bon voyage!

as i prepare for my journey to china, i've been looking into chic but practical carry-ons.

most favorite (prada in gorgeous red. nylon has never looked better):
second favorite (tory burch):
as an aside - tory burch usually annoys the hell out of me, but i have to say this bag is quite nice

least favorite (but still awesome, stella mccartney):

this is quite an unexpected shape and perhaps an impractical color, but i love it. it looks soft, spacious, and luxurious (and is just as good as a regular handbag!)

if i didn't worry so much about things getting soiled or stolen, i really think i'd spring for the prada...
one might wonder why i don't just wait to go to shanghai to buy everything at a fraction of the price. apparently, luxury items there are ~1.5x U.S. prices, since those that can afford them are typically so price insensitive (counterintuitively!) that designer products are sold at a premium.

should you wish to repay me for this tidbit of trivia, send checks to bagsforb.tches@gmail.com.