My 5 Twitter testers are still busy working on their handbag reviews, so I thought that in the meantime I would post a quick review of my own.

This week, while travelling to Dubai and Chennai, I am using the new medium shopper in emerald as my ‘handbag’. Inside the shopper I have one of my new lining organisers and the two work perfectly together. I’m very pleased!!!

You may think that’s an odd thing for me to say – because if I designed them – a) they SHOULD work perfectly together and b) I shouldn’t be so surprised!!! But – since I do design a lot of handbags, I don’t always get to use every single design myself. Sometimes I rely on others to give a new design a go and report back (thanks Mum!)

Love Colour

I am also over the moon with the actual shade of the emerald bag (maybe it’s teal but what’s in a name!) because it goes with:

• My new skirt from Laura Ashley.
• My new special occasions dress in white with an all over colourful watercolour abstract floral print.
• My old green/blue shot silk skirt I often travel in, as it’s comfortable, looks posh and I don’t arrive looking tired, creased and jet-lagged whenever I wear it!
• And the cotton beach dress I bought to chuck on over a bikini.

Yes, the bag has been to the beach (or poolside) in 40c heat & sun and no fading has occurred.

So, is it a beach bag?

Yes (although I would take the large shopper version if I’m out for the day and need to carry a beach towel, water, etc etc)

Is it a handbag?

Most definitely – particularly when teamed with the lining organiser.

Is it a good travelling handbag?

Yes it is for me, but then I am careful with not letting my handbag fall over (it doesn’t zip up and I don’t even bother to zip up the lining organiser – tut, tut!)

Actually I like the fact that you can easily get into the top to retrieve your passport & boarding pass – which are needed regularly for security checks these days.

Is the colour restricting if you take only one bag?

Well, I did kind of co-ordinate my wardrobe this time but that was mainly because I was carrying 30kg (my entire baggage allowance) of Harris Tweed to my factory so space for clothes was very limited (in hand luggage – more about that another time).

However – I think this emerald/teal bag would go with most things including black, white and all bright colours. I am wearing either black or white sandals this trip so no clashes there either!

What is your perfect travelling handbag?