Product Review: Gigi Hill Audrey Tote Bag

Gigi Hill is a company that was started by two moms that had fashion and function in mind. They wanted to create bags that were feminine, but could still meet the demands that moms have on bags. The company has a full line of handbags and accessories to meet the needs of any consumer that desires a bag that can be functional and pretty at the same time.

They've sent me a purse to review and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you on this feminine and functional accessory!

Gigi Hill Audrey Tote, www.gigihillbags.com, Starting at $130

The Audrey is a versatile tote style that I selected in the Enchanted color, because I thought it would be a great addition to be something different in my collection. The print is a gorgeous tangerine and pink rose floral against a neutral tan background. The exterior is a faux leather finish that is easily cleanable and could be wiped off with a baby wipe - and the interior has a laminated canvas lining that would contain spills while still being pretty to look at with a colorful striped lining.

Size wise, the bag is the perfect tote size... large enough to carry all of the things you would want to carry in a large tote, without looking like lugage. It is spacious and could carry everything from items for a diaper bag, to work essentials. There is a magnetic button closure at the top and snaps on either side so that you cinch in the sides to create more of a closed look when you don't need the top to be open. The strap drop is 10.5 inches and comfortably fits on the shoulder.

There are a few special details which make you realize that the creators of Gigi Hill really are passionate about handbags and creating something special for their consumers. The interior has a tag that reads, "a great bag is a woman's treasured secret place" ~ gigi hill. There is also a matching key holder that can hang from the d-ring on the inside. I think these extra touches just make the bag feel that much more personal and special.

My verdict: I think that the Audrey style tote bag is a fabulous bag that would be perfect all types of occasions. From mommy bags to work tote, this bag could do it all! The enchanted print is perfect for summer and the bright floral print feels very in tune with this season's trending colors. It is comfortable to use and the perfect tote size.

In a few words, substantial, beautiful, and most definitely worth the $130 pricetag. If you're looking for reasonably priced durability that will last you a long time, I think that a Gigi Hill bag would be perfect.

Watch my video review on the Audrey Tote here:

Learn more about Gigi Hill here:

http://www.gigihillbags.com

View the Audrey Tote, Starting at $130 - HERE

Stop by their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gigihillcollection

* Please note the products in this review were sent to the reviewer by the company to perform an independent review. I've given my honest opinions on the products mentioned.

Updated Louis Vuitton Accessories Collection ~ HD Style!

Here's the updated video for 2012 of my LV accessories!

Updated Louis Vuitton Collection video! 2012 HD style!

I finally did an updated Louis Vuitton collection video... my first ever in HD! Hope you enjoy the update!

Thanks for watching!

Mommy's New Bag(s)!

So I did a little collection "re-organizing" while I was on blog hiatus, and a few new bags arrived at my house! If you're here for a Louis Vuitton reveal - sorry to disappoint, but they are actually both Balenciaga bags! If you know me or knew me about some 3 or 4 years ago... I was a 100% Balenciaga girl. It was the only brand I carried. After I had Cupcake, I felt like they were maybe too delicate to carry all of the time, and that Louis Vuitton would be a more durable and long-lasting choice.

Well, I haven't given up on Louis Vuitton (I'm still considering it my "main" brand), but I did feel like I was missing having just a FEW Balenciaga bags in my collection, since I sold off a vast majority of them. So I had some Vuitton accessories just hanging around that weren't being used like they should be, so I decided to turn those into a Balenciaga bag! (Or two!)

The first bag I hunted down was a 2007 Anthracite Work. I used to have this color in a First (the smallest size Balenciaga well-known bag currently in production), but the size was just too small for me, so I let it go some time ago. I always missed the color and leather, so when this bag became available and I had an opportunity to re-home some LV accessories that weren't being used - I jumped on it!

2007 Anthracite Work

The leather is scrumptious, 2007 was the last year for Balenciaga to use their signature chevre leather, and 2007 bags hold a special place in my heart. (2007 also happens to be the year I found a love for Balenciaga.) Anthracite is a beautiful color that can look gray, blue or a dark teal depending on the lighting. It is, in my humble opinion, the best Anthracite that Balenciaga has ever released.

My second surprise purchase happened while innocently searching bags one day, I found a bag in a color that hadn't really caught my attention before that, but I couldn't get it off of my mind. I ended up having a bit of an overage leftover from the sale of my LV accessories, so I decided to go ahead and make it a two-for! 

