A couple of weeks ago I pinned this photo to one of my Pinterest boards with the caption: "Love everything - every single thing - about this look. Hair, bag, sandals, jeans, scarf, shirt, location. All of it!"
A week later I received an email from my dear friend Heather of Vintage French Chic telling me she saw the pin I added to my board and its excited caption. She had recently come across straw totes, similar to the French market tote featured in the photo, for sale at a friend's home. They are made in Kenya and she thought I might like to have one.
Upon seeing photos of the bags, I told her I would love to have one...maybe even two!
I chose a plain, neutral bag that is definitely my style and so versatile.
With my new French looking straw market tote, I decided to try recreating the Pinterest photo I like so much. This is my 45-year-old wanna-be model version taken in my driveway rather than in Morocco.
I wore boyfriend jeans by Gap, a Saint Tropez West linen tunic I found for $4 at Goodwill, Michael Kors sandals and a couple of leather bracelets from Large Leather in Sonoma.
This bag is great for the beach, a picnic, shopping and even as a carry-on travel bag for the plane or on a road trip.
The other bag I chose has a big colorful cluster of grapes on it. I think it's made for a wine country lifestyle!
Heather graciously offered to give me one as a gift and shipped them both to me across the miles, a kind gesture to me for sending her a canister of tea I bought just for her in Paris last March.
I used the grape tote for the first time just the other day to have a picnic with my husband at a nearby winery.
It's very sturdy and so well made. I was able to carry my heavy camera, a big bottle of water, a small handbag and I still had room for my denim jacket when it got to be too hot outside.
Next weekend, I hope to take it along to our local farmer's market to see how many vegetables I can fit inside.
Be sure to stop by Heather's blog today to see how she styled another gorgeous summer bag
she's recently added to her handbag collection.
![]() |
| From Habitually Chic |
A week later I received an email from my dear friend Heather of Vintage French Chic telling me she saw the pin I added to my board and its excited caption. She had recently come across straw totes, similar to the French market tote featured in the photo, for sale at a friend's home. They are made in Kenya and she thought I might like to have one.
Upon seeing photos of the bags, I told her I would love to have one...maybe even two!
I chose a plain, neutral bag that is definitely my style and so versatile.
With my new French looking straw market tote, I decided to try recreating the Pinterest photo I like so much. This is my 45-year-old wanna-be model version taken in my driveway rather than in Morocco.
![]() |
| It's a little too warm this time of year for a scarf so I left that piece in my closet. |
This bag is great for the beach, a picnic, shopping and even as a carry-on travel bag for the plane or on a road trip.
The other bag I chose has a big colorful cluster of grapes on it. I think it's made for a wine country lifestyle!
Heather graciously offered to give me one as a gift and shipped them both to me across the miles, a kind gesture to me for sending her a canister of tea I bought just for her in Paris last March.
I used the grape tote for the first time just the other day to have a picnic with my husband at a nearby winery.
| The bag's first outing at Chateau St. Jean |
It's very sturdy and so well made. I was able to carry my heavy camera, a big bottle of water, a small handbag and I still had room for my denim jacket when it got to be too hot outside.
Next weekend, I hope to take it along to our local farmer's market to see how many vegetables I can fit inside.
Thank you, Heather, for the lovely gift and for introducing me to such lovely straw market totes.
I will think of you whenever I carry my bags, which will be often!
I will think of you whenever I carry my bags, which will be often!
What kind of bag do you carry during spring and summer months?
Do you prefer natural straw color or something vivid and colorful?
Be sure to stop by Heather's blog today to see how she styled another gorgeous summer bag
she's recently added to her handbag collection.














