i'm so excited...and i just can't hide it

fresh off my fingers is bungaloe's newest design: meander - a chunky cable knit cowl.  i named it that because the cable patterns remind me of a meandering river: twisty and turny and soothing.  in the front is a cable pattern and around the back and sides it is a seed stitch.  the way this cowl lays is almost like a necklace, a really chunky, warm cozy necklace.  i love the way it came out. 
get one if you like at my etsy store.  you can find a color chart there if you would like to order this piece in another color.

where have i been?

i took a hiatus from bungaloe to GET MARRIED!!  talk about a diy wedding! the reception was on the beach, we rented a HUGE tent, John made the floor, i designed the invites, my family helped me make the favors, there were handwritten signs, i could go on & on.  I'll post more pics soon.

In the month leading up to the wedding, I was crazy busy with all the little details that come up especially when you decide not to have a reception in a hall and you have to put lots of the wedding together yourself.  i also started re-evaluating bungaloe and what i want bungaloe to be. and what i want to be when i "grow up".  i'm still working on that. 

but in the days after the wedding we had some very autumn-like weather and it planted a knitting bug in me.  last winter i designed a slouchy hat that i love.  I designed it because i couldn't find exactly what i wanted in a hat anywhere else.  my mom taught me to knit several years ago and i always looked to knitting as a very relaxing and grounding hobby.  but i love the design i came up with and i decided to add it to my bungaloe store.  with fall coming i think it's a good idea.  maybe bungaloe will turn into a full accessories shop someday.

here come the sun!

I am jumping out of my shoes with excitement!!! bungaloe handbags can be found on poppytalk's here comes the sun market.  it's a summer themed virtual market that is sure to please because i am surrounded by many talented artists.

the broome street clutch has a big sister

i'm sure you are so tired of me posting about new bags, new designs, new colors and all this business.  but i can't help myself, i want to share my happiness in making new things....
the broome street clutch has a big sister now! i think you would love to have a sleek, medium sized hobo that can certainly accompany you during anytime of day while you wear many many different outfits.  it's not too big, not to small, it's got restrained hardware, it's not too flashy, it's got a quiet something going on.  it's in my shop!

introducing a new color TEAL!!! metallic too

oh man, is this color amazing or what? i've got the super pleated tote and the woven clutch in teal.  new in my shop!  the super pleated tote is a great size for everyday use: work, shopping, lunching etc.

the clutch is a little smaller and converts from a clutch to a shoulder bag, part of the woven collection.

 

did someone say....ADJUSTABLE STRAP?!

this is very very exciting for me. have you ever had a clutch and wished it was a shoulder bag or vice versa?  let's face it, girls are incredibly indecisive.  now you can have your cake and eat it too, because most girls can look at cake and not eat it for fear of gaining a few lbs.  or you could liken this bag's versatility to superman.  by day he is an intelligent, good looking writer and by night he is an ultra sexy world saving hero of a man.  this bag is not world saving or an intelligent writer but it IS just as versatile.

the point of this long winded story is that you can now have the super pleated clutch with an adjustable strap that allows you to carry a clutch, wristlet or shoulder bag, plus if you think the strap is too long, just knot up the middle, it also adds another element of design - and it comes in this amazingly fabulous metallic bronze eco-conscience non-pvc faux leather material! and as always it is handmade!

drop by my shop and get yours!

after the decision was made....

i decided to order the bronze metallic fabric.  i felt like it was fun neutral, you could wear this color with many many outfits, and even though the bronze made me think of summer, i think you could carry a bronze bag well into the other seasons.
so here is a prototype of my new line of bags and clutches:

the weaved ones!
i love texture, my goal is that my designs reflect my love of texture in many shapes and forms.  i already have a line of pleated bags and clutches in my arsenal so now it's time to add another texture to bungaloe: weaving.  it's a very special, eye catching kind of texture.  i've made it in a random pattern to give weaving my spin, the metallic faux leather helps to enhance the texture.

this bag is a very large hobo, it's super slouchy and shiny.
-approx 18" wide x 13" high
-organic canvas lining
-magnetic snap closure
-2 inner pockets
-made from eco-friendly faux leather: non-pvc and biodegradable

i'm taking orders if anyone is interested!

decisions decisions decisions

with summer coming i would really like to get some new material for my handbags in the shop.  here are some samples of colors i'm considering: metallic purple, light kiwi and metallic bronze.  this material is made from eco-friendly, biodegradable faux leather.

which one do you like?

i also will be revamping some of my current designs as well as adding new designs like smaller clutches, adding straps to my clutches and so on.  i have A LOT of thinking and designing to do.

super pleated totebag in cream!!!!!

it's super, it's pleated...........it's cream

new in my shop...

just finished the SUPER PLEATED tote bag in moss fleather.  the big sister to the super pleated clutch.
roomy enough to tag along with you everywhere but not so big it looks like you are going away for 12 weeks.  carry it to work, use it to hold knitting projects, it's great for everyday.  the pleating gives the material a certain creamy-ness.

the handles are triple stitched and attached with rivets, the inside has one slip pocket and one magnetic closure pocket, the whole bag closes with a magnetic snap.  i made myself one of these - i have been using it for a couple months and i just love the simple complication of this design, the pleating gives it movement & interest but it's kind of understated too.  that is for the most part how i like to design my bags.

