Lovely Smythson

It's always a good day when you get something other than bills in the post. Even better when you receive something handbag related.

Unfortunately for me, not an actual handbag. But just as good. As a Smythson customer, I'm on their mailing list, and was happy to receive these beautiful postcards advertising their wares for the coming season.

Smythson is an iconic British brand, specialising in stationery. Their exquisite notebooks and writing paper has been used by Royals, Lords and Ladies for over a hundred years. Those who appreciate quality and prestige having been using Smythson for their personalised stationery needs since the store's inception in 1887.

While I'm a massive stationery fan (I'm losing count of the number of Filofaxs in my possession) I am also a lover of handbags, and Smythson has carried their attention to detail, quality and luxury over to their handbag line.

Here are a few of the pieces on offer this year from Smythson. Perhaps, like me, there will be some new additions to your Christmas list!

On this postcard: Mara iPhone 5 Case, Mara Card Case, Mara Heart Keyring, Envelope Box Clutch, Panama Six Card Wallet, Wafer Series Notebook and Panama Women's Tote.

Carry This... Smythson Panama Women's Tote in Venetian Red, Grained Calf Leather. £550.00 €715.00 $US995.00

On this postcard: Grosvenor Folding Photograph Keyring, Mara Passport Cover, Mara Envelope Keyring, Mara Travel Wallet, Grosvenor Continental Purse with Hinge, Wafer Diary, Eliot Mini Tote.

Carry This... Smythson Eliot Mini Tote in Midnight Blue Calf Leather. £995.00  €1295.00 $US1680.00

Something for the boys...

On this postcard: Panama Luggage Tag, Panama Eight Card Wallet, Panama Slim Coat Wallet, Panama Laptop Case, Mara Currency Case

On this postcard: Panama Travel Watch Roll, Eliot Document Case, Panama Series Notebook, Panama iPad Mini Sleeve, Panama Double Travel Wallet, Viceroy Rollerball Pen.

Why Handbags?

My Mulberry Bayswater in Chocolate

My name is Giorge Thomas, and I'm a handbag addict. I thought one of the best ways to deal with this addiction, apart from going broke, is to share my love of handbags with you all.

So why handbags? If you want to stay ahead with the latest fashions, you’ll have to go out every summer, autumn, winter and spring to buy the latest looks. Fashion mags tell us that what we wore last summer cannot, cannot, cannot be worn again this summer. It’s an expensive process. Not only that, but unless you have supermodel proportions (tall, painfully thin, boob and bum-less) a lot of the latest trends aren’t going to suit your body type.

Which is why handbags are the answer.

Not only do you have a vessel to carry around all the crap we women have to lug everywhere just to function, but if we’re clever, we can have a statement piece to carry around through all the seasons.

When you think about it, realistically, how much do you spend each year on clothes? $1000? $2000? More? For that amount you can buy one handbag which will not only look great, not only be functional, not only compliment your entire wardrobe, but will be admired, too. Actually, for that amount, you could probably purchase a number of bags.

With handbags, it doesn’t matter what you look like, how big you are, how small you are, how short, how tall, how young or how old - anyone can carry them. In a way, handbags are quite unprejudiced.

So, why handbags? I think you’ve found your answer. On the Carry This Bag site we’ll showcase the classic handbags you can take with you year to year, season to season, and, well, my personal favourites.. Affordable, extravagant - something for every budget. We’re sure to find you a bag you’ll be happy to carry.