Bella’s Ashley tote was my favourite at first. Pretty nice, sporty yet chic, big compartments… Unfortunately, for that kind of price, I’d expected it to be leather, but it turned out to be just Koskin! What a disappointment.
Oh, choices, choices, choices! I clicked page after page after page of ladies laptop bags, looking for the bag. I’ve not found one which has made me gasp in awe and say, “That’s it! That’s the ONE!!” Here are some which aren’t too bad, though. Hey, TUX… I just might take you up on that offer for being my personal courier next month!
So whaddya think of the selection? Should I dig deeper into my pockets and go for a ‘BMW’ anyway? Keep looking? Which out of all these would you prefer? Any recommendations?
Match-making is such a chore… *sigh*!
64 Comments so far
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chup sin!!!!!!!
waa… pretty difficult to choose…
lemme sleep on it first
goodnite!
Of them all, I like that Samsonite tote best!! Or that McKlein… but not for me, of course!! Me, I’ll be sticking with my (as AhTak calls it) Bond briefcase for awhile yet. Funny thing though. a few years ago, my sister’s partner wanted me to design a range of laptop bags for women.. I got waylaid (lazy), and didn’t do it.. *hmm*
I see what you meant now
Check this out:
http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/packingyourmobilegear/tp/womensbags.htm
late again! begitu banyak handbag one!!! aiyoyyo` hahahha
I would recommend getting just a neoprene skin cover for blackie. That way you can just slip it into any bag. I got myself a… haiya cannot tell here!!! Spoiler!!!
of them all, I like the Samsonite one the best and the Mobile Edge second
*hugs*
Sorry I’m useless. If you want to know anything about handbags-clutch to hobo, I am all yours.
Want me to see if my missus can comp you an IBM tote? 0.0
i got a lot of parkson and giant plastic bag…u want onot?more stylo carry in it and sure no theft will wana rob u mia…LOL
hmmm a bit too early in the morning to decide…but i would go for the samsonite OR the McKlein. i like the space and compartment *weeeeee*
I’ll go for McKlein… it suits you well my dear. Hip and sassy!
I like the Mobile Edge Milano Handbag best, and then the Samsonite Tote 2nd.
Btw, you are ordering from Amazon? Wouldn’t shipping cost a bomb?
I like the McKlein..everything’s compartmentalised (the prices are in USD right?). And the inside in not black in color too! Should I ever get a mac, I’ll know where to look!
angel - 5 HUG TOKENS!! I don’t know which to choose too. I’ve only shown a few here, but there were so many more I liked. not enough space to showcase all!
LB - 3 HUG TOKENS!! your Bond briefcase isn’t too bad! the Samsonite one’s nice, huh? it’s nylon fabric though, was hoping they’d have something in leather. hey, design one for me then!! buy 3 get 1 FREE, yes? offer still stands? oh wait, that means I’ll have to get it made somewhere, and that’s a bother! ok, back to the online store…
TUX - 1 HUG TOKEN!! uh-huh, this was what I was talking about. I hope your luggage space is large enough to pack this in, or you could just use it as your hand-carry, if you don’t mind the feminine look… ahem! thanks for the link, I’ll check it out!
Ben - ah, but you almost made it on time! #4 ain’t too bad, you’re improving now. which bag looks good ah?
iJun - the neoprene sleeve was the first accessory I bought for Mackie!! it’s great stuff, that. don’t have to worry about tossing it into any bag. I’d still like a nice tote for my Mackbook though, ada gaya mah!! I liked the Knomo ones, but waaaayyyyy over what I could afford… *sob*
consuela - 2 votes for Samsonite!! Mobile Edge has more bags too, some that look similar to the Samsonite. gotta check out the materials and do some comparison for the best choice, yes?
shite, the ones which i like r all in their hundreds, US. emm, amongst the hundreds, i prefer mcklein, the uptown bella comes in 2nd with that retro look. but u sure u wanna spend that much 4 a laptop bag? u can almost get a prada!
my ultimate choice, the no-name tote! coool!!
Jane Sunshine - ok babes, should I ever need consultation on the perfect handbag (this time it’s definitely for myself!), then I know who to consult! I thus dub thee my Handbag Guru!
SA - IBM ah… errr… too geek for me, really! wakakakakaka! sorry, don’t mean to be rude and make fun. if they make bags that look like a ladies’ tote, then by all means, throw one in this direction!
ah nel - I also got!! got Ikea ones summmore, more durable. but ah, the handles are too small to carry on the shoulder like handbag wor. if make hole bigger, then the plastic starts tearing down the sides! how? you make one for me lah, can?
cp1 - 3 votes for Samsonite! ooooh, seems like lots of Samsonite fans out there. the McKlein is also a good deal considering that it’s leather. comes in a nice wine colour too, and black, I think. jom let’s go shopping!!
sheryl_alexis - McKlien very stylo-milo, yes? I thought so too! 2 votes for McKlien and counting…
Zara’s mama - you have good taste! and now making me rethink the other 2 options. fickle fickle fickle! LOL!! TUX there had graciously (with a twist of an arm and a leg) offered to be my courier service, I just hope that offer stays open till I get my bag!
k - yup, prices quoted are USD. It comes up to be about the same price as the nylon Kipling Isabel, would you believe it?! some things are just way too overpriced (though I still like it… *sigh*). know any other online shop I could scour for bags?
k.t.x - I’m using the beige no-name tote now, and it’s pretty handy! does the job well, no fuss. a Prada bag that size would cost 100x more, I’m sure. oh what to do, a girl’s gotta spoil herself sometime…
haha. i was actually facing the same dilemma a couple of months back. i didn’t want one of those boring bag which is so obviously for laptops. i nearly wanted to say..i like the kipling one…until i read the price…and my jaw dropped to the floor! not really worth it. i think you need 2, so don’t get too pricey ones. one for formal, like those ladies’ bag and the other more casual, like the kipling. and then you must consider whether it is versatile enough to match all your wardrobes, yet not dull enough to seem like a part of your wardrobe. presently, i use a nike sling-over but it’s too casual at times. so, i’m still looking. let me know if you find any good ones.
jom!!!! me need to get some baju for raya khi khi not handbag but can alos lah HAHAHAHA
Now I know who to consult in buying a new lappie bag
Heh heh heh
We discuss this over a drink?
It’s just not easy to choose eh…
aiyoh feel like following YB go shopping! every time she ask this type of Q, i lose a few strands of hair scratching head…
your mac lucky to have you as owner!
hemm.. ini jimbo sure is making u spend lots of money kan!
BAD jimbo.. BAD!
oh dear! i love this post! i felt like im doing online shopping here! haha…
erm, if you settle with the samsonite ultima tote, can make it two? i can use it as my school bag too.
i think $66.99 is not too expensive for a good brand.
btw, $ = RM or Dollar?
i recommend the red-blue-white striped bags. u know, in HK movies, those from china going to HK always carry one leh.. perfecto!
me - uh-huh, the real put-off for that Kipling was the price!! riddiculously high. if it were half of it, I might have a greater tendency of getting that instead. I’m ok on the casual ones — almost anything goes, since I wear jeans and tee to work on most days — and now I just need to add a more professional-looking one for those “serious business” days. and also bergaya a bit lah, heheheh! Mobile Edge has pretty nice stuff too. hmmmm… more choices, aarghhh!!
cp1 - yay!! s h o p p i n g ! ! ! one of my favourite words… *dances around the mall* no need handbag shopping, I’ve sorta given up on the local shops and will just buy online. let’s get baju raya for Cutie Pie, Lalang and AngChai, and Astro too!!
zeroimpact - oh yes, this is a serious matter for serious business… *nods solemnly* can’t just pick a bag out of the whole pile, we gotta scrutinise the specifications, the durability, the design, the… errr, colour… will that be teh tarik, coffee or some sparkling wine for you, sir?
seefei - hey, then you should’ve had the training to go through these sort of ‘tough’ questions! actually har, most of the time we would already have our eye on something in particular, and we just want to ask opinion on whether it’s a well received choice or a bad one! LOL!! if it’s more negative than positive, then we go for next choice lor. if it’s all thumbs up, then we’re happy we picked the right one!
velverse - ya, ya!! asked me not to look at these cheapo stuff, go for Paul Smith barangs summore… waaaaa, if money grew on trees, I would’ve plucked it to its bare branches!! wakakakaka!
carcar - $ is USD, not RM. I wish it were that cheap! I’ll have to multiply everything by 3.6, unfortunately. it’s quite pricey still, but if I compare it to the likes of Crumpler and other laptop bags here, the price is almost about there anyway. I just found another cool bag! this Ultra Tote looks cool, and leather too.
sengkor - eh, those are classic carry bags for moving house! one bag fits all, hor? I bet we could even pack you into it, and ship to Timbuktu (why always Timbuktu ah? I think ship you to Zimbabwe better…)
I like the Kipling for its ‘fun and easy’ look. Not so serious.
But if you want to be macam professional, then the Samsonite would be my choice, especially if the interior looks like the McKlein one. Love the orange karer!!