YAY!!!!

i ordered some eco-friendly faux leather last week and it finally came in!! so i promptly made a super pleated clutch and a broome street clutch! 

these are cool because they have pockets on the inside.  the broome street clutch has 3 pockets and 2 have magnetic closures, the superpleated clutch has 2 regular pockets.  they are made with faux leather that is biodegradeable and made without VOC's they are really neat-o, super big and super fun....

SO EXCITING!!!

you can now find my shop on the very awesome site PAPER N STITCH!!  it's a gorgeous online exhibition space where you can find talented artists, designers and handmade goods. take a look!

PAPER N STITCH

new in my store!

it's big, it's pleated, it's cranberry!

and the winner is........

TARA!!! i guess it was good karma because she was one of my very first customers when i started this venture!!congrats Tara and thank you!
THANK YOU everyone who entered, it was very nice to see how many were interested in winning one of my clutches, stay tuned because i want to do more giveaways!

GIVEAWAY and NEW DESIGN!

ok kids! so today i will announce the winner of my giveaway, it'll be very soon......
in the meantime lay your eyes on this - announcing THE SUPER PLEATED CLUTCH!!!!

YAY!!!! this has been in my head ever since i designed the super pleated tote.  it's the perfect sibling!  it's super sized with gorgeous side pleating and it has a zippered closure.  take this baby out for a spin! get yours here.

new design - the broome street clutch!

i am so excited tonight.  it's been my mission to make some classic designs for bungaloe that could be my staple, signature designs.  so far the super pleated tote is one of them - the next addition to the bungaloe family is: the broome street clutch!! named after the street my mom grew up on in nyc.

i love the design because it's pretty classic, just straight up sleek.  it's made from reclaimed leather, has a flap with a hidden snap closure, riveted detail and you can stick your finger inside the strap for easy access.  it's very large approx 8.5" l x 12.5" w.
i have this obsession with making clutches that are perfect for going out with: on a date with your man or a new date, for a nice lunch or dinner with friends and i think this one fits into that category perfectly.  get it here!

delicioustown

today the sky is dribbling rain, it's chilly and gray.  i really don't need an excuse to have a hot cocoa, but the weather has given me an opportunity that i cannot pass up.  i think it's time to share with you all my mom's hot cocoa.  it is the best hot cocoa i have ever had.  i hate to take the romance out of the whole scenario: 'it's made with love', 'it has special secret spices', 'mom learned it from a deceptive society buried beep in the rainforest'.  it's really just a simple common sense recipe. i don't think she wrote it.  it just tastes so much better then buying packets of hot cocoa and takes no time at all it's seriously worth it to make homemade hot cocoa.

photo courtesy of oziahz blog

you will need:

baking cocoa powder unsweetened - mom always used hershey's

milk

sugar

TADA! insane right? 

take your mug measure however much milk fits in it

pour it in a pot

measure out a heaping spoonful of cocoa

sweeten to taste with the sugar

cook over a very low flame

the best thing is that it tastes amazing this way but you can get mad scientist on it.

add vanilla extract, use maple syrup (my fav sweetener), use cream, use skim milk for less calories, top it with whipped cream, add bailey's for a chocolatey drunken night.

GIVEAWAY FROM BUNGALOE

i think it's about time i host a giveaway, in these stressful economic times it's hard to scrounge up the cash to buy the fun things in life. it's 7am on a wednesday and i wanna spread some joy!
YOU can win this screenprinted bungaloe canvas clutch handmade by me!

featuring 2 snap closures, an outside pocket and houndstooth screenprinted detail, measures approx 11.5" w x 6.5" l, made with organic canvas and waterbased ink.

here's how to win:
1. look thru my blog and note your favorite post in a comment on this post. (you MUST leave a comment because this is where i will choose the random winner from!)
2. take a look thru my etsy store and heart your favorite item.
3. if you have a blog become a follower of my blog.

pretty simple! you have until 12am tuesday march 16th.
i will choose the winner at random by next wednesday 9am and announce it on my blog!!

new design - super pleated tote

i featured this style tote a couple weeks ago but didn't have the time to talk about it much, so hear it is:

i love this tote!!! i first started making hand bags with the intention of one day making a bag like this, i didn't know what it looked like in my mind years ago. it's been a process for sure. it's the fruition of everything i've always wanted in a bag for myself but couldn't afford or find.
the super pleated tote bag is a design that you could use everyday and feel like your carrying your belongings in something special. i love pleats, but i wanted to use them in an unexpected way - they are on the sides of the bag in a scattered pattern to create movement and scrunchyness.

the pleating created a really cool shape for the bag. the handles are riveted on. i wanted to keep the overall look simle by leaving out o rings and d rings and buckles.

the inside of the bag has 2 pockets. the outside is made from reclaimed leather and the interior is made with organic canvas.

2 in 1 clutch combo!!

this one needs a name cause i think i'll actually keep this design and recreate it in different leathers, faux and reclaimed. did you ever take out your clutch and find you needed more room all of a sudden? i have worked all weekend on this problem and come up with my clutch combo.
should you need more room all of a sudden just unfold this clutch and move a couple straps around and voila!!!!! and really sleek hand/shoulderbag!

here are some more views: