Perfect Pomegranate, Inc Bags

For over fifteen years Pomegranate, Inc. has been making gorgeous table linens, totes, kitchen accessories and more. Their prints and patterns are bold, fresh and unique. Nothing says summer to me more than a Pomegranate tablecloth. Just from viewing the website one can tell that French Provence and its classic colors are the main inspiration behind Pomegranate's designs. This summer I was lucky enough to try out the Palm Beach Daffodil Carryall Tote and Cosmetic Bag. Love at first sight.



The Cosmetic bag comes in three sizes- small, medium and large. Prices range from $16-20 and each has a zippered closure and is lined with plastic. The plastic lining is easy to wipe it out when spills occur. I used mine (size large: 10” x 3” x 6”) for my gym bag all summer and found that the sturdy 100% cotton outside holds up quite well. The zipper doesn't stick and I was able to fit my toiletries and make-up all inside the large bag. It fit perfectly inside my gym bag without being bulky or taking up lots of space despite its size. It is a nice streamlined cosmetic bag that works so well for traveling.

The Carryall Tote bag (size: 18" x 8" x 12") makes a great overnight bag or even a weekender style bag. It has an easy zip closure and a zippered pocket inside. I loved the bright cheery yellow lining. It made me feel happy each time I opened it. This tote is perfect for an overnight trip and for taking to the pool. It can fit a towel, books, snacks, pool toys and more. The double strap makes carrying comfortable too. The Carryall Tote is also 100% canvas cotton and can be thrown in the wash if needed. I love this bag and I get compliments on it each time I use it. At $36 this bag cannot be beat.

Pomegranate products are available at a variety of specialty stores or online at their website. It is a wonderful place to find housewarming, bridesmaid or other types of gifts for those you love. Monogramming is free too!

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

COUPON!!!

Mother’s Day is May 11th

Mi-Bag makes the perfect gift for mothers and mothers to be!

20% off through May 11th - use the promotional code ‘4umom’

The Mi-bag- No flowery title needed.

Stylish, eco-friendly and lightweight, need I say more? Yes, I can say a lot more about ID-A Designs Mi-bag. The Mi-bag, which comes in four designs (zebra, cat, elephant and birds), is one of the best products I have reviewed to date. This compact little bag stores easily in my purse or suitcase and then expands to W 18" x H 23" x D 7" from a pocket that is only W 6" x H 7". You can see how it works here. It is not only practical and cute but it is also very durable. The 100% nylon rip-stop bag holds up to 22 lbs. It is light as a feather and folds up so nicely you can take it anywhere.

I put the Mi-bag ($24) to the test the first day I had it by loading it up with dry cleaning. I fit one men’s suit jacket and pants, a dress, four men’s dress shirts, one woman’s blouse, a sweater and a pair of dress pants for men into the bag with no problem. Once I unloaded it, I folded it quickly into its pocket and dropped it into my purse. It was that simple. It is that easy! The look on the dry cleaners face was priceless. Since then I take it with me everywhere I go. I use it at Target, the library and on trips to carry additional purchases. The Mi-bag has become a new appendage for me. It is always on my person because it is so convenient and easy to use. The double insulated straps are comfortable on my shoulders and I love the animal designs. I feel instantly stylish when I break out this bag and tote it around even if it is filled with toddler supplies like diapers, wipes and a sippy cup.

This bag is very versatile and fun to use. Everywhere I go with it people comment on the design and practicality. I recently received another bag very similar to the Mi-bag that starts out small and expands, is made of 100% nylon and can be tucked away easily. Except that it isn't as easy. It doesn't roll like the Mi-bags folds and quite honestly, it not as user-friendly all around or as nice looking. I wouldn't trade my Mi-bag for anything.

When designer Naoko Shibata founded ID-A Designs she wanted to create something usable and life improving. Her eye for aesthetics and quality shows in every detail of the Mi-bag right down to the satin piping. The Mi-bag is fashion but is also a wonderful balance of form and function.