Anything of your preference my lady…
May I throw in a piece of the finest cake of you preference too???
Like Ah Nel, i carry mine in a gunny sack. This way, I can deter would be snatch thief. Very stylo-mylo also when I visit my customer’s premise for presentation.
can sure can…i jahit few plastic together gether then wont be so easy tear off liao…LOL
Mc Klien !! sucha beauty!!
kipling..rm600?? 0_0…..! noo..not worth it…
you can buy us lotsa starbucks with rm600
yeah, i hv yet to qualify myself…more like a prada wallet…still hv to top up..lol. set a standard, nothing less than a PRADA!
HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS……..do the HUGS COUNT?
headache liao after looking at so many bags
Take the easy way out..
Close your eyes and flip a coin
no no.. cannot.. u have more than 2 options..
might be throw a dice instead?
hmmm eenie meeny miny moe!
i pick the mcklien w.fmffmfmf fmfm..series..
sorry got tongue tied..wahahaha
cos its white and it matches ur mackie!!!
Love the McKlien’s.. but go-for-cheaper-thing me would settle for Samsonite.
king’s wife - I was all for the Kipling too, until I saw the price!! totally *pengsan-ed* on the floor… well, almost! how many votes does that make for the Samsonite now? I think that’s 4, and the McKlien coming in a close second. I love the orange kaler too! good taste, ma’am!
zeroimpact - don’t mind if you do, sir! freshly made tiramisu? the best double chocolate brownie? some NY cheesecake would do just fine too…
Cocka Doodle - they need to design one of those gunny sacks like a ladies’ handbag, maybe add a tassle or two, some bling-bling sequins, a plastic flower on the side… waaaa, can sell for RM10 liao!
ah nel - when you jahit, make sure you use those fishing line kind of thread ya. those kind won’t patah so easily, can go and use for fishing later oso, if the bag bocor!
k.t.x - somehow I prefer Aigner to Prada! must be that horseshoe logo. looks funkier than an inverted triangle. should I be calling you Mr. Prada now? teehee!
Beefcake - HUG HUG HUG HUG HUG x 10… of course they count!! how about some kisses too, while you’re at it? *wink!*
Chen - waaaaa, great idea! but then ah, I have more bag options than this, actually. couldn’t be bothered overcrowding the page with all the photos, would’ve looked as if I’m doing free advertising! can ask AhBoy which one sniffs better? I trust his taste…
Pink Cotton - McKlien? good choice! looks like it’s down to Samsonite vs. McKlien. but what if I threw in another option? hmmm, that’ll be a three-way battle! argh! fickle fickle me….
ubisetela - I was thinking that too, while browsing. the price was what totally put me off the Kipling! but considering the fact that the McKlien is leather and the Samsonite is not, the price is about right for each of those. I guess it’s down to what kind of material I really want for the bag, eh?
cream colour mcklein is the classiest but it’s a bitch to keep clean.
cheryl - hey babes!!! yea, I do love the McKlien and also aware of how awful it would be to keep it clean. such a chore. lucky for me, it comes in boring black, and a very nice red colour too. don’t know what the interior colour is though. we’ll see, many more options out there.
aigner also cool la. i like aigner a lot too, i think their leather begs r really immaculate and of a certain classs of their own. if u ask me, prada-lv(tie), aigner, boss. set a standar, nothin less than THOSE…teee heee!
samsonite ultima, clark and mayfield, mcklien` 3 not bad leh wahhahaha classy classy
BUY ALL!!! Everyday change the outfit like human change clothes. Muahahaha. ;p
Oh gosh oh gosh
Can drooooolllll until tomorrow with a tank full
LOL
The cakes are so sinful, but then so delicious
Arrrggghhhh
The craving…
We must meet for drinks and cake very soon
Very very soon
k.t.x - oh, you are so haute couture!! I like Boss too, very very sophisticated. LV, I’m not quite a fan. Aigner’s bags and shoes are best! when I walk past their window display at KLCC, I love checking out their stuff. so the very nice, so the very expensive…
Ben - the Clark & Mayfield one doesn’t look too bad either, yea? it was quite charming when I first spotted it online. comes in other funky colours too, but this coffee & cream one is best!
titoki - believe me, if I had the kind of moolah to spend without worries, I would’ve bought all those bags on the spot and have them shipped over via UPS! wakakakakaka!!
zeroimpact - very soon? very soon! yay! know any places which serve good cakes, other than Secret Recipe? I know Strudels have good cakes too, though quite expensive. I’ve yet to find the perfect cake shop though. one that has it all, great-tasting cakes which aren’t overpriced.
