The quest for the perfect purse

I love a cute purse. As a result, I have amassed quite a little collection. And just when I think I really shouldn't acquire any more of them, somebody designs a really fun and well-built bag, like this one by Orla Kiely. It's on the pricey side, but maybe I'll make it a birthday gift to myself this year. Now I just have to make the difficult decision of pink, or lime? I have lots of pink purses, so maybe I should get the lime, but I think the pink suits the pattern nicely.

Finding a nicely designed bag that suits my style and usage makes me especially happy. I like ones in springy colors, stripes, fruit shapes, modern patterns, and also anything vintage. I love to look at dressy purses but I also try to buy bags that I know I'll actually carry on a normal day. And now that I am into crafts and books, I like bigger totes to carry my supplies and books to read.

Generally I dislike velcro and heavy metal zippers, because I hate when they snag on my clothes. Zippers should be hidden or visually blend into the fabric. My favorite is a magnet clasp or a smooth, thin, plastic zipper; quick, secure closure. On the practical side, a good purse should have metal feet and a durable bottom, a fully closable top, and hang comfortably on your shoulder. It should have at least one interior pocket (for easy access to smaller items), and overall it should be big enough for a wallet, sunglasses, phone, keys, makeup, tissues, and a snack.

I don't like excessive embellishments, like extra buckles, rhinestones, giant gold charms, or gaudy logos. Any clasps that aren't elegant should be hidden by a more flattering flap. And I don't like odd trendy fads, like that sweat-suit-inspired terrycloth. I don't like some types of nylon; it feels too utilitarian, like camping gear. I prefer durable fabric, leather or even vinyl. The stitching should be neat. And an extra plus would be special compartments (for your phone or other devices) and a nice lining.

A few years ago I made the plunge into high-end designer bags, when Murakami pulled Louis Vuitton out of the doldrums and into a colorful palette of pop art, smiley faces, pandas, and cherry blossoms. I indulged in a small, pink cherry blossom patterned purse. I like that the smiley inside the blossoms looks a lot like the Yahoo! Messenger happy face.

After LV got colorful, other fancypants designers realized it was a good idea. So Coach came out with preppy canvas bags in spring colors, so then I got one of those-- which have rather impressively crafted leather trim and stitching. Then my boyfriend at the time gave me the most indulgent x-mas gift: a pink satin Kate Spade wristlet bag with gold bracelet handles, to match my pink satin holiday party dress.

I still long for some Patch NYC bags I saw in the early 90s, which were in rich, woolen fabrics and the most charming little handmade details. I just couldn't spend the x-hundred dollars that they cost. I tried to find them on eBay, unsuccessfully. I can't imagine anyone who owns one of those ever giving them up. I like to look at the quaint applique-style bags by Lulu Guinness and My Flat in London, but they're a bit too delicate and glamourous for daily use.

Even better, sometimes I find great purses for a bargain at places like Target or Delia's. And then I get the most compliments for those, over any fancy-ass designer bag.

So anyway, which of the Orla Kiely bags should I get? Green or pink?

Gaming in Chicago

Brian and June in action
Originally uploaded by okeea.

Here is a photo that Annette took from our trip to Chicago. That's Brian and me playing some ooold Ribbit-like game, except you are a chicken trying to cross a highway, and you can only move up and down, not left or right. I had more fun playing "Disc-Tron" or "Dig Dug".

Her pics include some nice shots of Chicago's architecture, as well as a couple of pics of Brian and me karaokeing at the end of the game exhibit.

Chicago: The city that Design built

Annette and Ruby at the Crown Fountain
Originally uploaded by misocrazy.

That's Ruby and Annette checking out this crazy video-art-water-fountain. This is only a part of the new Millennium Park in Chicago. My favorite is the giant metal kidney orb, which is unfortunately under construction. (They are smoothing out the rivets, all Howard Hughes-like)

A couple of us Yahoos got to visit Chicago last week for the How Design Conference. View my pics here or bug Annette, Ruby, or BK for more photos.

As part of the conference, BK and I got to tour local design studios, ranging from small niche private studios to larger multimedia agencies.

They kept us busy each day with speakers talking about ways to get inspiration, understanding business, verbal brainstorming, presentation, and more. Some sessions were more useful than others.

We gave away all our company-branded flashlight-caribiners (???) and candied popcorn, and I saw people perusing our job descriptions. In return, we grabbed lots of paper samples (foreign substances for web designers), Honda decks of cards, cheeky posters and other various useless items to share with the other Visual Designers who couldn't make it there.

In between our busy sessions, we saw what we could of this city filled with design. Annette and Ruby took an architectural boat tour and caught part of a Blues Festival. We all dined on steak, seafood, matzo ball, cheesecake, tapas, deep-dish Chicago Pizza and trendy meals filled with salt (stay tuned for BK's Yahoo! Local reviews).

BK and Ruby took panaromic photos atop their Radisson Hotel. Annette and I shopped at the H&M nearby the Westin North Michigan where we stayed. And we all had cocktails and laughs at the Second City show, "From Fear to Eternity."

The last night of the conference, there was a masquerade party at Navy Pier, where they raffled a coveted lounge Eames chair. The runner up got a cardboard cut-out of the chair.

I whipped up some Messenger emoticon masks for the Yahoos to bring. The obvious winner, however, was the giant Nick Nolte head. There was a pop-cover band and free finger food, reminiscent of Yahoo's year-end parties, but with less theme decor.

The day after, some of us saw a history of video games exhibit and plastinated human bodies exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, while Ruby visited the Chicago Art Institute. Later, Ruby and Annette checked out CB2, a trendier Crate and Barrel.

All in all it was a good time. Weather was annoyingly hot and humid when we first got here, but now it's much more moderate.

I'm still in Chicago visiting relatives. Today I went to a custom bag shop and had a true Chicago Hot Dog at the Wiener circle, which was delish! The other Yahoos should have stayed longer, and they know it! Well there's always next time...