I'm giving away two Mi-bags today to two lucky readers! Be the first to email me (veamason AT gmail DOT com) and I'll send a bag your way!

Congratulations to Stephanie and Andrea our Mi-bag winners!!

Giveaway Time! Win a Nankeen Ying!

See this bag? It's beautiful, no? It's also practical, stylish and worth about $140.
You can check out the details here and the review I did here.

You want it? You have to win it! Here's how. Send me an email with the location of Nankeen and what significance this has to me, Mummy. First person to do that wins the ying! Email: veamason AT gmail DOT com.

Good Luck!

Pomegranate Inc Melds Style with Tradition

Casual, everyday style, that is Pomegranate. Angela Beck’s colorful and lively designs come to life in each piece of table linen, handbag, and kitchen accessory. From aprons to tea towels, totes to oven mitts there is something for everyone in this flora and fauna inspired line of personal items and house wares. I fell in love with the bright colors and gorgeous details and designs. I was delighted when Pomegranate sent me some items to review.

The square (55x55) Jaipur tablecloth I received is simply beautiful. The golden colored edging mixed with the blues, greens and reds in a simple paisley design are to die for. It looks great in my kitchen and my dining room and it did not shrink a bit even when I washed and dried it repeatedly. I found this 100% ($38) cotton tablecloth to be a wonderful addition to my home and it would make and even better gift to someone.



I also received a pair of oven mitts. They are excellent too. The red color with a green accent was just perfect this holiday season. I felt quite festive each time I used them and I swear they inspired me to bake even more than I normally do. What I love most about these washable mitts is their length. I have long forearms and these oven mitts cover not just my hands and wrists but go all the way up to my elbows. At $18, a pair it is more than you would pay at a local big box store but if you leave them lying about like I do they dress up your kitchen. The oven mitts wash well and are thermal lined for protection. Pair them with a set of Pomegranate tea towels or an apron and you have yourself a great housewarming present for someone.


Pomegranate has reasonable prices and quality merchandise with a great selection. Their sturdy Raffia bags come in bright colors with gorgeous inner linings that are perfect for shopping and running errands. The totes are super cute and you can have them monogrammed too. They make great diaper bags and the cosmetic bags come in a variety of sizes to choose from. They even have backpacks for kids.

Pomegranate has an abundance of fresh, crisp designs throughout their product lines that enhance your home. The unique designs and classic prints are a great addition to any abode. Pomegranate also has incredible sales that run all the time too. It is truly a fun site and I love it. It is definitely worth checking out and getting fresh home, gift ideas and purchases from. It really is “style made simple.”

As an added bonus, Pomegranate is offering free gift-wrap for online purchases. Just enter GIFT WRAP in the comments field at checkout.


*Images from Pomegranate Inc. and Design Mom.

ying by Nankeen

Nankeen has done it again with their practical but stylish ying tote. The refreshing blue color on this bag depicts the ocean the bag is named for and it will fast become your go to bag. The ying is serious on style and all the while incredibly practical. The sturdy denim-like fabric, a signature in the Nankeen line, softens over time and washings. Its quality stands the test of time and the ying will prove itself one tough bag. It holds a secret too. It is not just a great looking tote. Tucked inside the deep plum lining it holds a separate padded laptop sleeve. The zippered sleeve is 16”w x 12”h x 1”d and holds most standard-sized laptops. My Dell has a 17-inch screen and is a bit on the thick side and I can just squeeze it in this bag. The durable double straps sit comfortably on my shoulders and are at a great length. I can easily retrieve items from the bag and the inner pockets. Everyone will be amazed at what you can fit into this great roomy bag. It has two zippered pockets and a top zipper closure and it is versatile and fun. I love how it is a darker pattern than other Nankeen bags too.

