Hi. I have been searching high and low for a new handbag for about 6 months. Sounds crazy, right? But, I am a one handbag girl. I carry one bag for months or even years and want it to meet my needs and look fabulous doing so. And I love gorgeous leather. I have been carrying Coach but I really only like their Legacy and Hamptons lines, the new stuff is too busy, trendy, etc. for me.

I love that the BE bags are made of gorgeous leather and that many are very simple in design. Not alot of zippers everywhere or studs, etc.

I am really into totes and since I have two small kids, they work well for me. I am looking at getting either a Take Me Anywhere or Take Me Everywhere.
Would love opinions from you ladies on which you like better and if you feel the drawstring style tote is classic enough to carry for years. Also, which leather works best on this bag? (pebbled, shiny, matte, etc.) The Whisper To Me is catching my eye as well.

Thank you for all your time! :) I am so excited about designing my own bag!!

Hi and welcome!

My favorite 'mom' bag (if that's what you need) would be a Take Me Everywhere in a matte or pebbled leather. I like that style because it is simple and classic plus a lot can fit in it! I love the look of the TMA and the TMA Midi but for me it was a little bit too big. I don't have small children though so it might work well for you. And the pockets are so cute! A WTM is great if you like flatter bags that will lay against your body and can be carried cross body.

The leathers I mentioned, matte or pebbled, both hold up well when used a lot. Dark grey matte is lovely and popular. Root is a nice pebbled leather without being too heavy. Black shimmer is newer but so far seems to be resistant to wear. Sheen leather softens nicely but while I like it, it's delicate and can show wear quickly.

Are you wanting a stock bag, BEC (customized at an extra cost) or a 2nd hand bag? Sometimes a 2nd hand bag can be helpful in exposing yourself to BE without as much risk. Or check BE. There were bags still on sale last time I checked. The Hold Me is great too IMO and there was a black crash Hold Me that would be an awesome bag! It*s been tempting me!

Hope that helps! I'm sure you'll get a lot of good answers!

Wellcome!!..I second TL..there's a gorgeous TME on the BE site on sale for the moment..try it! It's a lovely roomy bag for mums!

But if you want to design your own..I would consider the Rock me with a strap..this one holds a great deal..enough for you and two kids... The TMA can become a bit heavy because of the hardware, so if you're set on this one, and like the 3 in 1 strap-rings , do request to have a removable ring to place the strap in, so you can add or remove these large rings.

my edit: pls get a light weight leather! Like the crash, mattes or a shimmer!

Welcome to BE. I used to be a one bag only type maybe 2 a black and a brown. Then I was introduced to BE and I am no longer a 2 bag person. I now have an Adore Me in Petrol, a Hug Me in Chocolate Crash and a Hug Me in Black Crash, a Make Me Smile midi in wine sheen, a Suprise Me in dark purple matte, an Indulge Me in kiwi, Indulge Me in blue crash (my daughter decided this was her bag), a Love Me mini in wine (bought this for my daughter), a black matte Angel purse, a purple crash Hold Me. So you can see gone are the days of having one or two bags. I personally love the crash leathers they are light and pretty indestructible. I also happen to like bags with zippers to close them so I have not had a TME but Bonnie is far more of an expert when it comes to BE as she has tried probably close to all of the different styles that BE has. Having said that I really like the Hold Me even though it does not have a zipper close which as I mentioned I really like it is a light weight bag (especially the crash leather which is what I have) holds a lot and is very easy to carry. The BE sale is still going on and that is how I started buying BE bags I bought one on a sale a number of years ago. Once again welcome to the BE forum. I look forward to seeing you post showing us what lovely BE bag you decide to go with.

Hi, ladies. I took the plunge! I just ordered a Taupe Matte Leather TME from the BE site. It was on sale and has silver hardware (which is a must for me)! I am soo excited! Nervous, because this brand is totally new to me, but excited. I really think I am going to like it. I watched a few video reviews online and most said the matte leather is a bit stiff at first, but becomes smooshier in no time. Hope so! I really can't wait and the taupe seems like a great neutral that can be worn with everything.

I always get black bags but I told myself this time I was getting something different. Best part, it was on sale!!! Thanks for all your replies! Will definitely update when it gets here!

