Ranchlands Chico Tote, an Unboxing

Check for it here (Customizable!):  Chico Tote

Ranchlands Chico Tote, an Unboxing!

 

Hey Guys!

Sorry I’ve been away for  so long…life has been keeping my busy in the best way possible. Work is a challenge, but I’m glad to be a part of a great team.  My kiddo’s getting older (sniff, sniff) and so we’re exploring all sorts of new things together to see what interests her.  As for me, I’ve recently become super excited about NON city stuff. I’ve always had this insanely urban existence – think, it doesn’t even get dark at night because there’s just so many city lights that even night has a permanent soft glow.  For some reason, a few recent trips have really sparked my interest in more rural / country / nature type existences.

Today’s unboxing is an offshoot of my newfound interest in everything NON city.    I think it’s my own personal City Slickers moment (if that dates me, great because I’m loving this age).   Enter….Ranchlands.  They have the most thoughtful website and I’ve literally spent a few hours poring over it and reading about their connections to the land, how they’re caretakers of it and stewards of the animals.  Honestly, I’ve also secretly thought – how can I talk my husband into a working ranch vacation in the country side of Colorado?!  I’ve got to go.  Soon.

So, how do you get from a working ranch to a leather artisan? Aside from the literal access to cows, I thought they had the most thoughtful answer to this question – – they want to bridge the gap between urban settings and their connection to the land.  After my trip to Tennessee and then The Ranch in Laguna Beach, I really just want to spend more time outdoors and experience the land so this is like the mother ship calling me home.    Long story short, they have bridged the gap. In the search for the perfect bag, I’ve inadvertently learned about their ranching, and more importantly, their larger mission for education and conversation.  

I continue to try to be more a conscious consumer by knowing who made my bags and where they were made.  I watched the video on Madi Hester carefully crafting her leather pieces and I was sold on them.   So, here I am unboxing their Chico Tote in two – tone black.  I came home last night and it was waiting for me.  I did the unboxing video the same night and took the bag with me today – – it’s that alluring.  I’ve already gotten a bunch of compliments on it…. it’s just that kind of bag. It’s a thoughtful, unique design with lots of finishing touches that I haven’t come across before.   Can’t wait to do the video with my full review!  Fingers crossed that I’ll find myself in Colorado at Ranchlands starring in my very own City Slickers.  Cheers Ranchlands; thanks for taking care of our land.

MEET THE MAKER

TAKE ME ON A WORKING RANCH VACATION

FTC Disclaimer:  This bag was sent to me for my review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Guideboat French Plumber Bag, an Unboxing

Check for it here (Medium Size Beauty):  French Plumber Bag

Guideboat French Plumber Bag, an Unboxing!

The Guideboat philosophy is everything wonderful about Northern California!  It’s the water, the lifestyle, the respect for thoughtfully made goods and all things “authentic, honest and long lasting”.  How have they stayed off my radar for so long?  I’m loving their website and one day soon, I’ll figure out exactly what it means to “Ply the Water!”.  Till then, I’ll have fun exploring this little medium sized beauty.  First impressions – a stylish, comfortable carry!  This bag has something unique – and let’s be honest, I’ve reviewed enough purses to know when something’s unique!  Check out the removable interior, zipper pouch…they’ve thought of just about everything.  Plus, who goes the extra mile to put a shoulder pad on a medium size bag – thank you to whoever understands we sometimes pack waaay too much into a modest size bag! Looking forward to test driving this beauty and am figuring out where to go, who to see and what to do this week so she can come along!  Cheer to Northern California* and to home and to all things made to last.

*Disclaimer – I have a soft spot for the Northern California lifestyle; it is home after all!  Where else can you do a trail like the Dipsea where you’re certain that you can’t take even one more step and then someone comes up with the Double Dipsea!  If you’re a crazy hiker or wish you were, Northern California is some of the best.