A few months ago, I was contacted by a woman named Liz about a new business she was starting, featuring handmade totes and unique bags. She also has a beauty channel on YouTube which is great! Check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bargainbeauty365
Her business is called "Limeade Handmade," which is an adorable name that reminds me so much of my childhood, for some reason! Here's the link to her Etsy store, which I really hope you visit and browse!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LimeadeHandmade
She sent me a tote of my choosing, and I picked a bold floral pattern that has almost a tribal influence. The first thing that came to mind when I spotted it was one of Vera Bradley's bold, colorful prints, so I was excited to try it out.
My favorite thing about the bag is that the print is very transitional. When paired with a cute sundress in beige, cream or another neutral color, this tote is perfect as a casual, beachy spring/summer accessory. At the same time, the beautiful burnt reds and oranges in the color scheme allow to to also function as a great fall or winter accessory. This tote lends an unexpected and intriguing pop of color to any outfit. I can see matching this with a pair of adorable red flats and a statement headband with a red fabric flower!
Here are some other designs that I really love:
I love this unique, abstract neon design! I would pair it with a pair of dark-washed boot cut jeans, a fitted white ribbed tank under a light black cardigan, and black flats. The outfit itself is pretty basic and casual, but this would create a burst of visual interest.
This design is simple and sweet, and perfect for spring. I would pair it with a white sun dress for another one of those pops of color. I can also imagine using this as a beach tote paired with a neon-green bikini (neon looks great on tan skin!) underneath a white jersey tube dress.
Let me say that I love almost ANYTHING that has paisley! This bag, to me, has a country feel to it. I would wear it with a girly white sundress and a pair of black cowboy boots to really play off of that western vibe. I would also wear it with a flowy black top, a pair of dark-washed denim shorty-shorts, and a pair of simple black flats or flip flops to add some visual interest to a casual ensemble.
Another great thing about this company is that whatever you purchase from it will be virtually one-of-a-kind. There are a ton of beautiful, unique prints to choose from in varying color schemes and patterns ranging from simplistic and modern, to fun and whimsical. Liz has also mentioned that she would open to working with you on custom orders -- through Etsy, you can message a seller and request specific fabrics, patterns, color schemes, etc., and the seller will let you know whether your vision can be made possible. This allows you to find the bag that expresses your personality 100%.
The quality of the bag is fantastic. The straps are sewn sturdily and there has been absolutely no wear and tear, even though I've lugged the tote all over the place! These are a far cry from the cheap, disposable totes you can buy for 1-2 bucks at Forever21, and are going to last you forever as long as you take good care of them.
All her totes are hand-sewn and come in various sizes - small, medium and large. I have the small size, which is ideal, as I use it as a makeup bag. I am constantly transporting makeup back and forth between my dorm and my boyfriend's, depending on where I'm filming. This bag fits both of my Coastal Scents 88 palettes, a plastic zipper pouch full of my lipsticks, concealer, foundation and other cream products, and all the makeup brushes I need.
Since I use it as a makeup bag, there is always the chance for spillage and smudging -- you girls all know what I mean! I've ruined at least one good bag due to a lipstick melting over the interior on a hot day. What's great about Limeade Handmade is that most of her totes are washable, so this problem is easily fixed.
Finally, the bags are very reasonably priced. The largest ones cost $15, which is a great deal considering the time and effort Liz pours into every project. It's also a very reasonable price to pay for a bag that will be completely unique to you! The small-sized bags cost $10 apiece, again very reasonable.
In short, I really recommend you check out her Etsy shop and both her YouTube channels. She is a great person and really deserves attention and support from the beauty community in her endeavors! I always like to help shine a spotlight on women who take the initiative to pursue what they love.
Thanks so much for reading this review! Till next time! :)
