IT'S IN THE BAG - Favorite Vegan Handbags {Winter 2016}

2016 is officially upon us. And so are our resolutions: this year, I've got my eye on stepping my yoga practice up a notch, plant-based eating, making time for travel and adventure...and cleaning out my closet.

After all, new year, new you. Or, preferably, new wardrobe. And, in the spirit of hitting the re-fresh button, it's time to summon our inner power to PURGE. Namely, that collection of dusted-over handbags. It's time to be real with ourselves: we are never going to put that '80s nylon fuchsia clutches we inherited from our moms to good use. Say it with me: I'm not going to use my mom's hand-me-down (albeit fashion-daring) purse. That decade is over. Time to Pare. It. Down.

Now is the era of embracing some closet feng shui and getting into the minimalism spirit. Deep breaths everyone: it can be done. Here is my curated checklist of a {reasonably small and totally crush-worthy} handful of handbags to get you through the day-to-day this wintry season:

Angela Roi // Hipsters for Sisters // Zink Collection // This Is Paper // Pelcor

Tips for staying on the road to simplicity this year: keep the color palette neutral, the lines geometric and find a balance between style and function.

1. On-trend and versatile, the Cross-Body bag from Angela Roi is the ideal grab-and-go option; it will complement most any casual ensemble and has ample room for whatever you wish to cart around for the entire day.
2. The results are in and the seemingly impossible has happened: fanny packs are back (and I'm not-so-secretly loving it). This sleek pack from Hipsters for Sisters is a looker and endlessly practical. Toss in your keys, phone and wallet, and you're good to waltz right out the door.
3. The definition of sophistication, you're going to thank your lucky stars and good taste that you have the Jaunt Handbag from Zink Collection hanging in your closet. Perfect for a polished business get-up, it can easily transition to evening with that flattering LBD number. 
4. This year, convenience is king. Embrace your wanderlust, whether within your own city or abroad, and throw on this Handle Backpack in Denim. Roughing it while looking impossibly chic is a tricky line to walk, but This Is Paper nails it. 
5. In any handbag collection, a clutch is always a must, and the Cork Sesame Clutch from Pelcor is the ultimate. It's just the right size for your daily essentials and still manages to feel delightfully airy. The creamy beige and woven pattern make this pick flattering to just about any outfit, from casual to elegant. 

Here's to a new year of saying yes to adventure, loving fearlessly and—as always—living that dirty/rotten life.

xx