^^ Good choice! The TME will be classic so won't go out of style and the taupe matte leather is beautiful! It'll age beautifully and is easy to care for! There's some good reference threads about caring for our BEs so you can learn how to protect it. Matte definitely gets softer with use! I had a full size Charm Me in dark purple matte and when I first got it it was stiff by after carrying it nearly 2 weeks straight it was so soft and smooshy, I loved it! I gave it to my future daughter in law but got a Charm Me Midi in dark purple matte which again, is stiff but I know once I carry it it'll soften right up!

Can't wait for your update to see how you feel about it!

Originally Posted by HisWifeTheirMom

Hi, ladies. I took the plunge! I just ordered a Taupe Matte Leather TME from the BE site. It was on sale and has silver hardware (which is a must for me)! I am soo excited! Nervous, because this brand is totally new to me, but excited. I really think I am going to like it. I watched a few video reviews online and most said the matte leather is a bit stiff at first, but becomes smooshier in no time. Hope so! I really can't wait and the taupe seems like a great neutral that can be worn with everything. I always get black bags but I told myself this time I was getting something different. Best part, it was on sale!!! Thanks for all your replies! Will definitely update when it gets here!

I had one, I let it go and I still miss it...Taupe is a wonderful color and goes with almost anything!

Congrats and good luck with it.

Good choice. While you're waiting for it to arrive, go to a Wilson's Leather store (if you have one in your area) and buy a bottle of TLC pump spray. If you don't have one, you can get it here http://www.wilsonsleather.com/produc...entPage=family

Also, go to the laundry section of your grocery store and buy a spray can (white w/red & black lettering) of Scotchguard.

When the bag arrives, spray the interior with the scotchguard (liberal - so it's almost wet), doesn't matter if you get it on the hardware or leather detailing. Use the TLC and liberally spray all leather surfaces (inside the bag too, doesn't matter if you get on the lining or hardware). Don't panic. It will turn the bag darker but once it dries in 2-3 hours, it will return to the normal color/texture. Since it's a new bag, do a second coating of each. Let dry a second time. Then you're ready to use it. Although it will not totally prevent leather scratches, scuffs, stains or water spots, or interior stains, it SURE does help and will make your bag last and look beautiful much longer.

taupe matte is gorgeous... it goes with everything! After a while it gets SO smooshy and awesome, too

Here's my taupe matte WTM

Originally Posted by finzup

taupe matte is gorgeous... it goes with everything! After a while it gets SO smooshy and awesome, too

I know!!! I now have a taupe matte LM, it's a bag I really love. I still miss my TME though. Wish I had both.

Thank, you, Nunnia! I will do that. I was headed to Target this morning, so I will go ahead and pick up the Scotch Guard today.

Oh, Finzup! Your WTM is sooo gorgeous! That just made me even more excited to get mine! It looks sooo smooshy! And I really think the color is great and will be perfect for year round! I always get black bags but I wanted something different this time. I think this TME will fit the bill! :)

Thank you all for your comments! I can't wait to get my new bag! Jackie sent me an email that it already shipped.

Originally Posted by HisWifeTheirMom

Hi, ladies. I took the plunge! I just ordered a Taupe Matte Leather TME from the BE site. It was on sale and has silver hardware (which is a must for me)! I am soo excited! Nervous, because this brand is totally new to me, but excited. I really think I am going to like it. I watched a few video reviews online and most said the matte leather is a bit stiff at first, but becomes smooshier in no time. Hope so! I really can't wait and the taupe seems like a great neutral that can be worn with everything. I always get black bags but I told myself this time I was getting something different. Best part, it was on sale!!! Thanks for all your replies! Will definitely update when it gets here!

This thread has been very helpful! I am also a mom of 2 looking for a big bag and considering the TME, the TMA, and the Rock Me...I still can't decide! My current bag (the Not Rational Hansel) is bigger than the TME and the TMA, so I'm worried that those aren't big enough but the Rock Me is pretty huge. HisWifeTheirMom, I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of the TME (love the matte taupe, that is a color I am considering!)...

If anyone else has any pros/cons of the TME/TMA/and the RM and/or comparisons of these three (weight, size when worn, carrying capacity, etc.), I would love to hear it! Thanks in advance!