Funchico.com - Funky, Chic & Cool Laptop Bag News

Black is Anything but Basic - the Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase by Mobile Edge

OK, I'll admit it. The basic black generic laptop bag often gets a bad rap from me. Not ALWAYS undeservedly. But, in the case of the Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase from Mobile Edge, basic black is a good thing. Matthew from Mobile Edge recently sent over a review copy. Here's an excerpt of my review ...

My closet is full of work clothes, but I can only classify one outfit as "the perfect work suit". My perfect work suit fits me like a glove. It looks good standing up for a presentation - it looks good sitting down for an interview. I can trust it to carry me through the day with confidence and it always adds a little spring in my step. The Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase from Mobile Edge, with its funky look, sturdy construction, and superior laptop cosseting capabilities makes it the perfect briefcase counterpart to my perfect work suit.

This bag is great for client meetings in the city or when I travel out of town on business. Actually, it's perfect to take with me on vacation too - it's for any occasion when I need my laptop (and why be coy? That's pretty much every occasion.)

You can read the full review of the Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase over at Squidoo.

Ashton Kutcher + Boy Scout = STM's Scout Messenger Bag

Roughing it in the urban jungle never looked so good as with a Scout Messenger Bag from STM. The good folks over at STM sent over a sample and we put it to the test.

The Scout Laptop Messenger by STM is a classic canvas messenger bag with a modern edge. It's a little bit vintage nostalgic - a little bit hipster - and a lot of good design. Think...Boy Scout meets Ashton Kutcher. That said, I would classify this bag as unisex - I coveted this bag the moment I saw it. But since my brother also fell in love with it instantly, I've included it in the man-bag line-up.

The Scout comes in black and olive - the lovely Adam from STM sent me the olive Scout in the medium size (it also comes in small and extra small). The bag's exterior is made of soft, water-resistant canvas, and the lining is water-resistant nylon. It's not a bag meant to carry everything and the kitchen sink, but it's got ample room for your electronic accessories, a few books and, of course, your laptop.

The Scout features four primary storage areas. Under the flap, there are two deep, open pouches and a zippered pocket. My iPod and phone fit in one for easy access, and my cords fit nicely in the other. There's only one zippered pocket, so you can put your wallet and keys away and can easily locate them later.

The large front compartment will hold a notebook, a book, a snack and your Swiss Army knife - everything you need to get through the day.

My MacBook Pro easily fit in the cushioned laptop compartment. I especially like the fact that there's a cushioned flap that secures around the entire top edge of my laptop - here in rainy Vancouver, my computer needs all the protection it can get. Tucked into the Scout, my laptop looks very cozy. It also looks really cool when it's packed up.

At the back of the bag, there's a large, flat pocket, perfect for holding a couple of magazines.

If you are tall or have a sturdier build, then you're probably looking for a shoulder strap you can wear comfortably across your chest. The Scout has one of the longest straps I've encountered. It's an adjustable shoulder strap with a comfy (and removable) shoulder pad. The strap maxes out at approximately 60" (including the very nice hardware that connects it to the bag). It's a very comfortable bag to wear when loaded it up with all my gear.

The Scout boasts high-quality fabric, sturdy stitching, excellent design in terms of both form and function. I imagine that any college student would love this bag for the upcoming school year. It's also perfect for any professional whose workplace doesn't have a corporate dress-code. The Scout Laptop Messenger by STM retails for about $69.95 - they don't sell directly from their website but they do provide links to both online and brick and mortar stores where you can scout the Scout. Happy trails!

Stay Fashion Forward with the Chloe Dao by Nuo Laptop Satchel

I don't know about you, but when I go into the office, I have a pretty limited range on what I can wear. Business casual. Now, for women, that is certainly much more liberal than men's choices, but still - I couldn't walk in the office in one of these outfits.

However, I can have my laptop bag come from the same designer. I recently had the opportunity to review the Chloe Dao by Nuo Laptop Bag (Chloe was the winner of Season 2 of Project Runway) courtesy of Kolobags. Here's an excerpt ...

The Nuo Laptop Satchel is a true fashion bag. If I were sitting in a director's chair on the Project Runway set, I'd say things like: it has a sleek silhouette and elegant lines; the faux leather detailing and the hardware are appropriate for the design; the stitching is well executed; it does not seem like a mother-of-the-bride laptop bag.

OK, the print. I hear Michael Kors in my head saying "That's a lot of print!" (why is Michael Kors spending so much time in my head?) And sure - it IS a lot of print. But step back a second - the abstract floral print is bold, feminine and sophisticated. The pattern has a smart colour scheme: the brown, black, red and blue in the design are going to allow me to coordinate the bag with whatever I'm wearing. I can definitely "make it work!"

Read the rest of my Chloe Dao Laptop Satchel review (and see some internal shots of the bag) over at Squidoo.

And once you've read the review, you can use the code FUNCHICO at checkout at Kolobags for a 10% discount!

Finally, something to sing about .. cool laptop bags on Glee

OK, I'll admit it, I'm not the biggest fan of Glee. We started watching it on Day 1 - and there were so many ridiculous story lines - I just couldn't handle it. However, I do like that they are trying to represent a number of individuals.

And, of course, I do like some of their music (oh, Gwyneth Paltrow - why aren't you on every week? Yeah, watch this one too.)

But what I REALLY like is that they are featuring some very funky and cool laptop bags on Glee. In a recent episode, cheerleaders Santana and Brittany sport two great laptop backpacks from Mobile Edge: the TPS Slimline Paris Backpack (left) and the Komen Paris Backpack (right).