The ying ($145) is 100% Nankeen printed-cotton. It goes through the same age-old process of using the Asian art form to hand print the fabric. Nankeen beautifully combines contemporary looks with classic design will all its bags and the ying is no exception. What I love about Nankeen is that it is always of a high quality and quite unique. No two bags are the same. It is not your typical workbag or travel satchel either. I use it for lugging around kid stuff, weekend gear, my laptop and it brightens up a meeting or workday too. The ying like all the other Nankeen products (now featuring men’s accessories too!) is not only a great piece but a chic one too that your friends and even strangers will stop you on the street to ask you about. You have a truly remarkable item when you buy an Anne W. Page (designer) piece.



Now when you order a ying bag you can also get a chang belt ($30) thrown in free! In addition to that, shipping is free from now until December 31. Just tell them that ‘Mummy’ sent you to get that belt which goes beautifully with every pair of jeans and even khakis! It is 100% cotton and I wear mine all the time. It definitely completes an outfit, livens up your wardrobe and makes an excellent gift for that hard to buy for-have everything friend.

COUPON-Nankeen Style

Introducing new items for the holidays...and, of course, your favorite Nankeen bags and totes will also make great gifts!





Special Offer: Receive 15% off all purchases and free shipping through Dec. 1
(enter HOLIDAY07 at checkout) Tell them Mummy sent you! I'll be giving away a Ying bag in a few weeks so check back soon!

Fun Finds Friday! Belen Echandia Handbags

If you are looking for an exquisitely made, effortlessly chic, and absolutely gorgeous handbag that is not like all those other designer duds then look no further than Belen Echandia. Designed by Jackie Cawthra these butter soft leather handbags are inspired by the colors and luxurious leathers she found while working in as a lawyer Spain.


Having no experience in the handbag and designing world Jackie had only the dream and desire to make beautiful bags and create a company that would harken back to the golden days where designers gave good service. Nothing is mass produced here. The company, while global, feels more like a small business because they care so much. They provide impeccable customer service and pay attention to the tiniest details. All the bags are created in small quantities and are made by skilled artisans in Italy. The bags are only known through word of mouth and carried in only the most exclusive stores around the world.


Just looking at one you know it is of the highest quality and design. They quite simply take your breath away. I love the names each style bag is given such as, Charm Me, Clutch Me and Take Me Anywhere. These bags reach out to you and reel you in. While not in everyone's price range they are beautiful to look at, aspire to, or simply put on your wish list. The holidays are coming up!

For anyone who orders one do mention MPR (Mummy's Product Reviews) and you will receive free shipping! To visit Belen Echandia, to find out how to order or just view more beautiful bags click here.


*Images from the Belen Echandia website bags are the Charm Me and Take Me Anywhere.

Friday Fun Find- Dunlin's Lafayette Collection

Designed by former photographer Shiho Nagashima and designer and artist Ramana Goldstein and based out of Williamsburg, Brooklyn these gorgeous bags are super functional and extremely pleasing to the eye.

The Lafayette Collection ($600-895) of handbags comes in three sizes- small, medium and weekender. Each bag is done in hand finished leather, comes fully lined and in such beautiful colors as dark purple, creme, dark green, grey and black. You would be all set for fall and winter with one of these beauties!



A Dunlin bag has a signature silhouette. It naturally folds, gathers, expands and is roomy with two large compartments making it not only stylish and chic but incredibly practical as well. You are certain to turn even the most fashion savvy head with a Dunlin bag.

For more information on the Lafayette Collection or to see more Dunlin styles and purchasing information please see their website here.

Handbags by Daphne

Founded in 1996, Handbags by Daphne are designed by Daphne herself. Seeking to create timeless handbags as well as those that might seem “outside the box” her bags are impossible to miss. In fact, the very first time I used my Smart bag it created a stir. I could see people leaning over to check it out as I stood in line. I felt their stares as they looked at the bag wondering where I might have gotten it. It was kind of exciting!