USD ah?!?!!?!?!
ok.. pls drop my suggestion then
erm, yeah… pick up sengkor suggestion, we call it “hong larm bak gao doi”
haaa…one and for all! good de ne!
carcar - LOL!! it does get too pricey when it’s in USD and not RM, yea. the hong larm bak gao doi is just the thing should I ever run out of options and still can’t decide. One Size Fits All, best ever!
No May May. I was teasing you. My missus only gets the backpack and you obviously have that covered. I was being cheeky with Mackie going into an IBM bag. Such is the little irony. Did not think you would take me serious dearie. *blushes from the embarassment*
after much inspection and thot and zzzzs, it was btwn the Samsonite & McKlein but it’s gotta be the Black one… becos it’s black and wont get any stain if u know wat i mean…
mcklein for the win!
and black is boring… the lighter colour will make you look even younger than your 21 years!
SA - d’oh!! totally missed the point. or did I? wakakaka! I used to carry those IBM-like bags when I was an auditor way back then. I shudder to think I need to use one of those again! goosebumps all over now… ewwww.
angel - uh-huh, so definitely! black is best for covering up all sorts of stains. white leather’s the worst to keep clean. I have this white leather handbag which has the usual worn-look kinda prints (black bits here and there), and it won’t ever come off!! sigh. no white leather. no no.
jimbo - if the Samsonite came in a lighter colour, I think it would’ve been the winner! I know the McKlien looks darn cool and chic, but… I think it’s getting further and further away from my grasp… *sigh*
kisses ah…if I were only soooo lucky…..can I be pleaseeeeeeeeeee?????????
That one ah… have to really hunt
But I know a place that has good marble cake
Coffee shop style
Interested???
Somehow, despite dressing so corporate in my work, I like the idea of a white or beige back instead of black. So Samsonite and Mobile Edge are out for me in your selections. I’d go for McKlein, and surprise, surprise, Clark’s for its classic look. But if I can afford it, Kipling’s it’ll be!
Beefcake - air kisses? sure! lots of them. I can give you three virtual ones now, in fact… *muah muah muah*!! you should be so lucky, lucky lucky lucky…
zeroimpact - as long as the food is great, coffee shop style also sapu!! some of the yummiest food are found in the nooks and crannies of this city. and small towns. even in Mom’s kitchen. wanna ajak gang anot?
mother superior - you have impeccable taste, Mama S! you are a fashionable lady in my books. McKlien is a wonderful choice, if only white leather isn’t so hard to clean! *sigh* I’m still undecided. should I toss a coin to decide?
awww..boringggggggggggggggg
I know…
All my favourite food lies in the dumps where people might not like
Never in nice looking restaurants
A gang would be good too
Beefcake - oh, really… *yawn*
zeroimpact - if it’s good food, then they’re hardly ‘dumps’! the best places to eat aren’t always the fanciest, for sure. hmmm, we should’ve organised a little lantern lighting this week, huh? totally didn’t cross my mind, and now that it has, it would’ve been fun! ok, what’s the next excuse we can use to ‘celebrate’? Deepavali? Raya?
You have very good taste May
My favourite is the McKlein W Series Evanston ($149.99) because of the dual zipper compartment, very practical as it eliminates the need to expose the laptop to strangers if I want to reach for a non-laptop stuff
Emily - I love the McKlien too! the only gripe I have about it is the light beige colour that shows stains so easily, and the other colours aren’t as interesting. I guess I’ll have to sacrifice some style for practicality sometimes! and for choosing that, you have great taste too…
So have you made up your mind on which to choose yet?
Emily - much as I love the McKlein, the practical me will go for the Samsonite. if I’m gonna constantly worry about scratching and dirtying the white leather, I might as well go for a black durable nylon tote which I could thrash around… *sigh*
[…] little miss may » the perfect companion – I’ve yet to buy the ultimate bag to carry my baby around. Sure, I could just pick one of those typical computer bags from off the shelf of some IT shop, but being the vain pot that I am, I’d like to have a more unique carry case than a black one that shouts I’m a laptop bag (no offense to those who do carry these!). These days Mackie is being carried around in various sacks. […]
[…] little miss may » the perfect companion – I’ve yet to buy the ultimate bag to carry my baby around. Sure, I could just pick one of those typical computer bags from off the shelf of some IT shop, but being the vain pot that I am, I’d like to have a more unique carry case than a black one that shouts I’m a laptop bag (no offense to those who do carry these!). These days Mackie is being carried around in various sacks. […]