Now, I haven't reviewed these specific bags from Mobile Edge - but I have reviewed several others. They have great quality products. Check them out. But first, make sure you note the 15% off discount if you use the FUNCHICO code.

Lexie Barnes' New Candy Collection of Bags

Lexie Barnes, one of my favourite bag designers, has released her new collection of bags - the Candy Collection!  Three bright patterened fabrics are the hallmark of this collection.

She didn't do any laptop bags this time :( but she does have a new clutch - the Libby - which is perfect for an iPad, Kindle, Kobo or other tablet.

I really love that blue fabric - great colours all of them, perfect for spring.

 

IceRed's new "Shine 2" compact laptop tote

Just starting to get into the swing of holiday season (after, ahem, taking a few months off from reviewing bags here).  First bag of the holidays - the Shine 2 from IceRed Bags.  Appropriately red, glittery and festive!

From the review ...

The Shine 2 is a mini version of the Shine Glossy Laptop Bag, made especially for your smaller laptop, netbook or the iPad I hope I'm getting this holiday season (hint hint, Santa. HINT HINT.) My review bag is a deep cherry red with white trim - a perfect match for my houndstooth winter coat, although I may now be forced to buy red boots to complete the look. I don't WANT to...I HAVE to. You know how it is, ladies.

Like the original Shine, the Shine 2 is made of glossy vinyl with nylon piping - so it looks sharp and is very practical in Vancouver, where precipitation is, shall we say, a frequent occurrence. It's also extremely lightweight - even with all of my gear in it, it feels lighter than my purse. It comes with a matching padded shoulder strap for over the shoulder or cross-body action but it's so light, I mainly used the two snapped handles to tote it around.

Check out the full review of the Shine 2 Compact Laptop Tote!

Back to School Laptop Bag for Big Kids - Herringbone Tweed Messenger

Following on my post about back to school bags for little kids, I thought maybe I should get a new bag. I'm not going back to school, per se, though I am teaching a class this upcoming term - that counts, right?

I recently found this - the Stash Messenger from mariforssell's shop on Etsy.  I am a sucker for the Herringbone tweed.  Looks really classic. Perfect for back to school. Adore it. Only $125 USD.

 

mariforssell also has messenger bags in some great plaids and other heavy wools. Check them out.

The Allie Laptop Tote from Rainebrooke - a Pink Sensation!

One of my favourite movies is Legally Blonde.  I just love Elle's sass! And I think she would love the Allie Laptop Tote from Rainebrooke.  Aside from being a pink sensation, it's all business for someone trying to become a partner in a law firm by the time she's 30.  Here’s a snippet from the review:

The front of the Allie Tote has a large pocket with a place for pens and business cards.  The pocket has a snap closure.  And, yes, you guessed it.  That means when I need to fetch a pen, I put my tote on the floor, and I bend and snap! (Get it?  Get it?  It’s the bend… and snap!) Two smaller pockets are layered on the outside of the snap-pocket provide access in a pinch.  There’s no need to go digging through the depths of a bag. The Allie tote features a deep, zippered pocket on the outer back panel.  Perfect for stashing a little cash for a French manicure! Or perhaps a passport and boarding pass for a trip to Aruba?

Check out my full review of the Allie Laptop Tote from Rainebrooke.  And if you decide to buy, don't forget to come back here for a coupon to use at Rainebrooke!

Lexie Barnes Summer Blowout Sale!

If you have been holding out on getting your hands on a Lexie Barnes tote, bag or case - now is the time.  She is having an INCREDIBLE sale on her summer stock to make way for the fall line.

 

We love Lexie's products here at Funchico!  We've reviewed:

• the Echo Laptop Case
• the Classic Tote (this, to me, is the hidden gem of Lexie's current collection - the prices are crazy, I would snag one of these as the perfect beach tote for the summer, or for that fall cruise.  We took ours to a resort in Mexico on spring break and it was the perfect bag!)
• the Lady B knitting bag

All of these bags, and more, are on sale at lexiebarnes.com. Her Betty knitting needle case is a steal at $10. I haven't seen it in person (though I have the Coco) but you can see a picture of the Betty's interior - how perfect is this case?!?

And as an added bonus for my Funchico and Squidoo readers, she's offering a choice of two coupons:

• Use SQUIDOOSHIP for free UPS ground shipping in the continental U.S.
• Use SQUIDOOROX for a free gift.

Enjoy!

The Raining Paradise Laptop Backpack by Nokhoo - Pretty in Periwinkle

I would have DIED to have this Raining Paradise laptop backpack by Nokhoo when I was a student. It’s a pretty and practical backpack that any student would find unique, fun, and very functional. Here's a snippet of my review:

The Raining Paradise laptop backpack is periwinkle with a hand-embroidered design in pinks and purples.  Shiny beads and sequins give the bag a little extra sparkle. The exterior fabric is a soft, subtly textured heavy-weight cotton which has a great feel to it – plus, since the fabric is cotton, you can even hand-wash the backpack if you spill your Crush at lunchtime.  There are two netted pockets, one on each side, perfect for a water bottle and an umbrella. The Raining Paradise also has really nice metal hardware, which really finishes the look of the bag.

Check out the full review of the Raining Paradise laptop backpack over on Squidoo.

Nokhoo owner and designer, Nicole, has a great blog, Nokhoo Hoozits, where she posts photos and links to cool stuff that inspires her work. You can also get Nokhoo news on Nokhoo's Facebook page.