I tested out the ingenious Smart bag (which comes in two sizes) by Daphne which was created by input from her followers. The Smart bag can be worn as a tote or as a hobo bag. I think this is one terrific idea. The easy to use straps tie the bag into the hobo shape quickly and untie just as fast to turn it into a convenient tote. I love it! The bag itself is beautiful. The fabric is one of an Old Italian tapestry that has a divine look and feel to it. The sheen of the gold intertwined with the brilliant turquoise is quite striking. It makes a great fall handbag! Inside this deep bag which also closes easily with a magnetic snap you’ll find one zippered compartment and one open compartment. I like to keep my lip gloss in the zippered and my cell phone in the open one. I also like how the pockets are just high enough for me to place my keys in and then retrieve them quickly without having to search around for them deep inside the bag. This bag is deliciously lined in black satin which just adds to its charm. I can’t wait to continue using it again and again and telling people all about it. The straps on it are just the right length as is the size of the bag coming in at 11.5 inches high and it wears comfortably on the shoulders. The full tote shape is 15.5 inches long by 11.5 inches high by 3.5 inches wide and the extra large size in the full tote shape is 18 inches long by 13 inches high by 6 inches wide so you just need to figure out how much bag do you really need. The Smart bag makes a terrific everyday handbag.





Daphne has also created the incredible 3-Way bag. It works as a backpack, a cross over the shoulder bag or a bag with just short straps. This versatile handbag can fit many an occasion and transition well from work to after hours. It is lightweight and only takes a few seconds to convert the straps. Daphne has other creations as well. Her chenille or tapestry Clutch bags also make the transition from day to night well and are a great size for when you don’t need to carry a lot of stuff. She has a charming set of Wrist bags too. They hang gracefully and free from your wrist giving you the ability to dance with your bag and not have to worry about where to place it. It is both light and sturdy and fits just the basics for a night out. Just in time for the fall season and the feather trend Daphne has a rather lovely line of Feather bags. These bags are beautiful and will add extra oomph and TA DA! to any outfit. They have a personality that is all their own with their real ostrich feathers and silk satin fabrics.



Handbags by Daphne are quality made handbags. They are versatile, stylish, and striking. When you carry a Handbag by Daphne you feel as if you are setting yourself apart from the crowd and really letting your personality shine through. So go ahead- check out all her latest designs. They are modestly priced for the quality they and ship fast! For more information and to order a Handbag by Daphne click here or at her Etsy site here.

Nankeen Style!

Shh… it’s an ancient Chinese art form. It is traditional yet contemporary. The quality and high attention to detail is beyond compare. Vibrant, hand printed and irresistibly beautiful, it is Nankeen.


What is Nankeen? Nankeen is style. It’s elegant, simple and timeless. Using an old Chinese art form Anne Page has created some incredibly gorgeous bags and pillows. There are totes, big bags, darling clutch purses and all in unique designs and fabrics. Seriously. Each bag is unique. By using a three thousand year old paste-resistant process Page has created a line of fashionable yet earth and art conscious purses and pillows that render each item different and beautiful.


That being said it was with extreme delight and much squealing that I opened the big white box from Nankeen. The bright pink tissue surrounding the wonderful piece of artwork makes such an impact. The gift wrapping is well done and thoughtful right down to the hand written note. When I parted the tissue I found the lovely ‘Song’ bag (retails at $235) just for me. It’s gigantic! The bag, one of the ‘Big Bags’ from Nankeen, is large enough for an overnight trip. It could even be used as a diaper bag/Mommy carryall. I personally like taking mine for long car trips and to the pool. I can easily stuff three beach towels, snacks, drinks, sun block, and a few pool toys inside with room to spare. The bright pink lining makes me smile each time I open the bag with its two convenient and zippered compartments. I find them so handy for those small items I don’t want to lose. The traditional blue and white patterns wear extremely well. The bags get softer with use. “Just like your favorite pair of blue jeans!” says, Page. It’s true. The more I use mine the more I love it and the softer it feels.

Buying a Nankeen bag or pillow is more than just a fashion statement. It’s saying to the world that you care about fair labor practices, preserving an art form, and are environmentally conscious. Page and her staff work hard to deliver these products and this tradition. Beautifully done I say!

I love them so much and I can’t wait to pick up my next Nankeen bag. I’m going for the Savanna! To learn more about Nankeen and their style or just simply view these beautiful bags and pillows head to Nankeen.