 Even though it's agneau (the material used post-chevre starting in 2008, and on a few 2007 bags, like Violet, came in both materials) - I don't mind it. I do actually like the leather on this particular bag, and the color is another great chameleon color, that changes depending on the lighting and what colors are around it. It's a deep red burgundy, with purple and brown undertones that - even for a non-red wearing girl like myself- is surprisingly wearable. 2008 Black Cherry is truly a magnificent color.

2008 Black Cherry Work - Most representative of the true color

So those are my new bags for now, don't worry - I haven't given up on Louis Vuitton! Just trying to add a little of variety back into the collection! ;)

My handbag collection: Louis Vuitton

Actually not my whole handbag collection... but just the Louis Vuitton pieces. I haven't taken updated pictures since October, so my videos and pictures are slightly out of date - but until I can get new videos made and new pictures taken... I thought these would do.

Louis Vuitton became my brand of choice after I had Cupcake, as it just seemed like the most durable (and baby friendly) option. Prior to that I was deeply immersed in all that is Balenciaga, and while I still enjoy looking at bbags, they are just aren't as practical for my life right now. (That doesn't stop me from wanting a Pourpre GSH Part-Time though.)

I need to carry one purse a day with me, and only so much time to use the ones I have.... so I've narrowed my collection down considerably from what it used to be. Besides, the only places I go in a day are usually the post office and Target - with the rare special even thrown in, so I really don't have a huge need to have a massive collection right now. That being said, I do occasionally miss some of the bags I've parted with and wish I would have maybe kept... just a few more of them.

In any case, these are my most recent videos and pictures for my Louis Vuitton collection, I don't have any pictures of all of the brands together.

Showing my collection through video all started when one night I got the urge to try taking a video with my new cell phone I had at the time (a LG KS360, which was the European version of the LG Neon released a few years prior to when it was available in the US) - I just took it to show on a forum as a part of a bag collection thread, and never dreamed it would get as many hits as it has. Today it has over 32,000 views.

LV Bag Collection Video from 2009:

This is the updated bag collection video that I posted at the end of 2010:

And the LV accessory collection that I uploaded around the same time as the bag collection video from 2010:

I've also done a few "What's in my bag" videos on You Tube, as well as some handbag reviews - which I'll upload in a separate blog post. Just thought since my main love is bags - that it was time I shared some of my collection with you!

Here are some recent pictures in October 2010:

Collection as of October 2010 (2011 update in parenthesis): Damier Hampstead MM (sold), Damier Trunks & Bags Cles (sold) Damier Neverful MM, Brea MM Rouge Fauviste, Palermo GM (sold to get PM size), Montorgueil GM, Damier Toiletry 15, Rouge Fauviste Business Card Holder, Rouge Fauviste Zippy Coin Purse, Framboise Agenda (sold), Tapage Bag Charm, Luggage tag, Map bandeau in Cassis, Comete bandeau in Violette, Sarah Wallet in Violette, Large Cles in Violette, Monogram Pochette, Monogram Affiche Mini Pochette, Affiche Bag Charm (sold)

Favorite:

Louis Vuitton Brea MM in Rouge Fauviste

Most of which I still have - with a few deletes as noted in parenthesis, but a few additions as well:

Added: Palermo PM

Added: Azur Totally MM

Added: Leopard Bandeau in Marron

Added: Leopard Bandeau in Blanc Corail

Added: Violette Vernis Cosmetic

Hope you have enjoyed my LV handbag collection look book! I'll try to blog in the future a post with the other brands I have as well!

My most recent "brand new bag"...

So I guess I can't start a blog with "brand new bag" in the title without revealing my most recent acquisition. I will try to keep the picture updated on the menu bar in the left to show my newest (handbag related) goodie!

My most recent bag purchase, which was right before the Louis Vuitton price increase in February 2011, was the Azur Totally MM. I also picked up the leopard bandeau in blanc corail to accessorize it. ;) Since we're still having freezing temperatures here in Michigan, this lovely lady hasn't her debut yet, and is still tucked away in the giant LV box they sent home with me. I'm not sure when I will get a chance to use the Totally for the first time... but hopefully warmer temperatures will be prevailing soon - and there's always our upcoming trip to Florida... Hmmm...

Here's the new LV Totally MM in Azur:

I think this will be the perfect Mommy bag for Spring & Summer! :)